Murder Case and Mental Health Reflection

Aug 24, 2024

Notes from True Crime with Kendall Ray Lecture

Episode Introduction

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    • Recommended book: "The Woman in Me" by Britney Spears (5.5 hours long).
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Case Overview

  • Today's case: Murder of Yun Mi Hoy by her daughter, Isabella Guzman.
  • Local case from Colorado.

Trailer Announcement

  • Upcoming documentary trailer revealed, scheduled for release in 2023.
  • Focus on a case needing awareness and justice, with elements of corruption.

Case Details

Background on Isabella Guzman

  • Born in Aurora, Colorado, raised as an only child.
  • Parents divorced when she was 3; lived with her father at age 7.
  • Returned to live with mother and stepfather at 14.
    • Issues with behavior persisted.

Events Leading to the Murder

  • August 27, 2013: Fight between Isabella and her mother, culminating in Isabella spitting in her mother's face.
  • August 28, 2013: Yuni opens threatening email from Isabella stating "You will pay."
    • Yuni contacts police for help due to fear for her safety.

The Night of the Murder

  • August 29, 2013: Yuni comes home around 9:30 PM after work, brings dinner.
    • Notices absence of Isabella and feels anxious.
  • After a brief talk with her husband, Yuni goes upstairs to shower.
  • Ryan Hoy (her husband) hears thumping sounds and a scream from the bathroom.

The Murder Scene

  • Ryan finds the bathroom door locked and sees blood seeping underneath.
  • He calls 911, hearing Yuni's last word, "Jehovah."
  • Isabella emerges from the bathroom holding a bloody knife.
  • Yuni is found dead, having been stabbed 79 times (31 to the face, 48 to the neck/torso).

Police Response

  • Police initially think it’s a family disturbance.
  • A lookout for Isabella is issued; she is found 16 hours later in a parking garage covered in blood.

Interrogation of Isabella

  • Isabella believed she was someone else (Samantha Gonzalez) during interrogation.
  • She exhibited signs of schizophrenia, which was undiscovered at the time.
  • Investigators struggled to get a confession due to Isabella's delusions.

Court Proceedings

  • August 30, 2013: Isabella charged with first-degree murder.
  • Plea of Not Guilty by reason of insanity accepted without contest.
  • Isabella diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia; placed in a mental health facility.

Aftermath and Public Reaction

  • Isabella's case gained notoriety on TikTok, where viewers focused on her looks rather than the murder.
  • She has made petitions for release from the mental facility since 2020, claiming to have been abused at home.
  • Isabella asserts she is no longer a danger to herself or society, despite her past actions.

Final Thoughts

  • Discussion on the public's reaction to Isabella's case and the brutality of the crime.
  • Emphasis on the tragic nature of the situation, with a call for reflection on justice for Yuni and the complexities of mental health.

Merchandise Announcement

  • New hoodie available for pre-order, proceeds going to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
  • Pre-orders start shipping on December 6th.