POLICE: PARENTS DINE OUT, LEAVE 5 CHILDREN TO STARVE

An arrest was made in the arson fire that burned down the Palisades earlier this year, killing 12 people, destroying more than 6,800 structures, both homes and businesses, and damaging over 1,000 more buildings. After dropping off an Uber passenger in Pacific Palisades, 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknech parked his car and tried but failed to contact a former friend. He gets out of the car, walks up a nearby trail, takes iPhone videos, and listens to a rap song. Its music video includes objects being lit on fire. Then, twelve minutes into the new year, a fire is started. With weak cell service, Rinderknecht walks back down the trail, continually calling 911 until he finally connects, only to find out other residents already reported the fire. As Rinderknecht drives away, he passes firefighters and turns back to watch them on the scene. He records while firefighters quickly extinguish the blaze, or so they thought. The dense underbrush makes it difficult to see, and the roots underground continue to smolder. A week after the 911 calls reporting the Lachman fire, the Santa Ana Winds create an explosion of deadly fire, spreading the remains of the Lachman fire across LA, freshly named the Palisades fire. Investigators question Rinderknecht as he repeatedly called 911 about the January 1st fire. During those calls, Rinderknecht asked ChatGPT, "Are you at fault if a fire is lit because of your cigarettes?" Rinderknecht gives conflicting statements about whether he smoked near the trail that night and where he was when he called. Rinderknecht claims he was at the bottom of the trail, but location data shows while speaking with 911, he’s just 30 feet from the fire’s origin. Ultimately, Rinderknecht is charged. Joining Nancy Grace today: Stephanie Lydecker - Executive Producer & Host of True Crime Tonight; Founder & CEO of KT-Studios.com Alexandra Pfeifer - Victim Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker," and featured in hit show "Paris in Love" on Peacock; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive Dina Doll - Attorney, Trial Consultant, Mediator & Legal Analyst, Doll Amir Eley, LLP Moses Castillo - Private Investigator for the Dordulian Law Group, Former Supervisor Detective from The Los Angeles Police Department Nicholle Brock - Firefighter, EMT, and Arson Expert Dr. Kendall Crowns - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University) Shannon Butler - Investigative Reporter at WFTV Channel 9, Florida Sydney Sumner - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Loka 44min

A suspect is exposed by a victim's cell phone; she reordered her own death and the man behind it. Officials found the footage after arriving to a double homicide. A biotech boss's deadly deception will land him behind bars. He ordered a hitman when a rival said he'd squeal over his bogus multi-million-dollar deal. Plus, a scary, but delicious lawsuit is settled! Jennifer Gould reports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Loka 6min

Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, came to the United States with her family to escape her war-torn country for a better life. Iryna took English classes, had a job and was making a productive life for herself, but all her aspirations were cut short by an unprovoked violent attack from a man with a criminal history. Video shows Iryna getting on the train in Charlotte North Carolina, taking a seat and looking at her phone quietly. Video shows a passenger sitting directly behind Iryna, who we later came to know as Carlos Brown Jr. A close-up of Brown's hands can be seen opening and unfolding the knife in order to prepare to stand up to stab Iryna. Although Iryna's hat covers a lot of her face, the shock in her eyes, along with the terror she silently expressed during her final moments of life, bleeding out, surrounded by panic is heartbreaking to watch. Video also shows Brown, in an orange hoodie, walking the aisles of the train with blood dripping on the floor. One passenger notices blood drops and avoids stepping in it, while another witness on the phone with 911 tells them a man just stabbed a woman for no reason and she needs help. Moments after allegedly stabbing Iryna, Brown is captured on video non-chalantly walking the platform of the train station. On the train, Brown was wearing a hoodie, now he is wearing a black t-shirt, with the now bloody hoody, wrapped around his hands. In reaction to the shocking and violent death of Iryna Zarutska, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein just signed "Iryna's Law" into effect increasing checks on criminals getting out on bail and prohibits cashless bail for some violent crimes and most repeat offender. A Grand jury indicted Brown for murder of Iryna formally charging him with first-degree murder. Brown is being held without bond in the County jail, but an order was filed for him to be committed to Central Regional Hospital. Allegedly he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and also has a lengthy rap sheet of criminal behavior. Joining Nancy Grace today, Randy Kessler - Atlanta Trial Lawyer, Emory Law School Professor, Past Chair ABA Family Law Section, Author: "Divorce, Protect Yourself, Your Kids and Your Future", www.KSFamilyLaw.com, Instagram: @rkessler23, Twitter: @GADivorce Caryn Stark - Forensic Psychologist, renowned TV and Radio trauma expert and consultant, www.carynstark.com, Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Andy Kahan - Director of Victim Services and Advocacy at Crime Stoppers of Houston, crime-stoppers.org Ron Bateman - Former homicide detective, former undercover narcotics agent, former sheriff. Author crime fiction series, “Silent Blue Tears”, and now soon to be released his newest book with Billy Joe Nichols, “opposing sides, memoirs of a drug dealer and a detective”, Website: Ronbatemanbooks.com , TikTok: @Ron.Bateman.655 Dr. Thomas Coyne - Chief Medical Examiner, District 2 Medical Examiner's Office, State of Florida; Forensic Pathologist, Toxicologist, Neuropathologist; X: @DrTMCoyne Susan Hendricks - Journalist, Author: “Down the Hill: My Descent into the Double Murder in Delphi", IG @susan_hendricks X @SusanHendicks Dave Mack - Crime Stories, Investigative Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Loka 56min

A silver lining for a paraplegic man in Oklahoma City, regaining his mobility after strangers step in to replace the medical gear stolen from him during two home break-ins. The chief meteorologist for New Orleans TV station WDSU is on leave after police say he attacked his girlfriend while her two children slept nearby. An Indiana woman is charged with animal cruelty after police say they found her dead dog stuffed in a plastic tote soaked with chemicals. Drew Nelson reports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Loka 5min

Former Wall Street money manager Howard Rubin is busted by the feds at his Fairfield, Connecticut, home for a decade-long Manhattan sex-trafficking scheme. With the help of his assistant, Jennifer Powers, “Howie” Rubin is accused of luring women into BDSM sex sessions in exchange for cash, then exceeding their consent and torturing and raping his victims. Rubin is accused of luring victims to BDSM sex sessions, first in luxury Manhattan hotels and later in his $18,000-per-month penthouse apartment, equipped with a soundproof “sex dungeon.” Women were bound on a bed or a cross, beaten, and electrocuted. The pleas of those who weren’t gagged went ignored, and the torture often continued even when a woman fell unconscious. Rubin allegedly paid the women several thousand dollars afterward, including for injuries that required medical attention, like a flipped breast implant. 10 Jane Does are listed as victims in the indictment, but prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York say there are dozens more and are asking the public for tips. Rubin is charged with 2 counts of sex trafficking, 6 counts of transporting women to engage in prostitution, and bank fraud. Howard Rubin’s name becomes a Wall Street commodity in the 1980s while trading bonds at Salomon Brothers. Rubin is profiled in Michael Lewis’ 1989 book Liar’s Poker for his contributions to the development of a collateralized mortgage obligation market. Rubin goes on to hold senior positions at Merrill Lynch, Bear Stearns, and Soros Fund Management. Rubin's successful life doesn't stop him from getting married to fellow financier, Mary Henry. After three children and 36 years of marriage, Henry divorces her husband when he is accused of sexual violence in a civil suit. Rubin tasked Jennifer Powers, his “personal assistant,” with recruiting victims. Powers is arrested at her home in a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb, accused of running the “day-to-day” operations of Rubin’s sex-trafficking scheme and being paid handsomely. Powers arranged the victims’ travel and coerced them into signing NDAs. This evil empire these two created by victimizing so many is crumbling, and more victims are expected to speak out. Joining Nancy Grace today: Danny Rubin - Criminal Defense Lawyer and Founder of Rubin Law, PC. website: rubinlawpc.com Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker," and featured in hit show "Paris in Love" on Peacock; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive Dan Murphy - Former NYPD Detective-Sergeant, Joint Terrorism Task Force, Former Chief Security Officer, US Bancorp, andCo-Host of "Gold Shields" Podcast; Author: “Workplace Safety: Establishing an Effective Violence Prevention Program” Lynn Shaw - Founder and Executive Director of Lynn's Warriors - An Organization Committed to Ending Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation,  Host of Lynn's Warriors on YouTube;  X: @lynns_warriors, YouTube: @LynnsWarriors Megan Palin - Senior Journalist, The New York Post; X: @megan_palin Sydney Sumner - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Loka 53min

After nearly six decades, authorities in central Minnesota have confirmed the identity of human remains found in the Mississippi River as Roy George Benn, who went missing in 1967. Benn, then 59, was last seen at a café in Sartell early one September morning. He was reportedly carrying a large amount of cash, and his disappearance sparked a long-running investigation with no resolution—until now. On August 10, a fisherman using sonar near Sartell detected what appeared to be a submerged vehicle. Dive teams recovered a heavily deteriorated 1963 Buick Electra, registered to Benn, with human remains and personal items inside. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has confirmed the remains are Benn's. The investigation into how Benn and his vehicle ended up in the river continues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Loka 5min

Best friends Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas ride their bikes in front of Maria’s home. The speed limit is just 25, so the girls feel comfortable riding in the street, but with no warning, a black Jeep Compass barrels down Burnside Avenue at nearly three times the speed limit. The driver never braked, running Maria and Isabella down, and then sped off without stopping to check on the two girls. The hit-and-run driver doesn’t get far. Police find the suspect vehicle, a black 2021 Jeep.Compass, broken down from damage sustained in the crash just blocks away on Lincoln Avenue, with a bike still lodged in the front bumper. The 17-year-old boy behind the wheel is briefly detained and ultimately released to his family with 15 traffic tickets while police continue to investigate the crash. Meanwhile, at the crash site, witnesses call 911 and rush to the girls’ aid; one is declared dead on the scene, while the other passes away minutes later at a hospital. The day after teens Maria and Isabella are killed in a hit-and-run, officers arrest the 17-year-old driver, now charged as a minor with 2 counts of first-degree murder. Union County prosecutors keep the driver’s identity private; however, traffic summons records reveal his name: Vincent P. Battiloro. Battiloro is familiar with law enforcement, his father being an officer with Chatham PD, and his uncle, Chief of Westfield PD. The teen was also under investigation for harassing and stalking his classmate and ex-girlfriend Maria Niotis. Joining Nancy Grace today: Lisa Herrick - Board-certified Juvenile Attorney, Partner at Varghese Summersett, and Former Juvenile Prosecutor; Instagram & Twitter: versustexas, TikTok: lisa_herrick_attorney, Facebook and Youtube: Varghese Summersett 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 John Pizzuro - Former New Jersey State Police Investigator for 25 years (worked in multiple departments, including Homicide, Organized Crime, Cartels), Former Commander of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force for the New Jersey State Police, and Currently the CEO of RAVEN, an organization focused on eliminating Child Exploitation and Trafficking Dr. Priya Banerjee - Board-certified Forensic Pathologist and Anatomic Pathologist, Anchor Forensic Pathology Consulting Melissa McCarty - Reporter & Host of the “Killer Genes” Podcast, Author of “The Making of a Crime Reporter;" TikTok: McCarty143, Instagram: MelissaMcCarty1 Dave Mack - Crime Stories Investigative Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Loka 44min

A tragic mass shooting in downtown Montgomery resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including a teenager, and left a dozen others injured. High school runner finds clothed skeleton near school.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Loka 6min