Prepare yourself for a chilling journey into the dark corners of abuse as I peel back the layers on the sickening reign of terror by Shelly Knotek. This episode is a testament to the terrifying power of manipulation and the monstrous face of domestic violence. The narrative takes you through the life of Kathy Loreno, a vibrant, spirited hairdresser who became the first victim of Shelly's twisted games. Kathy's story is tragic and harrowing, a tale of a bright life dimmed by the cruel hands of her best friend. She was not just a hairdresser, but also a caretaker, a friend, and eventually, Shelly's personal punching bag.
Despite the torment, Kathy's will to survive shone through the darkness. She was trapped in a nightmare, isolated from her family, and stripped of her dignity by complex mind games and brutal physical assaults. Hear the shocking truth of how Shelly managed to keep Kathy under her oppressive thumb and the desperate lengths Kathy went to endure the ordeal. Let's not just hear it, let's confront it because Kathy's experience is a painful yet necessary reminder of the atrocities of domestic violence. This episode is not just Kathy's story, but a call to action for everyone to stand against such horrors.
Sources:
“If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood” by Gregg Olsen

1 in 3 is intended for mature audiences. Episodes contain explicit content and may be triggering to some.

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If you are in the United States and need help right now, call the national domestic violence hotline at 800-799-7233 or text the word “start” to 88788.
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Cover art by Laura Swift Dahlke
Music by Tim Crowe