Over the past several months of dedicated work on The Forsaken, I’ve shared many updates about our progress, but I haven’t yet taken the time to recognize the incredible people who have made this project possible.

It truly took a team to bring this book to life—each person contributing their unique expertise, dedication, and passion for sharing this tragic story. What began as a collaboration has grown into a circle of close, lifelong friends, and I want to take this moment to honor them.

Sam Perry: The love of my life and the one who first inspired this project. It was Sam who suggested writing a book and reached out to his longtime friend, Flo Trapani, after learning she had written about her experiences with the same police department that investigated Rhonda and Donnie’s murder.

Flo Trapani: Her friendship has become invaluable. I often call her our “Public Relations” powerhouse because of her unrelenting passion for sharing this story—opening her home for meetings, spreading the word, and offering steadfast encouragement. Her own book, The Oath, is a deeply moving account of her time as one of the first female officers in the Simi Valley Police Department. The harassment she faced was unimaginable, yet she has met every challenge with courage and grace. Flo is truly one of the bravest people I know.

Alicia Doyle: The gifted author behind The Forsaken, as well as The Oath and Fighting Chance. I can’t express enough how amazed I am by Alicia’s talent. When Sam and I first discussed writing a book, I couldn’t imagine how the years of information I’d gathered could ever be shaped into a readable story. Alicia’s extraordinary ability to turn emotions and memories into powerful words brought me to tears more than once. The Forsaken simply wouldn’t exist without her. Beyond her writing, Alicia has become more than a friend—she’s family. Her genuine warmth and ability to make people feel seen and understood during interviews have been invaluable to this project.

Robert Klamser: The original investigator (OI) who worked on Rhonda and Donnie’s murder case back in 1978. When the case was reopened, I reached out with countless questions, and Bob responded with patience, kindness, and honesty. Though initially hesitant to join the project, he saw that our purpose went beyond recounting evidence—we wanted to preserve who Rhonda and Donnie truly were. His contributions became invaluable to our work, and his friendship now means the world to me. By fate, Bob was also one of Flo’s supervisors during her time with Simi PD. When he discovered that her fellow officers had agreed not to back her up on patrol, he warned her to stay home—a decision that later drew the anger of her ex-husband, igniting decades of pain and retaliation that ultimately touched all our lives.

Together, this incredible group—affectionately known as The Justice Team—has become the heart of The Forsaken. For months, we’ve met every two weeks without fail, united by a shared mission: to bring truth, remembrance, and justice to this story.

But those meetings became far more than work sessions. They turned into moments of reflection and laughter—safe spaces where we shared not only updates about the book, but also our own emotions, memories, and hopes. Each person brought a unique strength that carried us through the most challenging parts of this journey. What began as a project slowly transformed into a bond built on trust, empathy, and mutual respect. The Justice Team has become family to me—people I can lean on, celebrate with, and forever share this journey with.

I know I posted some time ago that we were aiming for a January 2026 release, but here we are—January 2026—and we’re not quite there yet!

The exciting news is that we’re only a few weeks away now. Every time we thought we were close to finishing the book, another important interview would surface. As word spread, new people came forward—each with a unique perspective that added depth and insight to the story. These interviews became essential, and a number of them earned its their own chapter. Many of these courageous individuals chose to have their real names included, knowing that what they shared was both truthful and vital to understanding this case. Others preferred to remain anonymous, so we used pseudonyms out of respect—whether to protect their privacy, because we couldn’t reach them for permission, or to honor those who have since passed away.

The best news of all is that the book is now complete! It’s currently being reviewed by my attorney before heading to the publisher, which means we’re on track for a March 2026 release.

I’ve read the manuscript countless times for accuracy, and each reading leaves me in awe of how beautifully it’s come together. Alicia’s incredible talent shines on every page—her ability to weave the story and interviews into a compelling, emotionally powerful narrative has exceeded every expectation. I truly believe you’ll feel the same once you read it for yourself.