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Lifelines

Fred’s daughters share a trove of correspondence, and wrestle with unanswered questions about Jeanne’s death.
Time: 48:51
Fred’s daughters share a trove of correspondence, and wrestle with unanswered questions about Jeanne’s death. The fight for Fred’s release continues. And a trip to Bird Rock brings resolution, at last.
This episode comes out for free on 12/29 and is available now for Pushkin+ subscribers.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Episode ID: 1000545731763
GUID: b3a78b7f-44ad-4be5-a579-4671d60cab5c
Release Date: 12/29/2021, 5:25:00 AM

Description

Lost Hills investigates the dark side of Malibu, California. Beneath a seductive facade, this city of billionaires, celebrities, and surf bums is hiding something menacing.
Season 2 takes place in the late 70s and early ‘80s, as Malibu was changing from a low-profile beach town into a celebrity haven, full of new money and hard drugs. When a Malibu woman and her son mysteriously drowned, her husband was arrested for their murders—and ultimately convicted. But to this day, many people—including the victim's family—claim he’s innocent.
And listen back to season 1, which chronicled the horrifying story of a man killed in a Malibu campground while sleeping beside his young daughters—and exposed a law-enforcement coverup. 
Hosted by Dana Goodyear (The New Yorker) and produced by Western Sound and Pushkin Industries. Show artwork: For a Kid, 2021, copyright Francesca Gabbiani.
Follow us @losthillspod on Twitter and Instagram for a deeper dive into the stories.

Apple Podcasts: Customer Reviews

Good story, sone bad audio

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isbell
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2021-12-28
Archival recordings almost unintelligible.

Ad breaks are too long and Aggressive

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msr0
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2021-12-28
Other podcasts managed to have ads that don’t totally take you out of the story and irritate you so I know there is a way to incorporate ads. It’s too bad because, I was interested in the story.

Pushkin Subscription?

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Rjhull258
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2021-12-27
Nope. Enjoyed it until I could listen no more. I’ll endure the ads elsewhere.

Well done but slow paced

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5345768
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2021-12-27
Compared to Crime Junkie or Wondery offerings, I found this to be an in depth exposé. That may or may not be to your liking. I prefer faster paced podcasts. I also did not like the guest, Cece. Perhaps she was added for context as to Malibu’s general population.

subscription for last episodes?

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presummer
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2021-12-26
Great podcast but I am so turned off by the new model of requiring a paid subscription to hear the last few episodes. I had no idea this was the case when I was enjoying listening to the first seven episodes, with the ads. Ugh. I'd never played a Pushkin podcast before and plan never to try Pushkin again.

Love it

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Little Sissy92
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2021-12-26
I really like the way the story is presented. Can’t wait for the next episode. I find it very compelling. And I DO know who Ali McGraw is. Come on people! Love means never having to say you’re sorry. :-)

Found this be accident

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KindaKrazy
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2021-12-25
Excellent story telling, suspense and lies and people dropping the ball.

Excellent.

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Fro-Joseph K.
 – 
2021-12-25
Five stars. Clear concise and extremely well written. Thank you.

Very well done

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TKA-91362
 – 
2021-12-25
I found this to be a compelling narrative. I kept wanting more. The production was also very good. Looking forward to the next one, and may go back to listen to season 1

Subscription?

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bullomar
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2021-12-24
This subscribing stuff is too much! I love podcasts but getting really turned off lately with subscriptions. We listen to the ads, isn’t that enough?

Final episodes are subscription.

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aj mucker
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2021-12-24
There is Plenty of competition for podcast stories. Bye

Amazing story telling

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tate.serg
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2021-12-23
I’m really enjoying listening to you! Your voice and story retelling is on point! So happy I found you. I was listening to stolen lives podcast and you were on her latest teaser episode! Anyway, I’m looking forward to more!!!

Very well done

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Bubsgoodman
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2021-12-23
I think this story was presented thoughtfully and with compassion to all involved, without sacrificing what appears to be the absolute truth (I cheered in the final episode when the host gives her opinion, which is supported by abundant evidence).

✔️

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TheCajunTexan
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2021-12-23
It’s good but the episodes are always unavailable. It’s frustrating.

Subscription ?!?

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julianarosew
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2021-12-22
This is new emerging format of subscribing to hear the last few episodes is ridiculous ! Don’t bother listening to an otherwise good podcast . What is the point if you have to pay for listen to content .

Disappointed!! Discussed!!

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MaverickAbundance
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2021-12-22
I enjoyed listening to the facts of this case. When you as a journalist, clearly gained access to these private interviews as an impartial reporter of the facts. Broke the cardinal rule of being impartial stated you believe he is guilty. You can’t be trusted. Based on everything from your entire podcast. I have reasonable doubt. You crossed the line and can’t be trusted.

Pretty good

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ekl1454
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2021-12-22
Good podcast, though the historical recordings are used a little too heavily for my taste. They are very hard to hear and just so dry. Also, I wish they would have explained who Ali Macgraw is before using her over and over as an avatar for the Malibu rich & famous. I had no idea who she was before looking her up.

Nope.

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NotSoSalty
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2021-12-22
I have to assume you are a liar when you described sgt Wright as a bow hunter and a vegan. And gave no explanation. That makes no sense.

Good substance poor quality

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aud___pod
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2021-12-20
Episodes cut off constantly. Be prepared to restart your app about 3x per episode.

RIVETING! Excellent Podcast!

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JenniferPerie
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2021-12-20
I would give this 10 stars if I could. Immersive, intriguing, & I’m compulsively listening over & over to every word, every detail. Back then, in Santa Barbara, I recall my parents (& the entire town) feeling the chill of Verna & Douglas’s horrible deaths. Jean’s death too. THIS is THE CASE which has long haunted me with its darkness. I hope Dana Goodyear, a talented writer, will also publish a New Yorker article - a long one. The production’s sound - the music, her interviews, archival interviews, all interspersed with ocean waves - is first rate. I’ve gone on to read & study the entire appeal- which was rigorously upheld, but with an interesting dissent. I’m so eager to learn more about this case which everyone here was talking about, & which I have always needed to understand. The latest episode, in which John laments the loss of Dougie, his childhood friend, will break your heart.

Good Podcast Effort, but Unsavory Fred…

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MListens
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2021-12-20
Enjoy the host’s voice. Clear and easy to hear. Some recordings were difficult to follow or understand, because of poor recording quality. Lost me on these. Interesting to hear about Malibu. Eventually, I found that I was put off by the behavior and character of many of the people involved in this story. Difficult to empathize with the hedonistic, small, and fraudulent behavior in adults, especially adults who are parents.

6 episodes in and suddenly it requires a subscription?!

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eddieG9999
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2021-12-20
I’m 6 episodes in and suddenly I now have to subscribe? There’s a lot of competition for subscription dollars. This show is not worth it. I’d rather just have ad breaks.

Lost hills

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harperhudson 2
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2021-12-19
Website would not allow feedback
Fred obviously guilty
Had to search for a way to express a viewpoint

Worst podcast of the year?

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papakila
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2021-12-19
If it wasn’t absolutely clear the host had made up her mind at the beginning the meandering threadless narrative might be easier to take. As it is she colors everything with her own opinions as if she doesn’t trust the listener to make up their own mind. If you are looking for journalism, this ain’t it.

More please

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Texas_Tess
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2021-12-19
Love the stories and the reporting. Keep going!

Running in circles with no end

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zozzybee
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2021-12-18
This is one of the most irritating series I’ve listened to.
There is absolutely no direction in her story telling and too many dramatic personal statements with no basis.
Story lines that are crammed in there and do not help the story and never conclude to anything. Her narration is horrid and packed with fluff. Repeated statements in every episode.
Turned a lackluster story into the most dragged out, dramatic piece of crap just to create more episodes. I’m pretty sure I could have done a better job on this investigative story and I’m definitely not a journalist.
Do not waste your time. Please. Save your hours.
Honestly we only toughed through it on our drive from LA to the Bay Area.
I wish I had never downloaded them.

Too slow

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Kewaunee Gal
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2021-12-18
I’m into the third episode and there is not enough of a moving plot line to keep my interest.

Great Storytelling

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ZooskSucksABQAnnie
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2021-12-17
She really does her research, and the first two seasons are nicely done. If you don’t like the adds, you can fast forward by hitting the 30 second button a few times.

Just bad and boring

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Chavrifybjeanfh
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2021-12-17
From a reporter like that I expected way more. Besides stretching out the episodes endlessly with repetitive statements just to get to more episodes, the reporter is just trying to confirm what she thinks and make these bigger cases than they are. Confirmation bias through and through. Even if she doesn’t get the opinion she’s looking for to confirm her narrative, she’ll say: but it could be. I’m mortified that she writes for the New Yorker.
The artificial stretching of episodes just makes it boring on top of everything.

Well done!

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hazelbnr
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2021-12-16
Love the description of Malibu back in that day. The situation is compellingly told. The negative reviews are hilariously sad airings of pet peeves to psychosis. Had to say something. Scary.

Aimless Story

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DrWuu
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2021-12-16
With too many musical interludes. Seems also to suffer a bit from Stockholm syndrome. The bad guy is really a pretty nice guy you see.

Lost Hills

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mikekeiser
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2021-12-16
Too many story lines. No conclusion. Too many episodes.

Ads

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Millionth Maddow Fan
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2021-12-16
Gah. The ads. What can I say?
Hard to listen.

Too many ads

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Southiekane
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2021-12-15
Great podcast but the ads are long and irritating.

Pushkin’s Pushing It

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sanseione
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2021-12-15
Podcast was ok but not good enough to listen to annoying ads and the push to subscribe or buy more. Many podcasts, including this one, seem to be following the pattern of cable tv, YouTube and other media. First provide good free content. Then gradually ad more advertising while giving you an ad out by paying for what was once free. Then gradually add ads again while offering a even more premium totally ad free service for more money. I’m hopping off this train.

Addicting!!

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Mrs_alicia_aguilar
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2021-12-15
This was an amazing find! A must listen for sure

Expertly researched, beautifully told

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tdsfgtihse458293
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2021-12-15
Not sure you can ask more of an investigative podcast. The right people are interviewed with high skill, opposing views are considered, and the spotlight always sits on the victims and the betterment of law enforcement. Well done. Great listen.

Wonderful! Tell Mitrice’s story next

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AuthorRJK
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2021-12-15
Just finished the first season and I loved it! But I kept thinking that I remembered the Lost Hills sheriff dept for some reason… it was the Mitrice Richardson story! I would loooove to hear you tell that story in full detail.

Intriguing stories in a beautiful place

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Tot1956
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2021-12-15
I love the Lost Hills series! Enveloping stories in the stunning and often mysterious setting of the Malibu Hills. I love that a lot of the actual people involved are interviewed-hearing their voices brings the story to life. My favorite podcast right now! Hoping for a season 3!

Second season is not good reporting

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703Sr
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2021-12-15
When I constantly hear “allegedly” only to one side of the story even though all of it should be alleged….you can definitely tell this isn’t neutral reporting on a story giving all sides and letting the person listening develop an opinion- this is “my opinion is the same as one side of the people and you should feel the same way.” I wish reporting was giving all the facts in a neutral way and at the end can give an opinion but through this whole thing it is very apparent what she feels.

Engaging and Suspenseful, very well executed.

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CountZero123
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2021-12-15
I am puzzled by some of the negative reviews I’ve read about these podcasts. I guess it’s not for everyone, and some have a short attention span. I’m guessing that many many hours went into the research and interviews, and appreciate the detail and various viewpoints on “who, what, why, how”, etc. I always look forward to the next episode. Keep up the good work, Dana. Those who can’t handle the ads, why not become a subscriber? Otherwise, stop whining. If a minute or two of ads is that painful to you… well, I’ll stop there or I’ll say something I may regret.

I’m confused

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boogerbombjamesy
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2021-12-15
Is there an episode 6 in season 2? Am I just caught up?

The ads…..

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Magalla704
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2021-12-14
I want to like this podcast but the ads are beyond annoying….looking at you Camelback.

Awesome storytelling

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tinytells
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2021-12-14
Both seasons are excellent- she does a great job immersing you in time and place. I tend to want to look up pictures of people if I’m really sucked into a true story, but I also found myself looking up pictures of Malibu when I listened to this. She gets interesting people who were there to help tell the story and gives them free reign to speculate but doesn’t give over narrative control to them- she keeps the story tracking with her own narration. I would like earlier access to the rest of S2 and the ad is a bit confusing as to what you get when you sign up.

Podcast good, ads Terrible

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5000fraz
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2021-12-13
Seriously. The ads almost make me stop listening. Please get better less annoying ads.

Interruptions

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Blujavelin
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2021-12-13
Too many ads. If I hear Hammer Made once that’s enough. I don’t enjoy the story when it has so many interruptions and repetitive ads. I enjoyed season 1 a lot but Season 2 is to commercial.

Karens and ‘True’ Crime is a better Title.

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Ajbuda
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2021-12-13
Yeah. Bout sums it up. Could have been well done, but the incessant use of CeCe and he manic quack pot theories kill it. How she didn’t grasp that the real story is just episode 1 and episode 8 completely illustrates how clueless Karen, I mean the narrator is. It gets even worse when the clueless host then states she thinks Route is nuts. Then she says there is no way he could do it bc what would the logic be? So is he crazy, or logical? Then Questions if he is violent enough when has multiple crazy violent outbursts in court to a judge. This woman’s work and logic is funny. She has zero logical thought ability. Also, why does CeCe keep insisting she’s a ‘hot blonde?’ That chick looks like a busted Cruella Deville with facial skin pulled so tight it’s paper thin. Troublesome, anti social, repeatedly going around the legal ways to buy weapons he can’t legally possess. But using one of those guns somehow doesn’t make sense? This girl does not make the genre look good. Honestly I am questioning the credibility AND her basic intelligence. “If only I could get in Loss Hills station, I could figure all this out.” Yeah how stupid can she sound. After she reads the grand jury, it makes way more than sense. Yet she refuses to look at anything that makes sense just to make ridiculous claims with no basis. She should not be proud of this work. Psychiatrist who SHE finds tells her him doing this makes total sense. Not good enough for her. It just makes no sense. Omg. The last 15 minutes of episode 7 illustrates how unintelligent this lady is. She spent 7 episodes talking about how the cops are wrong, persecuting an innocent mentally disturbed person. Then, she finally realizes she is absolutely wrong, and tries to spin it as “shame on the cops for not figuring it out faster.” This lady is a trash journalist.

Starts well, but loses momentum

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Buster Jarvis
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2021-12-13
The longer this goes on, the more boring it gets. The “he said, she said” of seemingly every single resident of a certain age in Malibu speculating on what may or may not have happened or have been going through the minds of Fred and his dead wives becomes interminable. Didn’t finish, don’t care anymore. Needs fewer episodes. Keep the narrative moving.

Ads are annoying

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Jennifer in Nyc
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2021-12-13
Enjoy listening but the ads are beyond aggravating

Boring!! Could sum up in 5 min

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okfredman
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2021-12-12
Honestly, wasted a lot of time with this podcast. Recommend you don’t do the same. There’s so real story here that is exciting or compelling…