Podcast Summary

True Crime with Kendall Rae

Episode: Police Find Murder Plot Crumpled in Trash?! The Case of Patrick De La Cerda

Air date: April 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of True Crime with Kendall Rae explores the chilling 2018 murder of Patrick De La Cerda in Deltona, Florida, focusing on the tragic loss of a vibrant young man at the hands of a possessive and calculating ex-boyfriend, Greg Bender. With her signature empathy for victims and their families, Kendall unfolds the investigation, which remarkably led authorities to a discarded, handwritten murder plot, exposing the killer’s motives and blunders. The episode examines themes of obsessive ex-partners, stalking, the sometimes limited protective power of restraining orders, and the painstaking pursuit of justice by those left behind.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Remembering Patrick De La Cerda (01:20–06:40)

• Background: Patrick was born June 4, 1992, in Miami, Florida. He was outgoing, charismatic, adventurous, deeply loyal, and cherished by family and friends.
• Kendall shares insights from Patrick's obituary and a family-made photo slideshow, emphasizing his full, loving life.
  • Memorable quote (05:15): "Your presence filled the room full of light, love, and laughter. You were the life of the party. Nothing will repair the void in our hearts and in our souls." – from Patrick’s obituary

Love and a New Beginning (06:40–10:27)

• Patrick met his fiancée, Jessica Debnani, on a dating app in June 2017, soon after Jessica left an eight-year toxic relationship with Greg Bender.
• Their bond was immediate; Patrick proposed after only six months together in a “chill,” intimate moment, planning to design her a custom ring.
• The couple was looking forward to moving to West Palm Beach for a fresh start.

The Day of the Murder (10:28–15:51)

• On February 27, 2018, Jessica couldn't reach Patrick and became alarmed after receiving two calls from her ex, Greg Bender.
• Jessica drove to Patrick’s home, where she found him dead by the front door, killed in an ambush-style shooting after being lured to the door under the guise of a package delivery.
• Investigators recovered only two shell casings (from six shots fired), deducing the killer collected casings to obstruct the investigation and removed the DVR from security cameras.

A Troubled Past: Jessica and Greg Bender (20:23–29:15)

• Jessica’s past with Greg was controlling, manipulative, and frightening. Greg was 42 when they met; she was 19.

• Greg was a successful hedge fund manager, using his status and wealth as tools of manipulation.

• The relationship ended after Jessica discovered Greg was secretly married.

• After Jessica moved on with Patrick, Greg began harassing and stalking both, leaving disturbing messages and threats, including boasting about hiring a hitman.

  • Notable quote (23:41): “And when Greg found out, he stalked the dude. He literally told Jessica that he knew where this guy lived and that he was going to tie him up and hurt him, which is obviously terrifying to Jessica.” – Kendall Rae

• The couple tried to get protective orders—Jessica succeeded, Patrick did not. Greg was supposed to turn in his firearms, a requirement he ignored.

The Investigation Progresses (29:15–39:11)

• Detectives, initially skeptical, focused on Greg after piecing together Jessica’s history and by noting the suspicious “delivery driver” calls to Patrick’s father.

• Police had Jessica call Greg for evidence, but he claimed ignorance and tried to reconnect.

  • Notable moment (32:05): "He had the audacity to be like, hey, we should meet up, as if her fiancé dying that day would suddenly make her available to him. Well, newsflash, dick breath. She’s not." – Kendall Rae

• Greg was arrested for violating the protection order due to the calls but not yet for murder.

A Breakthrough: The Murder Plot Found (39:11–44:06)

• Greg’s ex-wife, Damara, bravely delivered a bombshell to investigators: she found a notebook with Greg’s detailed plans to murder Patrick.

• The notebook included maps, plans for alternate methods (including a drug overdose or suffocation), and strategic instructions (e.g., license plate switching, burner phones).

  • Quote (41:15): “He had everything mapped out. He had written it all out in a notebook and just left it lying around his house… There was even a map that he had drawn out of his property, which mentioned that he had a gate outside his house.” – Kendall Rae

• Police searching Greg’s home found .300 blackout ammunition (matching the murder scene), the crumpled murder plan in the trash, and a spent shell casing matching those at the scene.

• Digital forensics linked Greg’s burner phone to the calls made to Patrick’s father, and pings placed Greg’s car leaving for Deltona an hour before the murder.

The Trial and Aftermath (44:06–53:24)

• Greg’s trial began in May 2021. Jessica bravely testified, describing Greg’s stalking and threats.
• The defense tried to discredit Jessica (claiming infidelity using P.I. photos) and even suggested Patrick’s father was the killer; both tactics failed under scrutiny.
• The ex-wife Damara’s testimony and the recovered shell casing proved damning.
• The jury convicted Greg Bender of first-degree murder; he received a life sentence.
• Jessica gave a moving victim-impact statement, describing Patrick’s vibrant spirit and their lost future together.
  • Quote (52:09): “Patrick was the most loving, caring, daring, beautiful soul… We were going to have the fairy tale 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.” – Jessica Debnani
• Patrick’s father, Max, emotionally addressed Greg in court, expressing his devastation and anger.

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Description | |-----------|------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:15 | Obituary snippet | “Your presence filled the room full of light, love, and laughter… a true hero, a beautiful soul.” | | 23:41 | Kendall Rae | "He literally told Jessica that he knew where this guy lived and that he was going to tie him up and hurt him..." | | 32:05 | Kendall Rae | “He had the audacity to be like, hey, we should meet up, as if her fiancé dying that day would suddenly make her available…” | | 41:15 | Kendall Rae | “He had everything mapped out... There was even a map that he had drawn out of his property…” | | 52:09 | Jessica Debnani | “Patrick was the most loving... We were going to have the fairy tale 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.” |

Important Timestamps

• 01:20–06:40 Introduction to Patrick, his life, and relationships
• 10:28–15:51 The day of the murder and initial crime scene overview
• 20:23–29:15 Jessica’s abusive relationship with Greg Bender and escalating threats
• 29:15–39:11 Break in the case: investigators focus on Greg, and Damara’s critical evidence
• 39:11–44:06 The search, discovery of the murder plan, mounting evidence
• 44:06–53:24 Trial, testimonials from Jessica and Patrick’s family, conviction, and aftermath

Conclusion

Kendall Rae's empathetic yet candid storytelling spotlights the preventable nature of Patrick’s death while indicting the system’s failure to enforce restraining orders and safeguard victims. The episode underscores the impacts of obsessive, dangerous ex-partners, the importance of evidence (including the godsend of a detailed murder plot), and the enduring pain and love of those left behind.

Final Note:
Kendall honors Patrick by reminding listeners to cherish loved ones and urges systemic reform for victim protection. The episode’s tone is heartfelt, direct, and occasionally darkly humorous as she rails against the “bonehead” perpetrator—ultimately ending with a sense of hard-won justice and remembrance.