Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Laken Riley spent four years running cross-country track for her high school, River Ridge, in Woodstock, Georgia. Her passion for running continued during her studies at the University of Georgia. After earning her undergraduate degree, Riley began studying to become a nurse. One morning, Riley set out on a run. She grabbed her phone and told her roommate she would return after a short run at the UGA campus intramural fields. When Riley did not return for hours, her roommate called campus police at 12:07 p.m. Less than 45 minutes later, officers found Riley's body behind Lake Herrick. She was unconscious, not breathing, and showed visible injuries. Police arrested 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra and charged him with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another. Ibarra was convicted on all counts and sentenced to life in prison. Now, his attorneys have filed a motion for a new trial, questioning the evidence presented during the case Joining Nancy Grace Today: Phil Vetrano - Father of Murdered Jogger, Karina Vetrano Dale Carson – Criminal Defense Attorney (Jacksonville), Former FBI Agent, Former Police Officer, Author: “Arrest-Proof Yourself;” X: @DaleCarsonLaw 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 Sheryl McCollum  – Forensics Expert & Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder; Host of Podcast: “Zone 7;” X: @149Zone7 Jason Dennis - Anchor: WTVM News leader 9 and WXTX; Facebook: Jason Dennis WTVM, Instagram: @jdennistv X: @JasonDennisWTVM   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Follow Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum, Available on All Audio Platforms: https://link.podtrac.com/Zone7 Today, Nancy Grace and Sheryl McCollum discuss the recent federal charges against Luigi Mangione, including the potential for the death penalty. They explain Judge Luther Alverson's judicial practices, the low jail count expectations, and Nancy's career journey. Nancy and Sheryl shift the conversation to societal reactions to crime, referencing comparisons to Eric Rudolph and Robin Hood and the effects of media representation. Lastly, they discuss holiday plans and traditions. Show Notes: (0:00) Welcome! Nancy and Sheryl introduce this week’s crime roundup    (0:10) Sheryl starts CRU with Luigi Mangione's federal charge (0:45) Nancy explains Judge Luther Alverson's judicial practices and his jail counts  (4:00) Nancy Grace's career journey  (10:00) Mangione's case and public perception  (12:00) Details from Mangione’s spiral notebook  (17:00) Questioning the back problem - suspicious activities (22:00) Eric Rudolph and mental health debates  (26:30) “You can’t compare him to Robin Hood without admitting he’s the killer.” (29:00) Sheryl and Nancy finish CRU with holiday traditions Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Missing mother found dead after daughter receives a tip, police still investigating relationship to killer. Woman writes about her crimes in her daily journal! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A second grade teacher at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin calls 911 at 10:57 am to report an active shooter inside a study hall classroom at the private Christian school. Inside the study hall class, students from several different grades dive for cover as 15-year-old Natalie "Samantha" Rupnow,  is firing a 9mm handgun around the class.   She is a student at the school and commits suicide  before law enforcement breaches the building. No shots are exchanged.  Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes says identifying a motive is a top priority, but at this stage of the investigation it appears the motive was a combination of factors. A reported manifesto has been found, but  Barnes says they have not been able to verify its  authenticity. Police say Rupnow has been in texting with a 20 year old Carlsbad,California man,  planning his own mass attack.  After police discovered the message Alexander Paffendorf was interviewed by the FBI where he admitted  “that he told Rupnow that he would arm himself with explosives and a gun and that he would target a government building."  No specific building was named.  A  California judge has  issued a restraining order  under California’s gun red flag law.   The order requires Paffendorf to turn in  his guns and ammunition to police within 48 hours. Neighbors say police entered his home carrying out a big  "black gun box."  Joining Nancy Grace today: Philip Dubé  -  Former Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal & Constitutional Law, Forensics & Mental Health Advocacy Angela Arnold  - 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. Robin Dreeke - Behavior Expert & Former FBI Special Agent / Chief of the FBI Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program, Author:"Sizing People Up: A Veteran FBI Agents Manual for Behavior Prediction" , "Unbreakable Alliances: A Spy Recruiter's Authoritative Guide to Cultivating Powerful and Lasting Connections" being released  and "Sizing People Up: A Veteran FBI Agents Maual for Behavior Prediction" all of his books available on Amazon, peopleformula.com, Twitter: @rdreeke Katherine Schweit  -  Creator of the FBI's Active Shooter Program, Former Chicago prosecutor and career FBI special agent; authored "Stop the Killing; How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis" and "How to Talk About Guns to Anyone"; website: https://www.katherineschweit.com/ Dr. Eric Eason - Board Certified Forensic Pathologist, consultant, Instagram: @eric_a_eason, Facebook: Eric August Eason, LinkedIn: Eric Eason, MD  Bria Jones  -  Reporter, Fox 6 Milwaukee Twitter: @BriaJonesTV Facebook: Bria Jones TV    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Man pleas down vehicular manslaughter case, will not serve any jail time. School bomb threat discovered to be a tasty treat. For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breaking news from the new Crime Alert Hourly Update podcast. The CrimeOnline team delivers hourly updates on breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.podtrac.com/CrimeAlertHourlyUpdate 15-year-old Natalie "Samantha" Rupnow is named the shooter in the deadly Wisconsin school shooting. New details emerge about her home life and the days leading up to the shooting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luigi Mangione has been indicted on first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism.  He is also charged with two counts of murder in the second degree, with one of those counts also denoting Mangione murder of CEO Brian Thompson as an act of terrorism.  Mangione's family has yet to visit since his arrest, but he has had several meetings with his defense team that now includes high-profile attorney, Karen Friedman- Agnifilo.  Police questioned Mangione's mom the day before he was captured. She told officers that the shooting 'might be something that she could see him doing.' JOINING NANCY GRACE TODAY: Matt 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" Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker,"  featured in hit show: "Paris in Love" on Peacock www.drbethanymarshall.com/ , Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, Twitter: @DrBethanyLive Tom Smith - Former NYPD Detective, former  member FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force. Co-Host of the GOLD SHIELDS Podcast, https://thegoldshieldshow.com, FB & Instagram: @thegoldshieldshow Sheryl McCollum - Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder, ColdCaseCrimes.org, Host: Zone 7, Twitter: @ColdCaseTips Joseph Scott Morgan  - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan", @JoScottForensic Christina Aguayo - National News Anchor, Salem News Channel, website: www.ChristinaAguayoNews.Com, Facebook: @ChristinaAguayoNews, Instagram: @Christina.AguayoNews See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tik-tok user recognizes suspect on the run accused of shooting his child's mother. Skirmish over Canes' sauce leads to felony robbery charges! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Samantha Miller and her fiancé, Aric Hutchinson, spent the night celebrating their wedding. When the newlyweds left the reception, a speeding car struck the golf cart they were riding in. Police say Jamie Komoroski was driving 65 mph in a 25 mph zone. Bride Samantha Miller was killed. Jamie Lee Komoroski told officers at the scene that she was heading home when something hit her. However, her home was in the opposite direction. Komoroski admitted to drinking that night but refused to take a breathalyzer test. Komoroski, 25, was charged with three counts of DUI with great bodily injury or death and reckless homicide. As Judge Deadra Jefferson prepared to begin jury selection for the trial, Jamie Lee Komoroski asked to change her plea from not guilty to guilty. She did not negotiate a plea deal, meaning the judge was not obligated to show leniency for sparing Miller’s family a trial. Judge Deadra Jefferson sentenced Komoroski to 25 years for reckless homicide, 15 years for two counts of DUI with great bodily injury, and 10 years for felony DUI. The sentences run concurrently, meaning Komoroski will serve 25 years in prison. She is now requesting her sentence be reduced. Joining Nancy Grace Today: Lisa Miller - Mother of Samantha Miller Mark Peper – Criminal Defense Attorney, The Pepper Law Firm; X: @PeperLawFirm Tom Smith  -  Former NYPD Detective, Co-Host of the GOLD SHIELDS Podcast, https://thegoldshieldshow.com, FB & Instagram: @thegoldshieldshow  Kimberly Cockrell  - Victim Services Manager at Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Website: MADD.ORG FB: Mothers Against Drunk Driving    Insta: @maddnational  Dr. Jorey L. 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” Dr. Kendall Crowns – Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth) and Lecturer: University of Texas Austin and Texas Christian University Medical School  Dave Mack - CrimeOnline Investigative Reporter  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DUI driver takes pictures of crash instead of helping severely injured mother and daughter. Man who shot a delivery drone pleads guilty! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We'd like to direct your attention to a developing story, brought to you as breaking news from the new Crime Alert Hourly Update. The CrimeOnline team delivers hourly updates on breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.podtrac.com/CrimeAlertHourlyUpdate Three are dead, including the shooter, at a private Christian school in Wisconsin. At least six people are injured. Police say the shooter was a juvenile. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The arrest affidavit for Brad Simpson, accused of murdering his wife, provides a detailed timeline of his activities the day before he reported her missing. The husband and father spent the day running suspicious errands, some of them in front of his 5-year-old daughter. The day after neighbors overheard the Simpsons fighting, Brad Simpson’s truck filled and emptied as he drove around San Antonio. First, Simpson placed his phone in “lockdown mode,” preventing location tracking. Forced to rely on surveillance footage, police spotted Simpson’s truck at a grocery store at 12:33 a.m. The truck bed was empty except for an ice chest. The next morning, when Simpson took his daughter to school, two full white trash bags had been added to the bed. Later, when Simpson was seen at a Boerne Whataburger drive-thru more than an hour later, police observed a heavy-duty trash can and a firewood rack weighing down an object covered by a blue tarp. Law enforcement uncovered damning evidence that led a grand jury to indict Simpson not only for tampering with evidence but also for murder. Lab testing revealed Suzanne Simpson’s DNA on a reciprocating saw from Simpson’s toolbox. In his first court appearance, Brad Simpson wore red prisoner attire with his hands cuffed in front of him. He swayed back and forth in his swivel chair, speaking only to confirm his identity and converse with his attorney. Although the hearing was brief, Simpson was observed with what has been described as a sly grin. Joining Nancy Grace today:  Jeff Horny - Longtime Friend of Suzanne and Brad Simpson   Caryn Stark -  Psychologist, renowned TV and Radio trauma expert and consultant, www.carynstark.com, Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Ben Powers -  Criminal Defense Attorney, Facebook: Legal Powers PLLC, https://legalpowers.com  Brian Fitzgibbons  - Director of Operations for USPA Nationwide Security, uspasecurity.com, Instagram: @uspa_nationwide_security, Fmr. Marine and Iraq war veteran  Dr. Kendall Crowns  - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County, Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University) Zachary-Taylor Wright  - Trending Digital Reporter with MySA; website: MySanAntonio.com; Twitter: @Zachthereporter   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Woman attacks her wife and mother-in-law with a samurai sword! Woman makes it easy for cops with excessive labels! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The full autopsy reports on Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelley have been released. Both reports identify the cause of death as multiple sharp force trauma. The reports list a total of 30 wounds on each victim, including 9 stab wounds and 21 cuts. Many of Butler's wounds were consistent with defensive injuries. A police affidavit states that Tifany Adams allegedly made statements implicating herself in the deaths of Butler and Kelley. Investigators believe Butler and Kelley were lured to the location, arriving around 9:40 a.m. Officers found pools of blood, Butler’s glasses on the ground, and a broken hammer at the scene. Police believe the women were then forced into another vehicle. The probable cause affidavit contains extensive details, but the women’s causes of death were not initially disclosed. Their bodies were discovered in a cattle pasture leased by Tad Bert Cullum, the boyfriend of Tifany Adams. Cellphone data from three burner phones purchased by Adams helped narrow down the location. The phones first pinged near Butler's abandoned car, and the data later led police to the pasture. Officers found signs of digging. A hole, which had been refilled, contained the bodies of the two women. Investigators cite a custody battle over Butler’s two children as the motive. The custody dispute had lasted more than five years. Butler’s ex-partner, Wrangler Rickman, who is Adams’ son, had custody of the children. However, Rickman was confirmed to be in a rehabilitation facility in Oklahoma City at the time. Butler was allowed supervised visitation with her children every Saturday. According to her attorney, she was likely to gain unsupervised visitation in an upcoming hearing. The affidavit states, “Adams vehemently opposed this and went to great lengths to plan and purchase items used in Butler and Kelley’s murders.” It continues, “Adams, Cullum, Cole, and Cora were willing to kidnap and murder two victims to limit visitation for Butler.” Court documents also allege that Adams and her accomplices attempted to kill Butler in February. Adams, her boyfriend, and another couple reportedly drove to Butler’s home near Hugoton, Kansas, intending to kill her. A witness told investigators the plan was to throw an anvil through Butler’s windshield to make it appear as an accident, but Butler did not leave her home. State investigators retrieved data from Adams’ phone showing searches for terms such as “taser pain level,” “gun shops,” “prepaid cellular phones,” and “how to get someone out of their house.” According to the documents, Adams purchased five stun guns before the women disappeared. She also bought three prepaid burner phones from a nearby Walmart. All the burner phones stopped transmitting on the morning of the women’s disappearance. After the attack, the bodies were reportedly stored in a sealed freezer before being buried 4 to 8 feet underground. Joining Nancy Grace Today:   Kelly Hyman- Trial & Civil Attorney, TV Legal Analyst, Podcast Host: "Once Upon a Crime In Hollywood", Twitter: @kellyhyman1, TikTok: @kelly.hyman, Instagram: @Kelly_Hyman1  Sheryl McCollum  – Forensics Expert & Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder; Host of Podcast: “Zone 7;” X: @149Zone7 Irv Brandt – Senior Inspector, US Marshals Service International Investigations Branch; Chief Inspector, DOJ Office of International Affairs, US Embassy Kingston, Jamaica; Author: “SOLO SHOT: CURSE OF THE BLUE STONE” – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON IN JANUARY; ALSO “FLYING SOLO: Top of the World;” Twitter: @JackSoloAuthor Dr. Kendall Crowns – Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth) and Lecturer: University of Texas Austin and Texas Christian University Medical School Lauren Conlin – Investigative Journalist, Host of The Outlier Podcast, and also Host of “Corruption: What Happened to Grant Solomon; X- @Conlin_Lauren/ Instagram- @LaurenEmilyConlin/YouTube- @LaurenConlin4  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The body of Melody Hoffman is discovered on a cold February morning. The person who finds her body calls 911 and describes her beautiful skin, she has all kinds of marks on her back, "like slashes" and her hands are curled in a way they shouldn't have been. She has been left in the freezing cold with nothing on but her underwear. Joseph Scott Morgan will explain how it is possible that the 20-year-p; has slashes across her back and has lost a lot of blood, but that isn't what killed her. Dave Mack digs into the different relationships that led to the murder of a 20-year-old woman who just wanted a boyfriend to care about her.           Transcript Highlights 00:01.16  Introduction 04:29.89 Melody Hoffman is missing 09:45.20 Melody might have been pregnant 14:30.41 Buy killing supplies 19:19.24 Picture on phone of Melody beaten, crying, tape over mouth 25:49.51 Murder happened February 18th, very cold 30:46.08 Does weather impact dead body 35:26.44 How much abuse had boyfriend put her through 39:39.14 Melody was strangled to death 47:58.86 Why was body left where it would be found ConclusionSee 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:  The man accused of killing CEO Brian Thompson screams to reporters on his way into court.   Missing Susanne Simpson tells banker,  'look for her in a lake' if she disappeared. A pair of brothers, real estate tycoons charged with sex assault.  Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lori Vallow Daybell, convicted in the deaths of her children, JJ and Tylee, as well as conspiracy in the death of Tammy Daybell, now faces trial in Arizona for the shooting death of her husband Charles Vallow. Ahead of that trial, Vallow asked for a competency hearing, which was granted. Two doctors concluded that Vallow was competent, and a judge ruled Vallow will stand trial for conspiring in the fatal shooting of fourth husband, Charles, and the attempted murder of her niece's ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux. After the competency hearing, Vallow tells the judge she will represent herself, saying she has been studying law.  Joining Nancy Grace Today:  Mark Tate -Trial Lawyer at TateLawGroup   Dr. Angela Arnold - Psychiatrist, Atlanta GA; Expert in the Treatment of Pregnant/Postpartum Women  Chris McDonough - Director At the Cold Case Foundation, Former Homicide Detective, & Host of YouTube channel- ‘The Interview Room’  Lauren Matthias - Journalist and Host of ‘Hidden True Crime’ Podcast and YouTube Channel; @HiddenTrueCrime on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and follow Zone 7 - available on all audio platforms: https://link.podtrac.com/Zone7 Today Nancy Grace and Sheryl McCollum discuss the latest on the Luigi Mangione case. They explain the legal nuances of the charges against him, the premeditation and intent behind his actions, and the implications of his crimes on victims and society. Nancy and Sheryl also examine broader issues, such as the public's controversial support of Mangione, the legal distinctions between murder charges, and the growing concern over ghost guns. Listen and follow Zone 7 - available on all audio platforms: https://link.podtrac.com/Zone7 Show Notes: ● (0:00) Welcome! Nancy and Sheryl introduce this week’s crime roundup ● (0:10) Sheryl introduces the updates on the Luigi Mangione case ● (1:00) Public reaction and outrage ● (3:00) Legal breakdown of murder 1 vs. murder 2 ● (8:00) Human trafficking and poaching routes ● (9:30) Evidence and investigation details ● (14:00) Connection to past infamous cases ● (17:00) Family impact and emotional toll ● (23:30) Ghost guns and legal implications ● (30:00) Personal reflections and closing thoughts   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Borgwardt is back in the USA after months of living in the country of Georgia. After searching Green Lake for almost two months, a change in the investigation strategy gets results right away, when it is discovered that Borgwart has his passport checked by Canadian authorities one day after he is reported missing.  Since local law enforcement found his Passport in his house when he disappeared, a simple investigation finds that Ryan Borgwardt claims his passport was lost and he is issued a new one three months before he vanishes.  Before returning, Borgwardt records a video saying he is safe and secure, wrapping up the video saying, "hope this works".  Borgwardt does not give exact details about where he is located.   The video is then sent to the sheriff's office.   Ryan Borgwardt tells authorities how he was able to fake his death and make his escape. First, he says he travels about 50 miles from his home in Watertown to Green lake. On the lake, he overturns his kayak, dumps his phone in the lake and paddles to shore using an inflatable boat for children.  Borgwardt tells investigators he chose Green lake because it is the deepest lake in Wisconsin, nearly 240 feet deep.  Now Borgwardt's wife has filed for a separation.    Joining Nancy Grace today:  Gregory Morse - Partner at the law firm of King Morse, PLLC. Current CJA counsel, Former West Palm Beach Public Defender's Office. Author: "The Untested" found on Amazon, website: kingmorselaw.com  Dr. Judy Ho - Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, Author of The New Rules of Attachment; www.drjudyho.com; IG & X: @drjudyho; FB: doctorjudyho;  Irv Brandt - Former Senior Inspector, US Marshals Service International Investigations Branch, Chief Inspector, DOJ Office of International Affairs; Country Attache, US Embassy Kingston, Jamaica, Author: “SOLO SHOT: CURSE OF THE BLUE STONE" AVAILBLE ON AMAZON, Twitter: @JackSoloAuthor Ben Dobrin - Emergency Medical Services Marine Dive Team and EMS Police Search and Rescue, Dean of the D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies and Professor of Social Work: Virginia Wesleyan University Joseph Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan", @JoScottForensic Christina Aguayo - National News Anchor, Salem News Channel, website: www.ChristinaAguayoNews.Com, Facebook: @ChristinaAguayoNews, Instagram: @Christina.AguayoNews  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Landlord claims parents killed their children, then attacked him, so why did he burn their bodies? Moose calf rescued from icy lake. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.