Listener Reviews

I happened to click on this podcast and couldn’t put it down. I am the same age as Michelle would have been. Leo’s innocence is blaring throughout the telling of his story. The fact that Leo comes out the other side with love, compassion and resiliency is nothing short of a miracle. Amazing detective work, writing, delivering the story, and perseverance to Gilbert and Kelsey. Best wishes to Leo and his family.

Wonderful story telling. I couldn’t stop listening.

One of the most touching podcasts that I've listened to. Leo is one of the cases that made me take a look at our justice system and after nearly learning a similar fate due to lies and corruption decided to return to school and study law. If not for our local law school and their support and dedication I wouldn't be where I am today. I intend to represent those who cannot afford proper presentation and fight for the wrongly convicted. If you need ideas for another season I highly recommend looking into Keith Zon Doolin’s case as that is the other case that still today gives me nightmares and makes me question if teaching our children to be helpful and good Samaritans is a good thing or not. It made me question what I should tell my sons to do if they see a woman or women possibly in danger and what the right advice is to give. I know they say innocent people shouldn't worry but in fact, innocent people should essentially be more concerned about injustices, without physical evidence, circumstantial evidence is all in the way that one perceives it and that can be a tricky and dangerous game to play. And the state all too often agrees to admit that they made a mistake. The same thing happened with Keith, another heinous murder led to a confession and the inability to get it admitted into evidence after not 1 but 2 suicides. Keith is on Death Row and I fear that California will never right this wrong and sickening injustice. Keep up the amazing work that you're doing!! You changed a lot of lives with your podcast and gave us the raw and emotional aspects of what you're doing. I hope you truly know what a blessing you have been for so many people and families.

Gilbert, you are not just a writer, not just a podcaster, you are an incredible human! This is a wonderful story filled with imperfect individuals who perfectly intertwine through a horrific event to fill each other with hope, faith and love. It is a story that matters, a story that is worth telling and thankfully you are a brilliant storyteller. You start with the facts, the evidence and then you sprinkle the humanity of it all! Thank you to Leo for being a beautiful example of true christianity and brotherly love. Thank you to Jeremy for being raw and vulnerable and for never giving excuses for his past transgressions but rather for taking responsibility and facing them head on. Thank you to Justin for his desire to know his father albeit with fear but with an empathetic heart and no judgment at all. In the podcast Leo said that his hope was that Jeremy came to know true and genuine love, the kind he may have never experienced. This is my hope as well! God bless you all as you have blessed others with your story! Thank you!

Beautiful complex story told with care, filled with pain and healing.

I have loved every minute of this emotional story. Well done. Can’t give it 5 stars unfortunately because I’m very disappointed that it required a subscription to finish. Poor taste. I used the free trial and cancelled right away. I’m not willing to play that game with podcasts.

Gilbert, the work you've done here is incredible. You have truly made a remarkable and beautiful impact on humanity that reaches far beyond what you're even aware of. Thank you for that. I thought I cried hard at the end of season 1, but that was nothing compared to the full sobs that were pouring out while listening to the montage of messages at the end of season 2.

One of the best podcasts I have listened to, period. Amazing reporting of an important story. **Coming back to say that season 2 is some of the most heartbreaking, heart opening story telling I’ve ever heard. Such an important story told in a masterful way. Humanity in all of its complicated beauty.

I just finished bingeing season 2, and it was incredible. Gilbert did a masterful job of humanizing a man who has done evil things, reminding all of us that all humans have worth and that love transforms lives.

This story is told so well, Season 1 I was so vested with Leo. This 2nd Season filled my heart with such love. How amazing that so much love has come from something terrible. Leo’s ability to forgive and show grace to Jeremy should teach us all a lesson. Hearing Justin and Jeremy getting to know each other made me cry. It’s so important to love your children, hug them, tell them how much you care and support them. I can only imagine if Jeremy had supports as a child things could have turned out differently for so many. Being loved by your parents is unmeasurable. Thank you for your Amazing story telling. I feel like I know them. I can’t wait for more.

I have not listened to a podcast quite like this. It is remarkable. The narrator is compassionate, tenacious, thoughtful, kind and never stops asking the hard questions. I don’t know if there are awards for podcasts, but this deserves one. A story of heartbreak, consequences, justice miscarriage, forgiveness and healing.

It is so beautiful to witness such profound change in so many lives.

I have listened to season one five or six times. I get excited every time I convince someone to listen so I can follow alongside. Season two already has me hooked in wish I had the willpower to wait so I could binge the entire series.

Just finished Leo story and wow!! Loved the podcast looking forward to season 2!!!

Fascinating case and story beautifully told. So fascinating that I read the court transcripts myself. Upon reading the court transcripts, I felt the podcast was biased in a few places - certain trial details were downplayed in my opinion. I’d still recommend it, but reading the transcripts offers a fuller perspective.

This is such a heartbreaking important story to tell. So many injustices present here. Thank goodness for the podcasters who are shining a light on how broken the system is.

This podcast told this story so well, to where I feel like I know these people. I’ve cheered them on and on the day Leo got out I cried. It’s truly a love story, I know that doesn’t sound right but it is. It’s a love story in so many ways, I’m thankful that it was shared with us and I can’t wait to hear what’s to come.

This podcast is a masterpiece. Everyone needs to listen to this.

This is an unbelievable story covered in great detail with true compassion. I literally cried my eyes out As I was making dinner for my family. The willingness and ability to forgive is beyond belief. Thank you for telling this story

Until there is a wholesale reeducation of prosecutors and accountability for their misdeeds, these tragedies will never end. They are programmed to value convictions rather than truth and justice. Victoria Avalon is exhibit A and a disgrace to the profession and humanity.

Breathtaking story. An absolute must listen.

I got emotional during episode 8. I couldn’t believe that this was actually happening to Leo in the modern day. He is so clearly innocent. The manipulation, coercion, deception, incompetence…the list goes on, that the prosecutors and detectives in this case have exuded is surreal. Incredible story…. But listener beware: you will be infuriated with the justice system after listening to this podcast.

This is an incredible story, full of ups and downs and absolutely heartbreak. It also shines a light on our justice system and how quickly we throw people away and forget about them. It made me want to take action and look for ways I can be an advocate for those whose voice has been silenced.

Leo’s story is so incredibly sad and was told beautifully. Bone Valley is a podcast I’ve been following on Apple Podcasts and knew I’d eventually get to it. I finally did and binged it in less than 24 hours. I’d like to say that what I heard was insane, but it’s extremely obvious at this point to me that not only is our justice system beyond broken, but so are the people running it. I know that there’s probably thousands of Leo’s in this country. The fact that we got to hear his story is why podcasts are such an incredible vehicle bc without it… I don’t think he’d be home rn. Finding out he was coming home brought me to tears bc it was truly looking so bleak and hopeless. His spirit, his strength, his patience… I don’t know how he did it. I’d love to hear an update. I hope all the good things for Leo