About This Episode
The podcast episode from CBS' Post Mortem series examines the tragic case of Jade Janks, a woman from San Diego who was arrested in 2021 for the murder of her 64-year-old stepfather, Tom Merriman.
The case began when Jade discovered secret nude photos of herself on Merriman's computer — photographs she had never given permission for. The discovery triggered a chain of events that culminated in Merriman's death on New Year's Eve 2020-2021.
Tom Merriman was found dead in his home with extremely high levels of sleep medication in his system. Prosecutors alleged that Jade had poisoned him with large doses of Ambien and then strangled him, while the defense argued that he had taken the medication himself.
The trial revealed a complex picture of family dynamics, betrayal, and revenge. In 2023, Jade was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
The Post Mortem episode reviews the evidence, the trial, and the psychological dimensions of the case, in which the lines between victim and perpetrator were blurred within a deeply troubled family relationship.
