Podcast Summary: Murder With My Husband

Episode 307: Patrick de la Cerda: A Crime That Shocked a Family
Air date: February 9, 2026
Hosts: Peyton Moreland & Garrett Moreland

Episode Overview

This episode of Murder With My Husband explores the tragic and shocking murder of Patrick de la Cerda, a young man in love and on the brink of marrying his soulmate when his life was violently cut short. Peyton and Garrett unpack a story of jealousy, obsession, and unchecked warning signs, focusing on how the past can resurface in the most dangerous of ways. The episode dives deeply into the relationships, the investigation, and the chilling evidence that led to justice being served.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Patrick de la Cerda & Jessica Devnani (04:51–12:42)

• Who was Patrick?
  • 25, described by family as a "go-getter," romantic, and very close with family.
  • Lived in Deltona, Florida, with his father Max.
• Patrick meets Jessica:
  • The pair meet on Plenty of Fish in June 2017 and fall quickly in love despite living 30 miles apart.
  • By December 2017, Patrick proposes; Jessica says yes. Custom engagement ring ordered.

“It only took a few dates for Patrick to fall head over heels for Jessica. And honestly, she felt the same.” — Peyton (08:10)

2. The Day of the Murder (12:42–14:09)

• February 27, 2018:
  • Patrick’s father receives a call about a package delivery. Patrick doesn’t respond to calls.
  • Jessica, worried by silence, leaves work and drives to Patrick’s house.
  • Neighbor calls 911 after seeing the door open and Patrick’s body—shot four times (head, chest, hip).
• Initial observations:
  • The killer used a high-powered rifle, collected casings from the scene, and took the home’s surveillance hard drive but stole nothing else (not a robbery).

“Jessica actually gets there a few minutes after this 911 call is placed… her fiancé lying there in a pool of his own blood. His body is already cold to the touch.” — Peyton (12:57)

3. Early Suspects and the Ex-Boyfriend Emerges (14:09–18:15)

• Red herrings:
  • A neighbor with dementia and a history of firing at Patrick’s home is quickly ruled out (he’s in jail).
• Attention shifts:
  • Jessica tells police about her ex, Greg Bender, who called her twice the morning of Patrick’s murder.

4. Greg Bender’s Background & Obsession (18:15–25:43)

• The relationship:
  • Jessica and Greg met in 2009 when she was 21, he was 42. Toxic, jealous, and controlling.
  • Greg was married to another woman the entire time—Jessica only finds out in 2016.
  • Jessica finally walks away in 2017 after Greg refuses to divorce his wife.
• Greg’s threats:
  • After Jessica met Patrick, Greg stalks, threatens, and even hires a PI to follow them.
  • Direct threats to Patrick: “I know where you live. I’m going to harm you.” and to Jessica: “I’m gonna hire a hitman or I’m just gonna do the job myself.”
  • Patrick installs cameras; both he and Jessica file for restraining orders. Only Jessica gets one.

“She was always terrified of what he might do to the next people she got involved with.” — Peyton (25:03)

5. Detailed Planning & Discovery of Evidence (29:06–36:12)

• Escalation and aftermath:
  • On February 27, 2018 (the murder), Greg violates the restraining order by calling Jessica.
  • Greg is arrested but not for murder—yet. His estranged wife (Damara Sanchez) contacts police, revealing she found a blue spiral notebook with a murder plan.
• Search and discoveries:
  • Police search Greg’s house and find:
    • The blue notebook with detailed plans (“dispose of clothes plate cracker gloves,” “wait for confirm that he is alone”).
    • A hand-drawn map of Patrick’s property.
    • Gun safe with ammo matching the murder.
    • A burner phone that contacted only Patrick’s father and Greg’s own number.

“In those pages were specific details… Patrick’s house, the fact that he had a dog named Optimus… mulch in Patrick’s yard… things Greg would only know if he had been stalking Patrick.” — Peyton (34:07)

6. Building the Case & The Trial (37:30–44:09)

• Circumstantial but compelling:
  • No eyewitnesses, DNA, or confession. But plentiful circumstantial proof:
    • Burner phone’s movement and usage
    • Ammunition match; voicemails; detailed murder notes
    • Video placing Greg leaving his home at the right time
  • It takes three years for trial due to case-building.
• In court:
  • Jessica, as star witness, faces defense attempts to discredit her by referencing her cautious meetings with Greg.
  • Defense also tries to implicate Patrick’s father (Max) in an unfounded theory of jealousy—firmly denied by all.

“This is something I hate about… the defense side of cases. They just make people look bad… especially when they make, like, a victim look bad and they can’t defend themselves. Messed up.” — Garrett (41:48)

• Conviction:
  • After four days of testimony, Greg Bender is found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole.

7. Aftermath & Reflections (44:09–46:35)

• Lingering pain:
  • Patrick’s parents give Jessica her long-awaited engagement ring on her 30th birthday.
  • Jessica’s victim statement: “We were going to have the fairytale dream and live happily ever after. But this dream never became a reality because it was taken away by this man sitting in the courtroom today.” (44:42)
• Host reflections:
  • Both hosts express empathy and heartbreak for Jessica, Patrick’s family, and all affected.
  • They raise somber questions about the (in)effectiveness of restraining orders and gun control in preventing such tragedies.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He just pulls out his handy dandy notebook and is like, was it fentanyl or was it…? Wait, what am I doing again?”
  — Peyton, humorously highlighting Greg’s chilling (and foolish) detailed documentation of his murder plot. (35:13)
• “If you think about it, if he burned the notebook, maybe he thought he would… Like, it’s gone… But it was just sitting on the garbage bin…”
  — Peyton (36:26)
• “It’s insane… This is really well thought out in a bad way. Like, are you trying to get caught?”
  — Garrett (36:15)
• “Just senseless. I mean, I hope he rots in prison, hope he hates his life… My heart always goes out to the victim and their families.”
  — Garrett (45:25)
• “My heart just goes out to Jessica, her family, Patrick’s family, everyone who was dragged through the mud at trial. I hope they know that there are tons of people listening to this right now that back them and love them.”
  — Peyton (45:59)

Key Timestamps

• 04:51 – Start of story: Introducing Patrick, the engagement, and background.
• 12:42 – Discovery of the murder.
• 14:09 – Initial suspects and introduction of Greg Bender.
• 18:15 – Jessica explains her history with Greg and the buildup to the crime.
• 25:03 – Details on Greg’s threats and failed restraining order for Patrick.
• 29:06 – Greg’s ex-wife provides the crucial evidence (the notebook).
• 33:52–36:12 – Search of Greg’s house and incriminating discoveries.
• 37:30–40:07 – Legal challenges and breakthrough: connecting Greg to the crime.
• 41:46–43:29 – Defense tries to blame Jessica and Patrick’s father at trial.
• 44:09–45:25 – Verdict and sentencing; Jessica’s impact statement.

Tone & Host Dynamics

Peyton maintains compassion and careful empathy for victims as she narrates, while Garrett injects skepticism, dry humor, and emotional realness—especially when reflecting on justice and survivors. They balance each other, never losing sight of the humanity at the heart of the tragedy.

Conclusion

Episode 307 of Murder With My Husband serves as a powerful case study in how the dangers of toxic relationships and ignored threats can escalate to tragic consequences. Through thorough storytelling, remarkable evidence, and courtroom drama, the episode honors Patrick and gives voice to the devastating loss felt by Jessica and his family—while asking thought-provoking questions about justice, prevention, and healing.