https://simplecast.com It Was Simple: The Betty Broderick Murders These were murders that would turn any town on its head, but La Jolla, Calif? That rich jewel by the sea? Thirty years ago, a man and his new wife were murdered in their bed. That’s a long time for a double homicide to stay in the public eye and imagination, but these were no ordinary murders. The killer was the man’s first wife, Betty Broderick. Betty and Dan Broderick had looked like the perfect couple, right up until they weren’t. After four children and nearly 15 years of marriage, after the riches they both worked for were finally within reach, he walked out and began having an affair with his assistant. But divorce ended the Brodericks’ marriage only on paper. “Till death do you part” turned out to be the way it would ultimately end: bitter, savage and fatal. It took two criminal trials to send Betty Broderick to prison, and we’ll hear not only from her divorce attorney, but also from the criminal defense attorney who argued for her in two murder trials, plus the foreman of the jury that convicted her. So many things burned this case into memory: The principals were rich. The jealous killer was, for a change, the woman, not the man. It’s been the subject of TV movies and books. It’s resonated with two generations of Americans -- deserted wives, unhappy husbands. And it’s raised some questions about how divorce laws may contribute to what’s called the feminization of poverty. All of these issues remain critical and controversial in contemporary America today. Thirty years after five bullets, two coffins and one California prison inmate No. W42477, why can’t we look away from Betty Broderick? © 2020 Los Angeles Times en Tue, 9 Jun 2020 07:00:00 +0000 Wed, 4 Mar 2026 00:45:10 +0000 https://it-was-simple-the-betty-broderick-murders.simplecast.com It Was Simple: The Betty Broderick Murders https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/6db88aea-6541-4ee7-985b-065b1758b668/850be060-f9d6-4aab-b1af-500d47a23e5f/3000x3000/28f5be6e2a2fabe02a67db7b3e2120fc9cddaa9e020cedf7fd58085f8efee2c161f62d8cf15515b8e52d4889ac3ae0011973fcb15ed3db906a8681dd34cc7fb3.jpeg?aid=rss_feed https://it-was-simple-the-betty-broderick-murders.simplecast.com serial These were murders that would turn any town on its head, but La Jolla, Calif? That rich jewel by the sea? Thirty years ago, a man and his new wife were murdered in their bed. That’s a long time for a double homicide to stay in the public eye and imagination, but these were no ordinary murders. The killer was the man’s first wife, Betty Broderick. Betty and Dan Broderick had looked like the perfect couple, right up until they weren’t. After four children and nearly 15 years of marriage, after the riches they both worked for were finally within reach, he walked out and began having an affair with his assistant. But divorce ended the Brodericks’ marriage only on paper. “Till death do you part” turned out to be the way it would ultimately end: bitter, savage and fatal. It took two criminal trials to send Betty Broderick to prison, and we’ll hear not only from her divorce attorney, but also from the criminal defense attorney who argued for her in two murder trials, plus the foreman of the jury that convicted her. So many things burned this case into memory: The principals were rich. The jealous killer was, for a change, the woman, not the man. It’s been the subject of TV movies and books. It’s resonated with two generations of Americans -- deserted wives, unhappy husbands. And it’s raised some questions about how divorce laws may contribute to what’s called the feminization of poverty. All of these issues remain critical and controversial in contemporary America today. Thirty years after five bullets, two coffins and one California prison inmate No. W42477, why can’t we look away from Betty Broderick? Los Angeles Times false https://feeds.simplecast.com/ifZehEon Patt Morrison, Divorce, Betty Broderick, Murder, USA, True Crime, Marriage, Los Angeles Times, Dirty John, LA Times Los Angeles Times latimes.studios@gmail.com gid://art19-episode-locator/V0/MdoH9EXKxJT-TJJj4GNOeNpNBb2SwkBtXsb9AAitGqw This Has Haunted Me | 4 Episode 4: One of the most sensational moments in Betty Broderick’s second murder trial was straight out of a TV courtroom drama. As Betty’s defense attorney Jack Earley was asking about her kids’ welfare, he dropped a bombshell: He had witnesses ready to testify that Dan Broderick had talked about hiring a hitman to kill Betty. In the final episode of our podcast, we hear from one man Earley wanted to call to the stand, from the foreman of the jury at the trial, and from fans lobbying for Betty’s release.

]]> Tue, 9 Jun 2020 07:00:00 +0000 latimes.studios@gmail.com (Los Angeles Times) https://it-was-simple-the-betty-broderick-murders.simplecast.com/episodes/this-has-haunted-me-4-9wz7u80r Episode 4: One of the most sensational moments in Betty Broderick’s second murder trial was straight out of a TV courtroom drama. As Betty’s defense attorney Jack Earley was asking about her kids’ welfare, he dropped a bombshell: He had witnesses ready to testify that Dan Broderick had talked about hiring a hitman to kill Betty. In the final episode of our podcast, we hear from one man Earley wanted to call to the stand, from the foreman of the jury at the trial, and from fans lobbying for Betty’s release.

]]> This Has Haunted Me | 4 Los Angeles Times 00:45:56 Episode 4: One of the most sensational moments in Betty Broderick’s second murder trial was straight out of a TV courtroom drama. As Betty’s defense attorney Jack Earley was asking about her kids’ welfare, he dropped a bombshell: He had witnesses ready to testify that Dan Broderick had talked about hiring a hitman to kill Betty. In the final episode of our podcast, we hear from one man Earley wanted to call to the stand, from the foreman of the jury at the trial, and from fans lobbying for Betty’s release. Episode 4: One of the most sensational moments in Betty Broderick’s second murder trial was straight out of a TV courtroom drama. As Betty’s defense attorney Jack Earley was asking about her kids’ welfare, he dropped a bombshell: He had witnesses ready to testify that Dan Broderick had talked about hiring a hitman to kill Betty. In the final episode of our podcast, we hear from one man Earley wanted to call to the stand, from the foreman of the jury at the trial, and from fans lobbying for Betty’s release. courtroom drama, betty broderick, divorce, true crime, marriage, los angeles times, murder, jury, defense attorney, murder trial, jack earley, patt morrison, hitman, dirty john, usa, la times true full 4 1 gid://art19-episode-locator/V0/UaCaFjqbse8DWlhZKWnISWmx4W_Eu8nbLqdUNwApRCo You Got Me | 3 Episode 3: Dan Broderick and his new wife, Linda, were killed in their bed. In jail, Betty behaved like you'd imagine someone would be after an exorcism — a bit giddy, a bit manic. She wasn’t sorry, not for a moment. In the third episode of our podcast, we hear why Betty’s first murder trial ended in a hung jury, learn more about Linda Broderick from a close friend, and begin Betty’s second murder trial.

]]> Tue, 2 Jun 2020 07:30:00 +0000 latimes.studios@gmail.com (Los Angeles Times) https://it-was-simple-the-betty-broderick-murders.simplecast.com/episodes/you-got-me-3-6nfi3OPI Episode 3: Dan Broderick and his new wife, Linda, were killed in their bed. In jail, Betty behaved like you'd imagine someone would be after an exorcism — a bit giddy, a bit manic. She wasn’t sorry, not for a moment. In the third episode of our podcast, we hear why Betty’s first murder trial ended in a hung jury, learn more about Linda Broderick from a close friend, and begin Betty’s second murder trial.

]]> You Got Me | 3 Los Angeles Times 00:35:27 Episode 3: Dan Broderick and his new wife, Linda, were killed in their bed. In jail, Betty behaved like you'd imagine someone would be after an exorcism — a bit giddy, a bit manic. She wasn’t sorry, not for a moment. In the third episode of our podcast, we hear why Betty’s first murder trial ended in a hung jury, learn more about Linda Broderick from a close friend, and begin Betty’s second murder trial. Episode 3: Dan Broderick and his new wife, Linda, were killed in their bed. In jail, Betty behaved like you'd imagine someone would be after an exorcism — a bit giddy, a bit manic. She wasn’t sorry, not for a moment. In the third episode of our podcast, we hear why Betty’s first murder trial ended in a hung jury, learn more about Linda Broderick from a close friend, and begin Betty’s second murder trial. betty broderick, divorce, true crime, marriage, los angeles times, murder, murder trial, patt morrison, linda broderick, killing, trial, jail, dirty john, usa, la times false full 3 1 gid://art19-episode-locator/V0/7Ore2Vx9egj9zEe-XKkHZlcAkv3mAOhKiqYledsBBX4 Bed, Wed and Dead | 2 Episode 2: You could look at the story of the Brodericks as one beginning and ending in two marital beds. In 1969, it was Betty and Dan’s honeymoon bed. In 1989, it was Dan’s bed with Linda Kolkena, his new wife of not quite seven months. Betty — displaced, dispossessed Betty and her five-shot nickel-plated Smith & Wesson — saw to it that they would never live to share that bed again. In the second episode of our podcast, we chart the saga of betrayal, separation, divorce and murder.

]]> Tue, 26 May 2020 07:30:00 +0000 latimes.studios@gmail.com (Los Angeles Times) https://it-was-simple-the-betty-broderick-murders.simplecast.com/episodes/bed-wed-and-dead-2-iecIRrIC Episode 2: You could look at the story of the Brodericks as one beginning and ending in two marital beds. In 1969, it was Betty and Dan’s honeymoon bed. In 1989, it was Dan’s bed with Linda Kolkena, his new wife of not quite seven months. Betty — displaced, dispossessed Betty and her five-shot nickel-plated Smith & Wesson — saw to it that they would never live to share that bed again. In the second episode of our podcast, we chart the saga of betrayal, separation, divorce and murder.

]]> Bed, Wed and Dead | 2 Los Angeles Times 00:44:21 Episode 2: You could look at the story of the Brodericks as one beginning and ending in two marital beds. In 1969, it was Betty and Dan’s honeymoon bed. In 1989, it was Dan’s bed with Linda Kolkena, his new wife of not quite seven months. Betty — displaced, dispossessed Betty and her five-shot nickel-plated Smith & Wesson — saw to it that they would never live to share that bed again. In the second episode of our podcast, we chart the saga of betrayal, separation, divorce and murder. Episode 2: You could look at the story of the Brodericks as one beginning and ending in two marital beds. In 1969, it was Betty and Dan’s honeymoon bed. In 1989, it was Dan’s bed with Linda Kolkena, his new wife of not quite seven months. Betty — displaced, dispossessed Betty and her five-shot nickel-plated Smith & Wesson — saw to it that they would never live to share that bed again. In the second episode of our podcast, we chart the saga of betrayal, separation, divorce and murder. betty broderick, divorce, honeymoon, true crime, marriage, los angeles times, murder, linda kolkena, patt morrison, betrayal, dirty john, usa, smith & wesson, la times, separation false full 2 1 gid://art19-episode-locator/V0/AKwhu7Ei87tEN6IDnutYZrWi2_KvqhPdJlXE-s50TMg A Fatal Shore | 1 Episode 1: On her wedding day, April 12, 1969, the newly minted Betty Broderick looked romantically toward a future as enchanting as the lace veil around her shoulders. It was all supposed to be so perfect. But then again, aren’t all marriages, at the start? In the first episode of our podcast, we follow Dan and Betty Broderick from their wedding day through their lean student years of hot-plate dinners, the pressures and strains of her nine pregnancies and his two Ivy League degrees, and their ill-fated move to the shores of La Jolla, Calif.

]]> Tue, 26 May 2020 07:00:00 +0000 latimes.studios@gmail.com (Los Angeles Times) https://it-was-simple-the-betty-broderick-murders.simplecast.com/episodes/a-fatal-shore-1-MURzJc3K Episode 1: On her wedding day, April 12, 1969, the newly minted Betty Broderick looked romantically toward a future as enchanting as the lace veil around her shoulders. It was all supposed to be so perfect. But then again, aren’t all marriages, at the start? In the first episode of our podcast, we follow Dan and Betty Broderick from their wedding day through their lean student years of hot-plate dinners, the pressures and strains of her nine pregnancies and his two Ivy League degrees, and their ill-fated move to the shores of La Jolla, Calif.

]]> A Fatal Shore | 1 Los Angeles Times 00:27:21 Episode 1: On her wedding day, April 12, 1969, the newly minted Betty Broderick looked romantically toward a future as enchanting as the lace veil around her shoulders. It was all supposed to be so perfect. But then again, aren’t all marriages, at the start? In the first episode of our podcast, we follow Dan and Betty Broderick from their wedding day through their lean student years of hot-plate dinners, the pressures and strains of her nine pregnancies and his two Ivy League degrees, and their ill-fated move to the shores of La Jolla, Calif. Episode 1: On her wedding day, April 12, 1969, the newly minted Betty Broderick looked romantically toward a future as enchanting as the lace veil around her shoulders. It was all supposed to be so perfect. But then again, aren’t all marriages, at the start? In the first episode of our podcast, we follow Dan and Betty Broderick from their wedding day through their lean student years of hot-plate dinners, the pressures and strains of her nine pregnancies and his two Ivy League degrees, and their ill-fated move to the shores of La Jolla, Calif. california, betty broderick, wedding, divorce, true crime, marriage, los angeles times, murder, la jolla, patt morrison, dirty john, usa, 1969, la times false full 1 1 gid://art19-episode-locator/V0/-5Rdj6xUtA0lgEbaUIKTYbUdBHcJqbABGSUQ1zi7oOw Introducing "It Was Simple: The Betty Broderick Murders" Thirty years ago, a man and his new wife were murdered in their bed. That’s a long time for a double homicide to stay in the public eye and imagination, but these were no ordinary murders. The killer was the man’s first wife, Betty Broderick. Betty and Dan Broderick had looked like the perfect couple, right up until they weren’t. After four children and nearly 15 years of marriage, after the riches they both worked for were finally within reach, he walked out and began having an affair with his assistant. But divorce ended the Brodericks’ marriage only on paper. “Till death do you part” turned out to be the way it would ultimately end: bitter, savage and fatal. Thirty years after five bullets, two coffins and one California prison inmate No. W42477, why can’t we look away from Betty Broderick?

Premiering May 26th, 2020.


]]> Tue, 19 May 2020 22:51:01 +0000 latimes.studios@gmail.com (Los Angeles Times) https://it-was-simple-the-betty-broderick-murders.simplecast.com/episodes/introducing-it-was-simple-the-betty-broderick-murders-BH51uJW7 Thirty years ago, a man and his new wife were murdered in their bed. That’s a long time for a double homicide to stay in the public eye and imagination, but these were no ordinary murders. The killer was the man’s first wife, Betty Broderick. Betty and Dan Broderick had looked like the perfect couple, right up until they weren’t. After four children and nearly 15 years of marriage, after the riches they both worked for were finally within reach, he walked out and began having an affair with his assistant. But divorce ended the Brodericks’ marriage only on paper. “Till death do you part” turned out to be the way it would ultimately end: bitter, savage and fatal. Thirty years after five bullets, two coffins and one California prison inmate No. W42477, why can’t we look away from Betty Broderick?

Premiering May 26th, 2020.


]]> Introducing "It Was Simple: The Betty Broderick Murders" Los Angeles Times 00:02:45 It Was Simple: The Betty Broderick Murders premieres on May 26th. It Was Simple: The Betty Broderick Murders premieres on May 26th. betty broderick, divorce, true crime, marriage, los angeles times, murder, patt morrison, dirty john, usa, la times false trailer 1