Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

A new investigation into the case of Samuel Haskell IV, the son of former Hollywood agent Samuel Haskell Sr. He was accused of murdering his wife and in-laws in November 2023. Now, new entities claim they are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars from the estate. The "money claims" in news reports relate to the financial situation of the household, specifically that Haskell's wife was the primary financial provider and paid the majority of the family's expenses, including a $7,000 monthly mortgage, while he was allegedly unemployed or underemployed. Key details regarding the financial aspects and the case suggest that the victim, Mei Li Haskell, worked multiple jobs and was the main earner for the family, supporting her husband, their three children, and her parents, who lived with them. The case never went to trial. Samuel Haskell Jr. died by suicide in his jail cell in July 2025, days before his preliminary hearing was set to begin. The origins of the case stem from a group of day laborers hired by Sam Haskell IV to remove three bags of what they are told are rocks from his garage. The men described the bags as "soft and soggy," with each weighing about 50 pounds. A block away from Haskell's house, the workers opened up the bags and said they saw body parts. The men returned the bag to Haskell and returned his money. Haskell played it off, telling the workers that what they actually saw were Halloween props. The men drove immediately to the police. The men try to report what they have seen to the police, but they are turned away. The men went to the Highway Patrol station first but were told to go to the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPD Topanga Station tells the men to go back outside and call 911 from the courtyard. In the meantime, the police receive another call about human remains. A homeless man, digging through the dumpster looking for recyclables, finds human remains. Inside the dumpster, the LAPD found a torso in a bag. The investigation provided detectives with enough information to lead them to Samuel Haskell IV's residence. Joining Nancy Grace Today: Elle Benami - -Friend and Neighbor of Mei & Samuel Haskell; IG: @ellebenami Troy Slaten – Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney, Slaten Lawyers, APC; X @TroySlaten Dr. Gary Brucato – Clinical Psychologist and Author: “The New Evil: Understanding the Emergence of Modern Violent Crime” Chris McDonough – Director At the Cold Case Foundation, Former Homicide Detective; Host of YouTube channel: “The Interview Room” Dr. Michelle Dupre – Forensic Pathologist and Former Medical Examiner, Author: “Homicide Investigation Field Guide” & “Investigating Child Abuse Field Guide," and Retired Police Detective with Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Dr. Trace Sargent- Search, Rescue & Recovery Expert, (Ph.D. in Psychology with a focus on victimology – criminal profiling – predator behaviors – crime scene analysis); Podcast: “The Seeker’s Quest;” Facebook: The Seeker’s Quest Alexis Tereszcuk – "Crime Stories" Investigative Reporter; X: @swimmie2009 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part one of a two part episode covering dismemberment. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack talk about the Black Dahlia case that is back in the headlines again, as well as Ed Gein, and other dismemberment killers we have covered. Imagine opening your garbage can to bring it back up the driveway empty, but it is too heavy, open the door and see a foot! One of the many cases covered in this episode of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan. 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: Convicted killer Bryan Kohberger may have crossed paths with one of the University of Idaho Four Victims' surviving roommates just three days before his brutal stabbing spree. A mom is forced to watch as cemetery workers dig up her son in a double-booking burial nightmare. The horrific incident the result of a clerical error the court says. A well-known farmer from California, Michael Abatti, has been extradited to Arizona and has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of his estranged wife. Academy Award winner Will Smith accused of Sexual Harassment and "deliberate grooming" by an artist hired to play violin on Smith's "Based on a True Story: 2025 Tour". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Convicted murder mastermind Donna Adelson moved to a new correctional institution closer to her South Florida home. Adelson was initially held at the Florida Women’s Reception Center in Marion County. Florida’s Department of Corrections says Adelson has been moved to the Homestead Correctional Institute in Miami-Dade County. Donna Adelson received a life sentence for her role in the murder of former son-in-law Dan Markel. After nearly three weeks of testimony, a jury takes just three hours to find the 75-year-old guilty of all three charges levied against her. Adelson is convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit killing, and first-degree murder in the hit on her former son-in-law Dan Markel. Adelson has filed a motion for a new trial, claiming multiple instances of jury misconduct, bias from the judge, and a lack of evidence to support the verdict. The 18-page motion comes just two weeks after Adelson’s conviction and includes a request to interview two of the jurors who decided her fate. Adelson accuses the jury foreperson, juror number seven, of failing to follow the judge’s instructions on speaking out about the case. Joining Nancy Grace today: Philip Dubé - Former Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal & Constitutional Law, Forensics & Mental Health Advocacy; X: PhilipCDube, IG: PhilipDube, YouTube: PhilipDube3922 Dr. Judy Ho - Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, Author of 'The New Rules of Attachment'; and 'Stop Self-Sabatoge;' IG & X: @drjudyho; FB: doctorjudyho Robert Crispin - Private Investigator with “Crispin Special Investigations," Former Federal Task Force Officer for the United States Department of Justice, DEA and Miami Field Division, and Former Homicide and Crimes Against Children Investigator; Facebook: Crispin Special Investigations Inc. Dr. Kendall Crowns - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), NEW Podcast: "Mayhem in the Morgue," and Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University) Evan Higginbotham - Juror #6 in the Donna Adelson trial Gigi McKelvey - Journalist, Host of the Podcast “Pretty Lies and Alibis;" Facebook, IG, TikTok: @PrettyLiesAndAlibis/ X: @PrettiesLiesAlibi See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New details are emerging in the case of a 21-year-old college student and cheerleader from the University of Kentucky accused of hiding her newborn inside her college apartment closet. Laken Snelling's case is on its way to a grand jury. The panel is expected to hear evidence in late January. The grand jury will likely be asked to indict Snelling on the three charges she initially pleaded not guilty to, and there’s possibly a count of murder or manslaughter depending on the newborn's autopsy results. Laken Snelling is arrested after her infant is found dead in a trash bag inside the closet. An autopsy report only deepens the mystery surrounding the infant's death because the results are found to be inconclusive. Snelling posted baby bump pics before her infant was found dead. Authorities allege Snelling gave birth in secret, wrapped her baby in a towel, placed him in a trash bag, and left him in her closet. According to an arrest report, Lexington police were called to a home on Park Avenue for an unresponsive infant on Wednesday. Police said they found a baby's body in a closet, wrapped in a towel inside a black trash bag. The UK cheerleader is now charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. Court records show Snelling took selfies during the birth. Joining Nancy Grace today: Josh Kolsrud - Criminal Defense Attorney and Former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Founder of Kolsrud Law Offices; Facebook and YouTube @KohlsrudLawOffices Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker,” featured in hit show: "Paris in Love" on Peacock; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, Twitter: @DrBethanyLive Dr. Kendall Crowns - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), Host of Podcast, "Mayhem in the Morgue," and Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University) Chris Byers - Private Investigator and Owner of Byers Investigative Services, Former Police Chief in Johns Creek, Georgia (25 years as police officer) Germania Rodriguez - Chief US Reporter, DailyMail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.