John Meehan told Debra Newell he would be the best thing that would ever happen to her.
He ended up being the worst.
The new podcast Dirty John produced by the Los Angeles Times tells a story of an abusive relationship and how a serial offender managed to manipulate and coerce multiple smart, accomplished and wealthy women.
But this is not like the story we are used to.
Meehan is 55 years old, six-foot tall, handsome and charismatic, presenting as an anaesthetist, rarely dressed in anything but his scrubs.
Listen: Last week on Mamamia Out Loud, I recommended Dirty John, the podcast that everyone’s talking about. (Post continues…)
Newell is 59, a mother of four, and owner of an extremely successful interior-design business.
The narrative of abuse does not start with Meehan’s fiery temper, or checking his partner’s phone in the middle of the night. It does not begin with degradation or cruelty or control.
It begins with what looks a lot like kindness.
Meehan was – in Newell’s words – “perfect”.
On their first date, he opened the door for her and placed her napkin gently on her lap. He had a warm smile – the kind that made people trust him. Meehan was fascinated by Newell, asking question after question about her life.
Top Comments
Yet when a reality show contestant behaves like this we celebrate it and feel bad when he's rejected. Strange world.
There are psychopathic women like this too.
I had a similar experience with a lady, charming and exciting at first, lots of fun and flattery etc.
When push came to shove later on it became clear she had no desire for a relationship, just money. I withdrew my portion of the mortgage and got out of there as quickly as possible. Best thing I ever did.