The Peacemaker: Episode 3 – "Depressed Girls"

Podcast: The Peacemaker
Hosts: Ben Westhoff, Ryan Krull
Release Date: October 28, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode delves into the unsettling pattern of Brandon Grossheim’s relationships with young, depressed women at Truman State University, exploring whether his attraction to and behavior with these women is connected to the larger suicide cluster previously discussed. The episode also scrutinizes police handling of the case and the beginnings of a civil lawsuit against Grossheim.

Episode Overview

"Depressed Girls" investigates chilling patterns surrounding Brandon Grossheim—a central, controversial figure at the heart of the Truman State University suicide cluster. The hosts examine why so many women with depression were drawn to Brandon, and whether his interactions were merely empathetic or disturbingly manipulative. The episode further critiques the police investigation and outlines the ongoing civil lawsuits against Grossheim.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brandon Grossheim’s Attraction to Depressed Women

• Brandon's Reputation: Outwardly clean-cut, empathetic, and articulate, Brandon was deeply trusted across diverse social groups on campus (03:00).
• Dating Patterns: Ben observes that, “Brandon’s type…appeared [to be] girls who were severely depressed.” (05:30)
• Connection to Suicide Victims: Brandon dated or pursued romantic relationships with former girlfriends of multiple suicide victims, leading to suspicions and discomfort among peers.

Interviews with Women Involved with Brandon

• Tristan Weiser (met Brandon on Tinder; former Truman State student): Explains she was in a “bad place” when they met and was drawn in by his curiosity and willingness to discuss dark topics.
  • “He was one of the people that would ask me about [my depression], and that’s what had gotten me to feel comfortable because not many people were asking me about it.” (10:20)
  • She later felt manipulated: “At first it was, tell me more…then why does it make you feel that? And it feels like you’re being pushed to explore yourself when you’re really being pushed to expose your weaknesses.” (10:44)
  • Tristan describes a particularly disturbing moment: “He just stuck his hand across my stomach…He was like, ‘I wanted to feel you breathe.’” (11:46)
• Lauren George (Kirksville resident): Recounts Brandon’s insistence on focusing on her emotional struggles:
  • “There were times that I didn’t want to talk about it...he’d want to try to talk about the feelings that I was having.” (14:23)
  • Lauren worried that continued contact could have pushed her toward similar tragedy: “I didn’t want to be around that.” (14:45)
• Allegations of Manipulation: An unnamed woman from a New Yorker story recounts Brandon telling her he’d support her if she chose suicide, insisting her family and friends would understand (13:37). Brandon denied condoning or encouraging suicide.

2. Manipulative Patterns & Public Perceptions

• Manipulation Accusations: Multiple women allege Brandon used psychological pressure, including leveraging their depression to attempt to initiate or coerce sexual encounters (15:00).
  • One woman alleges: “Grossheim put his head in her lap and implied he'd have nothing to live for if she didn’t sleep with him." (15:10)
• Empathy or Exploitation: While some saw Brandon as a good listener and caring confidant, others viewed his actions as calculated, using personal vulnerabilities as leverage.
• Supporters: Not all believe Brandon is culpable. Madeline Mazurek, a girlfriend of one victim, says, “It was insanely wrong and hurtful to see my friend Brandon Grossheim labeled as a death-obsessed frat boy in headlines.” (16:45)

3. Police Investigation: A Study in Disorganization

• Critique by Parents: Melissa Bodorf Airy (mother of first victim, Alex Mullins), sharply criticizes the Kirksville police for their "Keystone Coppish" approach and failure to seriously investigate alternative possibilities (20:30).
  • “It became really clear that the police had not done the job that they should have.” (20:54)
• Key Example: Officers conducting interviews were underprepared—e.g., not knowing the deceased’s name or the case details (22:20).
  • Detective to grieving girlfriend: “So what I want to ask you about is a poster that was found in Daniel’s apartment…Your boyfriend’s apartment…Alex, Alex, I’m sorry.” (23:32)
• Superficial Questioning of Brandon: Police failed to meaningfully probe Brandon’s involvement, focusing instead on trivial topics (such as the meaning of a “Die Master” nickname) and shying away from difficult questions (25:00).
  • Producer Ryan bluntly observes: “It’s sort of like everyone is kicking the can, checking boxes, and no one really takes the lead.” (29:13)
• Missed Opportunities: There’s no indication police asked, “Why are you so often in the mix when people kill themselves?” (28:50)
• Lie Detector Test: Though Brandon failed one, he was never required to retake it nor was he charged criminally, causing outrage among some victims’ families (30:13).

4. The Civil Lawsuit Against Grossheim

• Basis for Lawsuit: Melissa Bodorf Airy explains her conviction that Brandon psychologically guided vulnerable people to suicide:

  • “He would take a vulnerable person and in an encouraging way, like, that it was going to be a good thing that they could end their life...their families would understand...” (36:20)

• Legal Hurdles:

  • Plaintiff’s perspective: Brandon used knowledge of individuals' depression to “counsel” them in ways that led to suicide, possibly fulfilling the definition of involuntary manslaughter under Missouri law (37:42).
  • Defense perspective (per Brandon’s attorney, Curtis Nywald): “There’s nothing that I’ve seen specific as to what he did to cause these young men to commit suicide.” (38:53)
  • Ryan Krull explains: Civil suits require a “preponderance of evidence,” a lower bar than criminal cases, making liability possible even without criminal charges (38:07).

• Other Legal Actions:

  • Families also sued the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity, settling for hundreds of thousands of dollars (34:08).
  • Suit against Truman State University was dismissed (35:00).
  • The suit against Grossheim proceeds in federal court in hopes of a less-biased jury pool (40:04).
  • Motivation: Westhoff speculates, “Because Brandon was never charged criminally, the parents of the victims feel that this is the best way to win some measure of justice in their eyes…” (40:48)

5. Closing & Next Episode Tease

• Community Divided: The hosts close by reiterating that while many see Brandon as the sinister agent behind these tragedies, others maintain he’s been unfairly scapegoated.
• New Suspect Teased: The next episode will focus on another controversial figure—one of the victims’ fathers—further deepening the mystery (41:08).

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “It feels like you’re being pushed to explore yourself when you’re really being pushed to expose your weaknesses.”
  — Tristan Weiser (10:44)
• “Brandon shielded her from a male student…He then comforted her and said that if she chose to commit suicide, he would support her decision and her family and friends would understand.”
  — Paraphrased, from New Yorker story (13:37)
• “The way it was handled was very Keystone Coppish…They made a lot of mistakes.”
  — Melissa Bodorf Airy (20:30)
• “I look at Brandon in the same light as I look at somebody like [Charles] Manson. No, I don’t think the intentions are good.”
  — Melissa Bodorf Airy (37:08)
• “So Missouri law actually has changed…now, technically, in Missouri, someone can be held liable for someone else’s suicide, but it’s rare.”
  — Ryan Krull (39:13)
• “The police could have at least been more direct. They seem weirdly like they’re kind of trying to spare Brandon embarrassment.”
  — Ryan Krull (29:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Brandon’s dating habits and personality – (02:36 – 07:00)
• Tristan Weiser on being targeted & manipulated – (09:24 – 12:27)
• Accounts from Lauren George and other women – (13:37 – 15:30)
• Madeline Mazurek defends Brandon – (16:45)
• Parental critique of police investigation – (20:30 – 21:40)
• Police mishandling & interview failures – (22:20 – 28:50)
• Lie detector test, police leniency – (30:13)
• Details and legal basis of the civil suit – (34:08 – 40:39)
• Ryan Krull explains Missouri law – (39:13)
• Motivation for civil action – (40:48)
• Episode close & next episode preview – (41:08)

Tone and Style

The episode strikes a balance between investigative rigor and empathetic narration. The hosts’ tone is respectful but unflinching, blending testimony, legal context, interviews, and analysis. Real-life accounts from young women and parents are handled with care, while law enforcement and institutional failures are scrutinized directly but fairly. The episode is suspenseful, provocative, and continually mindful of the complexity and gravity of the subject.

For Further Listening

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.