
Show Notes
Summer Roney’s family speaks out after Jake Johnson’s guilty plea to aggravated murder and an agreement calling for life in prison without parole. In this emotional interview, Lauren Matthias of Hidden True Crime sits down with Summer’s family to discuss their reaction to the plea deal, the questions they believe remain unanswered, and what they want the public to know about Summer and their fight for justice. They share their concerns about the account of her death presented in court and why a guilty plea does not bring the closure many might expect.
Previous Episodes
Part 1 Apple
Part 1 Spotify
Part 2 Apple
Part 2 Spotify
Sponsors:
Ethos: Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/HIDDEN. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Trustpilot rating as of 8/1/2026.
Jones Road Beauty: Use code HIDDEN at https://jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Gift with your first purchase! #JonesRoadBeauty #ad
Hims: Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://hims.com/hidden
Article: Thanks to Article for sponsoring this podcast! Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit https://www.article.com/discount/hidden and the discount will beautomatically applied at checkout.
About Hidden True Crime
What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling.
Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More from Hidden True Crime
A dream family vacation at Great Wolf Lodge ended with a father and his 3-year-old son dead—and a mother facing two counts of criminal homicide. Lauren Matthias of Hidden True Crime examines the Metallica Harrison case, the deaths of Charles “Chaz” Harrison and little Tristan Harrison, and the unanswered questions surrounding their three-week stay at the indoor water park resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. From the reported 911 call and surveillance timeline to financial troubles, family allegations, and evidence detailed in search warrants, we explore what investigators have documented, what remains unconfirmed, and why this supposed early Christmas getaway took such a devastating turn.
On November 17, 2011, Michelle Parker appeared on The People's Court alongside her ex-fiancé, Dale Smith, exposing their troubled relationship, allegations of infidelity, and a history of abuse. Just hours after the episode aired, the 33-year-old Florida mother of three mysteriously vanished after dropping off their twins at Dale's Orlando condo. Her abandoned Hummer, a bizarre one-word text message, and a cellphone recovered from a lake left investigators with more questions than answers. For nearly 15 years, Michelle Parker's disappearance remained one of Florida's most haunting unsolved mysteries—until October 14, 2026... But what finally led to an arrest after all these years? In this Hidden True Crime deep dive, Lauren Matthias investigates the FULL STORY of Michelle Parker's disappearance, the explosive People's Court episode, the evidence, the searches, the family's fight for justice, and the new forensic developments that could finally reveal what happened to Michelle Parker.
Why would a wealthy couple spend millions of dollars bringing 21 children into the world through surrogacy, only to face horrifying allegations inside their $3.2 million California mansion? In this episode of Hidden True Crime, forensic psychologist Dr. John Matthias explores the disturbing psychology behind the Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang case, examining ego, power, control, legacy, and the fear of death through the lens of Terror Management Theory. As investigators uncover disturbing surveillance footage, allegations of systematic child abuse, and a surrogacy operation that continued even after children were removed from the home, Dr. John asks a deeper question: Was having so many children really about love and family, or could something far more psychologically complex have been driving this extraordinary pursuit? Join Lauren Matthias and Dr. John for a fascinating psychological deep dive into the possible motivations behind one of the most unsettling surrogacy cases in recent history.
Twenty-one children. A $3.2 million mansion. And surrogates who say the family they helped create was nothing like the one they were promised.
A Facebook friend request. A mother who blocked him. A 7-year-old who never made it home from her school bus. Hidden True Crime’s Lauren Matthias examines the Joseph Andrew Bragg case in Zimmerman, Minnesota—and the disturbing allegations every parent needs to understand. Through charging documents, reported messages, and accounts from families, we explore how Bragg allegedly sought access to children through babysitting offers, online childcare groups, and contact with mothers. What did parents notice, what raised investigators’ suspicions, and how can someone use familiarity to gain a family’s trust? This episode unpacks the child abduction investigation, alleged grooming of parents, and the warning signs behind offers of free childcare, with practical lessons about social media privacy, vetting babysitters, and talking to children about boundaries and safety.