Personal Journals
**Direct Appeal**

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.

Latest Episodes:

Season 2 Trailer: Ryan Widmer Apr 22, 2023

Show notes

In August 2008, Sarah Widmer, a healthy 24 year-old is found dead in her bathtub, just four months after marrying her husband Ryan… 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 15 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 for the season 2 premiere, May 1st, to find out.

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One Year Update Dec 03, 2020

Show notes

After more than one year since the last episode of Direct Appeal, we are back to discuss the recent media attention, to answer audience questions, and address potential tips sent in.

We'll update you on what's next in Melanie's legal battle, and what supporters of Melanie say they are doing to help.

We might even sneak in a word about season 2...

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Introducing Women & Crime: (Cindy James - episode #32) Nov 27, 2019

Show notes

From the creators of Direct Appeal comes our new project, Women & Crime. Each episode we cover a new female focused true crime case. Enjoy this full length sample episode, and if you like it – Subscribe Now.

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Ep 32: During the 1980s, Cindy James was purportedly the victim of over 100 attacks of physical and mental abuse by an unknown assailant. After a heavy police presence and no assailant ever identified, police grew skeptical. Was this a hoax or the diabolical plan of someone who wanted to torture and eventually murder her?

Credits:

• Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks

• Produced and Edited by James Varga

• Music by Dessert Media

Help is Available:

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.

For details please visit one of the websites below.

National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org/help/
RAINN https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline
Women’s Law https://hotline.womenslaw.org/
Victim Connect List of resources https://victimconnect.org/resources/national-hotlines/

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Deliberation Nov 08, 2019

Show notes

17: This season's final episode of Direct Appeal brings you audience tips and alternate theories. Also, Amy and Meghan will reveal their conclusions.

To help and participate in our research project, please take our short survey which can be found at: http://directappealpodcast.com/survey

If you would like to hear more from Amy and Meghan, check out our new podcast, "Women & Crime". Every two weeks we'll feature a new story which could be about female victims, offenders, or members of the criminal justice system.

For now its time to sign-off, however if there are major developments in Melanie's case we will be sure to update our audience.

Many thanks to our fans, friends and family!

Credits:

Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks
Recorded, mixed, and edited by Justin Kral at JC Studios
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Legal Counsel: Barry Janay
Special thanks to Alan Tockerman

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The Best Friends Oct 24, 2019

Show notes

16: Direct Appeal is back after a brief hiatus to follow up on listener tips. We return with three interviews from those who knew Melanie best: a friend from her past, a friend from her present and a surprise interview with a key witness for the prosecution.

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 (732) 510-0996.

Credits:

Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks
Recorded, mixed, and edited by Justin Kral at JC Studios
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Legal Counsel: Barry Janay
Special thanks to Alan Tockerman

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Melanie Q&A (part 2) Sep 19, 2019

Show notes

15: We ask Melanie the your Questions in the second round of Q&A.

Thank you for staying tuned during our mid-season break! We are busy following up on your leads and theories and will be sharing them soon.

If you have a tip, please contact us at tips@directappealpodcast.com

Credits:

Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks
Recorded, mixed, and edited by Justin Kral at JC Studios
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Legal Counsel: Barry Janay
Special thanks to Alan Tockerman

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Direct Appeal Aug 07, 2019

Show notes

14: Melanie is sentenced and transferred to prison. She begins the long process of appeals and holds out hope that her conviction will be overturned. Will the courts grant an appeal or will her life sentence stand?

For images related to this episode: https://directappealpodcast.com/images/#ep14

Credits

Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks
Recorded, mixed, and edited by Justin Kral at JC Studios
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Legal Counsel: Barry Janay
Special thanks to Alan Tockerman

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melanie Q&A (part 1) Jul 26, 2019

Show notes

13: Listen to Melanie’s answers to your questions in part 1 of our question & answer episodes.

If you have a question to ask and didn’t hear it in this episode, you have one more chance! Be sure to submit it to us by 7/31/19 by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (732) 510-0996

Credits:

Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks
Recorded, mixed, and edited by Justin Kral at JC Studios
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Legal Counsel: Barry Janay
Special thanks to Alan Tockerman
Photo credits: Joshua Davis under cc license 2.0

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Verdict Jul 17, 2019

Show notes

12: Both sides make their closing arguments, but an act of God gives one side an advantage. Afterwards, Melanie agonizes while the jury deliberates. The verdict is read and Melanie is sentenced, will she be shown any mercy? Also, we discover that Joe may have had personal reasons to rush things along…

If you have any information regarding this case, you can submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (732) 510-0996. If you have a question to ask Melanie, be sure to submit it to us by 7/31/19 and we may select it for a future episode.

For Images related to this episode, visit: https://directappealpodcast.com/images/#ep12

Credits:

Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga* Written by Meghan Sacks
Recorded, mixed, and edited by Justin Kral at JC Studios
Music and underscore by Dessert Media
Legal Counsel: Barry Janay
Special thanks to Alan Tockerman
Photo credits: Joshua Davis under cc license 2.0

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Gamble Jul 10, 2019

Show notes

11: Financial documents reveal suspicious transactions in and out of the McGuire’s joint bank account while lab reports reveal untested DNA and hair and police reports raise shocking new accusations. The prosecution alleges that two anonymous letters containing information about Bill’s murder were written by Melanie while Melanie’s camp denies that she wrote these letters. The experts on each side battle it out but who will the jury believe?