Crime House Daily
First Watch: Missing Mother’s Ashes Found & Brunett Family Tragedy
Host: Katie Ring
Date: November 6, 2025

Episode Overview

This First Watch episode spotlights two deeply disturbing active investigations. First, Katie Ring unpacks the unfolding case of Nicholas Yates, a young man accused of murdering his mother and attempting to burn her remains. The second half explores the shocking multi-state Brunett family tragedy: the murder of Callie Brunett, the abduction of her two daughters, and a horrifying sequence of crimes leading to federal charges. The episode provides sensitive, clear reporting, focused on the facts as they are currently known.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nicholas Yates & the Murder of Cheryl Yates (Clinton, Indiana)

• Case Background

  • Cheryl Yates, described as a beloved community member and creative spirit, was reported missing by her son Nicholas, age 20, on October 5, 2025. Police arrive at their Clinton, IN home to investigate.
  • Initial inconsistencies in Nick’s statements include:
    • Claiming Cheryl left with her ID and cards but somehow left her wallet, purse, and phone behind.
    • Nick says he called Cheryl’s old phone despite knowing she had a “new” phone (the old one having supposedly been sold for cash).
    • Officers note Nick’s use of the past tense: “she was the sweetest person.” (08:12)

• Police Investigation

  • Cheryl’s supervisor shares that she had last been seen on Friday, October 3, leaving work early to take Nick to a doctor appointment.

  • Officers find Cheryl’s pill planner (last dose on Oct 3) and discover two of Nick’s friends moved into Cheryl’s bedroom within 24 hours of her going “missing.”

  • Friends reveal Nick told them Cheryl was moving out and offered them her room days before he reported her missing, suggesting premeditation.

    “Apparently he called them on September 30 to say his mom was moving out and invited them to move in, saying he needed their answer by October 3rd. Now it's looking like a cold, premeditated murder...” – Katie Ring (11:41)

• Crime Scene Discovery & Confession

  • Officers find a fire pit with smoldering remains, charred bones, and papers. Nick is arrested immediately.

  • Nick’s story unravels under interrogation. He finally confesses:

    "He says that on October 3rd he and Cheryl got into an argument... so he struck her in the throat and then choked her until her face turned blue. After realizing how blue she was, he says he let go, but Cheryl stumbled backwards, fell and hit her head... After that she was unresponsive. Nick then placed her body in a wooden box and left her there overnight. The next day, he dragged the box out to the backyard fire pit and burned it." – Katie Ring (14:58)

• Legal Status

  • Nick is charged with felony murder, pleads not guilty, and awaits trial. Cheryl’s remains are still undergoing final identification.

2. The Brunett Family Tragedy (Louisiana & Mississippi)

• Overview & Victims

  • June 2024: Callie Brunett, mother of two, is found brutally murdered at home in Loringer, LA. Her daughters, Jaylee (6) and Erin (4), are abducted.

• The Investigation & Chase

  • Police issue a multi-state alert, track Callie’s missing Chrysler, and follow surveillance leads to Jackson, MS.
  • Key detail: Daniel Wayne Callahan, ex-boyfriend with a violent past, is quickly identified as a suspect.

• Discovery of the Crime Scene

  • Authorities search a property thought to be used for criminal activity. In the woods, they find Callie’s car and, horrifyingly, discover a makeshift pit where Jaylee is found alive, but Erin has tragically been killed.

    “They see a mattress on the ground. They grab the mattress and move it to the side. The mattress was covering a pit in the ground. And inside the pit, they spot 6 year old Jaylee staring back at them, terrified. Her little sister Erin is next to her, but the agents realize she's not alive.” – Katie Ring (23:15)

• Perpetrators & Confessions

  • Callahan is arrested shortly after and confesses in detail to the murder of Callie, the abduction of both children, the sexual assault of Jaylee, and the murder of Erin.

  • His accomplice, Victoria Cox, corroborates the story.

    “He admits to keeping Jaylee alive to be a sex slave. Authorities are stunned and horrified.” – Katie Ring (24:56)

• Criminal Charges, Sentences & Aftermath

  • Callahan faces multiple state and federal charges, pleads guilty to avoid the death penalty, and is sentenced to life without parole and an additional 30 years.

  • Victoria Cox, facing capital charges, pleads not guilty and may be offered a plea deal.

  • The site on Bougier Drive is suspected of being used for child trafficking, owing to evidence of cages on the property.

    “Judge Deborah Gibbs calls his crimes the most horrific she's seen since taking the bench.” – (26:47)

• Impact on the Community

  • Surviving daughter Jaylee is now in loving care with her grandparents.
  • The case leaves the community (and listeners) shaken by the brutality and breadth of the crimes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the unsettling nature of Nick Yates’s statements:

  "The fact that Nick used the past tense, 'she was,' set off alarm bells immediately for Hawkins."
  — Katie Ring (08:12)

• On premeditation in Cheryl Yates’s murder:

  "Apparently he called them on September 30 to say his mom was moving out and invited them to move in, saying he needed their answer by October 3rd. Now it's looking like a cold, premeditated murder..."
  — Katie Ring (11:41)

• Graphic discovery of Jaylee in the woods:

  "They grab the mattress and move it to the side. But what they see next, they know they can never unsee. The mattress was covering a pit in the ground. And inside the pit, they spot 6 year old Jaylee staring back at them, terrified. Her little sister Erin is next to her, but the agents realize she's not alive."
  — Katie Ring (23:15)

• On the gravity of Callahan’s crimes:

  "Judge Deborah Gibbs calls his crimes the most horrific she's seen since taking the bench."
  — Katie Ring (26:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Case Preview and Updates: 00:51 – 03:37
• Nicholas Yates / Cheryl Yates Investigation: 03:37 – 14:56
• Nick’s Confession and Legal Analysis: 14:56 – 17:47
• Brunett Family Case Overview: 17:47 – 23:31
• Discovery of Survivors and Arrest: 23:31 – 26:47
• Charges, Sentencing, and Aftermath: 26:47 – 28:30
• Host Wrap-up: 28:30 – 29:23

Episode Tone

Katie Ring brings a sober, compassionate, and fact-driven approach, balancing detailed reporting with care for victims and survivors. She refrains from speculation, focuses on verified facts, and closes each story with a reminder of ongoing investigations and respect for the presumption of innocence until conviction.

Final Thoughts

• Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts and theories in the comments.
• Katie promises continued updates as both cases proceed through the legal system.

For more episodes and updates, subscribe to Crime House Daily and follow on social media for real-time developments.