Crime Alert 02.26.24

Carlee Russell calls 911, telling the operator that she sees a toddler walking down the side of an Alabama freeway.  When police arrive, there's no toddler and  Russell is gone. Her car, however, is still parked along the highway. The door is open and the car is running. Forty-nine hours later, Russell returns home, telling investigators in a brief interview that she was abducted by a man with orange hair and a woman.   As the investigation continued, police find some “really strange” internet searches in the hours before she vanished, such as the cutoff age for an AMBER Alert.   Now Russell admits via a statement from her lawyer that there was no toddler or abduction.  In a Jefferson County, Ala., circuit court  Russell ordered to pay nearly $18,000 in restitution and  sentenced to 12 months of supervised probation, community service and evidence of continued mental health counseling.   Judge David Carpenter suspended Russell's two six-month sentences, saying jail time would be a "waste of government resources."   Joining Nancy Grace today: James Shelnutt – Attorney – The Shelnutt Law Firm, P.C.; 27-year Atlanta Metro Area Major Case Detective and Former S.W.A.T. Officer; Twitter: @ShelnuttLawFirm Caryn Stark – Psychologist- Trauma and Crime Expert; Twitter: @carnpsych Sheryl McCollum – Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder; Host of new podcast, “Zone 7;” Twitter: @ColdCaseTips Lee Reiber – Mobile Device Forensic Expert, COO: Oxygen Forensics, Inc., Author: “Mobile Forensic Investigations: A Guide to Evidence Collection, Analysis, and Presentation” Mike Hadsell – President and Founder of Peace River K9 Search and Rescue; Twitter: @K9River Savannah Sapp – Multimedia Journalist and Reporter for WAFF48 in Alabama; Twitter: @Savannah Sapp/Instagram:@savannahsapp.tv/Facebook:SavannahSappWAFF48  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne Morphew's death has been ruled a homicide by undetermined means. The toxicology report shows several drugs found in her system at the time of her death: Butorphanol, a synthetic opioid pain-killer, Azaperone, a sedative commonly used as a tranquilizer for pigs and elephants, and medetomidine, a sedative that can decrease an animal's heart rate, commonly used by veterinarians. According to a 2021 affidavit, Barry Morphew admitted to police that he frequently used BAM and other tranquilizers to sedate deer to remove antlers for his hunting business. However, BAM is the commonly used abbreviation for Butophanol, Azaperaone, and Medetomidine. Azaperone is used as a sedative for Elephants, Rhinoceros, and Giraffes, while Medetomidine facilitates immobilization of large carnivores and great apes.   Police say in the recovery of Susanne Morphew's body, her favorite tee-shirt was pulled from the location.  And in the past few days, it's reported that husband Barry Morphew quietly slipped into an invite-only memorial for his murdered wife.  Joining Nancy Grace Today:  Tisha Leewaye, Friend of Suzanne Morphew  Dr. Grey Stafford  -  Host of the Podcast "Zoo Logic" - Wildlife Expert, Animal Trainer, Zoologist,  Book: "Zoomility: Keeper Tales of Training with Positive Reinforcement"  Mark Tate  -  Trial Lawyer / Legal Analyst - Tate Law Group- TateLawGroup.com   Chris McDonough -  Director At the Cold Case Foundation, Former Homicide Detective, Host of YouTube channel- ‘The Interview Room’, ColdCaseFoundation.org Joseph Scott Morgan -  Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan", Twitter: @JoScottForensic Lauren Conlin -  Investigative journalist, Host of The Outlier Podcast. Host of Corruption: What Happened to Grant Solomon, https://laurenconlin.com, X- @Conlin_Lauren, Instagram- @LaurenEmilyConlin, YouTube- @LaurenConlin4  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York park employee plants cameras in women's restroom. Couple's macho photoshoot terrifies pre-school parents.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As volunteer searchers try to locate all of teen girl Sade Robinson’s remains, a gruesome discovery... this time, at a remote, tree-lined stretch of beach along Lake Michigan. Just after 7:30 a.m., someone walking along a South Milwaukee water line discovered an arm and torso. The remains washed ashore about a quarter mile away from a nearby apartment complex. Residents watched as officers carried a body bag down the cliff to recover an arm and torso. Sade's father has joined in the search for his daughter's remains.  We have also learned that inside the unfinished basement that police have called a “sex dungeon,” it’s in disarray. A large hole has been dug in the concrete floor. A drain in the floor is stuffed with towels, the drain cover is marked with evidence numbers. A door without a handle leads to a dark closet with several tables, a chair, and exercise equipment. The mattress of a queen bedframe is flipped on its side, and bedding is tossed over a table in the corner of the room.   A circle saw, hack saw, and a power drill were also recovered from Anderson’s backyard.  Joining Nancy Grace Today: Carlos Robinson - Sade's Dad 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 Scott Johnson – Forensic Psychologist (Minnesota): 32 years specializing in addressing sexual predators Dr. Kendall Crowns – Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth) and Lecturer: University of Texas Austin and Texas Christian University Medical School Bria Jones - Reporter, Fox6 News – Milwaukee; X: @BriaJonesTV Facebook: Bria Jones TV   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Best of the best" marksman shoots wife, daughter dead. Bright headlights induce a road-rage pesto pelting! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John-Paul and Mica Miller marry in 2017, and at just 23, Mica becomes stepmom to John-Paul Miller's 5 children.  At first, outside the home everybody seems happy, but inside the home, not so much. Mica Miller has decided she has had enough of Pastor John-Paul Miller and files for divorce.   Four months after filing for divorce, Mica Miller pulls back the divorce papers, only to file again weeks later. After filing for divorce the second time, Mica Miller says she feels like she is being stalked. Her tires are slashed twice. Police discover a tire deflator has been used on the tires. Taking her car in for service, a mechanic finds a tracking device in Mica Miller's car. Mica Miller tells police she is afraid for her life. She knows who the suspect is, but the police tell her there isn't much they can do. A report is filed, but no charges. Weeks later, Pastor John-Paul Miller announces during church service that he got a call telling him his wife is dead. Mica commits suicide, according to police.  Separate memorial events spring up for Mica Miller, one for her husband at Solid Rock and one for her family and friends held beachside. Days after the service, Pastor John-Paul Miller is relieved of his duties at the church.  JOINING NANCY TODAY: Shaelynn French - Mica's Friend Brian Foley –  Board-certified Criminal Defense Attorney, Former Chief Prosecutor in Harris County, (Houston) Texas; Author: “What Prosecutors Don’t Tell You;” Instagram @brianfoleylawpllc/ Youtube – @brianfoleylawyer/X @brianpllc Scott Johnson – Forensic Psychologist (Minnesota): 32 years specializing in addressing sexual predators 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 Michael Maley - Former South Carolina News Anchor in Myrtle Beach/More than 2 decades as an Investigative Reporter and News Anchor in the South    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minor kills mentor helping him to meet his probation requirements. Drunk parkgoer kicks Yellowstone bison.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A woman goes to meet family at the visitor center in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and takes a photo of the area. When she takes a closer look later, she realizes that the boy in the photo bears a striking resemblance to Sebastian Rogers and contacts authorities. The sheriff’s office confirms they have reached out to North Carolina authorities about the picture, but so far nothing credible has resulted from their inquiries. Investigators say the boy is not Sebastian. Seth Rogers also agrees to take a polygraph exam if Nancy Grace sets it up for him. An appointment is made with an established polygrapher.  Seth Rogers is asked many questions such as, did you do anything that could have caused that boy's disappearance and were you involved in any way in the disappearance of that boy? In both instances, Seth Rogers said "no." Today, we learn the official results. Joining Nancy Grace: Seth Rogers- Sebastian’s father, #SebastianStrong, Facebook: Sebastian Rogers (Tennessee) Missing, GofundMe: Finding Sebastian Rogers family support: https://www.gofundme.com/f/finding-sebastian-rogers-family-support  Tony Mathis  -  Spokesperson for Seth Rogers Ken Shull - Polygraph Examiner - Former head of entire FBI polygraph program Washington, DC /  Fmr. Special Agent with the FBI,  [email protected]   Irv Brandt- Former US Marshals Service International Investigations Branch, Author: "FLYING SOLO: Top of the World" available on Amazon- irvbrandt.com Twitter: @JackSoloAuthor  Lauren Conlin - Investigative journalist, Host of The Outlier Podcast. Host of Corruption: What Happened to Grant Solomon, https://laurenconlin.com, X- @Conlin_Lauren, Instagram- @LaurenEmilyConlin, YouTube- @LaurenConlin4  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drunk driver crashes into children's birthday party, killing 2 and injuring 15 more. Hotel resident forces entire building to evacuate after pepper spraying loud neighbors.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Gregor carried his son, Corey, into the hospital the day he died. According to a Nurse Practitioner at Southern Ocean, Corey's arms and legs dangling with little visible movement. His head rested on his father's shoulder.  The nurse practitioner said he could tell something was wrong, but there was no urgency coming from the parent. Corey died later that day. We have also learned that text messages between Breanna Micciolo and Christopher Gregor about their son Corey Micciolo have been made public on the Facebook group Justice for Corey. Breanne Micciolo posts a text exchange that took place two weeks before Corey died. Micciolo writes 'Corey came upstairs upset and almost crying because he was trying to ask you about playing football in high school and you smacked the ball out of his hand and walked out,' Gregor replies, "I smacked the ball out of his hands and he didn't say a word to me." Gregor then texts that if hitting the ball out of the six-year-old's hand 'makes him cry, that maybe he needs to be a little tougher because that's soft tissue.'  After Gregor makes another comment about Corey being “over-emotional." Breanne Micciolo responds, "He's not over-emotional, you hurt his feelings, he got upset, he's six years old." JOINING NANCY TODAY:  Jarrett Ferentino - Homicide Prosecutor in Pennsylvania, Host of Podcast: 'True Crime Boss', jarrettferentino.com Facebook & Instagram: Jarrett Ferentino   Dr. Bethany Marshall – Psychoanalyst (Beverly Hills); X: @DrBethanyLive/ Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall; Appearing in “Paris in Love” on Peacock; BOOK: "Deal Breaker: When to work on a relationship and when to walk away"   Bill Daly – Former FBI Investigator and Forensic Photography; Security Expert  Dr. Eric Eason – Board-certified Forensic Pathologist, Consultant; Instagram: @eric_a_eason, Facebook: Eric August Eason, LinkedIn: Eric Eason, MD Jim Murdoch - News 12 New Jersey Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.