ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Woman reveals horror of finding out 'loving and fun' dad was a ruthless serial killer

Home> News> Crime

Published 15:47 13 Jul 2024 GMT+1

Woman reveals horror of finding out 'loving and fun' dad was a ruthless serial killer

Dr Jenn Carson spoke about how much he changed after he separated from her mother

Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

A woman opened up on her nightmare scenario when she was just a girl after finding out that her father was a serial killer.

Dr Jenn Carson is now a social worker, suicide hotline manager and trauma expert, looking to help people particularly living in the shadow of their family member's heinous crimes, despite having nothing to do with them.

However, Carson has spoken about how her life came to a halt when she was younger after finding out that her 'loving' father and her stepmother were a serial killer.

Jenn Carson was born to parents James and Lynne, who divorced in 1978, though her father then married mother of two Suzan in 1979.

Advert

Her father, who changed his name to Michael Bear Carson, and Suzan were known as the 'San Francisco Witch Killers', as they claimed that their victims were all 'witches'.

Jenn found out the truth about her father as a child. (True Crime News)
Jenn found out the truth about her father as a child. (True Crime News)

The couple were later convicted of the murders of Keryn Barnes, 23, Clark Stephens, 26, and John Hellyar, 30 in 1984 - the pair are now serving 75-years-to-life sentences behind bars.

In 1982, Secret Service showed up at Jenn's mother's door with questions, about him potentially looking to kill President Ronald Reagan, revealing the terrifying truth and horrifying Lynne.

Last year, Jenn spoke to People about her early memories of her father, saying that 'he was loving', recalling him reading to her and braiding her hair.

She noted that it was her step-mum's introduction into their lives that changed everything, apparently becoming 'very dominant' in her relationship with Jenn's father.

Michael Carson and Suzan (True Crime News)
Michael Carson and Suzan (True Crime News)

"In my preschooler mind, she's the wicked witch," she said.

"I've had glimpses of memories my whole life of her pushing me under bath water — like holding me under and I couldn't breathe,

"I'm in this house of horrors. She's not feeding me. She's telling me that I'm the devil. I'm going to go to hell. I deserve to die."

Jenn also recalled a time where she was left with wounds from physical abuse and was diagnosed with PTSD and debilitating depression at a young age.

Jenn attributes her mother with getting her away from the horrific situation, evading the Carsons' dark and disturbing plans.

They fled for five years, fearing that Michael and Suzan would track them down, as Jenn's childhood became a nightmare with visions of her father's victims, as well as the fear that she would inherit the dark trait.

Jenn remembers her father being playful and 'fun' (True Crime News)
Jenn remembers her father being playful and 'fun' (True Crime News)

She revealed: "By nine, I viewed every adult as a potential killer. The whole world terrified me. I also feared that I would grow up and kill people."

But, in 1984, stepfather Michael Gonzales entered their lives and helped Jenn and her mother to start healing.

"He's the knight on the white horse - an incredible man," she said.

He helped his step-daughter get counselling, enrolled her in Girl Scouts and the church choir, giving her life some structure and routine, which brought on good fortune.

Jenn began to excel in school following her mental health struggles in her earlier years, going on to become a successful mental health advocate.

"Not only can you survive after adversity, trauma, battles with mental illness and so on, you can get help and then you can thrive," she told the publication.

"And if someone is struggling today, get help because it can get better. It's okay to not be okay. And it's okay to get help because things can get better."

Featured Image Credit: True Crime News

Topics: True Crime, Mental Health, US News, Crime

Joshua Nair
Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair is a journalist at LADbible. Born in Malaysia and raised in Dubai, he has always been interested in writing about a range of subjects, from sports to trending pop culture news. After graduating from Oxford Brookes University with a BA in Media, Journalism and Publishing, he got a job freelance writing for SPORTbible while working in marketing before landing a full-time role at LADbible. Unfortunately, he's unhealthily obsessed with Manchester United, which takes its toll on his mental and physical health. Daily.

X

@joshnair10

Recommended reads

Dad, 34, slips into coma and loses all four limbs following routine dentist appointmentKennedySophie Rain reveals how much she earns from OnlyFans and insane tax billInstagram/sophieraiinThe Inbetweeners set to return with 'new movie on Netflix'Channel 4Supercomputer predicts most likely winner of the 2026 Grand NationalPAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
16 hours ago
  • Kennedy
    an hour ago

    Dad, 34, slips into coma and loses all four limbs following routine dentist appointment

    Davon Vanterpool felt ill after visiting the dentist, less than a month later doctors were amputating his limbs

    News
  • PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Supercomputer predicts most likely winner of the 2026 Grand National

    There are some shocks and surprises in store if the supercomputer is right...

    News
  • NASA/Bill Ingalls
    3 hours ago

    Artemis II astronauts warned of 'space comedown' effect after crashing back to earth

    NASA said their splashdown was 'textbook'

    News
  • Carl De Souza/Getty
    16 hours ago

    How much a pint costs at the 2026 Grand National, get your overdraft ready

    There will be plenty of sore heads on Sunday morning

    News
  • Police slam claims in ITV doc that pair of murder-suicides were work of serial killer
  • Woman who spent years believing she was a paedophile due to health condition issues positive update
  • Man who interviewed ‘Queen of Serial Killers’ explains why he doesn’t think she is one
  • Son of Sam serial killer revealed why he shot random people 40 years on in rare TV interview