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Happy Face
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Description
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.
24 Episodes
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5Sometimes 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 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee 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 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee 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 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee 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.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee 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.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.LaurenBrightPacheco.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.comSee 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.comSee 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: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.comSee 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.comSee 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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 Lauren Bright Pacheco: www.LaurenBrightPacheco.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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@realcrimeprofile @jimclemente - Melissa, you should reach out to Jim. He’s former FBI worked in the BAU studying the behaviour of serial killers. Your fear of dna and being your dad. I’m sure Jim could give you insight on this and your dad. Not sure if you read these comments. I’m sure he’d love to have you on his podcast real crime profile.
fascinating but I don't know if I can continue due to the bleak and depressing music.
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Why are we using the word r******d in 2025? I know it comes from a book and not the podcaster themselves, but shouldn't there be a censor/trigger warning? 5m mark.
I know her story is true. But.... I also wonder how much of her story is exaggerated? To sort of help cash in. Even her father wrote in his letters that she knows some of the things she says aren't true. And where are her siblings? If all is so bad, why aren't they in the forefront also?
I can't listen to this. because the background music is so distracting..
33:26 Mellisa ready the letter. ugh chest clench! this is deep I think this is the most shook I've ever felt from a podcast. very raw. thank you for being vulnerable. there is something magical about a person sharing their souls their pain and emotion raw and uncut it has the ability to connect us as people. You're doing a good thing Mellisa.
Who is the self-proclaimed stoner yogi in this podcast? He's great.
so a 30 minute podcast with 5+ minutes of ads. why bother? there are hours long podcasts with less ads.
way to many ads. stopped listening 2 episodes in season 2.more ad than story
I don’t think I can handle the loud “disruption” of these ads😤
OMG- Diane’s brother has a personality disorder as well. There is something very odd about how he talks, and how he keeps saying that Becky “just WON’T listen!” I wonder what their parents were like
Becky could get her DNA analyzed
A sociopath is a result of environment. A psychopath is born. Both have very similar traits, both can be very dangerous and both can be serial killers. Both also have Narcissistic personality disorders- though Narcissits are not necessarily sociopaths or psychopaths, ALL sociopaths and psychopaths are Narcissists. There is a test that is used to predict the level of psychopathy called the Hare Psychopathy checklist... to be considered a psychopath in both America a person would have to have a score of 30 out of 40. In the UK it is 25 out of 40. However, serial killers usually score >35. Many people are psychopaths, but blend into society fairly well: they often gravitate toward jobs that give them power- they are called “successful psychopaths” and are no danger to society, they just dont make very empathetic friends! Anyone who scores >35 on the Hare scale WILL kill someone , if they haven’t already. Those high-score individuals are extremely manipulative and very, very dangerous...
he's a manipulative piece of shit, abusing you with letters. send the shit back, every letter he writes, send it all back, write him out of your life. and move on. if you need to, get some plastic surgery done so you don't look like him. whatever it takes. girl, get on with cutting this cancer out of your life.
Sad that Melissa is so pessimistic about life, the goodness in the world, the goodness in people and her seeming bitterness or resentment. sad that no one helped her overcome this to get to the point Don is in his healing.
Don is such a positive guy. makes you want to root for him, the rest of his life to be nothing short of blessings overflowing his plate, miracle after miracle, all the good things. such an outstanding person.
I'm done with this podcast. another disordered eating advertisement with no time to fast forward and the shitty music...not worth it
content warning: disordered eating in the advertisements. fucking gross