Episode 165: Joan D'Alessandro (Part 2)

Suffer the Little Children

Suffer the Little Children Pod

True Crime, Social Sciences, Science, Society & Culture

4.6 • 937 Ratings

🗓️ 7 February 2024

⏱️ 89 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Last week, I told you about the abduction and murder of seven-year-old Joan D’Alessandro. On April 19, 1973, Joan was delivering Girl Scout cookies when her neighbor, Joseph McGowan, a high school science teacher, lured her into his basement, sexually assaulted her, and brutally beat and strangled the helpless little girl. McGowan pleaded guilty to felony murder and was sentenced to life in the New Jersey prison system with the possibility of parole after 14 years.

In this episode, I’ll dig deep into McGowan’s various psychological evaluations and his interview with famed FBI profiler John Douglas, trying to reconcile the mild-mannered man McGowan appeared to be with the heinous rapist and murderer he became on Holy Thursday, 1973. Also in this episode, you’ll hear my conversation with Joan’s mother, Rosemarie D’Alessandro, who has spent decades advocating for children and victims’ families in her beloved daughter’s name.

This is part 2 of the horrifying but incredibly inspiring story of Joan D’Alessandro.

Thanks to Magic Mind for sponsoring the show! Use my promo code (STLC20) for the next 10 days only to save up to 50% off your first subscription to Magic Mind or up to 20% off your first one-time order. https://www.magicmind.com/stlc

Email Rosemarie D’Alessandro about purchasing a signed copy of her book or learning more about the Joan’s Roy Relaxation & Kindness Program: [email protected]

Joan’s Joy website: https://joansjoy.org

Rosemarie D’Alessandro’s book, The Message of Light Amid Letters of Darkness: https://www.amazon.com/Message-Light-Amid-Letters-Darkness-ebook/dp/B0CQRNWHXV/

Joan’s Joy Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/joansjoypage/

The Killer Across the Table by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker: https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Across-Table-Unlocking-Mindhunter-ebook/dp/B07G76Q6BG/

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Oh, he's cute. Mr. I can never sleep when I'm traveling. He's hugging his pillow like a sloth on a branch.
0:10.0	He couldn't sleep before. Now listen to him. Sounds like an elephant with a chest infection.
0:15.0	Well, they call him a dreamer. And now they're right.
0:19.0	All aboard, Mr. I can never sleep when I'm traveling.
0:23.0	Find all the comfort you need in the quiet lounge.
0:26.0	Piando Ferries, there is another way.
0:29.0	Ah, she's brilliant.
0:31.0	Miss, I finally got plans out the group chat. We get it.
0:34.8	Four votes for a festival, three for a city break. It's hard to adhere to everyone's needs.
0:38.8	There's Betty with her oversized tent. Sarah and her six foot eight boyfriend.
0:43.2	All right.
0:44.0	Roger Jr. and his dog, Roger Senior.
0:46.8	And don't get us started on Mel.
0:49.4	But, like a marriage counselor, she's the one keeping things together.
0:52.6	All aboard Miss I finally got plans out the group chat.
0:55.6	Keep everyone's plans alive when you travel with us.
0:58.0	P and Dau Ferris, there is another way.
1:00.0	This podcast contains descriptions of violence against children and adult language and is not suitable for all audiences.
1:06.8	Listen or discretion is advised. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Hi everyone and welcome to suffer the little children, the podcast giving voices back to
1:54.4	victims of child abuse murder and their families. I'm your host Lane and
1:59.6	this is episode 165, Joan Dallasandro part 2.
2:05.0	Last week I told you about the abduction and murder of seven year old Joan
	...

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