Call with the Cousins
I had a conversation with Josh and Nikki and their crew about how my kids do not have too many things of their Dad’s. The Shymanski family has most everything and I do think that is problematic. All of that stuff should be my children’s, not theirs by default. My kids got their toys from the house and couple things of their Dad’s that don’t really hold much meaning quite yet. Where is everything else?
Back in the Fall of 2023 Heather Shymanski said that they had two pillows made out of Joe’s favorite Michigan shirts for the kids. I was happy for this. The kids didn’t have anything physical to touch or feel of their Dad’s. They had each been given one t-shirt of his prior, but neither of the t-shirts struck a chord with them. So, I was excited for this.
They never sent the pillows to them.
I mentioned this to the crew of 48 Hours when I filmed the show and they said that maybe they could try to initiate getting the pillows.
On August 20, 2025, I received a text message from Janine Shymanski, the face of “My Uncle Joe’s Murder,” asking to talk to the kids. Janine is a young, beautiful girl who has been influenced by her parents and this horror of a situation. She has only good memories of her Uncle. She’s never seen the bad. She’s lived 8 hours from him all of her life. Her point of view is one dimensional, in my opinion. It is one shard of a shattered mirror. I don’t like that she is the face on this, I don’t think it is fair.
When I got the text message, I was immediately on guard. I don’t trust anyone, it is a trauma response. I recognize that it is one and I consulted with those closest to me about letting the kids talk with her. From my point of view, these people have lied about me, manipulated me, accused me, and devalued me right from the start and I am not eager to swing a door open between poison and my children ever again. My gut feeling was no, my family’s gut feeling was hell no. What are they trying to manipulate now?
My oldest son is wise and I value his opinion greatly. I asked him if I should allow a video call. He said “Mom, remember, they are just kids. ( referring to June and Jay’s cousins). I would hope someone would give me the benefit of the doubt.” So I thought about it more and I arranged the call. The kids spoke with their three cousins, it was a nice conversation. Janine texted me that the pillows were sent. So, I am assuming that the 48 Hours crew had talked to them about that. They were in communication or filming at this point, I venture.
On reflection, I wonder if they were just trying to see if I would allow the contact. They were around the crew I believe at that time. I find it interesting I’m being called “Aunt Heather” in the text, and when the show later comes out Janine is saying that I am most definitely the master mind, no doubt in her mind. I find things like this curious. Subtle manipulations. Maybe I’m paranoid.
I haven’t heard from them since.
I am trying, I have a good heart. I am really good person. I am trying to see a way forward, but I need to protect myself. And I need to speak my truth. And I have a lot of trauma. And these people do not feel safe. Time after time again.
