Sunset Stories with Tanya Manley

Episode 10 Healing Reflections for a Grieving Mom’s Heart pt 3

Back by popular demand we recap and wrap up the last chapters of this book Healing Reflections from a grieving mom's heart by Linda Triplett. We talk about how much this book was a gamechanger in my grief journey. The tools Linda gives in this book really changed my way of coping with the loss of my son. Linda is in year 25 of her grief journey after losing her son Adam at age 23 in a plane crash. She guides us through the different stages of grief and lets us know that no matter what it is ok how and when we grieve. I found it gave me hope while I was in the darkest days that if she could find joy, happiness and peace again so could I. Linda wrote this book and published her journals to Adam so others would not feel alone. Thank you, Linda, for sharing such a personal time with us so that it may be tools for others to begin to heal. 

The Life, Legacy and Loss of CJ Wickham

Family outraged at plea deal after son mauled to death by dogs! In late 2020, Curtis Whickham (CJ) was mauled to death by three pit bulls owned Benjamin Ryan Spence. Now, Whickham’s family is outraged after Spence is given a plea deal to lower his charge of murder to second degree manslaughter.
In late 2020, Curtis Wickham Jr. was mauled to death by three pit bulls owned Benjamin Ryan Spence. Now, Wickham’s family is outraged after Spence is given a plea deal to lower his charge of murder to second degree manslaughter. At the time of attack Spence was on felony probation for burglary, attack on police officer and unlawfully carrying a weapon.
In October, 2020, witnesses said Curtis Wickham Jr. went to Spence’s home to get his phone. At the time, Spence was dating Champaign Walker, and Wickham was Walker’s ex-boyfriend.
Walker said to officers on scene that Wickham and Spence got into an argument before the three dogs attacked him. On the scene, Walker said she recalled Spence pointing the dogs to Wickham before the attack and that Spence did not render aid or attempted to call the dogs off Wickham.
She also said she saw Spence throw a TV at Wickham as he was on the ground after the dog attack.
A second witness told officers on scene that they recalled Spence saying “sick ‘em” to his dogs before the attack.
An affidavit also said that Spence sent Wickham a threatening text saying he would “stab him in the face,” previous to the killing.
Police found Wickham on scene barely responsive with multiple lacerations. He was transported to the hospital and later pronounced dead.
For the incident, Benjamin Ryan Spence was arrested on second degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon in Dec. of 2020.
But since then, both witnesses have retracted their accounts of the incident
Now, two and and years later, April 2022, Spence was convicted of 2nd degree man slaughter and sentenced to 4 years in prison - minus time served. He was on federal probation at the time of the attack for burglary, assault on a police officer and unlawfully possessing a
Assistant District Attorney Erik Grayless said this was because, he doesn’t believe they had a strong enough case to get a jury to convict Spence of murder.
“We thought that there was a possibility that the jury could give less than murder - we wanted to secure a homicide conviction,’ said Grayless.
Grayless was worried of the jury finding Spence completely not guilty and wanted to do his best to ensure Wickham’s family receives justice, rather than risk Spence seeing no time at all.
Wickham’s family however, is outraged.
“We felt like no justice what so ever was served in court,” said Wayne Sanders, Curtis Jr.’s uncle.
Grayless said the plea deal was discussed with Wickham’s family and was agreed upon.
But the family said that’s not true. They said they spoke with Grayless, but told him they full heartedly wanted a trial by jury.
Wickham’s family also said they weren’t notified or in attendance for the Allan hearing, which is a hearing where both parties are usually present to exchange discovery of the crime.
The family believes a jury would have convicted Spence and feels the justice system has failed them.
“We’re really upset with the DA - we’re really upset with the judge,” Sanders said. “CJ [Curtis Jr.] got not justice out of this what so ever - and we’re appalled by all this.”
Sander’s continued, “This guy stood for 13 to 15 minutes and watched his dogs eat CJ alive - while he [Curtis Jr.] screamed and yelled.”
“Nobody deserves to be taken out that way,” Sanders said. “The guy’s gonna be out in a few years - do you really think he’s learned his lesson? He’s a murderer. He murdered CJ. Our hearts & prayers go out to the family. This was not justice!

Stephanie Maldonado The Fight Through ALS

This week we are excited to have Stephanie Maldanado on Sunset Stories as she talks about her grief journey and building her company Heart Spring Organizing to honor her mom Norma after losing her to ALS.  I have had a front row seat for a few years as she has built her company and watching her grow as a woman in grief. I watched her turn her pain into purpose! She talks about being a caregiver at a young age to her mother and the effects of that. Her story is so INSPIRING to me, and I hope it is to you as well! 

Episode #7 Healing Reflections for a Grieving Mom’s Heart (part 2)

In episode 7 we are back with grief author Linda Triplett to dive into chapters 8 -14 of this amazing book. Linda continues to share with us her 26-year grief journey after losing her son Adam at just 23 in a plane crash. In this episode we cover:
Finding Support 
Grief's physical impact on our body
How dads grieve differently
Allowing our other children to grieve 
What do we do with our loved ones belongings
Getting the words out
Responding to the triggers
 
 
 

Episode #6 About the podcaster

A little background on me and why I decided to start this podcast. I will talk about things you will expect to hear in these stories as well tell some of my own truths. They will not all be about grief, there will be women who have inspired and uplifted me, there will be stories about community over competition, stories of failures followed by success. Most of all there will be journeys of love, persistence & strength to let you know whatever you are going through you are NOT alone! We are just here to help & heal! 

Episode 5 Healing Reflections for a Grieving Mom’s Herart

Linda Triplett Author of " Healing reflections for a grieving mom's heart" joins is in Episode 5 to dive into her book that helped me so much. She is a mom, grandma, and great grandma. She has a daughter Katrina that lives near her, and a son Adam.that lives in Heaven.When she began my journey of grief, she found it to be a lonely and misunderstood place to be in.Nobody teaches us what to do or how long will it last, or if there any hope to live again.without the debilitating heartache that consumes us.She has always been a caregiver and empathizes with the hurting. As she walked through her grief journeyand learning how to survive, she knew she had to let other moms and dads, know what they aregoing through is what others go through too. They aren’t crazy, someone understands, theyaren’t alone, and most of all you won’t always be where you are now, there is hope. She wrote my book as kind of a “here’s what will happen” so that there aren’t the surprises that Iwent through. Just knowing that is a huge relief.We pray that my book will comfort and bring peace to your hurting heart.

A Father’s Fight against Fentanyl

David shares his grief journey and battle against fentanyl after losing his son William at only 25 years old to this deadly drug. If you have children in school, you don't want to miss this episode.  Fentanyl is the # 1 cause of death in our country in ages 18 to 46 and these numbers are shocking! 

Episode 3 Heartbreak to Heartbeat

An incredible story of one mother's journey of heartbreak and hope.