Very Scary People Episode 7: Judgment Day Release Date: April 9, 2025 Host: Donnie Wahlberg

Overview

In Episode 7, titled "Judgment Day," of Very Scary People, host Donnie Wahlberg delves deeper into the harrowing custody battle between Christine Belford and her ex-husband David Matusiewicz, along with his obsessive family. This episode chronicles the escalating tensions that culminate in a tragic shooting at the New Castle County Courthouse, marking a pivotal moment in Christine's fight for peace and safety for her three daughters.

Background

Christine Belford has been embroiled in a relentless custody battle against her ex-husband, David Matusiewicz, and his family. Over the past eight episodes, Wahlberg has explored the lengths to which the Matusiewicz family is willing to go—including stalking, harassment, and intimidation—to control Christine and her daughters. This episode focuses on a critical child support hearing that represents both a final legal hurdle and a potential turning point in the family's tumultuous saga.

The Child Support Hearing

Legal Maneuvers and Preparations

David Matusiewicz seeks to attend the mediation in person despite his probationary restrictions. As Legal Analyst explains:

"David gets a hearing scheduled to determine his child support and he's not allowed to leave the state of Texas because he's still early in his probationary period or his parole period. And he petitions for permission to come north to Delaware for a hearing, for a live hearing, and he gets granted."
[03:05]

Christine, exhausted by the ongoing harassment, is determined to navigate this hearing to secure her and her daughters' future. Despite her apprehensions about confronting David in person, she is hopeful about the mediation's outcome.

Emotional Struggles and Support Systems

Christine's sister-in-law, Jenny Puglisi, shares her optimism:

"I feel great. I feel like I'm in the best place I've ever been. I just need to get through this and it'll be smooth sailing."
[03:47]

However, the underlying fear remains palpable as Christine prepares to face the man who has caused her immense suffering.

The Day of the Hearing

Arrival at the Courthouse

On the morning of February 11, 2013, tensions reach their peak as both Christine and David arrive at the New Castle County Courthouse. David travels with his parents in separate vehicles, displaying a facade of normalcy. Narrator describes:

"The white Honda pulls into a parking lot across the street from the courthouse... David zips up his jacket and pulls up his hood. He separates from his father and hurries inside."
[09:16]

Inside the Courthouse

Christine, accompanied by her close friend Beth Mulford for moral support, enters the courthouse amidst mounting anxiety:

"Christine Belford is determined to escape the unending abuse and live in peace with her daughters. But that means one final hurdle, an in-person child support hearing."
[02:17]

The Shooting Incident

Chaos Ensues

As Christine and Beth navigate the courthouse, chaos erupts when gunfire breaks out:

"As they enter the courthouse through the revolving door... gunfire erupts inside the courthouse. As panic screams fill the air."
[11:29]

Shots are fired indiscriminately, causing panic and confusion. Law enforcement officers respond swiftly, engaging the shooter.

Confrontation and Tragedy

A tense standoff occurs between the shooter and Officer Reinhardt:

"They both fired at the same time. They literally struck each other almost in the same area of the chest."
[14:05]

The shooter ultimately succumbs to his wounds, but the damage is done. Tragically, Christine Belford and Beth Mulford are among the victims:

"Despite every effort to save her, Christine Belford dies on the scene. The second victim is identified as Beth Mulford."
[18:57]

Aftermath and Investigation

Immediate Response

The courthouse becomes a frenzy of law enforcement activity as agencies collaborate to secure the area and investigate the incident:

"All agencies, including the state police, county police, and even the FBI are called in to assist with what has now become an active shooter investigation."
[18:08]

Identifying the Shooter

Initial confusion arises as Detective Jeff Shriner reviews surveillance footage:

"He [the shooter] withdrew the gun and committed suicide but hadn't been identified yet. They wanted me to go look and see if I can identify the shooter. So I go to look at the surveillance video, but I couldn't make head or tails of who that was doing the shooting."
[19:47]

A breakthrough occurs when the shooter is identified as Thomas Matusiewicz, linking him directly to the ongoing custody battle and the Matusewicz family's manipulative tactics.

Impact on the Community

The tragic loss of Christine and Beth sends shockwaves through the community and those involved in the case:

"I had to know that, you know, this woman who I... ordeal I had chronicled for better part of six years ... was lying under a white sheet in the courthouse lobby."
[21:10]

Law enforcement remains on high alert, fearing that David Matusiewicz may still pose a threat. Efforts are intensified to locate and apprehend him, given his propensity for evading capture.

Key Quotes

• Legal Analyst on David’s Hearing:

  "David gets a hearing scheduled... he petitions for permission to come north to Delaware for a hearing, for a live hearing, and he gets granted."
  [03:05]

• Jenny Puglisi on Christine’s Resilience:

  "I feel great... I'm scared to death, but I don't want to be held in contempt."
  [03:47]

• Law Enforcement on the Shooter’s Fate:

  "They both fired at the same time... Officer Reinhardt was wearing a ballistic vest that did stop the round from the handgun."
  [14:05]

• Witness/Reporter on the Aftermath:

  "They sent me downstairs to look at the surveillance tape of the shootout... I couldn't make head or tails of who that was doing the shooting."
  [19:47]

• Legal Analyst on the Finality:

  "It's our belief that it was definitely plain."
  [29:57]

Conclusion

Episode 7, "Judgment Day," serves as a heart-wrenching climax to the ongoing narrative of Christine Belford's battle against a menacing and obsessive family. The tragic events at the courthouse not only underscore the lengths to which the Matusewicz family will go but also highlight the severe personal costs involved in such legal and familial conflicts. As the investigation unfolds, the community grapples with the loss, and the hunt for David Matusiewicz intensifies, setting the stage for future developments in this deeply unsettling story.

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