Murder In America - EP. 264 - PENNSYLVANIA: THE SHOPPING SPREE MURDERS

Episode Date: October 16, 2026

Two lives. A brutal double murder. And a story far more disturbing than anyone could have imagined. On September 10, 1995, a routine shopping trip turned into an unimaginable nightmare. Twenty-nine-year-old Lisa Marie Manderach and her 18-month-old daughter, Devon, stopped at a children’s clothing store in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, just before closing time. They never made it home. What dark secrets would emerge as investigators pieced together the horrifying events of that day? Listen as we unravel a case that proves the truth can be more unsettling than fiction. - Sources:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eTYeCoYyxm58DXXdoFbHQyWHlWbcH9iKGIefFcQToW4/edit?tab=t.y2yayotxnlcb Listen to our new show, "THE CONSPIRACY FILES"!: -Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5IY9nWD2MYDzlSYP48nRPl -Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-conspiracy-files/id1752719844 -Amazon/Audible - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ab1ade99-740c-46ae-8028-b2cf41eabf58/the-conspiracy-files -Pandora - https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-conspiracy-files/PC:1001089101 -iHeart - https://iheart.com/podcast/186907423/ -PocketCast - https://pca.st/dpdyrcca -CastBox - https://castbox.fm/channel/id6193084?country=us - Stay Connected: Join the Murder in America fam in our free Facebook Community for a behind-the-scenes look, more insights and current events in the true crime world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4365229996855701 If you want even more Murder in America bonus content, including ad-free episodes, come join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/murderinamerica Instagram: http://instagram.com/murderinamerica/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Murder-in-America-Podcast/100086268848682/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MurderInAmerica TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theparanormalfiles and https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneybrowen Feeling spooky? Follow Colin as he travels state to state (and even country to country!) investigating claims of extreme paranormal activity and visiting famous haunted locations on The Paranormal Files Official Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheParanormalFilesOfficialChannel - (c) BLOOD IN THE SINK PRODUCTIONS 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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This podcast is not for everyone. You have been warned. As soon as the news spread that a new children's store would be opening up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, parents from all over couldn't wait to take a peek inside. The community was full of young families, and there weren't a lot of children's stores in the area. So as soon as the store, your kids and mine opened its doors

in September 1995, several families made the trip to check out the colorful clothing and a good. accessories with their little ones. One of these prospective shoppers was hoping to find a nice gift for her niece. She approached the entrance to the store just after 4 p.m. But when she tugged on the door handle, it wouldn't give. The store was locked. Now she knew it was supposed to be open for another hour. But when she looked up, she saw the open sign had been flipped to closed, pushing her face to the glass. She looked through the single window into the store. To her surprise, all the lights were on, but no one was in sight.

The racks of colorful clothing sat untouched. Outside the store, cars were still parked in the parking lot. All things indicated that the store should be open. However, unable to enter, she walked off with the assumption that they had closed early. But as she got in her car to drive away, the woman had no idea that your kids and mine had just closed its doors for the last time, and that just beyond those doors were two bodies, heading beneath the tall clothing racks.

This is the story of Lisa and Devin Mandarack. I'm Courtney Brown and I'm Colin Brown. And you're listening to Murder in America. Our story begins on September 30th, 1965, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, a borough about 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia. That morning, proud mother Lorraine Agostinelli and father Vincent welcomed their third child into the world, a daughter who they named Lisa.

From the moment she was born, Lisa was a bright and bubbly child with dark hair and beautiful brown eyes. She fit into the family like the puzzle piece they had been missing. She had two older brothers to look out for her and a younger sister who became like a best friend as they grew up together. For the most part, the Agostinelli family kept their lives private. While we don't know exactly what their life was like growing up, we do know that they lived in a row house in a family-friendly neighborhood where they were extremely close, not just with each other, but everyone around them. Very quickly, Lisa became one of the most loved kids in the neighborhood.

She made friends with ease, and many of those lasted a lifetime. Betsy Brown lived just six houses down from Lisa, and from the moment they met, they were inseparable. They both attended Writtenhouse Middle School in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and were in the very same fourth grade class. The girls got along almost instantly, and it wasn't uncommon for them to be found hanging out with other girls from the neighborhood after school. Throughout Lisa's childhood, she shared with Betsy all of her hopes, dreams, funny stories, and troubles. For a few years, everything seemed great. But as we know, life is full of ups and downs.

Lisa was still just a child when she learned that her parents were going to get a divorce. She listened as her mother and biological father explained that their lives were better separate. She probably had questions, fear, maybe even anger. But Lisa navigated the change and her emotions with grace. and it wasn't long before she was ready to let someone new into her life. Lisa was a preteen when her mother began a relationship with William Hugh McKay. Hugh was an experienced truck mechanic with Philadelphia Electric. But after he met Lorraine, they quickly fell in love.

It didn't take them long to realize that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. Hugh was more than happy to make Lorraine and her children a part of his family, and there was no doubt that he genuinely loved Lisa and her three siblings. He came to love them as his own, and he did everything he could to give them a good life. So sometime in 1979, when Lisa was just 14 years old, Hugh and Lorraine made things official and got married. But it wasn't just Lorraine's kids in the family. Hugh had four kids of his own from a previous relationship, which meant that when Hugh and Lorraine got married, Lisa's family of five grew bigger than she ever imagined. But Lisa didn't mind. She was the kind of person that

made friends wherever she went, and her new family was no exception. In fact, she spent the majority of her time with her siblings and their friends, one of whom really caught her attention. One afternoon, two of Lisa's older brothers introduced her to their new friend, James, or Jimmy, Mandarach. Jimmy was around Lisa's age, and he lived in the area. From the moment Lisa met Jimmy, she knew that he was special. Her best friend Betsy remembers the special attention Lisa paid to Jimmy, telling the Philadelphia Daily News, quote, she was in love with him from the time she was 10 years old, end quote.

But of course, being the younger sister, the brief exchanges she had with Jimmy were only possible through her brothers. And to Jimmy, Lisa was just his friend's kid's sister. But as they grew up, they did so side by side, and they were always in each other's lives. Rather than focus all her time on a boy, Lisa made sure to spend her time on things she enjoyed. She was an active member of the St. Clair Luther,

Lutheran Church. She also was a frequent volunteer for meals on wheels, an organization that delivers prepared nutritious meals to people who were unable to cook for themselves. It's clear that from a young age, Lisa cared about her community, and she did everything she could to make her small corner of the world a better place. By 1983, Lisa graduated from Norristown High School. By this point, she and Betsy had spent years together sharing their biggest secrets, dreams, and problems. But as we know, people grow, change, and follow their own paths. And it was now time for Lisa and Betsy's paths to go their separate ways, at least geographically. Betsy was accepted into a college program, and it wasn't long after that that her family moved out of the house she'd grown up in.

Lisa, on the other hand, stayed in the neighborhood. After she graduated, she decided to get a job at a local business to save up some money until she figured out what she wanted to do next. And of course, as Lisa grew up, so did Jimmy. At some point Jimmy met another girl, fell in love, and got married. But despite her love for him, Lisa handled it with Grace. And to her luck, just a few years later, Jimmy divorced his first wife. And it was then and there when he and Lisa reconnected, igniting the spark that had always been between them. And before they knew it, the two were in love.

Their relationship moved pretty fast, but after growing up together and seeing each other through so many phases of life, Nothing felt more right. In 1992, when Lisa was about 26 years old, she and Jimmy tied the knot at St. Patrick's Church in Norristown. Lisa couldn't be happier. She adopted her new name, Mandurak, with pride. And it was just one year later in 1993 that Lisa learned that she was pregnant. Lisa and Jimmy were so excited. But now, they were under more pressure than ever to find a place to settle down.

After some searching, the couple found the perfect three-bedroom home. in a quiet community in Limerick Township, Pennsylvania, about 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The home wasn't the fanciest, but it was theirs. Located within the Heritage Ridge community, the neighborhood was safe, quiet, and well-known to be family-friendly. As soon as Lisa and Jimmy moved in, they met their neighbors, unpacked their belongings, and settled into their new lives. The neighborhood welcomed Lisa and Jimmy with open arms. As they all sat outside at night socializing, Lisa and Jimmy took comfort in the constant sound of children laughing outside. As Lisa's belly grew, she found comfort in the fact that her own child would one day be running around these streets, happy, healthy, and safe.

Soon after moving in, Lisa went into labor, and on February 4, 1994, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Devin Marie Mandarach. Devin had her mother's brown eyes, an infectious smile. Lisa and Jimmy loved her more than anything else in the world, and they knew they would do anything to give her a good life. From the moment Devin was born, they worked hard to do just that. Both Lisa and Jimmy worked full-time jobs, but despite their busy schedules, they made sure to spend every moment they could with their beautiful baby. Lisa started out working on the assembly line at Fleming Companies Incorporated, a large food wholesaler located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. While working there, Lisa learned that if she was able to operate the forklift, she could make a lot more money. So without a second thought, she pushed herself to learn the skill and get a promotion.

Lisa was a go-getter who was always well-liked, and at work, it was no different. She was described by her boss as, quote, very happy, upbeat. People have said to me that during the course of a day, she would always make them smile. I would classify her as strong. She was well-liked by everybody that knew her, end quote. And while Lisa was working hard at her job, Jimmy was also working hard in construction. Then, in addition to their full-time jobs, both Jimmy and Lisa worked with a janitorial firm called Resco Products, where they made some extra income on the weekends cleaning houses and offices.

Miraculously, they managed all of this sharing just one car, a red 1988 firebird Pontiac, that had racked up a lot of miles. So, as we can see, life in the Mandarack home was busy, but the couple did their best to make it work. Despite their demanding schedules, Lisa and Jimmy made sure to prioritize spending time together as a family, especially on the weekends. Outside of work, neighbors often saw Lisa playing with baby Devon on the front lawn of their home. It was evident to anyone that saw Lisa and Devin that Lisa loved being a mother. In fact, she often confided in neighbors that it wasn't going to be long before she had. head another. As neighbors got to know the Mandarack family, they came to adore Lisa and Devon both.

Everyone in the community looked out for one another. They shared times of joy, fun memories, but perhaps most importantly, they were there for each other in times of need. In July 1994, Limerick was hit with a natural disaster, unlike anything it had ever experienced. One afternoon, an F3 tornado touched down right in the middle of a new housing development. The tornado uprooted trees, flipped cars, leveled houses, and even resulted in the death of three people and the injuries of 25 others. The damage from the storm was estimated to be in the millions. And through it all, Lisa and Jimmy were there, shielding their five-month-old daughter, Devin, from the storm and praying for the best. Luckily, when the storm cleared, their home was still in one piece,

aside from some debris littering their lawn. Unfortunately, not everyone was so lucky. After Lisa was sure her family was safe, she wasted no time checking in on her neighbors, jumping in to help them remove debris from their properties. Now, this is just one big example of the good that Lisa brought to her community, but based on how her neighbors, friends, and relatives remember her, it's evident that Lisa touched the lives of everyone she met every single day in little ways. Once the aftermath from the storm had settled, Lisa and Jimmy were excited to continue on with this new chapter of their lives. They were looking forward to watching Devin grow up, and they hoped that soon Devin would be a big sister.

They were truly happy, the kind of happiness that people spend lifetime searching for. But sadly, their plans, hopes, and dreams would all come crashing to a halt much sooner than they had expected. It was Sunday, September 10, 1995. Lisa and Jimmy were fortunate to finally have a free afternoon to themselves, one that they could share with 19-month-old Devin. Jimmy sat watching the Sunday football game while Lisa pondered how she wanted to spend the afternoon. Lisa recalled that a new children's store named your kids and mine had opened up just a few weeks ago. The store was located in the Collegeville Shopping Center, just a 10-minute drive from their home.

And as it turns out, Lisa had the perfect reason to visit. Conveniently, one of her friends had just given her over $100 to buy something nice for baby Devin. So Lisa set out to do just that. A little after 3 p.m. She told Jimmy where she was going and that she and Devon would be right back. She didn't expect it to be a long trip. She even handed Jimmy the diaper back,

telling him that she wasn't going to bother toting it along. But there was something Jimmy wanted to make sure his girls had. He got up from the game and handed Devin some cookies and pretzels on their way out. He had no idea that as Lisa loaded up the car and pulled out of the driveway, it would be the last time he ever saw his wife and child. alive. The Collegeville Shopping Center hosted a long row of outdoor outlet stores that all shared a

central parking lot, akin to a strip mall. At about 3.30 p.m., Lisa and Devin pulled into a parking spot in front of your kids and mine. The outside of the store didn't look like much. Posters covered the store's only window, and the front door was the only other way to see inside. Still, the colorful pictures set the store apart from the concrete sidewalk and walls surrounding it. Inside, Several racks of vibrant clothing lined the shelves, and near the back of the store, there were dressing rooms for children. A single register sat near the entrance, and as soon as Lisa and Devin entered the store, they went straight to the back to look at clothes.

Everything felt completely normal, just a mother and daughter doing some afternoon shopping. At about 3.50 p.m., Lisa noticed another shopper walking to the register to pay for her items. But as Lisa continued to scan the racks, she started to have a bad feeling, she just couldn't shake, and she wasn't the only one in the store that felt that way. There was just one young man working at the counter, and for hours by this point, he had made every woman under his gaze shrink. His eyes traced them as they tried to innocently shop for their kids. It wasn't subtle. His refusal to look away confirmed the women's intuition before they even had to consciously think it. He was a predator, and they were the prey on his mind.

Lisa had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, because that man behind the counter was really a monster named Caleb Fairley. Caleb was born on October 21st, 1973 in Pennsylvania. For most of his early years, the small family of three lived in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, right next to Norristown. In fact, Caleb's father, James, owned Phoenixville Pharmacy just down the street. The income from the family pharmacy took care of the Fairleys, and for the most part, seemed happy. In fact, their joy would only increase around 1985 when Caleb learned he was about to be an

older brother. Keep in mind, Caleb grew up as an only child until he was about 11 years old. Some kids would feel jealous that their parents' attention was now being spent on another sibling, but not Caleb. As the oldest, Caleb took his role as older brother seriously. When David was born, Caleb adored his baby brother. Immediately, he took pride in caring for him. He told any anyone that would listen that he was so excited to have a new sibling to play with. This period of Caleb's life was full of change. Not just because of his new brother, but because about a year later in 1986, the Fairley family moved into a two-story, four-bedroom house on a quiet cul-de-sac in Gulf

Mills, Pennsylvania. The move wasn't too far, and their new home was still only about a 25-minute drive from Caleb's father's pharmacy. But it was a big upgrade. There were new neighbors, it was a new way of life, and there was a lot of the of new space to enjoy. In particular, Caleb was impressed by the pool in the backyard. The family settled in quickly, satisfied that there was more than enough space for their family to grow. And that's exactly what they did. By early 1989, the Fairleys welcomed another baby boy into the home named

Joshua. Just as before, Caleb treasured his role as older brother. Often, the boys could all be found playing in the yard with Caleb watching over them. One neighbor recalled, He was really good with kids. But as we know, behind closed doors, there is often another story. Despite the Fairley's beautiful home and playful children, the underlying family dynamic was proving to be a challenge to navigate. Neighbors alleged that Caleb's mother, Ruth Fairley, was a control freak who had extremely high expectations for her family.

From the very beginning, there was a hidden tension in the home. Caleb especially felt the pressure from an early age. It was the kind of pressure a lot of kids' feelings. an acknowledgement that there's nothing you can do to change it, and your only option is to keep going. Unfortunately, that tension and pressure got worse, and soon it was impossible to just push through. Because in 1989, an unexpected tragedy changed the Fairly family forever. The dream they had all once shared was snatched away, and in its place, the family was forced to reckon with unimaginable grief and hardship. Caleb's father James was a gun owner.

According to Lieutenant Ronald Fonick, quote, on a report card for gun ownership, safety, and procedure, Mr. Fairley would have gotten an A in every column. He respected the power of guns, understood them, and trained with them, end quote. But as we know, no one plans for accidents to happen, and all it takes is just a few moments for everything to go completely wrong. On June 27, 1989, James arrived home, after a long day of work at the pharmacy, his gun at his side. This wasn't uncommon, as James

typically kept the firearm with him for protection at the pharmacy. As he entered the home, he greeted his family before walking to their den upstairs, where he kept his guns. Once there, he set the semi-automatic pistol atop a tall desk and left the room. Now, normally, James always made sure to lock his guns up. After all, Caleb's little brother David was just four years old, at that scary age in life when everything is a toy. James knew that with four kids in the home, it wasn't safe to leave a loaded gun out in the open, even if the safety was on.

But he had had a long day, and there was something he had to tend to quickly. He fully believed that for less than a minute, the gun would be safe sitting on his desk, out of his son's reach. So he left the room. At about 8 p.m., four-year-old David heard the telephone ring. In their house, there were at least two different landlines,

and one of them happened to be in the den, atop the very same desk where James Fairley's gun sat. Four-year-old David heard the phone ringing, and just like he had seen his parents an older brother do, he knew someone needed to answer the phone. Maybe he felt like a big boy, maybe he wanted to make his parents proud, to show them how capable he was, that he was really learning all the lessons they taught him. Whatever his reasoning, he followed the sound of the ringing, and he actually climbed atop the chair in the den. From the chair, he tried to reach out for the phone receiver, sitting just inches away on the desk.

But just as David balanced atop the chair, Ruth picked up the line in the kitchen. David was just inches away when the phone stopped ringing, and it was then, as he was perched atop the chair, that David noticed the semi-automatic pistol sitting nearby. Curious, he reached for the gun. The safety was on, but as David grabbed the gun, it must have been heavier than he expected. He fumbled the weapon, accidentally clicking off the safety in the process. And then, in an attempt to catch the gun, before it hit the floor, he somehow hooked his thumb around the trigger as the gun swung upside down directly towards him.

He tightened his grip to catch it, completely unaware of what he was doing. And it was there when he accidentally squeezed the trigger. Ruth, who was still in the kitchen, heard the singular short, muffled pop. A sound she described as the sound when a bottle is uncorked. At the same time, James heard a thunk from one of the upstairs bedrooms. At first, he thought it was furniture bumping into the wall, but their initial suspicions faded in an instant. Upstairs, their son began screaming.

It wasn't the scream of a kid playing, or a kid who stubbed their toe. It was a blood-curdling whale. They couldn't get to his side fast enough. When the couple burst into the den, they found themselves face-to-face with their worst nightmare. Their four-year-old son, David, was lying on the floor as blood poured from a side. single gunshot wound to his abdomen. Tears streamed down his face and right beside him the gun laid on the ground. James and Ruth instantly knew what happened. In a panic, the Fairleys called for help before he was too late. David was rushed by helicopter to the nearest hospital. For hours,

doctors tried to stop the bleeding and repair the damage, but it wasn't enough. Just after 10 p.m., a doctor delivered the devastating news. David Fairley was dead. He was just four years old. The devastation was all consuming for his parents and siblings, and outside the operating room, they all sobbed. Although it was an accident, David was a victim of a terrible tragedy that ended his life far too soon. He was remembered fondly by not only his family, but by neighbors and his teachers as well. Linda Butler, the director of David's school, stated,

He was a delightful child and well-liked. He was one of those little boys that all little boys liked. He was just a happy kid. David loved drawing pictures and acting, and he even starred in the school play. It's clear that David was beloved by his parents, older brother Caleb, and his younger brother. Which is why, even though David's death was a complete accident, it hit the fairly family heart. After the accident, the exact spot in the den where David had shot himself was transformed into a shrine. Photos and newspaper clippings adorned the walls, permanently dedicating the space to David.

His toys and other personal belongings were also placed around. the room. This was the worst thing that could have happened to the Fairleys, and they felt absolutely horrible that they hadn't been careful enough. James, who had always firmly believed in his right to own guns, reportedly no longer kept one in his home after the accident. Caleb was just 15 when David died. He really loved his brother, and it was immediately clear to everyone around him that David's death really shook him. One neighbor commented, I think it affected him more than people knew. I don't think Caleb ever got over it. And while Caleb did attend therapy sessions following the accident, he spoke very little about what had happened. He started keeping to himself, speaking

very little, and staying home more and more. It's abundantly clear that whatever whole his brother's death left within Caleb was never fully healed. When the accident happened, Caleb was in his second year at Upper Marion High School. From what Caleb's classmates and teachers remember, Caleb was average, pretty unremarkable. For a time, Caleb sang in the school's choir, and he even signed up for the school's football team. But at the end of the day, nothing stuck. And Caleb was left without friends or a support system. One of his classmates were called, quote, he was always trying to find friends. His biggest thing that he wanted to do was just be liked, end quote. Another one of his classmates remembered, quote, not many people paid attention to him. And if they did, they would pick on him,

end quote. And as we know bullies are ruthless, Caleb was overweight, withdrawn, and he struggled to make friends. His social awkwardness, appearance, and reclusive demeanor made him a prime target for school bullies. His classmates insist that, quote, the people who ridiculed him the most in high school were women, end quote. Now it is true that Caleb struggled to interact specifically with the girls in his school. One of his classmates were called, quote, we talked about girls a lot. He said he didn't know what to say to them. He would just walk up to them and say hi and then walk away. He asked me what to do, end quote. But that wasn't the only reason he was mocked at school. Multiple students who went to school with Caleb recalled a rumor that pushed the bullying he

experienced to new levels. According to them, at some point during high school, someone saw Caleb masturbating in the school's bathroom. Now whether he actually was or not, no one but Caleb knows. But regardless, the rumor spread like wildfire, earning Caleb the nickname Playboy. The ridicule and bullying Caleb received because of the incident was so severe that on one occasion, Caleb's locker was completely covered in lotion. And Caleb, who was already self-conscious about his weight, appearance, and social skills, was extremely bothered by the bullying from this particular incident. And while he hoped that everyone would just forget, that wasn't the case.

the incident would follow him for years and years to come. Even with the bullying, Caleb tried to navigate high school, make friends, and move on. But it seemed like the more he tried, the more he struggled, and the more he was bullied. In 1990, Caleb got a job with his classmate James Myers working at a Friendly's restaurant located in the popular King of Prussia shopping mall. While he may have hoped that getting a job and making money would help him feel more independent and make things better, sadly, the bullying only. worsened. At work, Caleb was frequently teased by another co-worker who would bust open the

bathroom-stall door and say, what are you doing in there, Caleb? His father, James, saw Caleb get picked on by other co-workers, and according to him, Caleb always responded meekly. He never pushed anyone or got into any physical fights. And whether because of school, the bullying, or something else, Caleb didn't last long at the job. By May 1991, 17-year-old Caleb graduated. from Upper Marion High School. And in his senior yearbook photo, Caleb can be seen wearing a tuxedo with spiked up hair. Underneath the photo,

Caleb wrote a long cryptic quote that ended with the line, Stay Cool and Perverted. Perhaps he was leaning into the bathroom story he had become known for. We don't know. But after Caleb graduated, he was probably hopeful

that things would get better for him. He now had a clean slate, and he was desperate to find a way to move out of his parents' house. But for that, He needed money. After high school, Caleb asked around for several jobs, but none of them were hiring. Caleb also tried to enlist in the army, but again, he was denied, this time because of his

weight. So, with no other option, Caleb worked with his father off and on at the family pharmacy to earn a little money. Outside of work, Caleb focused most of his time on gaming, a passion he shared with his dad. Together, they would visit the game and comic store located in the King of Prussia Plaza at least once a week to buy the latest video game. For lots of people, video games are a fun way to hang out and relax. But for Caleb, his interest in gaming quickly grew into an obsession.

In particular, Caleb took an interest in role-playing games like Vampire and Dungeons and Dragons, also called D&D. And soon enough, instead of saving his money to get a place of his own, all of his money was spent on games, posters, shirts, books, and a myriad of other things that related to the fantasy games he enjoyed so much. Through the games, Caleb could experience a sense of escapism from reality and the satisfaction of playing the hero. It's also believed that Caleb became particularly attracted to the women in these games, who

again, he could interact with without having to navigate very real social interactions. And even though Caleb enjoyed these things, his obsession was not looked on very kindly by those around him. Now, back in the 1980s and early 90s, games like Dungeons and Dragons were seen totally differently. Today, an interest in D&D is completely normal and even celebrated, but 40 years ago, not so much. According to a newspaper article written in 1995, D&D was described as, quote, a medievalist role-playing game with a cult following, end quote. In the 1980s, certain religious groups believed that D&D promoted Satanism, witchcraft, pornography, and violence.

Societal disapproval was so severe in some places that groups of friends would often meet secretly, to play together. And in addition to tabletop games, video games in general have been subject to intense controversy over the last 30 years or so about whether or not they influence violent behavior in young adults. The Youth Violence Prevention Center finds that while video games may increase precursors to violent behavior, the fact is that violent behavior is determined by many factors, not just whether someone plays violent video games. It's important to note that While we do believe that Caleb had an unhealthy obsession with these games, that's not the reason why he turned to murder.

For many, video games and fantasy RPGs are a form of healthy escapism, creativity, and problem-solving, but for Caleb, it became a way to control his reality. The women in Caleb's fantasy worlds were nothing like the very real women that he struggled with every single day. Caleb didn't know how to interact with women, and ultimately, he didn't seem to view them as equal. He got to play with that worldview through gaming, but soon it became a major part of his real life. In 1992, at 19 years old, Caleb saw someone he thought was attractive, and soon after, he approached her and grabbed her butt without her consent.

He then began verbally harassing her. Caleb didn't know this woman. He hadn't planned this, and for her, it was completely out of the blue. This was the first instance where Caleb acted on his own twisted impulses. And a little while later, he repeated the same behavior with another random woman. Both women were so uncomfortable that they came forward and reported the incident to police. But ultimately, no charges were pressed against him. Just a year later in 1993, Caleb's inappropriate behavior worsened. He was about 20 years old when he noticed an attractive female jogger along the route he was driving. The jogger watched as the unknown vehicle slowed down next to her, and the driver rolled down the window.

Immediately, Caleb made a lewd comment about her genitals. The jogger was uncomfortable, but she didn't respond, hoping that he would just drive away. But rather than move on, Caleb then propositioned her for sex, asking if he could perform oral sex on her. Caleb made this woman feel so uncomfortable that she rightfully reported him to the police. And while this incident was noted on Caleb's record, again, he was not charged. So three women at minimum had reported him to the police with no consequences, and many, many more women were at risk, completely unaware that he was out there. Caleb's behavior towards women was completely unacceptable.

And yet, sometime around 1993, Caleb actually started dating a woman named Melissa Arcadia, at least briefly. Melissa was liked by Caleb's peers, who honestly, honestly. saw her as one of the guys, rather than, in their words, a real date. Caleb had known Melissa for about two years, and for a brief time the two began to date casually. During that time, Melissa was given a rare glimpse into Caleb's inner world. Melissa described Caleb as intelligent, but in inner pain, and constantly afraid of women. It was clear from the beginning that Caleb was still hurting from the death of his brother over four years ago. Melissa recalled, quote,

when he talked about his brother, he cried a lot about how much he loved him, how proud he was of him, how much David and him did together, end quote. But that wasn't the only emotion weighing Caleb down. As Caleb grew into a young adult, tensions with his overprotective mother were at an all-time high. Caleb was so immersed in the resentment that it became no secret that he hated his mother. He was willing to do anything to get out of that house. Melissa stated, quote,

Caleb hated her with everything he had. we'd all be sitting there trying to play a game and she would say you have to do this you have to do that she would always call him stupid tell him he had no common sense she told him that he didn't know how to do anything right and would curse at him end quote according to melissa Caleb was respectful emotional and vulnerable with her Caleb told melissa his deepest thoughts and after just a few months together he even told her that he loved her but when it came down to it their relationship was just not built to last. In the fall of 1994, Melissa left Caleb to date another one of his friends, though it seems that somehow the two ended on okay terms and stayed in touch. In October 1994,

Caleb celebrated his 21st birthday. According to several reports, by the time Caleb was 21, he weighed over 250 pounds, and while obviously we would never want to shame anyone for their weight, It's important for us to flag because it was a central point of Caleb's insecurity and where most of the bullying he experienced stems from. The fact is that Caleb was extremely self-conscious and insecure about his weight. He was so affected by this insecurity that he actually briefly attended a weight loss program. From the outside, it really looked like Caleb was trying to get his act together. He even decided to go back to school. Caleb spent a few months at Westchester University before transatlantic.

to Montgomery County Community College for the spring semester of 1995. For a little while, it seemed like Caleb was finally trying to turn his life around. He showed an interest in school, and he even finished the spring semester. But as the summer rolled around, his behavior was growing more concerning, because it wasn't just video games that Caleb was obsessed with. It was also porn. In his room, Caleb hid a substantial number of pornographic magazines and videos featuring violent sex. He also had a number of sex toys. Now keep in mind at this point,

Caleb was still living with his parents, his younger brother, and two pre-k-aged little sisters. Whether to keep his obsession a secret or just to have his own space, Caleb was desperate to save money and move out of his parents' house. He'd been trying to save money for years, but moving out isn't cheap, especially for someone with an expensive interest and porn, sex toys, and fantasy games. So Caleb remained living with his parents and younger siblings, concealing the obsession and twisted fantasies that were growing within him. Perhaps he didn't even know that soon, he was going to let them out.

On September 1st, 1995, Caleb's mother, Ruth Fairley, excitedly opened the doors to her new children's store, your kids, and mine. The store was located about 20 minutes away from the Fairley home in the Collegeville Shopping Center. Ruth believed that opening the store was a good business opportunity. After all, the area was full of families with young children, and Ruth knew that there weren't very many local children's stores in the area. It was a prime opportunity not just for financial gain, but to potentially get Caleb back on his feet.

She knew that he needed a job, and that he was struggling to pay his credit card bills, so she told him that if he worked in the store for her, she would help him save money to pay down his debts. Ruth herself stated, I hired him because he needed a job, just like any parent would do. As far as we can tell, Ruth had no idea about the depths of Caleb's inappropriate behavior.

She had no idea that he was putting anyone in danger. She never could have imagined that hiring her son to work for her would have such horrific consequences. She trusted her son. After all, all he had to do was stock shelves, work the register, do some light cleaning, and help open and close the building. Some days he'd be doing it as the sole employee in the store, and Ruth saw no issue with it. But sadly, Caleb's disturbing behavior only worsened once he started working at the children's store.

In fact, in the two weeks since the store had opened, multiple women reported that they felt uncomfortable well inside. Some even admitted that Caleb's constant staring was so unnerving that they actually left the store without paying for their items. And this wasn't the only thing Caleb was doing at work. In the walls to the children's dressing rooms, Caleb had actually drilled small peep holes so that he could watch the women in children inside while they were undressing. In the back of the store, he had numerous pornographic images and videos to fulfill his desires whenever he wanted. But on September 10, 1995, Caleb found a brand new way to fulfill those desires, because when he saw Lisa Mandarach walk into the store with Devin, he decided to act. Caleb watched as she and Devin browsed the aisles, completely unaware

that they were caught in the eyes of a predator. When the only The only other customer in the store paid for her items and left, Caleb saw a sick opportunity, completely sure that there was no one else in the room. He slipped to the front door, switched the sign to closed, and then turn the lock, trapping Lisa, Devin, and himself inside. Lisa and Devin had nowhere to run and were completely unaware that they were in any danger at all. Because in a public place like that, how could they be? As you may recall, your kids and mine was located in an outdoor strip mall.

There were multiple businesses along the sidewalk. People just feet away from where Lisa and Devin were standing. Now the front of the store had just two ways to see inside. One was the front door and the other was one tall window. But both were covered in posters. From those two viewpoints, no one was able to see what was happening behind the tall clothing racks. So even if they were looking for Lisa and Devin, no one would have seen them. It's likely that Caleb knew about the blind spots in the back of the store,

and that he took advantage of them. So while Lisa and Devin were still unaware that their lives were in imminent danger, Caleb wasted no time heading straight towards them in the back of the store. And what happened next is the kind of stuff you see in nightmares. Police believe that at this point, Caleb tried to sexually assault Lisa in the back of the store.

Lisa would have clearly rejected his advances, making Caleb angry, so angry that before she could figure out what was going on, 29-year-old Lisa felt Caleb grab her, and he tried to pull her down. But Caleb was bigger than her, and Lisa knew that he could overpower her quickly. Devin screamed as her mom viciously tried to fight off her attacker. Lisa clawed, kicked, and scratched. She did anything she could to get free of Caleb's grasp.

She swiped at his face and wrists, scratching him so deep that it drew blood. A close friend later stated, quote, She would have fought for her baby's life, and for her life too. I think she would have done anything for that baby. She would have been punching, kicking, and screaming, end quote. Lisa was a warrior, and she truly fought, like her and Devin's life depended on it. And it did. Lisa fought so hard that her nails cracked, her ribs broke, and her body was severely bruised.

But sadly, even giving it everything she had, Lisa wasn't strong enough to overpower, 21-year-old Caleb Fairley. Before long, Lisa felt his hands around her throat, squeezing tighter and tighter. She desperately gasped for air, but she felt no relief. As she began to lose consciousness, her body began to give up. But Caleb wasn't giving up. Lisa's last thought had to have been the terror and anguish of knowing that she wouldn't be able to protect her daughter from this monster. And after just a few moments, Lisa, who would have turned 30 in just three weeks, stopped moving. Devin sat behind her mom and cried as she watched the life drain from her mom's body.

She was just 19 months old. She didn't know what was happening. She didn't know who this man was. But she did know that something was horribly wrong. But no matter how hard she cried and screamed, desperate for someone to come help her and her mom, no one was coming. And horrifically, soon after Lisa died, Caleb approached the small child. It's believed that he wrapped one hand around her neck and the other around her nose and mouth.

Just as he had done to Lisa minutes earlier, Caleb cut off Devin's airflow. and held her helpless body down. As she struggled for air, saliva poured from Devin's mouth onto the store's floor. Caleb waited for Devin to take her final breath, breaking her left collarbone and bruising her scalp and the struggle. Devin fought and cried as much as she was able, but she was no match for the 21-year-old,

250-pound man that held her down. And after a few minutes, Devin stopped struggling. And now for a brief ad break. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. There are plenty of reasons we put off getting support, and for a lot of people, cost is one of them. With better help, insurance options may now be available nationwide, with an average co-pay for eligible members of just $23 per session. And while we're reconsidering old assumptions, maybe there are a few others worth questioning

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And what Courtney and I love the most about Hungry Route is that it saves you so much time. You can cut out the grocery shopping, the meal planning for your schedule, and suddenly your healthy eating gets more consistent than it ever used to be. You're going to love Hungry Route as much as we do. For a limited time, get 40% off your first order, plus get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com slash MIA and use code MIA. That's Hungryorot.com slash MIA code MIA to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life. Anyways, y'all, let's get back to the show. The store was eerily quiet as Caleb looked at what he had done.

Once Caleb was sure that both Lisa and Devin were dead, he took a moment to savor the sick pleasure he derived from their murders. Now that Devin was quiet, Caleb thought back to his original plan. Lisa's body was still warm as she lay on the carpet of the store. It was here, with Devin's small body just feet away, that Caleb pulled at Lisa's clothes, exposed her body, and sexually assaulted her. He penetrated her vagina and rectum with a foreign object, and then, as he masturbated, he ejaculated onto the carpet of the store. And when the haze of sick

pleasure passed, he got to work. He had to cover up what he had done. Fortunately, he did a pretty bad job at it. Around 5 or 6 p.m., two local hikers were enjoying a brief afternoon trek through nearby Valley Forge National Park. But as they passed through the woodlands and the fields, They soon came across something they hadn't seen before. Within the park, Interline Drive serves as a scenic route visitors frequently used to tour the grounds. At one point on this road, a rusty guardrail stands to protect drivers from the sharp hairpin curve. And it's at this exact spot, down the steep embankment leading up to the road, that the hikers

first spotted her. At the bottom of the hill, resting upon the base of a tree stump, they spotted a small figure in a bright red coat. They walked closer to investigate, assuming that it was just a doll. But as they approached her, the horrible realization washed over them. They could see the bruises covering her face and body. She was warm to the touch and completely limp. In that instant, they knew that what they had found was no doll.

Immediately, the joggers contacted a nearby state trooper who pronounced the little girl dead at the scene. Following this grisly discovery, other officers swarmed the park, one of those officers being Detective Bruce Seville. At first, authorities at the scene believed that the little girl had gotten her injuries from falling down the embankment. But Detective Seville wasn't so sure. He didn't yet know who this little girl was or what had happened, but he had a feeling that whatever had happened to her was no accident. After the park was cleared, the little girl's body was removed and sent to the office of the medical examiner in a desperate attempt to find some answers. miles away, the baby's father, Jimmy, was trying to find some answers of his own.

Hours had passed since Lisa and Devin had left the house, and Jimmy still hadn't heard from his wife. He knew that the store was close by, so it shouldn't be taking Lisa this long to come home. On top of that, she had left Devin's diaper bag at home, so Jimmy knew that Lisa wasn't planning on being out for long. Increasingly worried, Jimmy called some family members and friends, hoping that, if anything, Lisa and Devin's, Evan had just decided to go visit one of them. But the more calls he made, the more concerned he became. One of Lisa's friends that he called remembered him being, quote, absolutely frantic. After getting no leads, Jimmy had to accept the truth.

Something was seriously wrong. So around 9 p.m., he called the police department to report his wife and daughter missing. Now, as we know, the police had already discovered Devin's body just a few hours earlier. They just didn't know who she was. So when the officers heard Jimmy describe a little girl that perfectly matched the body they found, they immediately asked him to head to the office of the medical examiner. By the time Jimmy arrived, he had to have known deep down why they called him there. When officers asked him to go into the room to see if the body they were covered was his child,

Jimmy refused. He was so adamant on remaining outside the room that it wasn't until his brother-in-law came down to the office, that they were able to positively identify Devin's body. Now at first, police were suspicious of Jimmy. After all, he had been the last one to see his wife and daughter alive. And on top of that, he refused to identify Devin's body. But imagine the shock and horror he must have felt. His wife and kid didn't leave to do anything dangerous.

They were going shopping. And now, hours later, police were demanding that he look at his daughter's body. When they sat him down for an interview, Jimmy was in such a deep state of shock from the murder of his daughter and his missing wife that he was completely and utterly devastated. He struggled to find the words to talk, the air to breathe. He couldn't rest until his wife was found,

and that the person that did this unspeakable act was brought to justice. Luckily, it didn't take investigators long to clear Jimmy as a suspect, which meant they had to find out who was really behind it. Investigators knew that every minute in a missing person case matters, so they wasted no time beginning the search. They learned from Jimmy that Lisa and Devin were going to visit. visit, the nearby children's store, your kids, and mine. And because that was the last place they were going, investigators decided to pay the store a visit. As they pulled into the parking lot

of the shopping center, they immediately spotted Lisa's red 1988 Pontiac Firebird, right where she had left it. Devon's car seat was still strapped into the back. Lisa's purse sat in the front seat. Not wanting to waste a second, police tracked down the phone number of the store's owner, Ruth Fairley. It was getting late, so they weren't sure she would answer, but after just a few rings, Caleb's mother picked up the phone. Ruth had no idea what her son had been up to in the store that afternoon. So when officers asked her to come down to the store, to help them with a missing person's case, she agreed. Ruth pulled up to the store after 11 p.m. just seven hours after the murders. She promptly unlocked the door and let officers inside to take a look around. They scanned the store, but everything looked normal.

There were no signs of a struggle or anything else going on. Officers pulled out a photo of Lisa and asked Ruth if she had seen this woman at all that afternoon, but Ruth admitted that she hadn't been at the store that day. She told them that it was her son, Caleb, who had been working that afternoon, and officers were extremely interested in speaking with Caleb, not necessarily because he was a suspect, but because they believed he may have been one of the last people to see Lisa before her disappearance. But when they asked where they could find Caleb,

Ruth told them that he wasn't home. As it turned out, Caleb had left town that evening to visit a nightclub in Philadelphia with a friend and he wouldn't be back until late. There wasn't much officers could do but wait, so they thanked Ruth for her time and asked her to have Caleb call them as soon as he got home. But it would be quite some time

because Caleb was out celebrating what he had done. That afternoon, after Caleb had murdered both Lisa and Devin, he took the $105 dollars Lisa had brought to the store. Then, while no one was around, he pulled his car around back and opened the trunk. In the middle of the day, with the sun high in the sky, Caleb carried Lisa's body out of the store's back door, and he placed her in the trunk of his Maroon Ford escort. Then he did the same with Baby Devin. From there, he drove a short distance and dumped their bodies in separate locations.

Then Caleb returned to the store, vigorously cleaning the area. And after that, he continued on with his evening plans, as if nothing happened, As it turns out, Caleb and one of his friends had been planning on attending a concert that night for a band called The Electric Hellfire Club. The event was being held about 40 minutes away at a nightclub in Philadelphia called the Asylum. On his way there, Caleb picked up a friend named Christopher Leffler and the same maroon vehicle that held the bodies of Lisa and Devin just hours earlier. As soon as Chris got in the car, he noticed the bloody scratch marks covering Caleb's face and arms.

Caleb told him there had been a massive fight at the store that afternoon and that he got scratched breaking it up. Chris thought this was strange. People don't usually fight in children's stores. But it was even stranger when just a moment later, Caleb told Chris that if anyone asked to tell them he had gotten cut moshing at the concert they were going to. Chris silently brushed it off and without another word, the two headed for Philadelphia. When Caleb arrived at the club, he was immediately recognized by the Bouncers. In the past, Caleb had attended several goth events and vampire games at the club, and he had even tried to get a membership, though it was denied. When Caleb approached

the Bouncer to purchase a temporary membership to the club that night, they immediately noticed the scratches covering Caleb's face. He knew that the wounds were fresh and assumed it was from some sort of fight or accident. Because Caleb was a big guy, on top of the fact that he had scratches all over his face, the Bouncers kept an eye on Caleb as he went inside. They anticipated that he could be a problem. But to their surprise, he didn't dance. He didn't mosh. He didn't interact with anyone.

He just sat there listening to the music blaring from the speakers. And after a few hours at the club, Caleb and Chris decided to head back to Gulf Mills. Caleb returned home well after midnight, but his parents had expected that. At the time, Ruth and James were worried about what happened at their store that evening. They wanted to ask Caleb about it. But as he walked through the door, they got the worst answer they could imagine, without even having to say a word.

When they saw their son's face, his father saw the scratches on his skin. According to a police affidavit, Caleb's father told the police that, quote, it looked like he had raped a woman, end quote. Caleb's father was so concerned about his son's appearance that as soon as he got home, the two got into a heated argument. We don't know exactly what was said. But as Caleb went to bed that night, he had to have known the time was running out. Monday morning rolled around and there was still no sign of Lisa.

Family, friends, volunteers, and officers wasted no time in continuing the search for her. They checked around in nearby dumpsters and businesses, hoping for any clues. Lisa's family distributed flyers around town, asking every single person they came across if they had seen her. Meanwhile, another group of volunteers combed through Valley Forge National Park near where Devon's body had been found. They all knew that the clock was ticking and that every minute mattered. They had helicopters, bloodhounds, and cadaver dogs all scanning through the woods and brush, but sadly, no one found anything. So, officers followed their next best lead. As soon as the sign for your kids and mine flipped to open, officers walked inside, hoping to question the employee

that had been working the day before. And standing there working the register was Caleb Fairley. After murdering a mother and her daughter, staying out all night at a nightclub, and living with the consequences of what he had done, Caleb woke up Monday morning, put some makeup over his scratches, and returned to work as normal. Officers asked him if he had seen Lisa the day before, and Caleb was actually pretty receptive. He admitted to them that he had remembered seeing Lisa, but not Devin. But as officers pushed him for more details, Caleb quickly changed topics, stating that he could have been mistaken, and it could have just been someone he saw at the nightclub, not actually Lisa. Immediately, officers got the impression that Caleb was

intentionally steering the conversation and that he knew more than he was letting on to. So, around 10.30 a.m. Monday morning, they asked him to come down to the station with them to answer some more questions in a more controlled environment. Caleb had little choice but to comply. And when he sat down in the interrogation room, under their watchful eye, immediately, they latched on to one thing, the thick layer of makeup covering his face. It seemed so out of place that they actually asked Caleb about it, but Caleb brushed it off and acted like it was nothing. However, the officers felt that something wasn't right. Following their instincts, authorities asked Caleb to wipe off the makeup. And as he did, the red scratches bloomed to the surface. Officers immediately

identified the trademark characteristics of defensive scratch wounds and seeing them sent to chill down their spines. We'll post the picture of Caleb on our social media, and it's honestly hard to look at. In the photo, you will see exactly what officers saw that day. They say pictures are worth a thousand words, and in that singular snapshot, you can see the pain, the struggle, the anguish, and the utter desperation that Lisa and Devin endured while fighting for their lives. At that point, officers were sure that Caleb knew more than he was letting on. They asked him how he got the scratches. And just as he told his friend Chris to say, Caleb told the officers that he had gotten scratched while moshing at the nightclub.

Authorities were suspicious about Caleb's involvement, but they also knew they didn't have enough evidence to link Caleb to the crime just yet. They also couldn't keep him at the station for much longer, so they had to keep digging. They asked Caleb again and again what happened that night, but the answer was always the same. He said he closed the store after five, cleaned up, and then made his way to the nightclub at about 7.30 p.m. It was clear to the officers that they weren't going to make any progress. So instead of talking to Caleb, they went to interview his friend Chris, the one he went to the night club with that night. Now Caleb asked Chris to lie for him, but luckily Chris didn't listen. Chris told authorities that the scratches had been there from the beginning, way before they arrived

at the nightclub. He also told the officers that Caleb told him the scratches came from breaking up a fight inside the store. When the officers asked if there was any way the scratches could have come from moshing at the club, Chris was adamant that they couldn't have. In fact, Chris claimed that the club was pretty dead that night. There hadn't been a mosh pit at all. So with everything, officers were confident that Caleb had something to do with this. They also looked into his criminal history, and after seeing the previous offenses against women, they had a sickening feeling that the answers to what happened to Lisa were sitting right in front of them. So their interrogation tactics became more aggressive. The officers even showed Caleb a photo of Devin's body lying in the dirt,

demanding that he tell them what happened. And finally, Caleb broke down. He began profusely sweating, shaking, but he said he wouldn't utter a word until his attorney was present. So once again, officers were at a dead end. And not only were they desperate to find Lisa, but they were frantically trying to find any evidence that could keep Caleb behind bars, evidence that they just didn't have. So they decided to go out and get it. With reasonable cause to further their investigation, police quickly obtained warrants to search the Fairley family home and the store your kids and mine. First, they drove to the Fairley's two-story colonial home. Inside, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. That is, until they got to Caleb's room. Hidden around his room, officers found a large

collection of pornographic magazines, videos, photos, and sex toys. They also found vampire paraphernalia and items related to Dungeons and Dragons. Of particular interest, officers found a t-shirt with an image of a vampire ravaging a woman. The woman, to the officer's surprise, looked shockingly similar to Lisa Mandarack. Based on everything that was found in Caleb's room that night, it was clear to officers that Lisa fit the description of the women in fairly sexual fantasies, which, in their opinion, was likely the motivation for her murder and sexual assault. But still, they had no evidence linking Caleb to the crime and no idea where Lisa's remains were. So they continued working with what they had.

Officers had received a tip from an anonymous shopper that she had seen someone frantically vacuuming the store on Sunday evening. For this and other reasons, investigators returned to her. to the store to take a closer look at the last place Lisa was seen. They quickly found that the anonymous shopper was onto something. Inside the store's vacuum cleaner were several long, dark hairs that could have been Lisa's. Not only were they the right color and length, but the hairs had been pulled out at the route, suggesting a struggle. But that wasn't all they found in the store.

Hidden in the back, officers located several more pornographic videotapes and magazines, no doubt belonging to Caleb. They were even more disgusted to find the peepholes that Caleb had drilled into the walls of the children's dressing room. Despite Caleb's attempts to clean the carpet, investigators found a lot of physical evidence in the store. They found stains from Devin's saliva. There were also semen stains that were later confirmed to be Caleb's. Investigators also searched Caleb's car outside, where they found more of the same long dark hairs inside. By this point, no one had any doubt that Caleb.

was behind Devin's murder and Lisa's disappearance. It had been just over 24 hours since the murders happened, but Lisa was still missing. Sadly, officers and Lisa's loved ones knew that the chances of finding her alive were slim. And while they were too late to save her, they knew that she deserved justice. Justice she could only receive if her body was recovered. Montgomery County District Attorney Michael Marino knew that they needed Lisa's body in order to send Caleb to jail for good. Because of the scratches covering Caleb's face,

he hoped that Caleb's DNA could be found underneath Lisa's fingernails, but as we know, DNA evidence needs to be collected in a timely manner. Michael was worried that Lisa's body would be found far too late for any useful forensic evidence to be collected. So he told Caleb that if he could tell them where Lisa's remains were, they would take the death penalty off of the table. According to Michael, offering to eliminate the death penalty for Caleb Fairly was the most difficult decision he has had to make in his career.

Lisa's sister-in-law voiced the opinion of Minnie when she stated, it was upsetting, but at the same time, if he didn't work it this way, it could have been weeks before we found her. It would have been harder on us, and this guy could have walked. Michael's decision to offer Caleb this deal was heavily criticized by officers, family members, and the community at large. In fact, just a few days after it was announced, a random woman drove right by Michael with a sign on the side of her minivan that read,

No deal. Keep in mind, while all this was happening, there was another high-profile case going on at the exact same time. The OJ Simpson trial. People across the country were already heavily criticizing evidence handling and the justice system in general. Lisa and Devin's murders only added fuel to the flames, and quickly community members from across the nation were once again fired up, eager to share their disappointment that Caleb would not be put to death. The air was especially charged because if O.J. was convicted, he likely would have faced the death penalty. Before the age of widespread internet communication, the debate on Caleb Fairley was widely shared in multiple newspapers. In the Philadelphia Daily News, one person wrote,

The only deal that should have been cut for this subhuman Caleb Fairley punk should have been, Do we inject him first, or let the victim's survivors spend a half hours with him in a closed room with a baseball bat? Another said, here comes the old pervert Caleb Fairley, who like Mumnia and OJ, allegedly killed white people, but Caleb tells where the body is and receives a slap on the wrist for a job well done. What next? I don't advocate for the death penalty, but I do advocate for equal justice. If you use the death penalty on black people, use it on white people, too.

But of course, these were just opinions. Some people supported the decision to make an agreement because they believed finding Lisa was more important than making sure that Caleb was put to death. Others believed that life behind bars was punishment in itself, with an anonymous person writing in, I prefer that he stay in jail for life so that every day he can go through pure hell. That's much better than the electric chair or death by injection. Torture him for the rest of his sick life. It's just a shame it's not the same torture he used on this family. I hope he rots in his cell. Lisa and Devin's murders appalled the community to their core, and most were furious that there was a

possibility Caleb would be allowed to live. For what he had done, they wanted him to die. But ultimately, that's not how this story would end. After offering Caleb the deal, taking the death penalty off the table, he and his defense hastily agreed. And from there, Caleb drew officers a diagram leading to Lisa's body. On Monday evening, officers went straight for a wooded area that Caleb had identified. It was near a gem he used to frequent. And there, lying among the dirt and debris, was Lisa right where Caleb said she would be. Lisa was found just four miles from where Caleb had dumped Devin's body. Lisa's body was completely nude, except for a black lace top that had been pulled over her breasts.

She was lying face up, with her long dark hair completely covering her face. Caleb had also taken the time to spread Lisa's legs apart, posing her crudely for all to see. Now forensic investigators immediately checked under her fingernails. They were badly broken and bloodied, but sure. enough, they were able to collect samples that were later confirmed to be Caleb's DNA. And since Caleb had not yet been released from the station, it was easy for officers to immediately place him under arrest. About 1.30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 12, 1995, Caleb was arraigned and formally charged

with two counts of murder, two counts of aggravated assault, robbery, theft by unlawful taking, and two counts of abuse of a corpse. Caleb was held without bail at the state correctional institution to await his trial. And even though Lisa and Devin's murder had happened less than two days prior, the atrocity of Caleb's crimes and the brutality of Lisa and Devin's murders swept across the community. People were hurt, angry, and more than anything, they wanted answers. It was hard to believe that someone would brutally murder a mother and her daughter completely randomly while the two were innocently shopping within a store. And yet, after seeing the evidence, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Caleb was the one responsible for

this despicable act of violence. No one was going to let Caleb get off easy for what he had done, and as everyone waited for his trial, the anger and hurt they felt only grew. Almost a week after the murders on September 16th, a joint funeral service for Lisa and Devin was held at St. Patrick's Cemetery. During the viewing at the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, sunlight streamed in through the stained glass windows. Inside a single bronze casket, Lisa lay with Devin snuggled up next to her, Devin's head resting on Lisa's chest. More than 500 friends, relatives, neighbors, and community members showed up to pray for Lisa and Devin and say their goodbyes. The entire congregation joined in singing Amazing Grace, their voices

cracking with grief. Jimmy sat in the middle of the mall, tears streaming down his face. Through the sadness, everyone tried to share the happiness that Lisa and Devin brought to their lives. They were symbols of all that was good in this world, and all that we should strive to be, kind, hopeful, loving. After the mass was completed, mourners formed a line of cars nearly a mile long to escort Lisa and Devon to St. Patrick's Cemetery. Lisa and Devin were buried together in one coffin. As they were lowered into the ground, Jimmy was the first to place a pink rose on top of their coffin. Other mourners followed, and soon there was a pile of bouquets on the ground for Lisa and Devin. The community knew what a devastating loss this was and how hard it was for Jimmy. A vigil for Lisa and Devin

was organized by neighbors and held outside of the Mandarak home shortly after the murders. Mourners left flowers, candles, and signs in the Mandarack's driveway, all sharing their love for Lisa and Devin. Similarly, numerous people placed flowers for Lisa and Devin at the door of your kids and mine. The community was devastated at the loss, and even though the person who had caused this pain was behind bars, the healing process for many was just beginning. For Jimmy, that healing process has yet to come to an end. A statement from Jimmy's niece reads, The loss has absolutely haunted my uncle. Pictures still are still, you know, on his end table, and not a birthday is missed. You know, he speaks of his wife and his daughter as though they are still

as much on his mind today as they were 23 years ago. His life never became whole again. The loss that Jimmy felt that day, the lives that were taken from him, took a heavy toll. After news about the murder spread, Jim declined numerous media interviews in order to protect his own well-being. Today, he does his best to continue on with life. in private, which hasn't been easy given the media storm that followed Caleb's arrest. Word quickly spread about the horrific murders. Some of Caleb's classmates immediately recognized him from the news. Some had a hard time believing that Caleb was capable of such atrocity, but others weren't surprised. After she heard the news, Caleb's former girlfriend, Melissa Arcadia, stated,

I can't find it in my heart to ever believe he did this. There's no way he could kill a child. The Fairley family was heavily scrutinized for ever allowing Caleb to work at the children's store, especially alone. Following the news of the murders, Ruth fairly stated, I'm very sorry for the Mandarak family. I know there's nothing I can say that can make their day any better. Ruth maintains that she had no idea that Caleb was capable of committing such an evil act. She thought she was doing what was best for her son by giving him a job. Following the murders, Caleb's family stayed in touch, and Ruth even brought her three youngest children to visit him in jail, which, as you can imagine, was met with controversy.

In response to the harsh criticism against her, Ruth retorted, is it a sin to love your son? As you may have guessed, following Lisa and Devin's murders, your kids and mine was closed immediately, and it never reopened. Ruth, however, was not discouraged. Just months after the murders, she made plans to open another clothing store nearby. Now, that store would also eventually clothes, but it was shocking to many that Ruth would even consider opening another children's clothing store so soon after two people had lost their lives because of her son. On April 20, 1996, it was finally time for 22-year-old Caleb Fairley to go on trial in Montgomery County. Because the case was so public, jurors actually had to be bused in from another county,

and during the five-day emotional trial, Caleb actually admitted to the murders. With the death penalty off the table, all the defense could do was argue that the murders had not been premeditated in an attempt to reduce his sentence from first-degree murder to second degree. But what everyone really wanted to know is why? Why had he done it? And a letter Caleb had written to a friend from jail, he admitted that he was filled with anger, rage, and hatred. But the truth is, we will never know what Caleb was thinking when he decided to murder a 29-year-old mother and her 19-month-old daughter. did not testify, and when asked to share his motivation for the crime, Caleb's defense attorney stated, quote,

We decided it was not in his best interest to divulge that. Now, there are two main theories that try to explain why Caleb decided to attack Lisa that afternoon. The first theory, as we have mentioned, is that Lisa perfectly fit the description of Caleb's fantasy dream girl. As soon as Caleb saw Lisa, some investigators believe he was overcome with lust and violent impulses, which ultimately resulted in Lisa's horrific end. The other theory is that Caleb, thinking Lisa was attractive, tried to make some sort of advance on her as he had done to other women in the past.

Lisa obviously would have declined, pushed back, or ignored him completely. Either not wanting to get in trouble again or frustrated at her response, some people believe that this is when Caleb decided to kill Lisa. And what about 19-month-old Devin? Most people believe that Devin had not been the main target of the attack at all, and was either killed as a cover-up, or because she had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. The truth is, we still don't know why Caleb Fairley decided to take the lives of two beautiful,

innocent people that day. And while we can spend all day trying to figure it out, ultimately it doesn't matter. That day, Caleb Fairly decided that his own desires were more important than two beautiful and innocent lives. He made the decision to become a monster. Five days later, on April 25, 1996, the jury was sent out for deliberations. Not many were surprised when just over two hours later they reached a decision. Caleb Fairley was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of abuse of a corpse,

and one count of theft. As his verdict was announced, the packed courtroom erupted into cheers. When Caleb was escorted out of the courtroom, he was even cack-called and accosted by onlookers. Two months later, on July 24, 1996, Caleb returned to the courtroom to learn his sentence. Unlike during his trial, this time Caleb did a... address the court, which surprised many of Lisa's relatives. The air was charged with emotion as Lisa and Devin's loved ones watched with tears in their eyes and anger in their hearts. Caleb told them, I know what I did that day was inexcusable. I do not blame society. I do not know why I did what I did,

but I did it. While some were surprised to see Caleb taking some level of accountability, others were not so impressed. During Caleb's speech, Lisa's brother, Vince, abruptly stood up and left the courtroom. He later explained, There's nothing he could say that would make me feel any differently about him. All the sorries in the world are not going to bring back Lisa. After Caleb had finished, Lisa's family was anything but satisfied at his remorse or lack thereof. Lisa's mother declared,

You were the monster that took her life. I hope there's a monster out there that will take you. The prosecutor also addressed the court, asserting, since the forming of the earth, there has been evil. And evil's sitting right there. Let's remember what he did. He choked the life out of those people. It's clear that Lisa and Devin were sorely missed in their community and that their death left a hole in those that knew them.

And while Lisa's loved ones hoped that Caleb's sentencing would begin their path to healing, all they felt was unending despair and anger. By the end of the day, 22-year-old Caleb Fairley was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences with no chance of parole. And while he will not be put to death, the fact that he will remain to him. behind bars until he dies is a small consolation to Lisa and Devin's loved ones. Today, Caleb is 52 years old, serving the rest of his life at Pennsylvania's state correctional institution, Fayette Maximum Security Prison. Since his conviction, Caleb has attempted to request a new trial several times, but each time his request was denied.

In February 1996, Lisa's husband, Jimmy, filed two wrongful death lawsuits against Caleb Verley and his parents. The suit blames Ruth and James Fairley for leaving Caleb in charge of the store without supervision, despite his problematic behavior in the past. Jimmy also filed a wrongful death suit against the Collegeville Shopping Center for failing to provide proper security or routinely patrol the area. After a long legal battle in March of 1998, the Fairleys actually agreed to pay Jimmy and Lisa's mother Lorraine $1.6 million. The suit against the Collegeville Shopping Center was of eventually dismissed. And just when it seemed like the Fairley family was at the lowest point of their lives, another bombshell would shock the state. As it turns out, Caleb's father James Fairley had been dealing non-prescribed pills from his pharmacy to women and asking for cash in sex in return.

The entire time that Caleb had been awaiting trial and likely before, James had been illegally selling drugs and displaying the same inappropriate behavior towards women. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. James Fairley was arrested in March of 1998, in charge with more than 175 counts of drug-related charges. His license was revoked, meaning he would never be allowed to work in pharmacy again. And a few months later in July of 1998, James pleaded guilty to the charges

and was sentenced to six to 23 months in prison. And just like that, the Fairley family had lost everything. And while they were dominating the headlines, Who the community really cared about and wanted to remember was Lisa and Devin. Following their deaths, the town of Limerick decided to build a two-acre playground in memory of the two beautiful people that lost their lives that day. The cost for the project was estimated to be $200,000, but the community was hopeful that the money would be raised quickly.

Lisa's longtime best friend, Betsy, even named one of her racehorses, Lisa's little Devin, and entered her in races where she won big. Betsy decided to dedicate a large portion of her winnings to Lisa and Devon's Memorial Playground and community members were encouraged to purchase $25 pickets that would be used to form a heart-shaped border that enclosed the playground. Generous donations from family, friends, and the community added up to over $250,000 raised for the park. Construction officially began in the spring of 1998, and just a few months later in September, the Mandarack Memorial Park was officially opened. Since its opening, the park has been well-loved and well-used by children across the city.

After 27 years, however, it was beginning to show its age. So, in 2025, the township decided to undergo an extensive renovation project to perpetuate the memorial, enhance its safety, and upgrade its equipment. Today, the park has been reopened and is beloved by children across the state. I'm sure that if Devin was around today, she and her future brothers and sisters would have loved the park. They would have had so much fun running and playing and had so many good memories to carry with them into adulthood. In fact, today, Devin could have probably brought her own children to play, safe and sound under the watchful eye of their

mother and grandmother. But that chance was taken away for no reason at all. Lisa and Devin's deaths were charged with so much anger and grief that it can be hard to separate the beautiful people they were from the tragic way that they died. No one should be afraid of visiting a children's store or taking their little ones out for an adventure. Their story reminds us to value the people in our lives. When Lisa and Devin walked out of their house that day, no one could have known that they'd never come back. No one expects to cross paths with a monster, but we tell the stories of people who do, and we hope that in doing so, we can honor the memory of the victims of these horrible crimes. So, in honor of Lisa and Devin, this week we'll be making a donation to Rain, whose mission is to stop

sexual violence by supporting survivors, holding perpetrators accountable, and creating safer communities. Hey, everybody, it's Colin here. Thank you so much for listening to this week's episode of murder in America every single week. I know that we say this all the time, but it's such a horrific story. But we hope that we do some of these victims justice by preserving their memory and spreading the word about the lives that they lived before these tragic events unfolded. If you love the show and you want more, please consider supporting us over on Patreon. On Patreon, you can get access to an entire library of bonus episodes that will never be posted on the main feed. So if you've listened to every episode already, if you sign up on Patreon, you can immediately unlock the entire library of bonus episodes.

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