Summary4 min read

Episode Summary: "DNA IDs Missouri man after 30+ years | Crime Alert 6AM 09.16.25"

Podcast: Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Nancy Grace (with reporting from John Laemmle)
Duration Covered: ~00:01–06:03

Overview

This Crime Alert episode centers on a series of major recent crime stories and cold case breakthroughs. The main theme is the resolution of decades-old mysteries through new DNA and investigative techniques, the ongoing controversies in law enforcement, and the role of genetic genealogy in solving cold cases. The segments bring listeners up to speed on significant cases making headlines, offering both closure and raising new questions in the realm of justice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Missouri Cold Case Solved After 30+ Years

[00:01–01:25]

Main Story: The identity of a man found in the Mississippi River south of St. Louis in 1994 has finally been confirmed after more than three decades. The victim was known only as John Doe until new DNA techniques and fingerprint records allowed authorities to identify him as Benny Leo Olson from Edwardsville, Illinois.
Olson’s Background: Olson suffered from severe paranoid schizophrenia. In 1980, he was charged in Illinois for attempting to hire someone to burn down his stepmother’s home, but was found mentally incompetent and spent time in a mental health facility.
Closure for the Family: There was no indication of foul play in Olson’s death. Family members, including half-sister Katherine Heston, expressed relief at finally learning his fate.

"While they'd always suspected something had happened, they, quote, never really knew."
—John Laemmle, reporting Katherine Heston's words [01:20]

2. ICE-Related Fatal Shooting in Suburban Chicago

[02:44–03:40]

Incident: Silverio Villegas Gonzalez was fatally shot in Franklin Park, Illinois by ICE officers after he attempted to evade arrest, allegedly by driving at officers and dragging one with his car.
Operation Context: The shooting is part of Operation Midway Blitz, a federal immigration crackdown in sanctuary states.
Controversy: The incident has incited political debate. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker called for a full investigation. Immigrant rights groups demand transparency and criticize alleged excessive force.

"Supporters say it's about enforcing immigration law. Critics say it risks overreach and undermining trust in communities."
—John Laemmle [03:25]

3. Brutal Double Homicide in Queens, New York

[03:41–04:47]

The Crime: An elderly couple, Frank and Maureen Olten, were killed in their home which was then set on fire. Frank was tied to a pole and stabbed; Maureen died from the fire.
Suspect Arrested: Jamel McGriff, a parolee with extensive criminal history, was tracked using surveillance after using the couple's stolen credit cards.
Methodical Entry: McGriff allegedly gained access by pretending to need to charge his phone and remained in the house for hours.

"McGriff entered the home under false pretense, asking if he could charge his phone and remained inside for several hours before the deadly events."
—John Laemmle [04:32]

4. Bear Brook State Park Cold Case Breakthrough

[04:48–05:44]

Identification: Nearly 25 years after four bodies were found in Bear Brook State Park, New Hampshire, one of the young girls has been identified as Rhea Rasmussen.
Serial Killer Connection: The case is linked to serial killer Terry Rasmussen, a man with multiple aliases who targeted vulnerable women, and died in prison in 2010.
Mother Still Missing: Rhea’s biological mother, Pepper Reed, remains missing since the 1970s; another woman, Denise Beaudin, is still unaccounted for.
Techniques Used: The case highlights the crucial role of genetic genealogy in identifying victims and urging the public to assist in unresolved cases.

"This identification underscores the power of genetic genealogy in solving cold cases and they continue to urge the public to come forward with any information that might help resolve remaining questions."
—John Laemmle [05:33]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

John Laemmle, on the closure brought to Olson's family:

"They'd always suspected something had happened, they, quote, never really knew." [01:20]
On ICE enforcement debate:

"Supporters say it's about enforcing immigration law. Critics say it risks overreach and undermining trust in communities." [03:25]
On the power of forensic advances:

"This identification underscores the power of genetic genealogy in solving cold cases…" [05:33]

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------| | 00:01 | Cold case solved: Benny Leo Olson ID'ed | | 01:20 | Katherine Heston’s quote—family’s closure| | 02:44 | ICE-related shooting, Franklin Park, IL | | 03:41 | Double homicide arrest in Queens, NYC | | 04:48 | Bear Brook State Park victim identified | | 05:33 | Importance of genetic genealogy |

Tone & Delivery

The episode maintains a brisk, urgent tone focused on delivering compelling updates from the world of crime and justice. John Laemmle’s reporting is factual and concise, spotlighting the human impact of forensic advances and criminal investigations. Family closure and the advancement of science in solving cold cases come through as hopeful notes amid stories of tragedy and controversy. The language is straightforward and accessible, aimed at keeping listeners both informed and emotionally engaged.

For more stories and ongoing updates, Nancy Grace encourages listeners to visit crimeonline.com and tune in daily for Crime Stories.

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Transcript7 lines

[00:01]
A
CRIME alert. I'm John Laemmle. We begin with a major cold case solved. After nearly four decades in Missouri, authorities have finally identified a man whose body was discovered in the Mississippi river south of St. Louis back in 1994. The man was Benny Leo Olson from Edwardsville, Illinois, a city just across the river. For more than 30 years, he was known only as John Doe. His remains were exhumed recently so new DNA sound samples could be taken. Investigators say those samples, combined with fingerprints that had been on file since an earlier incident, enabled officials to make the identification. Olson, who would now be around 76 years old, had struggled with severe mental illness. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and in 1980 was charged in Illinois with trying to hire someone to burn down his stepmother's house. He was later found not competent to stand trial and treated at a mental health facility. Importantly, though, his identity has been confirmed, investigators say there is no indication of foul play in his death. Family members say the resolution brings some closure. One of his half sisters, Katherine Heston, reflected that while they'd always suspected something had happened, they, quote, never really knew.
[01:26]
B
Thanks, John. For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast, Crime Stories. More crime and justice news after this.
[01:38]
C
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[02:40]
B
Now with the latest crime and justice breaking news. Crime Online's John Laemmle.
[02:44]
A
In suburban Chicago, a fatal confrontation involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement is stirring controversy and political debate. In Franklin Park, Illinois, just west of Chicago, ICE officers say they fatally shot Silverio Villegas Gonzalez after he allegedly tried to evade arrest by driving his car at officers dragging one of them. Both the suspect and the dragged officer were taken to a hospital. The suspect was pronounced dead. This incident comes as part of a broader enforcement campaign known as Operation Midway Blitz, a federal effort to crack down in states with sanctuary policies. Supporters say it's about enforcing immigration law. Critics say it risks overreach and undermining trust in communities. Illinois Governor J.B. pritzker has called for a full investigation. Local immigrant rights groups are demanding transparency and decrying what they view as excessive force. In New York City, authorities have apprehended a suspect in a brutal double homicide involving an elderly couple whose home was set on fire. The victims, 76 year old Frank Olten and 77 year old Maureen Olten, were found dead in their queen's home earlier this week. Mr. Olten was tied to a pole and stabbed. Mrs. Olten died in the fire, severely burned. The suspect, 42 year old Jamel McGriff, was arrested in midtown Manhattan. Police were able to track him through surveillance footage and reports that the couple's stolen credit cards had been used. McGriff is a parolee with a long criminal record, including robbery convictions, and he failed to register as a sex offender last year. Authorities also report that McGriff entered the home under false pretense, asking if he could charge his phone and remained inside for several hours before the deadly events. Our final story this hour, a decades long mystery in New Hampshire has taken a significant turn nearly 25 years after four bodies were discovered in Bear Brook State Park. One of the young girls has now been identified as Rhea Rasmussen. The case is tied to serial killer Terry Rasmussen, who died in prison in 2010 after conviction in a separate murder. He used many aliases and targeted vulnerable women. Rhea's biological mother has been identified as Pepper Reed, who disappeared in the late 1970s and remains missing. Another woman, Denise Beaudin, also had long been connected to the case, but her fate remains unclear. Investigators say this identification underscores the power of genetic genealogy in solving cold cases and they continue to urge the public to come forward with any information that might help resolve remaining questions.
[05:45]
B
Thanks, John. For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast, Crime Stories, where we do our best to find missing people, especially children, and solve unsolved homicides with this crime alert. I'm Nancy Grace.
[06:03]
A
This is an I Heart podcast.