To Patrick Hinds, Gillian Pensavalle, and Steve Tipton of the True Crime Obsessed Podcast:

The following letter was originally written 10/23/23 on behalf of myself, a TCO listener from the very beginning and years-long Patreon supporter at the $20 level, as a Facebook post voicing my own concerns regarding recent events and business practices related to TCO. What followed is the continued response of countless others wanting to add their voices, many expressing additional concerns. I began adding their names to my post but the task quickly became overwhelming.

You will find some of those names listed within the body of this open letter, with additional signatures below.

Read their names. Read the brief explanations some included. One shared with me that they supported you while homeless for a time. Another went into debt to see you. People trusted you were the “fam” you lead us to believe.

Please address our concerns below with answers. We expect a direct response.

The original letter:

I would like to know why the Obsessed Fest live show was, indeed, “The Jinx” despite being explicitly told by both Patrick and Gillian during promotion of the summer live shows that the the OF live show would NOT be “The Jinx.” I quote:

Patrick: “If you’re wondering if we’re doing the same live show for Obsessed Fest, the answer is no. Two separate shows.”

Gillian: “That’s right.”

Patrick: “Don’t skip us on the road cause you think you’re gonna see it at Obsessed Fest. No. The Jinx Live covered by Gillian Pensavalle and me of True Crime Obsessed Podcast, you can only see in this one iterashe [sic]. So get out there and see us.”

Gillian: “Yeah, we should figure out what we’re doing for Obsessed Fest, huh?”

Patrick: “I know, it’s too overwhelming. I can’t think about it.”

Doing “The Jinx” again speaks to your complete lack of concern for and focus on the fan experience. The fans you have cultivated as “fam.” This weekend’s show and blatant misrepresentation of OF live show content was, at the very least, an insult to the very people who have made your success possible.

As a TCO listener from the very start of the podcast and thus a follower of Patrick and Gillian’s journey, I am disappointed by the noticeable difference in quality of TCO content this past year including the show this past weekend. But far more than that, as a longtime supporter I am appalled by the verified reports of ongoing toxic behaviors ranging from petty to harmful with zero accountability and recourse. You both have cultivated and built up a very large fan base by leading us to believe you hold yourselves accountable to higher standards than proven by your actions.

I truly hope those who were harassed and defrauded are pursuing recourse. For those who’ve been traumatized through a toxic workplace, I hope you’re getting support.

I’m glad there are people who had a good experience at OF. And while I know there are people who still enjoy TCO, the fact that there’s a group of people unharmed and seemingly unaffected/unaware of toxic issues does not in any way minimize the experiences of those who have suffered or now feel differently.

What a spectacularly disappointing display of exactly what TCO purports to be against. Do better.

Sincerely,

Dianne Dawson - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Additional former supporters:

Jaryd Armstrong - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Monique Ercolini Causley - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Malyssa Mullins-Barden - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Nicole Whiteside Heimbigner - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Kerri Baggesen - A former Lady Pate at the $5/20

Terrell Moore Bennett - A former Lady Pate at the $5/10 (switched to ITN & Grab Bag)

Kirsten Brooks-Lueder Peter - A former Lady Pate at the $10

Cristina Bailey - A former Lady Pates at a custom amount ($100/month)/$10

Nicole Calvitti Addington - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Cameron Clark Jones - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Miranda Law - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Alyshia Tallman - A former Lady Pate at the $10

Andrea Carter - A former Lady Pate at the $7

Carolyn Roberts - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Hillary Cashmer - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Beckie Bowers - A former Lady Pate at the $20 and a premium. I switched to Ellyn and Rabia and Grab Bag and upped my ITN

Elise Marie - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Kathy Gribble - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Crystal Nicole - A former Lady Pate at $5. I also have been a listener since 2016 when this podcast began and I’m truly disappointed and feel defrauded.

Danielle O'Connor - A former Lady Pate at the $10

Amanda Weir - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Julie McArthur Forgeron - A former Lady Pate at the $10 from the beginning

Leslie Stewart - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Heidi Christensen - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Rebekah Callahan Smith - Top Tier $1100 OF22 ticket holder denied Top Tier benefits

Niki Ball and Aaron Ball - Former Lady Pate at the $20

Cristan Howard - A former Lady Pate

at the $5

Ariadne Hamilton - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Leslie Jacobs - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Cassandra DuFay Chando - A former Lady Pate at the $10. Canceled and upgraded my existing Patreon to ITN to hallelujah whatsittoya tier

Kimberly Royal - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Tabitha Albright - Former Lady Pate at the $5. Listener of TCO since 2016. No more. Returned Patrick’s audiobook and got rid of TCO merchandise.

Annie Beeson - A former Lady Pate at the $20 for 2+ years

Rebekka Reilly - A former subscriber at $20 tier

Mindi Mae - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Michele King - A former Lady Pate at the $10, listening since 2018

Amy Watson - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Kyle Goedert - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Amanda Sollenne - A former Lady Pate at the $10

Jacklyn Rojas - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Mary Elizabeth - A former Lady Pate

Erin Nicole Huffman-Bigham - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Cat Geronimo - A former Lady Pate at the $5. Switched that $5 to Grab Bag Collab and added ITN as well.

Mandi Lowe - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Theresa Scheidt - A former Lady Pate at the $10

Lisa Hilbert - A former Lady Pate at the $7

Shannon Parker Havenhill - A former Pate at $20. Also an OG fan as I found TCO through CWO and P&S on HGTV&me.

Ashley Miller - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Ashley Rhoad - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Lori LaClair - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Heather Rottenberger- A former Lady Pate at the $20

Emily Shamburg Green - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Hilary Frost Forrester - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Jami Beans - A former Lady Pate at the $20 since the beginning and during homelessness. I had a love for this podcast but the silence is so loud.

Elizabeth Nazarali - A former Lady Pate at the $7. Upgraded ITN membership.

Hope Felt - A former Lady Pate at the $5 since 2018

Brooke Ellis - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Ashley Holly - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Lindsay Douglas - A former Lady Pate at the $5/10 from the DAY it opened

Deb Peluso - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Shayna Persky - A former Lady Pate at the $10

Tricia Lawton - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Ellen Meeker - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Ashley Barnhill - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Ashley Partain - A former Lady Pate at the $10

Sarah R Ackerman Fournier - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Sara Adams - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Hannah Lewis - A former Lady Pate at the $20 since 2018

Chelsea Clear - A former Lady Pate at the $5 since 2018

Amanda McDaniel - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Hillary Turner - A former Lady Pate at the $5, formerly the $10

Alyssa Bradley Holland - A former Lady Pate at the $20, follower since episode 1

Amy Hamrick Lewis - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Kylee Mills - A former Lady Pate at the $20

Sue Ann Thomas - A former Lady Pate at the $5

Caitlin McReady - A former Lady Pate at the $5