20/20: Bad Romance: Betrayed

Host/Author: ABC News
Release Date: May 13, 2025

Introduction: The Unfolding Tragedy

The episode begins by setting a haunting scene on the night of July 4th in Norfolk, Virginia. At [00:05], a police officer responds to a distress call that leads to a gruesome discovery: two murders within the same residence. Vonda Goyina, 74, and her daughter Angelique Goyina, 35, are found brutally slain, with no signs of forced entry or theft, raising immediate questions about the perpetrator's identity and motive.

The Victims: Vonda and Angelique Goyina

Vonda Goyina was an elderly woman battling dementia and heart problems, while her daughter Angelique, affectionately known as "Angel," was a young poet with a passion for fantasy novels and Elizabethan dressing. Angel served as her mother's primary caretaker, embodying a deep, familial bond.

• Angel's Personality and Interests:
  • "I have a huge heart of gold that I want to share with my partner." [Love Segment]
  • "A heart is judged by the love it gives its thoughts, deeds, and actions." [Character Insight]

Angel's life was deeply intertwined with her mother, sharing rituals and hobbies such as visiting the beach, practicing Wicca, and reading tarot cards together. Their close relationship is poignantly depicted through Angel’s diary entries and family interviews.

The Crime Scene: A Chilling Discovery

Upon arrival, the officer discovers Vonda on the floor with apparent stab wounds and a slit throat, while Angel is found in her bedroom, also brutally murdered. The scene is described as resembling a movie set, overwhelmed by gore and violence.

• Narrator: "It was probably one of the worst homicide scenes I’ve ever been to." [00:10]
• Details:
  • Multiple stab wounds on both victims.
  • A teddy bear soaked in blood beside Angel.
  • Defensive wounds on Angel indicate a violent struggle.

Initial Investigation: Clues and Dying Declarations

The investigation initially points to Walter Lucas, an ex-husband of Vonda, due to a dying declaration from Vonda. However, forensic evidence eliminates him as he was verified to be over 200 miles away during the murders.

• Officer Whiteside: "She said Walter Lucas. Mailbox one." [00:20]
• Challenge: No murder weapon found; all DNA and fingerprints belong to residents and close family members.

Emergence of the Killer’s Letters

The case takes a sinister turn with the arrival of two taunting letters from the killer, postmarked from Chicago and Gaylord, Michigan. These letters provide chilling insights into the perpetrator’s mindset and connection to the victims.

• First Letter Content:

  • References to meeting the victims at the beach.
  • Detailed descriptions that only someone close would know.
  • Timestamp: [00:35]

• Second Letter Content:

  • Admission of committing a second murder.
  • Timestamp: [00:47]

Forensic analysis shows no fingerprints or DNA, indicating meticulous planning and the use of protective gear by the killer.

Introducing Detective Rick Malbin: A New Hope

Detective Rick Malbin, a seasoned homicide investigator, is brought onto the case, focusing on the killer’s letters to uncover their identity.

• Detective Malbin: "Nobody is perfect when they commit a murder. ... I was gonna do everything I possibly could to find that person." [00:55]

His approach emphasizes the importance of linking the letters to the perpetrator, believing that the written clues are pivotal to solving the case.

Shifting Focus to David Hoshaw

As the investigation delves deeper, David Hoshaw, Angel’s fiancé, emerges as a prime suspect. Several red flags surface:

• Alibi Weaknesses:

  • Inconsistencies in his stated whereabouts during the crime.
  • Changing his computer password to "for Amanda" [01:15] suggests his involvement with another woman.

• Background Check:

  • Multiple marriages with a history of domestic abuse.
  • Previous allegations of grooming a minor, though not criminally prosecuted.

Interviews with David’s ex-wives reveal a pattern of violent behavior and deceit, painting him as a potential predator.

• Naomi Ho Shaw (David’s First Wife):

  • Recounts instances of domestic violence and manipulation.
  • Quote: "If you ever confronted him about anything, he would just flip in his brain." [01:35]

• Allison Ashcroft (David’s Third Wife):

  • Describes eerie incidents of physical abuse.
  • Quote: "He started rolling this thing back and forth across my neck... I just blacked out." [01:45]

The Arrest: Connecting Evidence

Detective Malbin and his team accumulate circumstantial evidence linking David to the murders:

• Cell Phone Records:

  • His location near the Chicago post office during the mailing of the first letter.
  • Quote: "We were able to put him between 2.1 and 12.6 miles from that post office." [02:10]

• Credit Card Purchases:

  • Activities leading to the second letter’s postmark location in Michigan.
  • Quote: "His purchase history was literally a roadmap." [02:20]

Gathering testimonies from over 140 witnesses, Malbin builds a strong case, culminating in David’s indictment.

Trial and Guilty Plea: Justice Served

David Hoshaw is brought to trial, where overwhelming evidence forces him to plead guilty to capital and first-degree murder, avoiding a lengthy trial.

• Courtroom Moment:
  • Angel’s Family Member: "Every word that came out of David's mouth in court just made me angry." [02:40]

David’s guilty plea brings closure to the Goyina family, though feelings of anger and disbelief persist.

• David’s Statement: "Today, for the sake of my family, I'm pleading guilty to this horrific crime." [02:45]

Aftermath: Reflections and Final Thoughts

In a post-conviction interview, David offers a minimal explanation, citing an attempted breakup that escalated fatally.

• David Hoshaw: "I thought it was just a private room... I need to speak to an attorney." [03:00]

The Goyina family grapples with profound loss, holding onto Angel’s poetic legacy and mourning both she and Vonda.

• Family Member: "He's a predator. To avoid the death penalty, David Hoshaw had to admit that he killed Vonda and Angel." [03:10]

Final reflections underscore the tragedy and the enduring pain left in the wake of such senseless violence.

Conclusion: The Lingering Impact

The episode closes by highlighting the lasting scars on the Goyina family and the community, emphasizing the importance of uncovering the truth for closure and justice.

• Victim’s Legacy:
  • "Stars scattered diamonds of the night. The stars watch and somewhat guide choices and outcomes." [03:20]

Angel’s poetry and the memories of her and her mother provide a solemn reminder of the lives lost and the quest for truth and healing.

Notable Quotes

• Officer Whiteside: "She said Walter Lucas. Mailbox one." [00:20]
• Detective Malbin: "I was gonna do everything I possibly could to find that person." [00:55]
• Naomi Ho Shaw: "If you ever confronted him about anything, he would just flip in his brain." [01:35]
• David Hoshaw: "Today, for the sake of my family, I'm pleading guilty to this horrific crime." [02:45]
• Family Member: "He's a predator. ... To avoid the death penalty, David Hoshaw had to admit that he killed Vonda and Angel." [03:10]

Key Takeaways

• Meticulous Investigation: The absence of immediate evidence directed investigators to rely heavily on circumstantial evidence and behavioral analysis.
• Complex Relationships: The intricate dynamics between victims and suspects reveal how personal relationships can both conceal and unveil truths.
• Justice and Closure: The episode underscores the balance between legal procedures and the emotional needs of those left behind.

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the "Bad Romance: Betrayed" episode, providing insights into the tragic case, the investigative process, and the ultimate pursuit of justice for the Goyina family.