Murder Sheet — "The Cheat Sheet: Babies and Boats"

Date: December 12, 2025
Hosts: Journalist Áine (Anya) Cain & Attorney Kevin Greenlee

Episode Overview

In this week's "Cheat Sheet," Anya and Kevin take listeners on a coast-to-coast journey through the U.S., examining four true crime cases—two from California, two involving infants. These stories range from cold case breakthroughs and shocking family violence, to the perils of cruise ship drinking policies, rounding out with a candid discussion of criminal coincidences and personal responsibility. Despite the sensitive and often disturbing subject matter—especially around violence against women and children—Cain and Greenlee inject their familiar banter, empathy, and sharp analysis throughout.

Table of Contents

• 1. The Case of "Peaches": A Cold Case Mother and Child Identified (New York)
• 2. California Cheerleading Fund Becomes a Motive for Murder
• 3. Neglect and Brutality: Infants in Danger in Indiana
• 4. Deaths at Sea: Cruise Line Overdrinking Lawsuits
• 5. Anecdote: Encountering a Future Spree Killer
• Memorable Quotes & Timestamps
• Hosts' Tone & Style Highlights

1. The Case of "Peaches": A Cold Case Mother and Child Identified (New York)

Key Segment: [05:10–12:05]

• In June 1997, a dismembered female body was discovered at Hempstead State Park, NY.
• Due to a "Peaches" tattoo, the unidentified woman was known as "Peaches."
• Geographic context: The area is near the infamous Gilgo Beach murders, but these remains were ultimately unrelated to the Long Island Serial Killer (Rex Heuermann).
• Further remains discovered in 2011 led to a tragic revelation: the victim was Tanya Denise Jackson; her child, Tatiana Marie Dykes, was also found murdered.
• Recent break: The father of Tatiana (Andrew Dykes) was arrested for the murders, not related to the Gilgo Beach cases.
• Discussion Point: The importance of not conflating victims or assuming connections solely based on proximity—coincidences and separate crimes do occur.
• Quote:
  • "…sometimes there are coincidences. ... The sad fact of the matter is there are a lot of terrible people in the world doing terrible things." (Kevin, 10:19)

2. California Cheerleading Fund Becomes a Motive for Murder

Key Segment: [12:11–28:44]

• Sherry Townsend, a California mother, wanted funds to send her daughter to a cheerleading event in Florida (~$2,000 expense).
• Explored several methods to raise money, including considering GoFundMe and purchasing a fake ID; ultimately, she decided to rob someone.
• At a mall in 2018, Townsend fatally stabbed Susan Leeds, a 66-year-old woman, stealing her purse.
• Initial investigation falsely arrested a homeless man; Townsend was eventually linked via a phone left at the scene and surveillance footage.
• Townsend filed a civil lawsuit for wrongful arrest and discrimination—while actually being the perpetrator.
• Debate: The reality that, although financial hardship is widespread, most people don't resort to violence. Contrasted the shame of asking for help with the far greater shame/harm of committing violence.
• Discussion: The defense's narrative of "doing it for her daughter" (the "Lex Luthor hair" excuse)—does motive truly matter, or is it simply a justification for deeply bad behavior?
• Quotes:
  • "There's no shame in asking for help if you need it." (Kevin, 20:29)
  • "That excuse also inherently blames her own daughter... in a way that I find really reprehensible." (Anya, 26:11)

3. Neglect and Brutality: Infants in Danger in Indiana

Key Segment: [32:57–42:04]

• Carroll County, Indiana: In April 2023, deputies responded to a call about an unresponsive infant.
• Details: Father (Michael Medeiros) and his girlfriend (Kayla Britton) provided inconsistent stories; child had a brain bleed from trauma that could not be self-inflicted.
• Both charged with severe neglect resulting in bodily injury.
• Britton pled guilty and took a plea deal in exchange for testifying. Medeiros's history includes serial violence and sexual offenses; he was found guilty on both counts, facing a long prison sentence.
• Contextual Insight: Other horrific crimes continue even in communities synonymous with infamous cases (like Delphi), underscoring that crime is both pervasive and devastating even when not in national headlines.

4. Deaths at Sea: Cruise Line Overdrinking Lawsuits

Key Segment: [42:13–53:07]

• Case 1: Michael Virgil, 35, consumed at least 33 alcoholic drinks on a Royal Caribbean cruise, became violent and confused, was detained and medicated, and died. Medical examiner ruled "homicide" (not necessarily murder).
• Family is suing the cruise line for their unlimited drink policy and negligence.
• Case 2: Dulce White, 66, also died after being served excessive drinks on a Taylor Swift-themed cruise.
• Legal/Ethical Conversation:
  • Difference between homicide and murder, the personal responsibility of drinkers versus the duty-of-care from corporations.
  • Personal sympathies as recovering alcoholic (Anya); over-serving policies, public safety, and when a business should be liable.
• Quotes:
  • "33 drinks seems to be a lot of drinks." (Kevin, 52:00)
  • "If there's policies in place that allow for something like that... that seems problematic." (Anya, 53:07)

5. Anecdote: Encountering a Future Spree Killer

Key Segment: [59:03–68:04]

• Kevin recounts a chilling personal brush with Benjamin Smith who, months after handing out racist flyers (and confronting Kevin for being with a black woman), went on a shooting spree in Illinois and Indiana in 1999.
• Reflection on encountering such hatred and how ordinary settings (Bloomington, IN) are not immune to violent extremism.
• Quote:
  • "Few people have some sort of encounter with a spree killer or a serial killer." (Anya, 63:24)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• On the Peaches case and coincidences in crime:
  • "…sometimes there are coincidences. ... The sad fact of the matter is there are a lot of terrible people in the world doing terrible things."
    — Kevin (10:19)
• On the GoFundMe debate and human decency:
  • "There's no shame in asking for help if you need it."
    — Kevin (20:29)
• On making excuses for violence:
  • "That excuse also inherently blames her own daughter... in a way that I find really reprehensible."
    — Anya (26:11)
• On the cruise ship deaths:
  • "33 drinks seems to be a lot of drinks."
    — Kevin (52:00)
  • "If there's policies in place that allow for something like that... that seems problematic."
    — Anya (53:07)
• On chance meetings with evil:
  • "Few people have some sort of encounter with a spree killer or a serial killer."
    — Anya (63:24)

Hosts' Tone & Style Highlights

• Conversational with dry wit: Playful “train journey” metaphors, affectionate ribbing, and asides about sports and music (Sinatra, football tangents).
• Empathetic, but unflinching: Graphic details are presented factually, with frequent reminders of the human cost. Hosts express clear moral judgment on offenders.
• Analytical and skeptical: Both challenge prevailing narratives (e.g., not every crime connects to a known serial killer, nor does a sob story justify violence).
• Personal touches abound: Anya’s lived experience with alcoholism informs her take; Kevin contextualizes through historical and personal anecdotes.

Notable Non-Case Moments

• Sinatra’s birthday & special announcement: Kindle eBook deal on the hosts’ book, Shadow of the Bridge, for $1.99 on December 12 only.
• Light sports banter: Unexpected detours into Indiana Hoosiers football fandom and playful spousal teasing.
• Fan interaction anecdotes: The hosts reflect on fun (and occasionally strange) experiences meeting listeners at recent events.

For New Listeners

This episode blends breaking news with deeply human (and sometimes absurd) stories, grounded in legal rigor and journalistic sensibility—all set against the backdrop of the hosts’ quirky rapport and dedication to truthful crime reporting. Whether you’re here for updates, ethical debates, or some sharp critique of criminal excuses, “The Cheat Sheet: Babies and Boats” offers an insightful, entertaining, and at times sobering ride.