Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Brian Shaffer drives 30 minutes from Columbus to celebrate the start of Spring Break with a steak dinner at his father’s house. During dinner, Brian eagerly discusses his upcoming vacation to Miami with his girlfriend, Alexis Waggoner. According to his family, Brian plans to propose during the trip. He also mentions plans to go out that evening with his former roommate, William “Clint” Florence. At 9:00 p.m., Brian meets Clint at the Ugly Tuna Saloona, a popular college bar on the second floor of the Gateway Building. Around 10:00 p.m., Brian calls Alexis to check in before he and Clint head to another bar in the Arena District. They visit several bars, each having a shot, before meeting up with Clint’s friend, Meredith Reed, around midnight. The group then returns to the Ugly Tuna in Meredith’s car for one last round. At 1:15 a.m., Brian, Clint, and Meredith ride the Gateway Building escalator back to the Ugly Tuna and have another round of shots while listening to the band. Brian steps outside the bar to chat with two women, leaving Clint and Meredith to spend some time alone. Surveillance footage captures Brian speaking to the women until 1:55 a.m. Five minutes later, as the bar begins to close and patrons head down the escalator, Clint and Meredith realize Brian is missing. Assuming he walked home to his off-campus apartment, located six blocks away, they leave. On Saturday morning, Alexis calls Brian to finalize plans for their upcoming vacation. Her call goes straight to voicemail, but she assumes he is still sleeping off the previous night. That afternoon, her second call also goes unanswered. Brian’s father and brother, Randy and Derek Shaffer, also fail to reach him. On Sunday, Derek visits Brian’s apartment. He finds Brian’s car parked outside, and nothing seems out of place inside the apartment, but Brian is nowhere to be found. When Brian doesn’t show up at the airport on Monday morning, Randy reports him missing. Investigators review surveillance footage from the Gateway Building. Brian is last seen walking off camera toward the Ugly Tuna’s entrance but never comes back down the escalator. He is not seen exiting the building through an emergency door or other exits. The only other way out from the second floor is a service door leading to an area under construction. This door provides access to a temporary freight elevator and a service ladder. Climbing down would have been challenging for a sober person, let alone someone intoxicated. Nearby surveillance cameras from other bars should have captured Brian if he had exited the Gateway Building through the first-floor doors, but no footage shows him leaving. Columbus police search garbage leaving the building, the sewers below, and use dogs to comb a miles-wide radius. Despite extensive efforts, no trace of Brian Shaffer is found. 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.

Cops shocked when they discover a body in the backseat of a suspected DUI driver. Woman is looking for her drug dealer, but finds a sheriff's deputy! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A final look at items brought up in the recent Netflix documentary about JonBenet Ramsey and her death. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack talk about the crime scene with Joe breaking down the mistakes that were made and how they have nothing to do with technology. Also, a question that has never been answered regarding the "ransom" note. What type of "kidnapper" kills the person and leaves a "ransom" note? Who would pay a "ransom" for the "safe return" of a loved one when the "loved one" is already dead and in the house?      Transcribe Highlights00:00.41 Introduction 02:00.28 No excuses for evidence mistakes 04:54.75 Never Ask Father of missing 6-year-old search the house 10:06.27 The physical things seen in strangling 14:34.80 Why leave the body AND ransom note 19:53.52 Why ask for $118,000? 24:28.50 The reason for the ransom note is dead 29:07.64 JonBenet was beaten, skull was fractured 32:10.35 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two people were shot on the set of Alec Baldwin's movie Rust. Director of photography Halyna Hutchins died, and director Joel Souza was wounded. Reports say first assistant director David Halls picked up one of three prop guns set up by armorer Hannah Gutierrez and yelled, “cold gun.” "Cold gun" is industry slang meaning the gun does not contain live rounds. Halls gave the gun to Baldwin, who used it to rehearse a scene. According to the search warrant, Baldwin aimed the weapon at the camera when he fired, striking Hutchins and Souza. Reports suggest crew members used the weapon for target practice earlier that morning. A judge dismissed charges against Baldwin. Now the actor is suing.  Joining Nancy Grace today: Paul Szych – Former Police Commander; Author: “StopHimFromKillingThem” on Amazon Kindle; Twitter: @WorkplaceThreat;  Screen Actors Guild-Eligible Actor Domenic Romano – NY Corporate Lawyer and Entertainment Attorney, Romano Law 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” Karen L. Smith – Forensic Expert, Lecturer at the University of Florida, Host of ‘Shattered Souls’ Podcast; Twitter: @KarensForensic Dr. Michelle DuPre – Former Forensic Pathologist, Medical Examiner and Detective: Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Author: “Homicide Investigation Field Guide” & “Investigating Child Abuse Field Guide;” Forensic Consultant Alexis Tereszcuk - CrimeOnline.com Investigative Reporter, Writer/Fact Checker, Lead Stories, X: @swimmie2009  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow "Crime Alert Hourly Update" now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/Crime_Alert Here's three of our top stories this week:  Breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow "Crime Alert Hourly Update" now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/Crime_Alert Here's three of our top stories this week:  "Im Not a Psycho, "a  Florida Teen tells police as he's accused of killing his parents. Wendy Williams claims she is being held against her will. An 11-year-old girl in Syracuse, New York,  mistakenly handcuffed by deputies,  searching for a car theft suspect.. Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.”   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two girls stab their best friend 19 times. Why? They wanted to appease the fictional horror character, Slender Man. Both girls serve time in a mental health facility. Anissa Weier was granted conditional release in September 2021. She was required to receive outpatient psychiatric treatment and was subject to GPS monitoring – though the monitoring was waived in September of last year. Now a Wisconsin judge decides  Morgan Geyser is well enough to be released from  the Winnebago Mental Health Institute she has been in for the last seven years. She will be moved to a group home where her mental health will be continue to be monitored.  Three medical experts testified that Geyser has made considerable progress, which convinced a judge that she doesn't pose a safety risk outside hospital walls. Joining Nancy Grace to discuss the case: Troy Slaten – Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney, Slaten Lawyers, APC; Twitter/X: @TroySlaten Dr. Daniel Bober – Forensic Psychiatrist, Chief of Psychiatry Memorial Regional Healthcare Systems, Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale University School of Medicine; Instagram: drdanielbober Joe Scott Morgan – Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, “Blood Beneath My Feet,” and Host: “Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;” Twitter/X: @JoScottForensic Levi Page -  CrimeOnline Investigative Reporter   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo,is demanding that prosecutors hand over multiple videos of Combs’ infamous "freak-offs," arguing the tapes prove his innocence. Prosecutors describe the tapes as elaborate, produced sexual performances, but Agnifilo contends they show private, consensual activity between Combs and Cassie Ventura, stating she "not only consented but thoroughly enjoyed herself." In the same filing, Agnifilo criticizes the prosecution as “sexist and puritanical.” He claims the government’s case perpetuates stereotypes of female victimhood and denies women agency by assuming they cannot make their own decisions about sex or consent to activities outside the "norm." Meanwhile, documentaries about the disgraced rap mogul continue to surface. Peacock's The Making of a Bad Boy explores Combs' early life, featuring interviews with childhood and college friends who describe him as a "shy rich kid" trying to prove himself. Additionally, a Making the Band 2 cast member has accused Combs of sexual assault, and another alleged victim has spoken publicly for the first time Joining Nancy Grace today:  Wendy Patrick – California prosecutor, Author: “Red Flags” www.wendypatrickphd.com ‘Today with Dr. Wendy’ on KCBQ in San Diego; X: @WendyPatrickPHD Caryn L. Stark – Psychologist, Renowned TV and Radio Trauma Expert and Consultant; Instagram: carynpsych/FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Bill Daly – Former FBI Investigator and Forensic Photography, Security Expert Rob Shuter  - Host: Naughty But Nice Podcast, Former Publicist, Author: "The 4 Word Answer", radaronline.com; IG: @naughtygossip Alex West  - Entertainment Reporter, The Mirror;, G/TW/TIKTOK: @alexwestnyc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mom makes disturbing symptom searches for clearly injured baby instead of seeking medical treatment. Man goes for a casual swim...in the Bass Pro Shop aquarium.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Murdaugh's former housekeeper, Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson, joins Nancy Grace.  South Carolina's Supreme Court has granted Alex Murdaugh's request for a new trial in the murders of his wife and son. At the heart of the appeal and review is whether former South Carolina Chief Justice Jean Toal fairly denied Murdaugh a new murder trial. The Supreme Court could reverse or overturn that ruling – and could order the court to give him a new trial. Another allegation is that claims that Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill, being involved in talking improperly to jurors. A hearing was held with Judge Jean Toal presiding one juror, identified as Juror Z, said Becky Hill told jurors to watch Murdaugh "closely" and "made it seem like he was already guilty." When asked if this influenced her vote to find Murdaugh guilty, the juror said “Yes, ma’am.” Toal said Becky Hill was not a credible witness and denied Murdaugh a new trial.  Joining Nancy Grace Today: Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson - Murdaugh's Former Housekeeper Regina Ward -  Criminal Defense Attorney / Law Firm of Regina B. Ward;  attorneyreginaward.com Caryn Stark - Psychologist, renowned TV and Radio trauma expert and consultant, www.carynstark.com, Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Chris McDonough - Director At the Cold Case Foundation, Former Homicide Detective,  Worked over 300 Homicides in 25 year career,  & Host of YouTube channel, "The Interview Room,"   www.coldcasefoundation.org/chris-mcdonough Dr. Kendall Crowns - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University) Jennifer Wood - Director of research at FITSNews.com, Twitter: @IndyJenn   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After causing crash by break-checking a mom of 2, driver severely injures her with a body slam. "Paper dope" smuggled into prison by attorney for an 'extra fee.'  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The man accused of molesting and killing Madeline Soto shortly after her 13th birthday will stand trial next fall. Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of Madeline’s mother, Jennifer Soto, faces charges of first-degree murder and 60 other offenses, including sexual battery, molestation, and possession of child pornography. Sterns has not attended court in months, choosing to skip pretrial hearings. In phone calls with his parents, Sterns claimed he "didn't start" the situation he is now facing. Jennifer Soto told police she had always feared a "Woody Allen situation." Sterns' trial is set to begin on September 22, 2025.  Joining Nancy Grace today: Philip Dubé  – Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal & Constitutional Law; Forensics & Mental Health Advocacy Dr. Jorey Krawczyn – Police Psychologist, Adjunct Faculty with Saint Leo University; Research Consultant with Blue Wall Institute, Author: Operation S.O.S. – Practical Recommendations to Help “Stop Officer Suicide” Robin Dreeke – Behavior Expert & Retired FBI Special Agent / Chief of the FBI Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program; Author: “Sizing People Up: A Veteran FBI Agents Manual for Behavior Prediction;” X: @rdreekeke Anna Sonoda – Child Grooming Expert, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Author: “Duck Duck Groom: Understanding How a Child Becomes a Target” 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.

Woman lured into kidnapping manages to escape and is shocked by her attacker's identity. California driver caught monkeying around.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just after the new year  Ashley Elkins leaves home early in the morning. Her family sees her leave, wearing a long black coat with fur around the hood and black leggings, with the light freckles on her face.  Just 10 minutes after Ashley leaves her mother Monika arrives wanting to share a dream with her daughter.  Ashley Elkins leaves her home on January 2nd at 8:30 am. Her mother, Monika Elkins, arrives 10 minutes later, wanting to tell Ashley about a dream she had. Having just missed Ashley, Monika sends a text to her daughter about the dream she had involving Ashley taking her mom's truck while leaving her car in the driveway. Ashley replies to the description of the dream, writing "Awe, man." Monika feels this is a strange and uncharacteristic response for Ashley and attempts a "face time" call immediately upon receipt of the text from Ashley's phone.  But Ashley doesn't answer the facetime  Family members reach out to Ashley Elkins with minimal success. Hours after sending a text but not answering a face-time call from her mother, another family member gets a text from Ashley, saying she is going to a beauty supply store. This isn't the way Ashley Elkins usually communicates with the family and her mother says Ashley's phone is turned off after the text about going to beauty supply store, before it is turned back on again.    Joining Nancy Grace today Maurice Morton - Uncle to Ashley Elkins Ben Powers - Criminal Defense Attorney, Facebook: Legal Powers PLLC, https://legalpowers.com Dr. Shavaun Scott - Psychotherapist, Author of “The Minds of Mass Killers: Understanding and Interrupting the Pathway to Violence” Brian Fitzgibbons - Director of Operations for USPA Nationwide Security,  uspasecurity.com, Instagram: @uspa_nationwide_security, Fmr. Marine and Iraq war veteran Scott Eicher - founding member of the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team (C.A.S.T); Historical Cellular Analysis Expert; Former FBI agent of 22 years; Former Police Officer and Homicide Detective with Norfolk Virgina Police Dept.  Precision Cellular Analysis,   https://www.pcaexperts.com/ Alexis Tereszcuk  - Crime Online Investigative Reporter   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17-year-old helpless to stop 32-year-old sister from beating their mother to death. Battery by burger.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least 24 people are dead, and dozens remain unaccounted for as fires fueled by severe drought conditions and strong Santa Ana winds continue to burn across Southern California. Thousands of firefighters are still battling blazes across 45 square miles in Los Angeles County. The Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades is the largest, spanning 24,000 acres. Thousands of homes and buildings have been destroyed, and the fire is only 11% contained. The Eaton Fire in Altadena has burned more than 14,000 acres and is 27% contained, while the Hurst Fire near Sylmar is 89% contained after burning nearly 800 acres. The Kenneth Fire has burned 1,025 acres and is fully contained. More than 105,000 people remain under mandatory evacuation orders, and another 87,000 are under evacuation warnings. The cause of the fires remains under investigation. Joining Nancy Grace today:  Allison Agsten - Witnessed looters as she was evacuating; Inaugural Director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communications Center; Bill Walker - Fire Chief, City of Bedford, TX; Former Fire Chief in Santa Monica, CA  Dr. Bethany Marshall – Author: “Deal Breaker,”  featured in hit show: “Paris in Love” on Peacock https://www.drbethanymarshall.com/ , Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive Nicolle Brock – Firefighter, EMT, and Arson Expert Dr. Kendall Crowns – Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth) and Lecturer: University of Texas Austin and Texas Christian University Medical School Courtney Friel - Anchor / Reporter at KTLA in Los Angeles; X & Instagram: @courtneyfriel See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Store clerk shot in robbery over amount of cash in register. Upset customer drives 'lemon' through dealership! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nineteen some odd months after the fatal San Francisco stabbing of tech exec Bob Lee, his accused killer learns his fate. Nima Momeni was arrested after a nine-day manhunt.  Tech entrepreneur and consultant Momeni's sister, who is at the center of the case testified.  During the prosecution's case, the lead police investigator lead jurors through the twists and turns of the two-day drug binge Lee was on with Khazar Momeni. Nima Momeni reportedly believed his sister was also attacked by Lee.   Bob Lee made a name for himself in the tech world, as a founder of Cash App. The 43-year-old exec recently move to Florida but was in San Francisco for business. Around 2:30 a.m. Lee calls police saying he had been stabbed. Surveillance footage captures Lee getting out of a car with another man. Quickly, the man drives away and Lee stumbles along Main Street in San Francisco's Rincon Hill neighborhood.  When police reach Lee, he has been stabbed three times, including two wounds in his upper left chest.   The man driving the car that sped away is identified as 38-year-old Nima Momeni, also a tech executive.  Texts from Momeni's married sister sent to Lee,  show a connection between the two. Nima Momeni reportedly confronted, Lee implying "improper behavior" Joining Nancy Grace Today: Jarrett Ferentino- Homicide Prosecutor in Pennsylvania, Facebook & Instagram: Jarrett Ferentino Dr. John Delatorre (D La Torrey) - 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 Irv Brandt - Senior Inspector, US Marshals Service International Investigations Branch, Chief Inspector, DOJ Office of International Affairs; Author: “SOLO SHOT: CURSE OF THE BLUE STONE," and FLYING SOLO: Top of the World"  AVAILABLE ON AMAZON; Top of the World" Twitter: @JackSoloAuthor  Dr. Maneesha Pandey- Chief Forensic Pathologist for Forensic Pathologists LLC in Ohio, Board-certified forensic pathologist Ben Levitan- Telecommunications Expert, Columnist Jen Smith- Chief Reporter for DailyMail.com; Twitter: @Jen_e_smith  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow "Crime Alert Hourly Update" now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/Crime_Alert Here's three of our top stories this week:  Police confirm that a man has been arrested in connection to the deadly Kenneth Fire that is raging near the West Hills.   A Wisconsin judge grants the release of a woman who, at 12 years old, stabbed her classmate to gain favor with the fictional character Slender Man. A prominent You Tube personality & content creator is accused of kidnapping and attacking two women, then abandoning them on a desolate Texas highway.  Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dawn Viens, the owner of a popular California eatery and wife of the chef, disappears. Many, including the police, initially believe Dawn left of her own accord, but the facts don’t add up. What led to her disappearance? When Dawn met her future husband, she was a beautiful, vivacious front-end hostess. The man of her dreams, David Viens, was a talented chef. The couple married and set out to make their mark in the food industry, eventually settling in California and opening a highly successful restaurant. Dawn disappeared after David claimed they had an argument. Police spoke with David and Dawn’s friends, but certain details didn’t add up. Then, a friend received a text from “Pixie,” Dawn’s nickname, saying she was starting over in another state. David appeared to have moved on as well. He had a new girlfriend who had taken Dawn’s place at the restaurant and in his home. Suspicion grew when the new girlfriend was seen throwing away Dawn’s clothes. Police decided to take another look at the evidence. The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, and detectives identified a new person of interest. Using traditional investigative methods, they worked tirelessly to uncover the truth about what happened to Dawn. Incriminating comments from David Viens’ daughter suggested that David himself was behind the suspicious text message. He quickly became the prime suspect. The answer may have been in plain sight all along. Join Nancy Grace, along with Dawn Viens’ siblings, as they discuss this case.                                                                                                      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.