Crime Alert 09.21.23

A judge hands down a life sentence after a young child dies from repeated beatings tied to toilet training, with prosecutors saying the injuries were survivable if help had been called sooner. Police probe a possible hate crime after gunfire erupts outside a home decorated for Hanukkah, leaving a family shaken and investigators searching for suspects who vanished into the night. Federal agents move in just in time to stop a New Year’s Eve bombing plot, arresting suspects in the desert as authorities say explosive devices were already being prepared. Drew Nelson reports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Romy Reiner, daughter of Hollywood legend Rob Reiner, is unable to reach her parents all day Sunday, so she decides to stop by their house since she lives just across the street. Around 3:30pm, Romy lets herself in to her parents Brentwood estate and discovers her mother and father Rob and Michele Singer Reiner dead.  Romy dials 911 in a panic, but EMTs can do nothing but call for LAPD backup. LAPD quickly respond to the residence of Rob and Michele located in West Los Angeles. Working with the coroner's office, detectives are able to identify the victims definitively as Rob and Michelle Reiner. Rob Reiner is born into the business, father Carl Reiner is a legend behind the popular Dick Van Dyke show, and mother Estelle performing as a cabaret singer. Rob garners fame when he lands a role on the hit series, All in the Family.  Rob marries Penny Marshall of Laverne & Shirley, and though they separate after 10 years, Rob remains close with Marshall’s daughter, whom he adopted, Tracy Reiner.A highly successful actor, Rob Reiner tries his hand behind the scenes, flourishing in a directingrole. Reiner’s directing debut rock band mockumentary, This is Spinal Tap, becomes an instantcult classic. His 1986 Stand By Me receives Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.  Rob does it again with the film adaptation of The Princess Bride, and again with When Harry Met Sally, Misery, and A Few Good Men. Less than 24 hours of attending a Hollywood star's annual holiday party Rob and Michelle are found dead in the bed with their throats slit. Rob and Michelle attend Conan O’Brien’s annual holiday party and ask for permission to bring their troubled addicted son, Nick Reiner, allegedly to keep an eye on him. The night quickly turns sour when an argument breaks out between father and son. Party goers also allege Nick's behavior was odd and unnerving during the party. Joining Nancy Grace: Philip Dubé - Former Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal & Constitutional Law, Forensics & Mental Health Advocacy, X: PhilipCDube, IG: PhilipDube, YouTube: PhilipDube3922 Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker: When to work on a relationship and when to walk away” Also featured in hit show: "Paris in Love" on Peacock, www.drbethanymarshall.com , Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, Twitter: @DrBethanyLive  Moses Castillo - Private Investigator for the Dordulian [door-DOO-lee-uhn] Law Group, Former Supervisor Detective from The Los Angeles Police Department, website: MosesCastilloInvestigations.com Rob Shuter - Host: Naughty But Nice Podcast, Author of newly released novel “It Started With A Whisper”, he can be found at robshuter.substack.com, Former publicist of Sean Combs, IG: @naughtygossip Joseph Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan", Instagram @JoScottForensic Jessica Finn - Senior Investigative Reporter at The U.S. Sun, and her latest article is titled "Rob Reiner's son charged with murder as director & wife found with 'throats slit after public clash at holiday party',  the-sun.com, jessicafinnnyc (Twitter/ IG) @jessicafinn.bsky.social (Bluesky) Sydney Sumner - Investigative Reporter, ‘Crime Stories’  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former gymnastics coach has been arrested by the FBI in Iowa—more than three years after being flagged for sexual abuse and suspended by the U.S. Center for SafeSport. An American identified only as Martin D. has been indicted in Germany on espionage charges. Wyoming authorities are investigating a second fatal shooting involving an F-E Warren Air Force Base airman. Prosecutors in Utah have announced plans to seek the death penalty in the case of Ryan Michael Bate, accused of killing two police officers during a domestic disturbance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a Thursday afternoon, Bryce Tate heads to the gym after school as usual. During his workout, Bryce receives a text from an unsaved number. The texter claims she’s a junior at another high school is close by and has seen Bryce at the gym before. The unknown texter tells Bryce she knows some of his friends, who tell her about his impressive basketball skills, and she wants to introduce herself. The teens flirt back and forth all afternoon. Bryce comes home from the gym in a great mood, still engrossed in his text conversation with the pretty stranger. Bryce is thrilled that it's taco night and happily chats with his parents at the dinner table. After clearing the table, Bryce heads outside to shoot some hoops, but he’s very distracted by his new friend. Just after 7 p.m., Amanda and Adam Tate are shocked by the sound of a gunshot and rush into Adam’s man cave. Their happy teenager shot himself. The hysterical parents called 911, but Bryce was gone the moment he pulled the trigger. What no one understands is why Bryce would take his own life. In the 20 minutes before taking his own life, Bryce receives 120 text messages. The messages reveal that Bryce offers the only money he has access to $30. But it isn’t enough. Joining Nancy Grace: Jennifer Buta - Mother to Jordan DeMay, Victim of Sextortion Joe Cunningham - Attorney who Specializes in Sextortion Cases (previously represented the family of Timothy Barnett, a 13 yr-old victim of sextortion); Facebook and Instagram: JoeCunninghamLaw Melissa McCarty- Investigative Journalist, Author of “The Confident Voice: Speak with Calm, Clarity and Connection" and "The Making of a Crime Reporter;" Instagram: MelissaMcCarty1 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 Todd Shipley - Digital Cyber-Crime Expert, Former Detective Sergeant with the Reno, Nevada Police Dept. - with 25 year in law enforcement, Author of: "Surviving a Cyberattack: Securing Social Media and Protecting Your Home" and “Investigating Internet Crimes: An Introduction to solving Crimes in Cyberspace;" X @webcase Titania Jordan - Chief Parent Officer, Bark Parental Controls, Author: "Parenting In A Tech World;" Instagram/X: @TitaniaJordan Sydney Sumner - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seventy-year-old William Ahle has officially been charged with the murder of 82-year-old Virginia Cranwell. He told police that he rushed inside his neighbor's home to save her, but did he set her home ablaze? Rob Reiner and his wife Michele found murdered.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Convicted socialite Rebecca Grossman's demand for a venue change in a wrongful death suit trial filed against her has been denied. The parents of two young boys killed when a drunk Grossman plowed into them are civilly suing Grossman and her former MLB star lover Scott Erickson for wrongful death. Grossman’s civil lawyers ar­gued extensive negative publicity surrounding the accident and legal proceedings would bias local jurors, making a fair trial impossible. Judge Huey Cotton acknowl­edged that Grossman has been portrayed unfavorably on social media and drew attention from the press, but he agreed with the Iskanders’ attorneys that the news coverage mostly reported the facts rather than expressing outrage.” In another ruling, the judge rejected arguments by Grossman’s attorneys that the one previous deposition taken of the philanthropist’s husband, Dr. Peter Grossman, was enough. He also paved the way for his daughter, Alexis Grossman, to be deposed. Alexis was 6 at the time of the crash, and attorneys claimed the deposition would further traumatize the young woman already suffering from PTSD. The judge countered that Alexis, now 21, was able to testify on her mother’s behalf at the criminal trial, and she was one of the first people on the scene after the crash. The judge ruled the disability does not disqualify her from appearing at the deposition. The judge also ruled husband Peter Grossman may have relevant information. Peter Grossman is a defendant in the suit on grounds he allegedly granted permissive use to his wife to drive the vehicle used in the accident. Included in the deposition motion is a request by the Iskanders to question Peter Grossman, a renowned plastic surgeon, about the transferred title to the couple's sprawling hilltop mansion to a mystery trust and lawyer.  It’s now on sale for $13.5 million, according to court documents. Just after 7 pm, on a September evening, Jacob and Mark Iskander, their siblings, and their parents go for an evening stroll to a nearby lake. The 6-member family is crossing in a crosswalk at a three-way intersection when mother Nancy hears a speeding car barreling their way. The mom says her husband and daughter were farther away from the street. She tries to signal to the two SUVs to slow down. She tries to pull the children back, only managing to grab 1 of them and dive out of the way.  Jacob and Mark are hit. Mark Iskander dies at the scene. Jacob dies later at the hospital. According to police, Mark was thrown 254 feet. Nancy Iskander tells police that two SUVs were "zig-zagging with each other as if they were playing or racing."  She says the drivers didn’t stop at the intersection, not even when the 11-year-old was on the hood of the car. Deputies reportedly catch up with a white Mercedes with significant front-end damage a third of a mile from the scene. Behind the wheel is Rebecca Grossman. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says they believe that the vehicle was traveling over 80 miles an hour. Grossman’s breathalyzer test after the crash showed a blood-alcohol content of 0.076%, according to local news reports. The legal limit in California is 0.08%. A blood sample taken three hours after the crash registered at the 0.08% mark. Rebecca Grossman was charged and convicted of two felony counts each of second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one felony count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death.  Grossman was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Joining Nancy Grace today: Mark Klaas - Founder, Klaas Kids Foundation Kathleen Murphy - North Carolina, Family Attorney Dr. Angela Arnold - Atlanta Psychiatrist. 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 Sheryl McCollum - Forensic Expert & Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder, Former Director of MADD, Georgia Joseph Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author of "Blood Beneath My Feet," and Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;" X @JoScottForensic Ray Caputo - Lead News Anchor for Orlando's Morning News, 96.5 WDBO TIPLINE: Mothers Against Drunk Driving 24-Hour Victim Help Line: 877.MADD.HELP or 1-877-623-3435See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On June 28, 1997, a dismembered body is discovered by a father and his daughter out for a walk in Hempstead Lake State Park in Lakeview, New York. The torso is found in a rubber-maid container along with a red towel and a floral pillowcase. The head, both arms, both legs below the knee, all severed from the body and have not been found. A unique tattoo is found of a peach with a bite taken out of it that leads Investigators to publish a picture of the tattoo in a national tattoo magazine in hopes of finding an artist who remembered such a tattoo. Tattoo artist Steve Cullen in Connecticut claimed to remember giving the tattoo to a young black woman, 18 or 19 years old. The body remained unidentified and was given the name "Peaches" and she is listed as one of the possible victims of the Long Island Serial Killer. In 2011 the remains of a toddler are discovered that are identified in 2016 as belonging to "Peaches," but still, no name identification. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack investigate "Peaches" and her toddler to see if they are part of the Gilgo murders.   Transcribe Highlights00:00.76 Introduction - Peaches  02:01.42 Trip to the Hamptons 04:59.61 Gilgo suspect had to be familiar 10:16.22 Shannon Gilbert family 15:01.62 The science and math are complex 20:26.38 Tattoos 25:10.55 Saving for future science growth 30:04.06 Jane Doe #3 identified as part of "Peaches" from 1997 35:21.35 Communication dismemberment 40:00.41 Because of Gilgo investigation, Tanya and Tatiana identified as not part of LISK 43:58.24 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: The sentencing for a Jacksonville father who pleaded guilty to running over and killing his 8-month-old son in September is delayed for the second time in a month Friday afternoon. Former Michigan Wolverines head football coach Sherrone Moore is detained by police on Wednesday, hours after the University of Michigan announces he was fired for allegedly engaging in an "inappropriate relationship."   A Georgia mother’s murder case now moves to a grand jury after investigators reveal she told police the hours before her daughter’s death felt “like a dream.” An investigation is underway after a purple-haired DoorDash driver is caught on camera tainting a customer's delivery with an unknown substance. The mystery chemical makes a woman extremely ill. Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.”    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kouri Richins remains in Summit County Jail, after the judge denies a defense motion to reconsider bail and release. In addition to the murder charges in the death of her husband,  Richins faces over two dozen charges in a separate case alleging she committed mortgage fraud,  submitted falsified banks statements, committed money laundering and issued bad checks.  Meanwhile, Kouri Richins' defense alleges that the Summit County Sheriff’s Office illegally obtained evidence while investigating the death of Eric Richins. Defense attorneys Kathy Nester and Wendy Lewis say detectives violated Richins' constitutional rights and argue that the evidence should be ruled inadmissible during her murder trial.   At the center of the motion are the "Walk the Dog" letter and data from her phone and Apple accounts. Defense attorneys argue that investigators took Kouri’s phone without a proper warrant and failed to inform her of her right to remain silent, her right to request a lawyer, and her right to refuse questioning.   The case began when Eric Richins became violently ill on multiple occasions after having dinner with his wife, Kouri.   The couple, who owned a successful real estate business, was celebrating a big sale when Kouri Richins prepared a drink for her husband. She then went to care for their children. Hours later, when she went to bed, Eric Richins was dead.   Investigators believe his wife killed him by putting a fatal dose of fentanyl in his drink. Police also discovered that Kouri Richins attempted to change the beneficiary of her husband's life insurance policy. Joining Nancy Grace Today: Jeffrey Wolf - Criminal Defense Attorney; Twitter: @JeffWolf5280 and @WolfLawLLC  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 Bobby Chacon- Former Special Agent FBI, Screenwriter for “Criminal Minds;” Instagram/Twitter: @BobbyChaconFBI Dr. Paul Christo - Opioid Expert, Associate Professor for The John Hopkins School of Medicine, Division of Pain Medicine; Author and Host of "Aches & Gains: A Comprehensive Guide To Overcoming Your Pain" Dr. Kendall Crowns- Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), Lecturer: University of Texas Austin and Texas Christian University Medical School Jen Smith- Chief Reporter for DailyMail.com, Twitter: @jen_e_smith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Colleton County Clerk of Court Mary Rebecca “Becky” Hill pleads guilty  to four charges — obstruction of justice and perjury for showing a reporter photographs that were sealed court exhibits and then lying about it. There are also two counts of misconduct in office for taking bonuses and promoting through her public office a book she wrote on the trial.  Judge Heath Taylor sentenced Hill to three years of probation. This as the South Carolina's Supreme Court  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. 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, but with Hill's plea, will Murdaugh be granted a new trial in February?  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.