Dad Admits "Missing" Infant Son Strangled & Dumped in River | Crime Alert 03.20.26

Summary

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace — Crime Alert 03.20.26
Episode Summary – March 20, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, host Sidney Sumner (standing in for Nancy Grace) delivers an urgent rundown of the day’s most disturbing and headline-grabbing crimes from across the country. Each segment highlights shocking details and the latest investigative updates, providing a real-time glimpse into both the tragedies and the rapid pursuit of justice.

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1. Oregon Father's Chilling Confession: Infant Son Killed and Dumped

Timestamps: 00:37–02:11

• Case Summary:
  Jared Stoller, a 27-year-old Oregon father, initially reported his 11-month-old infant missing from a motel room, claiming a possible kidnapping.
• Unraveling Lies:
  At the police station, Stoller recanted, confessing to killing his son days earlier and disposing of the body in the South Umpqua River.
• Evolving Story:
  Stoller’s account shifted from an accidental death during co-sleeping to an admission of manual strangulation of his son.
• Police Actions:
  Stoller led authorities to the river, where the infant’s body was recovered. An autopsy is pending.
• Charges:
  Stoller faces first-degree murder and second-degree abuse of a corpse. He is due in court later that day.

Notable Quotes:

• “Stoller admitted to lying about the suspected kidnapping. He then confessed to killing his infant son days earlier and dumping his body in the South Umpqua River.” — Sidney Sumner [00:51]
• “While Stoller initially told police that his son died during co-sleeping, he later confessed to manually strangling his son.” — Sidney Sumner [01:11]

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2. Alaska Family Tragedy: Ex-Son-in-Law Murders Elderly Man, Dies in Woods

Timestamps: 02:12–03:11

• Incident Summary:
  The suspect, Matthew Thomas Becker (61), allegedly killed his ex-father-in-law, 87-year-old Romaine Clark, in Anchorage, Alaska.
• Sequence of Events:
  Becker first attempted to murder his ex-wife at her hair salon, unsuccessfully, then proceeded to the home where he shot Clark through a window and fled.
• Discovery and Manhunt:
  Clark’s body was discovered by friends; a manhunt was launched. Becker’s body was found the following day in nearby woods; cause of death pending autopsy.
• Background:
  Becker, who lived in Arizona after the divorce, was reportedly suffering from cancer and owned a comedy club.

Notable Quotes:

• “He [Becker] got out and started shooting at her, then jumped back in and sped away as she fled.” — Sidney Sumner [02:39]
• “Based on preliminary evidence, it appears the suspect went to the rear of the residence, fired a couple of rounds through a plate glass window, striking and killing the victim, and then fleeing the scene.” — Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case, cited by Sidney Sumner [02:55]

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3. California Millionaire Developer Found Dead After Standoff

Timestamps: 04:12–05:32

• Incident Details:
  Demetrius Decoulos, a 92-year-old prominent developer, was found dead and decomposing in a luxury Hermosa Beach residence.
• Police Response:
  After a welfare check led to the discovery of a barricaded, armed suspect, SWAT negotiators managed a peaceful surrender after a seven-hour standoff.
• Suspects:
  Robert Philip Simmons and Eleanor Beaulieu (both 39) were taken into custody and charged with murder.
• Timeline:
  Authorities believe Decoulos was killed between March 7–14.

Memorable Moment:

• “Simmons-Beaulieu finally came out of the residence looking like a blues brother, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, dark tie, sunglasses, and fedora.” — Sidney Sumner [05:12]

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4. Shocking Child Abuse Case in Stanislaus County, California

Timestamps: 05:33–07:46

• Victim Statement & Discovery:
  An 11-year-old girl, refusing to return home over severe abuse allegations, prompted an investigation by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.
• Abuse Details:
  The girl endured strangulation, beatings, being dragged by a dog leash, sleeping in an uninsulated garage, starvation, and forced excessive exercise under threat of violence.
• Evidence:
  Surveillance footage corroborated the child’s account; she had lived in garage/backyard conditions.
• Arrests & Charges:
  Aunt Priscilla Mistaz and boyfriend Anthony Machuca are charged with 27 felony and misdemeanor counts, including torture and conspiracy to commit torture, after the aunt’s arrest was delayed due to pregnancy.
• Other Children:
  The newborn and a four-year-old were placed in protective custody; the victim’s current status is undisclosed.

Notable Quotes:

• “The garage was not a converted living space, lacking heating and air conditioning and insulation, leaving the child exposed to unsafe temperatures year-round.” — Sidney Sumner [06:35]
• “…repeated physical abuse, including strangulation, punching and slapping, withholding adequate nutrition, causing the child to become malnourished…” — Sidney Sumner [07:20]

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5. Closing

The episode closes by encouraging listeners to follow "Crime Alert Hourly Update" for the latest in crime and justice news.

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Summary Tone:
Straightforward, urgent, and somber, faithfully mirroring Sidney Sumner’s crisp, factual reporting style.

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For More Information:
For updates on the highlighted cases and daily crime alerts, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to their favorite podcast apps.

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End of Episode Content

Transcript

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[Sidney Sumner]

Breaking crime news now I'm Sidney Sumner An Oregon father allegedly admitted on Sunday to killing his 11 month old son after falsely reporting him missing. Jared Stoller, 27, called Sutherland Police claiming he woke up and his baby was missing from a room at the Relax Inn. Stoler said his son had been sleeping in a car seat in the room which had a window pushed in. However, once at the police station, Stoller admitted to lying about the suspected kidnapping. He then confessed to killing his infant son days earlier and dumping his body in the South Umpqua River. While Stoller initially told police that his son died during co sleeping, he later confessed to manually strangling his son. Stoller also agreed to take police to the river where they eventually located the infant's body. An autopsy is pending. Stoller is charged with first degree murder and second degree abuse of a corpse. He's due in court later today. The suspect in the murder of an 87 year old Alaska man on Saturday was found dead in the woods not far away a day later. Matthew Thomas Becker, 61, was the ex son in law of the man he killed, Romaine Clark. Anchorage police believe he gunned Clark down minutes after trying to kill his ex wife as she tried to open her Anchorage hair salon. The ex wife told police that Becker had been living in Arizona since they divorced and she was unaware he had come back to Alaska. She told police she thought someone had tampered with the lock to her business Saturday morning because she couldn't fit the key inside. Then she saw Becker in a car. He got out and started shooting at her, then jumped back in and sped away as she fled. The woman contacted police and said she was concerned about her elderly father who lived with her. Police say Becker apparently went directly to the home after failing to kill his ex wife. Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case said based on preliminary evidence, it appears the suspect went to the rear of the residence, fired a couple of rounds through a plate glass window, striking and killing the victim and then fleeing the scene. Friends who had planned an outing with the older man found Clark's body minutes before police arrived on the scene, case said. Officers were hailed by friends who were waiting to meet up with the victim, who went inside the residence because he hadn't come out yet. They discovered the body and then they notified us. Police launched a manhunt for Becker, warning the public he was armed and dangerous. His body was found just before 10:30am on Sunday. The medical examiner will determine his cause of death. Becker's brother said the divorcee owned a comedy club in Bisbee, Arizona, and had recently been diagnosed with cancer. More crime and justice news after this

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[Sidney Sumner]

A 92 year old millionaire developer was found dead and decomposing in a swanky beach home in California's Hermosa beach last week, and a suspect was arrested after a seven hour standoff. Hermosa beach police said they were asked to conduct a welfare check shortly after noon on Saturday after a landlord at the home reported that they hadn't heard from a tenant there in several days, police said. Upon arrival, officers observed evidence suggesting a possible deceased person inside. The property manager allowed officers access to the location where they encountered an individual inside who was not the tenant. The individual was uncooperative, made statements indicating possibly being armed and barricaded themself inside the residence. SWAT teams responded to the home and negotiators eventually persuaded the suspect to surrender. Once inside the home, investigators found the dead man, later identified as prominent real estate developer Demetrius Decoulos. The suspect was identified by two 39 year old Robert Philip Simmons and Eleanor Beaulieu. During the standoff, residents and tourists were evacuated from the area. Simmons Beaulieu finally came out of the residence looking like a blues brother, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, dark tie, sunglasses and fedora. On Tuesday, prosecutors charged Simmons Beaulieu with a single count of murder. The indictment said that investigators believe Dikulos was killed sometime between March 7 and March 14. A California woman and her boyfriend have been charged with 27 counts of torture and child abuse related to their treatment of the woman's 11 year old niece that included strangulation, dragging her around on a dog leash and forcing her to sleep in an uninsulated garage. The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office said it was contacted by someone who said the little girl was refusing to go home because her aunt had been physically abusing her. When the girl was interviewed, she disclosed physical abuse spanning an extended period of time. A search warrant on the home found surveillance footage that corroborated statements made by the victim. They also found evidence indicating that the child had been living primarily in the garage and the backyard. The Sheriff's office said the garage was not a converted living space lacking heating and air conditioning and insulation, leaving the child exposed to unsafe temperatures year round. The aunt, 37 year old Priscilla Mistaz, and 36 year old Anthony Machuca told detectives they had custody of The Girl since 2024. The investigation was launched on January 31 and Manchuko was arrested when they made initial contact with the couple at the home. Ms. Dasz's arrest was delayed because she was pregnant in near term. She was arrested on March 12 after the birth of the child. The newborn and a four year old child were taken into protective custody by Stanislaus County Child Protective Services. The Sheriff's Office did not reveal the status of the 11 year old girl. The Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office filed a criminal complaint against the pair on Monday, charging them with 27 felony and misdemeanor counts. The most serious charges include torture, conspiracy to commit torture, child endangerment, injury to a child, assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats. The Sheriff's Office said. Among the acts referenced are repeated physical abuse, including strangulation, punching and slapping, withholding adequate nutrition, causing the child to become malnourished, forcing the child to perform strenuous physical exercise to the point of exhaustion under threat of assault, restraining and dragging the child with a dog leash and subjecting the child to sustained verbal abuse and threats of injury. Investigators say more charges are possible as they sift through evidence for the latest crime and justice breaking news, be sure to follow the Crime Alert hourly update on your favorite podcast app with this Crime Alert. I'm Sydney Sumner.

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