True crime is one of the most popular genres in books, movies, TV shows, and, especially, the rapidly growing field of podcasts. Many people are obsessed with trying to understand who can commit such grisly acts as murder, how the survivors deal with such crimes, and what can be done to stop them.
True Crime Fest Northwest will be held from Friday to Sunday, Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, at the Airport Sheraton Hotel. It is designed to appeal to everyone from genre fans to victim’s families and advocates, and anyone wanting to help solve open cases and prevent future crimes.
Scheduled speakers include Janine O’Neill, author of “Closer to Home,” an in-depth book about the Oregon City missing girls case; Desiree Young, the mother of Kyron Horman, the 7-year-old boy who disappeared in 2010; Rebecca Morris, author of “Boy Missing: The Search for Kyron Horman”; and representatives of the United Justice Group, which was formed by the relatives of five local women suspected of being killed by recently-indicted suspected serial killer Jesse Calhoun; and more.
O’Neill covered the murders of Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis by neighbor Ward Weaver for the Portland Tribune, and then extensively researched Weaver’s family, which includes a father believed to be a serial killer and an illegitimate son convicted of manslaughter. Based on her research, Robben concluded the Weavers are likely the most prolific family of killers in modern American history, outside of families in organized crime or with multi-generational gang involvement.
“The question of what caused the Weaver men’s murderous behavior — nature or nurture — was impossible to answer in the case of the two older Weavers. There’s a family history of mental illness, although not to the level that would justify verdicts of guilty except for insanity,” said O’Neill, who will speak at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31.
Dozens of vendors have registered, including true crime authors, podcasters, publishers, advocacy groups, and more.
True Crime Fest Northwest is being organized by Shelley Holland, an event planner who grew up as a true crime fan. She is the mother of Alisha Holland of the popular “Murder in the Rain” podcast, who will also appear at the event.
“The purpose of this event is to be a safe place for victims, advocates and true crime enthusiasts to come together and be informed, educated and entertained. We are hosting advocate groups, support groups and local services that are available to help those in need that people may not have known were out there or how to get in touch with. There are several organizations joining that continue in the search for missing loved ones, and what you can do to help,” Holland said
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