Podcast Summary: "My Grandparents Were Murdered"

Podcast Information:

• Title: We're All Insane
• Host/Author: Devorah Roloff
• Episode: My Grandparents Were Murdered
• Release Date: June 9, 2025

Introduction

In this deeply personal episode of We're All Insane, Devorah Roloff hosts an unnamed guest who shares the harrowing story of how their beloved grandparents were tragically murdered. The guest delves into the intricate details of their family's dynamics, the mysterious circumstances surrounding their grandparents' deaths, and the lingering quest for justice and closure.

Background

The guest begins by providing context about their grandparents, revealing that they were paternal grandparents who had moved back to Portugal for retirement when the guest was 16 years old. The grandparents were the closest among seven grandchildren, fostering a strong bond through regular Sunday church visits and personal connections.

[02:03] Unnamed Speaker: "I remember going every Sunday to church with them. They were my people."

The Disappearance

Fast forward to January 2024, the last contact with the grandparents occurred around the time of multiple family birthdays. Attempts to reach them via FaceTime and phone calls went unanswered, raising immediate concerns.

[05:27] Unnamed Speaker: "I was waking up to my mom hyperventilating, telling me that my grandparents were found dead."

The guest recounts the desperate moment when they were informed of the tragic news, highlighting the suddenness and lack of any prior signs of distress from the grandparents, both of whom were in their seventies and eighties but appeared healthy and full of life.

Discovery and Initial Investigation

Upon arriving in Portugal, the guest describes the unsettling atmosphere of their grandparents' home. The environment was eerily cold, with open windows and signs that suggested something was terribly wrong. Notably, the house was not secured as usual, and personal items like glasses and toiletries were left untouched.

[20:34] Unnamed Speaker: "Both doors kind of look at each other... it doesn't make sense because they were healthy."

The initial reports on local news speculated various causes of death, including suicide and gas leaks, which were quickly dismissed by the guest and their family due to inconsistencies with the grandparents' lifestyles and health.

Suspicious Activity and Red Flags

As the investigation unfolded, several red flags emerged:

1. Mark's Involvement: A family cousin named Mark had access to the grandparents' house and behaved suspiciously by refusing to provide keys to the family.

   [35:36] Unnamed Speaker: "Mark is the only person that has keys to every door of that house. That day when the keys were found, we were just like, what?"

2. Missing Items: Important items such as their grandmother's favorite purple backpack containing $50,000 were missing, raising suspicions of theft.

   [65:19] Unnamed Speaker: "The backpack of $50,000 is gone. So I know that purple backpack..."

3. Inadequate Autopsy Procedures: The autopsy conducted in Portugal lacked thoroughness, particularly in toxicology reports, leaving many questions unanswered.

   [68:04] Unnamed Speaker: "They didn't do a toxicology report. It was just like fake... you just wrote whatever."

Confrontation and Continued Doubts

The guest and their father confronted Mark about the missing keys and later about the suspicious activities surrounding the case. Mark's defensive and evasive behavior only deepened the family's suspicions.

[36:13] Unnamed Speaker: "Why don't you just beat his ass? Because at this point, it's like you're making it hard."

Despite attempts to seek more information, the local authorities remained dismissive, attributing the deaths to carbon monoxide poisoning without substantial evidence, which the guest vehemently disputes.

Supernatural Elements and Further Investigation

In an effort to find closure, the guest and their family consulted a medium who purportedly communicated with their grandparents' spirits. According to the guest, the medium insinuated that Mark was responsible for the murders, claiming that he had stolen from the grandparents.

[72:52] Unnamed Speaker: "He came over and he gave us a drink and we felt bad, so that's what had happened."

Further investigations revealed disturbing connections between Mark and the head of the local police station, suggesting possible corruption and a cover-up to protect Mark.

Emotional Impact and Ongoing Struggles

The tragic loss and unresolved mystery have left the guest grappling with intense grief and a lack of closure. They discuss the challenges of processing such trauma, especially without official answers or justice.

[81:21] Unnamed Speaker: "It took me to grow up even more because I was like, damn. Like, life could really be gone within a second."

The guest emphasizes the profound change this event has wrought on their perception of trust and safety, highlighting the lasting psychological scars left by such an ordeal.

Conclusion

"My Grandparents Were Murdered" serves as a powerful testament to the enduring impact of unresolved trauma and the quest for truth. The guest's narrative underscores the importance of thorough investigations and the devastating effects of bureaucratic negligence. As they continue to seek answers, the story remains a poignant exploration of loss, suspicion, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

Notable Quotes:

• [05:28] Unnamed Speaker: "They were healthy. So I'm over here, processing my head, like, what the hell happened?"

• [18:28] Unnamed Speaker: "We only got it back, like, last month, and it's been a year and, like, two months."

• [52:45] Unnamed Speaker: "Dogs have a really good intuition. They know something."

Closing Thoughts

This episode sheds light on the complexities of grieving intertwined with unresolved questions surrounding a loved one's death. It serves as a reminder of the deep emotional turmoil that comes with losing family members under mysterious circumstances and the critical need for compassionate investigation.