Crime House 24/7

Episode: Jill Biden’s Ex-Husband Indicted on Murder and Update on Nancy Guthrie's Disappearance
Host: Vanessa Richardson
Date: February 5, 2026

Episode Overview

This daytime episode of Crime House 24/7 delivers key breaking true-crime stories from across the United States. Hosted by Vanessa Richardson, the episode covers the high-profile indictment of Jill Biden’s ex-husband for first-degree murder, new developments in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance, updates on recent murders in Montana and Los Angeles, and a notable influencer assault case in New York. The show concludes with a segue into the history of so-called "Bluebeard killers"—men who have manipulated and murdered women through romance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. William Stevenson, Jill Biden's Ex-Husband, Indicted for Murder

[02:31–09:35]

• Breaking News: William Stevenson, 77, former first husband of Dr. Jill Biden, indicted for first-degree murder after the death of his second wife, Linda Stevenson, in Delaware.
• Timeline:
  • December 28, 2025: Police respond to a domestic dispute. Linda Stevenson found unresponsive; pronounced dead at the scene.
  • Weeks of investigation follow; details initially withheld.
  • February 2, 2026: Stevenson indicted by a grand jury; arrest and $500,000 cash bail (unmet).
• Details:
  • Cause and manner of death not publicly released.
  • Motive unconfirmed.
  • Stevenson reportedly "did intentionally cause the death of his wife" (indictment language).
• Context:
  • Stevenson and Jill Biden were married from 1970–1975.
  • Jill Biden not linked to the case beyond past marriage.
  • Linda remembered as "deeply family oriented ... a proud bookkeeping business owner ... and Eagles fan."
  • Stevenson neither entered a plea nor issued public statements.
• Quote:

  "There's no indication that Jill Biden has any connection to the current investigation beyond that past relationship. Jill Biden has not commented publicly on the case." – Vanessa Richardson [04:50]

2. Montana Bear Attack Homicide: Darren Christopher Abbey Sentenced

[09:35–11:11]

• Case Recap:
  • October 2024: Dustin Gersom found dead (originally thought a bear attack), but autopsy reveals sharp force injuries.
  • Darren Christopher Abbey, camping nearby, was identified via DNA evidence and admitted to the killing, claiming self-defense.
• Trial & Sentencing:
  • November 2025: Convicted of deliberate homicide and tampering; self-defense claim rejected.
  • February 3, 2026: Sentenced to 100 years (80 years before parole eligibility).
• Details:
  • Attack involved multiple weapons (block of wood, axe, screwdriver).
  • Abbey tried to mislead authorities by staging the scene as an animal attack and took victim's belongings.
• Impact:
  • Gersom leaves behind two children; sentencing brings some closure.
• Quote:

  “Prosecutors argued for a lengthy sentence, citing the violence of the crime, the attempt to mislead authorities through the initial appearance of a bear attack, and the lasting impact on Gersom’s loved ones, including his two children.” – Vanessa Richardson [10:50]

3. Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie – Ransom Demand Emerges

[13:24–15:55]

• Update:
  • Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today Show anchor Savannah Guthrie, missing since January 31, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona.
  • Media outlets received ransom demands in Bitcoin, referencing details from inside Guthrie’s home.
• Police Response:
  • Pima County Sheriff’s Office and FBI "reviewing all tips and leads."
  • Ransom note shared with Savannah Guthrie.
  • Belief that Nancy may still be alive; forced entry and blood at the scene remain focal points.
• Quote:

  “Authorities continue to believe Nancy Guthrie is alive even as the case remains classified as a suspected crime. Signs of forced entry and blood found inside her home remains central to the investigation as investigators work to determine whether this ransom demand is credible.” – Vanessa Richardson [14:12]

4. String of Killings in Los Angeles Homeless Encampments

[15:55–17:25]

• Case Details:
  • Former NFL player Kevin Johnson, 55, found murdered in a South LA encampment (January 21).
  • Brutal killing: blunt force trauma, multiple stab wounds.
  • Possible links to three other recent killings of unhoused individuals in the area.
• Investigation:
  • Killings span October–January; homicides remain unsolved.
  • Detectives searching for patterns, seeking public assistance.
  • Johnson remembered as a “kind and generous” presence, possibly struggling with CTE.
• Quote:

  “Authorities have not announced any arrests in Johnson's killing or the other related cases. The Sheriff's Department emphasized that the investigation remains active and urged anyone with information to come forward.” – Vanessa Richardson [16:44]

5. Viral Assault Case: Hali Kate McGukin Testifies in New York

[17:25–19:42]

• Background:
  • TikTok influencer Hali Kate McGukin claims she was punched by Siboki Stora in March 2024.
  • Viral video of injuries sparked wave of discourse about random street assaults.
• Trial Updates:
  • McGukin testifies in Manhattan Supreme Court.
  • Stora, representing himself, exhibits erratic courtroom behavior, raises extraneous issues.
  • Additional charges for previous assaults and harassment.
  • Case centers on establishing a pattern of unprovoked attacks.
• Quote:

  “Stora's self representation has included unusual courtroom behavior including wearing a white tie with his name written on it, and attempting to raise unrelated questions about social media trends...” – Vanessa Richardson [18:48]

6. Night Watch Teaser: The Bluebeard Killers

[20:33–24:25]

• Exploration of "Crimes of Passion":
  • Vanessa Richardson, joined by Dr. Tristan Engels, teases the evening’s Night Watch deep-dive into "Bluebeard Killers"—men who murder women they romantically engage with.
• Three Infamous Figures Discussed:
  • Henri Désiré Landru: French murderer who exploited isolated women during WWI.
    • “Landru operated in France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries… used newspaper personal ads… Once a relationship was established, he convinced his victims to transfer their savings… None of them ever returned.” [22:13]
  • H.H. Holmes: The "Murder Castle" architect, preyed on women through romantic manipulation.
    • “Several of Holmes confirmed victims were women who believed they were entering loving relationships. Instead, they were isolated… and ultimately killed.” [23:15]
  • Johan Otto Hoch: Bigamist who poisoned women he married for their money.
    • “Hoch would gain his victims' trust, marry them quickly, and then poison them, often with arsenic after gaining access to their finances.” [23:43]
• Analysis:
  • The pattern is not simply violence, but "intimacy turned into a weapon."
  • “Some of the most dangerous predators don't inspire fear. They inspire trust. And in true crime, trust is often the most lethal door of all.” – Vanessa Richardson [24:18]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the Stevenson Indictment:

  “On February 2, a grand jury indicted William Stevenson on a charge of first degree murder. Court records show that he is now in custody at Howard Young Correctional Institution after he was unable to post a $500,000 cash bail.” – Vanessa Richardson [04:10]

• On the Guthrie Ransom Note:

  “Multiple outlets... report they received messages demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin for Guthrie’s safe return. Those reports say the messages referenced details inside Guthrie’s home.” – Vanessa Richardson [13:43]

• On Serial Crimes Exploiting Romance:

  “What unites these men, Landru, Holmes and Hoch, is not just violence but intimacy turned into a weapon. They wrote letters, proposed marriage, and promised futures that never existed. And by the time the truth became clear, escape was often impossible.” – Vanessa Richardson [24:11]

Timestamps for Highlighted Segments

• [02:31–09:35] — Stevenson indictment breakdown
• [09:35–11:11] — Montana “bear attack” murder, sentencing update
• [13:24–15:55] — Nancy Guthrie disappearance, ransom note development
• [15:55–17:25] — Serial killings of unhoused individuals in Los Angeles
• [17:25–19:42] — Influencer Hali Kate McGukin’s assault testimony in court
• [20:33–24:25] — Bluebeard Killers deep-dive preview

Conclusion

This episode of Crime House 24/7 deftly summarizes developments in nationally captivating crime stories—offering context, investigative updates, and the emotional and societal impacts of each. Vanessa Richardson delivers the latest with clarity and careful attention to the human stories behind the headlines. Through both hard news and historical context, the program invites listeners to contemplate not just the facts, but also the enduring patterns and psychology of crime.