Podcast Summary:

"WCN Presents: [Caitlin Mathis] Dedicated to Change"
Something Was Wrong / What Came Next — January 1, 2026

Episode Overview

This powerful episode from the "What Came Next" series features Caitlin Mathis, a stalking survivor, advocate, and Texan whose story of trauma and resilience is intertwined with a notorious campus crime. Caitlin recounts her journey from a tumultuous childhood to surviving a stalking ordeal that escalated to murder when her stalker killed another woman, Jackie Vandegrift, during Caitlin’s freshman year of college. Through her pain, Caitlin has dedicated herself to advocacy work, working to foster change in how the legal and university systems handle stalking and abuse. This story is not only a testimony of survival, but also a call to action for institutional change and survivor support.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Caitlin's Background and Family Dynamics (03:02–09:18)

• Caitlin describes a transient childhood shaped by her parents’ divorce and subsequent struggles, with her mother providing early lessons on toxic relationships and emotional regulation.
• Her stepfather, Chris, was a positive figure whose early death (from esophageal cancer) taught Caitlin about loss, resilience, and the importance of gratitude and hard work.
• "He made a big impact for the few years that he was in our lives. It also feels like I have a guardian angel up in heaven now." (Caitlin Mathis, 06:45)

Entering Adulthood: Meeting the Stalker (09:18–14:35)

• Caitlin meets her future stalker the day after graduating high school—at first, the relationship seems flattering but quickly turns controlling and isolating.
• Early signs: The relationship moves fast; he is possessive, displays anger, and tries to isolate Caitlin from friends.
• Family and coworkers express concern about his character; Caitlin attempts to break it off, but he manipulates her into reconciling briefly.

The Stalking Escalates: College Years (14:35–28:55)

• Upon starting college at UNT, Caitlin definitively ends the relationship via text, prompting immediate obsessive behavior: phone calls, emails, and in-person visits.
• Law enforcement, especially Officer Polk, acts swiftly: criminal trespass orders, protective orders, and campus interventions are initiated.
• Stalker’s escalating behavior includes showing up at Caitlin’s work and campus, sending her lengthy emails and notes, and using technology to bypass blocks.
• "A lot of stalking behavior leads to other behaviors and those behaviors can be added up together... I'm just glad that we took the steps at an early start to document all the incidents." (16:35)
• Campus resources ease the process of protective orders; documentation (screenshots, incident reports) becomes key to the case.

Critical Incident: Murder of Jackie Vandegrift (28:55–31:35)

• Events escalate to tragedy: after breaking into Caitlin’s dorm and a second campus arrest, the stalker murders Jackie Vandegrift, a student at Texas Women’s University.
• Caitlin learns about Jackie through news reports and law enforcement but is initially unaware of the connection.
• Shocking details emerge: Jackie’s body is found burned and dismembered near a location significant to Caitlin and her stalker’s relationship.
• "The fact that it was Grapevine Lake felt insidious... I was shocked, to say the least." (30:28)

Legal Aftermath & Systemic Issues (31:35–34:55)

• The stalker is arrested for violating Caitlin’s protective order, enabling police to hold him as they gather evidence for the murder charge.
• FBI discovers extensive evidence in his home; he is ultimately charged with capital murder and found with additional incriminating material.
• Caitlin struggles with the media, privacy, and being forced to relive trauma during the investigation and trial.
• Court proceedings are grueling; Caitlin describes the emotional toll and the compassion of law enforcement, especially Officer Polk.
• "The way he handled my case, it felt like he cared for me like I was his own daughter." (36:08)

Living with Survivor’s Guilt; Advocacy and Healing (34:55–37:03)

• Overwhelming survivor’s guilt haunts Caitlin: “I wanted to take places with Jackie. I would literally spend hours late at night when I couldn’t sleep…”
• Therapy, journaling, music, and a supportive circle help her heal, alongside formal counseling provided by UNT and domestic violence organizations.
• Caitlin channels her pain into advocacy, working with organizations like SPARK to improve handling of stalking cases and survivor resources.
• "I just hope I can have a role in making a difference, and I'll figure it out whenever that time comes to make sure he stays behind bars." (35:54)

Calls for Change and Hope for the Future (37:03–37:40)

• Caitlin delivers a powerful message about the need for institutional reform.
• She stresses the importance of training for law enforcement and court officials in handling stalking and tech-facilitated abuse.
• "We have to pay attention and call it out when it makes us uncomfortable, talk about it. I can only hope it helps someone along the way." (36:47)
• Her hope: that her story helps others recognize relationship abuse, respond to stalking, and know that recovery is possible.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Lessons:
  "My mother taught me so much from a young age. She taught me and my sister about toxic behavior, especially in men." (03:54)

• On Officer Polk:
  "The way he handled my case, it felt like he cared for me like I was his own daughter." (36:08)

• On the Importance of Documentation:
  "I'm just glad that we took the steps at an early start to document all the incidents." (16:35)

• On Law Enforcement’s Response:
  "If Officer Polk can do it, so can all the other officers. It's not like he was going above and beyond. He was doing his job..." (36:47)

• On Survivor’s Guilt and Healing:
  "I did hold a lot of guilt. I did wallow in that guilt. Why am I even here? I wanted to take places with Jackie." (35:40)
  "Through therapy, I journaled a lot, talking through what I went through, being open about it." (36:05)

• On Dedication to Change:
  "I'm dedicated to seeing change within our judicial systems, police forces and communities." (36:37)
  "I just hope someone can take away at least one thing from my story, whether that be the warning signs in a toxic relationship, a stalking victim who doesn't know what to do next, or someone grieving and struggling to cope with the trauma." (36:40)

Important Timestamps

• [03:02] — Caitlin's introduction and background
• [09:18] — Meeting her eventual stalker
• [14:35] — First signs of abuse and efforts to break free
• [16:35] — Importance of documentation; role of Officer Polk
• [28:55] — Murder of Jackie Vandegrift revealed
• [31:08] — Legal aftermath, police and FBI investigation
• [34:55] — Caitlin’s survivor’s guilt; journey of healing and advocacy
• [36:37] — Calls for institutional reform and survivor support
• [37:17] — Caitlin’s final reflections on community and change

Tone and Style

Caitlin’s tone throughout is raw, honest, and reflective, oscillating between vulnerability and resolute determination. The host and Caitlin share a compassionate, forthright style, aiming to honor victims, raise awareness, and inspire change. The emotional impact is palpable, particularly in Caitlin’s reflections on guilt, healing, and her ongoing mission to make a difference.

In Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in survivor advocacy, campus safety, and the realities of stalking and abuse. Caitlin’s story is a harrowing illustration of the dangers of stalking, the failures and strengths within legal systems, and the ongoing struggle for prevention, justice, and survivor support. Her commitment to honoring Jackie Vandegrift’s memory and driving systemic change is both moving and essential.