Damaged Goods

I was one of Dan Willoughby's victims. I didn't meet him until after he went to prison, and I bought into his lying manipulating mind-set. I believed everything he said. It wasn't until he accused me of getting in touch with his jury consultant, whom I never even knew was being considered, that I realized that this guy is a person who has to have someone to blame for everything that goes wrong in his life. Always. I now believe that he cultivated the relationship with Yesenia, only so he could set her up to take the fall for Trish's murder, all by her/himself. Mr. Henderson's book tells the facts of the case in an easily readable, and truthful way.

to the gentelmen who said that he did not think that Dan did it. Think what it would be like to walk in on YOUR mother, Yes this is the oldest daughter. This book was very well written, very true. Jim stuck to the facts, and to the truth of the story. Just makes you think how can someone involve their children. I had a hard time getting through the book, but on the other hand it was hard to put down. Dan is a very evil man, and the hurt he has caused us all will never go away. We just have to get on with our lives. I know that I sleep better knowing that he is in prison and will be there for a long time. He is very minipulating, that comes across in the book.

This is a well written, true crime book. It tells the story of a self absorbed, sociopathic personality. It is the story of a married man, Dan Willoughby, who, during a mid-life crisis, decided he wanted to marry the sexy, wanton, and amoral Yesenia Patino with whom he had been cheating on his wife. Instead of simply divorcing his wife, Trish, the mother of his children, he decided to kill her, motivated soley by greed. Masquerading as a hard working, devout mormon, family man for many years, Dan Willoughby was nothing more than a con man, gulling all those whom he knew. The ensuing investigation of the murder revealed Willoughby to be a real bottom feeder. A liar, a cheat, a thief, and, ultimately, a murderer, Willoughby would not escape the long arm of the law, as his dead wife's family would not let the matter rest in their pursuit for justice. Dan arranged to commit the brutal murder in Mexico and planned an elaborate charade that included using his children in his murder scenario. He ensured that they would be the ones to find their dead, blood soaked mother. He went to all this trouble so that he could get some insurance money, his wife's share of a thriving business, and the freedom to marry the person with whom he had become obsessed, Yesenio Patino. Little did he know that his wife would have the last laugh from the grave, as the police investigation revealed that Ms. Patino was a transsexual who had once been a man and had had a sex change operation! It was a fact that Ms. Patino had conveniently neglected to tell Willoughby. The author paints a compelling portrait of the personalities involved in this matter. It persuasively lays out the details of the events that propelled Willoughby to the consummate finale. The police investigation and courtroom drama is succintly summarized. The book is neither a police nor courtroom procedural. What the author attempts to do is provide a portrait of those who were in some way involved in this matter. In that, it certainly succeeds. Persuasively written, the book leaves the reader with little doubt as to the guilt of Dan Willoughby and his accomplice, Yesenio Patino. The book provides sixteen pages of photographs of the parties involved in this tragedy. It is a compelling and absorbing read that will keep the reader turning the pages. Those who enjoy reading well written books in the true crime genre will enjoy this one. It will certainly appeal to fans of Ann Rule and Jack Olsen.

Dan was the son-in-law we loved as a son and he murdered our daughter. The things you read about him in this book, and what he did to her and our beautiful grandchildren are all true. Jim Henderson does a tremendous job of telling the story exactly like it happened. Dan was convicted and put on death row after our family's pursuit of the truth. Now on May 14th, 2001 Dan will get a new trial because of incompentent counsel. So life will go on and our family will fight again for justice. You will not be able to put the book down, it holds your attention from beginning to end.

This is great true crime story-telling---Jim tells the story with expert fluidity that I could not resist. The character, Dan, is one dumb man, I have no pity for such stupidity. Great read!