Latest news with #Melanie
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
A 'relentless obsession': Family of man accused of domestic murder tried to keep woman safe
A Calgary man accused of gunning down his ex-girlfriend had a "relentless obsession" with her, according to his family members. Devon Malik made his first appearance on a charge of first-degree murder Wednesday, four days after he is accused of fatally shooting Madisson Cobb, 23, in a parking garage along Macleod Trail, near her workplace. On Wednesday, four members of Malik's family — two aunts and two cousins — attended his first court appearance to support Cobb and to shed light on what happened in the weeks leading up to her death. "One hundred per cent we are here to support Madisson. We're here to provide justice for Madisson. We loved her," said one of Malik's aunts. "She was so kind and all she wanted was for Devon to get help and maybe he thought that was hope." Court documents show Malik's aunts and uncles had tried, for months, to protect Cobb and to work with Malik in getting him to leave her alone. The aunts say Malik has a complicated relationship with his mother and that his father isn't in the picture. At the time of the killing, Malik was bound by three judicial orders to stay away from Cobb after she reported to both police and the courts that her ex was harassing her "non-stop." One of the aunts spoke in the lobby of the courthouse after Malik's brief appearance. Out of safety and employment concerns, CBC News will call her Melanie. Melanie says she became close with Cobb over the last seven months after the younger woman asked her for help following her breakup with Malik. At first, court records show Malik was incessantly calling, texting and leaving voice mails for Cobb, swinging between declarations of love and insults and veiled threats. 'I'm worried he might hurt you' In early February, according to Cobb's affidavit, Malik pretended to be in the hospital in an effort to get her to visit him. Then in March, he did end up in hospital, after stabbing himself in the stomach. The court documents show, at that point, Malik's aunts urged Cobb to get a restraining order. "Devon is being discharged as I type this text," wrote one of the aunts. "He's just going home. Refused psych. I'm worried he might hurt you or your mom because he's super angry." On May 30, four months after they broke up, Malik was served with the restraining order. Melanie says that happened in her living room. "It's done. You go your separate ways," Melanie says she told her nephew. But on June 1, Malik was charged criminally with harassment and stalking. His release conditions included a judge's order to have no contact with Cobb and to stay away from her. 'All she wanted was to move on' In a handwritten affidavit filed at the Calgary Courts Centre, Cobb detailed "non-stop" contact from Malik. She told a judge she lived "in fear every day from him." The restraining order was supposed to be in place until June 2026. "This needs to be a call to system needs to change. Domestic violence isn't taken as seriously as it should," said Melanie. "This was a 23-year-old thriving young lady, all she wanted was to move on with her life." 'Infectious passion for life' Cobb, who lived in Okotoks, worked for Lasik MD after graduating from SAIT with a diploma to work as an ophthalmic assistant. Her obituary described her as having "an infectious passion for life." A favourite pastime was cheering on her dad and brother — a hockey player and a hockey coach — at the rink. "These moments became cherished memories she held close," reads Cobb's obituary. On Wednesday, the Okotoks Oilers Jr. A Hockey Club and its Minor Hockey Association issued a joint statement. "It is with profound sadness that [we] mourn the tragic loss of Madisson Cobb," reads the statement. "We extend our deepest condolences to her family — Brad, Jackie and Hunter — as they navigate this unimaginable loss … today, we stand with [Brad] and his family, not just as hockey organizations but as a united community, grieving alongside and offering our unwavering support to a family facing an unthinkable tragedy."
7NEWS
4 days ago
- Business
- 7NEWS
Best-selling natural deodorant available at Woolworths: No Pong
Shoppers are switching over to natural deodorants — and for good reason. Helping to reduce odors when you're excessively sweating, natural deos are free from nasties such as parabens and aluminum. There's one brand Aussies keep stocking up on during their Woolies shop; No Pong. The fastest-growing, best-selling deodorant of its kind, shoppers are loyal supporters and fans of the brand, saying they would 'definitely recommend,' to fellow customers. Founded back in 2015 by Aussie duo Chris and Melanie, they are proud to have created an effective, plastic-free natural deodorant that shoppers actually love to use daily. Currently on sale for just $6.95 (usually $9.95) there's a wide range of refreshing scents to choose from in this cream formula. No Pong prides itself of being a brand that listens, learns, and improves. Constantly looking for new ways to give back to their loyal fan base, the Aussie brand is committed to surprising and rewarding customers with something extra special. Whether it's the launch of a new and exciting product, a gift in the mail or supporting a great cause, No Pong is determined to give back to shoppers. ' Biggest fan of No Pong over here! Their customer service is the best I have ever encountered. I purchased three different scents and liked two of them, but one didn't work for me at all,' one shopper recalls. 'I emailed No Pong and let them know what was happening, and they listened, valued my experience, and sent me a new tin of a scent that worked for me at no charge.' No Pong is a cream product, generally applied with your fingers. Midwife and Co-Founder of No Pong, Melanie McVean, says although many think it's strange to touch their armpits with their fingers, she is 'encouraging everyone to make touching their armpits part of their daily routine'. 'We apply moisturisers, sunscreens and many other products with our hands, so why not touch our armpits to apply deodorant the same way?' she tells Best Picks. Over the years, many customers say they have discovered lumps as a result of checking their armpits, thanks to No Pong. 'They've found lumps that they otherwise wouldn't have found,' Melanie says. 'Some of these turned out to be sliding door moments.' Melanie says lymph nodes play an important role in our body's immune system. 'Normally you can't feel them but when they're swollen, they're more noticeable,' she says. 'It is a great marker that our body is fighting or reacting to something and if it persists, it is a sign that it should be checked out by a healthcare professional.' Shoppers are loving No Pong's line of natural deodorants, calling them 'absolutely amazing'. 'Great product, lovely scents and convenient tins to carry in your bag,' one shopper commented. 'I am grateful I discovered No Pong as I do not like the nasties in commercial deodorants. It's amazing,' another added. amazing stuff,' a third shopper wrote.
NBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Family of West Virginia mom Melanie Metheny, who vanished 19 years ago, works to change how missing persons cases are handled
In 2005, Catherine Moles hosted a family cookout. Her niece, Melanie Metheny, brought her 3-year-old son Ryan. Catherine remembers Melanie trailing after him around the event and 'doting' on him. 'She followed him everywhere,' Catherine told Dateline. 'She was just very, very watchful of him. She was very protective.' That was one of the last times Catherine ever saw her niece. The 21-year-old vanished on July 19, 2006. Catherine remembers Melanie as the cautious, animal-loving mom whose kids were her entire world. So when Melanie disappeared about a year later and people started to wonder if she had just run off, Catherine says she knew better. 'There's no way that that lady would have left any of her children,' she said. In March of 2006, Melanie wrote a tribute to her children that was later found among her belongings. Titled 'The Best Things in My Life,' the opening line reads, 'My whole life revolves around my three kids.' She then gushes about Ryan and his younger brother and sister, Nathan and Hannah, individually. 'Being a single mom is not easy at all but watching my kids grow up and watching them learn new things for the first time is the greatest feeling I've ever had,' she closed in the tribute. 'I would not change them for the world and I don't know where I'd be right now if I didn't have them but I know my life wouldn't have as much meaning.' Debi told Dateline Melanie wanted to give her kids the best childhood they could have, because hers had been tumultuous, bouncing back and forth between her divorced parents' homes. She had run away multiple times as a teenager, but would always come back. According to her mother, Melanie turned her life around when she got pregnant with Ryan at 16. While Catherine remembers Melanie as a quiet girl, Debi saw a different side of her. She says Melanie was outgoing, loved to be the center of attention, and would always sing and dance. She fondly remembers a 5-year-old Melanie working hard to learn the lyrics to 'Three Little Fishies' so she could perform it for her grandfather. While Debi and Catherine may have seen different parts of Melanie's personality, the sisters agree she never would have run off and left her children behind. 'Once she had those kids, she wasn't going anywhere,' Debi said. July 19, 2006, began like any other day for Melanie. She dropped off her two youngest children at Country Kids Daycare in Belle, West Virginia. Ryan spent that day with his paternal grandparents. Dateline spoke with Larry Dodson, a retired captain of the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office, who still works part-time at its detective bureau. He says that after dropping off her kids, Melanie drove to a friend's house nearby, and then allegedly planned to head to Garnet Career Center to pick up some transcripts to bring to West Virginia State University. 'She wanted to be a nurse, or OB-GYN, or something to do with kids. That's just pretty much who she was,' Debi Daniel said. Melanie never made it to the career center, nor did she return to the daycare to pick up her children. 'To my knowledge, that was Melanie who was supposed to pick them up, and when she didn't, that initiated all this,' Dodson told Dateline. He says Melanie was reported missing by her father at 11:18 p.m. The Kanawha County Sheriff's Office began searching for Melanie immediately, and a BOLO for her van was issued to local departments. Tips began flooding in. Dodson says they received so many tips that he 'doesn't have a clue' as to the full amount, but says investigators pursued each one. Four days into the investigation, a tip came in to police that a vehicle had been found on the West Side of Charleston, West Virginia, where it had been parked for several days. It was Melanie's van. 'There was no indication of anything out of the ordinary in the van, and we took it into custody,' Dodson said. He also told Dateline that the only fingerprints on the van were Melanie's and her boyfriend's, both of whom used it regularly. Dodson says the location of Melanie's car sparked some interest for the police. 'We were kind of like, 'Why in the world would her van be where it was?'' he said. Ultimately, the van didn't give the police much to go on, so they focused on other tips. Bill Daniel, Melanie's stepfather, told Dateline the police have been extremely dedicated to Melanie's case. 'They've been fantastic,' he said. 'They follow up on every lead that comes in and everything.' Larry Dodson elaborated on some of the investigative efforts. 'We've pursued leads about possible drug involvement, we pursued leads with local people that she was involved with, we pursued leads to the state of Maryland and up to D.C.,' he said. 'They even pursued leads on several states along the East Coast, about alleged sightings, and all of them — nothing.' Dodson says several persons of interest have been investigated. 'Some of them were cleared and some of them could possibly still be persons of interest.' He would not comment further on potential persons of interest but did confirm that foul play is suspected in Melanie's disappearance. 'We're still getting tips and getting calls on to check here, to check there,' Dodson said. 'I mean, it's not an everyday thing, but we still get tips to follow up on.' The department does not consider Melanie's case to be cold and is still hoping to provide her family the answers they need. 'I don't know if you can give closure where you can't even tell what happened or where they are or if they're still alive,' Dodson said. 'The family's always going to wonder.' Debi Daniel says that wondering — that not knowing — has created a great deal of stress. 'It just deteriorates your health — your mental health, your physical health.' She told Dateline that before her daughter disappeared, people always remarked on her smile. 'I would be the person that people would say, 'I want to smack you because you're always smiling,'' she said. 'Now I hardly smile anymore.' Debi still has a hard time talking about what happened to Melanie, which is why she rarely agrees to be interviewed about it. 'My mind just totally goes blank when it comes to talking about it. I don't know if it's a survival mechanism, or something,' she said. 'My mind just totally goes blank.' Of course, that doesn't mean she has forgotten Melanie. And the community hasn't either. Melanie's is the oldest missing persons case in Kanawha County. In 2016 — one decade after her disappearance — a tree was planted in Melanie's honor at Coonskin Park in Charleston. It is an Autumn Gold Ginkgo Biloba, which is known for its strength and resilience and has come to symbolize hope. It is also known for its brilliant yellow leaves. 'Yellow is the color for missing persons,' Debi explained. 'And so we chose that tree mainly because of what it represented — the different representations of the tree — but also that in fall, the leaves are yellow.' Melissa's aunt, Catherine Moles, lives near the park and frequently visits the tree to take care of it. 'Every time I'm around the tree, I think of Melanie,' she said. 'There's just probably just too much to really remember — every time I visit, something new comes to mind.' Catherine is the administrator of a Facebook group called ' West Virginia Missing ' that she updates regularly with information on local missing persons. Inspired to help the families of other missing persons, in 2014 she began working to create a bill that was eventually sponsored by State Senator Glenn Jeffries. In 2019, the West Virginia Missing Persons Act became law. 'It basically defines what role, what information is needed to be collected, if possible,' Catherine said. 'And the most important thing was that a missing person's information was to be entered into the [National Missing and Unidentified Person System] database. That was my main goal.' The bill also advocated for stronger police-to-family communication during a missing persons investigation. Catherine told Dateline that Melanie was with her every step of the way through the bill's creation. Now she's working on drafting a new piece of legislation that protects the property of missing persons so they don't lose their property because of missed payments while they were missing. 'Sometimes these missing people are found and they don't want to come back to find out that they're homeless because their home was repo-ed,' Catherine said, adding that she wants to protect their estate for the missing and their heirs. She is hopeful that legislation of this kind will help locate some of the missing and provide some measure of peace to other families. Peace their family is still waiting for. Melanie's children are now in their early twenties, roughly the same age their mother was when she disappeared in 2006. Hannah has a little girl of her own now. The 1-year-old has strawberry-blonde hair just like her mother — and just like the grandmother she never met. At the time of her disappearance, Melanie Metheny was 5'3' and weighed 100 lbs., with strawberry-blonde hair and brown eyes. She would be 40 years old today. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office at 304-357-0200.
Geek Vibes Nation
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Until Dawn' 4K UHD Blu-Ray Review - A Gory, Cyclical Nightmare
One year after her sister Melanie mysteriously disappeared, Clover and her friends head into the remote valley where she vanished in search of answers. Exploring an abandoned visitor center, they find themselves stalked by a masked killer and horrifically murdered one by one…only to wake up and find themselves back at the beginning of the same evening. Trapped in the valley, they're forced to relive the night again and again – only each time the killer threat is different, each more terrifying than the last. Hope dwindling, the group soon realizes they have a limited number of deaths left, and the only way to escape is to survive until dawn. For in-depth thoughts on Until Dawn, please see my colleague Cody Allen's review from its original theatrical release here. Video Quality The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Until Dawn offers a minor but valuable uptick in quality over the already impressive accompanying Blu-Ray. The HDR/Dolby Vision expands the range of the color spectrum to impressive heights when it comes to accuracy and depth. This 4K presentation excels when it comes to the balance of the contrast. Dolby Vision allows for a much healthier command of these differences within the frame with greater depth and finer delineation. Black levels stay deep and inky with exceptional detail even in the intense shadows. The highlights in the film are likewise firmly defined with whites pure and balanced and no instances of blooming at play. This is a key benefit when it comes to this format. In terms of color reproduction, you could not ask for more. Elements of the lighting throughout the visitor center radiate off the screen with impressive resonance. Some of the clothing and elements of the production design are accompanied by noteworthy splashes of color to keep things from becoming overly gloomy. Skin tones appear a touch more natural with healthy doses of crisp detail apparent on faces such as makeup. Fine detail is in great shape with the texture of costumes and within the background impeccably defined. The visual effects are decent for what they are trying to accomplish. Sony has delivered another knockout transfer on this latest 4K release. Audio Quality This 4K UHD Blu-Ray utilizes a Dolby Atmos track that gives the narrative the sonic complexity it deserves. Dialogue is crisp and clear without ever getting clipped by the music or sound effects. The score does a nice job of setting the mood as it effectively saturates the room. Despite not being an action-packed outing, nearly all of the surround speakers make themselves known throughout from the expository moments to horrific confrontations. The implementation of the height channels is commendably unsettling at times as the environment becomes very immersive and lived-in. The effects in the low end from the subwoofer give moments the perfect amount of texture. Atmospheric sound effects are deftly rendered within the mix so that directionality is never in question. Until Dawn has been provided a track that effortlessly achieves its sonic ambitions. Optional English, English SDH, French, Spanish, and a plethora of additional subtitles are provided. Special Features Audio Commentary: Director David F. Sandberg & Producer Lotta Losten provide an informative commentary track in which they discuss the production of the film, how they achieved certain shots, fun Easter Eggs in the film, challenges that needed to be overcome, working with the performers, and more. Adapting A Nightmare: A nearly three-minute featurette in which the cast and creative team discuss the concept, the fun of the video game world, expanding the narrative for a feature film, and more. Practical Terrors: A nearly three-minute look at the drive to keep things as practical as possible to maintain a sense of realism. Death-Defying Cast: A three-minute exploration of the characters and the performers who bring them to life, the qualities they bring to the screen, the bonding on set, and more. Deleted Scenes: A 37-minute collection of unused material is provided here, including an alternate opening, alternate ending, extended sequences, and more. Previews Final Thoughts Until Dawn is a video game adaptation that, by most accounts, seems to be dead set on alienating most of its original fan base. As someone who has never played the game nor even heard whispers of what it is about, it does not feel like a great betrayal to me that this feature apparently strays so far from the source material. What I experienced was a surprisingly gory and visceral horror movie with a creative premise executed with a good amount of skill and a mostly likable ensemble. The conceit does become a bit tedious in spots, but it keeps things fresh with creative obstacles and gloriously over-the-top deaths. In terms of studio-backed horror films, this is a pretty fun surprise. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a stellar A/V presentation and a decent assortment of special features. If you are not married to the gaming lore, give this a shot. Recommended Until Dawn is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD + Blu-Ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
From the Farm: Duck Soup both a movie and recipe classic, served and savored at YOUYU
There's been much anger and lament (my own included) about this month's government budget cuts for support and funding for PBS radio and TV stations around the country. While growing up at the farm in the 1970s and 1980s, these were the decades of a rooftop tower antennae for the rabbit-ear television connection to just three major prime time networks, CBS, NBC and ABC, along with our three South Bend 'local TV affiliate stations,' and the added blessings of WGN-Channel 9 and WFLD Channel 32, plus our bonus of PBS Channel 11. (On a clear day, we might also get some fuzzy feed from Channel 34 PBS from Elkhart and Channel 44 from Fort Wayne, despite what we called 'a snowy reception.') Our prized public and government funded PBS channels were our true 'window to the world' because of both the children's educational programs like 'Sesame Street,' 'Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood,' 'Zoom' and 'Electric Company,' and also a full menu of cooking shows hosted by the likes of late greats 'The French Chef' Julia Child,' 'The Frugal Gourmet' Jeff Smith, 'Yan Can Cook' Chef Martin Yan, and New Orleans kitchen hospitality from Justin Wilson's 'Louisiana Cookin'.' Just a couple channel clicks from Channel 11 was station numerical neighbor WGN Channel 9 with a late night vault of favorite old black and white movies, from the weekly 'Creature Features' scary films on Fridays, to Saturday nights of classic comedies of teamed humor icons starring a parade of favorites like W.C. Fields and Mae West, the Marx Brothers, Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy and others. My older sister Pam would occasionally let pesky little brother Phil join any late-night movie viewing fun during her weekend slumber parties and birthday party overnights with her elementary pals Robin and Melanie. One of my favorite Marx Brothers comedy films has always been the 1933 romp featuring the four brothers Groucho, Chico, Harpo and Zeppo titled 'Duck Soup.' The opening credits of the film have always remained emblazoned in my brain: four white live ducks bobbing carelessly in a soup kettle of hot water above a flame! I still wonder if this film is one of the reasons I have always loved roast duck and duck soup, the latter a menu rarity these days. Last weekend, my dad Chester celebrated his 96th birthday with our family and friends with an Elvis-themed ballroom dinner party featuring The King's favorite recipes, followed by a tribute artist concert. My sister Pam invited her school days pals Melanie and Robin to travel to the Region to celebrate Melanie's 59th birthday with duck soup, the recipe, not the movie. Director Leo McCarey provided the title for the Marx Brothers film by lifting it from an earlier directorial project he shared with Laurel and Hardy. Paramount Studios liked this 'animal title' because it stayed in the theme of animal titles of the brothers' previous three films: 'Animal Crackers' (1930), 'Monkey Business' (1931), and 'Horse Feathers' (1932). The term 'duck soup' is also American English slang referring to something easy to do, while conversely, 'to duck something' means to avoid it. The only place I knew to enjoy freshly made duck soup in this area is at YOUYU Noodle Bar at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary, which serves up a mouthwatering variety of Asian dishes as well as freshly made noodles in savory broths. The flavors are inspired by Asian street food, and guests have the advantage of enjoying these delicacies in YOUYU's sleek Hong Kong-like atmosphere in the restaurant's anchor location near the Asian gaming area at the casino at 5400 W. 29th Ave. in Gary. It is one of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana's five restaurants. Pam and her friends had never visited Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, which opened in May 2021 and showcases an Asian gaming landscape, including an upscale Asian gaming lounge with a variety of exciting table games, including Pai Gow and Baccarat. The Hard Rock hosts speak a variety of Asian languages, including Cantonese, Taishanese, Mandarin and Vietnamese. Besides dining on their duck soup and other Asian delicacies, Pam's other prominent point of interest was to see the casino's new $1 million win possibility 'on a single spin' slot machines, just added last month, located in the 'high limit room,' starting at '$25 a pull.' The four 'Dragon Link' theme slot machines have a payout that winners can take home immediately. (It's $600,000 for the true winnings after taxes are taken out.) Hammond's Horseshoe Casino added the same gaming slot opportunity in March. The duck soup recipe at YOUYU involves quite a kitchen concerted effort, many rare and aromatic spices and menu patience. After reviewing a copy of the customized recipe I was kindly provided by the chef, I decided it best to enjoy that particular recipe in the intended dining landscape at YOUYU, where it is easily ladled up and always on the menu with other desired specialties. I have my own more basic variation clipped years ago and created by the aforementioned PBS TV kitchen claim-to-fame Jeff Smith, aka 'The Frugal Gourmet,' who died in 2004 at age 65. Smith explained in 1996 on his show: 'In 1873, one of the famed Yankee Clipper ships delivered a cargo of nine Peking ducks to Long Island, New York, and from these nine have descended the millions and millions of domestic ducks of these same species that we know today in the U.S. Despite its rich and distinctive flavor, duck has fallen out of fashion in recent decades but remains a prized bird in China.' 2 quarts fresh or canned chicken soup stock 6 dried Chinese mushrooms, soaked in 1 cup warm water, the water reserved Pinch of ground white pepper 1 cup Chinese greens (bok choy, Napa) Bones from 1 roast duck, meat and skin reserved 3 green onions, chopped 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 cup cooked duck meat, cut julienne Salt to taste 1-ounce cellophane noodles (sai fun, found in Asian markets) 1 raw egg (garnish) 1 tablespoon chopped Chinese parsley (garnish) Directions: Bring the stock to a simmer and add the mushrooms and the water in which they were soaked. Add the pepper, greens and bones and simmer for 1 hour. Drain the stock and discard all solids except the mushrooms. Cut the mushrooms julienne and return to the stockpot. Add the green onions, sesame oil and cooked duck meat and skin, taste for salt. Drop the noodles into the pot and simmer until they are just tender, about 5 minutes. Place the soup in a tureen and add the raw whole egg right from shell to garnish soup. (It will cook enough in hot broth before serving.) Add the parsley garnish, and stir the egg into the soup at the table as serving.
