Crime House 24/7 – “My Dad Tried to Kill Me”: Stepfather Goes on Trial in Death of 11-Year-Old

Host: Vanessa Richardson
Date: March 9, 2026

Main Theme / Purpose

In this crime-packed morning episode, Vanessa Richardson covers several major cases breaking across the U.S., starting with the Orange County, California trial of Tan Tien Tran, accused of murdering his 11-year-old stepdaughter and attempting to kill his wife. The episode dives into the harrowing details of the attack, the victim's final moments, and the broader questions of motive and justice. Additional segments include coverage of shocking parental homicides, a neighbor feud turned fatal in New York, disturbing AI-related crimes, and a special Night Watch preview examining cases where victims believed they were being watched or targeted.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. California Stepfather Murder Trial: The Death of 11-Year-Old An-Hen Nguyen Duong

[00:35 – 06:35]

• Trial Overview:

  • On March 5, 2026, 81-year-old Tan Tien Tran goes on trial in Orange County, CA, for the murder of his stepdaughter, An-Hen Nguyen Duong, and the attempted murder of his wife, San Nguyen, in Garden Grove.
  • The attack occurred on August 29, 2018.
  • The prosecution claims An died heroically, intervening to save her mother.

• Details of the Attack:

  • San Nguyen and Tran began dating around 2014 (large age difference) in Vietnam, married in 2016, then immigrated to Orange County with the three children (An, 11; brothers 3 and 6).
  • Tran believed his wife was cheating, backed up by texts found on her phone. His anger “percolat[ed] and boil[ed] up over time.”
    • Quote (Vanessa/Prosecution, 02:23):

      “...An literally gave her life trying to save her mother’s and that she died because she tried and succeeded in saving her mom.”

  • The night before, San Nguyen told Tran she planned to move out with the children but not divorce him.
  • On the morning of the attack:
    • Tran shoots San Nguyen in the arm with a BB gun
    • Forces her into a closet and repeatedly stabs her
    • An, awakened by her mother's screams, attempts to intervene; Tran blocks her from her mother, then throws and straddles her, stabbing her in the abdomen while still attacking his wife through the door
    • San Nguyen escapes, bloodied, drawing neighbors' attention
    • Police arrive, rescue the children; Tran remains, attempts superficial self-harm, and is taken into custody
    • Paramedics find An on the lawn; she dies from a 3.5-inch stab wound to the abdomen

• Victim’s Final Words:

  • Notable Quote ([01:14]):

    "My dad tried to kill me."
    —An-Hen Nguyen Duong, to first responders

• Additional Revelations:

  • After the incident, a journal belonging to An was found, containing allegations of molestation by Tran
  • Police discovered search history for explicit underage material on Tran’s phone

• Legal Proceedings:

  • Tran attended trial with Vietnamese interpreters, appeared emotional, leading to a recess
  • Defense promises an alternative narrative but provides no details

2. Wisconsin Teen Sentenced for Double Parental Homicide & Failed Terror Plot

[06:35 – 10:19]

• Case Details:
  • Nikita Kassap, 18, sentenced to life with no parole for murdering his mother and stepfather in Waukesha, WI
  • Murders committed to fund a political “assassination” plot (of the President) that never materialized
  • Kassap lived with decomposing bodies for two weeks; caught in Kansas during a traffic stop
  • A manifesto, online communications, and Bitcoin purchases confirmed intent, but actual terrorist support was a scam—he was seen as an “easy mark"
• Notable Quotes:
  • Judge Ralph Ramirez at sentencing described the crimes as “horrific and inexplicable” ([08:28]):

    “I do not have a crystal ball that would tell me when or if a profound or significant change could happen.”

  • Kassap (tearfully):

    “I loved my mother... both she and Meyer were kind, loving people who took care of me. I became obsessed with hateful thoughts...” ([09:34])

3. Fatal Neighbor Feud: New York Math Teacher Murdered

[11:04 – 13:38]

• Incident Summary:
  • George Dordunas, 75, a beloved retired math teacher, stabbed to death by first-floor neighbor Demetrios Manessas, 48, after a years-long one-sided feud in Astoria, Queens
  • Dordunas, described as “soft spoken, bookish, and non confrontational,” was attacked in his building’s lobby; died at the scene
  • Neighbors recount escalating obsession and irrational behavior from Manessas; prior car vandalism incident was not reported for fear of escalation
• Notable Quotes:
  • Ray Fasanella (neighbor):

    “His eyes were not clear and he would say things that did not make sense. Lately Manasses scared me.” ([12:20])

  • Manessas’ mother (Georgia):

    “My son is mentally ill... paranoid and schizophrenic.” ([12:45])

• Legal:
  • Manessas charged with second degree murder, facing 25 years to life

4. Ohio Mother Charged with Killing Two Daughters

[13:38 – 14:48]

• Overview:
  • Aliyah Henderson, 28, Cleveland, charged with aggravated murder after her daughters (Amor Wilson, 10, Mila Chadman, 8) were found dead and buried in suitcases in a field
  • Discovered by a dog walker on March 2
  • A third child found safe and placed in CPS custody
  • Prosecutors have not released details on cause of death or evidence leading to charges

5. Teacher Arrested in North Carolina Over AI Child Exploitation Images

[14:48 – 16:59]

• Case Details:
  • Richard Lynn Upright, 56, ex-teacher at Vandalia Christian School in Greensboro, charged with 10 counts of child sexual exploitation after allegedly producing 111 AI-generated explicit images with minors’ faces
  • Google cyber tip led to the investigation; Upright’s devices held the images
  • School immediately fired Upright; investigation ongoing
  • Bond set at $750,000; next court appearance March 31

6. Night Watch Preview: When Victims Say They Were Being Watched

[17:52 – End]

• Deep Dive (Special Segment):
  • Vanessa previews Katie Ring’s “Final Hours” Night Watch episode, exploring puzzling deaths where individuals believed they were being monitored or targeted before dying under mysterious circumstances
• Highlighted Cases:
  • Ray Rivera ([19:22]): Baltimore writer, cryptic note, expressed fears of being watched prior to suspicious “suicide”
  • Karen Silkwood: Whistleblower against plutonium plant, died in car accident while heading to meet journalist; some docs missing
  • Danny Casalaro: Journalist investigating conspiracies, described shadowy threats, found dead with material missing
  • Philip Taylor Kramer: Musician/engineer, believed he was surveilled, vanished, ruled suicide
  • Frank Olson: Army biochemist, fell from NYC window after being dosed with LSD by CIA; family later awarded settlement
• Key Reflection ([23:04], Vanessa):

  “When a victim claims they’re being watched or targeted, those statements take on new weight after death… The presence of expressed fear transforms a death from a static event into an open question.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• An-Hen Nguyen Duong’s Final Words: “My dad tried to kill me.” ([01:14])
• DDA Devin Campbell (Prosecution): “An literally gave her life trying to save her mother’s…” ([02:23])
• Judge Ralph Ramirez (on sentencing): “I do not have a crystal ball that would tell me when or if a profound or significant change could happen.” ([08:28])
• Neighbor on Queens murder: “His eyes were not clear... lately Manasses scared me.” ([12:20])
• Vanessa Richardson (on perception and fear):

  “When a victim claims they’re being watched or targeted, those statements take on new weight after death.” ([23:04])

Segment Timestamps

• 00:35 – 06:35: California stepfather murder trial – The death of An-Hen Nguyen Duong
• 06:35 – 10:19: Wisconsin double parricide & terror plot case (Nikita Kassap)
• 11:04 – 13:38: Queens, NY teacher-neighbor murder
• 13:38 – 14:48: Ohio suitcase murders of two girls (Aliyah Henderson)
• 14:48 – 16:59: Greensboro, NC AI child exploitation case
• 17:52 – End: Night Watch preview: Victims’ fears, perception as evidence (Ray Rivera, Silkwood, Casalaro, Kramer, Olson)

Tone & Language

The episode maintains a resolute, urgent tone, blending factual exposition with compassion for the victims and context for listeners. Vanessa’s delivery is steady, clear, and analytical, never sensationalizing but always foregrounding the lingering emotional impact of these crimes.

Summary

This episode delivers a comprehensive update on some of the nation’s most disturbing and intriguing criminal cases, with a particular focus on domestic violence, familial betrayal, and the question of how perception influences both crime and its aftermath. Vanessa Richardson brings depth to the headlines, weaving in victim stories, courtroom developments, and the haunting words of victims themselves to remind listeners that in true crime, sometimes the deepest mysteries reside not in “what happened,” but in what was left unsaid—or in the warnings unheeded.