Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
Episode: Authorities in Utah plan to exhume remains as investigators reopen a cold case dating back to 1970
Date: February 24, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode spotlights major recent developments in American crime news, focusing on three cases:
- The reopening of a 1970 Utah cold case involving the exhumation of unidentified remains (Jane Doe).
- Release of new footage from the December Brown University shooting.
- The conviction in a New Jersey quadruple family murder and arson case.
- Updates on federal findings from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Nancy Grace and reporter John Laemmle break down these stories with a forensic eye for justice, particularly highlighting new forensic efforts in cold cases and the ongoing push for transparency in high-profile crimes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Utah Cold Case: Jane Doe Exhumation (00:01–01:56)
- Story: After over 50 years, authorities in Hurricane, Utah, are preparing to exhume the remains of a woman discovered in 1970, long known as “Jane Doe.”
- Significance: Previous attempts at recovery (most notably in 2014) failed when the remains were not found—possibly because past excavations did not reach the full burial depth.
- Why Now: Advances in DNA technology and access to national missing person databases may finally provide answers.
- Investigation Partners: The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is working with the National Cold Case Coalition.
- Goal: Obtain viable DNA samples to potentially identify Jane Doe and bring closure to families of the missing.
"Police...say they are preparing to exhume human remains buried in a local cemetery, remains belonging to an unidentified woman discovered in 1970 and long known only as Jane Doe." — John Laemmle [00:14]
"Advances in DNA technology and access to national missing person databases give investigators renewed hope that Jane Doe can finally be identified." — John Laemmle [00:39]
2. Brown University Shooting Records Released (02:15–03:40)
- Incident: In December, a campus shooting at Brown University left two students dead and nine wounded.
- New Developments: Officials have released heavily redacted video and audio footage from the day, including about 20 minutes of bodycam video and radio traffic.
- Suspect: Claudio Neves Valenti, a former graduate student, also believed to have killed an MIT professor days later; Valenti was found dead in a New Hampshire storage facility.
- Investigation Transparency: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley commented on the delicate balance between transparency and protecting victims’ privacy.
- Ongoing Appeal: Authorities urge anyone with additional information or footage to come forward.
"The footage, heavily redacted to shield victims and their families from further trauma, includes about 20 minutes of body worn, camera video from responding officers and radio traffic..." — John Laemmle [02:22]
3. New Jersey Quadruple Murder & Arson Conviction (03:40–04:54)
- Case: Paul Canero, 59, convicted of killing his brother, his brother's wife, and two children (ages 8 and 11) in November 2018.
- Crime Details: Murders were followed by attempts to cover up the crime with arson at both the victims' and the perpetrator's own homes.
- Motive: Prosecutors argued the attack was fueled by business financial disputes.
- Defense: Canero’s lawyers tried to implicate another brother.
- Jury Outcome: Guilty on all counts after five hours of deliberation; sentencing set for May.
"Prosecutors told jurors that the killings took place Nov. 20, 2018, and were driven by a dispute over business finances." — John Laemmle [04:14]
4. Jeffrey Epstein Investigation Records (04:54–06:07)
- Key Finding: FBI and Justice Department documents state there is no credible evidence Epstein kept a "client list" or ran a trafficking ring involving other powerful men.
- Outcome: While Epstein was implicated in serious federal sex crimes, there was insufficient evidence to prosecute additional individuals.
- Closure: No secret "client list" was ever recovered, and no further charges for third-party involvement have been substantiated.
"The files reaffirm that Epstein committed serious federal sex crimes, but prosecutors concluded there was insufficient admissible evidence to charge other individuals." — John Laemmle [05:39]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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"Records indicate that prior excavation efforts may not have gone deep enough to reach the actual burial site..." — John Laemmle [00:54]
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"Valenti was later found dead in a storage facility in New Hampshire." — John Laemmle [03:09]
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"After roughly five hours of deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts. Canero faces a potential life sentence..." — John Laemmle [04:46]
Important Timestamps
- 00:01 — Utah cold case background and exhumation plans
- 01:57 — Episode transition, reminder to visit crimeonline.com
- 02:15 — Brown University shooting footage released
- 03:40 — New Jersey quadruple murder conviction
- 04:54 — Jeffrey Epstein investigation, federal findings
- 06:07 — Closing remarks from Nancy Grace
Tone & Style
- Direct and investigative, with an emphasis on justice, victim advocacy, and the importance of forensic and legal advances.
- Compassionate towards victims and families, insistent on facts and expert insight.
Summary Takeaway
The episode encapsulates how renewed investigative techniques—especially forensic DNA innovations—are breathing new life into decades-old cases, as exemplified by the Jane Doe exhumation. At the same time, it highlights ongoing struggles for transparency and closure in headline-making crimes, from mass shootings to notorious federal cases. Nancy Grace’s podcast offers both gritty details and thoughtful calls for public engagement in the pursuit of answers and justice.