Episode 1 - The Call

Summary

Hands Tied - Episode 1: The Call

Release Date: August 6, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts in collaboration with BBC Studios
Host: Maggie Robinson Katz

---

Introduction to the Tragedy

In the gripping premiere of Hands Tied, Maggie Robinson Katz delves into the harrowing story of Liz Melgar Rose, whose life took a devastating turn on December 23, 2012. Liz, an aspiring criminologist with a deep-seated fascination for true crime, found herself entangled in a real-life mystery that mirrored the narratives she once devoured.

"[00:26] Maggie Robinson Katz: The series does contain some descriptions of violence and deals with adult themes."

The Christmas Night: Unveiling the Horror

While celebrating the holidays in the UK with her husband Anthony and his family, Liz's world was shattered by a series of tragic events. Just days before Christmas, Liz suffered a miscarriage, adding to the emotional turmoil of the season.

"[04:23] Maggie Robinson Katz: This is Liz Melgar Rose. She's celebrating the holidays with her husband and his family in the UK."

Amidst the festive gatherings, an urgent message on Anthony's Facebook alerted them to an impending crisis.

"[05:08] BBC Studios: It was like, call me. There's an emergency."
"[07:05] Maggie Robinson Katz: Step one, get from London to Houston as fast as she can."

Anthony's frantic attempts to reach out culminated in the devastating news: Liz's father, Jim Melgar, had been murdered in Houston. Simultaneously, Liz's mother, Sandy Melgar, had inexplicably vanished, leaving the family in a state of panic and confusion.

"[05:08] BBC Studios: It's about my family or my mom or my dad."
"[20:57] Maggie Robinson Katz: Two questions crashing around inside Liz's head. What has happened to her dad, Jim? And where is her mom, Sandy?"

The Discovery: A Nightmarish Scene

Thirteen years prior to the podcast release, on that fateful Christmas Eve, Liz's cousin Marissa and her family arrived at Jim and Sandy's suburban Houston home for dinner. Their anticipation turned to horror when they couldn't reach Jim and Sandy upon arrival.

"[25:25] iHeart Podcast: We're heading to my Uncle Jim's house."

As they navigated the eerily quiet house, unsettling noises led them to a sinister discovery. They found Sandy tied up in a bathroom closet, her hands and feet bound, while Jim lay dead nearby. The sight was both shocking and traumatic, leaving unanswered questions that have haunted Liz ever since.

"[29:04] iHeart Podcast: I was terrified. I had no idea what was going on."
"[30:33] iHeart Podcast: And I look down and I can see my uncle's legs, his ankles. And they were tied up with a gray. I want to say it was a telephone cable."

Liz's Quest for Answers

Back in the present day, Liz remains steadfast in her belief that the wrong person is serving time for her father's murder. Empowered by her true crime expertise, she has embarked on a relentless quest to uncover the truth, protect her family, and bring justice to her father's memory.

"[35:02] BBC Studios: But that was very short lived because then my own dad was murdered and I had to go home."
"[35:23] Maggie Robinson Katz: How does it feel to have read so many true crime stories and then to have that happen in your own life?"

Liz's unique position—being both a devoted daughter and a scholar of criminal behavior—has driven her to meticulously piece together the fragments of that tragic night, seeking clarity in the chaos that ensued.

"[35:58] BBC Studios: I, I'm thankful though that that was my interest because it helped me protect myself and my family."
"[36:21] Maggie Robinson Katz: It's a mystery she still doesn't have."

Family Background: Jim and Sandy Melgar

Understanding the depth of Liz's determination requires insight into her parents' lives. Jim Melgar, originally from Guatemala, immigrated to America at the age of four, driven by his mother's relentless work ethic to provide a better life for her children. He pursued a career as a computer programmer for the Houston Independent School District, all while nurturing Liz's curiosity about the darker facets of human behavior.

"[14:53] Maggie Robinson Katz: Jim grew up in Guatemala, coming to America when he was just four years old."

Sandy Melgar, Liz's mother, faced her own adversities, including abandonment and poverty. Her resilience led her to become a nurse and later establish a medical billing company, striving to offer Liz the stability and support she never had in her own childhood.

"[15:41] Maggie Robinson Katz: Sandy also spent time in and out of the foster care system, a time Liz says her mom doesn't like to remember."

Despite their challenging backgrounds, Jim and Sandy built a loving and respectful marriage, serving as role models for Liz. Their unwavering support and understanding laid the foundation for Liz's strength in the face of tragedy.

"[18:03] BBC Studios: I never ever once in my entire life ever saw them fight or yell at each other."
"[18:40] BBC Studios: He always taught me how it was important to be very respectful in your relationships."

Host's Personal Connection and Perspective

Maggie Robinson Katz shares her own parallels with Liz's journey, drawing from her experience of losing her father to a phishing scam. This connection underscores the universal quest for closure and understanding in the aftermath of loss.

"[36:44] Maggie Robinson Katz: When my dad died, I found out he was caught up in a Philippines based gold scam..."

Katz emphasizes the complexity of seeking answers and the emotional toll it takes, highlighting Liz's unwavering resolve to rectify what she perceives as a miscarriage of justice.

"[36:23] BBC Studios: An answer to too much for one person. There's a lot of guilt I think pushing me."

Conclusion: A Continuing Mystery

As Episode 1, "The Call," concludes, listeners are left with the sobering reality of Liz's unresolved grief and her persistent determination to uncover the truth behind her father's untimely death. The episode sets the stage for an eight-part series that promises to unravel the intricate web of mysteries surrounding the Melgar family tragedy.

"[36:23] Maggie Robinson Katz: She can't be sure who killed her dad. But she's certain of one thing. The wrong person is in prison for his murder."

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Key Quotes:

• "What do you think? Any ideas?"
  [34:18] Liz reflects on the shock and confusion following the discovery of her father's murder.

• "If it weren't for that strange interest or hobby or whatever you want to call it, things could have gone very, very differently."
  [35:58] BBC Studios: Liz credits her true crime passion with giving her the tools to navigate the aftermath.

• "Someone killed Jim."
  [34:16] A succinct acknowledgment of the grim reality Liz faces.

---

Production Credits:

• Producer: Maggie Robinson Katz
• Producer: Maggie Latham
• Sound Design and Mix: Tom Brignall
• Script Consultant: Emma Wetherill
• Production Support: Dan Marchini, Elena Boateng, Mabel Finnegan Wright
• Production Executive: Laura Jordan Rowell
• Series Development: Anya Sondra
• Executive Producers: Christina Everett (iHeart), Joe Kent (BBC Studios)

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Stay Tuned:

Hands Tied is a meticulously crafted true crime series that promises to delve deep into the mystery surrounding Jim and Sandy Melgar's tragic end. With Maggie Robinson Katz at the helm, listeners can expect an immersive exploration of the investigation, courtroom battles, and Liz Melgar Rose's relentless pursuit of justice. Subscribe and follow on the iHeartRadio app or your preferred podcast platform to join Liz on her quest for answers.

Transcript

[iHeart Podcast]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Ryan Reynolds]

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[BBC Studios]

Now.

[Ryan Reynolds]

I was looking for fun ways to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Premium Wireless for $15 a month is back.

[Ryan Reynolds]

So I thought it would be fun if we made $15 bills, but it turns out that's very illegal.

[Glenn Washington]

So there goes my big idea for the commercial.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Of $45 for a three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required new customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow after 35 gig if network's busy, taxes and fees extra.

[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Glenn Washington]

I'm Glenn Washington, the host of KQD's snap judgment podcast. And at Snap, we don't just tell stories, we live them. Every week a different journey like on a plane with Rihanna, A racetrack in Tijuana, A year inside an Oakland homeless encampment. Real people, real voices with original music and cinematic sound. Snap Judgment from kqed New episodes every Thursday. Wherever you get your podcast.

[BBC Studios]

BBC Studios.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Hey, I'm Maggie. Just a quick heads up before we start. The series does contain some descriptions of violence and deals with adult themes. Close your eyes hear that sleigh bells ting a linging in the distance you look outside at the frosted street corners A snow lightly falls on your mom's garden gnome inside you're Warm, happy. Maybe there's a fire lit in the corner. You're surrounded by people you love, clinking glasses and good cheer. Oh, don't look. Aunt Martha maybe had a bit too much to drink. But you know what? It's Christmas. It's the festive season, and everyone is entitled to a good tiding here and there. Okay, I admit, this is like a quintessential Hallmark Christmas. No one's Christmas is like this. My Christmas isn't like this. But it's kind of what I think about when I close my eyes and dream of the holiday. I think of warmth, friends and family and a moment in time where nothing really matters but the present. This time of celebration and togetherness. I'm not a Christmas proselytizer by any means, but I have to admit, this idea of Christmas, it's nice. But the holidays can also bring up a lot of mixed emotions. They can feel lonely, isolating, especially if the worst thing imaginable happens to you just days before the holiday.

[BBC Studios]

Anthony and I are sitting on the couch, and everyone's, like, watching tv and the Christmas trees in the corner. And, like, I'm checking my Facebook.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

This is Liz Melgar Rose. She's celebrating the holidays with her husband and his family in the uk.

[BBC Studios]

And there's, like, these messages about how people love me. And I'm like, they're here for me.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

A few days ago, Liz experienced a tragedy, a miscarriage.

[BBC Studios]

It was really difficult. We were hopeful that we were going to have a baby, and it just didn't work out.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

People back home in Texas must have heard about it.

[BBC Studios]

I'm thinking, oh, they know I've had a miscarriage. So they are sending their thoughts and love to me to make sure they know that I'm not alone or, you know, that they're thinking of me.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

But one message on her husband Anthony's Facebook catches her eye.

[BBC Studios]

It was like, call me. There's an emergency.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Anthony gets up from the oversized red couch and goes into the kitchen. He makes a call I could hear.

[BBC Studios]

Before he closed the door. Him saying something about. It's about my family or my mom or my dad.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Time stretches. What was likely a few seconds starts to feel like hours.

[BBC Studios]

And then he comes back and he's like. He's shaking, and he just looks like he's seen a ghost, and he's just in shock. My first thought is, my mom has died.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Anthony looks at her, unsure of what to say.

[BBC Studios]

And so I'm like, what happened? And he's just. He can't even talk And I get so frustrated because he's taking too long and it feels like it's been an eternity. And I'm like, just tell me what the fuck happened.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

He can barely get the words out. Something horrible has happened. Their friend in Texas saw Liz's parents house on the news. Their brick bungalow swaddled in yellow police tape, blue and red lights flickering in the cold night air.

[BBC Studios]

And he said, your dad, your dad's been killed. And that is not what I expected him to say. So I said, what? And he said, your dad's been killed. And I thought, what? What happen?

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

You know that feeling when the pit of your stomach drops? You maybe hear a slight buzz in your ear, Your heart begins thumping against your chest. You can't focus on what people are saying. It's like you can't hear at all. That's how I imagine Liz felt in this moment. She heard the news. The moment her entire life imploded. Her dad, miles away from where she is now, has been murdered. She snaps out of the haze. There will be time to grieve. But right now she needs answers.

[BBC Studios]

I'm calling all these people. I'm trying to get a hold of my cousin. It's like five or six in the morning back in Houston.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

She needs to talk to her mom.

[BBC Studios]

I'm like, where's my mom? Nobody knows where my mom is. So I'm calling all the hospitals. She's nowhere. I'm calling the police. She's nowhere. I have no idea what's happened to her.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Sandy, Liz's mom has seemingly vanished without a trace. Where is she? What happened that cold night in December? And who killed Liz's dad? I'm Maggie Robinson Katz and from BBC Studios and I Heart Podcasts, this is Hands Tied episode one the Call.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Lenovo is built for creators who don't wait for inspiration. They chase it with inventive tech, built in AI tools and seamless performance. Lenovo devices, powered by Intel Core Ultra processors are designed to bring your wildest ideas to life faster. That's the power of Lenovo. With intel inside, enjoy flexible financing, rewards on every purchase and free shipping. And students get special offers when you create an [e-mail] lenovo lenovo.

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[Glenn Washington]

I'm Glen Washington, the host of KQD's snap judgment podcast and at Snap, we don't just tell stories, we live them. Every week a different journey. Like on a plane with Rihanna, a racetrack in Tijuana, a year inside an Oakland homeless encampment, riding real people, real voices with original music and cinematic sound. Snap Judgment from kqed New episodes every Thursday. Wherever you get your podcasts, you know.

[Cindy Crawford]

That fantasy where you run into your ex while looking impossibly cute and wildly unbothered? Hill House makes the perfect dress for that moment. Or if you're just running errands. Hill House Home is the brand behind the viral nap dress. Known for its signature smocking, ultra flattering fit and comfort that makes it a favorite for just about everyone. Celebrities like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Anne Hathaway and Mindy Kaling have all been spotted in Hill House. These dresses are the definition of versatile, perfect for running errands in the morning and stylish enough for dinner or a party that night. And it's not all they carry. They started with bedding back in 2016 and now you'll find bathrobes, pajamas, children's clothes and maternity, all with the cutest prints. And it's so true. The hardest time picking out one nap dress because the prints are so dreamy and beautiful. I But now that I have it, I'm going to wear it all day, every day. I'm going to throw on my leather jacket at night and look like a total badass. Cowboy boots or cute heels. Whatever it is, this nap dress can make it look classy. You look like that classy lady you see at the airport. Hill House makes fun fashion that makes you feel good. Get 15% off your first order of $100 or more at Hill HouseHome.com with code murder15. That's murder15 for 15% off at HillHouse Home.com goodbye.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Hi do. I've come to England to meet Liz at her home in southwest London. It's a cold and dreary day, which is exactly what I think of when I hear the words January and England.

[BBC Studios]

She brings in rocks and shoes on them.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

She brings in rocks.

[BBC Studios]

Really? She. I don't know why, why that's so funny.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

What type of dog is she again?

[BBC Studios]

Show they call him or Mexican hairless.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Her name is Nola. Liz has Mayan roots. So this is a catchke word which means cute.

[BBC Studios]

Very. Yeah. Strange animals.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

I like her. I'm into her. She feels mighty for her size. You can say the same thing about Liz. She's tiny with long hair dyed a deep purple, these big saucer eyes. And although she may be 40, she looks like she's about 20. But make no mistake, Liz is fierce. We sit on her couch, Liz wrapping herself in sweatshirt and countless blankets because again, it's January in England. And we begin chatting. When you think about your dad, what do you remember?

[BBC Studios]

So he has this type of sense of humor and everybody calls them gym jokes because they're just so bad that they make you just, you know, groan and say, oh my God, we all know those jokes.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Maybe you've told a few yourself. I know I have.

[BBC Studios]

They're dad jokes.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

And these groan worthy gym jokes were told to her countless times by her dad, Jim.

[BBC Studios]

My dad was always pulling pranks and playing around. We always say that he was just another kid, which is why I had so much fun in my childhood because I had someone else to play with.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Liz grew up in Houston, the only child to parents Jim, also known as Jaime or Jamie and Sandy Melgar. When Liz thinks back to her childhood now, she can easily recall the good times.

[BBC Studios]

We just had these adventures. There was a creek in the backyard. Sometimes it would flood if it rained a lot and it would become this like huge river and there were alligators in there. We had this like little boat and we would paddle out there and just ride down the river for a little while.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

You're not afraid of alligators?

[BBC Studios]

No.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

You know they can't zigzag, meaning if one is chasing you, run in a zigzag.

[iHeart Podcast]

Hot tip.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

You're welcome. Saved your life. Despite the alligators, which I think are way scarier than Liz is letting on, you can get a sense of what her childhood was like. Playful fun with ample Time out in the warm Texas sun. And her two parents, Jim and Sandy, doting on her, wanting to give Liz everything they didn't have growing up.

[BBC Studios]

I was an only child, so I probably was pretty spoiled. I didn't get everything I wanted, obviously, but it's not like I was lacking in anything. I'm grateful and I feel lucky that I had the parents that I, that I do.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Were you close?

[BBC Studios]

Yeah, we were very close. We all had a really good and close relationship. I enjoyed speaking, spending time with my parents. I miss it. I bet, yeah.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Jim and Sandy both had difficult childhoods. Jim grew up in Guatemala, coming to America when he was just four years old. His mother worked as a house cleaner, saving every penny to give her children a better life.

[BBC Studios]

He would tell me stories as well as from when he was a kid to try and show me how good I had it. And I think at first I didn't believe him because they just sounded just so far from what I knew.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Like buying a glass of goat milk from a villager for 5 cents only when they could afford it, or flying to the States at a young age by yourself and sharing a cramped two bedroom, one bathroom house with your parents and siblings.

[BBC Studios]

Yeah, it's kind of like, you know, you have these nice stories, but they're kind of mixed in with a lot of trauma.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

I think Sandy didn't have it any easier. She was abandoned by her parents and dumped with her grandmother in Laredo, a small town on the border with Mexico.

[BBC Studios]

She grew up incredibly poor. Sometimes they didn't have food, sometimes they didn't have electricity or running water. They struggled a lot.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Sandy also spent time in and out of the foster care system, a time Liz says her mom doesn't like to remember.

[BBC Studios]

It was difficult to be in these foster homes. I mean, you're thrown into these new environments that, I mean, you're just a kid, you're scared. You don't know what's going on. And so I think she wanted me to have everything that she never had. And so she was determined to be just the best mom that she could be. It was difficult for her.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

But eventually Jim and Sandy find each other. Fate or the Alphabet. Bringing them together in a high school class in Houston at age 17.

[BBC Studios]

So it was Sandra McCullough and then Jaime Melgar. So he sat behind her and he would pull her hair because she had really long blonde hair. And he used to ask her out a lot.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

And she kept saying no until Jim comes up with a brilliant idea.

[BBC Studios]

He finally asks her to go to this huge mall in downtown Houston, which is called the Galleria, and there's a big ice skating rink in there. So he says, some of my friends and I are going to be there. Would you like to join us?

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

You know, a group thing. It will be totally relaxed. Sandy agrees.

[BBC Studios]

And when she gets there, it's my dad and one other friend. And the friend shortly leaves, and they just ended up spending that evening together. And I guess the rest was history. They were inseparable after that.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

They married and had Liz a few years later. Jim loved cars and music, his favorite bands being acdc, Black Sabbath, back when Ozzy was still in the band, To Be Clear, and Pink Floyd, a band Liz loves as well. Jim worked as a computer programmer for the Houston Independent Schools district while Sandy was first a nurse, then later set up a medical billing company. From Liz's perspective, her parents only always seemed to have a loving and respectful relationship.

[BBC Studios]

And I know people probably don't believe me when I say this, but I never ever once in my entire life ever saw them fight or yell at each other or raise their voices at each other. Never. I don't know how they did that, because I can't do that.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Disagreements, according to Liz, were solved by talking things out calmly.

[BBC Studios]

It was never like yelling or fighting.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Even modeling that behavior for her. One time, Liz says, she called her boyfriend stupid in front of her dad.

[BBC Studios]

And my dad took me to the side, and he said, that is really disrespectful. And it might start a habit where you do that and you think you're just playing around, but then when you're angry, you're gonna say it and you're gonna mean it, and you're not gonna be able to take it back. So he always taught me how it was important to be very respectful in your relationships and be mindful about how you're talking to people.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

I mean, a lesson for all of us.

[BBC Studios]

I still struggle with this, that they had somehow mastered this and were able to practice it together. And, you know, I just. I think that's a testament to their relationship and to the love and respect that they had for each other.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Liz grabs her phone to show me a picture of her with her mom and dad.

[BBC Studios]

We were taking a bunch of pictures together. I don't know why. This is the only one I have.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

This is the last time she saw her dad.

[BBC Studios]

It's at departures, in the terminal, there at the airport. And it's just me in between my mom and dad, and they've both got their arms around me. I've got my arms around them and yeah, I'm about to get on a plane to England.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Liz was starting her own adventure, beginning a neuroscience course in Brighton with a focus on the brain chemistry of violent offenders. She'd long had an interest in true crime, something her parents thought was a little weird. The next step up from her passion for horror. Back then, true crime books were harder to come by than they are now. Even so, Liz's room was stacked with books on serial killers.

[BBC Studios]

I remember this moment and then leaving and walking up towards the gate. I was sad to be leaving, but it wasn't as sad as it usually was because, you know, I kept saying, we're coming back and we'll see them soon, we'll spend lots of time together. And yeah, I think I went into like crisis mode. Right.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Back in December 2012. On the night that she hears that Jim has been murdered, there are two questions crashing around inside Liz's head. What has happened to her dad, Jim? And where is her mom, Sandy?

[BBC Studios]

I was able to just. It just feels like everything slows down and I'm okay, what do I need to do? Step one and then I just take it from there.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Step one, get from London to Houston as fast as she can.

[BBC Studios]

My husband started looking for the flights.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

But it's just before Christmas. Everything is booked up with people traveling for the holidays. Finally, Anthony manages to book them onto a flight, but it's going to take a while. First they'll have to get to Paris, then on to Houston.

[BBC Studios]

I remember sitting there just thinking, oh my God, I have this long flight ahead of me. I don't know, it was just very surreal. I felt like I was in a dream state and none of it was real and I just had to get home.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Liz and her husband Anthony had no idea what they would find back home. All they could do was literally sit and wait. With an in flight snack or two. On the long journey, they prepare themselves for step two. Find out what happened to Liz's parents.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Lenovo is built for creators who don't wait for inspiration. They chase it with inventive tech, built in AI tools and seamless performance. Lenovo devices powered by Intel Core Ultra processors are designed to bring your wildest ideas to life faster. That's the power of Lenovo with Intel inside. Enjoy flexible financing, rewards on every purchase and free shipping. And students get special offers when you create an [e-mail] lenovo lenovo.

[Unknown Speaker]

Now I'd like to introduce you to Meaningful Beauty, the famed skincare brand created by iconic supermodel Cindy Crawford. It's her secret to Absolutely gorgeous skin. Meaningful Beauty makes powerful and effective skin care simple and it's loved by millions of women. It's formulated for all ages and all skin tones and types and it's designed to work as a complete skin care system leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth and nourished. I recommend starting with Cindy's full regimen which contains all five of her best selling products including the Amazing Youth Activating Melon Serum. This next generation serum has the power of melon laser leaf stem cell technology. It's melon leaf stem cells encapsulated for freshness and released onto the skin to support a visible reduction in the appearance of wrinkles. With thousands of glowing five star reviews, why not give it a try? Subscribe today and you can get the Amazing Meaningful Beauty system for just $49.95. That includes our introductory five piece system, free gifts, free shipping and a 60 day money back guarantee. All of that available at Meaningful Beauty.

[Glenn Washington]

I'm Glen Washington, the host of KQD's Snap Judgment podcast. And at Snap, we don't just tell stories, we live them. Every week a different journey. Like on a plane with Rihanna, a racetrack in Tijuana, a year inside an Oakland homeless encampment. Real people, real voices with original music and cinematic sound. Snap Judgment from kqed New episodes every Thursday. Wherever you get your podcast, you know.

[Cindy Crawford]

That fantasy where you run into your ex while looking impossibly cute and wildly unbothered? Hill House makes the perfect dress for that moment. Or if you're just running errands, Hill House Home is the brand behind the viral Nap dress. Known for its signature smocking, ultra flattering fit and comfort that makes it a favorite for just about everyone. Celebrities like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Anne Hathaway, and Mindy Kaling have all been spotted in Hill House. These dresses are the definition of versatile, perfect for running errands in the morning and stylish enough for dinner or a party that night. And it's not all they carry. They started with bedding back in 2016 and now you'll find bathrobes, pajamas, children's clothes and maternity, all with the cutest prints. And it's so true. I had the hardest time picking out one nap dress because the prints are so dreamy and beautiful. But now that I have it, I'm going to wear it all day, every day. I'm going to throw on my leather jacket at night and look like a total badass. Cowboy boots or cute heels? Whatever it is this nap Dr. Can make it look classy. You look like that classy lady you see at the airport. Hill House makes fun fashion that makes you feel good. Get 15% off your first order of $100 or more@hill househome.com with code murder15. That's murder. 15 for 15% off@hill househome.com. goodbye.

[iHeart Podcast]

We're heading to my Uncle Jim's house.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Liz's cousin Marissa was there the day Jim was found, just before Christmas, December 23, 2012.

[iHeart Podcast]

And I remember I texted him actually before we left the house saying, hey, we're running late. That was just a running joke, honestly, with us. Because he would, you know, say that we were always late to everything.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Jim had invited Marissa and her family around to eat with him and Sandy. So Marissa, her mom, Maria, her dad Herman, her sister Monica, her boyfriend Gerson, and their baby Melanie all squished together.

[iHeart Podcast]

It's kind of embarrassing to say we fit six of us in a five seater car.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Somehow Marissa finds enough elbow to text her uncle.

[iHeart Podcast]

I will never forget telling my mom, I said, you know, Uncle Jim hasn't texted me back. Said, oh, maybe he's busy. We're thinking, maybe he's busy, he's grilling, he's doing something right. And then I text him again. We're getting close. And again, didn't hear from him.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Jim and Sandy live in Laurel Creek on the northwest side of Houston. Suburban in the way most American neighborhoods are. Think tree lined streets, cookie cutter houses, a lot of them bungalows, big garages and lush front lawns. And a bit fancier than where Marissa's family live.

[iHeart Podcast]

We were kind of sitting there in the driveway for a little while because the neighbors, like directly across from their house, they were out. And so we were just kind of sitting there laughing, thinking, how are we going to get out of this car without them, you know, judging us.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Eventually they get out of the car and knock on the door. No answer.

[iHeart Podcast]

So I'm thinking, okay, well, let me call them.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

No answer.

[iHeart Podcast]

We tell my dad, hey, go check the backyard. They're probably outside. They're grilling. I kept thinking, they're grilling.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Herman makes his way to the backyard, peeks over the fence and calls back.

[iHeart Podcast]

No, there's nobody out there. He said, I tried calling for my brother. Nobody's saying anything. I don't think anybody's in the backyard. So this is strange.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Even stranger, the garage door is wide open. Well, one side is. It's a double garage. Herman decides to have a look Inside.

[iHeart Podcast]

And I'm thinking, no, we don't break into people's homes. So let's, you know, let's wait. Then I started thinking, maybe they're taking a shower.

[Cindy Crawford]

You know, maybe, you know, we gotta.

[iHeart Podcast]

Give them some space. You know, I'm sure they'll come out. But my dad was like, no, no, no. This is my brother's house. We can make ourselves at home.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Herman walks in, goes through the door in the garage that connects to the main house. And unlocks the front door, letting the rest of his family in.

[iHeart Podcast]

That's when I. It just didn't feel right. Soon as my dad opened the door, I remember I put my arm up towards my mom's chest, and I said, no. I said, no, let's just wait right here.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

But Herman ignores his daughter and turns back into the house. The rest of the family follow. Into the darkness. Every single shade in the house is drawn.

[iHeart Podcast]

My dad started calling out, sandy, Jim, we're here. And that's when we started hearing what I would describe, like, mumbling noises. We all stopped, and we were like, wait, what was that?

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

It's a voice saying, help. Help.

[iHeart Podcast]

My dad, he sprang into action. He just. He ran towards where the noise was coming from.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Running towards the back of the house. The sound of the cries becoming louder and louder.

[iHeart Podcast]

I was terrified. I had no idea what was going on.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

It just kind of.

[iHeart Podcast]

I don't remember hearing anything when I was in the bedroom. It was just kind of quiet.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

She goes through the bedroom and into the bathroom. Herman spots a brown satin chair pushed up under the handle of the bathroom closet, locking it shut from the outside. He moves the chair and inside, finds Sandy. She's dressed in a red nightie, black robe and fluffy socks lying on the floor, her feet and her hands tied up. Herman and his wife cut her free. And notice her soiled underwear as they do. It looks like she's been there for hours.

[iHeart Podcast]

I'm standing there, you know, all the commotion. I see Sandy. When I saw her. She was crying. She was hysterical. She was saying, where's Jim? Where's Jim? I was standing there frozen. I think she was crawling or almost like dragging herself, asking, where's Jim? Where's Jim? And then my mom trying to hold her back. No, no, no. Like, don't go over there, or don't just stay here. I start walking into the room a little bit more. And, you know, I turn around because the closet light was on. And I remember turning around, it was to my right.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Marissa goes back into Sandy and Jim's bedroom, where there's another closet.

[iHeart Podcast]

And I look down and I can see my uncle's legs, his ankles. And they were tied up with a gray. I want to say it was a telephone cable.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Marissa can't take it any longer. She needs to get out of that house.

[iHeart Podcast]

I just decided I turned around to, like, head back out. And I bumped into. It was either my sister or Gerson. When I bumped into them, they're like, what's going on? I couldn't even talk.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

She rushes outside.

[iHeart Podcast]

The neighbors were out, so I was basically yelling at them. I was like, please call 911.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Frantically, she reaches into her pockets, her hands shaking as she calls for help.

[iHeart Podcast]

And the operator answered. And I couldn't talk.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Can barely get the words out. The worst possible thing has happened. Marisa stands outside as the sound of sirens grow into a crescendo. The quiet afternoon twisted into a cacophony of alarms and shouting. The neighborhood lit up by the blue and red lights of the police vehicles and EMTs. The house soon swaddled in yellow police tape.

[iHeart Podcast]

You know, people going in and out. And so at one point, we did get ushered out of the house. And so we were all just standing in the driveway just waiting to be told something.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Honestly, one of the officers warns the family that they'll need to be separated.

[iHeart Podcast]

And so we went to different police cars and we sat there for what.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Felt like forever and are interviewed one by one.

[H]

Today is December 23, 2012, and this is in reference to Harris county case HC 1217. We're at Kelsey Meadows Court and I'm talking with a witness. Ma', am, I'm gonna ask you to state your name for the recording.

[iHeart Podcast]

Marissa Melgar.

[BBC Studios]

Muku.

[H]

Okay. And today you came to this address.

[iHeart Podcast]

For lunch or dinner with who lives.

[H]

Here that you know?

[iHeart Podcast]

My uncle, his aunt. I mean, I'm sorry, my aunt. And just them.

[H]

And what's their names?

[iHeart Podcast]

Sandy Melgar and Jim Malgar.

[H]

Okay. And y' all were supposed to come here.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Marissa fills in Sergeant James Doucet of Harris County Sheriff's Office on everything you just heard. They were going over to Jim and Sandy's house for dinner. There was no answer, so they made their way inside. That's when they found Sandy. An ornate brown satin chair with curling white vines was wedged under a door handle, essentially sealing the bathroom closet shut with Sandy inside on the floor, hands and feet tied up, trapped.

[H]

She's laying on the bath. You could see her?

[iHeart Podcast]

I could see her. I believe she was tied up.

[H]

Okay.

[iHeart Podcast]

And then I Got scared and I ran out and I told my dad. I was like, we don't know who's in here.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Marisa tells the officer she left in a panic.

[iHeart Podcast]

I was like let's, let's get out. I was like I'm going to call 911 and I'm running out and my boyfriend and my sister are still. I think they were in the living room and I ran out crying, screaming. I was like oh my gosh. And they were like what's happening? What's happening? And they ran out after me and that's when I called 911.

[H]

Now you said her hands were bound when you saw her.

[iHeart Podcast]

I believe so, yeah. Yeah they were. I believe that she was like this when she was saying help.

[H]

Based on what? You know, what's your feelings Shock.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Someone killed Jim.

[H]

What do you think? Any ideas?

[iHeart Podcast]

I don't know. That's what I was thinking in the car. I was like, I could have done that.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Thirteen years later, sitting in Liz's living room in London, she's still trying to answer that question. What happened that night? Who killed her dad?

[BBC Studios]

I don't even know when the shock actually started to wear off. I feel like it was years.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Shocking that her dad was murdered and that it happened just as she started pursuing her own passion for true crime as a career studying violent criminal behavior.

[BBC Studios]

But that was very short lived because then my own dad was murdered and I had to go home.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Her life morphing into one of the murder stories that obsessed her as a teenager. How does it feel to have read so many true crime stories and then to have that happen in your own life?

[BBC Studios]

It's insane. It's just it was so strange to become part of this like genre that I had been so interested in.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Back in December 2012, Liz had a realization. She was uniquely placed to find out who murdered her dad. She was studying criminology. She spent her teenage years devouring true crime. And who knew Jim and Sandy better than their only child? All that time reading about serial killers and murder could maybe be put to good use.

[BBC Studios]

I, I'm thankful though that that was my interest because it helped me protect myself and my family. It kind of helped me like put the pieces of the puzzle together. Yeah, I mean I think if it weren't for that strange interest or hobby or whatever you want to call it, things could have gone very, very differently.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

It's a mystery she still doesn't have.

[BBC Studios]

An answer to too much for one person. There's a lot of guilt I think pushing me. I want to prove everyone wrong basically at this point. And I just, I want answers.

[Maggie Robinson Katz]

When I first heard about Liz's story, I was intrigued and in a very small way could relate. Liz and I are both daughters who searched for answers in the mysteries that embroiled our late fathers. Now I just want to preface this by saying I have not no idea what it's like to lose a parent in the way Liz has, but this desire to understand what happened. I've been there. When my dad died, I found out he was caught up in a Philippines based gold scam causing him to lose the fortune he had spent his life building, leaving the rest of us with, well, nothing. But this answer wasn't good enough for me. I wanted to understand why this happened and most of all, meet the man who took his money. So I got a plane to meet my dad's con artist, a 95 year old white American, so I could ask him to his face if he conned my dad. If you're listening and your parent has been scammed of money and you have the opportunity to meet their con artist, I think my first recommendation is don't do it. I mean, I only say this because I really didn't feel any sense of closure and I don't feel any nearer to understanding the mystery of why my dad fell for this ridiculous con. But this isn't my story. This is the story of Jim and Sandy Melgar and their daughter Liz Rose Melgar. A strange and beguiling case where a woman is found in a closet with her hands and feet tied, her husband dead a few feet away from her. To this day, Liz says she can't be sure who killed her dad. But she's certain of one thing. The wrong person is in prison for his murder. Foreign you've been listening to Hands tied, a new eight part true crime series from BBC Studios and iHeart Podcasts. New episodes will be released weekly, so subscribe or follow on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss out. If you like the show, please help us by spreading the word or giving us a five star review. I'm Maggie Robinson Katz and the producer is Maggie Latham. Sound design and mix is by Tom Brignall. Our script consultant is Emma Wetherill. Production support is from Dan Marchini, Elena Boateng and Mabel Finnegan Wright. And our production executive is Laura Jordan Rowell. The series was developed by anya Sondra. At iHeart, the managing executive producer is Christina Everett and for BBC Studios the executive producer is Joe Kent.

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[iHeart Podcast]

Why is this taking so long? This thing is ancient.

[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Maggie Robinson Katz]

Whoa, this thing moves.

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[Maggie Robinson Katz]

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[Cindy Crawford]

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[iHeart Podcast]

This is an I Heart podcast.