Crime House 24/7

Episode: Stefon Diggs Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Strangulation, Assault & Harvest Homecoming Murder Trial Update
Host: Vanessa Richardson
Date: February 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This daytime episode of Crime House 24/7, hosted by Vanessa Richardson, delivers timely updates on several breaking crime cases. The main focuses are the Harvest Homecoming murder trial in Southern Indiana and NFL player Stefon Diggs' arraignment on felony charges. The episode then pivots into national and international crime headlines, followed by a deep dive into the intersections of cyberstalking and modern obsession as previewed on “Serial Killers and Murderous Minds.”

Main Stories & Key Discussion Points

1. Harvest Homecoming Murder Trial Update

[01:58 – 11:26]

Background

• Event: Deadly shooting at Southern Indiana’s Harvest Homecoming Festival, Oct. 12, 2024.
• Victim: 18-year-old Bryce Gerlock (innocent bystander, killed celebrating his one-year anniversary).
• Defendant: Isaiah Page, 19, stands trial for Gerlock’s murder, with additional charges for attempted murder, aggravated battery, and criminal recklessness.

Friday, Feb. 13th Trial Testimony Highlights

• Michelle Nashi (victim, shot in the leg):
  • Testified about hearing “let’s bump” before the shooting [03:15].
• Necky Kirksey (17 at the time):
  • Was with Adrian Thurman, fled when gunfire began, did not see shooter, believed shots came from near the YMCA [03:45].
• Adrian Thurman (19):
  • Saw someone with a black backpack but could not identify shooter or Isaiah Page [06:40].
• Darius Tough (co-defendant, not present; deposition read):
  • Insight into group dynamics; described “the ops are here” (street slang for “opponents”), acquired gun for protection, claimed he shot back after another group started firing [04:35].
  • Tuff received 37-year sentence via plea deal.
• Prosecution’s Theory:
  • Page allegedly drew a gun from a backpack and fired from fountain area intending to target rivals, but hit bystander Gerlock [08:30].
• Physical Evidence:
  • Bullet casings found at fountain; jurors did a site visit to understand sightlines [09:50].
• Quote:
  • “No witness has directly told jurors they saw Isaiah Page fire a gun.” – Vanessa Richardson [09:24]

Procedural Notes

• Only Isaiah Page is currently on trial; other defendants took plea deals.
• The jury is expected to deliberate further as testimony continues.

2. Ohio Case: Body of Pregnant Woman Found in Tote

[11:00 – 12:26]

• James Rothenbush, 52, sentenced to 30 months for complicity to tampering with evidence after Brittany Feuer Storms, 28 and pregnant, was found dead in August 2025.
• Discovery: Feuer Storms placed in a plastic tote sealed with screws, dumped in woods; died in Middletown home, body kept in bathtub for 4 days before concealment.
• Details from Testimony:
  • Rothenbush admitted “I was high on methamphetamine… just didn’t know what to do. I was scared to death.” [11:49]
  • Feuer Storms’ brother, Nathan Isaacs, condemned the handling of her death, saying: “She died in his house with my nephew… to the fact that that person did not call when that happened and she laid in there in that tub for a few days…” [11:59]
• Others (Rick Shepherd, Walter Wade) await trial.
• Authorities say cause of death is an alleged overdose under suspicious circumstances; charges focus on tampering and concealment.

3. Stefon Diggs Felony Arraignment

[12:26 – 13:55]

• Stefon Diggs (New England Patriots WR) arraigned on felony strangulation and assault charges after alleged altercation with personal chef.
  • Police Narrative: Chef reports Diggs smacked her face, then tried to choke her after argument over unpaid money [12:53].
• Defense Response:
  • Attorney Michael Schuster: “He is completely innocent,” expects exoneration [13:08].
• Patriots Team Statement:
  • “We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully…” [13:18].
• Court Action:
  • Diggs pleads not guilty, released without bail, must stay away from accuser [13:34].
  • Next court date: April 2 for pretrial hearing.
• Notable Moment:
  • Diggs, on emotional toll: “It had been a very emotional time.” [13:49]

4. International News: Louvre Ticket Fraud Investigation

[13:55 – 17:16]

• France: Nine arrested in €10M Louvre ticket scam; included museum employees, tour guides.
• Modus Operandi:
  • Guides reused tickets, split groups, and paid inside contacts to evade checks.
• Quote:
  • “Authorities believe as many as 20 tour groups per day may have entered through the scheme…” [15:36].
• Scope: Additional investigation at Versailles; nearly €957K seized.

5. Preview: Serial Killers and Murderous Minds – Cyberstalking and Obsession

[18:46 – 29:21]

Key Themes: Modern Obsession and Cyberstalking

• Psychology of Obsession:

  • Dr. Tristan Ingalls: “What drives a person to kill? Is it uncontrollable rage? Overwhelming fear? Unbearable jealousy? Or is it something deeper?” [18:46]

• Brenda Delgado Case:

  • Crime of obsession fueled by digital surveillance, fixating on ex’s new relationship, leading to planned murder [19:36].

• 3 Cyberstalking Cases Highlighted:

  1. Megan Meier (2006):

     • Adult-created fake profile manipulated a vulnerable teen, leading to her suicide.
     • “Online impersonation is one of the most effective cyberstalking tools because it lowers defenses. The victim believes they’re interacting with someone safe.” – Vanessa Richardson [21:04]

  2. Jane Clough (2010):

     • Ex-partner’s persistent digital coercion escalates after breakup; murder occurs in hospital car park.
     • “Cyberstalking within domestic abuse contexts frequently operates as coercive control... Even without physical proximity, they can demand attention, monitor responses, and remind the victim that boundaries are meaningless.” [22:10]

  3. Sandra Bullock (2014):

     • Harasser’s repeated online fixation and messaging escalates to in-home break-in.
     • “Digital communication provides a testing ground. The offender sends messages and interprets the lack of response as part of the narrative they've built.” [24:48]

• Analysis:

  • “Obsession adapts to the tools available today. …These cases show how cyberstalking operates in different contexts: impersonation to manipulate, persistent digital contact to maintain control, and online fixation escalating into physical trespass.” [27:52]
  • Highlights escalation from online to offline harassment and how digital life feeds modern obsession.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “No witness has directly told jurors they saw Isaiah Page fire a gun.”
  — Vanessa Richardson [09:24]
• “I was high on methamphetamine… just didn’t know what to do. I was scared to death.”
  — James Rothenbush [11:49]
• “He is completely innocent.”
  — Michael Schuster, Stefon Diggs’ attorney [13:08]
• “Online impersonation is one of the most effective cyberstalking tools because it lowers defenses.”
  — Vanessa Richardson [21:04]
• “Obsession adapts to the tools available today.”
  — Vanessa Richardson [27:52]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Harvest Homecoming Trial Deep Dive: [01:58 – 11:26]
• Ohio Pregnant Woman Concealment Sentencing: [11:00 – 12:26]
• Stefon Diggs Arraignment Coverage: [12:26 – 13:55]
• Louvre Fraud Case: [13:55 – 17:16]
• Cyberstalking/Obsession Case Studies Preview: [18:46 – 29:21]

Tone & Style

Vanessa Richardson brings a composed, factual approach, offering concise recaps and empathetic narration during coverage of victim testimony and sensitive cases. The tone intensifies for psychological analyses, particularly in the previewed cyberstalking segment.

Summary

This episode provides a thorough look at evolving trials—including heart-wrenching testimonies in the Harvest Homecoming case and the legal challenges for Stefon Diggs—while branching into broader analyses of crime trends, from international fraud operations to the dark world of cyberstalking and digital obsession. Listeners are left with a nuanced understanding of both developing news and the underlying psychology behind notorious crimes, staying true to Crime House’s promise of in-depth, round-the-clock crime coverage.