
From the Emmy Nominated Netflix Docuseries “The Keepers”, Gemma Hoskins Describes Her Pursuit to Hunt Down Who Killed Beloved Teacher and Nun, Sister Cathy Cesnik
Explicit content warning
02/12/25 • 64 min
In this episode, we discuss an unsolved murder.
Haunting, horrible, upsetting and deeply troubling documentary: The Keepers on Netflix. Gemma Hoskins, Emmy Nominated for The Keepers, is still hunting down who killed beloved teacher and nun Sister Cathy Cesnik.
Every now and again you stumble across a documentary that leaves you speechless, of murder, sexual violence, and hidden secrets, that plants an expression of disbelief across your face that lasts long after you’ve finished watching it. One, that leaves you no choice but to be heavily invested in strangers’ lives, and leaves you still trying to find resolve to unanswered questions in the days that follow. A documentary that makes you question what the hell is wrong with the world. The Keepers is one of those documentaries. Our guest today, is Gemma Hoskins, one of the students of Sister Cathy, and at the center of the documentary, The Keepers.
Horrible, gut wrenching and deeply haunting. But it's an important and incredibly brave story nonetheless. The Keepers tells the story of Sister Catherine Cesnik, a 26-year-old nun living in Baltimore who was abducted and murdered back in the 1960s. The case was never solved, but was linked to a horrific history of sexual abuse by a chaplain called Father Joseph Maskell.
The documentary itself is incredibly interesting, but the subject matter is difficult and descriptions of what happened are upsetting and rather detailed, so I'd probably make sure you're aware of what you're getting yourself into before you dive into your next true crime binge.
Meet Gemma Hoskins who shares with us today, her personal, relentless pursuit of the unsolved murder of her favorite high school teacher, Sister Cathy Cesnick and what they uncovered, which was more horrible than even murder.
Listeners, Please Note: Shari Karney, the host of Roar with Shari. . . All Things Justice for Women and Survivors is a survivor and a practicing attorney in California representing victims of child sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual assault.
Even though Shari Karney is a licensed practicing attorney in the State of California practicing in the areas of child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, this podcast is intended for informational purposes only, there is no expectation of confidentiality and is not intended nor should it be construed as legal advice. For legal advice, you should seek competent legal counsel. If you’re interested in speaking to Karney’s law practice they can be reached at https://karneyadvocates.com/
Please also note that Karney Law is owned by Shari Karney. Karney is the founder of Roar as One. Roar as One is a nonprofit, Karney Law is a law firm and they are otherwise unaffiliated.
In this episode, we discuss an unsolved murder.
Haunting, horrible, upsetting and deeply troubling documentary: The Keepers on Netflix. Gemma Hoskins, Emmy Nominated for The Keepers, is still hunting down who killed beloved teacher and nun Sister Cathy Cesnik.
Every now and again you stumble across a documentary that leaves you speechless, of murder, sexual violence, and hidden secrets, that plants an expression of disbelief across your face that lasts long after you’ve finished watching it. One, that leaves you no choice but to be heavily invested in strangers’ lives, and leaves you still trying to find resolve to unanswered questions in the days that follow. A documentary that makes you question what the hell is wrong with the world. The Keepers is one of those documentaries. Our guest today, is Gemma Hoskins, one of the students of Sister Cathy, and at the center of the documentary, The Keepers.
Horrible, gut wrenching and deeply haunting. But it's an important and incredibly brave story nonetheless. The Keepers tells the story of Sister Catherine Cesnik, a 26-year-old nun living in Baltimore who was abducted and murdered back in the 1960s. The case was never solved, but was linked to a horrific history of sexual abuse by a chaplain called Father Joseph Maskell.
The documentary itself is incredibly interesting, but the subject matter is difficult and descriptions of what happened are upsetting and rather detailed, so I'd probably make sure you're aware of what you're getting yourself into before you dive into your next true crime binge.
Meet Gemma Hoskins who shares with us today, her personal, relentless pursuit of the unsolved murder of her favorite high school teacher, Sister Cathy Cesnick and what they uncovered, which was more horrible than even murder.
Listeners, Please Note: Shari Karney, the host of Roar with Shari. . . All Things Justice for Women and Survivors is a survivor and a practicing attorney in California representing victims of child sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual assault.
Even though Shari Karney is a licensed practicing attorney in the State of California practicing in the areas of child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, this podcast is intended for informational purposes only, there is no expectation of confidentiality and is not intended nor should it be construed as legal advice. For legal advice, you should seek competent legal counsel. If you’re interested in speaking to Karney’s law practice they can be reached at https://karneyadvocates.com/
Please also note that Karney Law is owned by Shari Karney. Karney is the founder of Roar as One. Roar as One is a nonprofit, Karney Law is a law firm and they are otherwise unaffiliated.
Previous Episode

You Can’t Take My Daughter” Lifetime’s Movie- (Inspired by the true story) of the Rape of Analyn Megison
In this episode, I’m talking with rape survivor and rape victim, Analyn Megison, inspiration for the Lifetime Movie "You Can't Take My Daughter". The true rape story of a woman who survived was stalked, hunted, and battled her rapists to keep her daughter safe. Analyn bravely comes forward in this chilling episode to discuss her rape, survival, activism, and years-long fight in the court to keep her rapist from gaining custody of her daughter conceived through rape.
We discuss with Analyn Megison about her journey, as a rape survivor, victim and mother, who has been through trauma and resilience helping others on their healing journey. Analyn talks about the history of laws that discriminated against rape victims and the push to pass the "Rape Survivor Child Custody Act" nationwide.
“I was raped. I survived. I became pregnant and as a result, I now have an amazing daughter that I love with all my heart,” said Megison. “Love is always stronger than fear,” she says. Analyn hopes that in sharing her story it will bring awareness as to why laws like the one she helped get passed are so important.
Next Episode

Victim of the Golden State Rapist (HBO’s ‘I’ll Be Gone in the Dark Follow Up Episode”) Kris Pedretti Today: Where is the Golden State Killer Survivor Now?
In this episode, I’m talking with Kris Pedretti, whose story is featured in a Special Episode of 'I'll Be Gone in the Dark' Airing tonight, June 21, 2021, on HBO at 10 PM and will stream on HBO Max.
This chilling story true crime story is moving but bittersweet. In this episode, I’m talking with a victim and survivor of the Golden State Killer, Kris Pedretti. Where is the Golden State Killer Survivor Now?
Kris Pedretti survived a home invasion rape at the tender age of 16. She shares her story of the dark world of the violent predator called “The Golden State Killer/East Side Rapist”, the man who terrorized California in the 1970s and 1980s and is responsible for 50 home-invasion rapes and 12 murders. Kris is featured in the 6-part HBO Docuseries “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark” and now, the “Follow Up Episode”, Where His Victims Are Today, airing on HBO and streaming on HBO Max.
It's just one of the most harrowing, sexual assault true crime, news stories.
Kris Pedretti, a rape survivor who shares her story of the dark world of the violent predator called “The Golden State Killer/East Side Rapist”, the man who terrorized California in the 1970s and 1980s and is responsible for 50 home-invasion rapes and 12 murders.
Kris Pedretti, one of his rape victims, talks about how DeAngelo, the Golden State Killer/East Side Rapist, a former cop, invaded her home one dark winter night, raped her at age 15, and how her silence, shame, and horror turned into years of relentless determination for justice for herself and his other victims.
Kris talked about being a rape victim, her trauma, healing, resilience, women supporting women, healing journey, women empowering women, and sister survivors. Kris spoke out and spoke up. We want to let you know that you are not alone in the dark, and we will “Roar as One” with you.
Kris is was featured in the 6-part HBO Docuseries “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark” and the Follow-Up HBO episode, 'Where the Golden State Killer Survivor Are Now?
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/roar-with-shari-all-things-justice-for-women-and-survivors-225649/from-the-emmy-nominated-netflix-docuseries-the-keepers-gemma-hoskins-d-25585628"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to from the emmy nominated netflix docuseries “the keepers”, gemma hoskins describes her pursuit to hunt down who killed beloved teacher and nun, sister cathy cesnik on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy