Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

In a move less surprising than one would think, Brian Hooker has fled the Bahamas after proclaiming dedication to finding overboard wife. 47-year-old charged in the fatal stabbing of a U.S. Marine in has a criminal history spanning more than three decades, including a prior conviction as a habitual felon. Sydney Silvagni reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian Hooker, husband of the Michigan woman who went missing in the Bahamas, says he will be staying in the country to search for his wife.  Hooker was held in jail for 5 days, but has now been released. His attorney says Hooker is free to leave any time he wishes. Brian Hooker has repeatedly said he would never hurt his wife, Lynette. He also refused to discuss details about what happened with reporters saying he did not want to interfere with the search for Lynette.  Joining Nancy Grace Today:  Randolph Rice  - Former Prosecutor and Current Criminal Defense & Civil Attorney at Rice Law, website: ricelawmd.com, IG, FB, X: @ricelawmd Ben Dobrin  - Boat Captain with  50-Ton Master license / Emergency Response Diving Instructor and Instructor Trainer, Police Diver,  Emergency Services Diver Scott Rouse  -  Body Language and Behavior Analyst, trains law enforcement and military interrogation and body language, Author of “Understanding Body Language,” on YouTube @ScottRouse with his channel “Behavior-X,” which focuses on body language and behavior of True Crime Stories, Pop Culture and Politics Vanessa Walsh - Host of the podcast, Unmasked True Crime, Facebook and YouTube: UnmaskedTrueCrime, X: CrimeUnmasked Sydney Silvagni - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We now know Anna Kepner's stepbrother sex assaulted the 18-year-old before he killed her. That according to court documents.   He is now charged in federal court with murder and aggravated sexual abuse. The arrest comes months after Anna Kepner dies on a cruise with her family.  The manner of death  ruled a homicide by mechanical asphyxiation. Anna Kepner, 18, had begun her senior year at Temple Christian School, and was reportedly excited about her future, painting her school parking spot to match her favorite movie, "Clueless. "   Anna plans included joining the military after high school.   Anna was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship during a recent western Caribbean voyage that ended in Miami. Her body stuffed under a bunk in the room she shared with her stepbrother.     Joining Nancy Grace today:  Danny Rubin -  Criminal Defense Lawyer and Founder of Rubin Law, PC. website: rubinlawpc.com Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter  - Clinical Psychologist specializing in psychological evaluations and risk assessments for individuals involved in the criminal justice system, Author of “Mainlining Philly: Survival, Hope and Resisting Drug Addition,” and “Aftershock: How Past Event Shake Up Your Life Today”, and Producer of “Utter Nonsense,” a documentary of exploration of addition and severe mental illness, available to stream on Apple TV and Prime Video, website:drgerilynnutter.com, Instagram & Facebook: DrGeriLynnUtter  Joseph Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan", Instagram @JoScottForensic Sydney Sumner  -  Investigative Reporter, ‘Crime Stories’  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Texas man accused of firebombing the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman held without bail, as details of a premeditated plot against the AI industry begin to surface. A weekend bike ride turned nightmare in South Carolina. Florida high school teacher behind bars after being accused of a sexual relationship with a student. Sydney Silvagni reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal charges unsealed against the stepbrother of Anna Kepner, the 18-year-old cheerleader found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship. Bahamian authorities release Brian Hooker, who claims his wife fell overboard from their dinghy on a trip across Elbow Cay back to their yacht. Sydney Silvagni reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian Hooker, the husband of missing Lynette Hooker, caught on tape, speaking to a friend in a recorded call  about the incident. The U.S. Coast Guard has opened a criminal investigation into Lynette's disappearance.  Brian Hooker taken in for  questioning, but now authorities must decide whether to charge him in connection with her disappearance or release him. That deadline is tonight.  Brian Hooker's attorney says he “categorically denies any wrongdoing. ”   Police say Lynette and husband Brian Hooker were using an 8‑foot dinghy to travel from Hope Town to their yacht, Soulmate, moored near Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands. Husband Brian says around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Lynette fell overboard, along with the boat’s engine key, which caused the motor to stop. He says strong currents carried her away, but he saw her swimming toward shore before losing sight of her. Brian reportedly paddled the boat to Marsh Harbour and contacted police around 4 a.m. Authorities from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Royal Bahamas Defence Force, and U.S. Coast Guard conducted an extensive search of the area. Now days later the search has officially shifted from a rescue to a recovery mission. Lynette has not been found.  Lynette’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, says her step-father's story “doesn’t add up” and points to past marital problems between him and her mother. Joining Nancy Grace today: Eric Faddis  - Founder of The Law Offices of Eric Faddis, “The Mile High Lion,”  former felony prosecutor and current criminal defense and civil litigation attorney; website: EricFaddisLaw.com, Janine Driver - Body Language Expert and CEO of the Body Language Institute, New York Times Bestselling Author of “You Say More Than You Think,” Host of podcast “In The Driver’s Seat with Janine Driver” website: JanineDriver.com, Instagram: NewBodyLanguage Vanessa Walsh  - Host of the podcast, Unmasked True Crime. She obtained a phone call from Brian Hooker to a friend a day after Lynette vanished. Facebook and YouTube: UnmaskedTrueCrime, X: Crime Unmasked Jordan Plentz  -   Neighbor   Sydney Silvagni  -  Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian Hooker remains in police custody after second questioning regarding wife Lynette's "overboard" disappearance. A California sheriff says an armed suspect killed a deputy and barricaded himself when an eviction notice was served. A suspect has been arrested in connection with the death of a teenage Illinois boy who vanished nearly a decade ago. Sydney Silvagni reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew Whisman was always too trusting of his cousins, even when they were mean to him. On the last night of his life, Matthew Whisman was beaten senseless, forced to take a bath to wash off evidence, fed his "last supper", injected with fentanyl and dumped over a bridge. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack investigate the timeline to find out why Matthew was missing for three months before anyone reported him missing.              Transcript Highlights 00:00.09 Introduction - family 03:09.23 Matthew was very trusting 08:03.38 Text messages show Matthew helping police in shooting into a house 14:02.61 Suspects make Matthew wash himself  19:14.43 Last Supper 23:35.13 Torture/kidnap/poison homicide  28:34.17 Mom reports Matthew missing 32:52.57 Body in water for 5 months 38:24.95 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 Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Young rich kid driver, Fraser Bohm, accused of crashing a speeding car into four Pepperdine University sorority sisters, walking along Pacific Coast Highway before being mowed down. Bohm pleads not guilty in the deaths of all four sorority sisters.   In a court win for the defense, a Los Angeles judge orders prosecutors to return a cell phone belonging to Bohm, to the defense so the data can be analysted. Prosecutors objected over concerns that the information would be changed or damaged.  Judge Thomas Rubinson compromised,  ruling the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department would deliver the device in a sealed bag to a defense-appointed technical expert. Prosecutors would then observe the extraction to ensure nothing "nefarious" occurs.  A trial date has not yet been set. The next pre-trial hearing will take place May 19  Joining Nancy Grace today: Bridget Thompson - Roommate and Best Friend with Pepperdine Crash Victims Coco Crandall - Roommate and Best Friend with Pepperdine Crash Victims Brian Claypool -Trial Attorney, Owner and Managing Partner at the Claypool Law Firm, and Author of "Break the Code of Silence: Raising My Voice to Protect Our Kids;" Instagram: @brian.claypool, Facebook: @BrianClaypoolMedia Caryn Stark -  Forensic Psychologist, Renowned TV and Radio Trauma Expert and Consultant; Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Joseph Tremblay - Senior Forensic Engineer and Accident reconstructionist, Veritech Consulting Engineering Dr. Kendall Crowns - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), NEW Podcast "Mayhem in the Morgue" (launching AUGUST 20), and Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University) Dave Mack - 'Crime Stories' Investigative Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The search for Nancy Guthrie is in week 10. Savannah Guthrie has returned to work, detailing the horror her family has gone through.  This as new "ransom" notes have been delivered to TMZSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. Coast Guard has  opened a criminal investigation into the disappears of Michigan woman Lynette Hooker. The 55-year-old went missing while boating in the Bahamas. Police say Lynette and husband Brian Hooker were using an 8‑foot dinghy to travel from Hope Town to their yacht, Soulmate, moored near Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands. Husband Brian says around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Lynette fell overboard, along with the boat’s engine key, which caused the motor to stop. He says strong currents carried her away, but he saw her swimming toward shore before losing sight of her. Brian reportedly paddled the boat to Marsh Harbour and contacted police around 4 a.m. Authorities from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Royal Bahamas Defence Force, and U.S. Coast Guard conducted an extensive search of the area. Now days later the search has officially shifted from a rescue to a recovery mission. Lynette has not been found.  Bahamian police arrested Brian Hooker for further questioning, citing “probable cause,” although he has not been charged. His attorney stated that he “categorically denies any wrongdoing” and is cooperating.  Lynette’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, says her step-father's story “doesn’t add up” and points to past marital problems between him and her mother  Joining Nancy Grace today: Randy Kessler  - Atlanta Trial Lawyer, Emory Law School Professor, Past Chair ABA Family Law Section, Author: "Divorce, Protect Yourself, Your Kids and Your Future", www.KSFamilyLaw.com, Instagram: @rkessler23, Twitter: @GADivorce,  Caryn Stark  - Forensic Psychologist, renowned TV and Radio trauma expert and consultant, www.carynstark.com, Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Ben Dobrin  -   Emergency Response Diving Instructor and Instructor Trainer, Police Diver,  Emergency Services Diver  Melissa Andrews - Crime and Investigative Anchor at WTOL 11, website: www.wtol.com     Insta: immelandrew,s FB: Mel Andrews, Tik Tok: MelAndrewsTV Sydney Silvagni  -  Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iryna Zarutska's alleged killer has been deemed incompetent to stand trial in North Carolina's case, but federal authorities vow the decision will not impact their own case. Disabled Michigan woman kept locked in basement while evil sister-in-law collects her social security checks. A Florida woman posing as a nurse escapes jail time. Sydney Silvagni reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just weeks after a judge said says Rex Heuerman "will go to trial come hell or high water," the accused serial killer pleads guilty to all seven murders for which he's charged, and an additional murder. Police arrested the prominent New York architect in connection with murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, Sandra Costilla, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes.  The 8th victim, 34-year-old Karen Vergata, was last heard from on Valentine's Day 1996. Her legs and feet were found the same year on Fire Island. Her skull was found fifteen years later near Tobay Beach in Nassau County.  The women's remains were found along Gilgo Beach in Long Island within 500 feet of each other.  The first four victims,  dubbed the Gilgo Four, were found wrapped in burlap.  Heuermann,  originally claimed his innocent.    Asa Ellerup, his estranged wife, filed for divorce six days after his arrest and then signed a deal  worth at least 1 million dollars to take part in a documentary series.   Joining Nancy Grace today: Caryn Stark  -  Forensic Psychologist, renowned TV and Radio trauma expert and consultant, www.carynstark.com, Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Mike Gould - Former Nassau County (NY) lieutenant and Founding member of the New York Police Department (NYPD) K-9 unit. He's led several investigations into serial killers, including the Gilgo Beach killer on Long Island. Former National Guardsman and has worked on secret service detail for two presidents Joseph Scott Morgan  -  Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan", Instagram @JoScottForensic Josh Zeman - Investigative Journalist and Documentary Film Director.  Director of "The Killing Season,"   Host of the podcast: "Sinister with Josh Zeman," Website: Sinisterpod.com Insta: @Joshzeman, X: @Siniterpod, TikTik: @Sinisterwithjoshzeman FB: @Sinisterpodcast YT@Sinisterpodcastjz  Dave Mack -  Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Gerhardt Konig found guilty of attempted second-degree manslaughter after 8 hours of deliberations. Video captured a terrifying late-night random act of violence in Ohio, when a knife-wielding man told a homeowner he intended to kill him "in the name of Allah." Family desperate to find accountant who disappeared over the weekend. Sydney Sumner reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Felony murder charges stick in the deaths of three Kansas city chiefs fans.  Ricky Johnson, David Harrington, and Clayton McGeeney were last seen alive on January 7, 2024, watching the final regular-season Kansas City Chiefs game at the home of their friend, Jordan Willis.  Two days later, authorities found their frozen bodies outside the house. After a yearlong investigation, prosecutors charged Jordan Willis and Ivory Carson in connection with the deaths, which gained national attention. Both men face three counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of delivering a controlled substance. Police say Carson, known as "Blade Brown," supplied and sold cocaine to Willis and the victims. Investigators found Carson's DNA on a bag of fentanyl inside Willis' home. During the investigation, law enforcement initially said they did not suspect foul play. A toxicology report later confirmed that the men had cocaine, THC, and fentanyl in their systems. Police have since ruled the deaths as caused by "fentanyl and cocaine toxicity." As the case progressed, Willis moved out of the home and checked into rehab. A forensic analysis of Harrington’s phone uncovered text messages between Willis, McGeeney, Johnson, and others, linking Carson to the cocaine supply. DNA evidence identified Willis as a major contributor, and a second bag contained DNA matching Carson, confirming his role as the drug supplier.  After a recent court hearing Willis said he was confident in his case when asked by reporters   Joining Nancy Grace today: Jonathan Price - Brother of Ricky Johnson Derek Smith - Criminal Defense Attorney Dr. Heidi Green - Clinical Psychologist, Trauma Specialist, and Author: ‘The Path to Self-Love and World Domination; IG: @drheidigreen Barry Hutchison -  Former 26-year Law Enforcement Veteran and Detective, Owner & Chief Investigator for Barry & Associates Investigative Services located in Kansas & Missouri Dr. Kendall Crowns -  Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), NEW Podcast --- launching on April 7th, Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University) Eric Zahnd - Platte County Prosecutor in Missouri Alexis Tereszcuk - Crimeonline.com Investigative Reporter Dave Mack - CrimeOnline Investigative Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are in a verdict watch in the case of Dr. Gerhardt Konig's attempted murder trial, accused of trying kill wife Arielle by shoving her off a cliff and then bashing her in the head with a rock.  For her 36th birthday, anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig whisks his wife, engineer Arielle, away for a romantic getaway. He secretly plans the trip, arranging for family members and a hired nanny to stay with their two sons. The couple decides to hike a popular trail along the Koʻolau Mountains, leading to Pali Puka, a rock formation framing the east side of Oʻahu.   Konig hopes the trip will ease tension after months of couples therapy following his accusations that Arielle had an affair. Arielle denies the claims and struggles to understand their origin. She wants to regain her husband’s trust, but his jealousy and abuse, including sexual assaults, have only escalated.   During the hike, Arielle wants to push forward but stops when she sees the final steep stretch. She chooses to wait while Konig completes the climb. When he returns, he takes a picture of her in a tree and suggests they take a selfie at the trail’s edge, overlooking Oʻahu. Arielle smiles for the photo but immediately asks him to step forward so she can move away from the edge.   As she follows him, Konig suddenly turns, grabs her arms, and shoves her toward the cliff, saying, “Get back over there. I’m so f***ing sick of you!”   At first, Arielle thinks he is joking, but he pushes her again, pins her down, and pulls a syringe and vial from his bag, attempting to fill the syringe. She knocks it from his hands, but he digs into his bag again, possibly searching for another. Instead, he grabs a rock and repeatedly strikes her head.   Other hikers hear Arielle’s screams and rush to help. Konig, covered in blood, flees into the woods and video calls his adult son, Emile. Shocked by his father’s appearance, Emile listens as Konig starts to explain but stops mid-sentence and says, “I just tried to kill Ari, but she got away.” He then tells Emile he wants to jump off the cliffs and kill himself. Joining Nancy Grace today:  Josh Kolsrud  - Criminal Defense Attorney and Former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Founder of Kolsrud Law Offices, website: kolsrudlawoffices.com, Facebook and YouTube @KolsrudLawOffices Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter  - Clinical Psychologist specializing in psychological evaluations and risk assessments for individuals involved in the criminal justice system, Author of “Mainlining Philly: Survival, Hope and Resisting Drug Addition,” and “Aftershock: How Past Event Shake Up Your Life Today”, and Producer of “Utter Nonsense,” a documentary of exploration of addition and severe mental illness, available to stream on Apple TV and Prime Video, website:drgerilynnutter.com, Instagram & Facebook: DrGeriLynnUtter Jon Buehler  - Former Detective for Modesto Police Department, California (31 years in Robbery and Homicide), Lead detective in the Scott Peterson case  Todd Barr  -  Forensic Pathologist / Deputy Coroner for Franklin County Coroner’s Office in Columbus Ohio, Testified in Shawn Grate serial killer case, Featured in "Thin Places: Essays From In Between" by Jordan Kisner Susan Hendricks  - Journalist, Author: “Down the Hill: My Descent into the Double Murder in Delphi", IG @susan_hendricks X @SusanHendicks Sydney Silvagni -  Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sources close to the LISK trial say Rex Heuermann may plead guilty to all seven murders for which he's charged, and an additional killing. Rapper Lil Tjay arrested Monday night in connection with rapper Offset's shooting in Florida. Sydney Sumner reports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Dr. Spencer Tepe doesn't show up for work at Athens Dental Depot in Columbus, Ohio, coworkers are shocked. They call their boss, the owner of Athens Dental, Dr Mark Valrose. Valrose is on vacation in Florida, but Spencer not showing up is so unusual that coworkers felt they needed to let Valrose know. Valrose tries to contact Spencer, and failing at that, Tepe's wife, Monique, is even more predictable than her husband. Unable to reach either Tepe, Valrose calls 911 in Columbus, Ohio, at 9:03 a.m., requesting a wellness check. Their bodies are found inside their house, which is now for sale.  Early reports indicated Monique was shot once in the chest, and Spencer was shot more than once, with three shell casings found at the scene. In fact, the killer unloaded a full clip, 16 rounds, and both were shot in the head: Monique in her right cheek, and Spencer in his left ear. A total of 16 gunshot wounds are discovered. A standard magazine for a handgun holds 15 to 17 rounds, depending on the size of the bullet. Spencer and Monique likely died within "seconds to minutes" of being shot. The injuries suffered and the trajectories of bullets indicate some movement by Spencer and Monique; the range of fire is indeterminate, and there is no way to tell in which order the injuries are inflicted. Michael McKee, 39, arrested in the murders of his ex-wife and her new husband, is being held without bond in the Franklin County Jail. He pleaded not guilty to four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary. According to a newly unsealed affidavit, witnesses claimed McKee was abusive during his marriage to Monique and had threatened to kill her. Court documents indicate McKee had previously visited the couple's home on Dec. 6, 2025, while they were away. McKee, a vascular surgeon from Illinois, drove 900 miles to commit the murders. He was tracked through surveillance video, which showed a silver SUV. Police also reportedly found multiple weapons in his Chicago-area condo, with one being  connected to the crime scene. McKee faces a minimum of life in prison with parole eligibility after 32 years if convicted.      Joining Nancy Grace today: Dr. Bethany Marshall -  Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker,"  featured on Peacock and Bravo, www.drbethanymarshall.com , Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, Twitter: @DrBethanyLive  Cory Chalmers - CEO and Founder of Steri-Clean Inc, a nationwide leader in crime scene, trauma, biohazard, hoarding, and extreme cleaning services with over 31 years of experience,  seen on A&E’s e,,y-nominated series “Hoarders,” website: CrimeCleaners.com and Steri-Clean.com, Facebook: TheCoryChalmers, Instagram: Cory.Chalmers, YouTube: Steri-Clean  Joseph Scott Morgan  - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan", Instagram @JoScottForensic Dave Mack - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

California children searching for colorful easter eggs find what police have confirmed are human remains. NYPD officers forced to shoot 'crazed' man wielding 13-inch knife. 51 years after the discovery of her body, Ted Bundy confirmed as Laura Ann Aime's killer. Sydney Sumner reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.