The docuseries THE PLAYBOY MURDERS, now in its third season, continues to explore the darker side of fame. Hosted by former Playboy playmate Holly Madison, the show dives into real-life crimes involving women once tied to Playboy magazine. One of the most unsettling stories highlighted is that of Kerissa Fare, who became Playmate of the Month in September 2000 — just as her past would come back to haunt her in a way no one expected.
Kerissa Fare, who used to be a Playboy model and is now known by her birth name Keri Lynn Furman Mendoza, became famous in September 2000 when she was named Playmate of the Month. But there was a story behind the glitz of magazine covers and cameras that was very different from the dream many people had. Because she used to be friends with the infamous Helzer brothers, who were found guilty of several murders—her name was in the news for reasons that had nothing to do with her modeling career.
Kerissa was born on December 31, 1976, in Orange County, California—to Brenda Gail Seifert and Wayne Thomas Furman. Her childhood was troubled, marked by instability and a lack of adult supervision. Still, she excelled at La Sierra High School in Riverside as a cheerleader and track team member. In 1995, she sought a new beginning — one that would lead her into both dark places and the spotlight.
She met Glenn Helzer in 1998 when she was working as a barmaid in Concord. He introduced himself in a charming and confident way. Later, Glenn and his brother Justin Helzer would be linked to a string of brutal murders. At first, Kerissa liked how intense and ambitious Glenn was, so she moved in with him and his brother. But by the beginning of 2000, she had moved to Southern California to pursue a career in modeling. That year, she became famous across the country as a Playboy Playmate. But her growing fame was quickly overshadowed by her past with the Helzer brothers.
Kerissa was questioned when police started looking into the Helzer brothers’ murder of five people in 2000. She later testified in court, giving a glimpse into the brothers’ messed-up world. Justin’s case went to trial, but Glenn had already admitted guilt. Kerissa, who was given immunity, talked about the strange things that happened in the house, like Glenn’s controlling behavior and his “12 Principles of Magic,” which were like a cult.
She also told some scary things: Glenn once gave her ecstasy instead of aspirin, pushed her to get breast implants, and talked about plans to sell drugs for trafficking and date rape. She said that she didn’t fully understand what he was talking about, but she knew it wasn’t right. In the end, she decided to cut off all ties with them.
The trial ended with both brothers getting the death penalty and their friend Dawn Godman getting 38 years in prison. Kerissa disappeared from public view after the chaos and court testimony.
People think that Kerissa Fare is living a quiet, private life in Northwest Meridian, Idaho, right now. She seems to have started a new life away from the cameras, and she is said to be surrounded by a close-knit group of loved ones. She is now in her late 40s. She hasn’t been in the public eye since her time with Playboy and it looks like she chose peace over fame.
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