MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

Episode: Fan Favorite – "Murder and Meditation"

Date: March 27, 2026
Host: John Allen (MrBallen)

Episode Overview

In this remastered fan-favorite episode, MrBallen presents a gripping true crime story from Tucson, Arizona. It follows the mysterious murder of yoga instructor Michael Albert Dohaquez in 2003—a case marked by a web of red herrings, personal drama, and investigative missteps, culminating in an unexpected killer. Through detailed storytelling, the episode captures the tension of the slow unraveling of truth, blending police procedural with the personal lives entangled in the crime.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to the Case (00:00–02:30)

• Scene Setting: Opens with a neighbor being questioned by a detective about her next-door neighbor, Michael Dohaquez.
• First hint of mystery: The neighbor later observes suspicious activity at Michael’s home, prompting her to call the detective.

The Victim: Michael Dohaquez (05:00–10:00)

• Background: Michael, a 45-year-old machinist-turned-yoga instructor and part-time musician, known for his warmth and Zen personality.
• Lifestyle: Balanced a trade job and teaching 15 yoga classes per week, beloved by students who called him "Mad" (initials).
• Relationships: Casual but tumultuous relationship with girlfriend Amber Trudell, who wanted more commitment.

The Night of the Crime (10:00–17:00)

• Timeline: After teaching yoga, Michael invites students and Amber out for drinks (10:00–12:30).
• Notable Relationship Dynamics: Michael and Amber’s relationship tensions escalate at the bar. (13:30)
  Quote: “...now that the couple was all alone, just as Michael expected, they began to fight.” (14:20)
• Leaving Together: They leave together late at night for Michael’s house. (16:00)

Discovery of the Crime (17:00–23:00)

• Morning After: Michael’s body is discovered by a passerby walking her dog (17:30);
• Quote: “It was a person’s bare legs and shorts splayed out on the patio.” (18:15)
• Police Arrival: Detective Jimenez arrives; notes a bullet wound to Michael’s forehead and signs of struggle (22:00).
• Strange Evidence: Musical equipment is stacked strangely on the porch; a broken window, suggesting a possible interrupted robbery.

The Investigation Begins (23:00–30:00)

• Robbery Theory: Focus on two suspects, Joseph Keyes and David Wynn, recently arrested for a neighborhood robbery involving a guitar (24:00).
• Dead Ends: Forensics reveal blood at Keyes and Wynn’s house does not belong to Michael; both were in jail at the time of the murder.

Shifting Suspicions: Focus on Amber (31:00–36:00)

• Lack of Communication: Michael's last call was to Amber, whose whereabouts are unknown (33:00).
• Amber’s Background: Friends provide little information; Amber doesn’t return police calls.
• Quote: “It was hard to imagine that all day Thursday, Michael hadn’t spoken to anyone.” (34:30)
• New Revelation: Amber’s boss reveals Amber was married to Justin Goodwin, and her relationship with Michael was an affair (36:00).

A New Suspect: Justin Goodwin (36:30–41:30)

• Investigative Whiplash: Justin, Amber’s husband, had recently quit his job, their relationship was described as tumultuous, and he had a domestic violence arrest (37:50).
• Suspicious Behavior: Justin is found moving furniture from his home; is evasive and carries a gun (39:10).
• Interrogation: Justin denies knowing Michael or being involved. (40:00)

A Twist: Eliminating Suspects (41:30–44:50)

• Alibi Confirmed: Amber and Justin prove they were out of town with Justin’s parents at the time of murder. (42:00)
• New Evidence: The gun Justin had did not match the murder weapon. They're released (44:00).

The Breakthrough (45:00–50:00)

• Re-examining Evidence: A phone call from Justin’s stepfather, a retired detective, prompts Detective Jimenez to visit their property.
• Quote: “They said they wanted to show him a hole that they had found in the dirt. And when Jimenez got to that hole... he realized that finally he knew who his murderer was.” (48:30)
• Coroner’s Revision: It’s realized due to the hot weather, Michael’s time of death was miscalculated—he died Thursday, not Friday.
  Quote: “The heat had fooled them... a hot and moist environment can cause rigor mortis to happen more quickly.” (49:20)

Unmasking the Real Killer (50:00–54:00)

• Amber’s Guilt: The murder weapon, found buried at Justin’s stepfather’s property, was hidden by Amber, who had fled Tucson.
• Motive: Amber claims Michael assaulted her and the shooting occurred during a struggle.
• Justice: Amber is convicted of second-degree murder, sentenced to 13 years, and released in 2016.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Detecting Suspicion:

  • “Right now, she was still unaccounted for. Nobody had heard from her, and this affair certainly gave her husband a very solid motive to potentially harm her or harm Michael or both.” (37:10)

• The Break in Rigor Mortis Clue:

  • “…a hot and moist environment can cause rigor mortis to happen more quickly after death and last for a shorter period of time. So in reality, Michael’s rigor mortis had already come and gone by the time Jimenez touched his body.” (49:30)

• The Case's Final Twist:

  • “The person who hid that gun was not Justin. It was his soon to be ex-wife, Amber Trudell.” (52:00)

Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• 00:00 – Neighbor’s first encounter with police & the suspenseful intro.
• 10:00 – Michael invites students & Amber for drinks, establishing relationship dynamics.
• 17:30 – Dog walker discovers Michael’s body.
• 23:40 – Initial crime scene analysis by Detective Jimenez.
• 36:00 – The revelation that Amber was married, shifting the investigation.
• 39:10 – Detective discovers Justin moving furniture, gun visible.
• 45:00 – Coroner’s mistake about time of death is revealed.
• 52:00 – Discovery that Amber, not Justin or anyone else, was the killer.
• 53:00 – Amber’s arrest, trial, and eventual conviction.

Conclusion

“Murder and Meditation” illustrates the complexity and unpredictability of criminal investigations. MrBallen delivers a tense, twisting narrative that highlights police procedure, misdirection, and the human emotions running beneath the surface—all in his trademark story-driven, suspenseful tone. The case builds suspense through failed leads and personal drama, before arriving at a conclusion that is both tragic and surprising—a testament to the strange, dark, and mysterious stories MrBallen curates.

For Further Listening

• More tales like this can be found on the MrBallen YouTube channel (unique content not in the podcast).
• Episode credits highlight meticulous research and dramatic storytelling, emphasizing true events with occasional dramatic license.