About this episode
Mary Jane Fonder was a 65-year-old woman living in Springfield Township, Pennsylvania. She was known to be a bit of a loner—socially awkward, emotionally fragile, and very involved in her local church, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran. But behind her reserved demeanor simmered a potent mix of envy and resentment, a hidden inner turmoil that would ultimately erupt into a shocking and tragic act of violence.Join us for Between the Pews: Faith, Envy & Murder. In early 2008, a new face appeared at the church: Rhonda Smith, a 42-year-old woman looking for comfort and a supportive community after a difficult life. She quickly became a beloved member of the congregation, receiving support and attention from the pastor and others—attention that Mary Jane would grow to resent.SourcesA life in prison, Bucks County Courier Times, Amanda Cregan, 1/17/2010., retrieved 6/23/2025.Guilty: Jury says Mary Jane Fonder killed Hellertown resident Rhonda Smith, lehighvalleylive.com, retrieved 6/20/2025.Love Me or Else by By Colin McEvoy and Lynn OlanoffMurder suspect noted church killing on calendar, police say. PennLive.com, retrieved 6/20/2025.Pastor says he asked Fonder to leave church, Unnerved: Testifies suspect's behavior upset him, even before shooting. tribunedigital-mcall, retrieved 6/20/2025.Subscribe for ad-free, early, and bonus episodesRecord a voicemail for a future showContact UsShop TCB MerchJoin our True Crime Brewery Fan Discussion GroupBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-brewery--4126935/support.Record your voicemail at tiegrabber.com for our feedback segment or send us an email to truecrimebrewery@tiegrabber.comWe love receiving your feedback and most of our case choices come from listener suggestions!
