At Least 9 Dead More Than 20 Injured Across Mississippi After Weekend Shootings | Crime Alert 6AM 10.13,25

Early on a cold Friday morning, Samantha Stites hears the wood floors creak and footsteps coming down the hall. Sam calls her roommate's name, and getting no answer, quickly reaches under her bed for a hatchet. The intruder burst in the door and within a matter of seconds is on top of her with his hands around her neck, places a ball gag in Sam's mouth, then wraps duck tape on her hands. The intruder then blindfolds Sam, loads her into her own car and starts driving, this is when Sam immediately recognizes her attacker is her stalker, Christopher Thomas.  Thomas tells Samantha the Netflix show, "You." inspired him and gave him the thoughts of also building the constructed 'sound proof' cell in a storage unit. Thomas shows Samantha how he'd been tracking her on his phone and tells her he plans to keep her for two weeks, then dispose of her body. Sam tries to count the turns while Thomas is driving her to her possible torture chamber.  Despite her intense fear, Samantha, a therapist and social worker, keeps calm and usespsychological tactics to negotiate with Thomas. Samantha talks to Thomas like a friend andlets Thomas vent to her, knowing all along exactly what Thomas wants, but she gets out of him  he's also terrified of going to jail. Sam tells Thomas she will never tell anyone about the kidnapping and say the sex was consensual and will even be his friend going forward if he takes her home safely afterwards. Thomas agrees to Sam's deal, but soon after raping her, he leaves her there and she fears he is not going to go along with her escape plan.   Joining Nancy Grace today, Samantha Stites - Kidnapped by Her Stalker   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homecoming festivities in Mississippi turned tragic as gun violence erupted on both sides of the state, resulting in at least nine fatalities and numerous injuries over the weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fraser Bohm, the driver who caused a violent crash killing four Pepperdine college students,  hires high-profile celebrity attorney Alan Jackson. Jackson shortly ask judge to lower Bohm's bail from $4 million to $2 million to  free up funds for  an "expert-intensive defense."  Jackson argued that bond is tying up family money that could be spent on his defense.  The  judge refused to cut the amount in half.   Bohm faces four murder and vehicular manslaughter charges for the deaths of Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams, who were standing on the side of PCH when authorities say Bohm hit them after losing control of his BMW while driving in excess of 100 mph.    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.

Franz and Theresia Kraus are a retired couple. In 2025 he is 92 and she is 83. The problem is that nobody has seen them in several years. Their social security checks are automatically deposited and their adult son, Lorenz Kraus, tends to other matters for them. After years of attempting to contact the couple without success, the social security office asks police to do a "welfare check" on Franz and Theresia Kraus. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack take a look at what happened when police do the welfare check and how their "loving son" Lorenz Kraus ends up on local tv confessing to killing his parents and burying their bodies in the backyard.           Transcribe Highlights 00:00.11 Introduction 01:16.21 Man buries mom and dad in backyard 04:36.12 Mountain Family Comes to big city to transport body of their loved one on a flatbed truck 08:59.11 News Anchor gets son to admit murder during interview 14:37.45 Early Luminol story 20:10.37 Body decomposing in soil will cause sinking 25:11.76 Newsman interviews murderer 30:14.33 Suffocated father 34:31.88 Admits killing in 2017 40:13.36 Skeletal remains can breakdown 44:27.65 Conclusion  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 some of our top stories this week: Philadelphia police and family members are asking for the public's help in locating a young woman who disappeared after leaving her overnight job at an assisted living facility. Suspect arrested in January's Palisades fire. A Texas woman was convicted and sentenced this week for the murder of her diabetic husband in 2023 by neglect as he suffered from an insulin overdose.  A former Idaho pastor accused of using his church role to traffic and sexually abuse women is out on bond as his next court date nears     Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The lead up to James Craig’s trial was bizarre.....two postponements, three different attorney teams, five added charges, and a crazy action from an attorney, who allegedly set his own house on fire. Still, the Aurora dentist’s trial began and ended after jurors heard from four mistresses who said James Craig told them his marriage was over, but a divorce would break him financially.  Crag faced six felony counts:  Murder in the first degree  Two counts of solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence  Three counts of solicitation to commit perjury in the first degree  Court documents show Craig, jailed on a murder charge of his wife, Angela Craig, still allegedly worked to convince inmates, a former mistress, and even one of his own children to tamper with evidence, to plant it to make it look like Angela Craig wanted to kill herself.  Prosecutors say James Craig even made a botched murder-for-hire attempt on the case’s lead detective just before a second attempt at trial last year.   Craig allegedly offered people cash and dental work in return for a cover-up.  Craig insists he ordered poison because she asked him to.  James Craig and his wife Angela were married for over 20 years. They created a beautiful family of six, loving, happy family, happy children. Between work and taking care of their children, the Craigs still manage to fit a workout into their daily routine. The husband and wife go for a run or hit the gym together almost every day, and when they return home, James Craig makes protein shakes or fruit smoothies for breakfast while Angela delves into getting the kids ready for the day.    Angela complains of having a really nasty headache, along with problems with her eyesight.  She goes to the hospital, saying she feels tingly and cold.   Doctors cannot figure out what's wrong with her.   Angela goes to the hospital multiple times, only to be sent home.  When she goes back for a third time, that's when she's checked in, and her condition deteriorates, coding quickly.  Angela passes away.  One of Summer Brooks’ dental assistants recalls opening a package for Dr. Craig that had potassium cyanide in it. She googles the symptoms of cyanide poisoning and is horrified at how closely they match Angela’s symptoms. She immediately calls Craig’s partner, Ryan Redfearn, hoping he has some other explanation for the contents of the package...but he doesn’t. While visiting Angela, Redfearn tells a nurse about the cyanide, explaining there’s no medical use for the element in their practice. As a mandatory reporter, the nurse calls the police.   With suspicions raised, Angela Craig is sent for an autopsy with additional toxicology screening. Tests reveal the otherwise healthy mom of six died of poisoning from both cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a common ingredient in eyedrops. While investigators have no definitive evidence that Angela’s food and drinks were poisoned with cyanide, the tests reveal her cyanide levels increased while she was in the hospital.   Police then check Craig's computer, finding strange searches.  One of them was how to poison someone, how to make poison, and the top five or top 10 undetectable poisons that people won't be able to find after someone has died, and will not signal foul play. Less than 24 hours after his wife’s death, dentist James Toliver Craig is arrested for Angela’s murder and additionally charged with tampering with evidence. A 52-page arrest affidavit details Craig’s concerning computer searches, three poison orders, an ongoing affair, and proof that Craig took several measures to cover his tracks.   Police then learn the dentist allegedly tried to hire his cellmate to kill Aurora PD’s lead detective, Bobbi Jo Olson, for $20,000. Calling Olson the “worst, dirtiest detective,” James Craig tried to recruit Nathaniel Harris to take her out for cash or free dental work. Olson wasn’t the only person on his list. Craig also asked Harris to kill another Aurora PD officer and two inmates, ‘Roger’ and ‘Tommy.’  Now the details of Craig's "sugar dating life" revealed.  Joining Nancy Grace today: Eric Faddis - Partner at Varner Faddis Elite Legal, Former Felony Prosecutor and Current Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation Attorney; Instagram: @e_fad @varnerfaddis; TikTok: @varnerfaddis Dr. Shavaun Scott- Psychotherapist, Author of “The Minds of Mass Killers: Understanding and Interrupting the Pathway to Violence” and "Game Addiction: The Experience and the Effects;"  FB: Shavaun.scott, Instagram: shavaunscott Fil Waters - Former Homicide Detective for the Houston Police Department, President & CEO of Kindred Spirits Investigations & Security, Inc. Dr. Ernest Chiodo  - Toxicologist, Physician, Biomedical Engineer, and Attorney; Author: “Toxic Tort: Medical and Legal Elements” Steffan Tubbs - Host: 'Arsenic, DDS - The Bizarre Case of Dr. James Craig'; Former patient of James Craig See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Illinois cop Drew Peterson is still behind bars for the murder of his third wife, but his 4th wife Stacy Peterson is still missing.  Nancy digs into the case with Drew Peterson's former lawyer Joel Brodsky, Cold Case Research Institute director Sheryl McCollum, psychologist Dr. Chloe Carmichael, and reporter Robyn Walensky.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kjersten Strang is a devoted mom to a young son, and her social media pages show it.  During a bike ride she was struck from behind by the driver of a Nissan Altima,   Xavier Rigby. Without warning, Rigby slams Kjersten from behind, throwing the 38-year-old mother into the air. The force knocked her into the windshield of Rigby's car, trapping her.   Rigby does not stop; he continues driving for a mile, to a nearby liquor store.  Police on the scene report Rigby shows multiple signs of impairment, including the smell of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, stumbling, and slurred speech. Rigby also refuses the roadside sobriety test, so police immediately arrest him and haul him off to the Pinellas County Jail. Police charge Rigby with leaving the scene of a crash involving death, vehicular homicide leaving the scene, and DUI manslaughter.  More shocking details surface after Rigby's arrest, unveiling his previous extensive criminal driving record that includes a previous hit-and-run with DUI charges as well.     Joining Nancy Grace today:  Lisa Miller - Mother of Samantha Miller, who was killed by a drunk driver on the day of her wedding, April 28, 2023, in Folly Beach, South Carolina Joseph Low - Trial attorney and Founder of the Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV, one of the few attorneys who practice in military, state and federal courts. Former U.S. Marine. Website: attorney4people.com, Instagram: josephlowesq  Dr. Bethany Marshall -  Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker," and featured in hit show "Paris in Love" on Peacock; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive Sheryl McCollum - Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder, Host of podcast: Zone 7, X: @149zone7 Kimberly Cockrell - Victim Services Manager at Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Website: MADD.ORG FB: Mothers Against Drunk Driving    Insta: @maddnational Dr. Kendall Crowns - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), NEW Podcast "Mayhem in the morgue" launching soon, Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University)  Sarina Fazan - Four-time Emmy Award-winning TV Anchor & Reporter; Podcast: "On The Record with Sarina Fazan;" YouTube: Sarina Fazan TV Dave Mack  - Crime Stories Investigative Reporter  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Texas woman was convicted and sentenced this week for the murder of her diabetic husband in 2023 by neglect as he suffered from an insulin overdose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An arrest was made in the arson fire that burned down the Palisades earlier this year, killing 12 people, destroying more than 6,800 structures, both homes and businesses, and damaging over 1,000 more buildings.  After dropping off an Uber passenger in Pacific Palisades, 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknech parked his car and tried but failed to contact a former friend. He gets out of the car, walks up a nearby trail, takes iPhone videos, and listens to a rap song. Its music video includes objects being lit on fire. Then, twelve minutes into the new year, a fire is started. With weak cell service, Rinderknecht walks back down the trail, continually calling 911 until he finally connects, only to find out other residents already reported the fire.   As Rinderknecht drives away, he passes firefighters and turns back to watch them on the scene. He records while firefighters quickly extinguish the blaze, or so they thought. The dense underbrush makes it difficult to see, and the roots underground continue to smolder. A week after the 911 calls reporting the Lachman fire, the Santa Ana Winds create an explosion of deadly fire, spreading the remains of the Lachman fire across LA, freshly named the Palisades fire.   Investigators question Rinderknecht as he repeatedly called 911 about the January 1st fire. During those calls, Rinderknecht asked ChatGPT, "Are you at fault if a fire is lit because of your cigarettes?"  Rinderknecht gives conflicting statements about whether he smoked near the trail that night and where he was when he called. Rinderknecht claims he was at the bottom of the trail, but location data shows while speaking with 911, he’s just 30 feet from the fire’s origin.  Ultimately, Rinderknecht is charged.  Joining Nancy Grace today:  Stephanie Lydecker - Executive Producer & Host of True Crime Tonight; Founder & CEO of KT-Studios.com    Alexandra Pfeifer - Victim   Dr. Bethany Marshall -  Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker," and featured in hit show "Paris in Love" on Peacock; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive Dina Doll - Attorney, Trial Consultant, Mediator & Legal Analyst, Doll Amir Eley, LLP Moses Castillo - Private Investigator for the Dordulian Law Group, Former Supervisor Detective from The Los Angeles Police Department Nicholle Brock -  Firefighter, EMT, and Arson Expert   Dr. Kendall Crowns  -  Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University)   Shannon Butler - Investigative Reporter at WFTV Channel 9, Florida Sydney Sumner - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.