Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Wanted felon shoots girlfriend, drives through three states with her body in the passenger seat. Frustrated pilot chops down parking gate arm.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The father and stepmom of a New York man killed during a vacation watched via Zoom as the man who confessed to the murder was released from jail to get a haircut.  Gregory Moore, a father of four, and friends rented a home in Houston, an Airbnb. After a night of clubbing, the men returned to their Airbnb. As one of the men parked the car, Moore and a woman with the group walked to the door. They never made it inside.  A man wearing a hoodie and carrying a flashlight rushed Moore.  Moore was pistol-whipped and shot multiple times. He took strikes to the neck, torso, left leg and both arms. Moore was life-flighted to a hospital but did not survive.   James Ray Lane, 33, confessed to the murder, but 351st Criminal District Court Judge Nata Cornelio allowed the defendant to remain free.    When Lane was charged, Judge Cornelio lowered Lane's $250,000 bond to $100,000, and during that time Lane has had multiple curfew violations.  Back before Judge Cornelio, Lane pleads guilty to murder, but the judge according to court documents allows Lane to remain free on bond until his sentencing, so he could get a haircut. Joining Nancy Grace Today: Tabitha Soules - Gregory Moore’s Stepmom Brian Foley -  Board-certified Criminal Defense Attorney, Former Chief Prosecutor in Harris County, (Houston) Texas; Author: “What Prosecutors Don't Tell You” (not yet published); Instagram @brianfoleylawpllc/ Youtube - @brianfoleylawyer/ Twitter @brianpllc  Dr. Carla Manly - Clinical Psychologist, Author “Date Smart: Transform Your Relationships & Love Fearlessly” Douglas Griffin - Houston Police Officer for 32 Years and President of the Houston Police Officer’s Union; Twitter & Instagram: @Griff3945  Andy Kahan - Director of Victim Services and Advocacy at CrimeStoppers of Houston Randy Wallace - Reporter for KRIV Fox26 in Houston; Twitter: RandyWallace Fox26/ Facebook: Randy WallaceFox26   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kentucky man kidnaps his child's mother, chains her to the ground using dog collar. 'Porch pirate' takes on a whole new meaning.   For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two women go missing within six miles of each other in Winter Park, Colorado.   Melissa Whitsitt moved from Tennessee to Colorado in May to start a job at Winter Park Resort, almost 70 miles outside Denver. Mom Cindy Whitsett says her daughter had two days off and was supposed to return to work on Tuesday, August 15th. Whitsitt didn’t show up for her shift the police are called and a welfare check is complete. Whitsitt is not at her home. Police have confirmed that she got on a bus to Denver on Saturday around 10 a.m. She was wearing blue bell-bottom jeans, a blue tank top and/or a white sweatshirt.   The Whitsitts say their daughter's phone pinged in Denver, but an unknown man was using it. Melissa Whitsitt's debit card has not been used since she went missing. Whitsitt doesn't have a car and hasn't contacted friends or family since the day she was last seen. Whisitt's parents say they have had to conduct their own investigation, as cops say they're outnumbered by missing people cases.  Svetlana Ustimenko is an avid hiker living in Broward County, Florida, according to the Idaho Statesman. Family members say Ustimenko had been drawn to the peaceful Colorado mountains. After finding her rental car had not been returned by the due date and learning that Ustimenko was reported as missing from Florida, authorities launched an immediate search around the area where her vehicle was located on August 11. According to a news release from the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, the Grand County Search and Rescue, Front Range Rescue Dogs, Rescue Dogs of the United States, Colorado Search and Rescue as well as drones and volunteers, began searching for Ustimenko.  Six cadaver dogs joined the search efforts to no avail. Joining Nancy Grace Today: Jerry Whitsitt - Melissa Whitsitt’s father  Cindy Whitsitt- Melissa Whitsitt’s mother  Wendy Patrick – California Prosecutor, Author of “Why Bad Looks Good” and “Red Flags,” and Host of “Today with Dr. Wendy” on KCBQ in San Diego; Twitter: @WendyPatrickPHD R. Lee Walters - President of EXCALIBUR Private Investigation, Fmr. FBI Special Agent; FB: Excalibur Private Investigations Dr. Carla Manly - Clinical Psychologist, Author of, “Date Smart: Transform Your Relationships & Love Fearlessly” Spencer McKee - Director of Content for OutThere Colorado; IG: @spence.outside; @outtherecolorado, Twitter/X: @spencemckee  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mom dies shielding young son from gunfire. This McDonald's customer was not loving it.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neighbors, noticing the unusual absence of 71-year-old Margaret Craig, request that police perform a well-visit check at her residence. Responding police officers are invited into the home, and upon entering the basement, they are met with the smell of decomposition and copious amounts of blood near plastic trash bags. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve into the disturbing case of Margaret Craig, whose life allegedly ended at the hands of her own daughter and granddaughter. They navigate the complicated nature of the crime scene investigation, discussing the disposal of human remains, the increasing prevalence of dismemberment cases, and the psychological aspect of perpetrators becoming comfortable with such gruesome acts. Joseph Scott and Dave also explore the complexities of forensic analysis, focusing on the methodology and tools used in these horrific acts. They also discuss the challenges faced by investigators in determining the sequence of events and how these intricacies could impact the jury's decision.   Subscribe to Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan : Apple Podcasts Spotify iHeart   Time-Coded Highlights: [00:00:20] Joseph Scott Morgan shares his personal experience using a chainsaw as a young man, setting the stage for the case discussion, and introduces the shocking case of Margaret Craig's death and dismemberment. [00:04:44] The disturbing trend of perpetrators becoming comfortable with dismembering bodies.  [00:08:05] Noticing the absence of Margaret Craig, her neighbor calls for a welfare check. Upon entering the basement, police smell a foul odor and notice blood near three trash bags. [00:11:04] Joe Scott explains the impact of plastic on decomposition, providing insight into the forensic aspects of the case. [00:15:11] Discovery of brain matter and a disappearing knife. [00:20:00] Dave Mack shares the account of Salia Hardy, the granddaughter of the victim, who provides the police with critical information about the crime. [00:22:42] Joe Scott explains the difficulty in determining the sequence of events, particularly with the involvement of a chainsaw. He describes the concept of blood-cast and the unique patterns created during dismemberment with a chainsaw. [00:30:20] Discussion on the methodology and tools used in dismemberment as well as  a witness's report of seeing human remains being placed in a brush fire. [00:32:26] Joseph Scott Morgan questions the presence of brain matter and highlights the importance of tool mark experts and the FBI’s access to different types of chainsaws in their forensic lab. [00:33:57] Dave Mack updates listeners on the current status of the case. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joran van der Sloot's appearance in an American federal courtroom was short.  It took the convicted killer less than five minutes to enter a not-guilty plea on charges that he extorted money from Natalee Holliway's mother. The Dutch national was one of the last people to see the Alabama teen alive during her senior trip to Aruba in 2005, and many have theorized that van der Sloot raped and murdered her.  During the Holloway investigation, van der Sloot told mother Beth Twitty that he would tell her where her daughter's body was for $250,000;  $15,000 was wired to a Netherlands bank account and van der Sloot was given another $10,000 through an attorney.  Van de Sloot offered a location but later admitted the information was “worthless.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veronica Cline has a night out with friends and comes home to her daughter and the baby's father. She tells the father that she wants to enjoy drinks with him, but ultimately those drinks make the dad violently ill. After 30 minutes of vomiting, he is able to call for help. Cline has already left the home, but not before admitting to him that she has put insect killer in his drinks.  The father manages to record the confession in which Cline says she has poisoned his drinks with Raid and wished to do the same to their little girl.   Joining Nancy Grace Today: Dale Carson– High-profile Criminal Defense Attorney (Jacksonville), Former FBI Agent & Former Police Officer (Miami-Dade County); Author: “Arrest-Proof Yourself; Twitter: @DaleCarsonLaw Caryn L. Stark– Psychologist, Renowned TV and Radio Trauma Expert, and Consultant; Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Robert Crispin – Private Investigator, Former Federal Task Force Officer for United States Department of Justice, DEA and Miami Field Division; Former Homicide and Crimes Against Children Investigator; Facebook: Crispin Special Investigations, Inc. CrispinInvestigations.com, Facebook: Crispin Special Investigations, Inc. Dr. Kendall Crowns – Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), Lecturer: University of Texas Austin and Texas Christian University Medical School Dr. Lyle D. Burgoon, Ph.D. - Toxicology Expert, President and CEO of Raptor Pharm & Tox, Ltd., and Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences; Critical Science Podcast: https://critscipod.com; Twitter/X: @DataSciBurgoon   Nicole Partin - CrimeOnline.com Investigative Reporter; Twitter: @nicolepartin  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tattoo shop owner shoots fired employee dead. A not-so-friendly comment devolves into friendly fire.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The investigations continue after Rex Heuermann's arrest in connection with the Long Island Serial Killer deaths, and now, another new victim possibility is emerging. The daughter of a missing woman, Julia Ann Bean, says the last time she saw her mother, she was with a man who looked like Heuermann. Heidi Kovas tells our panel that the daughter is sharing her information with police today. Bean vanished out of South Carolina, around 100 miles from the property the Heuermanns own.   Kovas says the daughter, after looking at a photo of Heuermann, "recognized him right away." Kovas says the daughter recalls Heuermann and her mother showing up at a nail salon where she was getting her nails done for her graduation. The man she identifies as Heuermann reportedly spoke to the then-teen, telling her that he had lake houses and boats that the girl and her friends could use to celebrate graduation. The man also said he wanted to marry Bean.  Bean has been missing since 2017. Joining Nancy Grace Today:  Heidi Kovas- Friend of Julia Bean Sarah Ford - Legal Director, South Carolina Victim Assistance Network, Former Prosecutor (focusing on crimes against women and children) & Host of "Stepping Toward Justice" podcast; Twitter: @Sarahafordfordesq Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall; Twitter:@DrBethanyLive   Sheryl McCollum - Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder and Host of "Zone 7" podcast; Twitter: @149zone7 Dr. Michelle DuPre - Forensic Pathologist, Medical Examiner and Detective: Lexington County Sheriff's Department; Author: "Homicide Investigation Field Guide" & "Investigating Child Abuse Field Guide;" Forensic Consultant  Kristin Thorne - Investigative Reporter for WABC Channel 7 Eyewitness News in New York, and Host of Hulu’s true-crime show, “Missing;" @KristinThorne - on Facebook, Twitter, Insta, Threads, LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.