Just so you know, this show is about scary stuff, so don't say I didn't warn you guys.

And remember, don't be scared.

Episode 110

Devil's Night

Warbaby here with another episode of murderous minors.

For those who celebrate holidays, Halloween is supposed to be the most fun day of the year for the children.

Second only to Christmas or maybe the last day of school.

But murder doesn't look at the calendar, so any day could be the day when violent strikes, Halloween included.

This very Halloween 2021 marks 40 years since the Devil's Night Crimes of then 15-year-old Ronald Lee Moore Jr.

of Waterford Township Michigan, so this episode of murderous minors looks at the rape and murder of his 13-year-old neighbor, Collette Elise Molano.

So I only heard about this case because I read a book a few years back entitled Lost Youth, The True Story, which was written by Sean Webb, who grew up with these kids.

The effort he put into this book is what allowed me to tell you what happened to Collette, so I think him.

A complete list of sources can be found in the episode notes.

Nancy Molano, a divorced teacher, was raising her two daughters in Waterford Township Michigan in a fun home that backed up to a lake, offering the family all of the year-round recreation any adventure would enjoy.

The girl saw their father, who was the manager at the Bell Isle Zoo and lived in nearby Farmington Hills every other weekend.

Collette was kind, adventurous, protective of her little sister and a voracious eater, things all little girls should be.

Not far from their lovely lakeside home lived the Moore family.

15-year-old Ronald Moore Jr. and his sister Kathy lived with their father, their mother having left after years of alleged abuse.

That left the teen siblings to be raised by Ronald Moore Sr., a man who continued to rack up assault and alcohol-related charges long after he became his children's main caregiver and primary provider.

The lack of consistent supervision and healthy role models at home took their toll on the Moore children, and although Collette was a year younger, the 13-year-old and 14-year-old Kathy Moore continued being friends.

Miss Molano had made a comfortable, fun home from which to raise her children, when she hoped and assumed was safe, but as we know, one can never be too careful about whom you allow into your home.

When Collette and Kathy became friends, it's likely the older girl enjoyed the comfort of her friend's home, the niceness of having a mother or even just a nurturing parent available.

...