Podcast Summary: "The Hand in the Window: Piece by Piece"

20/20 (ABC News), Episode 6 – December 10, 2025
Host: John Quinones

Overview

This episode of 20/20’s "The Hand in the Window" unravels the final stages of the investigation and prosecution of serial killer Shawn Grate, detailing the aftermath for the victims' families and the Ashland, Ohio community. Detective Kim Major's pursuit of justice is at the episode's emotional core, as listeners are taken through Grate's confessions, the complexities of his trial, and the town’s journey toward healing after the horror he inflicted.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

A Community in Turmoil (00:54–03:59)

• Setting the Scene: The episode opens with Detective Kim Major recounting a Friday night football game, juxtaposing small-town normalcy with the dark burden of her investigation.
  • “I sat there, which was also surreal, seeing all the things around me… people are happy…just the whole thing.”
    – Kim Major (01:51)
• Family Realizations: Major’s son, Corbin, connects dots between a past overdose case and Grate's references to a hidden “fort,” sparking suspicion about a supposed accidental death’s true cause.
  • Corbin: “They found a girl there a while back… a woman that died of an overdose and they dumped her body there.”
    (03:15)

Uncovering Another Victim (03:59–09:22)

• Rebecca Lacey’s Death: Kim Major follows Corbin’s lead, confronts Grate in jail, and receives a chillingly direct confession.
  • Grate immediately responds, “Rebecca Lacey,” when asked about an unsolved case (07:40).
  • Major: "We have another victim." (07:53)
• Details of the Murder: Grate recounts meeting Lacey, a minor theft leading to violence, and ultimately murdering and dumping her body.
  • Major relays: “He said he had kneed her and punched her and that her face was bleeding. He said she fought him like a man. And he said he had strangled her.” (08:41)

The Last Interview and Ongoing Threats (09:22–14:12)

• Final Interrogation: Detective Major repeatedly interviews Grate, trying to ensure there are no more hidden crimes.
  • Grate: “This onion’s peeled all the way.” (10:14)
  • “I feel better now. I’m free.” (10:20, 10:23)
• Threats Against Major: A fellow inmate reveals Grate’s alleged desire to kill Major, targeting her as the female lead detective—heightening the danger and psychological toll.
  • Major, recalling the inmate's words: "He thought it would be the ultimate to kill me…" (11:17)
  • Grate, in response to having lingering violent desires: “Yeah, it’s probably worse.” (13:16)

The Trial of Shawn Grate (18:02–24:32)

• Grate’s Indictment & Trial: Grate is indicted and stands trial with the death penalty on the table.
  • Prosecutor Chris Tennell: "This is not a whodunit case. This is a he did it case." (18:55–19:00)
• Somber Atmosphere: Reporter Bob Jones highlights the gravity: "The moment when Jane Doe testified was a pivotal moment in the trial… she was very brave sitting up there on the stand talking about the terror that she went through." (20:04)
  • “She was tied up… she tried multiple times to get away… he videotaped the sexual assault…” (20:22–20:39)
• Plea Change: On the eighth day, Grate changes his plea to guilty on many charges to spare victims' families from further trauma.
  • Grate pleads guilty to rape and other charges, hoping to avoid showing the assault videos to the jury (as explained by the defense) (21:41–22:46).

Sentencing and Community Response (24:32–29:30)

• Victim Impact Statements: Powerful and emotional testimonies from the victims’ families.
  • Curtis Stanley: "You ever bury your mother?... I didn't expect that this young. I had to go in there and pick a casket out, and he made it to where I couldn't even have an open casket..." (26:22)
  • Gina Stanley: "This monster will pay for what he has done and I'm confident it will be with his life." (26:48)
• Death Sentence: Judge Ronald P. Forstoffel sentences Grate to death for the murders, plus 90 years for other charges.
  • "The court therefore finds that a sentence of death by legal objection shall be imposed upon Mr. Great..." (27:46)
  • The crowd in the courtroom erupts in cheers at the verdict. “I’ve never seen that.” — Bob Jones (28:41)

Aftermath and Ongoing Pain (29:30–34:17)

• Further Prosecutions: Grate pleads guilty to more murders in other counties, receiving two more life sentences.
• Stalled Justice: Families and survivors express that closure is elusive until Grate is executed, now delayed due to legal appeals and a state moratorium.
  • Gina Stanley: “I feel like justice is him not breathing anymore. That’s the only way I’m going to feel complete justice for my sister.” (30:32)
  • Jessica Anderson: “I would love to see it carried out.” (30:52)
• Demolition of "The House on Covert Court": Symbolic destruction of the crime scene brings some comfort, but not true closure.
  • “It was demolishing the bad memories that affected this community for two years.” — Bob Jones (32:48)
  • Kim Major: “We’re so innocent to actually think that tearing down that home is going to take this away. Because it doesn’t.” (33:32)

Reflection and Lessons Learned (34:17–35:41)

• Kim Major’s Reflection: Major later writes "A Hunger to Kill," advocating for remembrance and learning.
  • "I don't want to forget this case. I don't want anyone to forget it. As a matter of fact, I want more people to know." (34:43)
  • “If people can’t realize that these women could have been anyone… this could have been me. If we can’t learn from that, then what is our purpose?” (35:07)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Kim Major’s struggle with the double life of a detective and mother:
  “I sat there, which was also surreal, seeing all the things around me… people are happy… just the whole thing.” (01:51)
• Corbin Major’s realization:
  “Mom, he did it.” (04:41)
• Chilling confession:
  Major: “We have another victim.” (07:53)
• Threats against Major:
  “He thought it would be the ultimate to kill me as the female detective handling his case.” (11:17)
• Grate’s haunting admission:
  “Yeah, it’s probably worse.” (13:16)
• Prosecution’s blunt summary:
  “This is a he did it case.” — Chris Tennell, Prosecutor (19:00)
• Survivor’s courtroom courage described:
  “She was very brave sitting up there on the stand talking about the terror that she went through.” — Bob Jones (20:04)
• Family’s pain made vivid:
  “I had to go in there and pick a casket out and he made it to where I couldn’t even have an open casket to say goodbye to her.” — Curtis Stanley (26:23)
• Kim Major on false closure:
  “We’re so innocent to actually think that tearing down that home is going to take this away. Because it doesn’t.” (33:46)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Detective Major’s Family Realization: (01:51–04:45)
• Rebecca Lacey Confession: (07:01–09:16)
• Threats from Grate/Final Interview: (10:11–13:16)
• Trial Coverage & Jane Doe’s Testimony: (18:55–20:44)
• Change of Plea: (21:32–22:46)
• Sentencing & Impact Statements: (24:32–28:54)
• House Demolition: (32:06–33:51)
• Major’s Reflection & Community Lessons: (34:01–35:41)

Tone & Takeaways

The episode combines the procedural rigor of true crime with personal and communal trauma, maintaining a solemn, compassionate tone. It explores themes of justice, memory, and the difficulty of moving on after horror.

Lasting Message:
The pain of Grate’s crimes lingers in Ashland, despite legal closure or the symbolic destruction of the crime scene. Detective Kim Major’s dedication, both as investigator and advocate for the victims, leaves listeners with a message about learning, empathy, and the collective need for vigilance and healing.

For listeners seeking a deep, intimate look at the aftermath of serial crime—its investigation, resolution, and long shadow—this episode offers a thorough, emotional, and insightful journey.