Podcast Summary: MrBallen Podcast – "Looking for Love" (Dec 22, 2025)

Main Theme

In this gripping, story-driven episode, MrBallen (John Allen) explores the tragic, true crime case of Jesse Valencia, a college student whose search for love led him into a web of secrecy, obsession, and ultimately, murder. The episode delves into Jesse’s vibrant but complicated life, the investigation into his shocking death, and the unraveling of a dark police secret in Columbia, Missouri.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jesse Valencia: Life, Love, and Struggles

• Background: Jesse, a promising University of Missouri student majoring in journalism and pre-law, is described as energetic, social, and ambitious but also struggling with loneliness, heartbreak (from a recent breakup), and financial difficulties.
• Desire for Connection: Jesse’s breakup with longtime boyfriend Jack Berry leaves him feeling adrift, leading to a series of random, often shallow, hookups while yearning for a real relationship (04:00–07:00).
• Memorable Night Out: Jesse meets Ed McDevitt, a trainee chef, at a local club. Their immediate connection sparks hope for something more meaningful in Jesse’s life, but Ed’s actions soon introduce more confusion and disappointment (07:00–11:00).

2. The Night of the Murder

• Series of Events: After a hopeful night and day with Ed, Jesse finds himself alone and increasingly desperate for companionship.
• Final Attempts: Jesse tries to reconnect with Ed at a friend's party, but when rebuffed, he instead attempts to see his ex, Jack Berry, late at night—repeated calls and ultimately a personal visit are ignored (12:00–15:00).
• Ominous Knock: Shortly after returning home, Jesse hears a knock at 3:45am. The narrative tension mounts, leaving listeners to wonder who is at the door (15:00).

3. Discovery of the Crime

• Body Found: The next day, a passing student discovers Jesse’s body lying in the grass near his apartment, wearing only running shorts. Disturbingly, there are clear signs of foul play: strangulation and a deep gash in his throat (17:56–20:00).
• Crime Scene Observations:
  • No defensive wounds on Jesse’s hands
  • Blood pattern suggests the throat slashing occurred while he was unconscious and lying down
  • Evidence of a chase: dirt on feet, open apartment door (20:00–22:00)
• Neighbors’ Testimony: A neighbor reports hearing a fight in Jesse’s apartment late at night—Jesse’s voice pleading, “No, stop it!”—but dismisses it at the time (23:00–25:00).

4. Investigation: The Search for a Suspect

• Initial Suspects:
  • Jack Berry: Jesse’s ex, called seven times between 3:00 and 3:18 am but has a weak alibi. Jack is emotional and feels guilt (27:41–29:00).
  • Ed McDevitt & Mark Butler: Ed, nervous in police interviews, claims he left Jesse at 3am with his alibi partially corroborated by roommate Mark—but Mark’s own timeline is suspiciously vague and he expresses clear dislike for Jesse (29:00–33:00).
• Lack of Clear Motive: All suspects have possible reasons for conflict, but none seem to have clear motivation to kill Jesse. Detectives feel something is missing (33:00–34:00).

5. Breakthrough: A Hidden Affair with a Cop

• Anonymous Tip: A friend reveals that Jesse was having a secret relationship with a married police officer. This affair, confirmed by online chat logs, becomes the key turning point of the investigation (35:00–38:09).
• Internal Suspicion: Detective Short realizes he may be investigating a killer within his own department—raising the stakes and tension in the story as he can’t be sure who to trust (38:09).
• Identifying "Anderson":
  • Friends mention the officer’s name as "Anderson".
  • Two police officers with that surname are identified: Brad and Ted Anderson.
  • Brad Anderson’s name crops up in connection with Jesse’s previous arrest (38:09–41:00).

6. The Truth Unravels

• Unexpected Lead: Short’s big break comes when Officer Rios makes an offhand, distasteful comment referencing Brad Anderson and Jesse’s supposed relationship ("Looks like your gay lover's dead," Rios to Anderson, 41:38). This alerts Short to the presence of a department insider with knowledge of Jesse’s private life.
• Critical Witness: Andy Schermerhorn, Jesse’s friend, reveals he witnessed a uniformed police officer (who gave Jesse a fake name) participating in a late-night threesome with Jesse and himself (43:00–45:00).
• True Identity Revealed:
  • The officer posing as “Anderson” is in fact Officer Steven Rios, Brad Anderson’s partner.
  • Rios was engaging in the secret affair, using "Anderson" as a cover, and killed Jesse to protect his own reputation, marriage, and career.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jesse’s Hope for Love:

  "Jesse just hoped that, you know, maybe this wasn't just a meaningless hookup. Maybe this had the basis of a strong long term relationship—the one thing Jesse really wanted." — MrBallen (11:00)

• Neighbor’s Admission:

  "They didn't actually do anything about this. They actually just kind of banged on their own wall and said, ‘Hey, stop it over there.’ … Not realizing what he was likely hearing was the beginning of Jesse's murder." — MrBallen (25:00)

• On Investigating Within the Police Department:

  "He was investigating his own department, which meant that the killer could literally be in the room with him at any time." — MrBallen (38:00)

• Comment that Tipped Off Detectives:

  "Oh, looks like your gay lover's dead." — Officer Steven Rios to Brad Anderson (41:38)

• Critical Eyewitness Account:

  "Jesse went to answer it, and a uniformed police officer walked in, shining a flashlight. And to Andy's surprise, Jesse led this officer right into the bedroom, and he joined them for a threesome. … After they were done, the cop told Andy, 'You better keep this a secret.'" — Andy Schermerhorn (44:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jesse’s Life and Social Circle — 04:00–11:00
• Jesse’s Search for Love and Disappointments — 11:00–15:00
• Night of the Murder & Discovery of Body — 15:00–20:00
• Crime Scene and Early Investigation — 20:00–27:00
• Suspects and Alibis — 27:41–33:00
• Secret Cop Affair Breaks the Case — 35:00–38:09
• Police Department Suspicion & Rios’ Revealing Comment — 38:09–41:38
• Witness (Andy) Identifies the Cop — 43:00–45:00
• Story Resolution (Rios is the Killer) — 45:00–47:00
• Aftermath & Legal Consequences — 47:00–48:00

Episode Resolution

The case is solved when witnesses and digital evidence reveal Jesse’s killer is actually Officer Steven Rios, who had been carrying out a clandestine affair with Jesse under the false name “Anderson.” Fearing exposure, Rios murdered Jesse. Rios is ultimately convicted of Jesse’s murder and sentenced to life in prison, although after appeal the conviction was reduced to second-degree murder.

Tone & Storytelling

MrBallen maintains his signature, suspenseful, empathetic tone throughout, balancing intrigue with sensitivity for Jesse’s life and struggles. The episode is driven by evocative narrative, painting a vivid, human portrait of Jesse against the shadow of his tragic end and the tangled, dark secret inside the local police force.

This episode is both a poignant reflection on love and vulnerability and a chilling reminder of how power and secrecy can breed tragedy.