Georgina Misener

Summary

Snapped: Women Who Murder – Episode Summary: Georgina Misener

Podcast Information:

• Title: Snapped: Women Who Murder
• Host/Author: Oxygen
• Episode: Georgina Misener
• Release Date: April 20, 2025

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Introduction to the Case

The episode delves into the tragic and calculated murder of Matthew Meisner, a hardworking family man, orchestrated by his ex-wife, Georgina Misener. The story unravels the complexities of their tumultuous relationship, leading to a meticulously planned homicide that shocked their small Arizona community.

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The Murder Scene

The narrative begins in the early morning hours of February 10, 2020, in rural Arizona. A local fire chief discovers the wrecked black SUV of Matthew Meisner on Rural Highway 191 near Safford, close to the Morenci copper mine. Initially presumed to be a traffic accident, investigators quickly determine otherwise upon finding three bullet holes in the victim’s head.

• Witness (04:04): "He was hunched over to the right towards the passenger side. He went to check the victim, and the victim was no longer alive."
• Investigator (02:09): "We had no witnesses of any license plates, vehicle or anything. It just didn't make any sense. Who would hunt him down like a freaking animal?"

The lack of evidence such as shell casings suggested premeditation, leading detectives to suspect foul play rather than a random road rage incident.

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Background of Matthew and Georgina

Matthew Meisner, born in 1984 in Tucson, was known as a sweet and reserved individual who excelled in wrestling and pursued higher education at Pima Community College. In 2011, he met Georgina Mendoza, a vibrant and outgoing woman, at a casino. Their opposite personalities attracted them, leading to marriage in Phoenix in 2013 and the birth of their first son, who faced a difficult premature birth.

• Investigator (09:03): "He left his whole family. He left all of his friends here."
• Narrator (06:03): "Matthew Meisner was born in 1984. He was raised in Tucson along with two older sisters and a younger brother."

Georgina's early life was marred by familial abuse, leading her to drop out of high school and struggle with substance abuse for several years. However, she sought help, spent time in rehab, and focused on rebuilding her life, which coincided with her meeting Matthew.

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The Breakdown of Their Marriage

Despite their initial happiness and the birth of their children, marital pressures led to growing tensions. By 2017, the couple filed for divorce due to constant arguments and the strain of impending parenthood.

• Investigator (10:20): "He wants to come home, maybe relax. She's with these small kids all day. It's kind of give, give, give."
• Narrator (09:18): "He was happy to have a little girl. She was a little daddy's girl too. She loved her daddy."

Post-divorce, both sought new relationships. Matthew began dating his coworker Nicole Chacon, finding happiness and companionship, while Georgina also started dating someone else. However, unresolved custody battles and escalating conflicts between Georgina and Nicole set the stage for the impending tragedy.

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The Day of the Murder

On February 10, 2020, Matthew was en route to work when he was ambushed and shot multiple times. Initial observations suggested a random act of violence, but investigative details soon pointed to a planned execution.

• Narrator (12:19): "With the Wedding less than two months away, 35-year-old Matthew is found dead on Highway 191."
• Investigator (05:10): "There was about 14 or 15 rounds that were shot into the side of the vehicle in a tight net group pattern."

A crucial piece of evidence emerged when a witness reported seeing a white sedan make a suspicious U-turn and flee the scene, sparking the investigation into the vehicle's origins.

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Suspects and Investigation

Eduardo Montano Jr., connected to Georgina Misener, became a prime suspect after matching the description and vehicle registration details. Upon arrest, circumstantial evidence mounted against him, including a 9mm rifle linked to the murder and past misdemeanors.

• Investigator (25:22): "How do you know Georgina?"
• Witness (24:52): "At that point on scene, I did read Eduardo as Miranda rights, and he agreed to speak with us."

Despite Eduardo's initial denial, forensic evidence and inconsistent alibis led to his conviction. However, the investigation took a pivotal turn when Georgina Misener emerged as a manipulative mastermind behind the murder, using Eduardo as her pawn.

• Investigator (29:17): "It tied the gun with the car and it tied the gun to Ed Wordle."

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Georgina's Manipulation and Deception

Georgina's deceit was unveiled through deleted text messages recovered from her phone, revealing her manipulation of Eduardo to execute the murder. She feigned severe illnesses and orchestrated conflicts to eliminate Matthew and secure custody of their children.

• Narrator (35:41): "We discovered that Georgina, she did not have cancer. All these medical conditions were false allegations."
• Witness (37:55): "He says, do you want me to notify you once it's done? And she basically responds, I think it'll be best if it comes as a surprise."

These revelations painted Georgina as a master manipulator, controlling Eduardo's actions to fulfill her vengeful desires.

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Arrests and Legal Proceedings

Both Eduardo and Georgina were arrested and faced legal consequences for their roles in the murder. Eduardo pled guilty to second-degree murder, receiving a 33-year sentence, while Georgina was sentenced to the same duration for second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

• Investigator (42:06): "He unloads his bullets into that car, and Matthew runs off the road."
• Witness (43:24): "There was enough evidence, and she knew that there was no way to say she was not involved in this case."

Georgina’s manipulative tactics were exposed, leaving a shattered family behind, with the children now orphaned following the tragic loss of their father and mother.

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Conclusion and Aftermath

The episode concludes with reflections on Georgina’s manipulative nature and the enduring impact on Matthew’s family. Despite the legal closure, the emotional toll on the children and the community remains profound.

• Investigator (44:52): "They had been divorced. The only issues that she had was with Georgina Misner."
• Narrator (44:21): "When the judge handed down her decision, she held nothing back. She told her what a manipulative person she was."

The case serves as a stark reminder of the depths of manipulation and the devastating consequences of unresolved emotional conflicts within familial relationships.

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Notable Quotes:

• Witness (02:09): "Who would hunt him down like a freaking animal?"
• Narrator (07:59): "After a stint in rehab, Georgina spent the next two years focused on staying sober."
• Investigator (29:04): "We had enough probable cause to request an arrest warrant."
• Witness (35:20): "We talked to multiple people through Department of Child Services. There was nothing that indicated that Matthew abused those children."

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Key Takeaways:

• The murder of Matthew Meisner was a result of Georgina Misener’s calculated manipulation.
• Eduardo Montano Jr. acted under Georgina's influence, leading to his conviction for the murder.
• Georgina’s deceit, including false claims of illness, played a pivotal role in orchestrating the crime.
• The case underscores the destructive power of manipulation and the lasting impact on innocent family members.

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This detailed summary encapsulates the key points and intricate dynamics of Georgina Misener’s orchestrated murder of Matthew Meisner, highlighting the layers of manipulation, deceit, and the resulting tragedy.

Transcript

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In the early morning hours, investigators are called to a tragic roadside scene.

[Witness]

The victim was hunched over to the right towards the passenger side. No longer alive.

[Narrator]

It was super early. They thought maybe he had fallen asleep at the wheel. But they soon find this rural Arizona road played host to something far more sinister.

[Investigator]

Please shoot the machine. There was three rounds to the side of the victim's head. This is not a traffic accident. This is a homicide.

[Narrator]

Why was this hardworking family man targeted?

[Investigator]

We had no witnesses of any license plates, vehicle or anything. It just didn't make any sense. Who would hunt him down like a freaking animal?

[Narrator]

One by one, investigators peel back the lies.

[Investigator]

She said she had cancer of the brain. She had all these medical conditions. She was crying to me and saying.

[Narrator]

She still loved my brother.

[Investigator]

She tried to get our whole family to turn against him.

[Narrator]

And a vengeful killer is revealed.

[Witness]

She said, I'm gonna you up. Slapped her cross the face.

[Investigator]

She knew how to control these men. That was her M.O. she said, tomorrow it better be done. Understand? The guy's dead. Do you understand where that puts you?

[Narrator]

February 10, 2020. It's just dawn in eastern Arizona. A local fire chief is driving Rural Highway 191 on his way to work just north of the small town of Safford, near the Morenci copper mine.

[Investigator]

A lot of people that work or employed at the mine, they live in SAFFORD, which is 40 minutes away and.

[Narrator]

They commute on his drive. The fire chief is immediately concerned as he Comes around a curve and sees a black SUV wrecked on the side of the road.

[Witness]

Was kind of wedged in between the roadway and the mountain.

[Investigator]

There was shattered glass on the driver's side window.

[Narrator]

The fire chief pulls over to check for anyone injured in the vehicle. And when he peers inside, he finds the driver unconscious.

[Investigator]

He had blood running down the side of his face. He thought, well, maybe he had fallen asleep and crashed on the side of the road.

[Witness]

He was hunched over to the right towards the passenger side. He went to check the victim, and the victim was no longer alive. At that point, the fire chief, he's realizing that the victim, he had three bullet holes in the side of his face. He's been shot.

[Narrator]

The fire chief places a call to dispatch.

[Investigator]

Right away, please.

[Narrator]

Within minutes, investigators with the Clifton police department arrive at the rural roadside scene.

[Witness]

Upon my arrival, there was multiple people on scene. The victim appeared to have been shot at that point. They showed me the side of the vehicle that they saw the bullet holes. And it looked from point of entry, from the outside in, it looks like a possible road rage incident.

[Narrator]

But as investigators look closer, they begin to develop another theory.

[Investigator]

There was about 14 or 15 rounds that were shot into the side of the vehicle in a tight net group pattern. It didn't fit the mold of a typical road rage because the amount of shots fired on the vehicle. So it led me to believe that there was more to it.

[Narrator]

Detectives search inside the vehicle to identify their victim.

[Witness]

We found his photo ID that was in his wallet. His name's Matthew Meisner.

[Investigator]

I'm thinking this is going to be a tough case. Located in a very vast canyon, it's dark outside, Very few people are driving. We had no idea of where the suspect went. Is he going to do this to another person? He had no clue. How am I going to give justice to this man?

[Narrator]

Matthew Meisner was born in 1984. He was raised in Tucson along with two older sisters and a younger brother. I was about 10 when he was born. Blond hair, blue eyes, Just the cutest little thing with the biggest smile ever. As he got older, he got into wrestling.

[Investigator]

I kind of looked up to him.

[Witness]

Obviously, and wanted to be like him. He was very shy, very shy, but.

[Investigator]

Such a sweet guy. After he graduated high school, he made it to Pima Community college. Matt went there for the wrestling aspect.

[Narrator]

Introverted and reserved, Matthew didn't date much. But in 2011, when Matthew was 26 years old, he met dark haired beauty Georgina Mendoza at a casino. Matthew was drawn to her. She was very an outgoing Person, total opposite of what he was. And they were just opposites attract. 25 year, Georgina was also raised in Tucson alongside her two older half sisters.

[Investigator]

Georgina Meisner got off to kind of a rough start in life. Her biological father was physically abusive to her mother. At 2, the biological parents separate and that seems to be a good thing for Georgina.

[Narrator]

Her real father was in prison. Georgina and her mother had a really good relationship and her stepfather was a very good father figure for her. In high school, Georgina was a well rounded student who stayed busy pursuing soccer, choir and drama. But as she got older, Georgina began to lose interest in these after school activities and in school altogether.

[Investigator]

Starting in her senior year, she began experimenting with some drugs. She actually ended up dropping out of the high school she'd been involved in.

[Narrator]

And doing drugs pretty heavily for about.

[Investigator]

A four year period. And so when she's around 24 and 25, this has been going on for a number of years and she starts realizing this is a problem.

[Narrator]

And at that point she decides, I.

[Investigator]

Need to get some help.

[Narrator]

After a stint in rehab, Georgina spent the next two years focused on staying sober. And in 2011, when she met Matthew, she quickly fell head over heels. He loved her unconditionally. He knew like he was wanting to spend his life with her and have a family with her. The couple wed in Phoenix in 2013. Soon after, Georgina learned she was expecting. With a baby on the way, Matthew needed to bring in a solid paycheck. He applied for work at the Morenci copper mine, about three hours north of Tucson.

[Investigator]

He left his whole family. He left all of his friends here.

[Narrator]

In Tucson to move out there to.

[Investigator]

Better his life for his family.

[Witness]

Matt, he liked being there.

[Investigator]

He loved his job. It was just real easy, outgoing, real good guy to get along with.

[Narrator]

Matthew and Georgina settled in the town of Safford, Arizona, about 40 minutes from the mines, soon after their son was born. He was born very premature. I mean, my brother's wedding ring actually fit around his wrist.

[Investigator]

He spent months in the hospital. I knew he was very excited when his son was finally going home.

[Narrator]

A year later, Georgina gave birth to another baby, this time a daughter. He was happy to have a little girl. She was a little daddy's girl too. She loved her daddy. In 2017, only two years after giving birth, Georgina learned she was pregnant with their third child. But by then, the pressures of family life were taking a toll on the couple. The last year of the relationship, when she was pregnant, he worked, you know, long hours and, you know, she would argue with him. And it would just be a constant thing.

[Investigator]

He wants to come home, maybe relax. She's with these small kids all day. It's kind of give, give, give. And so their relationship begins to unravel to some extent.

[Narrator]

He just got tired and he fell out of love with her. After close to six years together, the couple filed for divorce in August of 2017. Georgina returned to her parents home in Tucson with the kids and in December of that same year gave birth to her third child. When Matthew and Georgina did get divorced, they had a 5050 custody. By the courts he wanted to be cordial and follow the judge's orders, enjoy his time with his kids. But she always wanted to be involved. When he would have the kids, she was being more difficult. Soon after the split, Matthew found himself taking another shot at romance when he began dating his co worker.

[Investigator]

Nicole was a new employee. She was real easy going. He saw her and the first thing he said like wow, she's hot.

[Narrator]

As for Georgina, she was also moving on. She was dating somebody, you know, happy again. And you could see that he loved Nicole. He was able to be himself. It was a different kind of love than what I felt like with Georgina. Nicole gave him like life back, made him feel happy again. In 2019, Matt and Nicole became engaged with plans to marry on St. Patrick's Day 2020. But that day would never come. With the Wedding less than two months away, 35 year old Matthew is found dead on Highway 191.

[Witness]

I began walking the scene and taking photographs. This happened so early in the morning that it was still dark outside.

[Narrator]

Investigators carefully comb the roadside for evidence. The problem is they aren't finding any.

[Investigator]

There was not a single shell casing on that highway. If it was a road rage, probably not thought out, would have left shells around on the ground. That tells me again that whoever it was at that point had it planned out. This man, they wanted him dead.

[Narrator]

Coming up, a surprise appearance at the scene has detectives asking questions.

[Witness]

Greenland county just told me that the girlfriend is up top at the barricade.

[Investigator]

I took pictures of her car thinking maybe she was in on this.

[Narrator]

And a possible motive is revealed.

[Witness]

The next day on February 11 was the custody hearing where possibly Matthew was going to get custody of the children.

[Narrator]

Arizona authorities are searching for answers after a passing driver discovered 35 year old Matthew Meisner dead inside his vehicle from three gunshot wounds to the head.

[Investigator]

After Matthew was discovered around 5 o'clock in the morning, we got a medical examiner on scene with us and there was three rounds to the side of Mr. Meisner's head from a 9 millimeter. We had no witnesses of any license plates, vehicle descriptions, or anything.

[Witness]

It's just amazing to me how everyone driving through right now and nobody saw anything. Nobody saw anything like that many shots you had. Somebody had to have seen the flash of the freaking barrel. Like there's no way.

[Narrator]

Surprisingly, an hour later, investigators receive word that a woman claiming to be Matthew's fiance has just arrived at the scene.

[Witness]

Greenland county just told me that the girlfriend is up top at the barricade.

[Investigator]

Nicole Chacon was up at the top of the horseshoe curve.

[Narrator]

Detectives head up the road, but before they talk with Nicole, they cover their bases.

[Investigator]

I took pictures of Nicole's car, thinking maybe she was in on this. We didn't know.

[Narrator]

Nicole is desperate for more information about the wrecked SUV on the highway. She's concerned it may be her fiance's.

[Investigator]

She told us Matthew Mizer worked at the mine as Nicole also worked at the mine as an employee at that point.

[Narrator]

According to Nicole, Matthew left for work around 4am that day, and less than an hour later, she followed.

[Witness]

She did state that she had initially passed by an accident on the Horseshoe, exited her car when she saw a black vehicle, approached where the deputy, but didn't want to get in trouble, so she got back in her vehicle and left back up towards Morenci for work.

[Narrator]

Nicole says once she arrived at work and realized Matthew wasn't there, panic set in.

[Witness]

She realized that it possibly was Matthew, and that is when she had left work, went to the scene, to the barricade, and she advised who she was.

[Investigator]

At that point, she did not know that he had been shot, and she was very confused. I explained to her that this is not a traffic accident and this is a homicide investigation, and her fiance is now dead. Nicole didn't take it well. She began to cry and total shock. It was. It was heartbreaking to see.

[Narrator]

Despite Nicole's honest reaction to Matthew's death, investigators still need to rule her out.

[Investigator]

We did a gun swab on her hand and just checked for powder residue.

[Narrator]

While investigators wait for results from the residue test, they ask Nicole if Matthew had anyone in his life who would want to harm him.

[Investigator]

Nicole says he was very loved at the mine. He had good friends that supported him. But she told us Matthew Mizer had an ex wife. Her name was Georgina Mizner. She had three children, and they had been divorced. The only issues that she had was with Georgina Mizener.

[Narrator]

Nicole says their problems with Georgina started about six months ago when Matt's ex Wife revealed some alarming news.

[Investigator]

Georgina said she had cancer.

[Narrator]

She sent actually pictures of her with her head shaved. She said, I tried chemo. It about killed me. And I stopped. And the medicine I was taking gave me really bad headaches. While Nicole and Matthew were prepared to jump in and help, Georgina inexplicably withdrew.

[Witness]

Georgina was making it very difficult for Matthew to have any sort of visitation with the children.

[Investigator]

Matthew was denied visitation to his children. As much as he tried and tried and tried, Georgina denied him those visitations. This put a strain on Nicole. Nicole at one point confronted Georgina about the visitation. Now, Georgina, she slapped Nicole, and they got into a scuffle.

[Narrator]

Following the incident, Nicole says that Georgina. Georgina upped the ante in their feud by filing an official complaint.

[Investigator]

Georgina's calling up Child Protective Services. She's saying that Matthew's abusing the kids.

[Narrator]

That Nicole is abusing the kids.

[Investigator]

Child Protective Services, they have to investigate this and can't find any evidence that any abuse is going on. And Matthew is saying is this is completely made up. I saw her in December. She was crying to me and saying.

[Narrator]

She still loved my brother and she didn't like Nicole.

[Investigator]

That's when she told me she had.

[Narrator]

Cancer and she was gonna die. Nicole tells police that on February 5, 2020, Matthew, concerned over both Georgina's physical and mental health, filed for full custody the next day.

[Witness]

On that Tuesday, February 11, was the custody hearing where possibly Matthew was going to get some sort of custody of the children.

[Investigator]

Nicole thought they had such a strong case that Georgina was going to lose the kids. After hearing this from Nicole, it did lead us to believe that Georgina was one of our prime suspects.

[Narrator]

Just as they identified Georgina as a person of interest, investigators get word that a potential witness has called in to the Safford Police Department.

[Witness]

We got a tip. Our witness, who was driving through the area to go to work, passed by after it had just initially happened.

[Investigator]

I answered the phone and talked to him, and he had saw the vehicle on the side of the road. He didn't know that it was a homicide. At that point. He thought it was a blowout. And then he saw a white sedan that had made a U turn and accelerated. At that point, in my mind, I thought this vehicle was fleeing the scene.

[Narrator]

Coming up, investigators are on the hunt for the driver of the white car.

[Investigator]

She said, while Matthew was in Tucson, there was a man that took a picture of our license plate.

[Narrator]

And a crucial piece of evidence is uncovered.

[Witness]

They were conducting the search warrant of the residents, and that is when they found the 9 millimeter Ruger.

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[Witness]

We're done. Shut up.

[Narrator]

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[Investigator]

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[Narrator]

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[Investigator]

More fun for us than for you.

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Ah, the beauty of a great mystery. It all begins with the perfect plot, where secrets are planted and clues spread like weed until they can no longer be hidden.

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Grosse Pointe Garden Society Sunday on NBC. Investigators are on the scene of the cold blooded roadside shooting of father of three Matthew Meisner when they receive a tip from a potential witness.

[Investigator]

A man called, and he had told me he was headed to work and he had actually followed Mr. Meisner for miles and miles from Safford. At one point, he lost him. Mr. Meisner was traveling a little faster and he got behind. He actually heard a pop, and he didn't know it was a gunshot. He saw Mr. Meisner's vehicle on the side of the road, and right in front of Mr. Meisner's vehicle was a white car out of nowhere, just made up a U turn, went southbound on 191, and it started accelerating.

[Narrator]

Given the time of day the shooting took place and the lack of cars on the road, this white vehicle fleeing the scene so quickly after shots were fired strikes investigator Ellison as more than suspicious.

[Investigator]

In my mind, I'm like, this is our guy. This is who shot Mr. Meisner.

[Narrator]

He immediately follows this lead and runs the information by Matthew's fiance, Nicole.

[Investigator]

I said, nicole, do you have know of anybody that drives a white car would want to cause harm on Matthew? And she says, you know, I do remember, well, Matthew was in Tucson and there was a man that had got out of his vehicle and he took a picture of our license plate on February 5th.

[Witness]

Matthew had been trying to get the kids that day and was parked by Georgina's residence.

[Investigator]

Matthew was actually on the phone with Nicole at the time and telling him, hey, this guy just took a picture of our license plate. Nicole says, why don't you take one of his plate? So he did, and he texted the picture of the plate to Nicole. Nicole pulls out her Phone and says, I have a picture of it right here.

[Narrator]

Matthew took the photo of the white sedan just five days before he was killed, and a vehicle with an eerily similar description was seen racing away from the crime scene.

[Investigator]

I was excited once we had discovered we had the picture, this was our chance.

[Narrator]

Detectives run the plate and they find the vehicle is registered to two owners.

[Investigator]

The license plate came back to Edward Montano Jr. And Mr. Sandoval, Ed Wardo's grandpa. Edward Montano had. There were two misdemeanor warrants, and that is when the sheriff had called Pima county and asked them to apprehend him.

[Narrator]

A few hours later, they arrive at the home where Eduardo Montano lives with his grandfather, Samuel Sandoval.

[Investigator]

As we arrived on scene, he had already been placed under arrest for the two misdemeanor warrants.

[Witness]

@ that point on scene, I did read Eduardo as Miranda rights, and he agreed to speak with us.

[Investigator]

In the driveway, there was a white Cadillac which had dark window tint. And it really looked to me like it fit the description of what the witness had said.

[Narrator]

As authorities await search warrants on the home and car, investigators take Eduardo to the Pima County Sheriff's Office for questioning.

[Investigator]

Where were you last night? I went to my friend John's house. We went to my friend Lisa's house. You didn't go anyplace else last night?

[Narrator]

While Eduardo denies being anywhere near the crime scene, detectives know his vehicle was at Georgina's home the day Matthew took a photo of his license plate. They have a hunch this was no coincidence.

[Investigator]

How do you know Georgina?

[Narrator]

Georgina?

[Investigator]

Yeah, she's a friend of mine. How well do you know? We tried dating, but it didn't work out. What about her? Her family? I've hung out with her and her kids a couple times. So who's Matt? Her ex husband, Father of her children? I have not. Yet another, like in a custody battle or something? Right Now. You ever had any contact with him?

[Witness]

Me?

[Investigator]

Never. No.

[Witness]

Do we have a report of Matthew stating that you were taking photographs of his vehicle?

[Investigator]

I never talked to him.

[Narrator]

Having established a connection to Matthew and Georgina, investigators press Eduardo again on his whereabouts the night before.

[Investigator]

We wouldn't drive three and a half hours to talk to you about something we didn't know A lot more than Right. Well, I know my grandfather mentioned there was an accident in Clifton or something that I may have been involved in. How were you involved in it? I don't know. I wasn't in an exit. See, Your car was up there this morning. It Was. I was not up there. You understand? The guy's dead. Do you understand where that puts you? Yeah, I completely understand, but that's what I'm saying. I was not there.

[Narrator]

Eduardo insists after hanging out with his friends, he returned home to his grandparents house.

[Investigator]

You stayed home with your grandparents? Mm. All night? Yeah, all night.

[Narrator]

But investigators aren't buying it.

[Investigator]

Who's the Cadillac wanted? It's. It's my car. But my grandfather's name. It's in my grandfather's name. Did you drive it yesterday? Yesterday I did not. Well, explain how. Did you let anybody else use your car? No.

[Witness]

No.

[Investigator]

Then how come your car is in the Clifton area? My car was not in the Clifton area.

[Witness]

During the interview, he does advise that Regina does confide in him with the things that are kind of going on in her life. And as far as the child custody issues, he claimed he didn't personally know Matthew, but I definitely believe that he had some sort of involvement.

[Narrator]

Back at the residence, investigators follow up on Eduardo's alibi with his grandfather.

[Investigator]

I asked Mr. Sandoval, was Edward there all night? And he said no. Matter of fact, he wasn't here. He left at 10:00 at night. He didn't come back to about 8 or 8:30 in the morning. The time periods they all lined up. The shooting happens around 5:00, I guess. Sufficient time to drive that vehicle from 5:00, three hours to get back in Tucson.

[Narrator]

With the circumstantial evidence piling up against Eduardo, the search for physical evidence is underway. After coming up empty in the Cadillac, investigators head into the house.

[Witness]

They were conducting the search warrant of the residents and that is when they found the 9 millimeter ruger inside of Eduardo's bedroom.

[Investigator]

We knew that the rounds to the side of Mr. Meissner's head were from a 9 millimeter.

[Narrator]

That's not all that links the gun to Matthew's murder.

[Investigator]

It had four rounds left in the magazines, which appeared to be the exact amounts that were shot into the side of Matthew's car. We pulled out 14 rounds out of the side of the vehicle. It tied the gun with the car and it tied the gun to Ed Wordle.

[Narrator]

Investigators send the gun for forensic testing.

[Witness]

We had enough probable cause to request an arrest warrant, which was granted. By the Evening of the 10th, Eduardo was under arrest for homicide.

[Narrator]

While investigators have enough to link Eduardo to the murder, what they don't yet know is why he would kill Matthew Meisner. They turn their focus back to their initial suspect, Matthew's ex Wife Georgina.

[Witness]

We're a very small department. We followed every lead. And the day of we arrested Eduardo. Now I'm trying to figure out who may have else been involved. The fact that him and Georgina were such good friends, the fact that the court hearing was coming up and she didn't want to lose custody of her children. My next step was to speak to Georgina.

[Narrator]

The day after the murder, police tracked Georgina down at her mother's house.

[Witness]

Georgina's emotions were just kind of all over the place. She's happy, she was crying, she was mad. Georgina's demeanor almost to me appeared rehearsed.

[Narrator]

Investigators ask Georgina about her relationship with Matthew.

[Investigator]

Georgina told me that she did not want Matthew to have the kids because she did not like Nicole. She thought Nicole was a very abusive woman. She also thought Mr. Meisner was a very abusive man.

[Narrator]

Georgina recounts her version of the physical altercation with Nicole back in October.

[Witness]

Nicole said, that bitch, you.

[Narrator]

You don't need to call me a.

[Investigator]

Bitch at my house in front of my kids.

[Witness]

She said, I'm gonna you up. It slapped her across the face. She grabs me and throws me into the ground.

[Investigator]

Starts hitting me, hitting me, and I'm stop.

[Witness]

I didn't feel safe with Nicole. I knew what I needed to do.

[Investigator]

I put in temporary soul custody.

[Narrator]

Investigators steer the questioning toward Eduardo.

[Witness]

Daddy goes around my kids. We dated maybe a month at the most. You told him about what was going on with your kids and yourself as far as the abuse.

[Investigator]

I know that I talked to Eddie.

[Witness]

And I was very probably woe is me, woe is me, like everything I'm going through.

[Investigator]

And then he told me some stuff about his childhood. It was rough.

[Witness]

I felt bad for the guy.

[Investigator]

Ed Wardle himself has experienced abuse in his life. Georgina knew this.

[Witness]

Did he say anything about protecting the kids? He just says that he's not. He just doesn't want nobody to hurt him.

[Investigator]

She knew Ed Wordle's emotions. She knew he had this troubled life. We thought maybe she was playing that against Ed Wortle to do her will.

[Narrator]

Coming up, investigators finally confront Georgina about Matthew's murder.

[Witness]

I felt like she knew more than what she was leading on.

[Narrator]

And later, investigators unearth a dirty lie.

[Investigator]

She actually got photos off the Internet and said, hey, look, Matthew, I'm dying.

[Narrator]

Investigators in Arizona have already arrested 36 year old Eduardo Montano in relation to Matthew Meisner's death. They suspect that Matthew's ex wife Georgina may also be involved. But they need proof.

[Investigator]

Can't even think right now. Just do days, weeks, months.

[Narrator]

I Don't know.

[Witness]

I can't tell you.

[Investigator]

Like, I can't get give you even an estimate. Like, I wish I could. I can.

[Narrator]

When they ask Georgina if she was involved in Matthew's murder, she stops the interview.

[Investigator]

I don't want to say anything else. I'm not sure what to believe because we've heard so many stories. I don't trust you yet.

[Witness]

At the point she shuts down and I felt like she knew more than what she was leading her.

[Narrator]

As part of the investigation, they seized Georgina's phone.

[Investigator]

They're interested in the text and the phone messages and that kind of thing with Eduardo.

[Narrator]

While they wait for a review of Georgina's phone, investigators turn to Matthew's family for more insight.

[Investigator]

It just didn't make any sense.

[Witness]

Who would hunt him down like a.

[Investigator]

Freaking animal and sit there and wait for him and then just shoot him?

[Narrator]

But when it comes to Georgina, the memories are far less pleasant. They say when Matt tried to exercise his visitation rights, Georgina launched serious allegations against him, claiming Matt had been abusing the children. She tried to get us to go to court and say he was a bad father.

[Investigator]

And when I told her I wasn't.

[Narrator]

Going to do it, that's when she stopped communication. Investigators find no evidence to support Georgina's allegations.

[Investigator]

We talked to multiple people through Department of Child Services. There was nothing that indicated that Matthew abused those children.

[Narrator]

Investigators continue to dig. They begin to believe that the abuse wasn't the only thing Georgina lied about.

[Investigator]

During the investigation, we discovered that Georgina, she did not have cancer. All these medical conditions were false allegations. She actually got photos off the Internet and said, hey, look, Matthew, I'm dying, I have cancer. We actually found the same picture that Georgina sent to Matthew on the Internet. This is a woman who is so manipulative that she's actually lying about having a life threatening illness.

[Narrator]

Georgina wanted us to believe that Matthew was not the person who we all thought he was. She wanted us to believe her and just stay on her side. Police are certain that Georgina is a master manipulator, but they don't have solid evidence of much else.

[Investigator]

We believed that Eduardo was set up to kill Matthew through Georgina, but we didn't have that concrete evidence to pull them together.

[Narrator]

Finally, on February 25, two weeks after the murder, investigators obtain a trove of previously deleted text messages between Georgina and Eduardo recovered from Georgina's phone.

[Witness]

I discover that Georgina start talking about the fact that Eduardo is in the area of Matthew's residence.

[Investigator]

It appeared through the text messages that Eduardo had been stalking Matthew, he was following him at his house.

[Witness]

At one point, Eduardo asked Georgina for Nicole's address, and she describes when Nicole drives and provides Eduardo with that.

[Narrator]

It's also clear that Eduardo and Georgina are far closer than either admitted.

[Witness]

She tells him at points that she loves him.

[Narrator]

Then, on the eve of Matthew's murder, Georgina reminds Eduardo of her upcoming custody hearing and presents an eerie ultimatum.

[Investigator]

She says, you know, I'm having this custody battle tomorrow. It better be done. Eduardo says, hey, I don't want to do this. I really don't think that I have this in me to do this. And she responds back saying, if you want to marry me, you need to show me what kind of man you are.

[Narrator]

Eduardo then sends Georgina a damning text sealing both their fates and Matthew's.

[Witness]

He says, do you want me to notify you once it's done? And she basically responds, I think it'll be best if it comes as a surprise.

[Narrator]

Only 10 hours after these texts, Matthew is found dead and Eduardo's car is placed at the scene. It's clear to investigators that while Eduardo pulled the trigger, it was Georgina who pulled the strings.

[Investigator]

She knew how to control him. She was manipulative, and that was her M.O. she knew Ed Wordle's emotions. She knew he had this troubled life, and she was playing that against Ed Wordle to do her will.

[Witness]

At that point in the investigation, I immediately was like, in these messages is enough probable cause to believe that Georgina is involved in planning Matthew Meisner's.

[Narrator]

The following morning, police arrive at Georgina Misner's home to arrest her for the murder of her ex husband, Matthew Clifton.

[Witness]

Police. Hi.

[Narrator]

Hi.

[Witness]

Is Georgina here?

[Investigator]

Yeah. You want to talk to her?

[Witness]

Sorry.

[Investigator]

Okay.

[Witness]

I need you to turn around, put your hands behind your back. Georgina Meisner, you're under the arrest for first degree murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder.

[Narrator]

Do you understand?

[Witness]

Yes.

[Narrator]

My mom called me at work and.

[Investigator]

Told me that Georgina's been arrested. I cried.

[Narrator]

And first thing that came to my head is, those poor kids. Those poor kids. Because now they've lost both parents. Coming up, will George Georgina finally come clean?

[Investigator]

Not safe?

[Narrator]

Or will this master manipulator work her magic on a jury?

[Investigator]

It was all about Georgina and how she felt. And she was the victim.

[Narrator]

Investigators in Arizona have placed Georgina Meisner under arrest for her role in the murder of her ex ex husband, Matthew. But she's not talking.

[Witness]

She never disclosed anything to us. Her family actually called their lawyer. Yes.

[Investigator]

Not safe. Anything? I hear you.

[Narrator]

With two suspects in custody, investigators review the results from Forensic testing on the gun found in Eduardo's bedroom.

[Witness]

The gun was sent off for evidence, and the casings from the vehicle to the weapon did match.

[Narrator]

Investigators piece together that in the early morning hours of February 10, 2020, Eduardo waited at Horseshoe Bend, watching for Matthew's black SUV.

[Witness]

Eduardo had followed him and had chose that spot where it was more like an open spot. There's no surveillance.

[Investigator]

Eduardo waits for Matthew Meisner to drive by like he does every single day on his way to work.

[Narrator]

Investigators believe when Eduardo finally saw Matthew's suv, he pulled up alongside him and took aim.

[Investigator]

He is going to make sure that he does not fail. And he unloads his bullets into that car, and Matthew runs off the road.

[Narrator]

With the evidence stacked against him. In September 2020, Eduardo agrees to a deal. He pleads guilty to second degree murder and is sentenced to 33 years and nine months in prison.

[Investigator]

Eduardo Montano, he, at the end, signs a plea agreement to the murder of Matthew Meisner.

[Narrator]

Through it all, Eduardo refuses to implicate Georgina. But prosecutors theorize it was the false allegations of abuse that motivated him to take action that day.

[Investigator]

Eduardo, he did not want these kids abused. And so he thought, if. If I go to prison is no big deal. At least I'm saving these children and they will have stability in their lives.

[Narrator]

In November 2020, Georgina Misner also agrees to a plea. Murder in the second degree and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

[Witness]

There was enough evidence, and she knew that there was no way to say she was not involved in this case.

[Narrator]

At her sentencing on January 5, 2021, Georgina asks for leniency before the judge.

[Investigator]

It was all about Georgina and how she felt, and she was the victim.

[Narrator]

She made her statement. She was very fake, trying to, like, force tears out to apologize. But it wasn't really apologizing for anything that had happened. It was all about nothing really about Matt at all.

[Investigator]

We never got a sorry like, I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sorry, not a remorse.

[Narrator]

The judge sentences Georgina to 33 years and nine months.

[Witness]

Georgina did get sentenced the same amount of time as Eduardo did for her involvement.

[Narrator]

When the judge handed down her decision, she held nothing back. She told her what a manipulative person she was.

[Investigator]

She even said she had cancer, and it was all a lie to get the family to feel sorry for her. Oh, she's got cancer. Poor girl.

[Narrator]

But even with Georgina behind bars and her lies exposed, Matthew's family still grapples with the lasting impact of her actions.

[Investigator]

I honestly am still baffled to this day how she could take the father of her kids away from them like that. He was way too nice of a human being. He would literally never harm a soul. He loved those kids more than anything in the world.

[Narrator]

And she took that away.

[Investigator]

And now those kids have no parents.

[Narrator]

Per the terms of her plea agreement, Georgina Meisner is not eligible for early release. She will be 65 years old when she is released from prison in 2052. Everyone has that friend who seems kind of perfect for Patty. That friend was Tessie Ray. Until one day I texted her and she was not getting the text. So I went to Instagram. She has no Instagram anymore. And Facebook. No Facebook anymore. Desiree was gone. And there was one person who knew the answer.

[Witness]

I am a spiritual person, a magical person, a witch.

[Narrator]

A gorgeous Brazilian influencer called Kat Torres. But who was hiding a secret from Wondery. Based on my smash hit podcast, from Brazil comes a new series, Don't Cross Cat, about a search that led me to a mystery in a Texas suburb. I'm calling to check on the two.

[Witness]

Missing Brazilian girls, maybe get some undercover crew there.

[Investigator]

The family are freaking out. They are lost.

[Narrator]

I'm Chico Felitti. You can listen to Don't Cross Cat on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.