Category: News

A Mendocino County woman took to Facebook with explosive claims that her elderly father is a prolific serial killer responsible for murders worldwide since the 1950s.

But after more than a year of investigation, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said Monday it found no evidence linking him to any homicides.

“We’re spending a lot of time trying to keep up with this social media post,” Sheriff Matthew Kendall told The Press Democrat.

Viral allegations

The woman, who identified herself as Maria “Galina” Trefil, shared multiple posts beginning with: “I am Galina. I’m the daughter of a serial killer and need your help.”

She said she lived with her father on an 18.5-acre property in Albion in the late 1980s and began uncovering details about the alleged killings in 2012.

In a Facebook post from Thursday that was shared more than 13,000 times, she alleged that her father, now 86, admitted to killing at least one person per month from 1965 to 1999, spanning California, Idaho, Illinois, Oregon and Virginia, as well as Canada, France, the Netherlands and the Mexican border.

She also wrote that her father was willing to cooperate with law enforcement and lead them to burial sites — a claim the Sheriff’s Office disputed.

“The Sheriff’s Office has not interviewed (the father) directly regarding these allegations due to his fragile medical state and information provided by his family that he will not cooperate with law enforcement,” officials said in a statement.

Trefil did not return requests for comment from The Press Democrat.

Investigation yields no evidence

Sheriff’s officials said their investigation began in January 2023, focusing in part on a Mendocino County homicide from the 1970s after Trefil told investigators her father had confessed. She provided photos, journal entries and recordings, but detectives could not substantiate her claims.

Investigators obtained a DNA sample from her father in May 2023, but it did not match evidence from the crime scene. They also searched a remote cabin in Comptche, where she alleged victims were buried, but found no evidence.

Authorities said they also could not verify her claims about other serial killers she said her father identified, nor did they find confessions in the journals she provided.

Sheriff’s Capt. Quincy Cromer said detectives reviewed recordings she submitted, but her father’s voice was inaudible.

“It was very clear that leading questions were provided to him and then when he would make a sounds, she would say, ‘Oh, he confesses to this,’” Kendall said. “But my detectives could not hear him say yes, no or anything else. A lot of it was just strange moans.”

Officials: No credible leads so far

The Sheriff’s Office said it would continue investigating any potential links between the man and unsolved cases but maintained that no evidence had been found to support the allegations.

“When everything that is brought before us, we run it to the ground and it doesn’t turn out to be as reported, eventually we are going to get to the point where we are kind of stomping on some civil rights here, as well,” Kendall said.

Staff Writer Madison Smalstig contributed reporting.

You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @colin_atagi

DALLAS –  A North Texas mother diagnosed with a rare heart disease at 22 years old has been on a 14-year journey of faith and hope.

Destany’s Diagnosis

The backstory:

In October 2010, Destany Epps-Manuel was only 22 years old when she was suddenly diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart disease affecting the left side of her heart. 

“I have a 16-year-old. At the time I was diagnosed, he was two and a half and I looked in his face and I knew I had to be here to be a mom if nothing else,” Epps-Manuel recalled.

Doctors at Baylor Scott & White in Dallas did not understand why exactly in Epps-Manuel’s heart was not working well as she underwent her first heart transplant for an artificial heart and placed on an Left Ventricular Asisst Device (LVAD). 

As complications developed, Epps-Manuel was placed on a second LVAD machine, but the drugs to assist Epps-Manuel’s new heart ravaged her kidney. 

She had to undergo a kidney transplant. This followed more complications for Epps-Manuel, this time, on the right side of her heart.

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it. My blood pressure plummeted. I was very, very sick,” she recalled.

Doctors told Epps-Manuel her only chance was lifesaving treatment at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. 

Tyler Gunn, Assistant Professor of Cardiac Surgery and heart-transplant doctor at Cedars-Sinai, understood this would be Epps-Manuel’s fourth heart surgery and second transplant. This time, it required a operation lasting over 10 hours.

“Part of the issues that complicated her case was that with each heart surgery she developed antibodies that potentially reject her new heart,” Gunn said. “So, we had to do some aggressive therapies that are available to ger her desensitized to be able to have a low likelihood of rejecting this new heart.”

Faith in Perseverance

What they’re saying:

Epps-Manuel’s strength and perseverance are aided by her father, Oscar Epps, who is a Pastor at Community Missionary Baptist Church in DeSoto. 

“I had to put my faith in a pitcher, where people could see that I’m not just talking about it. I now have to live it because of our own circumstances.” Epps said.
 

Her circumstances give others a testimony about hope. 

“Never wallow in your sadness. Always find something to keep you going, whether it’s for you, for your family, or to uplift others in Christ. Whatever that reason is, just make sure you find a reason to keep pushing,” Epps-Manuel said. 

HealthGarland

Ivanka Trump has hinted that there’s no bad blood between her and sister-in-law Karlie Kloss after she liked the former Victoria’s Secret Angel model’s pregnancy announcement.

Supermodel Karlie, 32, revealed on Monday that she is expecting her third child with her billionaire husband Joshua Kushner, 39.

She broke the news by participating in a stunning photoshoot with Vogue, in which she proudly showed off her growing bump.

‘Family is everything to me,’ she gushed to the publication. ‘Josh and I are incredibly grateful for this blessing.’

Karlie also shared photos of her bump and her sons Elijah, one, and Levi, four, to Instagram with the caption: ‘Three’s a party.’

And it seems that businesswoman Ivanka, 43, is delighted by the baby bombshell news, as she gave it a big heart despite rumors of a rift between them. 

It wasn’t just Ivanka sharing the love though, with Lauren Sanchez, Yolanda Hadid, Paris Hilton, Serena Williams, and Kim Kardashian also sharing heartfelt likes and comments.

While sisters-in-laws Karlie and Ivanka both married into the Kushner family – which heralds a property dynasty and is known for its warm relations with the newly elected US President – the pair aren’t often pictured together, and have found themselves on very different sides of the political fence.

And their lack of interactions have sparked rumors of a rift between them; most recently, they both attended the same wedding but were not photographed together. 

As Ivanka – who has said she’s not making a return to the White House this time around – stunned in a custom recreation of an iconic 1954 couture gown worn by Audrey Hepburn at this week’s inauguration ball, the contrasts between them couldn’t have felt more stark.

She and Jared danced alongside Donald and Melania Trump – as well as Vice President JD Vance and his spouse, Usha Vance – along with her siblings Tiffany and Eric with their partners; making for a firmly GOP-aligned image.

Ivanka has in past endorsed the Democratic party – but following her father’s foray into politics proclaimed to be a staunch ‘proud Trump Republican’ who along with her husband worked as a senior advisor in his first administration.

Meanwhile Victoria’s Secret Angel Karlie has made it clear that she doesn’t support her in-laws’ views, and the same seems to be the case for Joshua.

In 2019, she admitted that it’s been ‘hard’ to navigate the dissonance.

Speaking to British Vogue, she added: ‘But I choose to focus on the values that I share with my husband, and those are the same liberal values that I was raised with and that have guided me throughout my life.’

Just two years prior, her husband voiced similar sentiments on his ‘liberal values,’ which have ‘guided his life.’

‘I have supported political leaders that share similar values,’ he told Forbes in an interview.

‘But neither political party has a monopoly on the truth or on constructive ideas for our country. It’s important to be open minded and learn from differing opinions.’

Karlie is already a mom to two sons with husband Josh; Levi and Elijah born in 2021 and 2023 respectively.

Joshua, brother of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, is the founder of Thrive Capital, a venture-capital firm that has backed technology companies including Instagram, GitHub, and Spotify.

Apart from being a model, Karlie is also the founder of Kode With Klossy, a coding camp for girls.

The couple began dating in June 2012 before tying the knot six years later in 2018.

They married in Upstate New York that October, and then decided to have renew their vows at a second ceremony in Wyoming in July 2019.

In March 2021, the couple welcomed Levi to the world, and in May 2023 Karlie shocked fans when she debuted a baby bump at the 2023 MET Gala, making the surprise announcement that baby number two was on the way.

During an interview with Glamour in June 2023, shortly before Elijah’s arrival, she opened up about motherhood and also her postpartum journey after welcoming her first child.

Prince Jackson, the son of the legendary Michael Jackson, recently took to social media to share his heartfelt experiences from his latest trip to Sydney, Australia. The 28-year-old, accompanied by his girlfriend, Molly Schirmang, attended the much-anticipated opening night of MJ: The Musical on March 8, 2025, celebrating the life and legacy of the King of Pop.

Sharing his excitement, Prince documented various highlights from their time together. He expressed, “We flew down to Sydney, Australia to celebrate the premier of the 5th company of [MJ: The Musical]. We walked around the beautiful city of Sydney and it was really cool to see [MJ: The Musical] everywhere,” alongside photos he posted on Instagram.

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Spring promises a few things: glorious, sunshine-infused days, opportunities to finally flaunt your style free of constricting layers, and the annual return of Le Creuset’s spring cookware collection. Every last piece — from the Mini Flower Bowls to the Flower Plates that are bound to elevate all your table arrangements this season — benefits from eye-catching, pastel-forward colorways, floral-inspired silhouettes, as well as the world-class functionality the brand has always been known for. And with Mother’s Day happening sooner than you think, treating Mom to these Le Creuset bestsellers will be a gift that keeps on giving… and one she keeps on talking about to all her friends for years to come.

To start with the arguably most exciting cooking essential in the lineup, Le Creuset’s Signature Petal Braiser is now available in hues that will satisfy every sensibility: including the soft, new-for-2025 Peche that evokes July trips to orchards, the teal-adjacent Sea Salt, the highly Instagram-able Shell Pink, and more.

Look beyond the colors, though, and you’ll get a sense of the braiser’s high-functioning nature. Great for cooking up everything from cinnamon rolls to your grandma’s meatball recipe, it has an enameled cast iron materiality that’s not only a breeze to clean but also provides even heat transfer; a domed lid that circulates steam while ensuring ingredients retain moisture; and ergonomic handles that ensure you’ll never hurt yourself while doing something that’s only meant to be enjoyable. Design-wise, the Signature Petal Braiser features an embossed petal design that’s an homage to the anemone flower, and you better believe we’ll be snapping many pictures of it in action — as the receptacle of sizzling and bubbling goodness-in-progress.

Note that the braiser’s most attractive shade, Berry, is already sold out, which is a sign to act fast if you plan on your (or your mom’s) kitchen being graced by its presence in the near future. There are more stylishly delicious offerings where that came from, too, like the set of five Le Creuset Mini Flower Bowls that are perfectly petite and will be at your service in the capacity of either condiment holders, spoon rests, or vessels for small appetizers like caviar mounds (if you’re fancy fancy). Their glazed surface not only looks great but is also chip-proof, non-stick, and microwave-safe. Seeking to beautify your tablescape for Easter or Mother’s Day brunch? Grab a few of the brand’s vibrant Flower Plates in Turquoise (the only hue that’s currently in stock), whose ridged, upward-sloping edges will add many tablespoons of whimsy to all upcoming meals.

Another recent addition to the Le Creuset universe is the stoneware Iris Collection Ruffle Vase. We know, we know: it can’t be classified as cookware, but the vase exudes endless charm, is inspired by the national flower of France, and is just the thing for holding freshly picked tulips, irises (of course), or herbs from the garden. Buy it in Peche for an endearing matching moment with the Signature Petal Braiser; a color-coordinated kitchen, after all, is good for the soul.

Not only does Le Creuset have a major social media presence of its own (hello, 300,000 and one million followers on TikTok and Instagram, respectively), but its highly appealing selections are also the source of much online talk, with users on the aforementioned platforms losing their minds whenever a new style or cooking essential drops. This is testament to Le Creuset’s unique ability to maintain cultural relevance while being exactly 100 years old and specializing in something quite niche: highly durable enameled cast iron handcrafted in France. We’re absolutely here for it, and your mom — in fact, all the motherly figures in your life — will be too after being blessed with this seasonal kitchen refresh that Le Creuset has been cooking up for some time now.

Shop Le Creuset’s Spring Essentials for 2025

Le Creuset Mini Flower Bowl, Set of 5

Price upon publish date of this article: $37.50

Le Creuset Flower Plate

Price upon publish date of this article: $22.50

Le Creuset Iris Collection Ruffle Vase

Price upon publish date of this article: $100

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You know that meme about how 90% of being a pet parent is just both of you walking around the house, wondering what the other is eating? It’s funny because it’s true! Our furry creatures are so much fun and also so much work. We want nothing more than to make them happy, but they can’t exactly tell us what they want (meows and barks don’t really get into the level of detail we need). We’re always on the hunt to find ideas that will make life better for us and our furry friends, so we’ve rounded up some of the best advice we’ve given in the past 25 years. It’s the cat’s pajamas, if you will.

Use a Rubber Glove for Pet Hair

Fur does’t just stay on your pet, it gets here, there, and everywhere. To take it off of your clothes or couch, try this trick. Put on a pair of rubber dishwashing gloves and wipe your hands along the fabric, working in a circular motion to collect all the fur. That rubbery material is so handy! (See what we did there?)

Roll Down Car Windows for Fido

When bringing your four-legged pal on road trips, keep his tummy from getting queasy by rolling the windows down a few inches and watching his food intake, says Sara Lewis, DVM, managing shelter veterinarian at the Animal Humane Society in Minnesota. “Don’t feed him a full meal for six to 12 hours before your trip,” she warns, adding that it’s OK to offer small amounts of water so he stays hydrated.

Get Up When You’re Ready

The excitement for breakfast is real. Ditto for going outside to pee on that same tree from yesterday. But barring any health issues, your pet should be able to make it through the night until you’re up and at ’em. If you’re being awakened by middle-of-the-night zoomies, consider upping your play sessions and leaving out one of those treat-dispensing toys for your pup. That can help reduce boredom and quell any midnight munchies. Whatever you do, know that nothing good comes from giving in to 4 a.m. meowing: “When you get up and reward cats with attention—even if it’s negative—or food, you incentivize them to continue to harass you,” says Brianna Im, DVM, a veterinarian in Portland, Oregon.

Same for early-morning doggy whine fests. Start your day at a time that works for you. Be consistent and your pup should adjust his inner alarm clock. “Dogs like routine and structure,” says Marge Rogers, a certified professional dog trainer in West Jefferson, North Carolina. “So the more you stick to a schedule, the easier it will be for your dog to adapt.”

Bring Three Things on Walks—and Only Three Things

Communal water bowls can harbor viruses, bacteria, and parasites that spread through feces. (It’s adorable when dogs paw at their water, but if they’ve stepped in poop beforehand…) So pack your own water, a collapsible bowl, and poop bags. “Do not bring toys, treats, or balls, because they can cause dogs to compete over resources,” says Alexandra Bassett, a certified dog trainer and behavioral specialist in Los Angeles. Meaning, Mary Puppins might get upset when Bark Twain doesn’t share! To avoid any ruff play, teach your dog the “drop it” command, or ask people to throw their ball in another area of the park.

Use Positive Reinforcement

This means you reward the behaviors you like and ignore the ones you don’t. There are lots of ways to acknowledge Spot’s good work: treats, playing with him with a toy or with other pets, or anything else the dog responds to. “Rewarding” techniques can even be used to teach fully potty-trained canines to ring a doggy doorbell to let you know when they need to relieve themselves.

Get Into a Teeth Routine

The ideal: You brush your pet’s teeth every day for a minute or two. The reality: He flees the minute he sees bristles. Try giving him a few weeks to get used to toothbrushing. Start by letting him taste pet toothpaste off your finger, then dab a bit on a tooth, then have him lick it off his toothbrush. If that doesn’t work, try wiping his teeth with dental wipes. (Whether you brush or wipe, sit behind your pet so he can’t back away from you.) If he won’t let you do either, ask your vet about oral-care kibble or Oravet dental chews. The chews work to loosen and remove plaque and include an ingredient that helps ward off bacteria.

Add Lemon Rinds to Planters

Every cat parent knows that felines love to nibble on household plants. Not only is it annoying for you (those bedraggled begonias!), but it’s also potentially harmful to your pet. To curb the behavior, make the plants unappealing by placing lemon rinds in the dirt. (Cats detest the scent.) It’s also helpful, if your vet approves, to give the cats greenery that they can snack on, like wheatgrass or catnip. Place it near their toys or food and at least five feet from the other plants.

And on that note, skip the monstera and other plants that are toxic to pets. Toxicity varies based on the plant—some only require a whiff, while others would have to be ingested to hurt Fido. Regardless, you’ll want to avoid aloe vera, monstera, and corn plant, among others, to keep your pets safe.

Give Them Their Space

“Dogs should have beds in a few different locations to choose from,” says Christopher Pachel, DVM, and owner of Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon. Sometimes they want to be close to the action (that is, keep an eye out for any crumbs that might fall on the floor). Other times they may be more inclined to curl up in a quiet corner or under a coffee table (dogs often seek the comfort and security of tight, den-like spaces) to catch some undisturbed shut-eye. Or they may want to head upstairs to get a break from guests. If your dog uses a crate, keep the door open so she can hunker down whenever she wants.

Investigate Your Choice of Kibble

When it comes to kibble, price doesn’t necessarily correspond to quality. Ask your vet which food they recommend for your fur baby and how much to feed them—getting it right could save money and prevent obesity (a major possible cause of hefty vet bills). You can also go to petnutritionalliance.org to determine exactly how many calories your little fella needs. Another smart saving idea: Ask your pet store about frequent-buyer programs—some give incentives, such as the tenth bag free. Or buy online and enable auto shipping, which can save you around 5%.

Prevent Wet Dog Smell

A dog’s thick, oily coat is water-repellent, which helps it dry faster, but it can also trap and absorb various organic materials from the water. These microorganisms may remain on the coat as the water evaporates, leaving behind a foul odor. To avoid this, make sure your furry friend is thoroughly dry after swimming or bathing, including the inside of his ears. And don’t wait for your pet to air dry! If his coat remains damp for a long time, yeast, mold, and bacteria can thrive, making the coat odor worse.

The family of baby Charlie slammed the Duck Bay Hotel in Scotland as an ‘absolute embarrassment’ after staff denied him use of a plug socket needed for his vital medical device

A terminally ill baby has been pictured for the first time after he was refused help by a luxury hotel.

Baby Charlie and his family, who gave permission for him to be pictured, were visiting Duck Bay Hotel on the scenic banks of Loch Lomond in Scotland at the weekend when they were denied plugging in a nebuliser – a medical device that turns liquid containing medication into a fine mist to breathe in. The hotel’s bosses have since offered a public apology, saying they are “truly sorry”, after a scathing post about the incident went viral.

Charlie lives with a tracheostomy and is currently staying with his parents at Robin House Children’s Hospice just a few miles down the road in Balloch, reports the Daily Record. His parents, from Edinburgh, had decided to take their baby to the popular loch side venue for family time and spent £40 on coffee and cakes.

They were left horrified after they were denied use of a plug socket to switch on Charlie’s life saving machine. But they have since shared pictured of their son with Edinburgh Live.

Charlie’s uncle, Bradley Raynham, took to social media blasting the hotel, calling it an “embarrassment of a place” and the post went viral. He said: “My sister and fiancé are currently residing at Robin House Children’s Hospice as my nephew is receiving end of life care there. He is a little over three months old and every minute of every day is a blessing with him just now.

“He has a tracheostomy which he breathes through and every so often he needs a nebuliser which is essentially vaporised water that’s like steam that helps clear his airways to help him breathe. They went to this absolute embarrassment of a place, as they’re trying to do nice things and make every day Charlie has left special.

“It got to the time Charlie needed his nebuliser so as the restaurant was so busy, they asked at the reception of the hotel if they could use one of the plug sockets so he could get this. While they’re holding him in their arms they were told ‘no we don’t do this here’.

“Even after explaining the situation they weren’t interested one bit. They had to leave and get back to the hospice immediately so they could give him the nebuliser.”

Bradley added: “How in this day and age can ANY place turn someone away for something like this. Especially after being there and spending money. Literally holding a baby in their arms who needs this.

“Not really going to make a massive difference but hopefully this gets shared far and wide and nobody bothers to go and spend their money there. In the nicest way possible I hope the place rots and none of the staff are ever in a situation like this with their extremely ill child.”

The hotel’s bosses issued an apology in response to Bradley’s post, saying many members of staff were “devastated” to hear how the family was treated. A spokesperson said: “Duck Bay Marina have recently been made aware of an incident which occurred earlier today and would like to profusely apologise for what happened.

“The incident involved a junior member of staff who has recently joined the company, acting without guidance, who entirely misunderstood and misjudged a situation. We are deeply upset at how this incident was handled and we are truly sorry for the upset it has caused.

“It is in absolutely no way a reflection of the values of Duck Bay Marina or our hard working staff, many of whom are devastated by the incident. A full investigation will follow and the necessary remedial action will be taken.

“We have made contact with both Robin House and Charlie’s parents to offer a personal apology and to reassure them that the incident is completely unacceptable and will be dealt with as a matter of urgency. As long time supporters of local charities we will certainly make amends for the incident and will take the opportunity to review our training and procedures to ensure such an incident is never repeated.

“We are also aware of social media posts and comments regarding the incident. Whilst we completely understand people’s reaction to what happened, we would like to remind you that this is an incident involving a very inexperienced young person who has made a mistake, they are absolutely devastated by what has happened and how they have handled things.”

The mother of a young girl who fell unconscious after having a slushie has urged parents to steer clear of them, saying the artificially sweetened drinks were “poison” that should be banned for children under 12.

Kim Moore, from Burnley, Lancashire, said Marnie, four, became pale and unresponsive about ten minutes after trying the drink with her six-year-old sister at a children’s party.

Moore took her daughter to hospital in Burnley, where doctors discovered that her blood sugar levels were dangerously low. They later told her that the reaction was caused by the slush-ice drink she had consumed at the party. Doctors suspect Marnie, who is now nine, suffered from glycerol toxicity.

A study released this month found a link between slushies and glycerol ­intoxication