TEEN GIRL CHEERLEADER DEAD ON CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP, FBI JOINS INVESTIGATION

Brian Shaffer drives 30 minutes from Columbus to celebrate the start of Spring Break with a steak dinner at his father’s house. During dinner, Brian eagerly discusses his upcoming vacation to Miami with his girlfriend, Alexis Waggoner. According to his family, Brian plans to propose during the trip. He also mentions plans to go out that evening with his former roommate, William “Clint” Florence. At 9:00 p.m., Brian meets Clint at the Ugly Tuna Saloona, a popular college bar on the second floor of the Gateway Building. Around 10:00 p.m., Brian calls Alexis to check in before he and Clint head to another bar in the Arena District. They visit several bars, each having a shot, before meeting up with Clint’s friend, Meredith Reed, around midnight. The group then returns to the Ugly Tuna in Meredith’s car for one last round. At 1:15 a.m., Brian, Clint, and Meredith ride the Gateway Building escalator back to the Ugly Tuna and have another round of shots while listening to the band. Brian steps outside the bar to chat with two women, leaving Clint and Meredith to spend some time alone. Surveillance footage captures Brian speaking to the women until 1:55 a.m. Five minutes later, as the bar begins to close and patrons head down the escalator, Clint and Meredith realize Brian is missing. Assuming he walked home to his off-campus apartment, located six blocks away, they leave. On Saturday morning, Alexis calls Brian to finalize plans for their upcoming vacation. Her call goes straight to voicemail, but she assumes he is still sleeping off the previous night. That afternoon, her second call also goes unanswered. Brian’s father and brother, Randy and Derek Shaffer, also fail to reach him. On Sunday, Derek visits Brian’s apartment. He finds Brian’s car parked outside, and nothing seems out of place inside the apartment, but Brian is nowhere to be found. When Brian doesn’t show up at the airport on Monday morning, Randy reports him missing. Investigators review surveillance footage from the Gateway Building. Brian is last seen walking off camera toward the Ugly Tuna’s entrance but never comes back down the escalator. He is not seen exiting the building through an emergency door or other exits. The only other way out from the second floor is a service door leading to an area under construction. This door provides access to a temporary freight elevator and a service ladder. Climbing down would have been challenging for a sober person, let alone someone intoxicated. Nearby surveillance cameras from other bars should have captured Brian if he had exited the Gateway Building through the first-floor doors, but no footage shows him leaving. Columbus police search garbage leaving the building, the sewers below, and use dogs to comb a miles-wide radius. Despite extensive efforts, no trace of Brian Shaffer is found. JOINING NANCY GRACE TODAY: Matthew Mangino – Attorney, Former District Attorney (Lawrence County); Author: “The Executioner’s Toll: The Crimes, Arrests, Trials, Appeals, Last Meals, Final Words and Executions of 46 Persons in the United States” Steve Fischer – Missing Persons Private Investigator, Search & Rescue Specialist, & Owner of Search Investigations; X: @SF_Investigates (helping in the search for Riley) Dr. Angela Arnold – Psychiatrist, Atlanta GA. Expert in the Treatment of Pregnant/Postpartum Women, Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology: Emory University, Former Medical Director of The Psychiatric Ob-Gyn Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital Todd G. Shipley, CFE, CFCE– Cyber Crime Expert, and Author: “Investigating Internet Crimes: An Introduction to Solving Crimes in Cyberspace;” X: @webcase Sydney Sumner - CrimeOnline Investigative Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 Jan 38min

Cops shocked when they discover a body in the backseat of a suspected DUI driver. Woman is looking for her drug dealer, but finds a sheriff's deputy! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 Jan 5min

A final look at items brought up in the recent Netflix documentary about JonBenet Ramsey and her death. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack talk about the crime scene with Joe breaking down the mistakes that were made and how they have nothing to do with technology. Also, a question that has never been answered regarding the "ransom" note. What type of "kidnapper" kills the person and leaves a "ransom" note? Who would pay a "ransom" for the "safe return" of a loved one when the "loved one" is already dead and in the house? Transcribe Highlights00:00.41 Introduction 02:00.28 No excuses for evidence mistakes 04:54.75 Never Ask Father of missing 6-year-old search the house 10:06.27 The physical things seen in strangling 14:34.80 Why leave the body AND ransom note 19:53.52 Why ask for $118,000? 24:28.50 The reason for the ransom note is dead 29:07.64 JonBenet was beaten, skull was fractured 32:10.35 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Jan 33min

Two people were shot on the set of Alec Baldwin's movie Rust. 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. Now the actor is suing. Joining Nancy Grace today: Paul Szych – Former Police Commander; Author: “StopHimFromKillingThem” 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, Writer/Fact Checker, Lead Stories, X: @swimmie2009 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Jan 39min

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: 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: "Im Not a Psycho, "a Florida Teen tells police as he's accused of killing his parents. Wendy Williams claims she is being held against her will. An 11-year-old girl in Syracuse, New York, mistakenly handcuffed by deputies, searching for a car theft suspect.. Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Jan 9min

Two girls stab their best friend 19 times. Why? They wanted to appease the fictional horror character, Slender Man. Both girls serve time in a mental health facility. Anissa Weier was granted conditional release in September 2021. She was required to receive outpatient psychiatric treatment and was subject to GPS monitoring – though the monitoring was waived in September of last year. Now a Wisconsin judge decides Morgan Geyser is well enough to be released from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute she has been in for the last seven years. She will be moved to a group home where her mental health will be continue to be monitored. Three medical experts testified that Geyser has made considerable progress, which convinced a judge that she doesn't pose a safety risk outside hospital walls. Joining Nancy Grace to discuss the case: Troy Slaten – Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney, Slaten Lawyers, APC; Twitter/X: @TroySlaten Dr. Daniel Bober – Forensic Psychiatrist, Chief of Psychiatry Memorial Regional Healthcare Systems, Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale University School of Medicine; Instagram: drdanielbober Joe Scott Morgan – Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, “Blood Beneath My Feet,” and Host: “Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;” Twitter/X: @JoScottForensic Levi Page - CrimeOnline Investigative Reporter Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Jan 35min

Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo,is demanding that prosecutors hand over multiple videos of Combs’ infamous "freak-offs," arguing the tapes prove his innocence. Prosecutors describe the tapes as elaborate, produced sexual performances, but Agnifilo contends they show private, consensual activity between Combs and Cassie Ventura, stating she "not only consented but thoroughly enjoyed herself." In the same filing, Agnifilo criticizes the prosecution as “sexist and puritanical.” He claims the government’s case perpetuates stereotypes of female victimhood and denies women agency by assuming they cannot make their own decisions about sex or consent to activities outside the "norm." Meanwhile, documentaries about the disgraced rap mogul continue to surface. Peacock's The Making of a Bad Boy explores Combs' early life, featuring interviews with childhood and college friends who describe him as a "shy rich kid" trying to prove himself. Additionally, a Making the Band 2 cast member has accused Combs of sexual assault, and another alleged victim has spoken publicly for the first time Joining Nancy Grace today: Wendy Patrick – California prosecutor, Author: “Red Flags” www.wendypatrickphd.com ‘Today with Dr. Wendy’ on KCBQ in San Diego; X: @WendyPatrickPHD Caryn L. Stark – Psychologist, Renowned TV and Radio Trauma Expert and Consultant; Instagram: carynpsych/FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Bill Daly – Former FBI Investigator and Forensic Photography, Security Expert Rob Shuter - Host: Naughty But Nice Podcast, Former Publicist, Author: "The 4 Word Answer", radaronline.com; IG: @naughtygossip Alex West - Entertainment Reporter, The Mirror;, G/TW/TIKTOK: @alexwestnyc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Jan 42min

Mom makes disturbing symptom searches for clearly injured baby instead of seeking medical treatment. Man goes for a casual swim...in the Bass Pro Shop aquarium. For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Jan 5min