Good morning, everyone. I’m sitting here at my computer, the same computer where I spend hours upon hours working on Remember the Birds, the book. I am awake after a little over four hours of sleep. I spent most of the night in an excited, adrenalized state after the first of three episodes dropped on Real Crime Profile podcast in the evening hours last night.

Last week, I met with Lisa Zambetti (host of RCP, casting director of Criminal Minds) and Laura Richards (host of RCP, criminal behavioral analyst and former New Scotland Yard). Unfortunately, Jim Clemente (ex FBI profiler and producer/writer Criminal Minds) was unable to join us. I do hope that our paths will cross at some point in the future.
Lisa, Laura and I spent nearly two hours together talking as I tried to cover the scope of this very large, complex story–the complexity of which is what drives me to continue the writing. It’s just too much share in any set amount of time!
That discussion gave birth to what will be three episodes in total. *insert elation, gratitude & clapping hands*

This opportunity was a direct result of the advocacy work that I continue to do for Josiah and the work I am doing to grow my base on social media in order to help me secure a book deal. Having and maintaining a platform is just a reality of current traditional publishing landscape.

During the chaos that was our move this past January and February, as the focus and time just did not allow me to work on the manuscript, I turned my attention to my social media accounts, working in small spurts when my energy allowed and somehow, by the grace of whatever, the Threads algorithm rained favor on me and my base there grew from 30 followers to now over 2800.

While riding that wave, Lisa Zambetti and I crossed paths. The rest I suppose, is history.

What’s different about Real Crime Profile? Unlike other true crime podcasts, Real Crime Profile takes a victim based approach. There is no need or want to sensationalize the horrors that victims of violent crime go through. Their sole intention is to advocate for victims by bringing their stories to light and give voice to the people who have been silenced. The level of compassion and expertise they brought to the interview provided a safe and validating environment in which I could be completely open. I am confident you will be moved by our conversation.

Want to listen and how can you help?
Find the show wherever you listen to podcasts, listen to the Episode 497: The Murder of Josiah Hilderbrand, follow the show, give it a five star review and then share it on whatever platforms you use or through email or text.
Below are some helpful links to platforms you can listen:

• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Listen without a subscription or app here

How is this already helping? Beyond getting the truth out and exposing the injustice in Josiah’s case, the very nature of public discourse puts pressure on the authorities to “do the right thing”! It’s a shame that this is how it works, but it does. So, with your help and with the help of people who do advocacy work whether from the smallness of the their homes of from large platforms like Real Crime Profile, the collective squeaking of our wheels makes things happen that would not otherwise.

Last night, just hours after the first episode dropped, I received a email written and sent at 10 pm pst from First Assistant US Attorney Richard Barker from the Eastern District of Washington responding to my previous correspondence which had gone unanswered sending his “very best regards” and letting me know that he is working to fulfill my request of a letter which will officially tie Josiah’s murder to the mass murder that took place in White Swan hours after he was killed. Mr. Barker didn’t offer exactly when I will receive the letter, but assured me that it is in the works.

And this simply is not a coincidence.

Federal prosecutors’ previous attempts to both intimidate and silence me has not worked. I will not stop sharing the story of what happened to Josiah and what has happened to me in the aftermath.

If you are the type that enjoys a call-to-action, there are actionable links in the show notes wherever you listen and I have also listed them below. If you take action, let us know by commenting on this blog post!

Thanks again! For Being!!
Liz
Josiah’s mom | Advocate | Writer

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Show Notes and Calls to Action:
25-year-old Josiah Hilderbrand had dreams of becoming a firefighter in the Northern California county where he lived. He loved animals and helping all kinds of people. Most of all, he loved his mom Liz. For his whole life it had just been the two of them. Like his mom, Josiah was a huge fan of the Grateful Dead and was excited to go to Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington State to see Dead & Company. On Friday June 7th, 2019, Josiah and a friend were traveling along Highway 97 on their way to see the concert when they stopped to help two people stranded on the side of the road. What happened next is every parent’s worst nightmare and would plunge Liz Hilderbrand into an abyss of pain as she desperately tried to find out what became of her son. Liz joins Laura and Lisa to tell Josiah’s story and describe her fight to bring his killers to justice. 

#HisNameWasJosiahHilderbrand #JusticeforJosiah

What people can do to help:

Follow Liz’s blog lizhilderbrand.com

Follow Liz on socials: @rememberthebirds

Contact Liz through email: lizhilderbrand.writer@gmail.com 

Send an email to Yakima County District Attorney Joe Brusic encouraging him to pursue charges in Josiah’s case: Joseph.Brusic@co.yakima.wa.us

Contact WA State Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office and let them know that you are aware of Josiah’s case and are waiting for charges to be brought. You can contact the Criminal Division through their submission system at: atg.wa.gov/criminal-justice

#realcrimeprofile #TrueCrime #podcast #ExpertAnalysis #FBI #NewScotlandYard #CriminalBehavior #BehaviorAnalysis #murder #homicide

Follow Real Crime Profile and continue the conversation

On Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/realcrimeprofile/?hl=en

On Twitter — https://twitter.com/realcrimeprofil

On Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/realcrimeprofile/

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