31 episodes
Direct Appeal Dr. Meghan Sacks and Dr. Amy Shlosberg
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- True Crime
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4.4 • 1.5K Ratings
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In August 2008, Sarah Widmer, a healthy 24 year-old woman is found dead in her bathtub, just four months after marrying Ryan Widmer… the only person at home with Sarah that night.
Suspicion quickly fell on Ryan, leading to his arrest and conviction for Sarah’s murder. But could this have been a tragic accident?
Ryan has adamantly maintained his innocence for the last 16 years, but now, two seasoned criminologists examine the very controversial conviction of Ryan Widmer, for the murder of his wife Sarah.
Is Ryan a murder or did something else happen in that bathroom? Join us to find out.
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The Nice Guy
Ep 01:
On season 2 of Direct Appeal, we examine the murder conviction of Ryan Widmer for the death of his wife, Sarah Whitmer. Looking at the evidence that was presented, that which was not, and the evidence that may have seemed insignificant at the time, we form our own conclusion about Ryan Widmer's Guilt.
It was night like any other. August 11th, 2008, Ryan and Sarah Whitmer married just four months. Were in the beginning-stages of building their new life together. Sarah wasn't feeling well that day, so she decided to go upstairs after dinner to take a bath. Ryan stayed downstairs in the living room a little while longer, and continued to watch the game.
Sometime after 10:00 PM Ryan was ready to call it a night, so he headed upstairs to get ready for bed.
When he opened the door to the upstairs bathroom, he walked in to find a terrifying scene. Sarah was in the bathtub and didn't appear to be breathing. A panicked Ryan called 911.
If you have any information regarding this case, you can still submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (570) 844-0499.
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks & Amy Shlosberg
Editing by Jose Alfonzo
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Special Thanks to Janice Hisle and her book, Submerged: Ryan Widmer, his drowned bride and the justice system
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Underwater
Ep02:
On this episode, you'll hear Ryan's full account of the night of August 11th, 2008, when he found Sarah dead in their upstairs bathtub, along with the 911 call that will be used in court against him.
Also, what happened in the hours after Ryan found Sarah?
If you have any information regarding this case, you can still submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (570) 844-0499.
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks & Amy Shlosberg
Editing by Jose Alfonzo
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Special Thanks to Janice Hisle and her book, Submerged: Ryan Widmer, his drowned bride and the justice system
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Into the Fray
03: In the days following Sarah's death, the media begins to paint their own picture of what may have happened. Ryan is still trying to cope and realizes that he is now coming under suspicion.
If you have any information regarding this case, you can still submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (570) 844-0499.
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks & Amy Shlosberg
Editing by Jose Alfonzo
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Special Thanks to Janice Hisle and her book, Submerged: Ryan Widmer, his drowned bride and the justice system
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Battle Begins
Ep04:
Ryan begins to grieve as he plans Sarah's funeral, but he also is planning for the battle of his life both in the courtroom and in the public eye.
The Prosecution will present its case to the court.
If you have any information regarding this case, you can still submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (570) 844-0499.
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks & Amy Shlosberg
Editing by Jose Alfonzo
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Special Thanks to Janice Hisle and her book, Submerged: Ryan Widmer, his drowned bride and the justice system
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Prosecution Rests
Ep05:
The Prosecution calls the rest of their experts, including the "star witness". Just before the Prosecution rests their case, a new theory emerges of what might have happened between Ryan and Sarah that night.
If you have any information regarding this case, you can still submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (570) 844-0499.
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks & Amy Shlosberg
Editing by Jose Alfonzo
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Special Thanks to Janice Hisle and her book, Submerged: Ryan Widmer, his drowned bride and the justice system
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Defense
Ep06:
The Defense makes their case that Sarah's death was a tragic accident, but will Ryan take the stand and defend himself? Also, we talk to a 3rd party pathologist and get their thoughts on the autopsy and manner of death.
If you have any information regarding this case, you can still submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (570) 844-0499.
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks & Amy Shlosberg
Editing by Jose Alfonzo
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Special Thanks to Janice Hisle and her book, Submerged: Ryan Widmer, his drowned bride and the justice system
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Customer Reviews
Loved the podcast BUT
Come on ladies! Melanie is guilty. The second hosts theory is way more plausible. The first one got way too close to Melanie. This podcast was so well done. I think her father in law was most likely involved.
Now I am listening to Season 2 and changing my rating. This podcast is beyond biased. It would benefit you to have one of you having a different opinion because you both agree on everything and it’s frustrating to be a listener and feel like the hosts are getting it so wrong. But I really like you and want to keep listening. Please try and be less biased because your podcast is amazing!
How bad does Meghan want to convince us Melanie is innocent?
Going to start this off with this is a five star review for a reason because I love these two women and the way they communicate. Women and crime is brilliantly produced. I have listened to every episode and I appreciate your respect for each other so much. I typically don’t enjoy two people on a podcast because it’s rarely done well, but you two ladies are brilliant and I enjoy you both so much.
I understand it must be difficult to meet someone, get to know them, feel their warmth, and convince yourself they’re guilty. I do understand that. I went into this series not knowing this case at all. I wanted to believe Melanie was innocent, first and foremost. Really wanted to believe that. Naturally… after doing my own investigation (the internet I know I’m obviously a professional) it doesn’t take much to recognize Melanie’s countless coincidences and mistakes equal guilt. Puhhhlease don’t try to say these are all coincidences. She killed her husband and I gotta say… listening to her speak, at first I totally believed she was innocent. She speaks so sincerely. But after hearing and reading all the evidence, come on. Come on.
I guess I’m just surprised here! Meghan and Amy do such a good job of usually remaining unbiased and this was extremely surprising to me. Whether or not Meghan realized this and she absolutely makes objective statements throughout the episodes, but she is trying to hard to convince us Melanie is innocent with her language and cadence. Melanie is so absolutely guilty and I’m baffled Meghan allowed Melanie to influence her with charisma. How many times can Melanie change her stories and explain herself away? Loving Amy’s rebuttals throughout the episodes because we’re all wondering how Meghan keeps defending Melanie (whether she recognizes it as defending her or not- Meghan’s language and cadence is extremely telling).
I’m sorry to come for you Meghan I genuinely enjoy you and Amy so much. I just realllllllyyyyyyy am so surprised here. Please don’t stop what you’re doing. I hope there will be 100 more episodes I disagree about because I love your content and I hope you two never stop what you’re doing.
Amy, I have my finances spare keys in my car. I don’t keep them at the house because what if I’m out and he needs my help immediately? They’re in my car so I can get to him quicker.
I’ve rested my case! Thank you both for your hard work and time.
Sincerely, A PASSIONATE FAN! :)
Confused
Listening to the podcast i really believe that Melanie could be innocent, but i saw an interview of hers and her body language its telling she is guilty, either way this is a sad case, those kids lost both of their parents and a life was lost.
Great job on this podcast Megan and Amy