Warning: Contains major spoilers for episodes 1 and 2 of Happy Face
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Paramount+’s new true crime drama seriesHappy Faceblends the real crimes of a vicious serial killer with an engrossing fictional narrative, leaving questions about what is fact and what is fiction.Happy Facestars Dennis Quaid and Annaleigh Ashfordas Keith Jesperson, the Happy Face Killer, and a fictionalized version of his daughter, Melissa Moore. The show is not intended to be a thorough investigation of Jesperson’s crimes; rather, it’s an examination of their effect on everyone else, told from the perspective of his daughter.
Happy Facewas developed based on the real Melissa Moore’s own 2009 autobiography,Shattered Silence, and her 2018 podcast, which shares the name of the show. The show combines a narrative set in the modern day, with Jesperson serving his four consecutive life sentences, with a series of flashbacks from Melissa’s past with her father. While the flashbacks, and certainlythe real crimes that Jesperson committed as the Happy Face Killer, are largely based in fact, the modern plot is fictionalized, making it difficult to differentiate between reality and clever writing in episode 1 and episode 2 ofHappy Face.
What Happened To Happy Face’s Keith Hunter Jesperson In Real Life & Where He Is Today
Dennis Quaid stars as the serial killer known as the “Happy Face Killer” in Paramount’s new drama series Happy Face, which is based in reality.
The Modern-Day Plot Is Mostly Fictionalized
Image via Paramount+
It’s important to note that the basis of the story set in the modern day is not based on reality. Keith Jesperson has never admitted to a specific ninth murder, although he has claimed to have killed more than 160 people. Virtually none of his other claims have been corroborated or confirmed, and the current consecutive life sentences he is serving are based on the eight known murders associated with him. He is still being investigated as the killer in several cold-case murders, but there has never been a specific incident like the one outlined inHappy Face.
The story of Melissa andThe Dr. Greg Showproducer Ivy executing detective work to confirm a ninth murder is almost entirely fictional. It should be highlighted thatHappy Faceis a drama series that is “inspired by” the real Melissa Moore’s relationship with her father, Keith Jesperson, but it is not meant to be based entirely on reality. It should not be viewed as a retelling of real events, especially with regard to the plot that plays out across the drama series set in the modern day.
4The Story Of A Boyfriend Being Blamed For A Happy Face Murder Isn’t True
A Similar Situation Did Play Out With Jesperson’s First Murder
The story surrounding Jesperson’s ninth murder that begins to play out inepisode 1 and episode 2 ofHappy Facedid not actually happen, but it was inspired by the strange set of circumstances around his first real murder. PerTime, Jesperson first known victim was Taunja Bennett, who he killed near Portland, Oregon in January 1990. During the investigation of her murder, a woman named Laverne Pavlinac falsely confessed to the murder, claiming she was forced to help her boyfriend kill Bennett.
Happy Face’s story of someone else falsely confessing to a Jesperson murder is fictionalized, but it’s loosely based in real events.
Pavlinac believed the confession could help her escape a relationship with her abusive boyfriend, John Sosnovske, and the two were convicted a year later, with Pavlinac getting no less than ten years and Sosnovske getting life in prison. Pavlinac and Sosnovske getting media attention is what originally prompted Jesperson to write letters to law enforcement and journalists providing details to his crimes, each of which he signed with a smiley face.Happy Face’s story of someone else falsely confessing to a Jesperson murder is fictionalized, but it’s loosely based in real events.
Melissa’s Identity Was Revealed When He Called In To The Dr. Greg Show
Like most of the elements of the plot ofHappy Face,The Dr. Greg Showis a fictionalized version of a real entity. The same year that the real Melissa Moore’s autobiography was released, she appeared onDr. Philto discuss her father, which is what’s being represented byThe Dr. Greg Showconcept in the show. Moore made a series of other TV and media appearances in the following years, culminating with the creation of her podcast in 2018. However, Jesperson himself has never called in to any show to discuss his murders or his daughter.
Her Actual Visits With Her Father Have Played Out Very Differently
A big part of how episodes 1 and 2 ofHappy Faceset the stage for Melissa’s relationship with her father is based in their direct conversations. The one-sided burner phone call conversation she has with him demonstrates her existing anger with him, while her prison visit proves that he’s still trying to manipulate her. However, in reality Melissa has not had any meaningful contact with her father in over 15 years. PerUSA Todaythe last prison visit she made was in 2005. She was accompanied by her husband, and it played out with much less importance and drama.
1Melissa’s Daughter Likely Was Not As Engrossed With Her Grandfather
She’s Even Shown Visiting A Murder Museum To See His Art
A key subplot of episodes 1 and 2 ofHappy Faceis Melissa’s daughter’s fascination with her grandfather. The show begins with her receiving a birthday card and drawing from him, although she doesn’t learn who he actually is until she overhears her father speaking to her mother about it over the phone. From there, she investigates for herself online, and eventually winds up visiting a “murder museum” to see some of his artwork that has been sold over the years since his imprisonment.
The real Keith Jesperson’s artwork and letters are indeed highly sought-after pieces of “murderabilia” for collectors, but he has condemned the sale of such items, and believes those who seek and collect them should be subject to criminal punishment.
In reality, Melissa’s daughter learned about her grandfather at 10 years old, not as a high school student. She also doesn’t seem to have the same interest as herHappy Faceportrayal depicts. PerABC News, the real Aspen Moore has no interest in meeting her grandfather. As she stated, “I think that he has excuses for his actions…I don’t feel that his actions can be just brushed off.“Happy Face’s largely fictionalized plot may not outline true events, but they were clearly inspired by the actual circumstances surrounding the life and family of the Happy Face Killer.
