In this exclusive episode of the MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories, delve into a tale that unravels inside sacred walls, exposing the darkest facets of admiration and jealousy. When Rhonda's burgeoning relationship with Pastor Schrievs turns into a confessional of personal hardship, she receives not just spiritual guidance but also financial support, igniting envy within the congregation. As MrBallen and guest Whit Missildine explore the intricacies of this complex bond, listeners are left pondering the fine line between devotion and obsession.
The episode meticulously uncovers the chilling investigation that follows Rhonda’s shooting, a puzzle pieced together by Detective Stumpo's unyielding determination. With no suspect in sight initially, a mysterious discovery in Lake Nacomixon shifts the narrative, leading to Mary Jane Fonda’s conviction. The podcast navigates through a labyrinth of personal vendettas, culminating in a tragic end for both the victim and the perpetrator. Join the dissection of what begins as a tale of faith and community, and ends in a gripping crime story of jealousy and murder.
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Rhonda's relationship with Pastor Schrievs is complex, involving deep admiration, confidant relationships, and financial assistance. She finds him extremely handsome and feels valued by his attention. Pastor Schrievs is aware of Rhonda's mental health struggles and personal struggles, including her troubles with an abusive ex-partner and a recent breakup. He supports her by checking on her and hiring her to work at the church. This support extends to financial matters, with the Pastor leading a fundraising effort that collects $3,000 for Rhonda. Rhonda believes other women in the congregation envy her close relationship with the Pastor.
Detective Stumpo leads a meticulous investigation following Rhonda's shooting. Judy, the person who discovered Rhonda, did not find or conceal a weapon. However, the break in the case comes when a gun is found in Lake Nacomixon by a man and his son. Mary Jane Fonda emerges as a suspect, noted for odd behaviors including strange phone calls to the church. Her jealousy of Rhonda's relationship with Pastor Schrievs and obsession with him are highlighted, with an underlining of her past involving her father's disappearance being of concern to investigators. Crucially, ballistics tests confirm the murder weapon is a .38 revolver found in the lake and is tied to the murderer via evidence under their car's floor mat.
Mary Jane is found guilty of murdering Rhonda in a crime borne of jealousy over the latter's relationship with Pastor Schrievs. She receives a life sentence for her actions, which are motivated by her resentment of Rhonda as a perceived competitor for the Pastor's affections. Mary Jane's life concludes in prison, where she dies 10 years into her sentence.
1-Page Summary
Rhonda's connection with Pastor Schrievs is multifaceted and marked by her deep admiration, trusting confidences, financial support through tough times, and her perception of envy from others.
Rhonda regards Pastor Schrievs with great admiration, finding him unbelievably handsome with beautiful pale blue eyes. At 56 years old, he is a fit, tall man with distinguished blonde hair among his grays. His gestures, like smiling and winking at her after she spoke to the congregation, made her feel noticed and special.
Rhonda faces the challenges of mental illness, which affects her ability to work full time and sometimes leads her to suicidal thoughts. At a time when she was facing eviction, Rhonda shared her personal struggles and history of problematic relationships with Pastor Schrievs, who offered comfort and support. He would call to check up on her, ensuring she was okay and could cover for him at the church during his absence.
Further, Rhonda shared with Pastor Schrievs the difficulties she endured in an abusive past relationship, as well as her recent breakup with a man she had met online. Pastor Schrievs described Rhonda as a very quiet, lonely young woman who had struggled with mental health issues, signifying an awareness of her battles.
Rhonda's relationship with Pastor Schrievs
Detective Stumpo is leading an extensive investigation into the shooting of a woman named Rhonda, with Mary Jane Fonda emerging as a potential suspect due to her eccentric behavior and connections to previous suspicious events.
Judy found an unexpected scene at the church: the side door was unlocked, and inside, Rhonda was discovered lying face down in a pool of blood, severely injured yet still breathing. Judy, fearing for her safety and believing the assailant could still be on the premises, rushed out to call 911. Detective Stumpo arrived on the scene and began his search through the church office, meticulously looking for a gun, but found nothing. Stumpo also questioned Judy about the possibility of a missing gun, which Judy firmly denied moving or removing.
While the thorough search inside the church yielded no weapon, a crucial breakthrough occurred when a man and his son, fishing in Lake Nacomixon, found a loaded gun in the water and alerted the state police. Detective Stumpo and his team speculated that the weapon's discovery was the result of the killer's anxiety over detective inquiries, prompting them to dispose of the gun in the lake.
Mary Jane Fonda was noted for her eccentric and confusing actions, which included inappropriate calls to the church and wearing her wig backwards. After Rhonda began working at the church reception, Mary Jane made a particularly strange call to wish Rhonda a belated happy birthday on a date that wasn't her birthday, and acted offended for not being invited to a nonexistent birthday party.
Pastor Schrievs observed that Mary Jane's behavior, such as bringing him unsolicited gifts, might stem from jealousy over Rhonda's close relationship with him. Mary Jane incorrectly believed that there was a romantic affair between Rhonda and Pastor Schrievs, an assumption fuelled by her unfounded conviction that she and the pastor were destined to be together, despite his rejections. Her jealousy was also aggravated when Pastor Schrievs helped raise money for Rhonda, especially since Mary Jane felt neglected despite her longer church tenure.
Mary Jane’s tr ...
The investigation into Rhonda's shooting
Mary Jane has been convicted of murdering Rhonda, driven by jealousy over Rhonda's relationship with Pastor Schrievs. The court handed down a life sentence to Mary Jane for the crime, motivated by her desire to eliminate Rhonda as a rival for the Pastor's affection ...
Mary Jane convicted of murdering Rhonda out of jealousy over Pastor Schrievs
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