Crime House 24/7: True Crime This Week – Valentine's Day Murders (Feb 8, 2026)

Overview

This week, host Vanessa Richardson dives into the chilling intersection of love and violence by exploring two infamous murder cases that occurred around Valentine’s Day: the 2007 murder of Tara Lynn Grant at the hands of her husband, Stephen Grant, and the unsolved 1971 killings of young sweethearts Patricia Mann and Jesse McBain. With signature immersive storytelling and forensic analysis from Dr. Tristan Ingalls, the episode examines not only the facts, but the psychology behind these cases—unraveling how love, jealousy, and resentment can turn deadly.

Episode Structure & Key Points

1. Introduction & Thematic Framing

• Theme: “Valentine’s Murders — a holiday meant for celebrating partnership and romance, turned into a day of terror, tragedy, and sorrow.”
  (Vanessa Richardson, 02:02)
• The episode explores two cases: one solved (Tara Lynn Grant, 2007), one still a mystery (Patricia Mann & Jesse McBain, 1971).

2. Case One: The Murder of Tara Lynn Grant (2007)

Background & Key Events

• The Grants' Life: Outwardly, Steven and Tara Grant were a typical suburban couple in Michigan with two young kids. Tara, a driven executive, travelled often for work, while Steven stayed at home (04:30).
• Rising Tension: Steven resented his stay-at-home role and Tara’s independence. Their relationship was further strained by Steven’s affair with their 18-year-old au pair, Verena (05:16).

The Night of the Crime

• February 9, 2007: Tara returns from a work trip; a heated argument ensues regarding her frequent absences.
• Steven's Account: He claims Tara stormed out after the fight and was picked up by a car service (04:57).
• Reality: The fight turned violent. “Steven lashed out violently. He strangled Tara until she stopped moving.”
  — Vanessa Richardson (06:30)
• He hides her body in their garage, lies to the au pair, then later dismembers Tara at his father’s machine shop and buries parts in Stony Creek Park using their children’s sled (07:15–08:32).

The Investigation & Steven’s Media Manipulation

• Steven Reports Tara Missing: Five days after the murder, Steven notifies police on Valentine’s Day—a deliberate manipulation timed for maximum emotional effect (09:13).
• He repeatedly appears on media, initially begging for Tara’s return, but soon shifts to speaking negatively about her:
  “He started to say mean things about Tara on camera. Things like that she cared more about her career than her family.”
  — Vanessa Richardson (11:24)
• Police suspect his story due to inconsistencies (waited days to report, no evidence of Tara leaving by car service) and his odd media behavior.

Discovery and Arrest

• February 28, 2007: A woman discovers a Ziploc bag of blood and metal shavings in Stony Creek Park (13:54).
• March 2, 2007: Police find Tara’s torso in a green storage bin in the Grants’ garage after Steven flees.
• Steven attempts suicide in the woods but is found and arrested (17:08).

Trial & Aftermath

• Steven confesses while recovering in the hospital, but later pleads not guilty to first degree murder; he is convicted of second degree murder (21:43).
• Tara’s children later become advocates for domestic violence awareness.

Notable Quote

“In the end, Stephen Grant couldn’t handle his petty jealousy. His insecurity turned to violence. And in the end, he lost everything.”
— Vanessa Richardson, 21:19

Timestamps:

• 04:30 — The Grants' background
• 05:16 — Steven’s resentment and affair
• 06:30 — Murder details
• 08:32 — Dismemberment & disposal
• 09:13/11:24 — Reporting Tara missing & media manipulation
• 13:54 — Discovery of blood and evidence
• 17:08 — Steven’s flight, suicide attempt, and arrest
• 21:43 — Trial and sentencing

3. Case Two: The Valentine's Day Murders of Patricia Mann & Jesse McBain (1971)

The Couple and Their Disappearance

• Background: Patricia Mann (20, nursing student) and Jesse McBain (18, NC State student) were sweethearts attending a Valentine’s dance at Watts Hospital, Durham, NC (24:42–26:12).
• They leave for a “lover’s lane” afterward and vanish; Patricia, known to be punctual, misses curfew (27:21).
• Friends discover their abandoned, undisturbed car the next day (28:22).

Crime Scene Discovery

• February 25, 1971: 12 days after their disappearance, a surveyor finds a human leg in the woods; police uncover the bodies of Patricia and Jesse (29:50).
• Nature of Crime: Both were bound to a tree, strangled and tortured over a prolonged period, then left covered with leaves. No obvious motive—no theft, no sign of sexual assault, and Jesse’s valuables left intact (31:00).
• Unusual challenges: The perpetrator overcame a strong young man and managed both victims—suggesting either two assailants or the use of trickery, possibly posing as a police officer.

Initial Investigation and Suspects

• Cross-jurisdictional confusion: Multiple local and state agencies involved, leading to a “chaotic” investigation and many false leads (32:15).
• James Brannon Ray: First major suspect—had a wig, police badge, and connection to Patricia, but no direct evidence (34:00).
• Criminal Profiling: Detectives consult Dr. James Brussel, who creates a profile of a local, intelligent, grudge-holding man (36:45).
• Dr. James Stephen Walter Wilson: A doctor at Watts Hospital who fit the profile, knew Patricia, acted strangely around the time of the murders, but was never arrested (38:41).
• Carl Robert Britt: A pulmonologist and former teacher, with a history of threatening behavior, lived near the crime scenes, later implicated in similar behavior (41:05–42:42). In 1996, Jesse’s mother receives a disturbing call:
  “I killed your son. My name’s Carl Britt.”
  — Vanessa Richardson quoting the caller, 42:57
  But no charges result.

Cold Case and Unresolved Ending

• Advances in forensic technology: In 2011, Detective Tim Horn reopens the case. A DNA sample from a fork used by Dr. Britt proves inconclusive because the sample on the crime scene rope is too degraded (45:13).
• To this day, the case remains unsolved, but the families and investigators hope new technology may one day provide answers.

Notable Quote

“We can only hope that one day the bright young couple who had so much life ahead of them get the answers they deserve.”
— Vanessa Richardson, 48:36

Timestamps:

• 24:42 — Introduction to Patricia & Jesse
• 28:22 — Discovery of abandoned car
• 29:50 — Bodies found; crime scene details
• 34:00 — James Brannon Ray as suspect
• 36:45 — Dr. Brussel’s profile
• 38:41 — Dr. Wilson as suspect
• 41:05 — Dr. Britt as suspect; 42:57 — Prank call to Jesse’s mother
• 45:13 — Detective Horn’s modern investigation
• 48:36 — Reflection on the tragedy

4. Closing Thoughts

• The show reflects on how Valentine’s Day, meant to celebrate love, can become the backdrop for violent obsession, jealousy, and tragedy.
• “For Tara Lynn Grant, it was also love, or the lack thereof, that led to her tragic fate. Stephen Grant couldn’t stand that his wife was happier and more fulfilled than he was. But instead of trying to work through those feelings, he let them fester. And on the cusp of Valentine’s Day, those feelings turned him into a killer.”
  — Vanessa Richardson, 49:45

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “They were two young adults with bright futures ahead of them… although their case remains unsolved, it seems like whoever murdered them couldn’t stand the love they had for each other.” (Vanessa Richardson, 48:10)
• “If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.” (Vanessa Richardson, 21:32)

Analysis & Insights

• Both cases show how “love” and significant relationships, central to the Valentine’s Day theme, can act as triggers for extreme violence—whether out of jealousy and resentment (Tara Lynn Grant) or potentially an obsessive fixation (Patricia and Jesse).
• The episode expertly blends narrative, psychological analysis, and forensic detail, driving home the unpredictable and dangerous undercurrents that can exist beneath the surface of relationships.
• Vanessa Richardson's empathetic narration provides both context and respectful closure, giving voice to the victims while urging continued awareness and vigilance against domestic violence and unresolved trauma.

For Further Listening

• Check out related podcasts “Serial Killers and Murderous Minds” for deeper dives into the psychology of notorious murderers, with Dr. Tristan Ingalls and Vanessa Richardson (00:00, 24:06, 50:35).

This summary is designed to give listeners a complete view of the episode’s central cases, insights, and emotional impact—while providing clear section breakdowns and direct attributions for easy navigation and in-depth understanding.