Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

In the summer of 1989, a construction crew working in the basement of a building at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta stumbled across thousands of human bones. The acquisition and disposal of the remains has been kept secret.  It happens again in 1994, a crew discovered an old well containing human remains while constructing a new medical sciences building on the campus of the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) at Virginia Commonwealth University. The well is called the Limb Pit.  It happened one more time at Harvard in 1999. During renovations at Harvard’s Holden Chapel in 1999, a worker operating a mini bulldozer stumbled across human remains when his machine broke through a wall into an old well. Joseph Scott Morgan explains how it's possible to find human bones that have been hacked, cut with a saw, chisel, or knife, and then hidden so the law can't find them.....and it isn't a crime.      Transcript Highlight00:00.01 Introduction 04:35.58 Resurrection - Grave Robbing 09:40.88 Studying medicine, finding bones14:08.17 Doctors who have never dissected a body 19:18.35 Bones used by medical schools23:17.45 Medical college paying grave robbers28:16.99 Getting rid of bones without getting caught 32:11.18 Doctors had no opportunity to study the human body38:59.35 The Limb Pit - Chris Baker MCV40:17.79 Harvard had name for club that dug up bodies44:00.58 Mass burial of bones, no names 47:27.15 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thirty years after Susan Smith drove her car into a lake with her two sons strapped in their car seats, she sought parole. A parole board denied her request, and a suitor later revealed that Smith had dreamed of appearing on “Dancing with the Stars.” She is reportedly “devastated” that her bid for parole failed. After high school, Susan Leigh Vaughan married David Smith. They had two sons, but the marriage faltered despite the children. The couple separated multiple times. During one separation, Susan began dating Tom Findlay, the single son of a wealthy mill owner. Smith imagined a future with Findlay until she received a "Dear John" letter from him, stating he did not want an instant family. On the night of October 25, Susan Smith knocked on the door of a house near John D. Long Lake. Hysterical, she told the man who answered to call the police. She claimed an armed Black man had carjacked her at a red light, with her two boys—3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alex—still in the car. For days, Susan repeated increasingly inconsistent versions of the carjacking story. Eventually, Smith confessed. There had been no carjacker. Feeling desperate, alone, and suicidal, she had taken her sons for a drive. At John D. Long Lake, she put the car in neutral, jumped out, and watched as the car sank. Scuba divers later found the vehicle with the boys still strapped in their seats. Since her conviction and incarceration, tabloid reports have alleged that Smith told prison investigators about four sexual encounters with Lieutenant Houston Cagle, a supervisor at South Carolina’s Women’s Correctional Institution. C Cagle admitted to having sex with Smith and another inmate. In August 2000, he was charged with the offenses, pleaded guilty, and served three months in jail. Captain Alfred Rowe also pleaded guilty to having sex with Smith and received five years of probation. Over the years, several men have written to Smith, fueling her hopes for a life beyond prison. In March 2022, People Magazine published excerpts from letters Smith wrote to a long-distance boyfriend. In one letter, she wrote, "I can't wait to build a life with you, leave the past mistakes behind, and start fresh, just you and me." Joining Nancy Grace Today: Tara Malek – Boise, ID, Attorney & Co-owner of Smith + Malek; Former State and Federal Prosecutor; Twitter: @smith_malek Dr. Bethany Marshall – Psychoanalyst (Beverly Hills, CA); Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall; Twitter: @DrBethanyLive  Chris McDonough – Director At the Cold Case Foundation, Former Homicide Detective; Host of YouTube channel: “The Interview Room” JoScott Morgan – Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University; Author, “Blood Beneath My Feet;” Host: “Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;" Twitter: @JoScottForensic  Dave Mack - CrimeOnline Investigative Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 some of our top stories this week.   Search continues for an assassin who murdered the United Heathcare CEO on a NY sidewalk.  The search for missing Hannah Kobayashi's take an unusual twist.  Manhunt ongoing for a man who murdered and burying his girlfriend.  Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ballerina and aspiring model Ashley Benefield stood trial for shooting her then-husband, Doug Benefield, to death. After her self-defense claim failed, a court sentenced her to 20 years in prison. The couple married just 13 days after meeting. They had one child, but their relationship was tumultuous, with frequent arguments reported between Ashley and Doug. Ashley Benefield alleged that Doug was abusive and volatile. As her pregnancy progressed, she moved in with her mother, denying Doug access to information about the baby, including the child's birth. Ashley planned to move out. Doug arrived at Ashley's home with a U-Haul truck to help pack for a move to Maryland. He believed he would move with the family but intended to live in a separate home. Ashley claimed that Doug became angry while loading the truck, "body-checked" her twice, struck her hip with the corner of a box, and caused her head to hit a wall. Fearing for her safety, she ran to her bedroom and retrieved a gun. She alleged that Doug was standing in the doorway and lunged at her. Ashley fired the gun, hitting him twice—once in the leg and once in the chest. The chest wound caused lung damage and severe bleeding. Investigators determined that Doug was not directly facing Ashley at the time of the shooting. JOINING NANCY GRACE TODAY Brian Foley –  Board-certified Criminal Defense Attorney, Former Chief Prosecutor in Harris County, (Houston) Texas; Author: “What Prosecutors Don’t Tell You”; Instagram @brianfoleylawpllc/ YouTube – @brianfoleylawyer/X: @brianpllc Dr. Chloe Carmichael – Clinical Psychologist, Women’s Health Magazine Advisory Board;’ Author: ‘Nervous Energy: Harness The Power of Your Anxiety;’ X: @DrChloe Chris Byers – Former Police Chief -Johns Creek Georgia, Private Investigator and Polygraph Examiner 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 Sophia Vitello – Reporter WWSB - ABC 7 News Sarasota, Florida Insta - @sophiavitellotv; FB - Sophia Vitello   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we'd like to direct your attention to another podcast - the new Crime Alert Hourly Update. The CrimeOnline team delivers hourly updates on breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.podtrac.com/CrimeAlertHourlyUpdate In the case of UHC CEO Brian Thompson's slaying, police have collected at least two DNA samples linked to the suspect. A jury in Manhattan remains deadlocked in the high-profile homicide case of former Marine Daniel Penny for the chokehold death of a mentally ill street performer on a subway train in 2023. Drew Nelson reports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The FBI has been pulled into the Hannah Kobayashi missing persons case after it's been discovered that she may have engaged in an immigration marriage scam. Hannah Kobayashi is reportedly married, and her new husband was on the Los Angeles flight with her.  She’s now listed as voluntarily missing. Police say Kobayashi indicated her intention to "disconnect from the world." McDonnell announce that investigators tracked Kobayashi to Mexico and have her on video walking into that country alone with her luggage on Nov. 12, four days after her arrival at LAX.  It’s coming up on the one month mark since Hawaiian beauty Hannah Kobayashi went missing.   The 30-year-old got on a flight along with her ex -boyfriend, headed on a bucket list trip to New York. She intended to visit an aunt in upstate New York and take photos at a DJ's show in Brooklyn.  The pre-planned trip was non-refundable so Kobayashi and the ex agreed to fly together to New York and go their separate ways upon arrival. The flight arrives at Los Angeles International Airport 9:53 p.m. The connecting flight to JFK in New York was scheduled for 11:00 p.m.   Kobayashi never made it to the connector, and the search was on. Kobayashi was seen in the next few hours at multiple sights around Los Angeles, then all communication stopped. A worried family reports the woman missing, and a wide scale search by police was launched. Joining Nancy Grace today: Gregory Morse - Partner at the law firm of King Morse, PLLC. Current CJA counsel, Former West Palm Beach Public Defender's Office. Author: "The Untested"  website: kingmorselaw.com   Caryn Stark - Psychologist,   www.carynstark.com, Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice    Irv Brandt - Former Senior Inspector, US Marshals Service International Investigations Branch, Chief Inspector, DOJ Office of International Affairs; Country Attache, US Embassy Kingston, Jamaica, Author: “SOLO SHOT: CURSE OF THE BLUE STONE"  Twitter: @JackSoloAuthor    Steve Fischer  -  Missing Persons Private Investigator, Search & Rescue Specialist, Owner of Search Investigations, www.searchinvestigations.org, Twitter: @SF_Investigates  Scott Eicher  -  A founding member of the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team (C.A.S.T); Historical Cellular Analysis Expert; Former FBI agent, Former Police Officer and Homicide Detective with Norfolk Virgina Police, Currently with Precision Cellular Analysis handling Criminal, Defense and Civil case, website: https://www.pcaexperts.com/    Alexis Tereszcuk - Crime Online investigative reporter  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Woman kills FB Marketplace seller while stealing the iPhone he's selling.This animal shelter has an enor-mouse problem! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  At 6:46 a.m., patrol officers from the Midtown North Precinct responded to a 911 call about a person shot in front of the Hilton Hotel on Avenue of the Americas. At 6:48 a.m., officers arrived and found the victim, Brian Thompson, 50, CEO of United Healthcare, with gunshot wounds to his back and leg. A manhunt is underway for the shooter, who police say waited for Thompson to exit his hotel. According to investigators, the suspect arrived at the location on foot about five minutes before Thompson's arrival. Thompson was walking alone toward the Hilton after exiting his hotel across the street. The shooter, described as a light-skinned male, was wearing a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black-and-white sneakers, and a distinctive gray backpack. The suspect stepped onto the sidewalk from behind a car, ignored other pedestrians, approached Thompson from behind, and shot him in the back. The suspect then walked closer to the victim and continued shooting. Police believe the gun malfunctioned as the shooter cleared a jam and resumed firing. The suspect fled on foot northbound into an alleyway before getting onto an electric E-City bike and riding toward Central Park. Police have released several photos of the suspect, including a full-face image. At the scene, officers recovered three live 9mm rounds and three discharged 9mm shell casings with the words “Deny,” “Depose,” and “Defend” inscribed on them.  JOINING NANCY GRACE TODAY: Bernarda Villalona  – NY Criminal Defense Attorney & Former Prosecutor, Villalona Law, PLLC.: @BernardaVillalona (FaceBook, Instagram, LinkdIn, TikTok, Threads); X: @VillalonaLaw Dr. Cheryl Arutt - Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist specializing in Trauma Recovery, PTSD and EMDR Website: askdrcheryl.com  Website: CreativeEMDR.com IG: @askdrcheryl Bill Daly – Former FBI Investigator and Forensic Photography, Security Expert  Scott Eicher – A founding member of the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team (C.A.S.T); Historical Cellular Analysis Expert; Former FBI agent of 22 years; Former Police Officer and Homicide Detective with Norfolk Virginia Police Dept. having served 12 years; Currently with Precision Cellular Analysis handling Criminal, Defense and Civil case Joseph Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan", @JoScottForensic EMAIL: josephscottmorgan@yahoo.com  Lauren Conlin - Podcaster/Reporter/Host- Co-Host of Primetime Crime on YouTube. Website: www.popcrime.tv & primetimecrimeshow.com X- @Conlin_Lauren, Instagram- @LaurenEmilyConlin, YouTube: @PopCrimeTV  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stepfather shoots and kills his 15-year-old stepson because he didn't rake the yard. California emergency room patient gets stuck in crawl space.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a surprising development, Hannah Kobayashi's family learned she crossed into Mexico on November 12 at 12:13 p.m., after no communication since November 11 and no sign of her since that date. Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) investigators reviewed surveillance footage at the U.S.-Mexico border, which clearly shows the 30-year-old crossing on foot into Mexico. The footage reveals Kobayashi crossing alone, carrying luggage, with no indication she was accompanied. Investigators determined she had checked her bag through to New York but later requested it be sent to her at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Surveillance video from November 11 shows Kobayashi retrieving her luggage from the baggage carousel. Using video and still images, LAPD created a timeline of Kobayashi's movements in Los Angeles from November 8 to November 11. After collecting her luggage on November 11, she traveled through the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to Union Station, where she used her passport and cash to purchase a bus ticket to the border. The following morning, she took a bus to San Ysidro, California, and crossed the border into Mexico via a pedestrian tunnel. The LAPD stated they would not release the surveillance footage of Kobayashi crossing the border due to privacy concerns. A department spokesperson explained that as a private citizen who has not committed a crime, Kobayashi is entitled to privacy. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell reiterated this, saying she "has a right to her privacy." Although Kobayashi's family has urged police to continue searching for her, the LAPD confirmed they are not investigating further. They stated Kobayashi has left the country voluntarily, is not suspected of a crime, and there is no evidence she is being trafficked. Joining Nancy Grace today: 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,” Website: kingmorselaw.com Dr. Jeff Kieliszewski – Forensic Psychologist, Author: “Darksides;” FB: forensicsandmediapsychologist/TikTok: Dr. Jeff Kieliszewski Steve Fischer  – Missing Persons Private Investigator, Search & Rescue Specialist, & Owner of Search Investigations; X: @SF_Investigates (helping in the search for Riley) Scott Eicher-   founding member of the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team (C.A.S.T); Historical Cellular Analysis Expert; Former FBI agent of 22 years; Former Police Officer and Homicide Detective with Norfolk Virginia Police Dept. having served 12 years; Currently with Precision Cellular Analysis handling Criminal, Defense and Civil case Alexis Tereszcuk - Crime Online Investigative Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.