Juicy Crimes with Heather McDonald

Episode: Evil Influencers and the Deadly World of Gay Grifters
Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Heather McDonald

Episode Overview

Heather McDonald kicks off the first Juicy Crimes of the year with a whirlwind of true crime stories—focusing on grifters, cult-like influencers, and some “so bizarre they can’t be real” cases. With her signature comedic tone and biting commentary, Heather explores Netflix’s “Evil Influencer: The Jody Hildebrandt Story,” updates on cyberbullying in France, a dentist couple’s mysterious double homicide, the deadly gay grifter of San Diego, and a flashback to the infamous Phil Spector murder case. The episode is marked by a lighter, yet unflinching look at dark true crimes with a focus on manipulation, scandal, and the sometimes absurd world of criminal grifting.

1. Evil Influencer: The Jody Hildebrandt & Ruby Franke Child Abuse Case

[00:41 – 27:05]

Background & Main Figures

• Ruby Franke and her husband Kevin ran the popular Mormon family YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” which amassed millions of followers by vlogging their family life.
• Growing suspicions arose due to Ruby’s questionable parenting, such as publicizing harsh punishments (like taking away a son’s bed for two months and posting it).
• The family’s sponsorships dried up due to public outcry and a petition of over 18,000 signatures demanding accountability for child exploitation.

Enter Jody Hildebrandt

• Jody, a Mormon psychologist, was adept at recruiting followers, especially by addressing women’s issues in the LDS community and framing men’s minor “porn use” as addiction.
• She developed an unorthodox and manipulative therapeutic practice—counseling couples, individuals, and children, “infiltrating” entire families.

“She would convince people: if you want to get your marriage back together, you have to separate for a year—no talking to your wife or child. Just absolute separation.” – Heather [07:31]

• Ruby and Kevin followed Jody’s instructions blindly, resulting in Kevin moving out, Ruby becoming more isolated, and the children becoming more vulnerable.

The Cult-Like Dynamics

• Jody and Ruby started a new podcast and series of “truth” seminars following the collapse of their YouTube family franchise.
• Jody’s methods drew comparisons to Scientology and “cult of personality” leaders—coining her own jargon and demanding submission (e.g., “You need to have humility. By having humility, you leave your family, sir…” [07:50])

The Abuse Unfolds

• The horror was exposed when one of the children, emaciated and with visible injuries, escaped to a neighbor’s house; ring camera footage and bodycam clips corroborated the abuse [17:54].
• Diaries found at Jody’s house detailed daily abuse, including starvation, physical torture (such as cactus poking and hog-tying), and psychological torment.

“We find out later that the abuse was so bad...he was told every day that he was horrible and bad and that he will go to jail for what he's doing. He thought he should be taken to jail!” – Heather [13:10]

• Police interviews with Kevin revealed he hadn’t seen his children in a year due to Jody’s influence. He seemed completely oblivious, even misunderstanding terms like “emaciated.” [19:00]

Justice & Aftermath

• Both Ruby and Jody were convicted, with sentences between 10–40 years, although Utah’s parole system means they could theoretically be released any time after only a few years.
• Ruby, after separation, recanted and placed blame on Jody, claiming manipulation.
• Kevin remarried and regained custody of the four children; the eldest son, Chad, addressed public questions on TikTok, confirming his father’s ignorance of the abuse. [24:35]

“There's been so many grifter, life coacher people...that women flock to. They go to the three day conventions…and then, a couple years later, they're off the radar. They got canceled, they did something wrong—you know who I'm talking about. Rachel Hollis, girl, ‘Wash Your Face’ type of person.” – Heather [25:05]

Family Vlogging & Exploitation

• Heather laments the era of family vlogging and parental exploitation, noting generational shifts but continued child commodification on social media.

“There's still a lot of women putting their young children on Instagram and having them dance in little bikinis…my 3-year-old was shared 18 million times? I don’t think those 18 million people…were all moms saying ‘this is a bathing suit I want to buy for my daughter.’ It’s creepy shit.” – Heather [26:35]

2. Cyberbullying, Candace Owens, and the French First Lady

[27:36 – 32:32]

Brigitte Macron Rumors & Legal Actions

• Heather updates on the persistent internet rumors—sparked by Candace Owens’ “Becoming Brigitte” docuseries—claiming that Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, was born male and had an inappropriate relationship with him as a student.
• Owens and others are being sued by Brigitte Macron, who brings photographic and familial evidence to court, including documentation of pregnancies.
• Ten individuals have been convicted of cyberbullying in France for promoting these rumors, receiving time served and mandatory classes.

“In this world where people make a living just making TikToks and commenting on other people’s stuff, if it’s going to change the way people report on it…” – Heather [31:52]

3. The Dentist Couple Double Homicide – Ohio

[32:33 – 34:45]

The Case

• A young, well-liked Ohio dentist and his wife were found shot dead in their home with their two young children unharmed, after both failed to appear or answer calls.
• The lack of forced entry, missing items, or the murder weapon makes the case mysterious. Speculation circulates about the wife’s potential ex-husband, but both children are of the murdered couple.

“This could be any man…they have a photo of a guy in a hoodie and…this could be my husband, my son…” – Heather [33:47]

4. Rob and Michelle Reiner Double Murder by Son Nick

[34:46 – 36:45]

• Update: Nick Reiner, accused of murdering Hollywood parents Rob and Michelle Reiner, is set to enter a plea, likely not guilty by reason of insanity, with high-profile defense.
• The timeline is murky; possible trigger event at a Conan O’Brien holiday party.
• Ironic twist: The Reiners had been advocating for an innocent man on death row; now their son faces a possible death penalty.

5. The “Deadly Gay Grifter” – Jake Mendonino & David Mesa in San Diego

[36:46 – 43:10]

The Players

• Jake Mendonino: Charismatic 50-year-old man, beloved community figure.
• David Mesa: Much younger, attractive Mexican man Jake met online; described as an amateur porn star, “gay for pay,” and nursing student (which was a lie).

Events

• Jake buys a Rosarito Beach condo, with David as his much younger boyfriend. Friends are skeptical but supportive.
• Jake’s body is later found murdered (stab wounds) after a dinner at a hotel with David.
• Investigation unravels David’s lies—phone/immigration records show he crossed the border hours later than claimed. He also had a fiancée, Taylor, a pregnant woman in San Diego.

The Motive & Aftermath

• Jake had written a handwritten note bequeathing the condo to David, possibly under duress or out of desperation for love.
• David’s double life emerges—he was using Jake for money, had a pregnant fiancée, and had faked being in nursing school.
• Police uncover messages revealing David’s guilt; Taylor, his fiancée, receives a prison sentence for obstruction and possibly complicity, though her knowledge of the murder is unclear.

“This guy is truly gay for pay—he was doing gay porn for money, gay stuff with Jake for years for money. He told Taylor Jake was his boss…Then you see all these phone messages, voicemails: he’s talking to Taylor saying how guilty he feels.” – Heather [41:50]

• David is convicted for life; Taylor serves 21 months.

6. The Phil Spector Murder: Remembering Lana Clarkson

[43:11 – End]

Personal Connection

• Heather reflects on knowing Lana Clarkson from her early stand-up days—a tall, beautiful, “hustling” actress, positive and friendly, who wanted to break into comedy.

The Crime

• Lana, working as a House of Blues VIP hostess, met eccentric music producer Phil Spector.
• After a night out, she was found dead in Spector’s mansion—shot in the mouth. Spector claimed she had killed herself.

Courtroom Drama & Aftermath

• Spector’s years-long legal stalling, allegations of him threatening other women with guns, and the prosecution’s evidence convinced the jury.
• Spector was convicted and died in prison; Clarkson’s reputation was unfairly attacked during the trial.

“One thing…convincing the jury otherwise is that it’s very unusual for a woman, especially a really attractive woman, to end their life by shooting themselves…her family and friends said no way.” – Heather [45:42]

• Heather reflects on the dangers women faced pre-Uber and cell phones, especially being trapped in dangerous situations after a night out.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Ruby and Jody’s mind games:
  “It’s a kind of religion that’s really a lot of guilt, a lot of…saving yourself from marriage and lustful is bad and all of this. She was able to gather a lot of clients…” [06:29]

• On life coaching grifters:
  “There’s been so many like kind of grifter, life coacher people that have come in and out since I’ve even been doing this for 10 years that women flock to…” [25:07]

• On family vlogging culture:
  “Thank god I feel like the next generation of moms are starting to see why that maybe is not the—the route to go.” [26:22]

• On the cyberbullying convictions:
  “I just find that a very interesting thing in this world where people comment under posts…if it’s going to change the way people report on it.” [31:55]

• On the double life of David Mesa:
  “He was. That was the end of that for him…he’s very cute with his dimples. He’s in prison now for life. I’m sure he has a wife in prison. I mean, outside of prison, that puts money on his books, and probably a boyfriend, too.” [42:35]

• On Phil Spector/Lana Clarkson case:
  “Now they say, oh, nightlife is dead for the Gen Z. Good, good. I’m glad it’s dead. Nothing good happens after midnight.” [47:50]

Timestamps & Key Segments

• 00:41: Netflix’s “Evil Influencer” – The Jody Hildebrandt & Ruby Franke story
• 13:10: Child victim’s escape & neighbor’s bodycam footage
• 19:00: Kevin’s police interview – “emaciated” revelation
• 24:35: Chad Franke’s TikTok address
• 27:36: Candace Owens/Brigitte Macron & cyberbullying case
• 32:33: Ohio dentist couple double murder
• 34:46: Rob and Michelle Reiner murder update
• 36:46: San Diego’s “Gay Grifter” murder: Jake Mendonino and David Mesa
• 43:11: Personal memories; the Phil Spector/Lana Clarkson murder

Overall Tone & Conclusion

Heather delivers the episode with sharp wit and a conversational tone, drawing on pop culture, personal anecdotes, and candid reflections about crime, manipulation, and social media. She’s both informative and irreverent, inviting listeners to consider the psychological undercurrents behind each “juicy crime.” The episode is packed with detailed storytelling, social commentary, and raw reactions—perfect for true crime aficionados looking for both insight and entertainment.