Introducing: What Happened to Libby Caswell

The second season of my podcast for iHeartMedia explores how the U.S. treats survivors of domestic violence, especially when they aren't "perfect" victims.

Hello dear readers!

It is my instinct to immediately apologize for the lack of posts, which coincidently is exactly how almost every letter or email I write starts off — “so sorry it’s been so long, etc etc.” To be fair, I’ve had a busy year. I’ve funneled the vast majority of my creative energy into the project I’m thrilled to share with you today: the second season of my podcast, What Happened To, for iHeartMedia.

Please listen to Episode One here.

This season, I tell the story of Libby Caswell, a young mom in Missouri who was discovered dead in a motel room with her boyfriend’s belt around her neck.

Far beyond the suspicious circumstances of her death, Libby’s case intrigued me because of the events that transpired while she was alive — the systemic failures of every intervention supposed to help victims of domestic violence, from police to shelters.

Libby wasn’t a “perfect victim.” She was complicated. She wanted to help her boyfriend, not incarcerate him. She struggled with drug abuse. She did not trust the police to have her best interests at heart — and with very good reason, as you will soon hear.

I hope you’ll come away from this season with a better understanding of how domestic violence is treated in the U.S., the limitations of the status quo approach, and some ideas for change in order to help other victims in Libby’s situation.

Please listen, share and comment. And send me emails! It’s such an honor to be able to tell this story - and stories like it — and I can only do it with the continued support of listeners like you.

Melissa