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The First Wife: John Meehan's Reign of Terror cover art

The First Wife: John Meehan's Reign of Terror

By: Tonia Bales, Laura Richards, AYR Media
Narrated by: Rachel Louise Snyder
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  • Summary

  • Many listened to the Dirty John podcast, which introduced the world to John Meehan, a dangerous serial predator who infiltrates the life of Debra Newell and ultimately dies at the hand of her daughter, Terra. But there was an overlooked story that’s now being told, in full, for the first time. In The First Wife: John Meehan’s Reign of Terror, Tonia Bales recounts her harrowing experiences as John’s wife of 10 years and the mother of their daughters, Emily and Abby. Highlighting new details and revelations, Tonia shares the abuse she suffered from the man she once believed to be her soulmate, but who ultimately revealed himself as a coercive and controlling terrorist. Through exclusive archival materials and all-new interviews with the people who knew her and John best, uncovering long-held secrets and including perspective from their daughters, Tonia embarks on a re-investigation of the man she thought she knew. The multiple bombshells she unearths include one that will change her and her daughters’ lives forever.
    ©2021 AYR MEDIA, LLC (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC
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Episodes
  • Trailer

    Trailer
    Jul 12 2021

    You can listen to The First Wife: John Meehan's Reign of Terror full podcast on Thursday, July 22. 

    Many people listened to the Dirty John podcast, about a scheming psychopath who infiltrates the life of a woman and ultimately dies at the hand of her daughter. But there was an overlooked story, now being told in full, for the first time. Tonia Bales, John Meehan’s first wife, recounts the harrowing story of her life as John’s wife and mother of his two daughters. Tonia reveals the abuse she suffered from the man who started as her soulmate and became a terrifying emotional terrorist. Through new interviews with the people who knew her and John best and exclusive archival materials, Tonia learns that there’s a lot about her traumatic marriage that she never knew, including one bombshell that will change her and her daughters’ lives forever.
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    1 min
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Episode 1: Filthy John Meehan

    Episode 1: Filthy John Meehan
    Jul 22 2021
    As Tonia prepares to begin the podcast about her life with John Meehan, her daughter Abby gets a Facebook message from a man claiming to be John’s long-lost son, allegedly conceived during Tonia and John’s engagement. The revelation prompts Tonia to re-investigate her marriage to John, and discover what else she doesn’t know about him and their relationship. She remembers their storybook courtship and marriage, and how it began to fall apart.
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    37 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Episode 1: Bonus Episode

    Episode 1: Bonus Episode
    Jul 22 2021
    Criminal Behavioral Analyst Laura Richards joins Tonia Bales for a deep dive into "Episode 1: Filthy John Meehan".
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    15 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
Con Artists, Hoaxes & Deceptions
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What listeners say about The First Wife: John Meehan's Reign of Terror

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

informative Listen

Good breakdown & excellent explanation of abusive behaviour. Excellent and informative . I've no doubt this listen will educate and skill listeners on abusive behaviour and red flags

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BofB

What a great insight to such a narcissistic & psychopathic monster. I’m sure this podcast will help many many women who find themselves in these toxic relationships🚐

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Excellent

Very informative. Scary and so brave of Tonia and her girls Hope they find their peace

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Profile Image for Lisa Ziolkowski

Fantastically informative

This podcast was fabulous. I binged the entire series in one day. It was very engaging in general, but the part I liked most was the inclusion of bonus episodes hosted by Laura Richards, an expert on domestic violence and stalking. She provides important nuance and context after each installment, which helps the listener really understand the true narrative. She provides valuable insight about domestic violence/coercive control and stalking. I highly recommend this podcast to anyone who would like to learn more about the psychology of abusers. This series could really save lives. Well done all who were involved in making it.

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I really enjoyed it

I thought It was well worth listening to. great story and kept me intrigued for hours

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