Crime and Coffee Couple – True Crime Podcast
Episode 219: Karissa Boudreau: "Mommy, Don't"
Released: November 9, 2025
Hosts: Allison & Mike
Episode Overview
This emotionally charged episode centers on the murder of 12-year-old Karissa Boudreau in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, in 2008—a crime whose shocking details continue to haunt both the local community and the broader world of true crime. Hosts Allison and Mike present a deeply researched narrative with their signature blend of down-to-earth banter, sarcasm, and empathy for victims, exploring how Karissa’s mother, Penny Boudreau, committed an unthinkable act to preserve her relationship with a boyfriend. The case’s heart-wrenching details—the “Mommy, don’t” plea; the community’s desperate search; the extensive police investigation; and Penny’s chilling confession—are revealed in a gripping, respectful, and thought-provoking discussion.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Setting the Scene: Small-Town Nova Scotia
[12:13]
- Karissa disappears on a cold January night (Jan 27, 2008) in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.
- “This is a place in Canada where people lived for generations...leave their doors open at night because they trusted everyone.” – Allison [12:21]
- Penny, her mother, claims Karissa vanished from their car in a grocery store parking lot as a snowstorm approached.
Karissa’s Family Background & Home Life
[14:08]
- Karissa is the only child of Penny and Paul Boudreau, born in 1995.
- Complicated family dynamics: Penny dated Paul, became pregnant, then began a relationship with Paul’s brother, Shane, whom she later married.
- “You could basically say that to Carissa, Shane is her uncle and her stepfather.” – Allison [14:18]
- After Penny and Shane's divorce, Karissa moved between parents, ultimately living with Penny and her new boyfriend, Vernon McCumber, in a cramped apartment.
- Tension escalated between Penny and Karissa, common in pre-teen years but magnified by upheaval and an unwelcome new living situation.
The Day of Disappearance
[17:26]
- Penny describes normal events: buying subway for lunch, Karissa staying in her room, going for a drive for a “heart-to-heart.”
- They stop at Sobeys grocery. Penny claims Karissa waits in the car, but upon returning, Karissa is gone.
- Penny’s reporting timeline: Last seen by Penny around 5:40pm (CCTV confirmed), but not reported missing to police until 8:30pm.
The Search & Community Response
[21:43]
- As word spreads, the community rallies with massive search efforts and press conferences with heartfelt, now chilling, pleas from Penny for her daughter’s return.
- “Her eyes were red and swollen. She was crying. She was pleading for her daughter's safe return…” – Allison [24:09]
- Discovery of Karissa’s pink Croc (shoe) by a passing driver intensifies fears.
Discovery of Karissa’s Body & Forensic Details
[27:52]
- Nearly two weeks later, a local woman and her son find Karissa’s frozen, partially clothed body near the LaHave River (Feb 9).
- Forensic findings: ligature marks, evidence of strangulation, suggest sexual assault—but no DNA found; her body was placed with intent to mislead investigators.
- “She was wearing Winnie the Pooh underwear at this time...just such a heartbreaking image of her innocence.” – Allison [29:19]
- Emotional impact on hosts and listeners: “She was found with her pants and underwear pulled down...but there was no DNA evidence.” – Allison [31:12]
The Investigation Tightens
[33:24]
- Public reassured it’s “not a random murder”—authorities suspect someone known to Karissa, but specifics withheld.
- Penny and Vernon, though unnamed to media, are quickly identified as primary suspects, based on neighbor reports of fights and incriminating remarks (“How could you do this?” – Vernon to Penny).
Undercover Operations & The Mr. Big Sting
[37:58, 40:45]
- Innovative and controversial investigation tactic: undercover officers pose as members of a crime organization (“Mr. Big” operation, legal in Canada but not the US).
- Penny, seeking help to “make all her problems go away,” confides in an officer, ultimately incriminating herself in exhaustive detail.
Penny Boudreau’s Chilling Confession
[41:32–49:45]
- Penny details her plans: driven by a belief that losing boyfriend Vernon would be worse than losing her child.
- She describes the murder: Strangling her own daughter with twine, Carissa’s final, heartbreaking words, “Mommy, don’t.”
- “As her mom starts strangling her…all her daughter said was, ‘Mommy, don't.’” – Allison [45:23]
- She admits staging the crime scene to imply sexual assault and disposing of Karissa’s belongings to mislead investigators.
- She reenacts the murder, writes it out, and guides officers to key locations.
Legal Proceedings & Sentencing
[51:15–54:50]
- Penny is confronted with her confession video; she pleads guilty to second-degree murder, receiving a 20-year sentence (eligible for release June 2028).
- The judge delivers a memorable rebuke: “You can never call yourself mother in conjunction with Carissa's name again. And the words ‘mommy, don’t’...are there to haunt you...” – Judge Stewart, as paraphrased by Allison [52:10]
Aftermath: Parole, Community Outrage, and Legacy
[54:51–59:00]
- Penny applies for—and is temporarily granted—conditional unescorted day passes, causing outrage.
- Carissa’s father speaks of torment and guilt, echoing the community’s devastation.
- The hosts empathize deeply with survivors, denounce “evil” beyond comprehension, and highlight the injustice of early parole.
Reflections, Grief, and the Lasting Echo of “Mommy, Don’t”
[60:50–62:17]
- Mike and Allison revisit Karissa’s final moments, emphasizing the unique, unbreakable comfort typically associated with mother and child, and the horror at its betrayal.
- “Just absolutely heart wrenching. Makes tears come to my eyes...just picturing this terrified child with her mom on top of her...” – Allison [60:56]
- Both reflect on the enduring trauma for the community, the loss of a promising young life, and the inescapability of the story’s darkness.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Penny’s Confession and Attitude:
- “She strangled her daughter to death on Sunday, January 27...Vernon had nothing to do with it.” – Allison [42:23]
- “All her daughter said was, ‘Mommy, don’t.’” – Allison [45:23]
- “The thought of losing [Vernon] was harder than the thought of losing her daughter.” – Allison [49:18]
On the Investigation:
- “This is that Mr. Big thing, right?” – Mike [40:45]
- “I would not be good in the Mr. Big sting operation. I’d be like, come on, just tell me what you know.” – Allison [41:06]
On the Sentencing and Aftermath:
- “You can never call yourself mother in conjunction with Carissa's name again...‘Mommy, don’t’...will haunt you for the rest of your natural life.” – Judge Stewart (as paraphrased) [52:10]
- “She’s going to be a free woman, living her life, having the opportunity to do things that her daughter will never be able to do.” – Allison [61:40]
Reflecting on Parental Duty & Outrage:
- “Nobody comes over my children. I know who I’m keeping 100. If you give me that ultimatum, you are not the person for me.” – Allison [42:07]
- “If you see Penny on the streets out there in Nova Scotia, make sure to trip her and give her a kick to the stomach...she’s a piece of garbage.” – Mike [61:30]
On the Emotional Impact:
- “The ‘mommy don’t’—that’s really heart wrenching.” – Mike [60:50]
- “The details of Carissa’s murder during Penny’s own confessions have haunted so many people...As her mother tightened the twine around her neck and she struggled to breathe, she spoke the words, ‘Mommy, don’t.’” – Allison [58:23]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 12:13 – Launch into the case: Karissa’s vanishing and initial description.
- 14:08 – Karissa’s family dynamics explained.
- 17:26 – Day of the disappearance and Penny’s evolving story.
- 21:43 – Community search efforts and media appeals.
- 27:52 – Discovery of Karissa’s body and early forensic details.
- 33:24 – Suspicions focus on Penny and Vernon; community and police response.
- 37:58, 40:45 – Undercover operation (Mr. Big) and Penny's confession.
- 41:32–49:45 – Detailed retelling of the murder, confession, and heartbreaking final words.
- 51:15–54:50 – Legal process, guilty plea, sentencing, and judge’s rebuke.
- 54:51–59:00 – Parole process, impact statements, and ongoing community outrage.
- 60:50–62:17 – Hosts’ reflections on the emotional devastation of the case.
Tone & Style
Allison and Mike maintain their trademark blend of banter, emotional honesty, and compassion for the victim throughout, offering respectful commentary aimed at honoring Karissa while expressing justified outrage and heartbreak. Their empathy for survivors’ grief and their disdain for perpetrators come through, punctuated with moments of dark humor and pointed reflection on parenting and justice.
Summary Takeaway
Episode 219 is a profoundly disturbing and emotional journey through a chilling case of maternal betrayal. Approached with detailed research and deep empathy, it is a testament to the importance of telling the stories of lesser-known victims—and a painful reminder of how evil can hide beneath the surface in any community. The haunting echo of Karissa’s last words, “Mommy, don’t,” remain with both hosts and listeners, leaving an indelible mark.