MELODEE, 9, MISSING, MOMMY: 'NO COMMENT,' WALKS FREE WITH ANKLE MONITOR

A Columbia, Missouri, father receives a call from his teenage daughter’s high school, reporting she is absent after missing all her classes. He calls his 15-year-old several times. After receiving no answer, he rushes home from work to check on her. He hopes she simply overslept or missed the bus. But she isn’t there, and some of her belongings, including her phone, are also missing. The teen is immediately reported missing. Police believe she intentionally prepared to leave home. After searches turn up nothing and her phone remains unused since the day she vanished, investigators begin interviewing her friends. Fellow students say she may have been talking to someone online. More than four months later, police find the girl cowering naked in a closet in a Fort Collins, Colorado, home, where she had been forced to work in a snow shoveling business. Joining Nancy Grace today: Greg Morse - Criminal Defense Attorney of Morse Legal, Author of “The Untested” [found on Amazon] Caryn Stark - Forensic Psychologist, Renowned TV and Radio Trauma Expert and Consultant; Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Todd Shipley - Digital Cyber-Crime expert, Former Detective Sergeant with the Reno, Nevada Police Dept. [25 year in law enforcement], Author of: "Surviving a Cyberattack: Securing Social Media and Protecting Your Home," and “Investigating Internet Crimes: An Introduction to solving Crimes in Cyberspace;" X Twitter: @webcase Titania Jordan - Chief Parent Officer of Bark Parental Controls, and Author: "Parenting In A Tech World;"Instagram/X: @TitaniaJordan Gigi McKelvey - Journalist, Host of Podcast “Pretty Lies and Alibis;"Facebook, IG, TikTok: @PrettyLiesAndAlibis, X: @PrettiesLiesAlibi See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Touko 43min

EMT dies after patient stabs him in the back of an ambulance, just days after she attacked a police officer. It's unclear why this bank robber needed money! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Touko 6min

Sean “Diddy” Combs lost his bid to delay trial, and jury selection begins today as celebrities he once partied with gather for the Met Gala. Combs appeared in court wearing glasses and a pullover after Judge Arun Subramanian allowed him to avoid prison attire during the proceedings. The judge also approved a written jury questionnaire but limited it to 30 questions. The defense seeks insight into potential jurors’ views on topics including multiple sex partners, cheating, intimate partner violence, drug use, rap, and illegal firearm ownership. Prosecutors may call Jennifer Lopez to testify as they attempt to introduce evidence related to the 1999 Club NY shooting. Lopez and Combs fled the club after gunfire wounded three people. Combs’ defense team denies all rape allegations and argues that he lives a consensual swinger lifestyle. Attorney Marc Agnifilo told the court that Combs’ behavior is legal and misunderstood. Prosecutors intend to show that Combs used his businesses to host “Freak Offs” involving male prostitutes and women allegedly coerced into sex acts. At Combs’ last pretrial hearing, prosecutors said he rejected a plea deal. Federal prosecutor Madison Smyser confirmed the offer but declined to disclose the terms. Opening statements are scheduled for May 12. Joining Nancy Grace today: 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 Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker," and featured in hit show "Paris in Love" on Peacock; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive Robert Crispin - Private Investigator “Crispin Special Investigations," Former Federal Task Force Officer for the United States Department of Justice [DEA and Miami Field Division], Former Homicide and Crimes Against Children Investigator; Facebook: Crispin Special Investigations Inc. 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 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 Sydney Sumner - CrimeOnline Investigative Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 Touko 41min

Elementary school mom brings jello shots to the class party! Someone missing an alpaca? For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 Touko 5min

Shari Franke's book, The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom, details her discovery of the relationship between her mother, Ruby Franke, and business partner Jodi Hildebrandt. In her memoir, Shari says that after her mother’s arrest, she found messages on her laptop confirming the true nature of their relationship. The abuse the children endured came to light when a 12-year-old boy climbed out of a window and ran to neighbors, begging for food and water. The boy is the son of Ruby Franke, a popular blogger known for the YouTube channel 8 Passengers. The home belonged to Franke’s business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. Neighbors called police. Officers said the boy appeared emaciated and malnourished. They also noted he had “deep lacerations from being tied up with rope” and duct tape around his wrists and ankles. After searching Hildebrandt’s home, police found Franke’s 10-year-old daughter in a similar condition. Both children were taken to a hospital. Franke’s parenting channel, 8 Passengers, which once had over 2 million followers, offered parenting advice. In one video, she admitted to withholding food as a form of punishment. Both women were convicted of aggravated child abuse. Joining Nancy Grace Today: Donna Kelly – Former Utah Senior Deputy District Attorney and Attorney for Crime Victims Legal Clinic; Helped form the Utah County Sex Crimes Task Force Dr. Dana Anderson – Forensic Psychologist and consultant, court appointed expert witness, Twitter: @psychologydrcom, TikTok: @psychologydr Jason Jensen – Private Investigator (Jensen Private Investigations), Cold Case Expert (Salt Lake City, UT), and Co-founder: “Cold Case Coalition;” Investigations; Twitter: @JasonJPI, Facebook/Instagram: “Jensen Investigations” Dr. Free N. Hess – Pediatrician/Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Child Safety Expert & Consultant, Founder of www.PediMom.com Emily Ashcraft- Reporter for KSL.com in Utah; Twitter: @emilyjaneen3 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 Touko 42min

Andrea Eilber is 20-years-old and dating a guy, KC Grondin, she met while work working at the local grocery store. Andrea and KC are in a very special place in their relationship, described by friends as very "lovey-dovey" with one another. When Andrea is asked to house-sit for her Aunt and Uncle she invites her boyfriend to come over for a movie night. When KC arrives at the house, Andrea's car is not in the driveway and nobody answers the door. KC goes home and gets a text from Andrea cancelling their plans and telling him they will talk tomorrow. KC goes home crestfallen thinking Andrea is breaking up with him. The next day when nobody can get Andrea by phone or text, her father organizes a search party. Andrea Eilber's car is found abandoned on a nearby road. When the house is searched, Andrea is found in the basement, tied to a chair, shot in the back of the head. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack discuss how police found their suspect, arrested, tried, convicted, and sent him to prison, while the real killer was walking around free. Scientists at Othram helped catch the real killer, another success for Othram and DNASolves.com Transcribe Highlights 00:29.41 Introduction 00:40.49 Working in grocery store 04:39.77 Andrea Eilber and KC Grondin are infatuated with one another 09:06.09 Andrea is housesitting for relatives, but she is missing 15:10.13 Andrea Eilber is found tied to chair, shot in back of head 20:18.20 Police question everyone about boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, boyfriend identified as suspect, arrested, convicted 25:06.43 Why police give suspects water to drink 30:56.96 KC Grondin, released but under house arrest 35:21.31 Othram case - DNA Solves 40:05.10 Police follow new suspect and find sample to get DNA - Chadwick Mobley pleads no-contest 45:06.35 Prosecutors may charge KC Grondin again 48:46.43 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 Touko 47min

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 three of our top stories this week: An octogenarian arrested facing a felony. Underground tunnels reveal horrendous family child abuse. Father killed after confronting daughter's abuser. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 Touko 9min

After two people were shot on the set of Rust, many predicted that the Alec Baldwin produced movie would simply remain unfinished. Director of photography Halyna Hutchins died, and director Joel Souza was wounded. Reports say first assistant director David Halls picked up one of three prop guns set up by armorer Hannah Gutierrez and yelled, “cold gun.” "Cold gun" is industry slang meaning the gun does not contain live rounds. Halls gave the gun to Baldwin, who used it to rehearse a scene. According to the search warrant, Baldwin aimed the weapon at the camera when he fired, striking Hutchins and Souza. Reports suggest crew members used the weapon for target practice earlier that morning. A judge dismissed charges against Baldwin. The actor sued and launched a reality show. Now he's back on 100 big screens across the country. Joining Nancy Grace today: Paul Szych – Former Police Commander; Author: “Stop Him From Killing Them” on Amazon Kindle; Twitter: @WorkplaceThreat; Screen Actors Guild-Eligible Actor Domenic Romano – NY Corporate Lawyer and Entertainment Attorney, Romano Law Dr. Shari Schwartz – Forensic Psychologist (Specializing in Capital Mitigation and Victim Advocacy); Author: “Criminal Behavior” and “Where Law and Psychology Intersect: Issues in Legal Psychology;” X: @TrialDoc” Karen L. Smith – Forensic Expert, Lecturer at the University of Florida, Host of ‘Shattered Souls’ Podcast; Twitter: @KarensForensic 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 Alexis Tereszcuk - CrimeOnline.com Investigative Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 Touko 37min