Curious Cat

A Tragedy 30 Years Later

Jennifer Hotes Season 2 Episode 62

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 43:09

Send a text

This one is not for younger ears, and is not for the sensitive. This episode deals with a true and brutal crime perpetrated on my friend 30 years ago.

I promise to tell it with love and compassion, to breeze (mostly) over the dirtbag that committed the crime, and share more about the woman he took from the prime of her life. (God, I hate that saying)

If you're listening to this on Friday, then exactly 30 years ago almost to the hour, my friend Sissy was saying goodbye to me for the last time.

I'd never see her alive again.

Every Presidents' weekend I think of Sissy and send prayers to the daughter that survived. 

Arlene "Sissy" Brown will never be the subject of a 48 Hours or Dateline or 20/20. In fact, she was mostly forgotten in the Seattle-area media a few months after her murder. 

This episode isn't about that crime. Well, it is a bit, but the true point of the episode is to share about the friend and coworker I miss, the spunky, smart and driven single mother I remember.


Anxious about AI? Take two minutes to contact your local politician and ask them to tap the brakes on this technology. Still worried? Contact one of the orgs below and get involved.

But for today, hug your kid, cook food and really breathe in deep as it simmers, walk in nature, brush a cat, donate to the food bank, brew a cup of tea, or draw a five-minute portrait of your dog.

Hero Organizations:

80,000 Hours

Center for Humane Technologies


Curious Cat Crew on Socials:
Curious Cat on Twitter (X)
Curious Cat on Instagram
Curious Cat on TikTok


Podcasts we love

Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.

Paranormal Karen Artwork

Paranormal Karen

Karen Rontowski
The Skeptic Metaphysicians | A Pragmatic Guide to Spiritual Awakening, Metaphysics & Enlightenment Artwork

The Skeptic Metaphysicians | A Pragmatic Guide to Spiritual Awakening, Metaphysics & Enlightenment

Will & Karen | Hosts of The Skeptic Metaphysicians - Awakening Seekers of Spiritual Growth & Expanded Consciousness
The Homewrecker Podcast Artwork

The Homewrecker Podcast

Alex Arion & Monique Gisele
Octoberpod AM Artwork

Octoberpod AM

Octoberpod After Midnight
A Psychic's Story Artwork

A Psychic's Story

Nichole Bigley: Spiritual Guide, Intuitive, Energy Healer, Psychic, Medium, Teacher, Reiki, Intuition, God, Angels, Spirit Guides, Universe, Soul, Life After Death, Supernatural, Spirituality, Higher + Highest Self, Consciousness, Awakening) | Para Pods
Psychic Teachers Artwork

Psychic Teachers

Samantha Fey and Deb Bowen
The Snake River Killer Artwork

The Snake River Killer

Brandon Schrand
The Higherside Chats Artwork

The Higherside Chats

Greg Carlwood