A true crime podcaster is on a mission to uncover the truth behind his father's mysterious murder: "He did not deserve to die in this manner."

In 2012, Madison McGhee's belief that her father died from a heart attack was challenged.

At her grandmother's house in Virginia, a 16-year-old Charleston native experienced a sudden feeling of not being able to breathe. The thought of her patriarch consumed her.

"McGhee recounted to Planet Chronicle Digital how, after saying goodbye, he got in the car and asked his mom a very peculiar question. Though unsure of what he was asking at the time, he inquired if his cousin Omar was with his dad when he passed away, assuming that he had died of a heart attack."

"McGhee stated, "My mom revealed the truth to me at that time: my dad was murdered, and the case remains unsolved.""

McGhee, a Los Angeles resident, hosts the true-crime podcast "Ice Cold Case" and is on a mission to uncover the truth about her father's disappearance.

"McGhee stated, "For 10 years, I believed my dad had died of a heart attack in my mind. However, discovering that he died in a different manner was a shock. I had to re-grieve him and confront the truth of his death.""

On July 11, 2002, J.C. McGhee, a 45-year-old man, was shot in the head in the doorway of his home in Belmont County, Ohio.

McGhee was six years old at the time.

"My most vivid memories of him are like a movie," said McGhee. "I remember being in the car with him, listening to music. The song 'Hot in Here' by Nelly had just dropped. My dad also loved playing the 'Space Jam' soundtrack. There were no special events on those days. I don't recall birthday parties or anything like that. I just remember those little moments with him in the car. I remember being loved by my dad."

The coronavirus pandemic slowed down work, prompting McGhee to investigate J.C.'s unsolved death in 2020.

"To obtain answers, I realized I had to take a big step," said McGhee. "I frantically made phone calls, trying to obtain case files, submitting requests, and seeking any record access possible. I began talking to people and forming connections. It was a challenging journey."

"Ice Cold Case" was launched by McGhee, inspired by the popularity of true-crime podcasts. She aimed to raise awareness and motivate individuals with information to come forward.

"I am confident that I will solve this mystery," she stated. "The podcast has sparked a conversation about an unsolved case that has been ignored for 22 years. It has stirred up emotions and opened people's eyes to the issue. The community is discussing it, and those who remember the event are experiencing epiphanies. The impact is significant, and I won't let anyone get away with it."

J.C. was once a drug dealer who became an informant and helped the police arrest several individuals, including his nephew, who was given a life sentence. Despite the police's conclusion that J.C.'s murder was a home invasion gone wrong, McGhee had her reservations.

"McGhee stated that the investigation was inconclusive and incomplete in his opinion, and he believed that people who had information were afraid to speak out. If the person who killed his father was not in prison for another offense, it meant that there was a killer on the loose. This fear made people hesitant to share information. They were concerned that their dad may have been killed because he was a snitch. This sent a message to those who wanted to come forward with information."

That hasn’t deterred McGhee.

"My family members are not happy with this show, and I believe it's because of the skeletons being exposed. Some of them are worried about being implicated, which is why they are sending crazy messages. I find it interesting that they are feeling so openly defensive, as it almost reveals something they didn't want to be exposed."

After spending a long time in the dark, McGhee decided to shine a light on those who might possess answers.

"McGhee stated that his dad used to frequently discuss with his mom the fear of someone attempting to harm him. He believed that his dad recognized and accepted the consequences of his choices and lifestyle. McGhee's mom would often reassure him, saying, "Don't worry, you'll be okay." However, McGhee believes that his dad had a strong intuition that something bad would happen to him, and it did."

Upon hearing the 911 call for the first time, McGhee found herself with more questions than answers.

"When I think of a home invasion, I think of a robbery. But nothing was stolen. You would have also heard the gunshot. My dad's house was on a small hill, but the hill kept going. Then there's a highway. It echoes. But nothing was brought up about a gunshot. It just seemed strange for a home invasion. Everything is strange."

Since the launch of "Ice Cold Case," McGhee has received tips and is investigating new leads in the hopes of discovering the identity of the person who shot J.C.

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"McGhee stated, "Justice is deserved by everyone, and there is no such thing as a perfect victim." He faced numerous obstacles in getting his show out, as people were hesitant to help him due to his past as a drug dealer and informant from Ohio. However, McGhee emphasized that his father was much more than just a drug dealer."

"My dad was a drug dealer, but he was also my dad. He was a victim, regardless of the circumstances. No one deserves to be murdered, and it's easy to overlook the humanity in people when they commit mistakes."

McGhee has gained a deeper appreciation for the man she only knew for six years through her grief.

"My dad was a good dad," she said. "He was dynamic and a good person. I’m now learning from people how he was so generous and helped the people he loved. When you needed help, he was there. . . . Now I’m there for him."