Crime House Daily: First Watch

Episode Overview

Date: November 10, 2025
Host: Katie Ring
Theme: Family Betrayal — Murder-Suicide Plot and Cancer Scam
This First Watch episode examines two recent, shocking true crime cases where parents planned and executed devastating betrayals against their own families. Katie Ring takes listeners through the chilling events of a murder-suicide plot in Idaho and a high-profile cancer scam in Australia.

[00:16] Case 1: Delbert Cornish — Year-Long Murder-Suicide Plot in Idaho

Case Summary

• Victims: Onyx Cornish (18, non-binary, queer, trans) and Lucien Cornish (15)
• Accused: Delbert Cornish, their non-biological father, described as the only father figure in their lives
• Incident Date: August 19, 2025
• Motive: Claimed protection from future suffering after his own suicide (strongly questioned by the host)

Family & Victim Background

• Onyx was deeply connected to their community, overcoming drug addiction, and had been sober for a year.
• Known for creative expression, alternative style, and devotion to younger siblings.
• Lived with Delbert, Lucien, and Delbert's brother due to special care requirements for their youngest sibling, Rain.
• Close-knit, with meaningful last moments before the tragedy:
  • "Crystal and Onyx stay up till midnight that night talking and being silly. But Crystal doesn't know this is the last time she'll see Onyx." (08:43)

Sequence of Events

• Morning (August 19):

  • Delbert consumes bourbon, arms himself with a 9mm handgun, and shoots Onyx in their bedroom after a brief, silent encounter.
    • "He stands there for a few moments before opening it and once he does, Onyx is standing there staring at him. Startled, Delbert quickly raises the gun and shoots his own child in the head." (09:54)
  • Onyx survives the initial shot, but Delbert waits 20 minutes as they die, then apologizes by kissing them and wrapping them in a pride flag.
  • He kills Onyx's beloved cat.

• Afternoon (3–4pm):

  • Lucien arrives from school. Delbert tries to confess and attempts to shoot Lucien, but Lucien resists and escapes after a struggle:
    • "Lucien asks him why he’s doing this. Delbert pauses deep in thought, and Lucien takes his chance. He lunges at his father." (10:54)
    • During Lucien’s escape:
      • 'Lucien responds, "I know, Dad. I love you."' (11:19, Lucien to Delbert)
  • Lucien notifies police; Delbert flees but is arrested later that evening.

Arrest & Confession

• Delbert immediately confesses and reveals he had planned the act for over a year.
  • "Delbert tells police he's extremely depressed and that he's been planning his own suicide and the murder of his children for over a year." (13:19)
  • Claims children were bullied and he feared for them after his suicide—host dismisses this as potentially self-serving justification.
  • Delbert had intended to kill another son who was ultimately incarcerated at the time.

Legal Aftermath & Family Response

• Charges: First-degree murder, assault with intent to commit murder, weapons charges, animal cruelty.
• Potential Sentence: Life imprisonment or death penalty.
• Family Reaction: Overwhelming shock, regret at missed warning signs.
  • "Crystal says she never saw any warning signs that Delbert was capable of something like this and that she wishes he would have found another solution, like asking for help." (13:56)
• Community Support:
  • Public vigil for Onyx, honoring their memory and kindness (14:43).
  • "People who didn’t even know Onyx show up to pay their respects. The family lays out a table with some of Onyx’s cherished belongings, including a teddy bear they had had since they were a little kid." (14:56)

Notable Quotes

• "I can't even imagine shooting your own child, but standing over them and watching as they slowly die... is next level sick." — Katie Ring (10:36)
• "He says this will be the last time Lucien ever sees him and that he'll be dead right after he leaves." — Katie Ring paraphrasing Delbert (11:16)
• "She wants to celebrate Onyx for who they were as a person." — Katie Ring on Crystal’s resolve (14:34)

Timestamps

• 00:16 — Introduction of the Cornish Case
• 08:14 — Victim background and family dynamics
• 09:54 — Timeline of murder
• 10:54 — Lucien’s confrontation and escape
• 11:19 — Family exchange: “I know, Dad. I love you.”
• 13:19 — Delbert’s confession and mentality
• 14:43 — Community vigil and aftermath

[15:26] Case 2: Michelle Badar — Cancer Scam Mom in Australia

Case Summary

• Accused: Michelle Badar (mid-40s, Adelaide, Australia), husband Ben Steven Miller
• Victims: Neighbors, friends, school community, own children

The Scam

• In late 2024, Michelle claimed her 6-year-old son had cancer, sharing detailed stories on social media alleging he had three tumors.

• Used platforms to crowdsource financial support, shaving her son’s head and eyebrows to maintain the ruse, posting photos, and even using a wheelchair at public events.

  • "Michelle wraps her son's head in bandages and even begins pushing him around in a wheelchair." (16:48)

• Community and private school parents donated generously — $60,000 in two weeks, later adjusted to ~$22,000.

• Michelle convinced even her own children:

  • "She also convinces her son that he is actually sick... Michelle's daughter also believes her brother is sick, and it's been weighing heavily on her." (20:47)

Exposing the Lie

• School community grows suspicious about timeline inconsistencies and medical details.
• Police investigation determines the cancer diagnosis is fabricated.
• Both Michelle and Ben are arrested, charged with deception and acts likely to cause harm (max 5 years).
  • "Michelle simply shakes her head when she hears this... Michelle scoffs out loud." — In court, Michelle reacts mockingly to charges and bail denial (20:55)

Legal Process & Fallout

• Ben is determined to be less involved; released on house arrest, prohibited from contacting family.
• Michelle’s mother refuses to let her stay during house arrest; Michelle remains in custody.
• Children placed with other family members while coping with trauma.
• By May 2025, Ben’s charges are dropped, but Michelle faces 72 charges (later reduced from $60,000 to ~$22,000 theft).
• Additional charge: criminal neglect of her son; pleads guilty to acts likely to harm and ten counts of deception.
  • "Michelle soon starts working on a deal to plead guilty in exchange for considering and lessening the charges." (21:57)
• Sentencing scheduled for late November 2025.

Community Reaction

• "Parents, faculty and staff at the school feel betrayed and they're ready for justice to be served." (21:24)
• Community supporting the children and grappling with emotional aftermath.

Timestamps

• 15:26 — Introduction to Michelle Badar’s scam
• 16:48 — Details of the deception and community response
• 20:47 — Manipulation of her children and growing suspicion
• 20:55 — Legal proceedings and Michelle’s demeanor
• 21:57 — Charges, plea, and next steps

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Katie Ring on Delbert’s confession:
  "At the end of the day he was just selfish. If he was taking himself out, he was taking everyone with him." (13:32)

• Crystal (Onyx’s mother) on living with aftermath:
  "She never saw any warning signs that Delbert was capable of something like this and that she wishes he would have found another solution, like asking for help." (13:56)

• Katie Ring on Onyx’s vigil:
  "People bring new stuffed animals as gifts to keep the teddy bear company and jewelry items Onyx was known to wear, like choker necklaces and jelly bracelets." (14:58)

• Katie Ring on Michelle Badar’s scam:
  "Michelle wraps her son’s head in bandages and even begins pushing him around in a wheelchair. All the while she posts about the excruciating pain he is in and how hard it is for him to understand what’s happening." (16:48)

• Host critical of Michelle’s manipulation:
  "But while Michelle might be able to manipulate her children, other people she knows are becoming suspicious." (20:47)

Final Thoughts (22:54)

Host encourages listener discussion:
“What did you think of today’s cases? Drop your thoughts and theories in the comments. See you next time.”

Episode Structure

1. [00:16] Case 1: Delbert Cornish’s Murder-Suicide Plot
   • Detailed background, sequence, and aftermath of the murder in Idaho
2. [15:26] Case 2: Michelle Badar’s Cancer Scam
   • The emotional and financial manipulation of community and family, legal fallout
3. [22:54] Closing
   • Invitation to comment, reminders to subscribe and follow for updates

This episode powerfully illustrates the depth of familial betrayal and its wide-ranging impact, placing a spotlight on both the brutality of the crimes and the rippling aftermath for the families and communities caught in their wake.