And That's Why We Drink

Episode 445: Fish Beneficiaries and Croissant Redemption Societies

Hosts: Christine Schiefer & Eva Schulz
Release Date: August 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In classic “And That’s Why We Drink” fashion, Christine and Eva mix the chilling with the chuckle-worthy in this episode. They kick things off with a candid discussion about donations to unexpected causes, algorithmic creepiness, and the quirks of adulting, before diving into their signature paranormal and true crime tales. This week, Eva brings us a history-laden, deeply unsettling account of Melbourne’s Old Jail—the hauntings, history, and horrors that make it one of Australia’s most infamous prisons. Christine then covers the startling and tragic case of Jade Jenks and Tom Merriman, a murder entwined with betrayal, trauma, and a deeply disturbing motive.

Intro, Banter & Notable Segments

Fish Fears, Algorithms & Taking Action

• Eva recounts a personal quest to support a cause outside her comfort zone—donating to the first Black-owned aquarium in the world, despite her deep-seated fear of fish, after discovering “Underwater with Aaron” on TikTok.
  • “The irony is that [Aaron] said something like, if you donate, you can have free entry for life. And I was like—girl, I'm not going.” – Eva (07:14)
• Eva and Christine muse about technology’s uncanny ability to “predict” needs and desires:
  • “Is it chicken or the egg? Does TikTok just know you so well that it sort of knew it before you realized?” – Christine (04:13)
  • Debate about psychics vs. algorithms, with Christine lauding Eva’s “outdated psychic” powers and referencing their classic ESP game (06:40).

Donating to the "Least Likely" Cause

• Conversation on supporting communities or causes one doesn’t necessarily relate to.
  • Eva: “Now the reason why I drink is because…I did not see my money going to my worst enemy, my mortal enemy: Fish.” (09:41)
  • Christine: “So you asked yourself, what do I not want to do…and then it appeared.” (08:27)

Why We Drink: Adulting, Housework, and Little Treats

• The hosts get real about the overwhelming tide of household management.
  • Christine laments: “I'm constantly drowning. Stomach viruses, laundry, vet appointments…That's why I drink” (16:36)
  • Eva offers practical wisdom about consolidating chores to free up mental space.
  • Both hosts celebrate the power of capitalism’s “fun little treats”:
    • “I fully believe in ‘FLT’ culture. In a capitalist society, you need a fun little treat now and then. And sometimes that’s every couple hours!” – Eva (19:45)
• Brief detour into collectible toys and the emotional comfort of “Labubus.”

Main Story 1: The Paranormal History of Old Melbourne Jail (Eva)

[25:31–75:36]

Historical Background

• Established: 1839 (predates state of Victoria)
• Notoriety: Known for its severe conditions and as the site of 133 executions (incl. infamous Ned Kelly).
  • “It was the first jail in Victoria, although I think Victoria could say we’re the first Victoria in the jail.” – Eva (26:11)
• Prisoners: All demographics—criminals, vagrants, people with mental illness, children as young as THREE years old.
  • “It ranged from serial killers to ten-year-olds.” (27:29)

Day-to-Day Horror

• Building: Made of blue stone.
• Living conditions: Overcrowded, unsanitary, no temperature regulation, frequent corporal punishment (up to 50 lashings with a cat o’ nine tails, plus salt), use of sensory deprivation (thick-walled, windowless isolation cells), and hoods to enforce silence.
  • “Imagine you’re locked up for five years and you can’t see another person’s face.” – Eva (38:10)
• Withdrawal 'detox' protocol:
  • “They would get doused with cold water, sewn into a blanket, left outside with a hood over their face, and then covered with leeches.” (36:18)
• Prisoners ascended in privilege by floors:
  • Basement/first floor: solitary confinement, worst conditions
  • Second floor: modest improvements
  • Third (top) floor: minor crimes, shared cells, but also site of the gallows

Executions & Infamous Inmates

• Death Law: Executed by hanging; bodies buried on jail grounds.
• Hangmen: Usually disguised inmates, able to control fate of the executed.
  • “If they didn’t like you…they could control how slow or swift you’d die.” (44:01)
• Elizabeth Scott: First woman executed in Victoria—possibly innocent (45:30).
• Frederick Bailey Deeming: Suspected by some to have been Jack the Ripper (46:00).
• Ned Kelly (Australia’s “Robin Hood”):
  • Arrested after a shoot-out, famously wore hand-forged “Iron Man” armor.
  • Iconic last words, possibly: “Such is life.” (51:17)
  • His death mask and legend are at the center of the museum’s displays.

Phrenology, Death Masks, and Pseudoscience

• Death masks taken of executed inmates for display and (faux) scientific study.
  • Used for phrenology: “Doctors could feel the bumps and decide if you were more or less gifted…” (54:08)
  • Eva notes the racist, eugenic motivations behind much of phrenology.

The Jail’s Decline and Haunting Aftermath

• Officially closed 1920s; became a museum in the 1970s. Death masks, armor, and “haunted” artifacts remain on display.

Hauntings & Paranormal Activity

• Most Common Experiences:
  • Sounds: doors slamming, footsteps, jangling keys, crying and pleading voices.
  • Residual emotions: sorrow, grief, nausea; people fainting.
  • Apparitions: shadow figures, guards in long coats, Lady in Blue.
  • The Gallows: worst energy—people experience pressure, shortness of breath, or urges to jump.
    • “Some have said an apparition of a guard near the gallows whispers to jump.” (66:20)
  • Shadowy outlines with “rotting skin” on skeletons; cell doors mysteriously locking.
• Cell 17: The hotspot for chilling activity: disembodied voices, cold spots, feelings of choking, men driven out, women trapped in, dogs refusing to enter. (73:44)
  • “Highly trained dogs start acting erratically, refuse to enter, and have to be taken outside to calm down.” (73:44)
• Take-home hauntings: Many visitors report nightmares, feeling watched, and even seeing shadows at home after visiting.

“If you’d like this experience…head on over to the Old Melbourne Jail.” – Eva (76:42)

Notable Quotes and Moments

• “Bone-chilling cold to it.” – Eva (74:02)
• “Some people have felt something using force on them—but instead of shoving, it’s pulling them into rooms.” – Eva (70:33)
• Christine, expressing dread: “I don’t think I could be ever talked into going there…It’s the absorbing the emotions. That’s really hard for me.” (68:00)
• On being physically followed home by ghosts (Queen Mary experience): “The scariest ghost hunt…you could feel someone sitting in the car with you.” (77:07)

Main Story 2: The Murder of Tom Merriman by Jade Jenks (Christine)

[82:09–127:07]

The Crime

• January 1, 2021:
  • Adam Cipliak calls police, reports that friend Jade Jenks allegedly confessed to killing her stepfather, Tom Merriman, 64.
  • Police discover Tom’s body hidden under trash in his driveway, wrapped in a blanket and wearing a hospital bracelet.
  • Jade, 36, cared for and lived next to Tom, her ex-stepfather. Their relationship was famously close; she called him “Dad,” even after the divorce from her mother.
• First hints of suspicion: Jade claimed not to have seen Tom, was pulled over by police leaving her driveway (85:35).

The Investigation

• Autopsy: Ruled death was from an overdose of Ambien (zolpidem)—no signs of force, contrary to Adam’s claim Jade confessed to strangling Tom.
• Conflicting stories:
  • Jade: Claims Tom accidentally OD’d; she panicked, covered his body, and sought help only to move him inside and “stage” a natural death.
  • Adam: Says Jade told him she’d drugged and then strangled Tom, asking Adam to help move the body.

The Discovery & The Motive

• The dark secret:
  • Jade discovers hundreds of nude photos of herself, some taken as a minor, on Tom’s computer—including as his screensaver. She texts friends about being horrified, unable to “even touch her own skin,” and terrified for what would happen when he came home. (98:48)
    • “She called him dad. And this is what he did to her.” (122:28)
  • Reaches out to a security guard/fixer, Alan, for protection when confronting Tom.
• Disturbing texts uncovered (by prosecution):
  • “I just dosed the hell out of him.” (107:15)
  • “Stopping at Dixieland to stall.” (109:17)
  • “It’s gonna be like Weekend at Bernie’s.” (110:32)
  • DNA evidence: Only Jade’s DNA on Ambien pack, not Tom’s.

The Trial

• Jade claims her texts are “poor phrasing,” denies premeditation, and says she only wanted to get Tom out of her life (not kill him).
• Multiple men testify to being asked to help or to commit violence; all declined.
• Jade attempts to use trauma and abuse history as context but does not present it as a motive since she denied intent to kill.
  • “It’s hard to come by someone you just feel you can trust completely. And I did feel that way.” – Jade, tearfully (104:14)
• Prosecutors emphasize premeditation: purchasing gloves, towels, nylon cord, and spray paint; failed attempts to move the body or get help; damning text trail.
• Defense stresses trauma, argues the death was accidental and Jade’s panic led to irrational choices, not murder.

The Verdict

• Jury deliberates for only 30 minutes—convicts Jade Jenks of first-degree murder (119:10).
  • “When the verdict was announced, Jade turned to her lawyer and you could see her go, ‘I don’t understand.’” (120:24)
• Sentenced to 25 years to life.
• Remains in prison; attorney plans an appeal.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Christine on Jade’s trauma:
  • “Just the violation is sickening. It’s like, I get acid in my throat.” (99:54)
• Eva’s reflection:
  • “I always wonder, what would it take for me to snap?” (124:04)
• On hindsight and irrationality after trauma:
  • “I think that’s human instinct—to be like, what were you thinking? That’s so obvious. But…maybe you’re so in shock, your brain can’t even keep up.” – Christine (114:43)
  • “It didn’t help heal her trauma. Right? It’s just adding to it.” (126:56)
• Eva on moral gray space:
  • “Sometimes there’s just not a side. You don’t have to pick a side every time.” (127:07)

Final Thoughts & Episode Close

• The hosts candidly acknowledge the darkness of this episode but encourage listeners to find support through community (and, yes, “fun little treats”).
  • “And that’s why we drink—when that’s why we bum you out every week.” – Christine (128:13)
• Christine teases upcoming tour stops, and both remind listeners about Patreon and video/full content on YouTube.
• Final self-aware nod to the show’s growing reputation for serving up “BYOB – Bum You Out Broadcasts.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Algorithmic destiny, fish charity banter: 02:03–11:03
• Why We Drink (real-life overwhelm & home hacks): 12:48–23:00
• Old Melbourne Jail haunted history (Eva): 25:31–75:36
• Jade Jenks & Tom Merriman true crime story (Christine): 82:09–127:07
• Dark humor/episode close: 128:12–129:37

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode brings classic “And That’s Why We Drink”—unexpected humor about the strange stuff of daily life, the limits of empathy, and haunting tales that connect the psychological and supernatural. The Melbourne Jail segment is especially harrowing, with a detailed history and a psychically toxic legacy that frankly freaked out both hosts. Christine’s true crime story offers a bleak look at the connections between trauma and violence, set against the backdrop of an unfortunate stack of digital evidence and a disturbing family betrayal.

If you enjoy eerie tales with depth, dark humor, and candid conversation about odd feelings—this episode is a must-listen. Just maybe keep the lights on.