The Trauma Behind True Crime with Collier Landry

When it comes to children, mothers are considered their north star. No matter how old that child gets when times get hard or the waters get rough, that child will always look to their mother to guide them to a safe place. But what happens when your mother is no longer there? What makes matters even worse, what do you do when the person who took your mother … is your father, the one sworn to protect her?

“Something has happened to her. She’s either locked away in a shed somewhere or he’s killed her.” (8:07), Collier

My guest today is Collier Landry. Collier has an amazing story of resilience and perseverance that will inspire you no matter what stage of life you’re in. At the tender age of 11, his father murdered his mother. As a result, the lives of Collier and his younger sister were thrown into disarray. He reveals this amazing story in the 2017 film, A Murder In Mansfield. Today, Collier discusses how he made it through this turbulent time and how others can find a light at the end of any dark tunnel.

“The grass is always greener on the other side, but that doesn’t make it true.” – (49:59), Collier

It makes no difference what you’re going through, there’s always hope if you just keep moving forward. Pull up a chair and listen to this amazing testimony of the human spirit, compassion, and forgiveness, that will help you persevere and find your better place!

“I am grateful for what I went through because it's made me the person I am today. And I genuinely like that person.” – Collier

In this episode:

(2:22) – Collier walks listeners through the murder of his mother by his father in 1989.

(3:18) – Collier confronts his father about the absence of his mother. 

(4:31) – The coverup of the crime begins.

(5:38) – His father introduces Collier to his girlfriend who is pregnant.

(6:19) – His mother knew of his father and his philandering but didn’t want Collier involved.

(6:30) – The violation that led to the situation worsening. 

(7:00) – The conversation Collier had with his mother about possibly going missing. 

(8:27) – Detectives enter the situation and things begin to turn.

(10:20) – Collier begins surveilling his father.

(10:40) – The behavior of his father begins to shift. 

(11:21) – Two weeks alone with his father was a living hell. 

(13:00) – The two photographs Collier discovers. 

(13:51) – The father-son trip to Florida that Collier fears. 

(14:50) – Collier realizes his father is on to him. 

(17:41) – Guilt begins to creep into the mind of Collier. 

(18:28) – The worst asthma attack occurs, and he can’t go home. 

(19:34) – Collier hears of his mother’s death. 

(20:12) – Collier wishes he was wrong, and discusses the pain of being right. 

(20:42) – The grief of knowing his worst thoughts were true. 

(21:25) – Collier discusses not knowing what his future will be and testifying against his father. 

(22:40) – The pain of being a foster child and poor treatment from his foster family. 

(24:45) – Collier reveals where his mother’s body is found under the house where his father and mistress will live.

(26:54) – Collier discusses the miracle of him remaining functional. 

(28:10) – The common bond of children who grow up seemingly overnight. 

(28:46) – The Murder in Mansfield Documentary is discussed.

(30:55) – Collier pursues filmmaking because he wants the answer as to why his father murdered his mother. 

(35:42) – The gift and the curse of discussing his childhood. 

(40:00) – The fallacy of true crime podcasts.

(42:12) – Mental illness sufferers often suffer in silence. 

(43:06) – You don’t always see the people you impact. 

(43:24) – The lessons people receive from Collier reading his father’s letters. 

(44:28) – Getting over it just doesn’t work. 

(46:28) – The three seconds of the film that earned Collier's respect. 

(47:20) – Money doesn’t solve problems. 

(48:27) – Collier reviews the true source of being happy.

(50:30) – Possibly writing letters to his mother down the line. 

(54:02) – Trauma treatment becomes the topic. 

(55:47) – Collier reveals that he still gets triggered.

Our Guest

Collier Landry is a multifaceted artist known for his work as a cinematographer, podcast host, and award-winning documentary filmmaker. He gained widespread recognition as the creator and subject of A Murder in Mansfield, a film directed by two-time Oscar winner Barbara Kopple. Collier's passion for storytelling was sparked by his own traumatic childhood experience: the pre-meditated murder of his mother by his psychopath father. He uses film and podcasting to creatively express and deal with this trauma and as a platform to give a voice to others who have faced similar circumstances. Collier hosts the award-winning  Moving Past Murder podcast, which offers his unique perspective on surviving true crime and overcoming adversity. He interviews guests who have experienced or overcome tremendous life challenges and hopes the show serves as a form of therapy and reconciliation for himself and his listeners.

Resources & Links

Off The Cuff

https://www.offthecuff.fm/ 

https://www.youtube.com/c/OffTheCuffwithDannyLoPriore 

https://www.instagram.com/1and1otc/ 

https://www.instagram.com/dannylopriore/

https://www.tiktok.com/@1and1otc

Collier Landry

https://www.instagram.com/collierlandry/

https://www.tiktok.com/@collierlandry

https://twitter.com/collierlandry

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYIJGxnTPGxaKRZc-Gq63iA

https://www.facebook.com/collierlandry