Happy Face
For Melissa Moore, 1995 was a nightmare. That’s the year the teenager learned her father, Keith Hunter Jesperson, was a serial killer. It’s also the year Melissa Moore’s doubt spiral began: When you look like your father, and you share his intelligence and charisma, how do you know you’re not a psychopath, too? Happy Face is the story of Keith Hunter Jesperson, his brutal crimes, and the cat and mouse game he played with detectives and the media. But it’s also the story of the horrific legacy he gifted his children. Join Melissa Moore as she investigates her father’s crimes, reckons with the past, and wades through her darkest fears as she hunts for a better future. Inspired by Melissa's true-life story, Happy Face is now a Paramount+ Original Series, streaming March 20th. The thrilling drama stars Annaleigh Ashford and Dennis Quaid.
Episodes
Sometimes it's hardest for the people who are closest to see the obvious clues. Melissa Moore reckons with the reality of her childhood and growing up with a serial killer for a dad.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For years, Melissa believed her mother held much of the blame for tearing their family apart, but soon comes to understand that her father was never really a hero.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melissa’s mother believes Keith wasn’t born a psychopath, but that he was raised to be that way by his father, Les.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melissa was 15 years old when she found out her father was a serial killer, and the news couldn’t have arrived at a worse time: she just found out she was pregnant. Melissa confronts her high school boyfriend to get a better grasp on the time.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwo...
How did Keith get away with murder for so long? It comes down to luck... and the bizarre story of a couple who tried to take credit for the crime.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melissa faces Don Findlay - the son of Jesperson’s last victim. Why has he been living a double identity for so long? What does he know about Keith? And can he forgive a person he sees as an extension of the man who brutally murdered his mother?
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodc...
Though Jesperson has clearly left his mark on both of their lives, Don and Melissa manage to find solace in their shared experiences.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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Keith Jesperson savagely killed at least 8 women between 1990 and 1995. Eluding capture, he taunted law enforcement and media with letters signed with a smile. But the detectives and journalist who helped end his killing spree say his reputation as a macho, murdering mastermind is not what it seems.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
Melissa married her husband Sam hoping to find stability and distance herself from her father’s crimes - but her inability to open up emotionally is destroying their marriage - and it leads them both to question whether Melissa is capable of feeling compassion - a psychopathic trait she and her father seem to share.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPach...
Melissa is conflicted by how her father’s crimes have shaped her life and her career. She’s also conflicted about the paranormal ‘gift’ they both share-- seeing and feeling ghosts. Does this bolster Sam’s psychopath argument? And has she passed this trait to her son as well?
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
After getting a PET Scan, Melissa meets with a neuroscientist who believes brain patterns can identify psychopaths. Dr. James Fallon also happens to be a psychopath. He shares his incredible personal story before revealing her results.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omny...
How has this journey changed Melissa’s life? And were she and her father tormented by his ghosts or their shared inner demons? Melissa now has an answer.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In 1984, Diane Downs was convicted for the murder of her daughter and attempted murder of her other son and daughter. Shortly before her admission to prison, she gave birth to a girl. Now that daughter, Becky Babcock, begins the journey to accept the connection to who her biological mother is, and what that means for her life going forward.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: w...
After a viewing of a TV movie revealed to Becky what her biological mother had done, her life took a turn towards rebellion. Now, twenty years later, she's still dealing with the consequences of that discovery
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...
After many attempts to speak with Diane's family members, Diane's brother, James, finally agrees to sit down with Becky.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could Diane’s obsession with a married man be the possible motive? We explore her former marriage and life leading up to the shooting of the Downs children.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Just four days after the shooting Diane participated in a reenactment of the night of May 19th for the police. Her affect throughout the reenactment caused the police and community to look at her as a suspect.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
How does Becky plan to uncover her Paternal Lineage? With help from two DNA and genetic experts, we sink our teeth into the reality of trying to track down a parent with limited information. Fortunately, with the DNA kits submitted by Diane's brother, James Fredrickson, and Becky, we have the first piece of the puzzle to find Becky's biological dad.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
The trial of Diane Downs begins, sparking a media circus as reporters scramble for details. Christie Downs makes a remarkable recovery from her stroke and is able to testify in front of the jurors.
Melissa G. Moore: IG @melissag.moore; Tik Tok @melissa.g.moore
Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
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