Crime House 24/7

Episode: Father of Teen School Shooter on Trial and a $6 Million Ransom Demand in Nancy Guthrie Update

Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Vanessa Richardson

Overview

In this morning’s episode, Vanessa Richardson brings breaking updates on several major true-crime stories, including the unfolding investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance and the unprecedented criminal prosecution of a Georgia father whose son carried out a deadly school shooting. Other highlights include the murder trial of Dale Warner in Michigan, recent criminal charges against former NFL linebacker Darren Lee, and the federal conviction of MLB player Yasiel Puig. The episode closes with a look at five of the most sensational televised criminal trials in U.S. history.

Episode Highlights

1. Update: Nancy Guthrie Disappearance and $6 Million Ransom (01:56–06:36)

• Background:
  Nancy Guthrie, 84 years old and mother of NBC Today anchor Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for ten days. No suspects or vehicles of interest have been publicly identified.

• Law Enforcement Activity:

  • FBI and Pima County Sheriff's continue to search her home, including a detailed search of a septic tank/manhole.
  • No confirmation on whether new evidence was found.

• Ransom Notes:

  • Circulating ransom notes demanded $6 million in Bitcoin for Nancy’s return, with a deadline of 5 pm on February 9.
  • Law enforcement has not verified the authenticity of these notes; investigation includes consulting AI experts.

• Family Appeals:

  • Savannah Guthrie and siblings released a video plea:

    “We received your message and we understand.” – Guthrie Family (03:43)

  • Savannah’s Instagram video ahead of the deadline:

    “We have reached an hour of desperation.” – Savannah Guthrie (03:57)

  • No evidence Nancy is receiving her needed medication or is alive.

• “Authorities continue to investigate reported ransom communications and are reportedly working with artificial intelligence experts to determine their validity, but have so far not verified the authenticity of those notes.” – Vanessa Richardson (04:50)

• Current Status:
  Investigation remains active and ongoing. No suspects named; no physical evidence of Nancy Guthrie’s wellbeing.

2. Legal First: Trial of Colin Gray, Father of Georgia School Shooter (06:37–11:29)

• Case Overview:
  Jury selection began for Colin Gray, charged in connection with the shooting carried out by his 14-year-old son, Colt Gray, at Appalachia High School, Winder, Georgia.

• Charges:
  29 counts including two of second-degree murder, two of involuntary manslaughter, and multiple counts of cruelty to children.

• Prosecution’s Argument:

  • Colin Gray bought the AR-style rifle used in the attack as a Christmas gift (December 2023), despite his son’s known behavioral and mental health issues.
  • He also purchased a larger magazine for the weapon.
  • Acts amount to criminal negligence contributing directly to the shooting.

• Defense’s Argument:

  • Do not dispute the gun purchase but claim Colin could not have foreseen or be held responsible for his son's actions.

• Case Details:

  • Shooting left 4 dead (2 students, 2 teachers), 9 wounded.
  • Colt Gray faces 55 counts; his trial proceeds separately.

• “The case marks one of the rare instances in which a parent is being criminally prosecuted for a mass school shooting carried out by their child.” – Vanessa Richardson (09:57)

• Jury Focus:
  Parental responsibility, gun access, and school violence.

• Notable Quote:

  “The court will be tasked with answering a difficult legal question, whether a parent can be held criminally responsible for providing a firearm later used in a mass shooting, even if they did not directly participate in the violence.” – Vanessa Richardson (11:10)

3. Michigan Murder Trial: The Dale Warner Case (11:29–13:32)

• Background:
  Dale Warner stands trial for the death of his wife, Dee Warner, who went missing in 2021.

• Key Timeline:

  • Dee Warner disappeared April 25, 2021. Personal items and vehicles were left behind.
  • Dale claimed she left voluntarily after an argument; family refutes this.
  • August 2022: Michigan State Police take over.
  • March 2024: Dee is declared legally dead; Dale arrested.
  • August 2024: Dee’s remains found in an ammonia tank on farm property, confirmed by dental records.

• Prosecution’s Claim:
  Dee was killed during a domestic dispute, her remains concealed by Dale Warner.

• Ongoing Fallout:

  • Civil suit filed May 2025 by Dee’s daughter Raquel Bach, alleging mishandling of estate assets.

• “For Dee Warner’s family, the trial represents a long-awaited opportunity for accountability after years of uncertainty.” – Vanessa Richardson (13:02)

4. Sports Crime Updates

a. Former NFL Player Darren Lee Charged with Murder (13:32–15:30)

• Incident:
  Darren Lee, former New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, arrested in Tennessee, accused of murdering his girlfriend Gabriela Carvalho Perpetuo.

• Evidence:

  • Lee claimed she “may have fallen in the shower.”
  • Scene showed blood spatter, broken glass, misplaced cleaning supplies.
  • Lee had scratches suggesting a struggle.
  • The victim suffered a stab wound, head injuries, bruises, and a bite mark.

• “The arrest of Lee marks a dramatic fall for a player once viewed as a cornerstone defensive talent.” – Vanessa Richardson (14:34)

• Status:
  Lee has not entered a plea, presumed innocent.

b. MLB Star Yasiel Puig Convicted on Gambling Charges (15:31–16:56)

• Case:
  Federal jury in Los Angeles found Puig guilty of obstruction of justice and making false statements during an investigation into an illegal gambling operation.

• Details:

  • Placed bets with underground bookmakers; incurred nearly $1 million in debt.
  • Lied to investigators during a 2022 interview.

• “Puig ran up a gambling debt… of nearly $1 million, a debt he never paid.” – Vanessa Richardson (16:37)

• Defense:
  Claimed language barriers impacted his statements.
  Sentencing set for May 26, 2026; faces up to 15 years.

5. Deep Dive: 5 Most Sensational Televised Trials (21:00–End)

• Framing:
  The role of televised trials in shaping public perception, justice, and collective memory.

Featured Cases:

1. O.J. Simpson Trial (22:01)

   • “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” (Vanessa Richardson referencing Johnnie Cochran)
   • Case highlighted deep societal divides and questioned efficacy of public trials.

2. Menendez Brothers (23:00)

   • Openly aired abuse allegations; “Can someone be both a victim and a perpetrator?”

3. Casey Anthony (24:04)

   • Acquittal after intense public scrutiny; public felt “justice slipped away in real time.”

4. Scott Peterson (25:15)

   • Circumstantial evidence’s power in the public mind; media’s effect on perceptions before trial end.

5. Jody Arias (26:03)

   • Trial blurred lines between information and spectacle; raised ethical issues about voyeurism and televised justice.

• Synthesis:

  “Televised trials invite the public into spaces once reserved for juries and judges. They turn evidence into entertainment and grief into discussion... For victims and families, this exposure can be devastating.” – Vanessa Richardson (27:11)

• Closing Thought:

  “When trials become television, the verdict is rarely the final chapter. Sometimes it’s just the moment the story becomes immortal.” – Vanessa Richardson (28:05)

Notable Quotes

• Savannah Guthrie (on mother’s disappearance):

  “We have reached an hour of desperation.” (03:57)

• On parental prosecution in shootings:

  “The court will be tasked with answering a difficult legal question, whether a parent can be held criminally responsible for providing a firearm later used in a mass shooting, even if they did not directly participate in the violence.” (11:10)

• On televised justice:

  “Televised trials don’t just show justice in action, they reshape how we experience crime itself.” (27:19)

Important Timestamps

• Nancy Guthrie Update & Ransom Demand: 01:56–06:37
• Colin Gray, School Shooting Father Trial: 06:37–11:29
• Dale Warner Michigan Murder Trial: 11:29–13:32
• Sports Crime Roundup (Darren Lee & Yasiel Puig): 13:32–16:56
• Televised Trials Commentary: 21:00–26:44

Summary

This episode delivers real-time true crime coverage, balancing critical updates (like Nancy Guthrie’s unresolved disappearance and the prosecution of a Georgia school shooter’s father) with insightful analysis into how crime, justice, and media intersect. Through poignant family statements, detailed legal context, and a powerful look at high-profile trials, listeners are drawn into both the facts and the deeper questions shaping today’s most important crime stories.