Crime House Daily: First Watch

“Parents Cover Up Son’s Murder & the Survivor Who Refused to Die”

Host: Katie Ring
Date: November 17, 2025

Overview

In this First Watch episode, host Katie Ring dives into two recent, emotionally charged true crime cases that sent shock waves through their communities:

• Case 1: The murder of 10-year-old Jaden Spicer in Kentucky, whose parents became prime suspects after initially appearing to help the search for their missing son.
• Case 2: The story of Jezerae Beck, a Nebraska woman who endured a horrific ordeal of domestic abuse and kidnapping, emerging as a survivor who now champions the cause of others.

Katie brings her signature analytical depth, emphasizing the importance of community action, the dangers behind closed doors, and the endurance of survivors.

Case One: The Murder of Jaden Spicer

(Starts at 03:20)

Key Developments

• Background:
  • Jaden Spicer, age 10, from Jackson, Kentucky, disappeared from his home on August 5th.
  • Initially raised by his grandmother, Shirley, Jaden was recently sent to live with his biological mother, Felicia Gross, and stepfather Joshua Gross after Shirley passed.
• The Disappearance:
  • Felicia reported Jaden missing on the morning of August 6th, stating he went to bed as normal but was gone the next morning ([04:45]).
  • Their rural backyard opens into woodland, making the possibility of Jaden wandering off (or being taken) a legitimate concern, sparking an immediate and widescale search.
• Community and Law Enforcement Rally:
  • Police launched a multi-day search using helicopters, ATVs, dogs, and drones ([05:10]).
  • The Jackson community raised over $5,000 for information and organized search parties; awareness quickly spread on social media ([06:25]).
• Crucial YouTuber Breakthrough:
  • Fred and Sheila McCoy, local community members and operators of Hatfield McCoy Museum Adventures, joined the search. They previously helped solve a case by locating a suspect’s body via unusual clues ([07:55]).
  • Upon arrival near the Gross home, Fred noticed a plastic sheet with children’s clothing underneath—including a blue coat, hiking boots, Crocs, and underwear sealed in a Ziploc bag ([10:10]).
  • After confronting Joshua, who refused to be filmed, Fred uploaded findings to YouTube and immediately alerted law enforcement ([12:05]).
• Felicia’s Confession and Arrests:
  • When police confronted Felicia with the new evidence, she confessed: She had given Jaden too much sleeping medication accidentally and, realizing he was dead, buried his body roughly 20 miles away, coaching her children to lie ([13:00]).
  • Jaden's body was discovered on August 12, ending the week-long search ([14:00]).
  • Both Felicia and Joshua Gross were charged with murder, falsely reporting an incident, evidence tampering, and abuse of a corpse ([15:05]).
• Public Reaction and Memorial:
  • Large public outcry followed, with locals hoping for life sentences for both.
  • Father Jim Sitchko contributed to Jaden's funeral expenses; first responders provided support; school closed for Jaden’s Spider-Man themed funeral ([16:00]).
• Prior Allegations:
  • Felicia’s record of prior child neglect and endangering the welfare of a minor emerged, with ties to Child Protective Services between 2013–2020 ([17:10]).
• Legal Updates:
  • Both defendants pleaded not guilty as of September 5 ([18:20]).
  • Ongoing legal wrangling includes attorney withdrawals and motions, with pretrial hearings set for November ([19:30]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the emotional toll:
  • "It's the perfect town for a 10-year-old boy like Jaden who loved spending time outside." (Katie, 04:00)
• On Fred and Sheila’s discovery:
  • "Fred questioned whether Jaden had run away, had planned to run away, or if someone had tried to make it look like he ran away. It was a shocking discovery." (Katie, 11:00)
• On Felicia’s confession:
  • “She crumbled under the pressure after the McCoys found potential evidence and within minutes, she spilled everything. She told police that Jaden was dead—and that she had killed him.” (Katie, 13:10)
• On the community’s grief:
  • “On August 21st, the whole town came out to honor Jaden at his funeral. And school was canceled that day to make sure everyone could attend. The funeral was Spider-Man themed because Jaden had loved the superhero dearly.” (Katie, 16:50)
• On the legal aftermath:
  • “They’re both scheduled to be back in court in November for a pretrial hearing. However, this may get delayed while Joshua finds a new lawyer.” (Katie, 19:45)

Case Two: The Survival of Jezerae Beck

(Starts at 20:10)

Key Developments

• Background:
  • Jezerae Beck, 42, from Lincoln, Nebraska, had an on-again, off-again relationship with Christopher Collins, 36 ([21:05]).
  • Although their relationship seemed casual, things spiraled violently after a night out in August 2025.
• First Assault and Red Flags:
  • During an argument, Christopher violently strangled Jezerae until she passed out, repeatedly assaulted her, and threatened her life ([22:20]).
  • Jezerae escaped and was hospitalized; Christopher was charged with felony assault by strangulation. A protection order was granted ([23:35]).
• Protection Order Fails:
  • Despite injuries, Jezerae considered the attack an anomaly and sought to lift the restraining order. On September 24, she visited Christopher, intending to talk about a potential pregnancy ([25:10]).
  • She vanished that night; her family reported her missing the next morning ([26:00]).
• Kidnapping Ordeal:
  • Police and SWAT found blood in Christopher’s home, triggering a citywide manhunt ([27:05]).
  • Jezerae woke up in an unfamiliar rental home, brutally beaten and unable to move. Christopher, believing he had already killed her, begged her to retaliate, then began plotting to kill them both by causing a gas leak ([28:30]).
  • "He told Jezerae she should kill him... But she refused. Christopher lost his patience even more. He said that if she didn't do it, he was going to kill both of them." (Katie, 29:15)
• Rescue:
  • Law enforcement used surveillance and property records to locate Christopher’s rental. SWAT executed a no-knock warrant, broke in as gas filled the home, and rescued Jezerae just as Christopher launched another attack ([31:25]).
  • Jezerae was hospitalized with severe injuries including a brain bleed and broken ribs, facing lasting health impacts ([33:00]).
• Jezerae’s Courage and Advocacy:
  • Despite life-altering injuries, Jezerae is determined to help others:
    • "You're not alone. There's help out there." (Jezerae Beck, 34:15)
  • Law enforcement emphasized: "Domestic violence is never the victim’s fault." (Katie, 34:30)
• Legal Updates:
  • Christopher Collins is in custody, bail set at $10 million, facing charges including kidnapping, domestic assault, and terroristic threats; trial expected in November ([35:05]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the swift escalation:
  • “If someone ever strangles you, the chances of you being killed by that person increase by 750%.” (Katie, 24:35)
• On Jezerae’s refusal to fight back:
  • “But she wouldn’t be a murderer. That seemed to get him to stop trying.” (Katie, 29:40)
• On Silver Linings:
  • “Jezeray is just thankful to be alive. She said she's trying to stay positive and to be an example for other women going through similar things.” (Katie, 33:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Time | |---|---| | Jaden Spicer case introduction | 03:20 | | Search and community involvement | 05:10 | | YouTubers find evidence | 10:10 | | Police interrogate Felicia & confession | 13:00 | | Legal aftermath and public response | 15:05 | | Funeral and closure | 16:50 | | Felicia’s history of neglect revealed | 17:10 | | Legal wrangling and upcoming hearings | 19:30 | | Jezerae Beck case introduction | 20:10 | | Relationship background | 21:05 | | Assault and first escape | 22:20 | | Failure of protection order | 24:35 | | Jezerae kidnapped and missing | 26:00 | | The ordeal at the rental house | 28:30 | | SWAT rescue | 31:25 | | Jezerae’s survival, statement | 34:15 | | Law enforcement comments & outlook | 34:30 | | Christopher Collins’ charges | 35:05 |

Final Reflections

Katie closes the episode with a call to action and solidarity with victims and survivors of crime:

• “What did you think of today's cases? Drop your thoughts and theories in the comments. See you next time.”
• She reminds listeners of where to find real-time updates: Crime House Daily’s social media @rimehouse24.7 ([36:00]).

Tone:
Katie Ring’s style is direct, empathetic, and analytical—earnestly informing listeners, honoring victims, and demystifying the process of justice as it unfolds.