Killer Minds: Thanksgiving Murders Pt. 2 with Carter Roy
Podcast: Killer Minds: Serial Killers & True Crime Murders
Hosts: Vanessa Richardson, Dr. Tristan (Tristin) Engels
Guest: Carter Roy
Date: November 27, 2025
Episode: Holiday Special: Thanksgiving Murders Pt. 2
Overview
This holiday-themed episode of Killer Minds explores two harrowing true crime cases that occurred around Thanksgiving, shining a spotlight on the dark side of family dynamics during a season typically marked by togetherness. Host Vanessa Richardson, forensic psychologist Dr. Tristan Engels, and guest Carter Roy analyze the underlying motives, cultural tensions, and psychological fractures that led to these shocking murders:
- The 2006 Oakland, CA Eritrean Hostage Murders—a family-blending gone tragically wrong, culminating in a triple-homicide and hostage standoff.
- The 2016 Murder of Joel Guy Sr. & Lisa Guy—a grisly, premeditated parricide fueled by dependency and entitlement.
Dr. Engels offers expert psychological commentary, dissecting the killers' motivations, the role of grief, and factors like learned helplessness, family enmeshment, and cognitive rigidity.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
[00:54] Introduction
- Vanessa Richardson: "Families can be complicated. Of course, there's usually a lot of love to go around, but that doesn't mean other feelings like resentment or jealousy aren't simmering under the surface."
- Theme: Holidays intensify family tensions, which in rare cases can turn deadly.
CASE 1: The Eritrean Thanksgiving Murders — The Gebrselassie-Mehari Tragedy
[04:23–08:50] Setting the Scene: Blended Eritrean Families in Oakland
- The Gebrselassie and Mehari families, immigrants from Eritrea, try to build new lives in California.
- Abraham Gebrselassie marries Winta Mehari, and their extended families become intertwined.
- Dr. Engels (06:39): Explains how collectivist, enmeshed families can have rigid boundaries, leading to tension when new members join.
Quote:
"Closeness that once protected them starts to erase individuality... If one person feels betrayed, everyone feels betrayed."
— Dr. Tristan Engels [07:23]
[08:50–10:20] Secrets & Shocks
- Quiet suspicions escalate when Abraham suddenly dies without clear cause; the ambiguity fuels paranoia and obsession.
Quote:
"An unexpected death, especially one without a clear explanation, can completely destabilize the people left behind… Survivors often cycle between disbelief, guilt, and anger."
— Dr. Tristan Engels [10:20]
[12:04–16:32] The Spiral into Obsession
- As Abraham’s brother Asmarom develops a fixation that Abraham was murdered by his wife’s family, suspicions intensify.
- Asmarom harasses, investigates, and even catfishes Winta's brother, trying to ‘prove’ he is gay, a taboo in their culture.
Quote:
"Instead of processing the loss, Asmarom redirected his emotional energy toward proving a theory… fueled by a need for resolution that seems to have bordered on obsession."
— Dr. Tristan Engels [14:15]
[17:35–23:48] Thanksgiving Turns to Tragedy
- Thanksgiving Day, 2006: Tension at its peak. Asmarom's brother gains entry to Winta's family gathering under the pretense of visiting his nephew.
- Asmarom arrives armed, shoots three family members, injuries and chaos ensue, Isaac (the 2-year-old nephew) is taken hostage by the brothers.
- Police evacuate the building and negotiate during a two-hour standoff until both brothers surrender.
Memorable Moment:
"At some point, Tewadros stood up and made a call to his brother Asmarom... A few minutes later, at around 3pm, there was another knock at the door. There stood Asmarom with two guns in his hands."
— Narrator [20:13]
[23:48–26:15] Hostage Psychology Commentary
Dr. Engels: Explains how the child, Isaac, symbolically represented hope, legacy, and control for the assailants, given their grief and perceived entitlement.
Quote:
"Isaac wasn’t just a child to the brothers. He was the last living link to their brother Abraham… In their eyes, keeping Isaac close may have felt like protecting their family's legacy."
— Dr. Tristan Engels [22:11]
[26:15–31:06] The Trial and Outcomes
- A 4-year wait for trial, during which Asmarom's mental state deteriorates; he represents himself and erupts with emotional outbursts in court.
- Both brothers convicted, sentences handed down in 2011. Tewadros’s conviction is later overturned, he accepts a plea deal, and is released in 2016.
- Isaac is given to his uncle, Winta's brother, to be raised.
Quote:
"The courtroom isn't just a legal arena. It often becomes a stage for regaining power and validation for many offenders."
— Dr. Tristan Engels [27:41]
CASE 2: The Murder of Joel Guy Sr. & Lisa Guy — A Gruesome Thanksgiving
[32:38–36:40] Family Background, Isolation, and Dependency
- Joel Michael Guy Jr. raised in loving but complex blended family in Tennessee, struggles with social isolation and avoidance his whole life. Parents financially support him into his late 20s.
- Dr. Engels offers insight into how these patterns create stunted emotional development and potential for resentment.
Quote:
"He had aspirations, but he seemed to lack the discipline, frustration tolerance, and self-efficacy to follow through... It comes from a place of love and support, but it's also shielding him from consequences, resilience, and accountability."
— Dr. Tristan Engels [36:40]
[39:05–41:31] Boiling Point: The Parents’ Retirement Plan & Joel's Violent Reaction
- Joel's parents announce intention to retire and to stop financially supporting him; Joel becomes angry and feels desperate.
- Begins plotting to murder them and inherit their life insurance.
[41:31–44:47] Meticulous, Chilling Planning
- Joel purchases acids and supplies, meticulously catalogs methods and ‘to-dos’ in a notebook.
- His writings include: “Get killing knives,” “Flush chunks down toilet,” and financial motivations.
Quote:
"The notebook kind of tells an even deeper story. Writing everything down...shows that he's already emotionally detached from what he's planning to do."
— Dr. Tristan Engels [43:02]
[44:47–48:59] The Murders
- Joel acts cheerful during Thanksgiving dinner, attacks and kills his father the next day, then his mother upon return from shopping. Extremely violent stabbing attacks.
- Dismembers bodies, attempts chemical disposal, and tries to obscure time of death.
Quote:
"Overkill...often reflects rage that's personal and emotional. Joel was punishing them for setting boundaries and threatening his dependency."
— Dr. Tristan Engels [47:45]
[50:08–54:22] Shocking Aftermath
- Joel boils his mother's head on the kitchen stove, leaves grisly evidence, then flees to Louisiana.
- Police discover the remains after Lisa fails to show up at her retirement party. Joel’s notebook and store receipts easily link him to the crime.
- Joel is arrested without resistance.
Quote:
"His resignation wasn't likely about accountability or moral awareness. Once he could no longer control the outcome, he reverted to the only role he knew, letting others take over."
— Dr. Tristan Engels [54:22]
[55:49–57:55] Arrest, Trial & Legacy
- Joel pleads not guilty but asks for the death penalty if convicted (request denied).
- Jury finds him guilty in just three hours; he receives two life sentences plus additional time for corpse abuse.
- Sisters cut him out of family history and obituary.
Quote:
"By trying to take all of his parents' money, all Joel did was destroy his family, not to mention his own life. In the end, he erased himself from their family altogether."
— Vanessa Richardson [57:55]
Notable Quotes & Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Comment | |------------|-----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 06:39 | Dr. Tristan Engels | "Closeness that once protected them starts to erase individuality..." | | 14:15 | Dr. Tristan Engels | "Redirected his emotional energy toward proving a theory…bordered on obsession." | | 23:48 | Dr. Tristan Engels | "Isaac wasn’t just a child to the brothers. He was the last living link to their brother Abraham."| | 27:41 | Dr. Tristan Engels | "The courtroom...often becomes a stage for regaining power and validation for many offenders." | | 36:40 | Dr. Tristan Engels | "He had aspirations, but...lack[ed] the discipline, frustration tolerance, and self-efficacy." | | 43:02 | Dr. Tristan Engels | "Writing everything down...shows that he's already emotionally detached." | | 47:45 | Dr. Tristan Engels | "Overkill...often reflects rage that's personal and emotional." | | 54:22 | Dr. Tristan Engels | "His resignation wasn't likely about accountability or moral awareness..." | | 57:55 | Vanessa Richardson | "By trying to take all of his parents' money, all Joel did was destroy his family..." |
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 00:54 – Episode introduction; family and holiday tensions
- 04:23-10:20 – The blended Eritrean families, Abraham’s mysterious death
- 12:04-16:32 – Asmarom’s fixation and escalating harassment
- 17:35-23:48 – Thanksgiving triple murder; Isaac taken hostage
- 23:48-26:15 – Hostage negotiations and aftermath
- 26:15-31:06 – Trial, psychological disintegration, and sentencing
- 32:38-36:40 – Introduction to the Joel Guy Jr. case; background
- 39:05-41:31 – Trigger: Parents’ plan to cut off support
- 41:31-44:47 – Joel’s meticulous preparations
- 44:47-50:08 – The murders and dismemberment
- 50:08-54:22 – Discovery of the crime, Joel’s arrest
- 55:49-57:55 – Trial, sentencing, legacy
Takeaways
- Psychological Fixation: Unresolved grief, cultural rigidity, and perceived betrayals can drive even previously nonviolent individuals to horrific acts.
- Enmeshment & Dependency: Overly enmeshed family structures and learned helplessness can result in catastrophic outcomes when significant change or loss occurs.
- Role of Holidays: Heightened emotional stakes during family holidays can exacerbate conflicts for those already under strain.
- Tragedy of Parental Enabling: The Guy case illustrates how long-term enabling and lack of boundaries can create dependency, resentment, and, in the worst scenario, violence.
This episode delivers an unflinching look at how family dynamics, mental health factors, and cultural expectations can interact with devastating results, offering both narrative and clinical insight into the darkest corners of the human mind.
If you missed the episode, this summary gives you all the crucial details, context, and psychological expertise from the show’s hosts and special guest.