Podcast Summary: I Wish You Were Here

Host: Michelle Cuervo
Episode: He Lived With Their Bodies For Weeks: The Todt Family Murders
Date: January 5, 2026

Episode Overview

In this chilling episode, Michelle Cuervo explores the harrowing case of the Todt family murders, delving into how a seemingly devoted family man, Anthony Todt, descended into deception, financial ruin, and ultimately, unspeakable violence. The episode traces the family's history, the events leading up to the murders, Anthony's attempts to explain his actions, and the aftermath—including his conviction. Through Michelle's characteristically conversational tone, listeners are guided into the unsettling details and unanswered questions surrounding this real-life tragedy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Perfect Family Facade

• Background: Anthony “Tony” Todt was a well-respected physical therapist from Connecticut, beloved within his community, involved in local activities, and regarded as an upstanding family man.
• Family Life: He and his wife Megan, also a physical therapist, started a clinic together and later had three children—Alec, Tyler, and Zoe—whom Megan homeschooled.
• Move to Florida: The family relocated to Florida purportedly for Megan’s health, as she suffered from Lyme disease and depression. Anthony maintained the Connecticut clinic, commuting back to Florida on weekends.

2. Fraying Beneath the Surface

• Financial Problems: Despite outward appearances, the Todts’ lives were unraveling. Anthony’s clinic was involved in extensive Medicaid and insurance fraud, amounting to around $130,000. He also took out substantial loans and defaulted on rent payments, leading to lawsuits and mounting debts.
• Isolation: After moving to Florida, the Todts became withdrawn from the community, unlike their active life in Connecticut.

On Anthony's Backstory:

Michelle draws a line between Anthony’s father—a man who orchestrated a violent attack on Anthony’s mother when Anthony was only four—and Anthony’s own fate, suggesting generational trauma may have played a role.

"I think it’s my opinion that that probably did impact him in a lot of different ways." (18:50)

3. Crimes Uncovered

• The Discovery (34:05):
  • In January 2020, federal agents went to arrest Anthony on health care fraud charges at the family’s Florida rental home. Instead, they found Anthony alive and four decomposing bodies (Megan, Alec, Tyler, Zoe) with the family dog, Breezy, also dead.
• Welfare Check Missed (32:10):
  • Two weeks earlier, a welfare check was performed but entry was not gained due to lack of probable cause. The family’s bodies remained undiscovered over the holidays.
• Condition:
  • The victims were heavily decomposed. All had wounds, were drowsy from Benadryl, and each had a crucifix placed in their hands.

On the Scene:

"They were immediately hit by a pungent odor. It smelled like death." (35:00)

4. Anthony’s Confessions and Contradictions

• Initial Confessions (38:15):
  • Anthony confessed quickly, claiming he and his wife had agreed to a family suicide due to an apocalypse they believed was coming. They watched videos, made a pact, and administered Benadryl before suffocating and stabbing the children and Megan.
• Details:
  • Zoe, the youngest, was the first victim. Anthony described rolling on top of her so she couldn’t breathe, covering her with his hand and a pillow (39:36).
  • Alec and Tyler were stabbed and suffocated. Megan, Anthony claimed, had tried to kill herself with a knife; Anthony suffocated her to "end her misery".
  • After the murders, Anthony placed the bodies together, kept them under blankets in the Florida heat, and lived in the same room for weeks.
  • He sent text messages from his family's phones pretending they were alive to family and friends.

Anthony’s Words (recounted in court):

"She rolled and she started swiveling and I put a hand over her mouth and laid on her to keep her down and then I put a pillow on top. I sat with Zoe until she stopped breathing." (39:36)

• Revisionist Letter from Jail:
  • Anthony later recanted his story in a 27-page letter to his estranged father, blaming his wife for the murders, claiming she killed the kids due to her depression and obsession with reincarnation—a claim the court found unconvincing.

On Blaming Megan:

"To do that to your own wife and your own children is one thing, is a terrible, horrible thing. To then turn around and blame it on your wife is also pure insanity." (48:10)

5. The Trial and Outcome

• Trial:
  • Anthony’s trial began in April 2022. Audio tapes of his confessions played in court.
  • The jury initially was deadlocked but ultimately convicted him on all counts. He received four consecutive life sentences without parole.
• Current Status:
  • Anthony Todt is serving his sentence at Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in Milton, Florida.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the discovery of the bodies:

  "Anthony Todd was found alive. He was wearing only a shirt and his underwear. When authorities asked him where Megan was, Anthony said that she was upstairs sleeping and even called out for her as if she were still alive." (36:00)

• On Anthony’s story changing:

  "But then, in 2020, while in jail, in a change of events, Anthony then wrote a 27 page letter to his estranged father, Robert Todd. In that letter, Anthony completely changed his story. He was claiming that he had nothing to do with the murders. Instead, he blamed everything on Megan." (45:45)

• Host’s reaction to the blame shift:

  "To do that to your own wife and your own children is one thing, is a terrible, horrible thing. To then turn around and blame it on your wife is also pure insanity." (48:10)

Timeline & Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:00-02:40: Introduction; Michelle shares her illness, holiday wishes, and episode overview
• 02:40-10:00: Anthony’s early life, marriage, and the family’s move to Florida
• 10:00-18:50: The Todt family’s growing isolation; Anthony's traumatic childhood (father’s crime)
• 18:50-28:00: Unraveling financial fraud and stresses leading to December 2019
• 32:10-34:05: Missed welfare check and the family's isolation
• 34:05-38:15: Discovery of the bodies and Anthony's dire state
• 38:15-44:45: Anthony’s confessions, details of the murders, and cover-up attempts
• 44:45-46:30: Anthony’s jailhouse letter, blaming Megan
• 46:30-48:20: Trial, verdict, sentencing, and reflection by Michelle

Final Reflections

Michelle closes with empathy for the victims and incredulity at Anthony’s shifting stories. She underscores the horror of his actions and the pain left in their wake. The case is left with the lingering question: how could someone maintain such a façade and commit such a brutal crime?

For Listeners:

If you haven’t listened to the episode, this summary covers all the critical aspects, from the Todts’ family dynamics and history, Anthony’s unraveling, details of the crime, to the aftermath and Michelle’s thoughtful commentary. As always, Michelle’s warm, informal style invites listeners not just to be informed, but to reflect deeply on the unsettling complexities of real crime cases.