Crime House 24/7 (Jan 21, 2026)

Episode: Dad Allegedly Killed by 11-Year-Old Son Over a Nintendo Switch

Host: Vanessa Richardson
Podcast: Crime House 24/7
Date: January 21, 2026

Overview

This episode of Crime House 24/7 delivers breaking coverage of multiple shocking true crime cases from across the U.S. The main story centers on a Pennsylvania child charged with murdering his father following a dispute over a Nintendo Switch. Additional coverage includes a deadly domestic stabbing in Iowa, an alleged poisoning case in North Carolina, and a targeted pharmacy robbery in Pennsylvania. The tone is urgent, factual, and empathetic, maintaining respect for victims while highlighting the unusual and disturbing nature of each case.

Main Story: 11-Year-Old Charged with Father’s Murder in Pennsylvania

Key Facts & Timeline

• Incident date: January 13
• Location: Duncannon Borough, Perry County, Pennsylvania
• Victim: Douglas Dees, 42
• Suspect: Clayton Dees, 11 (charged as an adult under state law)
• Charge: Criminal homicide

Sequence of Events

• On the night of his 11th birthday, Clayton Dees had his Nintendo Switch confiscated by his father when told it was bedtime.
• Investigators allege Clayton, upset over this, searched for and found a key to the gun safe in his father’s bedroom.
• Instead of the gaming device, he discovered a revolver in the safe, loaded it, and shot his sleeping father in the head around 3:20am.
• First responders found Douglas deceased in the bedroom.
• The boy was taken into custody without incident.

“Officers and investigators say that the boy later told police, ‘I shot somebody.’ Troopers also reportedly overheard him say, ‘I killed Daddy.’”
(Vanessa Richardson, 07:00)

Investigation & Legal Process

• Clayton is held without bail at Perry County Prison, pending a preliminary hearing before an adult court judge on January 22.
• Under Pennsylvania law, homicide charges against juveniles initially proceed in adult court.
• The possibility of transferring to juvenile court may be considered, focusing on rehabilitation.
• Police reported no ongoing threat to the public and are actively investigating.

Community Reaction

Local residents expressed shock:

“One longtime resident described the Dees family as very kind and said he did not expect something like this in their neighborhood.”
(Vanessa Richardson, 08:12)

Clayton’s mother, Jillian Dees, awoke to a loud noise (initially thinking it was fireworks), only to find her husband shot, and her son exclaiming:

“‘Daddy's dead.’”
(Vanessa Richardson, 09:00)

Additional Breaking True Crime Stories

Stabbing of Iowa Scientist by Her Husband

Key Details:

• Victim: Amber Nicole Martin, 41, medical laboratory scientist at University of Iowa Healthcare
• Suspect: James Fuller Martin, 47 (her husband), arrested at the scene
• Incident date: January 16, Coralville, Iowa

Summary:

• Amber was stabbed multiple times at home. Police allege James planned the attack, arming himself with a kitchen knife and waiting for his wife.
• No motive has been released by police.
• Both had medical backgrounds; former co-workers described them as a loving couple.
• The community and workplace are in disbelief.

“One colleague described Amber as vivacious, kind and loved by all her co-workers, underscoring the shock among those who worked with them.”
(Vanessa Richardson, 04:40)

Alleged Serial Poisoning by North Carolina Restaurant Owner

Key Details:

• Suspect: Gudrin Casper Leinenkugel, 52, former restaurant owner
• Charges: Two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and unlawful distribution of food/beverage
• Incident Dates: Deaths in 2007 and December 2025; arrest on January 16, 2026

Summary:

• Casper Leinenkugel is accused of poisoning beverages with acetonitrile (which converts to cyanide in the body), resulting in two fatalities and two survivors.
• No motive or connections between the victims and suspect have been publicly identified.
• Investigators are reviewing evidence linking Leinenkugel to a 2007 fatality.

“Authorities allege Casper Leinenkugel placed a highly toxic chemical into the beverages of at least four people over time…”
(Vanessa Richardson, 11:56)

Pharmacy Robbery Targeting Weight Loss Drugs

Key Details:

• Incident: $16,000 worth of GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity) stolen
• Location: Smart Choice Pharmacy, Bensalem Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
• Suspects: Three men (from Pennsylvania & New York), apprehended shortly after the crime

Summary:

• Three suspects allegedly assaulted a delivery driver and stole high-value prescription drugs, likely for resale.
• The robbery appears to have been anticipated and planned due to prior suspicious inquiries into the delivery schedule.
• The medications’ high resale value makes them attractive to criminals.

“Law enforcement officials say the high demand and resale value of GLP-1 medications have them attractive targets. Monthly costs can reach up to $1,000 for people without insurance…”
(Vanessa Richardson, 17:43)

Special Segment: Notorious St. Louis Murders

Vanessa Richardson highlights four murder cases that exposed social and institutional failures in St. Louis, providing historical context for ongoing issues about vulnerability and justice in American cities. Notable cases include the murders by serial killer Maury Travis and the decades-old St. Louis Jane Doe case (eventually identified as Precious Hope).

“Some cities are defined by what they build. Others are defined by what they survive. St. Louis is defined by both.”
(Vanessa Richardson, 19:41)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On the accused child’s admission:

  “Officers and investigators say that the boy later told police, ‘I shot somebody.’ Troopers also reportedly overheard him say, ‘I killed Daddy.’”
  (Vanessa Richardson, 07:00)

• Community’s shock over the family tragedy:

  “One longtime resident described the Dees family as very kind and said he did not expect something like this in their neighborhood.”
  (Vanessa Richardson, 08:12)

• Mother’s reaction after the shooting:

  “She told police their son then entered the bedroom… and shouted, ‘daddy's dead.’”
  (Vanessa Richardson, 09:00)

• On Amber Martin’s colleagues’ reaction:

  “One colleague described Amber as vivacious, kind and loved by all her co-workers, underscoring the shock among those who worked with them.”
  (Vanessa Richardson, 04:40)

• On drug thefts:

  “Law enforcement officials say the high demand and resale value of GLP-1 medications have them attractive targets.”
  (Vanessa Richardson, 17:43)

• Reflecting on the St. Louis murder cases:

  “Some cities are defined by what they build. Others are defined by what they survive. St. Louis is defined by both.”
  (Vanessa Richardson, 19:41)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 02:31 — Iowa domestic stabbing: Amber Martin
• 06:30 — Pennsylvania patricide: Clayton Dees case
• 11:45 — North Carolina poisoning case
• 15:28 — Pharmacy robbery in Pennsylvania
• 19:56 — Four notorious St. Louis murders (special segment)

Final Notes

This fast-paced episode highlights disturbing trends in American true crime: deadly family violence, rare cases of child homicide, calculated poisonings, and increasingly sophisticated pharmaceutical theft. Vanessa Richardson blends compassionate reporting with clear-eyed coverage, ensuring listeners are informed on ongoing investigations and the wider context surrounding each case.