Mother Says Missing Woman’s BF ‘Extremely Abusive’ | Crime Alert 6AM 11.21.25

Shanann Rzucek never expects to fall in love with a man who sent her a random friend request, but two years later, she marries Chris Watts and moves from North Carolina to Colorado with her new husband. Just after celebrating their first anniversary, the couple welcomes baby Bella into the world, and she becomes a big sister to Celeste at two years old. Despite financial struggles, the family is incredibly happy to learn they are expecting a little boy and break the news to Shanann’s parents on a summer vacation to North Carolina. While Shanann Watts is in North Carolina with Bella and Celeste, Chris Watts makes his move on co-worker Nichol Kessinger. The pair has their first date just a week after Shanann left. Watts tells Kessinger he’s in the process of divorcing Shanann, and the relationship quickly becomes serious. Kessinger is even looking at wedding dresses! Cheryln Cadle, a grandmother of eleven who has only previously written short newspaper stories about true crime, feels an intense calling to reach out to Chris Watts—serving five consecutive life sentences for the murder of his pregnant wife and two little girls—and write a book about his story. Cadle is surprised to receive a letter back, knowing Watts receives hundreds of letters. When Cadle meets with Watts behind bars, he says he will not speak to her about the murders—but he will write letters about what really happened on August 13th. Watts writes to Cadle that he “never would have killed his family” if he hadn’t met Nikki, his Anadarko co-worker, Nichol Kessinger. Cadle says Watts was ‘mesmerized’ by Kessinger and felt she gave him a respect Shanann never did. Watts writes as his relationship with Kessinger grew, he actually contemplated killing his family for weeks. Even before his homicidal daydreams, Watts tries to end Shanann’s pregnancy by giving her oxycodone, because Nikki tells him she wanted to give him his first son. Watts addresses some of his letters to Shanann and the girls directly, discussing how badly it hurts that they’re gone. Watts often refers to them in the present tense, and Cadle observes Watts acts more like they died in an accident than that he murdered them. Cadle also notices Watts never once apologizes to them for what happened. Confronted with that omission, Watts tells Cadle he didn’t realize he never expressed his remorse and says he is sorry. Cadle says the few times Watts discusses the murders with her in person, his eyes turn almost black. Joining Nancy Grace today: Cheryln Cadle - CC Publishing, Author of “The Murders of Christopher Watts” and “The Many Faces of Christopher Watts: A 5-year Update”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The late Sheriff Buford Pusser, long celebrated as a fearless lawman and the inspiration for the film Walking Tall, is now believed to have murdered his wife nearly sixty years ago. In Illinois, a jury has convicted former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson of second-degree murder in the death of Sonya Massey, a Springfield woman who called 911 to report a possible prowler. In Nebraska, a man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a parish priest in a small town north of Omaha. In northeast Ohio, a Cleveland woman has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the fatal stabbing of a three-year-old boy outside a grocery store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 31 years after O.J. Simpson was found liable for the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, in a wrongful death civil trial, Simpson’s estate finally agrees to pay damages awarded to Goldman’s family in 1997. While the jury granted the families $33.5 million, Simpson’s estate has agreed to pay Ron's father, Fred Goldman, $58 million plus interest. It’s unclear what spurred the change of heart; executor Malcolm Lavergne previously swore to never pay Goldman a dollar. Although the estate accepts the $58 million claim, the executor says he expects to collect only $500,000 to $1 million total in assets. The estate plans to auction off Simpson's possessions to raise money. Though Lavergne agrees to the $58 million payout, it’s unclear whether the estate can afford the full amount. Executor Malcolm Lavergne says the estate plans to pay out as much of the sum as possible as items continue to be auctioned off. However, Lavergne claims several items were stolen, and of those that have been located, legal battles to recover them are still ongoing. One year after Simpson is acquitted in criminal court, a civil trial begins. The families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman sue Simpson for their wrongful deaths. The civil trial lasts five months, the 12-person jury finding OJ Simpson responsible for the murders of Nicole and Ron. The jury awards $8.5 million in compensatory damages to Ron Goldman's parents, and determine Simpson should pay $25 million in punitive damages to both victims’ families. The Goldman family isn’t the only one Simpson owes money. Simpson’s estate owes federal taxes and state taxes as well. While Lavergne agrees to the Goldman settlement. He says his priority is paying off the IRS. Lavergne is doubling down on skirting the California taxes, saying the state will have to sue to recover the $637,000 claim they filed with the estate. Joining Nancy Grace Today: Chris Melcher - Celebrity Lawyer and Partner at Walzer Melcher & Yoda (with deep experience in complex family law litigation) Dr. Cheryl Arutt- Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist Specializing in Trauma Recovery, PTSD and EMDR; website: CreativeEMDR.com, IG: @askdrcheryl Jon Buehler - Former Detective for Modesto Police Department, California (31 years in Robbery and Homicide), Detective in Scott Peterson Investigation Shannon Henry  -  President & Founder of SASS Go (Surviving Assault Standing Strong: a nonprofit on a mission to eradicate abuse, trafficking and violence against women and girls globally) Case Consultant, and Adjunct Professor at the University of South Carolina in the Department of Education; @sassgoglobal on FB, Instagram, X, and TikTok Alexis Tereszcuk - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories' Dave Mack - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police now say the remains of Celeste Rivas Hernandez were partially frozen when they were found in the trunk of a Tesla belonging to D4VD.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heading into the ninth month of her pregnancy, Emma Baum finds out on October 4 that she is already dilated one centimeter. Six days later, knowing the baby will be here soon, Emma has her sister drive her to boyfriend and father-to-be Antwon Butler's house in Gary, Indiana, Thursday evening. Emma tells her sister she will see her tomorrow and goes inside. On Friday, Emma Baum does not reach out to her family members even though they are expecting her to come home. After waiting all weekend, Emma's mother, Jamie Baum, calls Butler and asks to speak to Emma. Antwon Butler tells Jamie that Emma isn't there...he saw her leave with a girl in a car. However, Butler changes his story several times, and the family believes he is being less than truthful. The family reports Emma Baum missing and tells the police Antwon Butler was the last person to see Emma. As it happens, Antwon Butler has an outstanding warrant for failure to appear, so he is picked up and taken to jail on charges not related to his missing girlfriend. Weeks of searching for Emma have led to no results, and the family of Emma Baum are at a loss for what to do next. Standing in front of Antwon Butler's house in Gary, the family asks local TV crews to get the word out, begging for the safe return of the mom of three and her newborn.  Joining Nancy Grace today: Jamie Baum - Mother Jason Waddell -  Father Abby Smith - Sister Paige Baum - Sister Gregory Morse – Partner at the law firm of King Morse, PLLC. Current CJA counsel (Southern District of Florida), Former West Palm Beach Public Defender’s Office. Author: “The Untested" Dr. Shari Schwartz – Forensic Psychologist (Specializing in Capital Mitigation and Victim Advocacy), and Author: “Criminal Behavior” and “Where Law and Psychology Intersect: Issues in Legal Psychology;” X: @TrialDoc Brian Fitzgibbons – VP of Operations for USPA Nationwide Security, Kingsman Philanthropic’s 2022 rescue missions of women and children in Ukraine; Instagram: @uspa_nationwide_security Lisette Guillen  - On-site host of 'Case Files Chicago;' Facebook: chicagolisette, IG: Lisette Guillen, LinkedIn: Lisette Guillen, TikTok: Bluangelwings See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Margaret Anselmo, 45, a floral designer, mother of two, left her apartment on the morning of January 3rd, 1997,  to cash a check. A delivery driver found her body, face down in a snowy alley later that day. She had been raped and beaten to death. Police believed she was the victim of an apparent random act of violence. Her cause of death was due to blunt force trauma to the head. Her killer, not identified. Until now. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack look at the life and brutal death of Margaret Anselmo as her very cold case from 1997 heats up, thaws out, and a suspect is identified. To find out how you can help Othram Labs continue the quest to solve the unsolvable, thaw out the coldest of cold cases, go to www.dnasolves.com Transcribe Highlights00:00.00 Introduction telling stories of the dead 03:01.22 January 3, 1997 Margaret Anselmo going to cash a check 08:26.31 Drag marks in the alley 14:08.92 Did Margaret have a regular route she took? 19:53.22 STR looking into the "known suspects" 24:20.14 Othram labs looks like a "starship" 29:14.34 Suicide is rarely mentioned in press 33:44.91 One piece of puzzle helps connect 34:11.62 Police say "if suspect was alive, he would be charged" 39:08.10 Donating to Othram 41:00.92 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  A man in New York now faces four years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing the unlicensed revolver he fired during a deadly confrontation with a mugger in Queens. Pras from the rap group the Fugees is going to prison for 14 years after a federal judge in Washington, D.C., sentences him for a sweeping foreign influence scheme that moved millions of dollars into U.S. politics. Her body was discovered hidden under a bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life vests. New Concerns for Brittany Spears as She's Seen Leaving Wine Bar With Drink in Hand. An American Idol power couple's killer has been deemed too unhinged for trial; justice is stalled in the Hollywood horror, for now.  A wrestler's ex-wife & her lover have been nabbed for his execution hours after the ink dried on the divorce papers. Plus, threes a crowd, but not in jail.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As accused killer Stephan Sterns adjusts to life in a jail cell, he complains to his brother via email about everything from the size of his cell to the noise, filth, and eating utensils. Sterns complains his bed mat is flat with very little cushion left, his cell is small and filthy, and he claims there are spots on the wall that appear to be bloody fingerprints. Now, he will be dealing with this situation for the rest of his life. Stephan Sterns, sentenced to multiple life sentences.  After Sterns' arrest, it is emails from Sterns' mother that contain shocking information, as she is encouraging him to tell the truth. Sterns' mother believes other people are involved in the murder of Maddie, and she tells her son to stop protecting these people. Knowing the emails are not private and protected, Stern's mother alludes to a woman being involved in the case, saying she is "disgusted that she is free and you are not when this is not all your fault."  Some of the emails between Stephan Sterns and his mother seem a bit heavy-handed, trying to make it seem as though Sterns is a "stand-up guy" who wouldn't be a "rat," possibly to try and help her son as he prepares to spend the rest of his life behind bars. Stern's mother says, "I keep thinking about how you would not ever rat out a friend," and later adds, "It really made me mad, and I felt like you valued them over us when you let them get away with stuff. Don't be doing that again."  Stern's mother says things like, "We all know [redacted] was heavily involved in this, and I am disgusted that she is free, and you are not when this is not all your fault!!" "You need to think about yourself more and her less. She sure isn't thinking of you and how she can help you right now. That whole family is willing to stay quiet and let you take the fall for everything."  JOINING NANCY GRACE TODAY:  Tim Jansen - Criminal Defense Lawyer and Former Federal Prosecutor, Legal Analyst for Tallahassee Democrat’s Newspaper  Dr. Jorey Krawczyn - Police Psychologist, Adjunct Faculty with Saint Leo University; Research Consultant with Blue Wall Institute, Author: "Operation S.O.S. - Practical Recommendations to Help (Stop Officer Suicide)” Robin Dreeke - Behavior Expert & Retired FBI Special Agent / Chief of the FBI Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program; Author: "Sizing People Up: A Veteran FBI Agents Manual for Behavior Prediction;" X: @rdreeke Agents Maual for Behavior Prediction", peopleformula.com, Twitter: @rdreeke   Dr. Eric Eason - Board-certified Forensic Pathologist, Consultant; Instagram: @eric_a_eason, Facebook: Eric August Eason, LinkedIn: Eric Eason, MD Shannon Butler - Investigative Reporter, WFTV-9  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the weeks before and after the release of the Federline book, Britney Spears is regularly posting on X and Instagram. Recent reports detail incidents of Britney Spears filmed driving erratically after leaving restaurants, sparking concern for the pop star. Paparazi follows Spears and a friend at a local restaurant, documenting on video Spears seemingly unsteady on her feet and toasting the entire restaurant. The video of her dangerous driving - crossing the double yellow line, failing to maintain her lane and worse goes viral and friends and family in public and private share deep concerns about Spears, scared she is heading down the same path that put her in a conservatorship. And, allegedly, Spears does it again, drinking and driving.  After scaring friends and fans with her disappearance from social media, Britney Spears has gone on a somewhat positive social media rampage, hitting up Instagram and posting a video showing her hanging out with Kim and Khloé Kardashian and her manager, Cade Hudson Captioning the video clip Britney says "Such a warm, beautiful, kind family... Thank you for allowing me to play with your kids and dinner!!! It was an honor to spend time with you guys! Happy Holidays," Heading into the holiday season, friends say Britney has a clear priority in her life, rebuilding her relationship with her sons. Federline has been attacking Spears saying their boys don't have a relationship with their mother, but Britney is doing all she can to reconnect with Sean Preston and Jayden James. She recently resumed communication with both of her sons and hopes to have meaningful time together over the holidays. Candace Owens says Lou Taylor built a house in Thousand Oaks where Britney stayed for a long time. Owens says big companies try to control famous people by saying they are having mental health issues and putting them on a "5150 hold." Owens says this is what happened to Kanye West. During her rant, Owens claims Taylor's church is linked to the CIA and the "hippie movement" was a plan top break Christian faith. Joining Nancy Grace today: Ray Guidice - Atlanta Defense Attorney, Host of "Your Day in Court" Podcast Ashley Crispin - Guardianship, Estate and Trust Trial Attorney at McDonald Hopkins 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; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive Kathy Griffin - Houston-based Private Investigator and Owner of Kgriff Investigations Inc. (the largest female-owned investigative agency in the state of Texas) Dr. Priya Banerjee - Board-certified Forensic Pathologist and Anatomic Pathologist, Anchor Forensic Pathology Consulting Sam Crouppen - Journalist, Hosts a Daily Show, “Samson’s World,” on YouTube at SecretServiceSam Dave Mack - Investigative Reporter, ‘Crime Stories’ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mother of Danielle Staley, who vanished in California earlier this month, says her boyfriend of 13 years has been abusive. Two cases of parricide both result in quick arrests, one outside the U.S.! Sydney Sumner reports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.