A preacher with two wives disappears mysteriously in the desert. Friends and family uncover suspicions and the husband eventually confesses. The podcast discusses the identification of the missing wife through DNA analysis and the trial of the accused murderer. The preacher's lawyer argues self-defense while examining a disturbing incident of violence.
The podcast explores the intriguing world of Christian polygamy and the challenges faced by the wives in such relationships.
The discovery of a mysterious pile of rocks in the Arizona desert leads to the unraveling of a shocking murder and a web of deceit.
Deep dives
The Mysterious Monument in the Desert
A camper in the Arizona desert discovers a peculiar pile of rocks under a palo verde tree that holds a terrible puzzle. The rocks signify something or someone far from the prying eyes of urban America, hinting at a mystery without an immediate solution.
A Polygamous Arrangement in Kensington
Joy Risker and Sheila, two women with starkly different personalities, live in Kensington with their husband, Sean Gough. Sean, a former evangelical minister, practices Christian polygamy. Joy and Sheila share childcare and household responsibilities, with Joy being Sean's favorite wife. However, problems arise as Joy begins to resist Sean's control and desires a career and personal growth.
Joy's Sudden Disappearance Raises Concerns
In September 2003, Joy unexpectedly stops contacting her friends and runs off to Europe with an old boyfriend, according to Sean. Concerned friends grow suspicious as this behavior is out of character for Joy. They visit Sean's house to inquire about her whereabouts but find the atmosphere different, and Sean is evasive, adding to their worries.
The Shocking Discovery and Sean's Confession
In the Arizona desert, a pile of rocks reveals the decomposed remains of a young African American woman. The autopsy reveals the brutality of her death, with multiple stab wounds, disfigurement, and missing fingertips and teeth. Police suspect foul play. Eventually, Sean confesses to the murder, claiming self-defense after an argument and a knife attack by Joy. He attempts to explain his subsequent actions as a misguided attempt to protect their children from losing both parents.
One preacher. Two wives. And a mystery that leads investigators deep into the desert to uncover the truth about the disappearance of wife number two. Keith Morrison reports in this Dateline classic that originally aired on NBC on January 9, 2007.
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