Blogs

Joel Davis, 1962-2025: His journalism kept the spotlight on a Davis double-murder that took 32 years to solve

Few journalists have had as much impact in Davis as Joel Davis (pictured in 2013).

In 2005 he wrote his book Justice Waits about the then-unsolved kidnapping and murders of two UC Davis students, John Riggins and Sabrina Gonsalves, in December 1980. The killings stunned and terrified the community. His book helped sustain interest in solving the crime, ending in the conviction of Richard Hirschfield for first-degree murder in December 2012.

In January 2013, Joel appeared on Davisville to talk about the book, the effect the murders had on Davis and on him, and finishing his work even as he was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s Disease.

Justice Waits was important, useful, and written with clarity and skill. Joel grew up in Davis. He cared about getting this right. “I knew this would be an unusual case,” he wrote in the preface. “I just didn’t realize how unusual.”

In the Key of Folk, April 23, 2025

April is Earth month and yesterday was Earth Day! Therefore, today In the Key of Folk honors mother earth with tracks that cover the good, bad, and little-known aspects of life on our planet. We'll cover tracks by Laurie Lewis, Rita Hosking, Dougie MacLean, and Alien Folklife, among others.

The second half of the hour will be devoted to a sample of favorite contra dance tunes in honor of the 39th Anniversary Contra Dance this Saturday night, put on by the Sacramento Country Dance Society. You'll hear tracks by The Free Raisins, Toss the Possum, the Syncopaths, and String Fire. Tune in at 2 this afternoon, and don't forget to put your dancing shoes on! Right here on KDRT 95.7 FM |  KDRT.org!

Divine Intervention – April 18, 2025

Divine Intervention is ready with a brimming-over plate full of new music from Art D'Ecco, Cheekface, Craig Finn, Frog Eyes, Heaven, L.A. Witch, Mekons, Perfume Genius, Sharp Pins, Young Widows; plus some tracks from our Goddess of the Month, Cassandra Lewis; and an extra-special memorial Vinyl Vespers. Turn it up at 6 p.m. Pacific, right here on KDRT 95.7 FM + KDRT.org + your fave podcast platforms.