RELATED: Dirty John Real Life Survivor Terra Newell Reveals 6 Red Flags to Look Out for in Relationships. But two years on and Terra and her sister Jacquelyn's worst fears would be confirmed. Ignoring her family's concerns, the pair got hitched in Las Vegas weeks later. Later it was EDMR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in Texas, that helped her cope with what she had been through. She grabbed the knife and stabbed John in the face and eye until he was incapacitated. His shoulder blade. When I bit John that's when he dropped the knife. She suffered several blows to her ribs she originally thought were punches. Once paramedics finally arrived, Newell was screaming for them to get away because she didn't know if he was dead and she didn't want him to try to kill them as well. Terra also studied to become a professional dog groomer in Las Vegas. John Meehan pinned his stepdaughter, Terra Newell, to the ground in her sister's driveway, but he dropped his knife, which she grabbed and then used to stab him 13 times. He tried to kill me. And I kept repeating it over and over. Even though I am still struggling with PTSD, I have healed so much. Since then, Newell has worked to heal from the PTSD that resulted from her hand-to-hand combat experience. It was Terra who first got suspicious of John. Pinned to the floor, she had, at first, thought he was punching her. Real Life "Dirty John" Survivor Terra Newell Shares Tips on Surviving a Knife Attack Terra Newell killed her mom's husband in self-defense, stabbing him 13 times while her dog Cash bit his ankles trying to protect her. After moving in with Debra, Meehans behaviour became more erratic, and the Newell family uncovered his lies. He wasn't who he claimed to be. (L-R) Arlane Hart, Debra Newell and Terra Newell attend the after-party for the world premiere of Bravo's anthology series "Dirty John" at NeueHouse Los Angeles Nov. 13, 2018, in Hollywood, Calif. She dealt the 13th and final blow through his eye and got away. Meehan put his hand over her mouth after which Terra bit her as hard as she could. The blade grazed her cheek, and she later discovered gashes on her arm and defensive wounds. ", ALEX MURDAUGH FACES WITNESSES WHO ALLEGE FINANCIAL ISSUES LED TO DOUBLE MURDER. John, Terra, and her familys ordeal would also become a hit Netflix limited series by the name, Dirty John starring, Eric Bana as the titular character and Connie Britton as Terras mother, Debra. Don't even think about not grabbing the knife. Market data provided by Factset. "John didnt want to look me in the eyes. Have to stop and play @thewalkingdead before going into the movies! And so I push him off of me with holding his head I thought I dont want him to wake up and just try to hurt me again because I think hell try to kill me again.. To say more, right after she had stabbed John with the knife, her former partner was the first person she had called. Its so hard to talk about coercive control and educate people unless they have an example of it, said Newell. Terra was also nonconfrontational; her family often described her as sweet.. The Newell familys encounter with the dangerous convicted stalker captivated the world when it was explored in the viral podcast, Dirty John. When my siblings told my mom this, she left him. The 31 years old says, Meehan grabbed her from behind saying, Do you remember me? Promptly after, the six-foot-two-inches tall man tried to stack her into the trunk of his car. She filed to annul the marriage to Meehan in April 2016. . TERRA NEWELLThough she's got some physical and mental scars from this experience, Terra Newell is thriving and living her best life. The show majorly contains a dramatization of Johns relationship with Terras mother and how he was embezzling from her, his disgust towards Debras daughters including Terra, how he died, and the aftermath. The then-25-year-old was never charged for Meehans death because it was determined she fought back in self-defense. I killed my stepdad in self-defense. We wanted to spread awareness because these types of situations are so common. The podcast runner also grew up Christian as her mother would take her and her sisters to church every Sunday. But she couldn't get away. A lot of times coercive control becomes a cycle, but you can see some signs at the very beginning. She had just returned to her apartment building in Newport Beach, California when John attacked her out of nowhere. Watch Oxygen anywhere: On Demand, online or across mobile and connected TVs. He started punching me and my automatic response was to hold my arm and purse up to my chest. He wasnt a good man and my mother couldnt see that, Newell admitted to the outlet. JOHN MEEHAN'S FIRST WIFE RECALLS HOW DIRTY JOHN' TERRORIZED HER IN NEW PODCAST: I WAS SCARED FOR MY LIFE, (L-R) Arlane Hart, Debra Newell and Terra Newell attend the after-party for the world premiere of Bravo's anthology series "Dirty John" at NeueHouse Los Angeles Nov. 13, 2018, in Hollywood, Calif. (Rich Fury/Getty Images). #thewalkingdead #walkingdeadgame #spectrum #vans #oolaluxe #urbanoutfitters #movies, A post shared by Terra Newell (@terranewell) on Oct 30, 2018 at 9:33pm PDT. It was too difficult to deny new claims against him, and she knew she had to get away, but thats a lot easier said than done. Watching "The Walking Dead", "Dexter" and true crime shows. She's been open about getting therapy, and suffering some PTSD, but is working through it with help. Eventually my mother realized he was evil, and left him for good, Newell explained. She also questioned why John as a doctor had no cars. Other people didn't want to approach someone with a knife.". Terra nevertheless had also convinced her family to hire a private investigator to know more about John. Meehan's long trail of abuse of women subsequently came to light, as the notorious conman and sociopath was profiled in the Los Angeles Times podcast, Dirty John, and later a scripted Bravo series of the same name. In an unexpected twist, viewers saw John attack Debra's daughter, Terra Newell, in her apartment complex parking lot in broad daylight. The most important thing I have learned is to keep going and stay positive," Terra said. And I just keep trying to get away from him," she told The Voluntourist. ", 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Terra Newell stabbed her con-man stepfather to death after he attacked her, John Meehan married Terra's mom after just a few months of dating, Credit: California Department of Corrections, Terra said she took her chance to fight back, Debra thought John was the man she had always been looking for, John died aged 57 in a hospital four days after the stabbing, Stepdaughter Terra Newell recalls Dirty John Meehan attack and horror moment she was forced to stab conman to death, RAF plane in near miss' with 'hollow-centred UFO, investigation finds, Grieving dad GUILTY of trying to kill man with machete after blaming him for his son's death, Last known picture of missing pregnant woman Micheala Smith released by 'concerned' cops amid fears for her safety, US Navy fighter pilot reveals horror UFO sighting and blasts government for hiding the 'uncomfortable truth', Ukraine war will be the END of Vladimir Putin's regime, says Estonian colonel training 80 miles from border with Russia, story of her mom's controlling relationship. Whats more, Terra also imparts her experience on how to survive such attacks. The second daughter of Debra describes just after John grabbed her from behind and as he was forcing her into his trunk, he didnt look her in the eyes. Emergency services arrived and Meehan was taken to hospital but died four days later aged 57. By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. The first thing I did in my attack was John tried to grab me and I tried to flee from him right away because you have the most success rate of trying to run away from them. And although financial winnings of Newell are yet to be sized up, looking at her Instagram lifestyle one may have a hard time saying that she is just your average paycheck-to-paycheck employee. Meehan also attacked Terra in her right arm with the knife he had brought. I'm pushing him off on me but I'm holding his head because I don't want him to bite me, Newell recalled. There are many, many people out there that are going through what I went through, maybe in a different way. Minn. Man Tried to Stab Girlfriend During Domestic Abuse Incident, But Missed & Killed Her Son, 13, Instead, Stepmom Stabbed Boy 18 Times Before Shooting Him. It tells the true story of John Meehan, whose romance with Debra spiralled into a nightmare. Mines more combat trauma, so Im doing things that war veterans have to do in order to reverse their trauma, said Newell in a phone interview. Former anesthesiologist nurse John and successful interior designer Debra had met online via a dating site for people over 50 and appeared smitten. His long history of scamming and abusing women was documented in the Los Angeles Times and later in a Bravo series and podcast of the same name. Terra Newell talks about killing stepdad John Meehan in self-defense, as depicted in Netflix's 'Dirty John'. Terra Newell Life After The Attack And How She Is Doing Now? As mentioned, Terras mother was just another victim of Johns mischievous ploy. She lives in Orange County, hangs out with her pals and takes hikes. Debra told Forbes that her eldest daughter was old enough to take over the design shop she left behind when she moved to Nevada, so Jacquelyn may be quietly operating that shop in California. My brain probably went back to like AA meetings, even though I dont belong to AA. But in the wake of the family tragedy, an unlikely opportunity has emerged for Terra Newell. When her mother's ex-boyfriend, John Meehan, viciously attacked her in the parking garage of her apartment complex with a concealed knife, Terra fought for her life. It lasted seconds but felt like hours. So I was just like, well, Im Terra and Ill tell them what I did. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! "I fell back, and I fell on my right shoulder. I am so happy I am alive to share this message, to reflect on all the amazing opportunities that have come about from such a traumatic event and to celebrate another year of living life to the fullest., (L-R) Arlane Hart, Debra Newell and Terra Newell attend the after-party for Bravo's anthology series "Dirty John" world premiere at NeueHouse Los Angeles on November 13, 2018, in Hollywood, California. She left him in March 2015, got back together in June 2015 until she finally left Meehan for good in March 2016 and filed for an annulment in April 2016. Unlike her sister Terra, Jacquelyn maintains no known social media presence, and there aren't many photos of her -- not even in the Los Angeles Times story that birthed this whole thing, and not even from the premiere party she was said to be at -- although I found one by doing some sleuthing but I won't link to it. Doing malicious things and making her life miserable. But two years on and Terra and her sister Jacquelyn's worst fears would be confirmed. This week onDont Let This Flop,Spanos and Dickson also discuss the return of the TikTok dance with Lizzos About Damn Time, the bizarro drunk aunt energy of Cara DeLevigne, and Patti LuPones mask outburst. Just a coincidencesome guy with the same name. But in an interview with Rolling Stones internet culture podcast Dont Let This Flop, Newell tells co-hosts Brittany Spanos and Ej Dickson that while she was a little hurt by some of the responses to the video specifically, from people who did not know her backstory, and told her she should be in jail for what she did she was simply taking to the platform to share her trauma in her own way. While she may not have wished to become famous through a near-death incident, upon surviving, Terra has managed to become a national story. It lasted seconds, but felt like hours. LA Times reports, that as a child, Terra was the most quietest and docile member of her family. Market data provided by Factset. "All those little triggers add up, and then I'm in a bad place," she said. She also deals with the topic of how to have a proper self-defense technique. Meehan wasnt a doctor and he never jumped out of helicopters in Iraq. The ex-EDMR patient is now spreading awareness about gaslighting, manipulation, and relationship red flags. I pushed him off of me. Debra said she hasnt dated since. Debra though had thought Terra and Jacqueline would accept him once they get to know him fully. They were many, many other victims out there that were all of a sudden no longer in fear because John was gone.. He wasn't getting any more money from her. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. After the attack, Terra said, "I just remember saying, My name is Terra. Terra grew up in Orange County, California. Meehan had a relationship with Terras mother, Debra Newell, whom he abused and manipulated psychologically and financially. Theres also some couple of $100,000 thanks to Terras life rights deal with the LA Times story. I don't realize that he was stabbing me at first because the knife is in a Del Taco bag, she explained. The eight episodes series premiered on the streaming service on Feb 14, 2019. "I held his head like a zombie so he wouldn't bite me, and then the last two stab wounds I actually gave thought to. "Whenever a narcissist, a sociopath or a psychopath loses their control over someone, that's when you're most prone to being attacked or killed," Terra said. Terra Newell was 25 years old when she stabbed her mother's sociopath husband, "Dirty John" Meehan, to death in a terrifying struggle on the roof of her apartment in California. Despite her daughters' objections, Debra and Meehan had a Las Vegas wedding in December 2014 without any guests and had three months of wedded bliss before a family member alerted Debra to Meehan's past criminal history. ", Its been over three years since the attack and Terra Newell is now in therapy once a week to manage her PTSD, gives back as often as she can to others experiencing domestic abuse and enjoys spending time with her family who she says are closer than ever.. 'Dirty John' victim Debra Newell recalls daughter Terra Newell screaming she killed con man John Meehan. After her mother, Debra Newell, begins a whirlwind romance with John Meehan, a man. DEBRA NEWELLNot dating, first of all. DIRTY JOHN VICTIM DEBRA RECALLS SHOCKING RELATIONSHIP WITH CON MAN. Terra Newells life forever changed on Aug. 20, 2016, when she fatally stabbed her estranged stepfather John Meehan 13 times after he had attacked her in her apartment complexs parking lot. Honestly, who could blame her? When you tell your story on a different platform that you dont own, theyre gonna take it and edit it, how they want to.but me on TikTok, its me telling my story, she says. I survived and killed my attacker. Having announced the full-time shift to crime programming in 2017, Oxygen has become the fastest growing cable entertainment network with popular unscripted original programming that includes the flagship Snapped franchise, The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway, The Jury Speaks, Cold Justice, Three Days to Live, and It Takes A Killer. Available in more than 77 million homes, Oxygen is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. That's when Meehan unraveled, and the situation turned violent, Terra said. Though John had answers to Terras every question and not even her mother, Debra supported her. There are several ways to get in contact with us. An irate Meehan attempted to abduct Terra Newell (as played by Julia Garner in the series) in a parking lot in 2016, leading her to fatally stab him in self-defense. Owner Neal Smither Tells All, You're the Detective NowHelp Solve the Kurt Sova Cold Case at CrimeCon's CrowdSolve, Catching up with Terra Newell from Dirty JohnHow She's Healing Now. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "She began flailing, looking for targets. Terra Newell on surviving "Dirty John" attack | Pool House - YouTube FULL VIDEO HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u1b-vDcMV0&t=417sReal life survivor of "Dirty John", Terra. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. After a short breakup due to the private investigators findings, John was able to convince Debra to visit a lawyers office with him, where he set out to prove that the former allegations against him (he had a record of stealing prescription painkillers when he worked as a nurse) were in fact charges that belonged to ANOTHER John Meehan. Meehan, nicknamed "Dirty John," was the focus of Los Angeles Times reporter Christopher Goffard's true-crime podcast after his extensive coverage of the case, which was later depicted in documentaries and a Netflix series. The Golden State local reportedly received the EDMR treatment for about six months before returning to California. She recently spoke about coercive control at NYPDs headquarters alongside Real Crime Profile host and criminal behavioral analyst, Laura Richards. He also created conflicts between Debra, her daughters, and her family. The case of John Meehan was the subject of an Oxygen special titled "Dirty John: The Dirty Truth. Do you have any questions or comments for The Voluntourist staff? TikTok video from Terra Newell (@terranewell): "Part 6: A Short Story About My Attack. When her mothers ex-boyfriend, John Meehan, viciously attacked her in the parking garage of her apartment complex with a concealed knife, Terra fought for her life. He was a fraud. Terra Newell, whose mum Debra's coercive relationship inspired the Netflix show Dirty John, tells us how she's learning to move on with her life and help others to realise the signs of red. He does leave behind sisters, who've been quiet since the show came out; an ex-wife Tonia, who's been an ally of Debra Newell's; and daughters Abigail and Emma who've become friends with Debra Newell's family too. When Terra returned home on August 20, 2016 from working at the Newport Beach dog kennel, she was attacked by John with a knife in the car park outside her apartment building. "I was just like, 'Well, I'm Terra and I'll tell them what I did. #survivor #survivorstory #shero #hero #oc #octruecrime #truecrime #truecrimetiktok #truecrimestory #reallife #dirtyjohn #juliagarner #ericbana #conniebritton #healing #mystory #fightback". Oh,. Three years ago John Meehan, known as "Dirty John," was killed by his stepdaughter Terra Newell after he attacked her at knifepoint. In that moment, Newell didnt hesitate. The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time, Newell says she did sell her life rightsafterthe LA Timesstory was published, for a lump sum of about $120,000. I want to send the message and let them know that theyre supported. She sees herself as a representative for family members of survivors of domestic abuse: I really want people to know that this is my reality, she says. Terra also claims herself to be a representative for family members who have survived or going through domestic abuse. When she. Newell reportedly still deals with PTSD. Our bodies are made to feel afraid and theyre made to know when a predator is around. The 50 Worst Decisions in Music History You deserve it., To join the conversation, please Terra Newell is the younger daughter of Debra Newell, whose name in the show has not been modified. According to the Los Angeles Times, Meehans first wife, Tonia Sells, helped pay his tuition for nursing school. That's one thing that really saved me because instead of getting stabbed in my chest, I got stabbed in my arm. See His Full Bio, Career, Family, Net Worth and Others, Meet Margaret Odette: Heres Some Interesting Facts On Her Career, Relationship, Who Is Paige Green? Debra Newell said she failed to see the red flags early on. For that, she had gone to ABC dog grooming school. In that moment, I wasnt really like thinking about how many times I was stabbing him. Newell has also started her own podcast, Time Out With Tara, which launched this week, in hopes of connecting with other women. ARLANE HART, DEBRA'S MOMHanging in there and looking good at the premiere last year! 1.8K Likes, 170 Comments. Several neighbors in the sunny southern California coastal city of Newport Beach rushed to Newell's aid, but none of them knew that day Aug. 20, 2016 was the end of a manipulative conman's multi-state reign of terror. Newell furthermore occasionally explains and dismisses the critiques on how it is always not unhealthy and exploitative to commoditize real-life survivors stories. My heart is pounding, I'm. Terra Newell's new podcast, Time Out With Terra, launched this week. Terra Newell Defeated Her Attacker John With The Help Of Her Dog And A Knife. I came back to California when the Los Angeles Times started sharing our story, a story we shared in hopes that other women would relate and realize they may know a Dirty John. He was always there doing nice, generous things for her.. A Sydney council will take a positive decision to remove gender-based signage on public amenities in a push for inclusivity. (Oxygen), I hope people understand that it can happen to anyone, said Newell. Terra Newell Now Also Host A Podcast Show, Newell Is A Dog Lover And A Professional Groomer, Newell Instagram Says She Might Be Single For Now. Meehan waited for Terra Newell at her apartment building in Newport Beach, Calif. After she parked her car and opened the door to let her dog Cash out, she was blindsided and had to fight for her life. Ultimately, Debra realized she couldn't spend the rest of her life with a manipulative con artist. I remembered to hold the knife tightly because of an episode of Dexter. Wishing you all a relaxing and love, For Memorial Day Weekend, I'm usually in #DC cover, Last week I posted this in my IG stories and it wa, One of the many things that drew me to #JoshuaTree, Dirty John Real Life Survivor Terra Newell Reveals 6 Red Flags to Look Out for in Relationships, Exclusive: Denyce Graves on performing at the National Memorial Day Concert and President Biden giving her a shoutout in his inaugural speech, How Joe Morton is paying tribute to Black soldiers at the 32nd Annual National Memorial Day Concert, Former Vietnam nurse Diane Carlson Evans will be honored this Memorial Day, Real Life Dirty John Survivor Terra Newell Shares Tips on Surviving a Knife Attack. That means that they lost like a sense of their self. Terra Newell speaks about stepdad John Meehan's attack against her in 2016 in a Fox News Digital interview. Daughter Terra, now 31, said she had told Debra about her reservations about her new partner over Thanksgiving 2014. Don't have an account? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, And so, for him, he literally lost his control. In an exclusive guest column for PEOPLE, the 27-year-old Newell opens up about her harrowing experience with Meehan, living with PTSD and his abuse of her mother. For years, Meehan pretended to be a successful doctor so he could prey on lonely middle-aged women, including Terras mother Debra, whom Meehan married. 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Growing up, Terras mother, Debra was an interior designer while her biological father worked in the building industry. "So I brought my purse up to protect my heart right before he got me, and I just was getting punched, so I thought. Those close to us had suspicions. You have more of a chance of making them let go of the knife because there's a lot of nerves in the forearm. or redistributed. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.