31 episodes
Direct Appeal Dr. Meghan Sacks and Dr. Amy Shlosberg
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- True Crime
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4.4 • 1.5K Ratings
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In August 2008, Sarah Widmer, a healthy 24 year-old woman is found dead in her bathtub, just four months after marrying Ryan Widmer… the only person at home with Sarah that night.
Suspicion quickly fell on Ryan, leading to his arrest and conviction for Sarah’s murder. But could this have been a tragic accident?
Ryan has adamantly maintained his innocence for the last 16 years, but now, two seasoned criminologists examine the very controversial conviction of Ryan Widmer, for the murder of his wife Sarah.
Is Ryan a murder or did something else happen in that bathroom? Join us to find out.
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The Nice Guy
Ep 01:
On season 2 of Direct Appeal, we examine the murder conviction of Ryan Widmer for the death of his wife, Sarah Whitmer. Looking at the evidence that was presented, that which was not, and the evidence that may have seemed insignificant at the time, we form our own conclusion about Ryan Widmer's Guilt.
It was night like any other. August 11th, 2008, Ryan and Sarah Whitmer married just four months. Were in the beginning-stages of building their new life together. Sarah wasn't feeling well that day, so she decided to go upstairs after dinner to take a bath. Ryan stayed downstairs in the living room a little while longer, and continued to watch the game.
Sometime after 10:00 PM Ryan was ready to call it a night, so he headed upstairs to get ready for bed.
When he opened the door to the upstairs bathroom, he walked in to find a terrifying scene. Sarah was in the bathtub and didn't appear to be breathing. A panicked Ryan called 911.
If you have any information regarding this case, you can still submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (570) 844-0499.
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks & Amy Shlosberg
Editing by Jose Alfonzo
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Special Thanks to Janice Hisle and her book, Submerged: Ryan Widmer, his drowned bride and the justice system
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Underwater
Ep02:
On this episode, you'll hear Ryan's full account of the night of August 11th, 2008, when he found Sarah dead in their upstairs bathtub, along with the 911 call that will be used in court against him.
Also, what happened in the hours after Ryan found Sarah?
If you have any information regarding this case, you can still submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (570) 844-0499.
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks & Amy Shlosberg
Editing by Jose Alfonzo
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Special Thanks to Janice Hisle and her book, Submerged: Ryan Widmer, his drowned bride and the justice system
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Into the Fray
03: In the days following Sarah's death, the media begins to paint their own picture of what may have happened. Ryan is still trying to cope and realizes that he is now coming under suspicion.
If you have any information regarding this case, you can still submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (570) 844-0499.
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks & Amy Shlosberg
Editing by Jose Alfonzo
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Special Thanks to Janice Hisle and her book, Submerged: Ryan Widmer, his drowned bride and the justice system
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Battle Begins
Ep04:
Ryan begins to grieve as he plans Sarah's funeral, but he also is planning for the battle of his life both in the courtroom and in the public eye.
The Prosecution will present its case to the court.
If you have any information regarding this case, you can still submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (570) 844-0499.
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks & Amy Shlosberg
Editing by Jose Alfonzo
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Special Thanks to Janice Hisle and her book, Submerged: Ryan Widmer, his drowned bride and the justice system
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Prosecution Rests
Ep05:
The Prosecution calls the rest of their experts, including the "star witness". Just before the Prosecution rests their case, a new theory emerges of what might have happened between Ryan and Sarah that night.
If you have any information regarding this case, you can still submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (570) 844-0499.
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks & Amy Shlosberg
Editing by Jose Alfonzo
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Special Thanks to Janice Hisle and her book, Submerged: Ryan Widmer, his drowned bride and the justice system
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Defense
Ep06:
The Defense makes their case that Sarah's death was a tragic accident, but will Ryan take the stand and defend himself? Also, we talk to a 3rd party pathologist and get their thoughts on the autopsy and manner of death.
If you have any information regarding this case, you can still submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (570) 844-0499.
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks & Amy Shlosberg
Editing by Jose Alfonzo
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Special Thanks to Janice Hisle and her book, Submerged: Ryan Widmer, his drowned bride and the justice system
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Customer Reviews
Loved the podcast BUT
Come on ladies! Melanie is guilty. The second hosts theory is way more plausible. The first one got way too close to Melanie. This podcast was so well done. I think her father in law was most likely involved.
Now I am listening to Season 2 and changing my rating. This podcast is beyond biased. It would benefit you to have one of you having a different opinion because you both agree on everything and it’s frustrating to be a listener and feel like the hosts are getting it so wrong. But I really like you and want to keep listening. Please try and be less biased because your podcast is amazing!
Love the podcast
I have to say I listen to your other shows and I am a fan. That being said I think you were objective in Melanie’s case but I feel like in Ryan’s case you just assumed he was innocent from the beginning. I do think Melanie is innocent after listening when I felt that she was guilty before listening. I feel that Ryan is guilty before and after listening this podcast.
So Good!
This has become my favorite crime podcast! Well documented. Educational. Entertaining. The hosts do an amazing job of explaining the case while given a legal analysis in layman’s terms. Excited for a season three.