Prominent California Farmer Pleads Not Guilty To Fatally Shooting Estranged Wife | Crime Alert 6AM 01.07.2026

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: Chaos in the courtroom as Nick Reiner's legal eagle abandons him on arraignment day. Alan Jackson says he's dropping out due to circumstances beyond "his & Nick's control." The son of film icon Rob Reiner will go from being repped by a celeb lawyer to public defender. Harvey Weinstein is considering a guilty plea to address an unresolved rape charge and potentially avoid a third trial in New York, as mentioned by a judge on Thursday. A father in Tennessee is speaking out after investigators say a mother killed her two young sons and their grandmother before taking her own life. A Florida jury is now deciding whether a man convicted in a decades-old child murder case should again be sentenced to death Two eerie calls, One Mystery: Chilling 911 records reveal a "domestic blowout" & an attempted break-in months/days before an Ohio dentist and his wife were executed in their home. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been more than two months since Anna Kepner’s death aboard a Carnival cruise ship, and still, there has been no arrest. Her death is now ruled a homicide, and according to her autopsy report, she was “mechanically asphyxiated by another person or persons.” The medical examiner also found two bruises on the side of Anna’s neck, writing she may have been held in a ‘bar hold,’ meaning her attacker held an arm across her neck. Anna’s stepbrother may be a suspect in the teen’s murder; the FBI remains silent. Anna Kepner’s cruise to the Caribbean is a family trip. She’s joined by her grandparents, who took her on her first cruise; her father, Chris Kepner; her stepmother, Shauntel Hudson; and her two siblings and two step-siblings. Anna’s parents share a room with the two youngest girls, and by their own decision, Anna, her brother, 14, and stepbrother, 16, split a second room. Grandparents Barbara and Jeffrey Kepner remind the teens they have a spare bed in their room if anyone decides they need more space. During dinner, Anna excuses herself early; sources allege her braces hurt. Surveillance footage shows Anna walking back to and entering the room she shares with her brothers. After eating, the teen boys come to the room before the youngest sibling ventures out again to explore, leaving Anna and their stepbrother alone. When he returns, he notes Anna isn’t in bed but assumes she got a second wind and is spending more time with the adults. He goes to sleep with no idea his sister’s body is shoved under the bed just a few feet away. Though family members released the details of Anna’s autopsy, and court records from stepmom Shauntel Hudson’s divorce proceedings indicate her 16-year-old son, Anna’s stepbrother, may be a suspect in the teen’s murder, the FBI has remained silent on the progress of their investigation. No charges have been filed. Anna’s stepmom, Shauntel Hudson, files a motion for a gag order in her divorce proceedings, claiming the public exposure and reporting on the case and subsequent filings could lead to "possible irreversible harm" to the children and family or could jeopardize the investigation and her son’s presumed defense. The documents request that future hearings be closed to the public in the event the 16-year-old is charged in Anna’s death. Joining Nancy Grace today: Spencer Aronfeld - Trial Lawyer and Founder of Aronfeld Trial Lawyers, Author of illustrated children's book "Sara Rose, Kid Lawyer;" Facebook: Aronfeld Law, Instagram: Aronfeld_Trial_Lawyers Dr. Janie Lacy - Licensed Psychotherapist and CEO of Life Counseling Solutions, Author of "How To Heal From A Toxic Relationship: A Guide To Reclaiming Your Mental Health and Happiness," Host of “The Resilient Professional” Podcast on YouTube; Instagram & Facebook: @JanieLacy Robert Crispin - Private Investigator “Crispin Special Investigations," Former Federal Task Force Officer for the United States Department of Justice, DEA and Miami Field Division, and Former Homicide and Crimes Against Children Investigator; Facebook: Crispin Special Investigations Inc. Dr. Kendall Crowns -  Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), NEW Podcast, "Mayhem in the Morgue," and Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University) Shannon Butler (FL) Investigative Reporter at WFTV Channel 9 in Florida, Sydney Sumner - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The suspected mastermind in the deaths of moms Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelley, has pleaded no contest to the murders. Grandmother Tiffany Adams made the plea to murder, removal of a body, and desecration of a corpse charges.  The full autopsy reports on Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelley identified their cause of death as multiple sharp force trauma. The reports list a total of 30 wounds on each victim, including 9 stab wounds and 21 cuts. Many of Butler's wounds were consistent with defensive injuries. A police affidavit states that Tifany Adams allegedly made statements implicating herself in the deaths of Butler and Kelley. Investigators believe Butler and Kelley were lured to the location, arriving around 9:40 a.m. Officers found pools of blood, Butler’s glasses on the ground, and a broken hammer at the scene. Police believe the women were then forced into another vehicle. The probable cause affidavit contains extensive details, but the women’s causes of death were not initially disclosed. Their bodies were discovered in a cattle pasture leased by Tad Bert Cullum, the boyfriend of Tifany Adams. Cellphone data from three burner phones purchased by Adams helped narrow down the location. The phones first pinged near Butler's abandoned car, and the data later led police to the pasture. Officers found signs of digging. A hole, which had been refilled, contained the bodies of the two women. Investigators cite a custody battle over Butler’s two children as the motive. The custody dispute had lasted more than five years. Butler’s ex-partner, Wrangler Rickman, who is Adams’ son, had custody of the children. However, Rickman was confirmed to be in a rehabilitation facility in Oklahoma City at the time. Butler was allowed supervised visitation with her children every Saturday. According to her attorney, she was likely to gain unsupervised visitation in an upcoming hearing. The affidavit states, “Adams vehemently opposed this and went to great lengths to plan and purchase items used in Butler and Kelley’s murders.” It continues, “Adams, Cullum, Cole, and Cora were willing to kidnap and murder two victims to limit visitation for Butler.” Court documents also allege that Adams and her accomplices attempted to kill Butler in February. Adams, her boyfriend, and another couple reportedly drove to Butler’s home near Hugoton, Kansas, intending to kill her. A witness told investigators the plan was to throw an anvil through Butler’s windshield to make it appear as an accident, but Butler did not leave her home. State investigators retrieved data from Adams’ phone showing searches for terms such as “taser pain level,” “gun shops,” “prepaid cellular phones,” and “how to get someone out of their house.” According to the documents, Adams purchased five stun guns before the women disappeared. She also bought three prepaid burner phones from a nearby Walmart. All the burner phones stopped transmitting on the morning of the women’s disappearance. After the attack, the bodies were reportedly stored in a sealed freezer before being buried 4 to 8 feet underground. Joining Nancy Grace Today:   Kelly Hyman- Trial & Civil Attorney, TV Legal Analyst, Podcast Host: "Once Upon a Crime In Hollywood", Twitter: @kellyhyman1, TikTok: @kelly.hyman, Instagram: @Kelly_Hyman1  Sheryl McCollum  – Forensics Expert & Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder; Host of Podcast: “Zone 7;” X: @149Zone7 Irv Brandt – Senior Inspector, US Marshals Service International Investigations Branch; Chief Inspector, DOJ Office of International Affairs, US Embassy Kingston, Jamaica; Author: “SOLO SHOT: CURSE OF THE BLUE STONE” – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON IN JANUARY; ALSO “FLYING SOLO: Top of the World;” Twitter: @JackSoloAuthor Dr. Kendall Crowns – Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth) and Lecturer: University of Texas Austin and Texas Christian University Medical School Lauren Conlin – Investigative Journalist, Host of The Outlier Podcast, and also Host of “Corruption: What Happened to Grant Solomon; X- @Conlin_Lauren/ Instagram- @LaurenEmilyConlin/YouTube- @LaurenConlin4  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. Joining Nancy Grace: Derek Smith - Criminal Defense Attorney Dr. Joni Johnston - Forensic Psychologist and private investigator, performs risk and threat assessments on violent offenders, Author: “Serial Killers: 101 Questions True Crime Fans Ask;" Also Author of  "CONTROLLING ANXIETY (The Complete Idiot's Guide)," "FIGHT YOUR FRIGHT: A Holistic Approach to Understanding & Overcoming Anxiety," and "APPEARANCE OBSESSION Learning to Love the Way You Look" Tom Smith - Former NYPD Detective for 30 years - Narcotics, Robbery Squad, Gang Investigations - was also assigned to the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force. Co-Host of the GOLD SHIELDS Podcast; FB & Instagram: @thegoldshieldshow  Dr. Priya Banerjee - Board Certified Forensic Pathologist and Anatomic Pathologist, Anchor Forensic Pathology Consulting   Susan Hendricks - Journalist, Author: “Down the Hill: My Descent into the Double Murder in Delphi;" IG @susan_hendricks X @SusanHendicks  Dave Mack - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicole Boodhai has been indicted on murder in the second degree for intentionally causing the death of her 15-month-old son, Charlie Ramraykha, discovered in a locked bathroom. The mother and stepfather of a 12-year-old Oklahoma boy missing since Friday have been arrested. An Illinois man has been charged with multiple counts relating to an alleged assault on his girlfriend as they were driving through Moultrie County last month. Sydney Sumner reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Linda Brown misses the first day of school after winter break, loved ones know something is wrong. Linda would never let her students down. Linda is a beloved special education teacher at Robert Healy Elementary School in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago, happily married to Antwon Brown. Chicago PD is desperately searching for the missing school teacher. The special educator was last seen by her husband on Friday evening and by neighbors Saturday morning. Linda misses a weekly appointment that day, and isn’t answering her phone. Concern turns to fear when Linda hasn’t returned home on Sunday. Though Antwon last saw Linda Friday night, neighbors say they spotted her Saturday morning near their home.Linda’s purse, with her wallet and phone, is missing from the home, and her phone rings when called. Family members and friends retrace the teacher’s last known steps, but don’t find any leads.  Her sister’s husband, Lorenzo, tells “Crime Stories” staff that Linda’s vehicle has been located at 35th and Lake Park. Security footage also shows her walking across a pedestrian bridge alone on January 3, at around 3 a.m., according to the husband.  Linda is 5 feet tall, 130 pounds, with brown hair and eyes, last seen wearing a long, puffy black coat with shiny Ugg-style boots. Authorities are searching the area where her blue Honda Civic, plate number CX57470, was located on Wednesday afternoon. Anyone with information on Linda Brown should contact Chicago PD SVU detectives at 312-747-8380. Joining Nancy Grace today: Matthew Mangino - Attorney, Former District Attorney (Lawrence County, PA); Author: "The Executioner's Toll: The Crimes, Arrests, Trials, Appeals, Last Meals, Final Words and Executions of 46 Persons in the United States" Dr. Janie Lacy - Licensed Psychotherapist and CEO of Life Counseling Solutions, Author of "How To Heal From A Toxic Relationship: A Guide To Reclaiming Your Mental Health and Happiness," and Host of “The Resilient Professional” Podcast on YouTube; Instagram & Facebook: @JanieLacy Brian Fitzgibbons - Director of Operations for USPA Nationwide Security (leads a team of investigators specializing in locating missing persons), and Former Marine and Iraq War Veteran; Instagram: @uspa_nationwide_security Rhonda Dequier- Founder of Missing In America Network Leslie Moreno - Reporter at FOX 32 Chicago; Instagram: LeslieMorenoTV Sydney Sumner - Investigative Reporter, "Crime Stories"    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fatal Festivities: A negligent neighbor is facing manslaughter charges after accidentally gunning down a granny while testing out a new Glock he got for Christmas.  A man stabs his ex-GF dead in her apartment, files a bogus missing report -then, bolts to India...before cops close in. Plus, an arrest that wasn't par for the course! Jennifer Gould reports.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Reiner appears in court to enter a plea to the killings of his parents. While Reiner already had an opportunity to do so in December, defense attorney Alan Jackson asked to delay the arraignment for a true chance to speak with his client, whom he had only had about half an hour before his initial appearance. Just ahead of his arraignment, Nick Reiner is moved off of suicide watch at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility. Reiner no longer has to wear a padded smock and is now allowed a yellow shirt with his blue uniform pants. Reiner isn’t completely off the hook, still held alone in High Observation Housing until a judge orders he can move elsewhere. Even if Reiner is released from HOH, he will still be closely monitored and have a cell to himself. Experts say Nick Reiner trading a suicide smock for a standard uniform is a tactical victory for the District Attorney, preventing Reiner’s attorneys from arguing he’s too catatonic to participate in his own defense. The court will soon determine if this perceived stability is a result of medication or a genuine return to legal competence. Prosecutors will pounce on Reiner’s statements about cycles of homelessness and rehabilitation, painting him as someone who has long operated outside conventional stability, then use Being Charlie against him—the film demonstrating Reiner’s high level of self-awareness and creative agency. The outcome of the Reiner trial may set a new standard in California law: how mental disability is weighed against special allegations. Joining Nancy Grace: Heather Michaels - Reiner Family Friend and Neighbor, Investigative Reporter, Producer and Social Justice Advocate; Instagram: HeatherMichaelsTV, Facebook: HeatherSMichaels Chris Melcher - Celebrity Lawyer and Partner at Walzer Melcher & Yoda with Deep Experience in Complex Family Law Litigation Dr. Bethany Marshall -  Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker," and featured in hit show "Paris in Love" on Peacock; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive Rob Shuter - Host: Naughty But Nice Podcast, Author of Newly-released Novel, “It Started With A Whisper;" and Former Publicist of Sean Combs; IG: @naughtygossip  Dr. Thomas Coyne - Chief Medical Examiner, District 2 Medical Examiner's Office, State of Florida; Forensic Pathologist, Neuropathologist, Toxicologist; X: @DrTMCoyne Alexis Tereszcuk - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories' Sydney Sumner - Investigative Reporter, ‘Crime Stories’  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prominent California Farmer Pleads Not Guilty To Fatally Shooting Estranged Wife | Crime Alert 6AM 01.07.2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private investigator Steve Fischer tells Nancy Grace that a chainsaw was found in the home rented by D4vd, and the chainsaw was still unwrapped. PI Steve Fischer claims he also found a "burn cage" inside the home rented for Burke by his manager. Employed by the property owner to determine what took place in his house, Fischer uncovered items still in their original packaging that were unused. The incinerator is illegal in Los Angeles, delivered to the residence under a fake name, and claims to reach a temperature of 1,600 degrees. The LA police department Chief Jim McDonnell is remaining silent about the Burke investigation, saying public statements could "potentially jeopardize the case." The LAPD obtained a court order to keep the medical examiner's full autopsy findings sealed to maintain the integrity of the investigation. David Michael Burke will likely be indicted in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Joining Nancy Grace today: Danny Rubin (Los Angeles) - Criminal Defense Lawyer and Founder of Rubin Law, PC  Caryn Stark - Forensic Psychologist, Renowned TV and Radio Trauma Expert and Consultant; Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Steve Fischer - Missing Persons Private Investigator, Search & Rescue Specialist, & Owner of Search Investigations (he has been hired by the owner of the Hollywood Hills property where D4vd had been staying to look into this case); Facebook: SearchInvestigations, X: @SF_Investigates Brian Fitzgibbons - Director of Operations for USPA Nationwide Security, Leads a team of Investigators Specializing in Locating Missing Persons; Instagram: @uspa_nationwide_security;  Former Marine and Iraq War Veteran   Joseph Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author of "Blood Beneath My Feet," Host of "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;" Instagram @JoScottForensic Melissa McCarty - Investigative Journalist, Author of “The Confident Voice: Speak with Calm, Clarity and Connection" and "The Making of a Crime Reporter;" Instagram: MelissaMcCarty1 Dave Mack - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.