Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present

It's a story of three best friends who seemed inseparable until one of them goes missing and later is found murdered. In this episode, we dive into a documentary that slowly unravels the truth behind a friendship that wasn’t what it appeared to be, who murdered Skylar Neese and a shocking confession that blew up the whole investigation. Director Clair Titley, reflects on the power of seeing it all through a teenage lens, while we explore the chilling moments that will forever stick with us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The clock is ticking in Florida after the state Supreme Court voted to pause the execution of former police officer, James Aren Duckett. Duckett was convicted of raping and murdering an 11-year-girl back in 1987. After nearly 40 years on death row, Duckett’s attorneys say the new testing could exonerate the client and the court gave prosecutors until 5 pm today to give a status update on results from the new DNA testing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Houston police say they have finally solved a 36-year-old murder mystery, after a tip and DNA evidence led them to the man they say is the killer responsible for the “Lover’s Lane Murders.” 64-year-old Floyd Willis Parrott is charged with murder for viciously killing 22-year-old Cheryl Henry and 21-year-old Andy Atkinson back in 1990. The two young lovers were parked in a secluded area when police say Parrott tied them up and slit their throats. We have their families’ reaction at finally seeing an arrest in this case. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remember when Tiger King completely took over everyone’s life during COVID? Brian Van Holt was right in the middle of bringing that chaos to life in Joe vs. Carole, playing one of the only grounded people in a world full of extremes. He gets into what made Joe Exotic so unsettling, how someone could be charming one second and dangerous the next, and why people stayed even as things got darker. And then there’s the moment everything shifts, when the chaos becomes impossible to ignore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie sat down with Hoda Kotb for her first interview since her 84-year-old mom Nancy went missing 54 days ago. Savannah talked about the disbelief and chaos in the first few days after Nancy disappeared, and the almost immediate conclusion she and her siblings came to: that Nancy was likely kidnapped for ransom. Savannah goes on to say she believes the two ransom notes she and her siblings responded to in videos were legitimate. She also says she believes that her fame, and the knowledge of her high income, probably enticed the kidnapper to take her mom in the middle of the night.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The House Oversight Committee has called the prison guard who last saw Jeffrey Epstein alive to answer several outstanding questions surrounding the events leading up to his death.  Lawmakers wanted Tova Noel to testify today on Capitol Hill, but her attorney announced she would not be testifying this week and is  negotiating now with Congress.   Lawmakers have specific questions they want answered including large deposits made into her bank account, internet searches she made on the night of Epstein’s death and a late night “orange blob” seen on surveillance camera leading to Epstein’s cell block.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prosecutors have charged 40-year-old mom Shannon Tufuga with child kidnapping and aggravated child abuse after police say she snatched an 11-year-old off his bike and took him to her home.  Police say Tufuga then forced the child to apologize to her son for allegedly bullying him and threatened him with violence if he did it again. It appears Tufuga has lost her job with Provo City as a crossing guard and is now facing up to 10 years behind bars, but her attorney says there is a whole other side to this story and that the boys’ claims are “not accurate.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police confirm they are now investigating a third allegation of domestic violence connected to Taylor Frankie Paul.  This alleged incident was reported by Paul’s ex, Dakota Mortenson.  It reportedly happened in 2024 and there are multiple videos according to police.  The DA is now deciding what, if any charges to bring against Paul in both  the February 2026 allegations and the new 2024 allegations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We now know exactly what happened after the cell phone video showing the violent argument between Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex Dakota Mortenson ended. Body camera video from police begins the moment Taylor and Dakota open the door and ends with Dakota begging police to let him go to jail in place of Taylor.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily and Shane are diving into some of the biggest cases right now… Laken Snelling gave birth alone in her college bedroom and has been charged with killing her newborn. Did she know she was pregnant? How did they find her baby? Then, high school teacher Jason Hughes was killed after a student prank gone wrong. Though it’s obvious the teenagers didn’t intend to harm him, should they be let off the hook? Plus, Michele Hundley Smith was missing for 25 years until they finally found her. The plot twist: she disappeared on purpose. How did this woman manage to escape the FBI?! What does her family think?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A California jury found 88 year old Billy Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman back in 1972.  Donna Motsinger was awarded $19.25 million for her pain and suffering and another $40 million in punitive damages.  Cosby plans to appeal the verdict and continues to deny ever assaulting anyone.  Even though his only criminal conviction was overturned for procedural reasons, Cosby is still facing dozens of other civil lawsuits from women who have made similar accusations against the once beloved comedian.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 14-year-old girl is taken from her bedroom and held captive for nine months; a case that still feels impossible to process. Skeet Ulrich almost didn’t take the role of her captor, saying he couldn’t justify stepping into someone that dark until he understood the bigger story. What followed clearly stayed with him: from scenes so intense crew members walked off set, to the moment Elizabeth Smart walked onto the set while he was fully in character. He opens up about the toll it took, the nightmare that came out of it, and how his own past shaped the way he connected to her story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Guthrie children have released another plea to the public, saying they cannot grieve, they “can only ache and wonder.”  Meantime the embattled sheriff overseeing the case spent nearly an hour with local reporters insisting that the case to find missing 84 year old Nancy Guthrie is “not even close” to a cold case yet.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 years after the kidnapping, rape and murder of a young mother, 54-year-old Michael King died by lethal injection this week. The brutal murder of 21-year-old Denise Amber Lee led to nationwide 9-1-1 reform, as she begged for her life for 6 minutes to dispatchers who somehow never got help to her in time, despite 3 other 9-1-1 calls. The execution chamber was packed with Denise’s family, who had a lot to say after listening to King’s final words, and watching him take his final breaths. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

31-year-old Alexia Moore is behind bars charged with felony murder, after going to the hospital in pain, admitting to staff she took online abortion pills to end her pregnancy. Georgia law bans most abortions after 6 weeks, but police say Moore was between 22 and 24 weeks pregnant when she took the pills that are only meant to be taken to terminate pregnancies of 10 weeks or less. The details of this case are tough to hear, but Moore wound up giving birth to the baby girl in the hospital, who died an hour later. Now the DA must decide whether to prosecute Moore, which would make this the first time a woman would face murder charges for an abortion in the state of Georgia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

95-year-old Dolores Huerta waited 60 years to finally tell her story of sexual abuse by once beloved labor rights leader Cesar Chavez. Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers Association with Chavez back in the 1960s. Even though Chavez died more than 3 decades ago, we’re only now hearing from dozens of women after a New York Times investigation detailed decades of abuse from women who say they were as young as 12 when Chavez began to sexually abuse them. Hear how the Chavez family is reacting, how the Labor union he founded is responding and why streets, buildings and celebrations may all change because of this investigation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A brutal home invasion. A terrified victim. And a twist that changes everything. Jana Kramer breaks down the true crime case behind Gaslit by My Husband and how psychological manipulation spiraled into something much darker. For Jana, who openly shares her story of surviving domestic violence, this role hits close to home. But what really makes this case shocking isn’t just the violence. It’s how slowly reality gets warped, until the victim doesn't know what’s real.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Mike Williams’ best friend and wife began a secret affair that lasted for years, they decided their best course of action was to take Mike out of the equation… indefinitely. By faking an accidental drowning in crocodile-infested waters, they were able to keep authorities off their scent for years. But, the truth finally caught up to them after making some enemies along the way. Mike Williams got justice, though no one has ever officially been charged with his murder. How is that possible, considering both criminals are locked away? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 year old University of Alabama student James “Jimmy” Gracey never made it back to his Air-Bnb  Tuesday after going out with friends in Barcelona, Spain.  Gracey was on a spring break trip visiting friends studying abroad and was last seen on surveillance video at 3am after leaving with an unidentified person.  Now his family, friends and the State Department are asking for the public’s help.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors will consider next steps regarding Sheriff Chris Nanos, after a growing number of Arizonans say his handling of the Nancy Guthrie case is “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” Several news outlets are reporting the Sheriff was already under fire for misrepresenting his resume and allegedly lying under oath about disclosing past disciplinary actions.  Meantime, there are reports of a new video showing a masked man at Nancy’s home 3 weeks before her abduction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

31-year-old Taylor Frankie Paul was visibly nervous and uncomfortable during her first live interview on Good Morning America to promote “The Bachelorette.” Paul wasn’t asked a direct question about the domestic violence investigation, rather she was given an “opportunity to respond” to the headlines… and what we heard from Paul was more “poor me” talk. After another question about the reported pause in “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” production, and an “I don’t make the decisions” answer, GMA moved on to promote the new season of “The Bachelorette.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 6 pm ET Florida is set to execute 54-year-old Michael King for the 2008 kidnapping, rape and murder of young mom 21-year-old Denise Amber Lee. Lee’s murder made national headlines after she managed to call 9-1-1 for help, along with several other bystanders who saw and heard her screaming in the back of King’s car, and yet police didn’t find her in time. Hear from Lee’s family on waiting nearly 2 decades for justice and their plans to attend tonight’s execution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re just days away from the premier of a new season of “The Bachelorette” with reality star Taylor Frankie Paul. ABC and Disney made the controversial choice even after Paul pleaded guilty to aggravated assault stemming from a 2023 domestic violence incident. Now, police have confirmed they are investigating yet another reported assault with her same ex-boyfriend who continues to play a prominent role in the newly released season of “The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives.” The incident has now forced filming of the latest season of Mormon Wives to STOP just as “The Bachelorette” debuts on Sunday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When 16-year-old Skylar Neese disappeared from her family home in 2012, no one expected her two best friends were to blame. After Skylar’s “friends” physically stabbed her in the back, they put on a show to convince the public that they wanted nothing more than to find their missing friend. Emily and Shane dive into the details, explaining how one psychotic break led to the unraveling of the truth and the conviction of Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Utah jury of 8 took less than 3 hours to find 35 year old mom of three, Kouri Richins guilty of fatally poisoning her husband Eric with a fentanyl spiked Moscow mule.   Closing arguments and jury instructions took most of the day, so it was a surprise when they continued to deliberate into the evening to come back with guilty verdicts on all counts.  RIchins’ reaction was palpable as the judge read the the verdicts aloud, her head fell and she never looked up again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kouri RIchins’ defense team put on a fiery closing argument to jurors, insisting the prosecution did not prove Richins purchased Fentanyl and not did prove she gave it to her husband.  The prosecution ended its rebuttal with this final, powerful command: “See through her facade, check her ambition, and do not let her get away with murder.“See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The prosecution put on an extremely effective closing today, giving a detailed timeline of what Kouri did NOT do to try and save her husband’s life and appealed to the jury’s common sense for why and how they claim Kouri poisoned her husband. As soon as the prosecution finished, the defense called for a mistrial. The judge denied that motion but did agree to re-instruct the jury after prosecutors compared RIchins to a black widow and  discussed the facial expressions she was making throughout the trial. Next up, the defense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amanda Knox became one of the most infamous names in true crime after her roommate, British student Meredith Kercher, was murdered while they were studying abroad in Perugia, Italy. What followed was a global media frenzy, the nickname “Foxy Knoxy,” and a case that would spiral through years of trials and appeals before Knox was ultimately exonerated. Knox breaks down the interrogation that helped shape the case against her, how assumptions turned into “facts,” and how the media narrative quickly transformed her into a villain before the evidence was understood. She also talks about surviving prison, reclaiming her identity after the world believed she was guilty, and why she now investigates controversial prosecutions and possible wrongful convictions, including in her podcast DOUBT: The Case of Lucy Letby.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melanie McGuire was convicted of killing her husband, stuffing his dismembered body into three different suitcases and throwing him into the Chesapeake Bay. But, when the suitcases resurfaced, it wasn’t long until detectives led a clear path to her. What circumstantial evidence was enough to put Melanie behind bars for the rest of her life? Is there a chance she didn’t do it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A report from USA Today details several new and disturbing accounts from women who have stepped forward in recent months, telling police eerily similar scenarios of alleged abuse from Timothy Busfield over the past several decades.  Busfield is charged with four counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and his attorneys have said these new allegations are not only unproven, but also irrelevant to the criminal case against their client.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been exactly two weeks since retired Major General William Neal McCasland disappeared from his New Mexico home. His disappearance is gaining national attention because the Air Force base he commanded was once the headquarters for a military program that oversaw U.F.O. investigations.  Authorities believe General McCasland left his home with his wallet, his hiking boots and his gun, notably leaving his cellphone and prescription glasses behind.  Now federal officials and his wife - who addresses the alien theories - are asking for the public’s help in finding him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are getting more details about who the suspects were and why they attacked a Michigan synagogue and a Virginia university campus.  One was a convicted ISIS sympathizer, recently released from prison who tried to make the courts believe he felt deeply regretful for his allegiance  to the terror organization.  The other was a naturalized U.S. citizen from Lebanon who authorities believe had recently lost family members to Israeli missile strikes in his home country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amanda Knox was a 20-year-old study-abroad student when her British roommate Meredith Kercher was brutally murdered in Perugia, Italy. Within days, Knox went from college kid to global villain, dubbed “Foxy Knoxy” by tabloids and thrust into one of the most infamous murder cases in modern history. Knox joins Killer Thriller to talk about the interrogation that changed everything, spending years in prison, the media frenzy that took over the case, and what it’s like to rebuild your life after the world decides you’re guilty. Today, Knox works to expose controversial prosecutions and wrongful convictions, including in her latest podcast, DOUBT: The Case of Lucy Letby.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After nearly 3 full weeks of testimony, where jurors heard accusations of a poisoned Valentine’s Day sandwich, a fentanyl spiked Moscow mule along with damning internet searches and a heartbroken ex-lover, the defense shocked the courtroom by not calling a single witness. There were hours of back and forth between the attorneys and judge regarding would-be witnesses and testimony, but ultimately Kouri Richins and her defense team felt confident enough in their case to move on to closing arguments, set to begin on Monday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a chaotic and frightening day in both Michigan and Virginia.  First, just outside of Detroit, a vehicle  driven by a man armed with a rifle rammed a synagogue.  Security fired shots and the vehicle burst into flames inside the synagogue.  The would-be shooter was killed, but there are concerns about incendiary devices that may still be inside the vehicle.  In Virginia, one victim is dead, two others injured after a gunman opened fire on Old Dominion University’s campus just before 11am.  The gunman is dead, but investigators are now trying to determine what happened and why, as classes have been cancelled for the rest of the week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minutes before 51-year-old convicted murderer Cedric Ricks died by lethal injection last night, he had more than just a few final words, he had a long, emotional statement directed at the family he devastated. Ricks not only repeatedly apologized for fatally stabbing his girlfriend and her 8-year-old son 13 years ago, but directed much of his emotional plea for forgiveness at her surviving son who witnessed his execution.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A grand jury has indicted 22-year-old Laken Snelling with the much more serious charge of first degree manslaughter for the death of her newborn baby last August. Police initially charged the college senior with lesser counts of abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence after finding the body of her newborn hidden in a black trash bag in Snelling’s closet. The medical examiner determined the baby was born alive, but died by “asphyxia by undetermined means.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tennessee prosecutors say former NFL Linebacker, 31-year-old Darron Lee, viciously beat and stabbed his fiancé to death and then asked ChatGPT how to cover up the crime scene. In a preliminary hearing, prosecutors told the judge they believe the victim suffered for multiple days, beaten and stabbed, while Lee asked the bot what to do and what to say to authorities before eventually calling 9-1-1. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a surprising and rare move, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey commuted the death sentence of a man who was scheduled to die by nitrogen gas on Thursday.  75 year old Charles “Sonny” Burton was convicted of the 1991 murder of Doug Battle because he was a part of a robbery where one of his cohorts shot and killed Battle.  While the man who pulled the trigger got life in prison, Burton wound up on death row.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of Alabama’s longest serving death row inmates is waiting to hear from prosecutors, after a court ordered them to pursue a new trial for 63-year-old Michael Sockwell, or he will be released. Sockwell was convicted for the 1988 murder of a sheriff’s deputy, but a court has determined the prosecutor who seated his jury, “repeatedly and purposefully” rejected qualified black jurors. The court set a deadline of March 18th, and because the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear Alabama’s appeal, prosecutors have until next week to make a move.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily and Shane are updating you on the latest cases in the news cycle. From the murder-suicide that occurred at a nationwide cheer competition to Britney Spears’ D.U.I.   Plus, why has Diddy’s sentence been moved up? What new photos have been released of Bryan Kohberger’s murder scene and what does it mean?! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former luxury real estate brokers and their brother have been convicted of 10 criminal counts including sex trafficking.  11 women testified against Oren, Alon and Tal Alexander, saying they were drugged and raped by one or more of the brothers.  Prosecutors claimed 60 women came forward with similar stories of luxury trips to Aspen and the Hamptons that turned into nightmares, some of the victims minors at the time.  The brothers are now facing life in prison for their crimes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Week three of the Kouri Richins trial began with some fireworks in the courtroom. While the jury was dismissed, Kouri Richins defense attorney tried to convince the judge Eric Richins’ business partner impeached himself regarding Eric’s alleged drug use in high school. After a testy back and forth about “red devil” pills, the judge made his ruling, frustrating the defense, which claimed Eric’s alleged “illicit drug” issue proves Kouri is innocent.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A horrific tragedy this weekend took the life of a beloved math teacher, 40-year-old Jason Hughes.  Police say 5 students were pulling an annual high school prank “rolling” the Hughes’ house with toilet paper when Hughes ran out and slipped in the street. Unfortunately, one of the vehicles hit and killed Hughes and now all five students are facing charges. Hughes’ wife Laura is now speaking out, saying she wants to prevent “a separate tragedy” from occurring: ruining the lives of the students that her husband dedicated his life to serving. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

37 year old former head Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges after striking a plea deal with prosecutors.  Moore walked into court today, hand in hand with his wife, after losing his job for a multi year affair with his executive assistant.  Moore was accused of much more serious felony charges after his former girlfriend said he broke into her home and threatened to kill himself.  Today’s plea deal paves the way for Moore to redeem himself personally and professionally.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The headlines are everywhere about 44-year-old Britney Spears arrested on suspicion of DUI after police say the pop star was driving erratically and at high speed. Since being released, Britney has deactivated her instagram account and released a statement through her reps, that is gives fans reason to believe she may soon be getting the help she needs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Late Thursday evening the Department of Justice published the three missing interviews with a woman who claims President Trump sexually abused her when she was 13.  The DOJ says the 2019 interviews were mistakenly labeled as duplicative, and are now available to the public.  In them, there is a detailed account of an alleged forced sex act and other allegations of Epstein’s  and Trump’s conversations about young girls.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was an emotional day in court as the former lover of 35-year-old Kouri Ritchins wiped away tears, with his head on the table, unable to look at text messages between him and Kouri in the weeks leading up to Eric Richins’ death. Robert Joshua Grossman testified he had plans with Kouri the day Eric died, but she never showed up and eventually texted him “Eric has passed away.”  Ritchins is accused of fatally poisoning her husband with fentanyl in order to get out of debt and spend her life with Grossman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After an urgent search that kept multiple communities on lockdown and in fear,  authorities have captured a 22 year old Iowa man for the murders of three women in Utah.  Police say Ivan Miller was tracked down in Colorado after fleeing Utah in one of his victim’s cars.  Right now police don’t believe the women were targeted, but released some of the details about how they were found and what happens next in the search for answers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Utah authorities are conducting a massive, multi-county manhunt after three women were found dead in two separate locations.  Residents in southern, central and eastern counties are being told to keep the lights on, lock their doors and remain at home.  Schools, government buildings, even health clinics are closed in the area, as police hunt down a suspected killer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.