Episode Summary
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.
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Episode Info
- Listen to WNYC Studios podcast Dead End: A New Jersey Political Murder Mystery.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for support and resources.
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John (left) and Joyce (right) Sheridan.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
Former Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano.
Dr. Michael Baden.
Joyce (left) and John Sheridan (right).
Mark Sheridan, one of Joyce’s and John’s sons.
Former Acting Attorney General of New Jersey Robert Lougy.
New Jersey political consultant Sean Caddle, who hired two men to kill an associate.
Michael Galdieri, who was killed in a murder-for-hire scheme organized by Sean Caddle.
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.