"The culture of silence and inaction around domestic violence is deadly everywhere, but in Alaska, as the more family learns, the problems run much, much deeper than they could even begin to imagine." — Britt
"Don't be afraid to save someone's life." — Butch (Brianna's Father)
"The man they thought loved their daughter was not at all what he had seen." — Britt
This episode of Crime Junkie recounts the devastating story of Brianna "Brie" Moore, a vibrant young woman from Anchorage, Alaska, whose life was cut short by her boyfriend, Josh Almeda. Initially perceived as a charming and hard-working individual, Josh's true nature as a violent offender with a history of domestic abuse, drug use, and illegal firearm possession was concealed from Brianna and her parents. The narrative highlights how Josh's parents, despite knowing about his criminal past and even assisting in cleaning up a previous crime scene, failed to disclose this critical information, contributing to the environment where Brianna's murder could occur. The episode further explores the systemic issues in Alaska, including alarmingly high rates of intimate partner violence, particularly among Indigenous women, and the state's insufficient response to holding perpetrators and their enablers accountable.
Following Brianna's murder, her parents, Butch and Cindy Moore, channeled their grief into activism. They learned about the prevalence of teen dating violence and its tragic outcomes, realizing that education was key to prevention. Their efforts led to the passage of the Alaska Safe Children's Act in 2015, which includes a provision informally known as "Bree's Law," mandating dating violence prevention education in schools for students in grades 7-12. This legislation aims to equip young people with the knowledge to recognize warning signs, understand healthy relationships, and seek help. The episode emphasizes that while Brianna's life was lost, her legacy lives on through this critical educational initiative.
The story underscores the critical importance of community awareness and intervention in cases of domestic violence. It reveals that warning signs were present but often overlooked or ignored by peers and even professionals, partly due to a lack of understanding or a reluctance to get involved. The episode meticulously details Josh's extensive criminal record, including prior assaults, and the shocking testimony of his parents during depositions, where they appeared to lie under oath about his access to firearms and his history of violence. Despite the evidence presented, the state's reluctance to prosecute Josh's parents for perjury or their role in tampering with evidence highlights further systemic challenges in achieving full justice.