Crime House 24/7: UFC Fighter Acquitted of Murder in Quebec Home Invasion Case

Host: Vanessa Richardson
Release Date: February 23, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, daytime host Vanessa Richardson delivers updates from multiple high-profile true crime cases making headlines. The central focus is the dramatic acquittal of former UFC fighter Eduardo "Icho" Larenas, who was found not guilty of second-degree murder following a deadly home invasion in Quebec—a court battle that has engaged the public for nearly four years. The episode also covers the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, a "no body" conviction in Houston, the tragic killing of Caltech astrophysicist Carl Grillmair, and a Brooklyn federal bribery plot tied to a drug case. The reporting is sharp, urgent, and fact-focused, keeping listeners up to speed on cases as they break.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie (02:50 – 05:53)

• Updates on the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.
• DNA from a glove found near her Tucson home did not match profiles in FBI databases; investigative genetic genealogy is now being used.
• Guthrie family publicly cleared as suspects and are cooperating fully.
• No evidence supports cross-border abduction; Mexican authorities not involved as leads have been ruled out by the FBI.

2. Eduardo “Icho” Larenas Acquitted in Quebec Home Invasion Case (05:53 – 13:03)

Case Background

• Eduardo Larenas, a former UFC fighter, was accused of fatally stabbing a 17-year-old during a double home invasion at his Laval, Quebec residence on May 24, 2022.
• Larenas’s mother had died less than two weeks prior; he believed intruders were targeting an inheritance.
• Both Larenas and his wife, Gladys Rosana Lopez, faced charges but denied wrongdoing.

Trial Highlights

• Key Event Timeline:

  • Early Hours, May 24, 2022: Home invasions occurred; Larenas and wife called 911 but left the scene.
  • Police Arrival: Found the 17-year-old intruder, deceased from stab wounds; Larenas and Lopez later interviewed.

• Larenas’s Testimony:

  • On the confrontation:
    “I wanted him to keep a distance. That was the goal. I wanted to defend myself, my wife.” (Larenas, 09:01)
  • Described grappling with the masked, armed intruder in a chaotic struggle, during which control of the knife changed hands multiple times.
  • Did not clearly recall delivering the fatal wound.
    • “I was in shock. A battle for a knife is not normal.” (Larenas, 10:20)
    • When asked by police about the body:
      “I asked how many bodies.” (Larenas, 10:41)

• Physical Evidence:

  • Larenas had minor injuries—cuts and bruises consistent with defensive violence.
  • The 17-year-old’s identity was withheld due to a publication ban.

• Legal Strategy:

  • The defense focused on self-defense after two home invasions.
  • The Crown argued Larenas’s MMA training made his use of force excessive and that his actions went beyond what was reasonable.
  • Special note: Lopez’s charge (accomplice after the fact) was dismissed mid-trial due to insufficient evidence.

• Jury Instructions & Verdict:

  • The judge reminded jurors:
    “You might have noticed that they are not detained, but you shouldn't let that influence your decisions.” (Presiding Judge, 07:33)
  • After three days of deliberations, the jury found Larenas not guilty of second-degree murder.
  • Acquittal drew attention due to Larenas’s public profile and the complexities of home defense law.

3. Houston ‘No Body’ Murder Conviction: The Aldo Ramirez Case (13:03 – 14:02)

• In Houston, Aldo Ramirez was sentenced to life for the murder of Dulce Martinez, whose body has never been found.
• Circumstantial evidence: surveillance video, cell phone data, Ramirez’s suspicious handling of Martinez’s vehicle post-disappearance, and blood evidence near the abandoned vehicle.
• Prosecutors stressed: “Circumstantial evidence can be just as powerful as direct evidence under Texas law.” (Prosecutor, 14:00)
• Verdict: Guilty of murder, marking a major “no body” prosecution. The family, however, still lacks closure.

4. Caltech Astrophysicist Carl Grillmair’s Shooting Death (14:02 – 16:14)

• 67-year-old scientist Carl Grillmair was shot dead outside his California home.
• Investigation led to the arrest of Freddy Snyder, linked to the killing, a carjacking, and an earlier burglary.
• Grillmair was renowned for research in infrared astronomy and exoplanet discovery; remembered as a mentor and leading scientific mind.
• No motive has been released, and the connection between suspect and victim is unclear.

5. Brooklyn Jury Tampering in Boxer’s Drug Case (16:14 – 18:54)

• Mustafa Feah pleaded guilty to trying to bribe a juror with $100,000 in the federal cocaine trafficking case of former heavyweight boxer Goran Gogik.
• The bribery scheme was targeted at influencing a deliberating juror, but was uncovered before trial.
• The Gogik case relates to the seizure of 19.8 tons of cocaine on a cargo ship.
• Sentencing for Feah set for June 23, 2026; serves as a warning about federal jury tampering.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The central issue was whether the fatal stabbing was murder or self defense.” (Vanessa Richardson, 07:56)
• “I wanted him to keep a distance… I wanted to defend myself, my wife.” (Eduardo Larenas, 09:01)
• “That was the first time I had control of the knife.” (Larenas, 09:10)
• “I was in shock. A battle for a knife is not normal.” (Larenas, 10:20)
• On the handling of the accused: “You might have noticed that they are not detained, but you shouldn't let that influence your decisions.” (Presiding Judge, 07:33)
• On no body convictions: “Circumstantial evidence can be just as powerful as direct evidence under Texas law.” (Prosecutor, 14:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Nancy Guthrie Disappearance Update: 02:50 – 05:53
• Larenas Murder Case Overview & Acquittal: 05:53 – 13:03
• Aldo Ramirez ‘No Body’ Verdict: 13:03 – 14:02
• Carl Grillmair’s Death Investigation: 14:02 – 16:14
• Brooklyn Drug Case Jury Tampering: 16:14 – 18:54

Tone & Style

• Vanessa Richardson’s tone is clear, concise, and urgent—reflecting her goal of up-to-the-minute crime coverage for daytime listeners.
• Quotes from court and defendant are included verbatim, adding specificity and gravity.
• Reporting is detailed but not sensationalized; the focus is on credible sources, legal process, and case progression.

Summary

Crime House 24/7’s February 23, 2026 episode delivers a fast-paced yet deeply detailed roundup of several major true crime cases breaking across North America. The high-profile acquittal of former UFC fighter Eduardo Larenas stands out—his self-defense claim in a deadly home invasion persuaded a Quebec jury after years of legal scrutiny and public debate over self-defense law, athlete conduct, and home security. Listeners are also brought current on other seismic developments, including the conviction in Houston’s no-body homicide, the murder of a renowned astronomer in California, and a foiled attempt to bribe a federal juror in New York. Throughout, the host weaves taped testimony, courtroom dialogue, and investigative detail, providing a vivid picture for those seeking the latest in true crime.