7 Shocking Facts About Melissa G. Moore: The Daughter Who Confronted The 'Happy Face Killer'

Melissa G. Moore has transformed one of the most horrific family legacies in modern true crime history into a global platform for healing and advocacy. As of December 13, 2025, Moore remains an influential voice, not only as the daughter of the notorious "Happy Face Killer," Keith Hunter Jesperson, but also as an Emmy-nominated producer and a best-selling author.

Her story—of a young woman who discovered her father was a serial killer who murdered at least eight women—is a powerful narrative of courage and resilience. The latest update on her life centers on the critically acclaimed Paramount+ drama series, Happy Face, which is based on her life and her 2009 memoir, bringing her decades-long journey to a new generation of true crime audiences.

Melissa G. Moore: Complete Biography and Profile

Melissa G. Moore’s life is defined by a profound and public reckoning with her father’s secret life as a serial killer. She has intentionally used her experience to become a leading advocate for domestic abuse prevention and for the families of violent offenders.

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• Full Name: Melissa G. Moore (Changed from Melissa Jesperson)
• Birth Year: Approximately 1979–1980 (Currently in her mid-40s as of late 2025)
• Place of Birth: Unknown (Grew up in Washington State)
• Father: Keith Hunter Jesperson (The "Happy Face Killer," a Canadian-American serial killer and long-haul truck driver)
• Mother: Rose Hucke (Divorced Keith Hunter Jesperson)
• Siblings: A younger brother, Jason Moore, and a younger sister, Carrie Moore (Both changed their last names)
• First Marriage: Sam (Divorced in 2018)
• Current Spouse: Steve Kenoyer (Remarried in 2022)
• Children: She has children, and has spoken publicly about the difficulty of telling them about their grandfather.
• Known Works: Author of Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer's Daughter and My Time to Stand.
• Media Career: Host of the popular true crime podcast Happy Face; Co-Executive Producer of the Paramount+ drama series Happy Face; appeared in the Lifetime series Monster in My Family.
• Advocacy: Domestic Abuse Prevention Advocate and public speaker on trauma, resilience, and finding courage through adversity.

The Shocking Discovery: When the "Happy Face Killer" Was Revealed

The moment Melissa Moore’s life irrevocably changed occurred in 1995. She was a teenager, around 15 years old, when her mother, Rose Hucke, gathered Melissa and her two younger siblings, Jason and Carrie, to tell them the horrifying truth.

For years, Moore had lived a seemingly normal life, despite her parents' divorce. She had a father who, at times, was nicknamed "Disneyland Dad" for his efforts to entertain them. The facade crumbled when Keith Hunter Jesperson, a long-haul truck driver, was arrested and confessed to the murder of at least eight women across the United States between 1990 and 1995.

Jesperson earned the moniker "Happy Face Killer" because he would sign his anonymous confession letters to law enforcement and media with a crudely drawn smiley face. Moore's mother, Rose Hucke, had struggled with her ex-husband’s erratic behavior, but the revelation of his secret life as a murderer was a devastating shock to the entire family.

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The immediate aftermath involved a forced name change. Jesperson himself suggested that Melissa and her siblings change their last name to distance themselves from his crimes, a suggestion Moore followed, adopting the name Moore. This act was the first step in reclaiming her identity from the shadow of her father's monstrous legacy.

From Shattered Silence to Paramount+ Drama: Moore's Media Career

Moore spent years hiding her identity, living in "shattered silence" and pretending her life was perfect. However, she eventually realized that sharing her story was the only way to find meaning and direction in her life. This realization led to a powerful and expansive career in media and advocacy.

The Bestselling Memoir and Podcast

Her journey into the public eye began with her 2009 autobiography, Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer's Daughter. The book became a national bestseller, detailing her childhood, the shocking discovery, and her struggle to cope with the trauma.

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In 2018, Moore launched the true crime podcast Happy Face with iHeartPodcasts, co-hosted with Lauren Bright Pacheco. The podcast delves into her personal story and the wider implications of having a family member who is a killer. The success of the podcast and her book laid the groundwork for her most recent and highest-profile project.

The New Paramount+ Series: Happy Face

One of the most significant recent updates is the premiere of the crime drama series, Happy Face, which began streaming on Paramount+ in March 2024. The show is directly inspired by Moore's life and her memoir.

Moore is credited as a Co-Executive Producer on the series, ensuring her complex and nuanced perspective is accurately represented. The drama focuses on a fictionalized version of her life, navigating the aftermath of her father’s arrest and the subsequent media frenzy. This Emmy-nominated involvement solidifies her role as a key figure in the true crime genre, moving beyond a victim’s relative to an active storyteller and producer.

Moore's Advocacy and The Power of Resilience

Moore's work is not just about recounting a true crime story; it is a mission to help others who have been affected by domestic violence and familial trauma. She has built a career as a public speaker, focusing on resilience and the courage required to "shine through adversity."

Her core message is that people are not defined by the actions of their family members. She speaks to audiences about the psychological impact of living in the shadow of a serial killer and the process of choosing to heal and advocate for change.

Moore has specifically used her platform to advocate for the families of victims—the people her father terrorized—and for other children of serial killers, offering a voice to those who often feel isolated and ashamed. Her ability to discuss the manipulations of her father, Keith Hunter Jesperson, and the difficult process of telling her own children about their grandfather is a testament to her openness and commitment to transparency.

By transforming her trauma into a tool for public good, Melissa G. Moore has firmly established herself as an authority on survival. Her continuous work through her books, podcast, and the new Paramount+ series ensures that her message of hope and resilience remains current and impactful, offering a vital perspective on the long-lasting effects of violent crime.