Denise Didn't Come Home | 6. A Word That Starts With C
Smoke Screen: The Greatest Scam Ever Written
Key Insights
Why did Karen Velasca reach out to Richard Cottingham?
Karen sought answers about her sister Denise's murder, believing Cottingham had confessed to the crime.
What was Karen's initial reaction to Richard Cottingham's confession?
Karen found the confession lacking important details and sought the truth about Denise's disappearance and death.
How did Karen feel about her correspondence with Richard Cottingham?
Karen felt a mix of bravery and uncertainty, but was determined to uncover the truth about her sister's murder.
What was Richard Cottingham's initial response to Karen's emails?
Cottingham apologized for the delay in responding and expressed difficulty in knowing what to say.
What vivid memory did Richard Cottingham share about Denise?
Cottingham recalled talking to Denise for over four hours, noting her calmness and intelligence, though she seemed naive.
How did Karen react to Richard Cottingham's description of Denise?
Karen was grateful for any details and expressed readiness to face the truth about her sister's fate.
What was Karen's theory about the car she saw the night Denise died?
Karen believed she saw Cottingham in a blue car, which she later identified as a late 60s Buick sedan.
How did Karen feel after accepting Richard Cottingham as Denise's killer?
Karen felt a sense of closure and peace, though she struggled with the reality of her sister's murder.
What significant event happened in Karen's life after she accepted Cottingham's confession?
Karen's stepson Wyatt died unexpectedly, which deeply affected her and led to a period of emotional withdrawal.
How did Karen reconcile her feelings towards Richard Cottingham?
Karen felt compelled to forgive Cottingham for her own peace of mind, despite his heinous crimes.
What was Karen's final message to Richard Cottingham?
Karen expressed forgiveness and sought to understand if Cottingham ever realized the wrongness of his actions.
What health crisis did Karen face after her correspondence with Cottingham?
Karen was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma cancer, which significantly impacted her health and energy.
How did Karen's health decline affect her work on the podcast?
Karen's health deteriorated to the point where she could no longer contribute regularly, and she eventually passed away.
What was Karen's perspective on closure regarding Denise's case?
Karen believed there was no true closure, but she found peace in knowing the truth and being able to grieve without fear.
Chapters
- Karen wrote to Richard Cottingham after reading his confession.
- She questions his motives and the truthfulness of his confession.
- Karen feels a mix of bravery and uncertainty in her pursuit of the truth.
Shownotes Transcript