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Pilar Melendez is a senior national reporter with The Daily Beast, where she primarily covers crime, justice, legal news, and high-profile trials, including Harvey Weinstein, R. Kelly, and Alex Murdaugh. She holds a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and previously worked at MSNBC and CNN. Her work has been featured on Max, Netflix, 20/20, 48 Hours, Peacock, Discovery Channel, MSNBC, HLN, Dateline, and multiple podcasts.Send her tips: pilar.melendez@thedailybeast.com or tips@thedailybeast.com. You can also use our anonymous document submission system, SecureDrop. Click here to find out how.

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Teacher Sex Image Probe, Suicide at Elite School for Scandal

‘TIP OF ICEBERG’

A lawyer for the family of a student who died by suicide says the elite private school in New York has long operated under a veil of secrecy.

Kate Briquelet, Pilar Melendez | Published Jul 06, 2024

Karen Read Mistrial Adds Fuel to Fire of True-Crime Thriller

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?

Read’s plight not only fissured the town of Canton, the Boston police force, and a rabid community of sleuths and supporters. Jurors couldn’t reach a consensus either.

Pilar Melendez | Published Jul 01, 2024

Judge Blocks Sandy Hook Parents From Alex Jones Payout

PUMP THE BRAKES

The case has opened up fissures between two sets of Sandy Hook families who are owed $1.4 billion by Jones stemming from two separate lawsuits.

Pilar Melendez | Published Jun 27, 2024

Ex-Trump Adviser Asked Accuser for Price to Keep Quiet

‘NOT A SMALL NUMBER’

A transcript of the harrowing 2005 call with Cindy Clemishire was reportedly discovered on former Gateway Church pastor Robert Morris’ laptop.

Pilar Melendez | Published Jun 27, 2024

No, Trump, Barron’s Peloton at Mar-a-Lago Isn’t Off Limits

TAKIN’ US FOR A RIDE

The ex-president’s lawyers tried a new tactic to have his classified documents case tossed: complaining that Melania and Barron’s rooms were raided.

Pilar Melendez | Published Jun 26, 2024

Karen Read Was ‘Seething’ After Killing Cop BF: Prosecutor

DELIBERATION TIME

A Massachusetts jury began deliberating on Tuesday in a murder case riddled with conspiracy theories that has divided a Boston suburb.

Pilar Melendez | Published Jun 25, 2024

Hunter Biden’s D.C. Law License Suspended After Conviction

‘SERIOUS CRIMES’

The president’s son was found guilty earlier this month of lying on a 2018 gun application when asked about abusing drugs.

Pilar Melendez | Published Jun 25, 2024
exclusive

Actor Tamayo Perry Had Eerie Warning Before Shark Attack

‘SHARKS FREAK ME OUT’

The pro surfer and “Pirates of the Caribbean” actor, who had posted online about sharks, often said “he felt their presence,” one friend told The Daily Beast.

Pilar Melendez | Published Jun 24, 2024

Justin Timberlake’s Lawyer Has Repped Hamptons Royalty

ATTORNEY TO THE STARS

“In addition to being my lawyer, he was my confidant, my friend, and my psychiatrist,” former New York “it” girl Lizzie Grubman once said.

Pilar Melendez | Published Jun 24, 2024

How Buster Murdaugh’s Lawsuit Could Solve a Murder Mystery

‘OPENING A CAN OF WHOOP ASS’

Alex Murdaugh’s only surviving son has never been charged. But a fight to clear his name may finally yield answers in an unsolved murder.

Pilar Melendez | Published Jun 22, 2024

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