Going West: True Crime

Episode 565 - "Gone on Christmas: Parris Hopson & Za'zell Preston"
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft ("Sam"), Heath Merryman
Date: December 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special double-feature episode, hosts Daphne and Heath discuss two haunting true crime cases which both occurred on or around Christmas Day, each marked by tragedy and unanswered questions. They first delve into the puzzling 2019 disappearance of Parris Hopson in Ohio, followed by the devastating 2011 murder of Za’zell Preston in California. These stories underscore how a holiday that typically symbolizes unity and comfort can become the setting for heartbreak, secrets, and tragedy.

Case 1: Disappearance of Parris Hopson (Massillon, Ohio, 2019)

Background and Family Tragedy

• Parris Hopson was a gifted writer and event planner, described as exceptionally bright, close with family, and dedicated to justice.
• In 2017, her younger brother, Perry Jr., died in a still-unsolved car accident involving a driver who was never identified—he was found in the passenger seat of his own car, which crashed in a no-passing lane ([07:00]).
• The family, particularly Parris, was haunted by the lack of closure and actively sought answers.

The Disappearance (Christmas Day, 2019)

• Parris and her mother, Rachelle, drove from Columbus to Massillon to spend Christmas with family.
• Parris was noticeably anxious and agitated, and spent parts of the morning pacing ([12:30]).
• Around 2:30 pm, she told her mom she was going for a walk to clear her head, reportedly heading toward Shriver Park. She was seen by a neighbor, seemingly looking for someone ([13:59]).
• Later, her cell phone, credit cards, and ID were found in the car outside the house. The last text she sent was to her church pastor asking about Christmas services ([14:45]).

Notable Quote

• "She's extremely intelligent and has many goals in life... she would never walk away from them." — Rachelle Hopson ([15:26])

Initial Search and Police Response

• Family searched on Christmas Day; police were initially dismissive, assuming Parris had left voluntarily ([15:21]).
• After a formal missing person report was filed, local searches (including with search dogs) and a review of a tip from a Dollar General store led nowhere ([17:48]).

Theories, Suspicions & Evidence

• The family and private investigator suspected that Parris’ efforts to uncover the truth about her brother’s death might have put her in danger.
• She apparently possessed a burner phone linked to her personal investigation, which has never been recovered ([21:00]).
• Significantly, Parris emailed an attorney just prior, claiming she was being blackmailed ([22:04]).

Notable Quotes

• "She’s telling an attorney that she feels like she’s being blackmailed, and then right after that, she goes missing." — Heath ([22:04])
• "It did seem like she was going around to these circles and was pressing people who may have been innocent, but may have actually known more or have been responsible." — Sam ([22:48])

Unresolved Status & Family Appeal

• No new evidence has led to a resolution; family and investigators believe she may have been abducted and murdered, possibly due to her investigation into Perry’s death.
• Remains have never been found despite river proximity and search efforts.
• As of the episode, Parris has been missing for nearly six years. Her case remains unsolved, and her mother continues to seek answers ([24:46]).

Notable Quote

• "I just don’t want to lose hope. I just want to know that she’s okay. We just want some answers..." — Rachelle Hopson ([24:46])

Details for Public Awareness

• $5,000 reward for information leading to her whereabouts.
• Description: 5'2", 220 lbs, African American, dark brown hair/eyes, notable tattoos ([26:00]).

Case 2: Murder of Za’zell Preston (Anaheim, California, 2011)

Early Life and Family

• Za’zell ("Z.Z.") Preston was known as bright, talented, and deeply caring, coming from a large, supportive family.
• She became a mother of two daughters in her late teens.

Relationship and Abuse

• Met William Wallace, who had a history of violent outbursts. Despite repeated abuse, Za’zell married him, possibly hoping for change ([35:56]).
• The couple’s relationship involved cycles of abuse, jail time for William, and Za’zell accepting him back after each release.
• Za’zell sought training in domestic violence advocacy, both for herself and to help others ([38:20]).

Notable Quote

• "As a domestic violence advocate, I will show these victims that there is a light at the end of the dark, gloomy tunnel." — Za’zell, from her school essay ([39:25])

The Christmas Day Murder (2011)

• William had been released from prison five months prior. Za’zell gave birth to their son, Marcel, seven weeks before the incident.
• On Christmas Day, after a night of heated argument, Za’zell’s daughter found her mother sitting upright on the couch, with sunglasses on, cold and unresponsive. William told the children their mom was "drunk and ruined Christmas" ([43:09]).
• Paramedics found Za’zell deceased for hours, staged to appear alive for her children as they opened gifts.

Notable Quotes

• "She was not drunk. She was deceased." — Heath ([43:05])
• "He beat and tortured my daughter and... mentally assassinated her children. He showed her no mercy. Let’s show him no mercy." — Sydel (Za’zell’s mother), at sentencing ([52:08])

Investigation, Trial, and Aftermath

• William claimed Zazel’s death was accidental, that she drunkenly fell into a glass table ([44:26]).
• Evidence and autopsy showed she’d been dead for hours, and numerous testimonies detailed William’s violent history ([50:54]).
• In 2021, after nearly a decade awaiting trial, William Wallace was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life (serving nine years in custody already) ([52:08]).

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Parris Case: The chilling convergence of a missing person’s investigation, a mysterious blackmail email, and the unresolved suspicion surrounding her brother’s fatal accident.
  • "It kind of proves that she had intentions to be back. Well, also inside the car were her credit cards and her id, leading Rachelle to believe that she couldn’t have gone far.” — Heath ([14:50])
• Za’zell Case: The heart-wrenching narrative of domestic abuse, with the murderer orchestrating Christmas morning to mask his crime.
  • “He killed her, dragged her body out, propped her on the couch, and made the kids open presents in front of her.” — Sam ([45:07])

Timestamps & Key Segments

• [02:14] - Introduction to the double case and episode format
• [03:57] - Parris Hopson’s background and brother’s fatal accident
• [12:30] - Parris’s behavior on Christmas Day, disappearance details
• [21:00] - Discovery of burner phone and blackmail email
• [24:46] - Theories and family’s ongoing struggle
• [26:00] - Public awareness details for Parris’s case
• [34:00] - Introduction to Za’zell Preston case
• [35:56] - William Wallace’s abusive history and Za’zell’s advocacy
• [43:09] - The murder scene; William’s callous actions on Christmas morning
• [49:45] - Arrest, district attorney’s statement
• [50:54] - Trial, verdict, and sentencing details
• [52:08] - Za’zell’s mother’s powerful words at sentencing

Tone and Final Thoughts

Daphne and Heath balance compassion with clarity and directness, offering thoughtful reflection on the devastating impacts of violent crime. The discussion is earnest and earnest, voicing solidarity with victims and frustration at institutional failures. The final appeal is for continued awareness—especially sharing Parris’s missing person info and remembering Za’zell’s tragic story to advocate against domestic violence.

How to Get Involved

• Share Parris Hopson’s information and missing poster to aid the family’s search for justice.
• Support domestic violence advocacy organizations.
• Contact Massillon Police Department (330-830-1735) with any tips on Parris’s case.

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