MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Joyce and John Sheridan
Since 2014, the mysterious deaths of Joyce and John Sheridan have been a major topic of conversation in Skillman, New Jersey. And as you might expect from the title, the story I have for you today is not as cut and dry as certain city officials would have you believe.
In fact, the deeper I dove into this story, the more confused, shocked, and angry I became. This case could be a simple mishandling of an investigation, or it could be a corruption cover-up… time will tell.
For our friends in the Deaf and Signing community, you can view an ASL version of this episode.
Related Resources:
Episode Source Material
- Baden & Lee Reports (New York, NY) via media.philly.com.
- Courier-Post (Camden, NJ): New details on Sheridans, by Kevin C. Shelly via Newspapers.com.
- Florida International University: A Simplified Guide To Fingerprint Analysis, by Global Forensic and Justice Center.
- New York Magazine/Intelligencer (New York, NY): The Knife Twist The Sheridan brothers have been waiting years for a clue to their parents’ brutal deaths. Last week, they got one., by Colin Moynihan.
- NJ.com (New Jersey): Sheridan deaths deserve new probe, 3 N.J. ex-governors say, by Dave Hutchinson.
- NJ 105.5 (New Jersey): Detective in Cooper Hospital CEO slaying case: Investigator threw evidence in garbage, by Sergio Bichao.
- Observer (New York, NY): Prosecutor rules Sheridan case a murder/suicide; sons slam ‘bungled’ investigation, by Max Pizarro.
- Observer (New York, NY): Mark Sheridan offers $250K reward for information about his parents’ death, by Max Pizarro.
- Philadelphia Daily News (Philadelphia, PA): Arsonist hit Cooper CEO’s house, by Jason Nark via Newspapers.com.
- Prosecutor’s Report (Somerville, NJ): Results of Sheridan investigation released (news release) via media.philly.com.
- The New York Times (New York, NY): Who Killed the Sheridans?, by Michael Sokolove via Internet Archive.
- The New York Times (New York, NY): Plea in Murder-for-Hire Plot Revives Questions About 2 Unsolved Deaths, by Tracey Tully and Ed Shanahan via Internet Archive.
- The New York Times (New York, NY): Prosecutors Open New Inquiry Into Mysterious Deaths of Prominent Couple, by Tracey Tully via Internet Archive.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA): Cooper CEO and wife are mourned, by Angelo Fichera, Barbara Boyer, and Melanie Burney via Newspapers.com.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA): Caller told 911 of fire scene at Sheridans’, by Barbara Boyer, Melanie Burney, and Angelo Fichera via Newspapers.com.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA): More details emerge on Sheridan fire, by Barbara Boyer and Angelo Fichera via Newspapers.com.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA): Death of wife of Cooper CEO called homicide, by Melanie Burney and Angelo Fichera via Newspapers.com.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA): Couple’s deaths still a mystery, by Barbara Boyer, Angelo Fichera, and Melanie Burney via Newspapers.com.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA): A break in Sheridan mystery, by Barbara Boyer, Angelo Fichera, and Melanie Burney via Newspapers.com.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA): In the ashes, signs of doubt, by Barbara Boyer and Angelo Fichera via Newspapers.com.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA): Experts: Look at Sheridan case again, by Barbara Boyer via Newspapers.com.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA): Expert says intruder likely killed the Sheridans, by Barbara Boyer via Internet Archive.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA): Sheridans’ last days, by Barbara Boyer via Newspapers.com.
- Courier-Post (Camden, NJ): Court reverses dismissal of whistleblowing case, by Mike Deak via Newspapers.com.
- U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey: Political Consultant Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for Role in Murder for Hire Scheme (Press release).
- WNYC Studios (New York, NY): Dead End: A New Jersey Political Murder Mystery (Podcast Series; All episodes) via Spotify.
Suggested Episodes
WANTED: Justice for Rhys Pocan & MMIW Part 2
In 2021, we set out to cover the case of Rhys Pocan, a 35-year-old Indigenous woman who was murdered in Wisconsin in the ‘80s. In Part 2, we look into cases of two other female dismemberment victims in Wisconsin with striking similarities to Rhys Pocan’s.
WANTED: Justice for Rhys Pocan & MMIW Part 1
In 2021, we set out to cover the case of Rhys Pocan, a 35-year-old Indigenous woman who was murdered in Wisconsin in the ‘80s. But while we were in the field, we uncovered a disturbing pattern of murders with similarities to Rhys’ that were just too blatant to ignore. So, we spent the next three years working with local and federal law enforcement to try and get to the bottom of it.
WANTED: The Keddie Cabin Killer
A family’s brutal murder rocks a tiny California town and leaves behind too many unanswered questions.
Join our Fan Club to listen to this episode and more!
Unlock all of the exclusive benefits and dynamic listening experience as a Crime Junkie Fan Club member.
Join the Fan Club now to reap the rewards!
