Crime Alert 03.17.23

A young Instagram model, Esmeralda Gonzalez, disappears in Las Vegas. In this episode of Body Bags, hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack examine this chilling case reminiscent of old school "Mob justice,"  but this is a cover-up involving a U-Haul, 300 pounds of Quickcrete, lime, and a large water tank.  All-in-all the set up reveals the peculiarities of a crime scene that mirrors a Hollywood thriller.  Hear the harsh reality of forensics as it unravels the effects of the desert environment on human remains, the recovery of the victim's jewelry, and the painstaking process of identification.  Subscribe to Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan : Apple Podcasts Spotify iHeart Time-codes:  00:00 - Introduction. 01:20 - Case of Esmeralda Gonzalez: introduction and discussion. 03:05 - Esmeralda's life, circumstances, and disappearance. 04:00 - Vulnerabilities and dangers in Las Vegas. 05:45 - Predatory tactics towards individuals with mental illnesses. 07:15 - Introduction of felon Christopher Prestapino and his criminal background. 09:25 - The ordeal Esmeralda faced in Prestapino's house. 10:25 - Discussion on the effects of acute mental illness and methamphetamine. 12:10 - Conditions under which Esmeralda was kept and her experiences. 14:15 - Analysis of Prestapino's fear, paranoia, and further criminal acts. 15:30 - Prestapino's dilemma after Esmeralda's death. 17:30 - Effects and application of pool cleaner injection. 20:40 - Timeline of Esmeralda's disappearance and discovery of her body. 21:35 - Prestapino's attempt to dispose of the body and suspicious activities. 24:15 - Analysis of Prestapino's thought process and planning of the crime. 26:30 - Gruesome details of how Esmeralda's remains were encased. 27:45 - Actions leading to Prestapino's downfall. 29:10 - Challenges faced by forensic scientists during the case. 30:15 - Discovery of Esmeralda's jewelry and its implications. 31:45 - Discussion of the brutal nature of the crime and attempts to hide it. 32:35 - Decomposition and identification challenges in the harsh desert environment. 33:20 - Resolution of the case and the pursuit of justice. 33:30 - Outro.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Utah mom Kouri Richins stands accused of poisoning her husband.After he died the mom self-published  a book about helping her children through grief.  Shockingly, a report suggests that Richins hosted a lavish party at her new $2 million home the day after her husband died. Legal commentator Nancy Grace and psychoanalyst Dr. Bethany Marshall provide insightful reactions.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Casey White, the Alabama inmate freed by corrections officer Vicky White, reached a plea deal in connection with his escape.  White pleaded guilty to first-degree escape in exchange for no prosecution for felony murder, meaning he will not be tried for his lover’s death. Jailer Vicky White commits suicide as cops close in on her and fellow fugitive Casey White.   Authorities tracked down the Alabama outlaws to a motel in Evansville, Indiana. The pair attempted to flee when they realized police had found them, which led to a chase. A released  911 call appears to contain the last words of Vicky White. As sirens screech in the background,  a woman’s voice says, "Airbags are going off! Let’s get out and run! We never should have left the hotel."  Dashcam video also reveals that when the vehicle rolled over, police could see that Vicky was holding a gun to her head. “She still has the gun in her hands,” one officer says in the video, “Finger’s on the trigger.”  Vicky White was hospitalized and died hours later. Casey White was extradited back to Alabama, where he has been charged with MURDER. He is already facing capital murder charges in connection with the death of Connie Ridgeway in 2015. Sentencing for his escape is June 8.  White is expected to receive a life sentence. Joining Nancy Grace Today: Sheriff Rick Singleton - Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office; Facebook: "Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office"   James Shelnutt - 27-year Atlanta Metro Area Major Case Detective and Former S.W.A.T. officer' Attorney: The Shelnutt Law Firm, P.C.; Twitter: @ShelnuttLawFirm  Caryn Stark - NYC Psychologist; Twitter: @carynpsych, Facebook: "Caryn Stark"   Brittany Harry - Reporter/Anchor, WAAY 31 (Huntsville, AL); Twitter: @BrittanyHarryTV, Facebook: "Brittany Harry News"   Xavier Wherry - Multimedia Journalist, WAAY-TV; Instagram: @XWherry, Twitter: @XavierWAAYTV  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Utah mom who allegedly killed her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl mixed into a Moscow Mule throws a party less than 24 hours after Eric Richins is found dead in their home. Kouri Richins hosts the celebration at a $2 million home the couple planned to flip, after a busy day of closing on the home and deleting all of her text messages inviting friends to the party. The acquaintance who sold Richins the fentanyl she used to poison her husband is on the guest list. Joining Nancy Grace Today: Jarrett Ferentino- Homicide Prosecutor, Facebook & Instagram: Jarrett Ferentino  Caryn Stark - Psychologist- Trauma and Crime Expert; Twitter: @carnpsych Justin Boardman- Former Detective, West Valley City Police Department Special Victim’s Unit; Boardman Training & Consulting  Joe Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan", Twitter: @JosephScottMorg  Dave Mack- CrimeOnline Investigative Reporter  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homicide detective arrested for sex assaulting victims' family members. Infectious disease center has a pest! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten women have come forward accusing a Denver cardiologist of rape. Stephen Matthews, 35, was first charged with drugging and raping a woman he met on the dating app "Hinge." Matthews was later charged again as the nine additional victims revealed similar stories. Matthews is facing 16 felony counts. Three of the cases allege that Matthews drugged and subsequently raped the “helpless” victim. The remaining seven cases allege that Matthews drugged the victims.     Matthews’s attorney, Douglas Cohen, said his client is innocent. Joining Nancy Grace Today: Wendy Patrick - California prosecutor and Author: "Why Bad Looks Good" and "Red Flags;" Also: "Today with Dr. Wendy" on KCBQ in San Diego; Twitter: @WendyPatrickPHD Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst (Beverly Hills, CA); Twitter: @DrBethanyLive   Rachel Countryman - Forensic Nurse Expert for Godoy Medical Forensics, and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE); Twitter: @GodoyForensics  Lee Neubecker, CISSP- Digital Forensics Expert, and President & CEO of Enigma Forensics, Inc.; Infosec Security Bblogger at LeeNeubecker.com  Christopher Gavin- Breaking News Reporter for The Messenger; Twitter: @chris_m_gavin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tiny 10-year-old begs neighbors for food. Man takes a joy ride in a stolen fire engine.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh is set to appear before a judge again. The convicted killer has been indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of bank fraud, a total of five counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and 14 counts of money laundering. The indictment alleges that while an attorney, Murdaugh came up with three schemes to take money and property from his clients. If convicted on the federal charges, 480 more years could be added to his current sentence. Fines could exceed $13 million.    That's not all of Alex Murdaugh's legal woes. He will soon be deposed in a high-profile wrongful death suit against him. The family of Mallory Beach filed suit in connection with the March 2019 death of Beach in a boating crash. Paul Murdaugh was at the helm. Joining Nancy Grace Today: Eric Bland -Attorney for Sandy Smith & Gloria Satterfield’s sons- Founder/Partner- Bland Richer, LLP Attorneys at Law; Twitter: @TheEricBland; Co-host of ‘Cup of Justice’ podcast. Caryn Stark- Psychologist- Trauma and Crime Expert; Twitter: @carnpsych Chris McDonough -Director At the Cold Case Foundation, Former Homicide Detective, and Host of the YouTube channel, ‘The Interview Room’ Phil Odom -Boating Accident Reconstructionist, Owner of H2O Investigations, and Former Law Enforcement; Facebook: H20 Investigations  Dr. Michelle DuPre - Former Forensic Pathologist, Medical Examiner and Detective: Lexington County Sheriff's Department; Author: "Homicide Investigation Field Guide" & "Investigating Child Abuse Field Guide;" Forensic Consultant Jennifer Wood -Director of Research at FITSNews.com: Twitter: @IndyJenn_ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two men use pipe bombs to blow up cars. Man tries to blame DUI on his dog.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nancy Grace talks with Dr. Bethany Marshall for an explanation of Bryan Kohberger's graduation from 'Peeping Tom' to full-blown accused mass killer. When did Bryan Kohberger first begin exhibiting signs of sexual predation? What power move was Kohberger making when he used his co-worker's fear, a product of his own making,  for his own gratification? Was his fantasy world rocked when he learned Kaylee Goncalves was moving away? Join us to hear Dr. Marshall's thoughts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.