Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Samantha Koenig was kidnapped at gunpoint from the Anchorage, Alaska, coffee stand where she worked as a barista in February 2013 by a man who may be one of the most prolific serial killer in U.S. history. Israel Keyes developed an elaborate plan to demand a ransom for the 18-year-old's return.  After his arrest, Keyes  admits to killing 11 people across the country, but are there more?  JOINING NANCY GRACE TODAY:  Andrew Iden  - Co-Host, "Deviant" Podcast, Insta & TikTok: @deviant.podcast    Dr. Bethany Marshall -Psychoanalyst, Author "Deal Breaker: When to Work on a Relationship and When to Walk Away” https://www.drbethanymarshall.com, Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, Twitter:@DrBethanyLive Bobby Chacon - Former Special Agent FBI, Screenwriter for “Criminal Minds;” Co-star Facebook TV "Curse of Akakor" Instagram/Twitter: @BobbyChaconFBI, BobbyChacon.com   Darryl Cohen - Former Assistant District Attorney, Former Assistant State Attorney, Defense Attorney, Cohen, Cooper, Estep, & Allen, LLC, CCEAlaw.com, Facebook: "Darryl B Cohen", Twitter: @DarrylBCohen Dr. Kendall Crowns -  Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County, Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University)   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Son decapitates elderly parents and their dog. Bank doesn't let robber get away with a single cent, literally.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a motion, Bryan Kohberger attorney Anne Taylor argues that a change of venue is absolutely necessary for the accused quadruple murderer to have a fair trial. Taylor cites “inflammatory, emotion evoking and often misleading, false, and poorly sourced” media coverage that has “utterly corrupted” the Moscow community. Taylor reports that their survey has revealed 70% of locals have already formed a guilty opinion of Kohberger.  Taylor suggests that Kohberger’s trial be moved to Ada County, home to state capital, Boise, 296 miles from Moscow. Taylor argues that Ada County’s population of over 500,000 provides a much more adequate pool, and is Kohberger’s best chance at receiving an impartial jury. Taylor also touches on the logistics Ada County provides, including larger courtrooms and easy access to the state’s largest airport.   Despite Taylor’s push to move Kohberger’s trial to Ada County, it’s ultimately up to the judge to decide if a change of venue is appropriate, and where the trial should move. Taylor could wind up with a much more conservative jury than would have been found in the college town where the crimes took place. Elmore County is home to Mountain Home Air Force Base, and Ada County actually encompasses Gowen Field, an Idaho Air National Guard base.   Prosecutors have until August 12th to challenge the change of venue motion. Defense attorneys will then have a chance to submit another rebuttal. Both sides will make their arguments in front of the judge on August 29th. Anne Taylor plans to call four witnesses including trial consultant, Dr. Bryan Edelman, who was allowed to complete his survey process. Judge Judge will decide if and where the case will move, and whether or not he will go with it. In the case that Judge withdraws, the Supreme Court will choose a new judge to preside over the case.   Joining Nance Grace Today:  Howard Blum - Author: "When The Night Comes Falling, A Requiem for The Idaho Student Murders"  Website: Howardblum.com  INSTA: howard_ Stephanie Pitcher - Defense attorney and Civil trial attorney with Parker & McConkie, former felony prosecutor - Website: https://www.parkerandmcconkie.com  Angela Arnold (GA)  Psychiatrist, Atlanta GA, AngelaArnoldMD.com, Expert in the Treatment of Pregnant/Postpartum Women, Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology: Emory University, Former Medical Director of The Psychiatric Ob-Gyn Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital, Voted My Buckhead’s Best Psychiatric Practice of 2022, 2023 and 2024. Chris McDonough -  Director At the Cold Case Foundation, Former Homicide Detective, Host of YouTube channel- ‘The Interview Room’, ColdCaseFoundation.org    Joseph Scott Morgan -  Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan", @JoScottForensic   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13-year-old boy attempts to kidnap several neighborhood women. The "emperor's" assistant has no clothes in this story! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As accused killer, Stephan Sterns,  adjusts to life in a jail cell, he complains to his brother via email about everything from the size of his cell, the noise, filth, and eating utensils.  Sterns complain his bed mat is flat with very little cushion left, his cell is small and filthy, and he claims there are spots on the wall that appear to be bloody fingerprints.  It is emails from Sterns' mother that contains shocking information as she encouraging him to tell the truth.Sterns' mother believes other people are involved in the murder of Maddie and she tells her son to stop protecting these people. Knowing the emails are not private and protected, Sterns mother alludes to a  woman being involved in the case saying she is quote "disgusted that she is free and you are not when this is not all your fault."  Some of the emails between Stephan Sterns and his mother seem a bit heavy handed, trying to make it seem as though Sterns is a "stand-up guy" who wouldn't be a "rat", possibly to try and help her son as he prepares to spend the rest of his life behind bars. -Sterns mother says " 'I keep thinking about how you would not ever rat out a friend,'  and later adds, "It really made me mad and I felt like you valued them over us when you let them get away with stuff. Don't be doing that again."  Sterns mother says things like, " 'We all know [redacted] was heavily involved in this and I am disgusted that she is free and you are not when this is not all your fault!!  'You need to think about yourself more and her less. She sure isn't thinking of you and how she can help you right now. That whole family is willing to stay quiet and let you take the fall for everything.'   JOINING NANCY GRACE TODAY:  Tim Jansen - Criminal defense lawyer and former Federal Prosecutor, Legal Analyst for Tallahassee Democrat’s Newspaper, www.jansenlawoffice.com  Dr. Jorey L Krawczyn - Psychologist, Faculty Saint Leo University; Consultant Blue Wall Institute, Author: Operation S.O.S.   Robin Dreeke - Behavior Expert & Former FBI Special Agent / Chief of the FBI Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program, Author: "Sizing People Up: A Veteran FBI Agents Maual for Behavior Prediction", peopleformula.com, Twitter: @rdreeke   Dr. Eric Eason -  Board Certified Forensic Pathologist, consultant, Instagram: @eric_a_eason, Facebook: Eric August Eason, LinkedIn: Eric Eason, MD  Shannon Butler - Investigative Reporter WFTV-9  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mom beats 4-year-old to death because he wet the bed. Pickles the piglet is one hard-to-catch suspect! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the way to Bridgerton City Park in southern New Jersey, Noema Alavez Perez takes her children, Dulce Maria Alavez, 5, and her 3-year-old brother to get ice cream. Once at the park, the children play on the swings as Noema is in her car about 30 yards away helping her sister with homework on the phone. Seeing her son crying by the swings, Perez walks toward him to find out what is going on and finds someone has thrown his ice cream on the ground, noticing Dulce is not on the swings with her brother. No longer concerned about her sons' ice cream, Noema Perez begins scanning the park for Dulce. Noema Alavez Perez was about 30 yards away from her children playing on swings in the park, and when she couldn't find Dulce for a few minutes, she thought her daughter was hiding, trying to be funny. Dulce has never run off before, but Perez doesn't see her anywhere in the park. Asking everyone standing near the basketball court if they have seen Dulce Maria Alavez, she hears several stories of the 5-year-old running behind houses with two different men and another child.  Living every parent's biggest nightmare, Perez calls 911 to report her daughter missing in the park. JOINING NANCY TODAY: Noema Alavez - Mother of Dulce Alavez   Brenda Trinadad - Family friend and advocate for Dulce Alavez Kathleen Murphy – North Carolina Family Attorney  Dr. Chloe Carmichael – Clinical Psychologist, Women’s Health Magazine Advisory Board;’ Author: ‘Nervous Energy: Harness The Power of Your Anxiety;’ X: @DrChloe  Irv Brandt – (Retired) US Marshals Service International Investigations Branch, Author: “GOING SOLO: The Gospel of Luke,” and “SOLO JOURNEY: Buddha Knights;” X: @JackSoloAuthor Claudia Vargas -  Investigative Reporter at NBC10 Philadelphia; Documentary “Somebody Knows Something: The Disappearance of Dulce” is now steaming on Peacock; X: @ByClaudiaVargas   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Baton-wielding man beats victim in road rage incident. New Jersey man travels to Florida to attack online gamer who hurt his feelings.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arriving home from running errands, Christopher Scholtes notices his two-year-old daughter, Parker, is asleep in her car seat. Rather than disturbing her by waking her up to go inside the house, the Arizona father of three leave the toddler in the vehicle with the air conditioner running. Scholtes knows from previous experience with his Acura MDX the air conditioner and vehicle will run for about 30 minutes before shutting off automatically. Wife, Dr. Erika Scholtes, arrives home just aft 4PM. She sees her 5- and 9-year-old daughters and asks husband, Chris, "where is Parker"? Christopher Scholtes first begins looking in the rooms of the house, then darts outside, where he realizes he left Parker in the Accura. The vehicle is off, the air conditioner is not running, the outside temperature is over 109 degrees and Parker Scholtes is taken out of the car, unresponsive, strapped in her child restraint system. When first responders arrive at the scene, the outside temperature is over 109 degrees. The toddler is transported to the Banner University Medical Center, the same hospital her mother works as an anesthesiologist.  Unable to resuscitate the 2-year-old, Parker Scholtes is pronounced dead at 4:58 p.m. Investigators locate surveillance footage from a neighbor and watch as Chris Scholtes arrives home at 12:53 PM, not the 2:30 PM time Scholtes told them earlier.  Scholtes is seen on video walking into the house alone and is not seen on video coming back out of the house again until after his wife, Dr. Erika Scholtes, arrives home. Investigators conduct forensic interviews with the other children and find out that their father leaves all three of them in the car alone, regularly.  It is the children that tell investigators that during the time Parker was left in the car, their father was distracted "playing his game" and "putting his food away". Joining Nancy today:  Darryl Cohen – Former Assistant District Attorney (Fulton County, Georgia) Former Assistant State Attorney (Florida), and Defense Attorney: Cohen, Cooper, Estep, & Allen, LLC; Facebook: “Darryl B Cohen;” X: @DarrylBCohen Dr. Kendall Crowns – Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth) and Lecturer: University of Texas Austin and Texas Christian University Medical School Caryn L. Stark – Psychologist, Renowned TV and Radio Trauma Expert and Consultant; Instagram: carynpsych/FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Amber Rollins - Director, Kids and Car Safety www.KidsAndCars.org IG: KidsAndCarSafety X: @KidsAndCars   Alexis Terezscuk - CrimeOnline Investigative reporter, Writer/Fact Checker @LeadStoriesCom, and Former Entertainment Reporter X: @swimmie2009   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Man impersonates CPS worker to gain access to children. Woman smuggles drugs disguised as burritos! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Mayor with 28 years of law enforcement experience has been charged with first-degree murder in a triple homicide. In this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will break down the weapons used in the murders and the possibility that one of the victims died while he was on the phone with 911. Dave Mack will try and explain what happened four days before the shooting  that may have led to the murders.    Transcript Highlights  00:00:00 Introduction people seeking power  00:02:12 Discussion ex-mayor suspect triple homicide  00:07:45 Discussion Triple homicide, 911 caller goes silent on call  00:12:21 Talk about different types of guns  00:17:35 Discussion suspect shows up with multiple weapons  00:22:12 Discussion triple homicide occurs four days after event that led to it  00:27:14 Discussion of defense strategy for shooting three people  00:33:17 Talk about suspect showing up armed, left home enraged  00:38:26 Discussion of victims shot with different guns See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been years since Crystal Roger went missing. Her then-boyfriend, Brooks Houck, immediately became the main suspect.  The mom of five was last seen at Houck's home. Rogers' car was found abandoned with a flat tire on the Bluegrass Parkway two days later. Her keys, phone, and purse were inside the vehicle. Houck was interviewed, but not arrested. Houck has been charged with murder and tampering with evidence. Now we learn that an Nancy Grace episode in which Houck spoke with Nancy on HLN has been entered into evidence.  Rogers’ body has not been found.    Joining Nancy Grace Today: James Shelnutt – Attorney – The Shelnutt Law Firm, P.C.; 27-year Atlanta Metro Area Major Case Detective and Former S.W.A.T. Officer; X: @ShelnuttLawFirm Dr. Jeff Kieliszewski – Forensic Psychologist, Author: “Darksides;” FB: forensicsandmediapsychologist/TikTok: Dr. Jeff Kieliszewski Sheryl McCollum – Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder & Host of New Podcast: “Zone 7;” X: @149Zone Fallon Glick – WDRB Louisville News Reporter; Facebook & X: @FallonGlick @WDRBNews Jessica Noll -  Podcaster: "Bardstown" Shay McAlister - reporter WHAS,; Podcaster: "Bardstown" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As morning news anchor for KIMV TV, Jodi Huisentruit normally arrives by 3:30 AM. to prepare to go on at 6 AM. When Huisentruit doesn't arrive at the studio by 4 a.m. producer Amy Kuns calls the 27-year-old, apparently waking her up. Huisentruit says she is heading to the station right away. Huisentruit doesn't arrive at the station. Other calls made to her phone go unanswered. At 6 AM producer Amy Kuns fills in on-air for Huisentruit and when she finishes,  she calls the police asking for a welfare check.  At 7:16 AM police are at Huisentruit's apartment complex where they find her red Mazda Miata in the parking lot. A pair of red women’s dress shoes, a blow dryer, bottle of hair spray, car keys and earrings are scattered beside the car, along with a bent car key. There are signs of a struggle. Police begin a missing persons investigation.    JOINING NANCY TODAY:  Tammara "Tammy" Baker - friend Wendy Patrick - California prosecutor, President and Founder of Black Swan Verdicts, author: "Why Bad Looks Good", wendypatrickphd.com, ‘Today with Dr. Wendy’ on KCBQ in San Diego, Twitter: @WendyPatrickPHD Steve Ridge - Private Investigator   Dr. Heidi Green - Clinical Psychologist, Trauma specialist, Author: ‘The Path to Self-Love and World Domination, www.drheidigreen.com, IG: @drheidigreen   Tara Gettman - Former anchor & reporter at KIMT   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Man busted for fixing his car while teen girl dies from crash. Escort turns to chase as police realize erratic ambulance is stolen.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russell and Shirley Dermond live in a beautiful lakefront property, Lake Oconee, Georgia. The couple is expected at a Kentucky Derby watch party with neighbors, but don’t show up. When the neighbors reach out by phone, the Dermonds don’t answer. Days later, arriving at the Dermond’s home, the neighbor is surprised to find the front door unlocked. The neighbor calls out their names to no reply.   The neighbor looks in the garage to see if the Dermond’s car is there. The neighbor discovers Russell Dermond laying on the garage floor, decapitated.  The neighbor calls 911, racing around the house looking for Shirley Dermond, but she is nowhere to be found.   Investigators begin a neighborhood search and beyond for Shirley Dermond, without success.  The search lasts for 10 days until two fishermen find her body in lake Oconee. Shirley Dermond has been dumped in the lake with cinder blocks tied to her legs. Her body is recovered about 5 miles from the Dermond home near the dam.  Joining Nancy Grace Today:  Sheriff Howard Sills - Putnam County Sheriff Dr. Kristen Mittelman- Chief Development Officer, Othram Inc., Othram.com, DNAsolves.com;; X @OthramTech  Joe Scott Morgan – Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, “Blood Beneath My Feet,” and Host: “Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;” X: @JoScottForensic Dr. John Delatorre –  Licensed Psychologist and Mediator (specializing in forensic psychology); Psychological Consultant to Project Absentis: a nonprofit organization that searches for missing persons; Twitter, IG, and TikTok – @drjohndelatorre Cody Alcorn – Reporter, 11Alive WXIA (Atlanta, GA); Facebook.com/CodyAlcornNews  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Attempted car thief doesn't expect a fight from the owner. Make sure to keep your receipts! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ronald Cummings leaves his two children in the care of his live-in girlfriend while he works into the early morning hours.  Arriving home just after 3 AM, Misty Croslin tells him she awoke to use the restroom and can't find Haleigh, 5, anywhere in the house. Croslin points to a backdoor propped open with a brick and tells Ronald the back door was shut and locked when they went to bed.  Ronald Cummings tells Misty Croslin to call 911.  She tells 911 dispatch when she awoke around 3 am to go to the bathroom, she realizes Haleigh is gone and the back door of the trailer is open, and a brick is placed to keep the door propped open. Haleigh is described as a curly headed girl between 40 and 60 pounds wearing pajamas. The dispatcher instructs Misty Croslin and Ronald Cummings not to touch the back door anymore, as K9s are on the way to see if they can pick up Haleigh's scent.   Investigators begin interviewing Misty Croslin as a search team begins looking around the trailer and surrounding areas, including a nearby pond. Ronald Cummings is at work when Haleigh disappears, and he is quickly eliminated as a suspect, but his live-in girlfriend, 17-year-old Misty Croslin, claims she is sleeping in the same room with Haleigh and her little brother when the girl disappears.  Investigators believe Misty Croslin is not giving them the full story.  JOINING NANCY GRACE TODAY: John Merchant - Forner Lead Detective in Haleigh Cummings Case    Ron Cummings - Father Terry Shoemaker - Lawyer for Ron Cummings  Robert Hardwick - St. Johns County Sheriff, Former Assistant Chief Investigator for State Attorney Office that investigated Haleigh Cummings case Dr. Shari Schwartz – Forensic Psychologist (Specializing in Capital Mitigation and Victim Advocacy); Author: “Criminal Behavior” and “Where Law and Psychology Intersect: Issues in Legal Psychology;” X: @TrialDoc”  Dave Mack - Reporter, Crime Online See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Merchant Marine academy student strangles mom over eviction notice. This driver has an interesting way of expressing his road rage.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian Shaffer makes the 30-minute drive from Columbus to celebrate the start of Spring Break with a steak dinner at his father’s house. Over dinner, Brian excitedly discusses his upcoming vacation to Miami with girlfriend, Alexis Waggoner. According to family, Brian plans to propose. Brian also mentions his plans to go out that evening with his former roommate, William “Clint” Florence. At 9:00 p.m, Brian Shaffer meets up with Clint Florence at the Ugly Tuna Saloona, a popular college bar on the second floor of the Gateway Building. Around 10:00 PM, Shaffer calls his girlfriend, Alexis Waggoner to check in before he and Florence leave for another bar in the Arena district. Shaffer and Florence each have a shot at several bars before meeting up with Florence’s friend, Meredith Reed, around midnight. The group heads back to the Ugly Tuna in Reed’s car for one last round. At 1:15 aa.m., Shaffer, Florence, and Reed head up the Gateway Building’s escalator to the Ugly Tuna and partake in one more round of shots while listening to the band. Shaffer gives Florence and Reed some time alone, and chats with two women just outside the bar until 1:55 a.m. Just 5 minutes later, the bar is closing and masses of patrons head down the escalator, but Florence and Reed can’t find Shaffer. The pair eventually assumes that Shaffer went home, likely walking to his off-campus apartment just six blocks away. Saturday morning, Alexis Waggoner calls her boyfriend to nail down some final plans for their upcoming vacation. It goes straight to Brian Shaffer’s voicemail, but Waggoner assumes Shaffer is sleeping off the night before.  That afternoon, a second call from Waggoner goes to voicemail. Shaffer isn’t answering his father either. On Sunday, Derek Shaffer heads to his brother’s apartment. Brian’s car is parked outside, and nothing’s amiss inside his apartment, but no Brian. Monday morning, Brian Shaffer doesn’t show at the airport. Randy Shaffer immediately reports his son missing. Investigators immediately look to surveillance footage at the Gateway building.  Shaffer is last seen walking off camera toward the Tuna’s entrance—but Shaffer never comes back down the escalator. Shaffer isn’t caught outside the building at an emergency exit, either. It appears Shaffer never left the building. The only other exit from the second floor is a service door not meant for public use. The service door leads to an area of the building under construction, where a temporary freight elevator is installed, but climbing down the service ladder would have been tough for a sober person, much less an intoxicated one. Surveillance cameras from nearby bars also should have spotted Shaffer leaving from that first floor exit. Columbus police search garbage that left the Gateway building, the sewers below, and use dogs to comb a miles-wide radius. There’s no sign of Brian Shaffer. JOINING NANCY GRACE TODAY:  Matthew Mangino – Attorney, Former District Attorney (Lawrence County); Author: “The Executioner’s Toll: The Crimes, Arrests, Trials, Appeals, Last Meals, Final Words and Executions of 46 Persons in the United States” Steve Fischer  – Missing Persons Private Investigator, Search & Rescue Specialist, & Owner of Search Investigations; X: @SF_Investigates (helping in the search for Riley) Dr. Angela Arnold – Psychiatrist, Atlanta GA. Expert in the Treatment of Pregnant/Postpartum Women, Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology: Emory University, Former Medical Director of The Psychiatric Ob-Gyn Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital Todd G. Shipley, CFE, CFCE– Cyber Crime Expert, and Author: “Investigating Internet Crimes: An Introduction to Solving Crimes in Cyberspace;” X: @webcase Sydney Sumner - CrimeOnline Investigative Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Road rage argument ends in machete attack. Florida cops chase down a suspect trying to escape through a second story window! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.