I am so honored to have received the 2025 Fellows Award from the Western Society of Criminology for outstanding contributions to the field of criminology.

I had a wonderful time presenting at the American Society of Criminology conference yesterday. This work— co-authored with Dr. Kelli Boling— is about co-victims’ views on the ethics of true crime and what constitutes ethical story-telling.

There is much to consider about the ethics of true crime. We hope this work adds to the growing conversation on how to reduce harm while telling these difficult stories. Read the paper here: 🔗

In today’s true crime landscape, with little oversight and no clear ethical standards, co-victims can be exploited and harmed. Our research urges creators to consider the human impact of sensationalized, inaccurate, or ambiguously edited content.

Even when co-victims consent to participate, they often have no control over how their words are edited, misconstrued, or cut. This lack of agency—combined with a loss of privacy and uncomfortable fan interactions—can deepen their pain.

Co-victims described 5 main harms from true crime coverage: 1️⃣ Inaccuracies 2️⃣ Sensationalization of tragedy 3️⃣ Loss of privacy 4️⃣ Uncomfortable interactions w/ true crime consumers (incl. trolls) 5️⃣ No control over production/editing

NEW RESEARCH ‼️ What are the negative effects of true crime on co-victims (the loved ones of missing people, victims, and/or perpetrators)? Together with Dr. Kelli Boling, we explored this question through in-depth interviews with 20 co-victims. 🧵

Importantly, though, the benefits of true crime were often discussed alongside important caveats, like the need for the content to be factual, created ethically, and with co-victim consent. Here’s the link:

3 main themes were present in co-victims' interviews. 1. True crime can help bring needed attention to their loved one’s (& other people’s) cases. 2. True crime can help educate people on criminal justice issues. 3. True crime can place pressure on criminal justice officials.

NEW RESEARCH 🔔🔔🔔: What are the benefits of true crime media attention, according to co-victims? Dr. Kelli Boling and I interviewed 20 loved ones of harmed and/or missing people to find out. #TrueCrime

TENURED AND PROMOTED! ✨✨Thank you to my friends and family for helping me celebrate this special moment in my career. ❤️

Thanks to everyone who supported the NH Coalition of Families of the Missing & Murdered. Grateful to @GMA for covering the event, the @GabbyPetito Foundation & all the families who bravely shared their loved ones' stories. #mauramurray https://t.co/uaY9lnj5ik via @GMA

As always, my thoughts are with the victims’ families at this time. The trial was due to start in August. Read more here:

Wow, major breaking news in the last hour: Reports are emerging that Bryan Kohberger is expected to plead guilty to the murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, & Ethan Chapin. This plea, if entered, will spare him the death penalty. 1/2

Our Criminal Justice faculty member, Dr. Danielle Slakoff, was recently featured in the docuseries “Murder Has Two Faces” on Hulu 🎥This series covers cases that never received the national spotlight they deserved 1/2

@CSULB @sacstate It might sound strange to say “this is just the beginning” after 7 total years on the tenure track—but I truly believe the best is yet to come. I’m excited to keep growing, keep teaching, and keep paying it forward. 💛 Stingers up! 6/6

@CSULB @sacstate Tenure takes years of work—late nights, writing retreats, weekend edits—but like most things in my life, this wasn’t a solo effort. To Nick, my mom, my sisters, my friends, students, mentors, colleagues—thank you. Your belief in me made this possible. 5/6

@CSULB I’m so lucky I get to teach & research what I care about most: media and crime, domestic violence, race, and women’s issues in the CRJ system. Since arriving at @sacstate, I’ve given 30+ media interviews, mentored incredible students, and co-authored research I’m proud of. 4/6

As a two-time @CSULB alum, I know firsthand the power of the CSU. 82% of CSU students stay in California—and our work is an investment in this state’s future. To earn tenure within this system is deeply personal and a dream fulfilled. 3/6

I’m incredibly grateful I landed in this department and at this university. CSUS has been a great fit, and I’ve felt valued and supported every step of the way. The students are truly amazing. They give me hope every single day. 2/6

I’m so excited to share that I’ve earned early tenure and promotion to Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at @sacstate, effective Fall 2025! 🎉 It’s a dream fulfilled—and a moment to reflect on everything it took to get here. 💛🐝 #StingersUp 1/6