Old Friends, Dead Neighbors

Summary

Fear Thy Neighbor

Episode: "Old Friends, Dead Neighbors"

Date: May 18, 2026

Host: ID

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Overview

This chilling episode of Fear Thy Neighbor delves into a tragic story of two once-close families whose relationship unravels in the seemingly idyllic town of Wake Forest, North Carolina. Rooted in friendship, business partnership, and neighborhood camaraderie, their dynamic devolves into threats, legal battles, devastating allegations, and ultimately, a deadly outburst. Centering on the Mazella and Sander families, this "stranger than fiction" account lays bare how neighborly issues can spiral into nightmare scenarios with horrific, fatal consequences.

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Key Discussion Points and Timeline

The Perfect Neighborhood Dream (00:00–05:10)

• Setting: Wake Forest, NC—a safe, growing community, enjoyed by both locals and newcomers.
  • "Wake Forest is a pretty small community, but it's growing. The people are great, not much crime. It's a pretty safe place to be." — Alan Briones, attorney (01:29)
• Characters:
  • Sandy and Stephanie Mazzella (with children Sarah and Matt) move in, soon joined by best friends John Sander and Laurie (with three kids), neighbors from Pennsylvania.
  • Partnership forms: Sandy (lawn care) and John (patio/cement work) create Advanced Mowing and Landscaping.
  • Initially, neighborly and business relationships flourish, closeness underscored by shared social events, barbecues, and family ties.

Early Friction: The Pit Bull and Joey Kern (05:10–09:37)

• Stephanie’s brother, Joey Kern, moves in and joins the business, living on the property in a mobile home. Quickly, Joey's problematic behavior—drinking, foul language—causes strife.
  • "He didn't do well. He was just a mess. He was always drinking...He had a chip on his shoulder...He's a jerk, for lack of a better word." — Laurie, John's partner (06:51)
• A pivotal incident: the Mazzella’s pit bull, Riley, escapes and attacks the Sanders' German shepherd.
• The aftermath: threats ("Keep your damn dog off my property. Or what? Or it's bark. That's last bark." — John Sander, 08:31), police involvement, and the pit bull’s euthanization.

Attempts at Reconciliation and Growing Accusations (09:37–14:45)

• John tries to make amends by adopting another dog for the Mazellas (10:14).
• Super Bowl Sunday: Joey Kern claims to witness something inappropriate between John Sander and 14-year-old Sarah Mazzella, but does not immediately tell her parents. Doubts are cast on the validity of this claim.
  • "An adult sees it and doesn't report it. That certainly brings some doubt to whether it actually happened." — Alan Briones (11:58)
• Escalation: hot tub incident where Joey makes a suggestive remark towards Laurie; cross-accusations and rumors of infidelity begin, further dividing the households.

Legal & Financial Warfare (14:45–19:04)

• Sandy files for a protective order against John, citing a threat with a firearm during the earlier dog incident. John is banned from going near the Mazellas (14:45).
• The business partnership collapses under mutual distrust, financial discrepancies, lawsuits from clients, and accusations of theft.
  • "There was a lot of financial problems around the business. John felt like he was doing the bulk of everything." — Laurie (15:20)
• John and Laurie file but later drop a lawsuit against Sandy for unpaid debts. Tensions at an all-time high.

Personal Attacks and Psychological Warfare (19:04–26:51)

• Social and psychological attacks escalate:
  • John sends offensive texts, including false claims of infidelity with Sandy's wife and insults aimed at Joey (18:08, 18:28).
  • Joey Kern responds in kind, escalating hostilities with threats—including a rape threat towards Laurie and her daughter (20:01).
  • Police involvement: John is restrained by a protective order, but Joey is investigated for the threat on the minor (21:01).
• Allegations of molestation against John by Sandy’s daughter, Sarah, come to light (22:04), driving John into panic and depression.
  • "John was accused of molesting Sandy's daughter. He was devastated. He was angry. He was beside himself." — Joseph Sander, John's brother (23:56)
• Ongoing taunting: Joey and Sandy repeatedly harass John, calling him "Chester the Molester" and playing "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" over loudspeakers (25:16–26:09).

The Breaking Point & Deadly Consequences (27:19–34:44)

• After visits from Child Protective Services and relentless harassment, John becomes frantic. His mental health deteriorates.
• March 16, 2016 (Good Friday): Following a fight and a chilling statement to a bartender
  • "You're probably never going to see me again." — John Sander (31:25)
• John arms himself with a shotgun, enters the Mazzella home, and kills Elaine (Sandy's mother) and Sandy, critically wounds Stephanie, while Sal (Sandy's father) escapes. He is quickly apprehended.

Aftermath and Reflections (34:44–36:41)

• John stands trial, is denied the death penalty, and receives three consecutive life sentences.
• Both families are devastated. The recording underscores the utter senselessness and irreparable damage:
  • "What really stood out in this case was just the senselessness of it all. There was just no point to any of this. And it definitely didn’t have to happen." — Anthony Itrino (35:57)
  • Kids from both families are left with trauma and loss; “there is no closure” (36:29).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Community:
  "Wake Forest is a pretty small community, but it's growing. The people are great, not much crime. It's a pretty safe place to be."
  — Alan Briones, Attorney (01:29)

• On Joey Kern:
  "He didn't do well. He was just a mess. He was always drinking... He's a jerk, for lack of a better word."
  — Laurie (06:51)

• On the Dog Attack:
  "That was fire. That started the war, if you will."
  — Anthony Itrino (08:18)

• On Hostilities Escalating:
  "We felt they would do anything they could to make our lives miserable."
  — Laurie (14:56)

• On Psychological Warfare:
  "The music was torture."
  — Laurie (28:51)

• On the Final Breakdown:
  "I think what happened was he lost hope, he lost perspective."
  — Alan Briones (35:31)

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Key Timestamps

• 00:00–05:10 – Introduction of families, move to Wake Forest, business ties.
• 05:10–09:37 – Joey Kern's arrival, pit bull attack episode, start of hostilities.
• 09:37–14:45 – Dog euthanization aftermath, allegations, failed reconciliation.
• 15:20–19:04 – Business failures and legal battles.
• 19:04–21:06 – Text message war, rape threats, police involvement.
• 22:04–27:19 – Molestation allegations, mental deterioration, Child Protective Services' involvement.
• 28:51–34:44 – Neighborhood harassment, the day of the murders, triple homicide.
• 35:04–36:41 – Aftermath: trial, sentencing, trauma, and lack of closure.

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Episode Tone & Style

Conversation is dramatic, detailed, and emotional, blending narration, direct quotations, and real-life testimony. The episode maintains suspense, drawing listeners deep into the spiraling relationship—evoking empathy but also warning of how minor disputes, when left unchecked and fueled by resentment, can become catastrophic.

Transcript

[A]

A warning. Today's episode uses harsh language and audio that may be disturbing to some listeners. Please be advised. Most violent crimes that capture the public's imagination are about serial killers, mass shooters or crimes of passion. Yet some of the most shocking conflicts we encounter are between everyday neighbors in ordinary neighborhoods. What makes a good neighbor go bad? We may never truly know, but heed this warning about the terrible things that can happen when even the pettiest disagreements pass the point of no return. We're living it up in the Tar Heel State, in a beautiful bedroom community with two gregarious families who couldn't be closer. They moved their long friendship here from a faraway city. They socialized together, vacationed together, and now they're even in business together. Yet when one of these neighbors brings his brother in law into the mix, things start to go sideways. A once tight relationship becomes a hotbed of threats, lies and vicious harassment. This is fear thy neighbor. Old friends, dead neighbors Wake Forest, North Carolina is a thriving town north of Raleigh that's expanding by the day. Here's attorney Alan Briones and journalist Anthony Atrino to explain.

[B]

Wake Forest is a pretty small community, but it's growing. The people are great, not much crime. It's a pretty safe place to be. I love Wake Forest.

[C]

Wake Forest is a wide open area. People in Wake Forest have lots of property, lots of green. It seemed a nice place to raise a family. And it was quiet and there was not a lot of traffic and there was not a lot of craziness you'd see in a bigger city.

[A]

It's a sentiment also echoed by Joseph Sanders, brother to John Sander, who's a central figure in this story.

[D]

It's a beautiful area, a lot of excitement going on, a lot of new construction. It's a pretty interesting area because people do come from everywhere and they're all different walks of life. People come there to retire. People come to get away from the big cities. People go to start families.

[A]

Sandy Mazzella and his wife Stephanie moved to Wake Forest from Pennsylvania three years ago with their children, Sarah and Matt. Sandy's brother, Richard Sussman, has only good things to say about his kin.

[E]

Sandy had a good heart. Pretty much anybody he met, he would have left a very good impression. I always liked Stephanie. I think they made a nice couple. Yeah, there's no doubt Sandy pretty much loved the Wake Forest.

[C]

Sandy Mazzella had a successful landscaping business. He did whatever he could to raise his two kids and support his wife. But his wife had a career. She was a nurse she was smart,

[D]

she had a fantastic job, and you know, she was a catch.

[A]

The Mazzella's rave about the area to their nearest and dearest, easily convincing their friends John Sander and his partner Laurie to leave Pennsylvania and settle right next door with their three children.

[B]

They had a prior working relationship and they were very, very close friends when they moved out of state.

[A]

Here's Laurie in her own words.

[F]

We decided to move to North Carolina for a new start. John was looking for something where he could do his trade.

[A]

Once John and Laurie get settled in their new digs, John and Sandy quickly become more than just neighbors. The old friends start their own business, Advanced mowing and landscaping.

[C]

John did a lot of the patio work and any kind of cement work where Sandy cut lawns.

[A]

Lori is a realtor by trade, but she also helps with the business.

[F]

I would do the taxes, I would order materials.

[E]

Things started very positively. Basically a combination good friends and business wise, all kind of tied in.

[F]

Let's have dinner to celebrate. Bring the kids.

[A]

But I know know Riley.

[F]

Yeah, you know us till well.

[A]

Riley is the Mazellas pit bull. His presence makes John and Lori a bit skittish.

[F]

John did not trust the Mazelas pit bull.

[A]

John and Laurie have a large dog too, but their friend's pet has a troubled past.

[F]

The dog attacked on more than one occasion. The dog growled at people and you couldn't trust the dog. You didn't know what it was going to do.

[A]

Apart from this little hitch, the two families couldn't be happier living side by side.

[F]

Our houses were 50ft or less apart. I could sit on my Dec and look pretty much into the backyard where the screen porch is. Our house was absolutely beautiful.

[C]

They both had a lot of property. The properties were separated by a koi pond.

[F]

This seemed to be almost like a dream come true relationship. It was like the perfect suburban life.

[B]

There were cookouts, they went out to dinners, they took vacations together, and they would all kind of hang out in the hot tub together. So it was a very close relationship. There were social events that happened in the evening where alcohol was prevalent.

[F]

To best friends.

[A]

To better neighbors.

[F]

Here comes trouble.

[A]

Some nights even Sandy's parents joined the party.

[F]

Hello.

[C]

There's the girls.

[F]

You look gorgeous, Stephanie. As always.

[D]

Elaine and Sal were Sandy's parents and they were wonderful people.

[A]

The seniors recently moved to Raleigh to be closer to family. Thankfully, it's an easy drive to Wake Forest.

[C]

Elaine and Sal Mazzella decided that they were going to also move to North Carolina because they wanted to be close to Their grandchildren.

[F]

Elaine was the sweet person. Sal was like the old school, typical Italian father.

[C]

There were definitely good times. But then things started to get a little strange.

[A]

The dynamic between the inseparable neighbors shifts when another member of Team Mazzella arrives to put down roots. Stephanie's brother, Joey Kern.

[G]

Hey, John, get over here. John, this is Joey, my favorite brother in law.

[A]

Joey has not only come here to live, Sandy has also hired him to join his and John's landscaping company.

[G]

He's a good guy, trust me.

[C]

Joe Kern lived on the property in a mobile home right on the border between the Mazzela's and the Sander family.

[A]

John wastes no time putting him to work.

[G]

Hey, can you hand me the level?

[D]

Yeah, sure thing.

[A]

But as Lori explains, it's far from a perfect fit.

[F]

Joey worked for us for a bit. He didn't do well. He was just a mess. He was always drinking.

[G]

What are you doing? What? Hydrating. Not on my watch. The hell, man?

[F]

It almost like he had a chip on his shoulder. He had a very foul mouth. He's a jerk, for lack of a better word.

[G]

For real.

[F]

John said, listen, you can't work for me. Get off the job site. So John fired him.

[G]

I don't work for you. I work for Sandy.

[A]

Joey later complains to his brother in law, and instead of consulting with his

[G]

partner, you can still work on lipu.

[A]

Sandy chooses blood over business.

[F]

Well, when John fired Joey Kern, that caused a lot of friction. The Mazzellas were a little bit more distant towards us after that happened.

[A]

But in this moment, job tension is the least of the Sanders problem. As John's partner Lori tells it, the Mazzella's pit bull gets loose and attacks their dog.

[F]

Her son accidentally opened the door, got out of their house.

[G]

Lori, Lori, cool. Get up. Come on.

[F]

And did a straight beeline to my backyard and attacked my German shepherd. John, pull them apart. Demozela's pit bull was scary. They had no control over the. Are you okay?

[B]

That was fire. That started the war, if you will.

[A]

And John isn't about to let the attack slide.

[C]

John Sanders showed up at the Mazzella home.

[G]

What's going on out here?

[C]

And threatened to kill the family dog. The Mazzella family dog.

[G]

Keep your damn dog off my property. Or what? Or it's bark. That's last bark.

[A]

Joseph Sander weighs in on his brother's state of mind.

[D]

John was afraid it was gonna attack the kids.

[F]

It could have been a child. One of their children. One of our children. I had nothing against the dog at all. But you couldn't trust him.

[G]

Say that again. You heard what I said.

[E]

Get off my property.

[B]

He was blustering, I think. I don't think he would have harmed a dog.

[A]

Whether he meant the threat or not, the Sanders are still concerned enough to report the dog attack to police.

[F]

I said, listen, I'm going to call animal Control. Let them handle it. So I called animal Control. They came out and they confiscated the dog.

[G]

Stop. You can't take him. He's part of the family. He didn't do anything wrong. Riley, you know what this is gonna do to my kids. Yeah, what about my dog? Almost died. What do you think it's gonna do to my kids if that happened? Keep your daughter. Leave him now. It wouldn't happen. Staying down. Everybody take a deep breath.

[F]

Now.

[A]

As journalist Anthony Itrino explains, Sal decides to step in and act as a peacemaker between his son's family and the neighbors next door.

[C]

I think Sal knew that John Sanders was erratic. I think he intervened. I don't think he wanted Sandy to have ongoing problems with John. I think he was acting sort of as an advisor to his son.

[G]

It's okay. No, it's not okay.

[A]

Sadly, as a result of the attack, the dog is put down. The Mazzella family is heartbroken, and it's up to John to make amends.

[F]

I said, john, that's your best friend over there. He just lost his dog. He loves. Go talk to him.

[C]

Then Jonathan made efforts to sort of patch things up.

[A]

John takes it upon himself to adopt a dog from a local shelter for the Mazzulla's, hoping it will help their neighbors forgive and forget.

[F]

John and myself, we tried to, you know, make it up. They were very happy once they got the other second dog. And it was a sweet dog.

[G]

I hope this makes amends.

[B]

Neighbors get in fights.

[G]

Yeah, all right.

[B]

They patched it up, went out socially after.

[A]

Yet soon, Sandy Mazzella's brother in law, Joey, witnesses an awkward situation on Super Bowl Sunday. And it's something with horrific implications. It all begins at a party split between both houses. As Laurie explains, most of the action is at the Mazelas.

[F]

Guys are in there watching the Super Bowl. Girls are in the kitchen. Kids are running around doing what kids do. I mean, it was fun.

[A]

But the beer is at the Sanders. And when Joey comes over for a refill, he says he sees something disturbing. Journalist Anthony Itrino lays it out.

[C]

Joey Kern witnessed John Sander and the Mazzella's 14 year old daughter under a blanket on the sofa in Front of the tv.

[G]

What's this?

[D]

Make yourself at home here for the beer.

[C]

Joe thought it was inappropriate, and in fact, he would later say that it really creeped him out.

[F]

Let's go, kiddo.

[G]

It's past your bedtime.

[A]

Joey takes his niece Sarah home, but decides not to mention what he noticed to her parents.

[C]

I think he just thought that he wanted that to come from Demisella's daughter.

[A]

Attorney Alan Briones cast doubt on the whole story.

[B]

I understand the whole victim maybe not wanting to come out, not wanting to deal with the police. Embarrassed, hurt, scared. But an adult sees it and doesn't report it. That certainly brings some doubt to whether it actually happened.

[A]

And Lori insists her partner was not doing anything inappropriate.

[F]

He didn't say anything at the time because there was nothing happening. Nothing was going wrong. It was nothing out of the ordinary. John was very fatherly to the Mazzella children.

[A]

Regardless of what happened that night, it's no surprise that the tension between John Sander and Joey Kern intensifies. And as Laurie explains, this time it's Joey who allegedly behaves inappropriately.

[F]

Well, we're sitting in the hot tub, Stephanie, Joey Kern, John, just hanging out, listening to music. It's a beautiful night. And then Joey's sitting there and he looks at me, he looks at John,

[G]

he goes, everything about swapping, gross. I think it's time that you call it a night.

[D]

Grief.

[C]

Take a hint.

[A]

Joey gets out and heads back to his rv, leaving the others to wonder what just happened.

[F]

When Joey hit on me, I am surprised John did not just punch him in the face. That was weird, right?

[A]

It's okay, you guys.

[F]

I'm sorry I left when Joey Kern hit on me and John followed me.

[A]

The next morning, Joey tells Sandy a very different version of events in the hot tub.

[G]

We're gonna talk about what?

[A]

According to Joey, John and Laurie made a move on Stephanie.

[B]

There was something that happened in the hot tub. That was the rumor. I never was able to confirm that, but that was kind of what was going around town.

[A]

Yet after hearing his brother in law's side of events, Sandy is convinced his friends have betrayed him. Richard Sussman explains.

[E]

I think anybody you know, you hear such a thing, you're gonna be pretty mad, pretty angry. If Sandy was pushed, he's gonna push back.

[A]

Instead of a confrontation, Sandy decides revenge is sweeter. He summons police and tells them about the dog fight from months earlier that saw his beloved pit bull euthanized.

[G]

Okay, Officer, listen, I don't want any trouble. I'm trying to Be a good neighbor. I'm fearful. I got family here.

[A]

And as he now relates this story, Sandy claims that during the attack, John brandished a weapon and endangered lives.

[D]

Sandy had told the police that John went into the house and got his gun and was flashing his gun like he was gonna shoot.

[G]

Get away. Go on, John. He's turned into a bad neighbor.

[F]

It was very bizarre. It just seemed to be at Sandy's benefit at that point, to bring it up. Sandy was always good at not telling the truth.

[A]

Even though time has passed since the alleged incident, Sandy succeeds in getting a protective order against John. If John goes anywhere near the Mazzellas, he'll be arrested.

[F]

We felt they would do anything they could to make our lives miserable.

[G]

What is wrong Wrong with you?

[D]

John was livid. He swears that he didn't do it.

[F]

We were stunned. And at that point, we wondered, okay, if he's willing to lie about this, what else is he going to lie about?

[A]

Even with all their bad blood, John and Sandy somehow remain business partners. But the company is suffering.

[F]

There was a lot of financial problems around the business. John felt like he was doing the bulk of everything. And it was causing a lot of tension between John and Sandy.

[D]

Business was going good, and then all of a sudden, there was no money in the account anymore. You know, John couldn't pay for materials for jobs. He was selling jobs, but couldn't get stuff done. And that was, like, the beginning of the end.

[B]

The tensions were very high. I mean, when you start talking about finances and how you're providing for your family and people start feeling like the other party is not contributing, like the tensions were very, very high.

[A]

Sandy's father, Sal, steps in when clients grow furious over unfinished jobs.

[D]

Look, I'm real sorry about all this.

[C]

There's been a.

[D]

There's been a turnover in the company.

[A]

But his efforts at damage control only caused more issues for John.

[F]

Either Sal or Sandy had been calling clients and telling them that John was a sorry piece of shit. John was frustrated. He was frustrated and angry and hurt.

[E]

You just on a. At this point, a downward trajectory just getting worse and worse.

[A]

Anthony Itrino tells us Sandy and John's business problems take an onerous turn when irate clients take legal action against both of them.

[C]

They had agreed to do $6,750 worth of landscaping at a couple's home in Wake Forest, and they did very little work, and the couple still sued the company.

[A]

On top of that, John and Lori launch a lawsuit against Sandy months ago. They loaned him almost $10,000 that hasn't been repaid.

[F]

I talked to John about it. I said, well, we can't contact them in any way, shape or form now because now you have this order. I said, what other choice do we have but go and file a lawsuit?

[A]

The lawsuit is eventually dismissed, but turmoil proves fatal for the company. Soon after, the landscaping business between the two feuding households goes under.

[C]

Really, they should have been more focused on their business and less focused on whatever it was between them that was upsetting both of them.

[A]

Unsurprisingly, Sandy and John blame each other for their misfortune. Hostilities deepen as children side with parents and wives with husbands.

[F]

At this point, there is a complete divide between us as families. With no chances of it ending, Things

[C]

started to deteriorate from there.

[A]

One night at a bar, John's fury spills over to his cell phone. These are actual texts he sent Sandy, and they come with a language warning.

[G]

You're a fucking liar, you're a scammer, and Joey's a d. Dirtbag. Scumbag.

[C]

Via text message, John said to Sandy, by the way, Laurie and I fooled around with your wife. Here was his longtime friend, business partner, associate. Their kids played together. And now John Sander is claiming to have had a sexual interlude with Stephanie Mazzella.

[G]

Your wife's getting down so many times. Disgusting. I turned it down.

[D]

In front of your brother in law, I would imagine. My brother wanted to give a last jab, maybe to stay on top of Sandy, you know, and he sent a nasty text to him.

[E]

It just seemed to be escalating just towards no good. And worse and worse.

[A]

Stephanie Mazzella sees her husband stewing in anger. What's going on? And reads the texts for herself.

[G]

Your brother in law and I watched your wife grope and make out with my wife.

[B]

That is not what happened to me. That sounds like a kind of blustering, I guess, retaliation. I mean, obviously I'd be really upset.

[F]

This never happened.

[B]

And that's the intention.

[F]

This is garbage.

[B]

Like is to put a wedge between husband and wife, but also it's directly to get to Sandy.

[A]

This is not just a new level of provocation, it's a declaration of war.

[C]

So at this point, any kind of friendship was dissolved.

[A]

Can you let him talk like that?

[G]

No.

[D]

Huh?

[G]

No.

[A]

Later that same night, John drunkenly stumbles home and walks right into the line of fire.

[E]

You know, anybody gets a statement like that, I don't think you're just going to brush it off.

[A]

As Stephanie and Sandy confront John about the tux, Lori Comes outside to hear the commotion.

[G]

What is wrong with you, you pig?

[F]

You will pay for this.

[A]

But it's Sandy's brother in law, Joey Kern, who strikes hardest.

[F]

Says, Lori, Joey said he was going to rape me and my daughter.

[G]

I'm gonna have your daughter all to myself.

[F]

When Joey said that, I was scared. I felt that if John wasn't there, that myself, my daughter and my. The other kids were sitting ducks.

[A]

Lori rushes John inside to cool down and sober up.

[F]

John had the no contact order against them. I couldn't say anything to him because the second we said something, the police would show up at her house.

[A]

But the Mazzella's have already told the police about John's text tirade, and soon they're knocking on his door.

[G]

Sir, can I see your phone, please?

[F]

John complied with the 30 day restraining order, which John's texts weren't threatening. They were just hateful, angry texts. The only violation here is that psycho in the camper next door threatened to rape our daughter. She's 11.

[A]

Threatening a minor is a serious offense. So the police instantly shift their focus to Joey Kern.

[B]

Joey was, at the very least, a huge instigator. Got everybody kind of fired up, if you will.

[A]

The threat against Lori and her daughter lands Joey a trip to the station for questioning.

[G]

Get up.

[A]

You're coming with us. For John and Laurie, this is a victory. Not only has the man that threatened their daughter wound up in police custody, the Mazzella's call to the police has also blown up in their face.

[G]

Say goodbye to your scumbag brother in law.

[A]

Are you smiling at me right now?

[E]

This just added more fuel to the fire.

[F]

I don't know if Joey ever got charged for it or not. It made John feel like he needed to protect us. We thought it was over, but it wasn't. It was just beginning.

[A]

The next shot in the neighborhood war between the Mazzelas and the Sanders is from an unexpected source. Sandy and Stephanie's daughter, Sarah Mazzella.

[F]

Sarah, honey, what's wrong?

[A]

When she finally decides to come forward about what happened during the super bowl while she was on the couch with John Sander, journalist Anthony Atrino, and Sandy's brother, Richard Sussman.

[G]

Report.

[C]

Sandy Mazzella's daughter, who's 14 years old, made an allegation that John Sander had inappropriately touched her.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[F]

Okay, okay, I'm here.

[E]

My niece tells him this guy, you know, touched her and this and that. Obviously gonna be pretty livid and unhappy and mad and probably is father's Worst nightmare.

[C]

Once they found out what had happened, they made a police report.

[A]

Now it's John Sanders turn to be grilled by law enforcement.

[G]

There's nothing to tell. There is, according to your neighbors. That's nuts. She's like my daughter.

[B]

He was very adamant that he never molested anybody.

[A]

Lori stands by her partner and insists he did nothing wrong.

[F]

Joey and Sandy put her up to this. It's just more lies.

[D]

As far as any allegations of sexual abuse against my brother, to me, it's just ridiculous. If the kids were under a blanket with John, they were probably chilling out, and it probably would have happened a million times.

[A]

For John, it's a he said, she said case and a fight he fears he'll likely lose.

[F]

He goes, well, what do I do if it's my word against hers? And the attorney said it could take you hundreds of thousands of dollars and months to prove it.

[B]

John had never been in any kind of criminal trouble at all. I don't think John had even had a speeding ticket. He thought his family was gonna be taken away from him. He was gonna go to prison for the rest of his life. He was panicked.

[C]

He was scared.

[A]

The Mazzelas seized the moment to twist the knife.

[G]

Going down, Chester. Going down hard. Chester the molester.

[B]

They'd all be lined up and they would just start verbally abusing him. Chester the molester.

[D]

Chester, why taunt the person who supposedly molested your daughter?

[E]

Why?

[D]

Why would you do that?

[G]

You people are sick.

[D]

Kids are everything to my brother. And now John is accused of molesting Sandy's daughter. He was devastated. He was angry. He was beside himself.

[G]

You're not getting away with this. You know what I'm capable of? Big words from a molester.

[F]

There was no going back after that.

[G]

You're going down.

[F]

Chester the molester.

[G]

Chester the molester. Where are you going, big guy? Go inside.

[D]

From great friends living next door to each other to police being called, to threatening, be careful. Issues with dogs and issues with guns and issues with molestation. You're gonna drive somebody to the brink of insanity. And I really believe it was a plan.

[A]

According to journalist Anthony Itrino, the allegations made against John take a serious toll on his mental health.

[C]

When John Sander became aware that the family was going to accuse him of child molestation, he became very paranoid.

[A]

If John is charged, he could face many years in prison, as well as being labeled a pedophile for the rest of his life.

[C]

He kept asking himself, how could this be happening to me? How could they take it to this level.

[F]

And he was obsessing over it. He wasn't sleeping. It was all he could think about for days.

[A]

And it's not just the assault allegations. Keeping John up at night.

[G]

Wakey, wakey, Chester, dare you wake buddy.

[C]

Joey Kern would prop up a big speaker and play music real loud. It was an 80s song, very loud. I think it's called We Drop the Bomb.

[G]

Drop the bomb on you, Chester.

[F]

The Drop a Bomb on Me song meant that the bomb being dropped was John was going to go to jail. He's going to be labeled as a pedophile, which he was not. He'd be afraid of getting anal raped in jail. God only knows what else would happen to him.

[D]

And Sandy just taunted him, taunted him, taunted him. John's flipping out. He's told that, you know he's going to go to jail for being a child molester. Then when you're in jail, you. You can't protect your family.

[B]

I believe that Sandy was looking for an opportunity to take out John.

[F]

John. They wanted John to walk on the property so he would start beating up Joey and then Sandy could kill him.

[A]

John doesn't take the bait, but allegedly he says things that are a violation of the restraining order against him.

[C]

John Sander had threatened to put Sandy in the box.

[A]

Police are once again and John is arrested and charged for making threats.

[B]

John always denied that. He said, I'll put you in a box under the ground.

[A]

This victory for the Mazzela's is short lived. A few hours later, John is released on bond.

[B]

I don't believe the judge thought there was really a threat.

[D]

And I remember my brother was the happiest person in the world because he was under the belief at that point it was all over.

[F]

Now we can move on with our

[A]

lives, but nothing is over, not by a long shot. And the next move against the Sander family comes in the form of a visit from Child Protective Services. Here's Laurie to explain what happens when CPS officers arrive on her doorstep to question John.

[F]

The lady said that somebody had touched an underage. Well, I started crying. I said, oh my God, John, somebody's hurt one of our children. She said, no, no, no, no, no, it's not your children. They're saying that John had touched Sarah in an inappropriate way. It made us sick to our stomachs. So I've just spoken with the victim. She is quite upset.

[A]

John is devastated. The investigation into Sarah Mazzella's accusations hasn't receded, it's intensified. And as John's brother Joseph explains. John has an uphill battle.

[D]

Child Protective Services came and interviewed him with Child Protective Services. You're guilty before proven innocent.

[A]

I'll need to assess whether this is a suitable environment for your children.

[D]

He was never in a situation where he was afraid of losing his children. He was never in those situations before.

[F]

He was definitely pushed. Pushed, taunted and thrown.

[G]

Right, buddy? You know what you did.

[F]

His mind was racing with only terrible thoughts.

[G]

Chester the Molester. See you, Chester.

[B]

I think their intent was to drive him over the edge, but I don't think they saw what driving him over the edge would mean.

[A]

March 16, 2016. Even on this Good Friday, there's no peace for the Sanders.

[C]

So neighbors had heard this same song being blasted across the property line on a large speaker.

[F]

The music was torture.

[G]

You dropped a bomb on me.

[A]

But this time, it's Laurie who fights back against her neighbor Sandy and his brother in law, Joey.

[F]

Sandy and Joey were trying to leave at that point. I was angry. I didn't want to hear the screaming. I didn't want to hear that song. I blocked her driveway.

[G]

What are you doing? Move your car. We gotta go to work.

[E]

Corey, they had the squabble. She's blocking the driveway.

[G]

Whore. Move.

[A]

Joey's insult brings John Sander into the conflict.

[G]

You know who's a whore? Your wife. Yeah, yeah. Big talker. Chester, they're gonna love you in prison.

[E]

This escalated. John's making threats, and again, I mean, I know Sandy. They're making their own threats back.

[F]

You know who's going to jail? You are, for harassing us. The cops are on their way. I just called them. I needed the police to come and see what we were going through just once from what was happening to us.

[A]

But instead of charging Sandy and Joey, police give Lori a ticket for blocking the Mazzella's driveway.

[D]

How would you feel if you call the cops for help because you've had enough of this? The cops give you a ticket and say, don't call us anymore. That's what happened.

[A]

John and Laurie are defeated and out of options. But what they don't realize is that the Mazzellas won't be their neighbors for much longer.

[C]

I think at the very end, Sandy just wanted to get his family out of there and away from John Sander.

[A]

Sandy Mazzella has decided to sell the house and move his family before the situation with the Sanders deteriorates further. Today, Sandy's parents have come by to help pack. Here's Sandy's brother, Richard Sussman.

[E]

Again, Sandy's There, Stephanie's there. Elaine and Sal come. It just would have made sense for them to get the heck out of there. Sandy's got two kids and his own family. His first thought's going to be to protect his family.

[A]

At the same time, John plants himself in a local watering hole and begins to spiral.

[F]

I went to go Easter shopping. Then I dropped John off at the bar.

[A]

Attorney Alan Briones and John's brother Joseph weigh in.

[B]

I think John was under a lot of stress and anxiety, and I think he went to the bar and was trying to deal with that, run away from it. I think he was very impaired, trying to deal with his fear and his anxiety.

[D]

And I think that was really the driving force that made my brother snap.

[A]

Here's journalist Anthony Itrino to explain John's foreboding exit statement to the bartender.

[C]

So as he was getting ready to leave and paying his tab, he said something that later would prove chilling to the bartender. He said, you're probably never going to see me again.

[G]

Thanks for everything. I won't be back.

[F]

I did my Easter stuff, and then he called me to come pick him up. Now, myself and John were arguing because of the Mazzella's. We were arguing like crazy. I told him, I can't. I can't take it anymore.

[D]

When my brother and Lori got back to the house, John just calmly walked into the house. He walked upstairs.

[G]

I'm taking a nap.

[A]

Dinner won't be long.

[D]

John was upstairs in his room and Lori was cooking.

[A]

And now Good Friday takes a turn from horrible to homicidal.

[F]

You have a fight with your spouse. You figure, all right, we're going to argue. You don't ever think that this is going to happen.

[A]

Laurie is unaware that her husband has come back downstairs and slipped out of the house armed with a shotgun and headed for the neighbors.

[C]

Jonathan apparently waited till Stephanie and Joe Kern took the dog out for a walk.

[E]

This animal basically came in through the open garage, blew the lock off.

[G]

Oh, my God.

[F]

I didn't know what it was at first. It all happened, like, in a second.

[C]

I guess no one could really fathom what was about to happen. The whole neighborhood heard that first shot, including Stephanie Mazzella, who was with her brother Joey Kern, who was walking the dog.

[A]

Once inside the Mazzella home, John encounters

[C]

Sandy's mother, Elaine Jonathan, then shot Elaine Mazzella. She said one. She said three words. Oh, my God. Fell on the floor dead.

[A]

John next gets Sandy and his father Sal in his sights as Sandy's daughter Sarah hides in her Bedroom and wife Stephanie races back toward the house.

[C]

Being an emergency room nurse, her instinct was to run toward the danger instead of running away.

[G]

Dad, run.

[C]

Sandy was saying, dad, get out of here. Run, run, run.

[A]

So Sal ran, but Sandy has no chance to escape. And Stephanie arrives just in time to see him murdered.

[G]

Sandy.

[F]

No, no, no. He had shot the door, then he had shot Elaine, then Sandy, and then Stephanie was the last person.

[A]

Panic spreads throughout the neighborhood as Salmazella flags down a passing car and calls 911. John returns home, where he is quickly apprehended and taken into custody. Later that night, Sandy's brother Richard receives terrible news.

[E]

It was a Friday evening and I happen to be home and I get a call. Sandy, Stephanie and Elaine, my mother just snap of a finger, gone.

[B]

This was a bad one. I mean, we're talking about close range shotgun murders. The crime scene was awful.

[A]

Only Sal, Joey and the two Mazzella children are spared. John's rampage.

[B]

The son was away at a friend's house. I can't imagine what it was like for the daughter to hear everything.

[D]

It's gotta be hard on John's kids. One day it's one big happy family, and the next day Dad's carted away with a million cop cars. And that was the last they've seen that.

[A]

In early 2019, John Sanders stands trial. The prosecution pushes for the death penalty.

[B]

The state had so many theories in which they could convict John of first degree murder. I mean, there was premeditation.

[C]

Before the murders, John drank six tall beers. He then told the bartender, you're going to see me on the news. I think at that point, John Sanders knew that he wanted to kill Sandy. I think in John's mind, it was better to go to prison for murder than because of allegations of sexually assaulting a child.

[B]

He thought his family was gonna be taken away from him. He was gonna go to prison for the rest of his life. And I think what happened was he lost hope, he lost perspective.

[A]

John Sander continues to deny touching Sarah Mazzella. Still, he's found guilty of a triple homicide and sentenced to three consecutive life deaths. Terms. But the sentencing offers little solace to the two families left ravaged by John's brutal violence.

[C]

What really stood out in this case was just the senselessness of it all. There was just no point to any of this. And it, it definitely didn't have to happen.

[D]

Now Sandy's kids are growing up without a parent. My brother's kids are growing up without dad. You know, Lori's growing up without her husband Sal lost his kids and his wife.

[F]

Kids have ptsd, they have depression, they have anxiety. They're always afraid that they're gonna lose something or somebody.

[E]

Everybody's gone. So move on. There really is no closure.

[A]

This podcast is produced by Cream Productions and it's association with Freemantle Media and id. You can check out Fear Thy Neighbor on Max, Discovery plus and id.