A Girl Named Linda

Before she was a headline, Linda Madison was an 18-year-old senior at Davis High School in Yakima, Washington. She was thoughtful, quiet, and kind. She had dreams—and a secret she hadn’t shared with many.In this episode of The D-Lo Show, we pause to remember the young woman at the center of this tragic story. Linda was more than a victim. She was a daughter, a friend, and a teenager trying to navigate the pressures of life, relationships, and an unexpected pregnancy in 1975.Host Ryan “D-Lo” DeLozier walks us through Linda’s final days, the night of her death, and how quickly the focus shifted away from her and toward the boy with the gun. This episode is about reclaiming her story.Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, domestic violence, pregnancy, and gun violence. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988 or contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.