Season 3, Episode 45: Murdered by a Family Member: The Story of Becky Watts

11/08/22 • 29 min

This week’s episode touches on so many interesting topics. You’ll hear behind the scenes stories from a fellow private investigator, information about a celebrity investigation, tips on how to serve the deaf community, and what it’s like to have a family member murdered. My guest today has done it all. Of course, we will also take a look at a true crime case that I hope we can study some red flag examples so we can avoid the heartache that Becky Galsworthy and her family endured.

Blending families with teenagers is tough. Darren Galsworthy had two children with his ex-girlfriend Tanya when he ran into an old acquaintance named Anjie. Things between them got serious quickly. Anjie had a child too, a son named Nathan. It was obvious to Darren that the boy was possessive of his mother. But there was no way to know that possessiveness would lead to the murder of a family member. Our book this week is “The Evil Within” by Darren Galsworthy and our guest is former private investigator, Amazon bestselling author, philanthropist, and artist Connie Rowland.

This week’s Scripture is from the Old Testament:

Proverbs 14:22 CSB

Don’t those who plan evil go astray?

But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.

Nathan’s actions as they are described in our book for this week are a perfect example of this passage. Notice that God isn’t calling out just those who DO evil things, but those who PLAN to do evil things. James 1:15 says, “Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death.” Our thought lives matter because they influence our actions. When we think on things, and plan to take good action, the Bible promises that we will find loyalty and faithfulness.

I want to tie that into this week’s practical action step. When we see someone struggling with dark thoughts, or we notice anyone being obsessed with violent song lyrics, movies or video games, we need to check in with that person. It may not be an issue, but they might be having thoughts that will give birth to deeds with life-altering consequences. We've got to watch out for each other so we can keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safer.

For another mesmerizing episode about family dysfunction, listen here.

Please visit my website to access more episodes, read my blog posts, or check out ways you can financially support the podcast so that together we can impact more people, more families, and more communities. If you would like to contact me about booking me as a speaker, or ask about my consulting and investigative services, please email me at [email protected].

Visit Connie’s website.

Previous Episode

Season 3, Episode 44: Domestic Violence: There is Help Available

Chances are you know someone who is a victim of domestic violence. You just don’t KNOW that your family member, friend, or acquaintance is suffering because we don’t always define domestic violence correctly. There are so many victims with no visible bruises. It’s the silent epidemic that flourishes in darkness. This episode was originally scheduled to be out during October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but the issue is really something we need to be talking about all year long.

Our book this week is “No Visible Bruises” by Rachel Louise Snyder and our guest is Author, Speaker, Certified DV Advocate & Abuse Recovery Coach Julie Bonn Blank. We are going to talk with her about why domestic violence continues to claim, in average, 137 women’s lives across the world. Every. Single. Day. But first, we are going to look at just one woman’s death - Michelle Monson Mosure.

Julie is a trained domestic violence advocate, a survivor, and an abuse recovery group leader. She facilitates the Survivor Voices Committee for the Family Justice Center of Washington County, Oregon. Julie is also a speaker and author.

We’ll also talk about Ephesians 5:21-27 because too often, verses 22-24 are pulled out of context and used to justify abuse if a wife isn’t “performing” correctly as defined by her husband or a set of church elders. But what about verse 21 where spouses are called to mutual submission? A man’s actions toward his wife should be unselfish, nurturing, and kind. A husband or boyfriend should never talk down to you, pressure you, isolate you, control you, or be violent towards you.

I’m going to lay out a practical action step this week that’s a little more involved than some have been. The church has not always done a very good job handling things when women have come forward for help in a domestic violence situation. That’s just a fact that we need to accept, but then become determined to change. I’m challenging us all to open up our eyes and ears a bit. If you see anyone in your faith community who seems to have a lot of bruises or injuries, she’s not allowed to attend study groups or other church functions that don’t include her husband, or her ability to communicate is being controlled - see if you can let that person know that you are a safe person to talk to. You can make a difference in someone’s life like Michelle’s before it’s too late.

You can learn more about domestic violence on this previous episode of The Unlovely Truth. I interview author Karen DeArmond Gardner who has first-hand experience with leaving an abusive relationship. We had an interesting conversation about practical tips to help someone who is ready to be free. You’ll also learn why abuse victims stay silent.

Get a copy of “No Visible Bruises” here.

Get a copy of Mary DeMuth’s “We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis” here.

Julie Bonn Blank’s website

Email Julie here or here

Check out ARMS, Abuse Recovery Ministry & Services here

Next Episode

Season 3, Episode 46: The Meaning of Discernment and Keeping Kids Safe

Keeping kids safe from predators is something that I hope is on everyone’s radar - but sometimes we don’t correctly judge who is a threat to our kids and who isn’t. The Jerry Sandusky scandal and Penn State football’s possible cover-up that broke just over a decade ago may never have come to light if one of his victims hadn’t decided to be silent no longer. Jerry coached under the legendary Joe Paterno from 1969 to 1999. We are going to talk about Aaron’s story, and how we can become more discerning to increase safety for our children and children in our community.

Our book this week is “Silent No More: Victim 1’s Fight For Justice Against Jerry Sandusky” by Aaron Fisher, and our guest is Julie Lowe, author of the book “Safeguards: Shielding Our Homes and Equipping Our Kids”. It’s full of great safety information, which you know I love! We’re going to share some great information with you this week to help you keep all of the kiddos in your life a bit safer.

Julie has a lot to say about discernment, so I want to investigate what Proverbs 3:21-24 says on that topic:

My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.

Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul.

They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way,

and your feet will not stumble. You can go to bed without fear;

you will lie down and sleep soundly.

So if discernment can keep us safe, how do we make ourselves more discerning? I’ve got three tips for you in that regard. First, we have to read the Bible so we know what standards God expects. Second, we evaluate character based on a person’s actions, not their words. Third, we pray for wisdom which God says he will give us whenever we ask. So if you just aren’t sure about trusting someone - read what God’s word says is good, look at that person’s actions to see if they match God’s standard, then pray for the wisdom to make good decisions.

At least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year in the United States. Since these are very underreported crimes, the actual number of children affected is probably even higher. There are children in your neighborhood, your kid’s school, and even your church who are being or have been abused. Does your church offer classes or support groups that teach positive parenting skills? If not, see if you can be the person who gets something started. I looked online for a Bible-based curriculum to use with at-risk families and couldn’t find anything! There’s plenty out there about teaching parents how to raise biblically literate kids, but I didn’t see anything for a church to use as an outreach to its community. If you know of one, please reach out and share it with me!

If you liked this episode, be sure to check out some earlier ones. I’ve had so many amazing guests who have given me fantastic information you won’t want to miss. You can also help someone else begin their journey as a different kind of PI - a person of impact, when you share the episode, and when you subscribe, give me a five-star rating and a nice review.

If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll want to listen to this episode.

Link to buy “Safeguards: Shielding Our Homes and Equipping Our Kids”

Connect with Julie here

Information on child abuse from the CDC

Want safety tips AND Scripture? Buy my newly released book “How to Kick Fear to the Curb”