Fired Fire Captain Pleads Guilty to Gunning Down Girlfriend, Her Young Son | Crime Alert Recap Saturday 03.21.26

Summary

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
Episode: Fired Fire Captain Pleads Guilty to Gunning Down Girlfriend, Her Young Son | Crime Alert Recap
Date: March 21, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a shocking recap of recent criminal cases from across the U.S., all covered with the intense, detail-driven style that defines Nancy Grace's work. The main focus is the chilling murder case involving former California wildfire captain Darren McFarlane, who pled guilty to killing his girlfriend and her young son. Additional stories include disturbing new charges in a Pennsylvania neglect case, the arrest of a reality TV family member, a grocery manager’s controversial firing after intervening in a shoplifting incident, and the tragic case of a terminally ill comedian’s cross-country murder spree. The episode is punctuated with firsthand quotations, clear breakdowns, and gripping storytelling.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fire Captain Pleads Guilty in Double Homicide

• [00:03 – 03:17]

• Details:

  • Darren McFarlane, former wildfire captain, pleaded guilty to killing his girlfriend, Marissa Herzog (29), and her second-grade son, Josiah Devotee Lessa.
  • Motive involved "special circumstances" as both victims were witnesses to an undisclosed crime.
  • Attempted but failed to also kill Herzog’s daughter, inflicting severe psychological harm instead.
  • Crime described as “willful, deliberate and premeditated,” with court documents emphasizing child abuse and infliction of unjustifiable mental suffering.
  • McFarlane fled and was apprehended in Mono County, California; fired soon after arrest.

• Charges (from Sydney Sumner):

  • “Two counts of first degree murder with special circumstances, attempted murder, child abuse, intentional discharge of a firearm, causing great bodily injury and corporal injury to a cohabitant.” [02:37]

• Sentencing scheduled for April 13th.

• Notable Quote:

  • Sydney Sumner: “Those special circumstances were added because McFarlane killed...because they were witnesses to a crime. Details about that crime have not been released...” [00:18-00:32]

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2. Pennsylvania Man Charged After Mother’s Body Found

• [03:51 – 05:32]

• Details:

  • Derek Buffard, 37, faces charges of abuse of a corpse months after his 70-year-old mother, Cynthia Buffard, was found dead and emaciated in their Bensalem home.
  • Mother’s body went undiscovered for nearly two weeks, despite several delivered meals Buffard retrieved by stepping past the corpse.
  • Medical examiner indicates death by natural causes (not starvation); unaddressed severe dementia suspected.
  • Emotional family conflict highlighted via out-of-state daughter’s statement.

• Notable Quote:

  • Carrie Acevedo (daughter): “It feels like a movie. It doesn’t feel like it’s real life. I feel regret for not being there, for not doing more.” [05:20]

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3. Former Reality TV Family Member Accused of Child Molestation

• [05:32 – 07:18]

• Details:

  • Joseph Garrett Duggar, 31, arrested in Florida; charges stem from alleged molestation of a family member under age 12.
  • Incidents occurred during a family vacation to Panama City Beach when the girl was 9.
  • Alleged persistent inappropriate contact; Duggar reportedly admitted actions to the victim’s father and detectives.

• Notable Quote:

  • Nicole Parton: “Duggar allegedly manipulated the girl's underwear, made contact with her private areas and rubbed his hands on her thighs...” [06:47]

• Duggar is known from TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” and is awaiting extradition to Bay County.

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4. Grocery Manager Fired After Protecting Coworker from Shoplifters

• [07:18 – 08:31]

• Details:

  • Michael Self, longtime Kroger manager in Decatur, Georgia, was fired after intervening when an elderly coworker was assaulted by shoplifters.
  • Self was struck in the head, hospitalized, and subsequently dismissed for violating the store’s no-interference shoplifting policy.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Michael Self: “As soon as I got away from that out of that door, someone hit me in the back of the head...” [06:01]
  • “I didn’t even get to talk to the people that decided to fire me...” [06:52]

• Company declined comment; fundraiser started for Self’s recovery.

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5. Terminally Ill Comedian’s Murder Spree in Alaska

• [08:31 – 10:27]

• Details:

  • Matthew Thomas Becker, 61, a standup comic and club owner from Arizona, diagnosed with terminal cancer, traveled to Alaska intent on violence against his ex-wife.
  • Attacked ex-wife Rebecca Clark (who escaped), then murdered her 87-year-old father, Romaine Clark.
  • Fled into Alaska wilderness; found dead of apparent suicide the following day.
  • Police investigating possible accomplices and firearm acquisition, given restraining order.
  • Becker left cryptic suicide notes referencing his “final gig” and intent to “settle the score” before dying.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Anchorage PD Chief Sean Case: “It appears that the suspect went to the rear of the victim’s residence, fired a couple of rounds through a glass window, striking and killing the victim and then fleeing the scene.” [08:31]
  • Jennifer Gould: “Bisbee cops recovered rambling handwritten notes taped to the chuckleheads stage shortly after Becker fled for Alaska.” [09:35]

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Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On the fire captain murder case:
  • Sydney Sumner: “McFarlane changed his plea to guilty to avoid the death penalty...” [00:09]
• Emotional family response in Pennsylvania neglect case:
  • Carrie Acevedo: “I don’t want to feel hate for my brother. It feels like a movie.” [05:15]
• Victim defense in Decatur grocery store attack:
  • Michael Self: “No. Tell him what would happen if I wouldn’t have drawn their attention away.” [06:42]
• On Becker’s motive (crime spree):
  • Jennifer Gould: “His cryptic messages reportedly detailed his quote, unquote final gig and a desperate desire to, quote, unquote settle the score before his terminal clock ran out.” [09:50]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:03] – Start of California fire captain murder case.
• [03:51] – Pennsylvania neglect and corpse abuse charges.
• [05:32] – Florida arrest of reality TV family member on molestation charges.
• [07:18] – Georgia grocery firing after shoplifting incident.
• [08:31] – Arizona comedian’s murder spree, ending in Alaska.

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Conclusion

The episode highlights a collection of real-life crime stories, each more disturbing and thought-provoking than the last. Through a mixture of legal facts, emotional family insights, and official statements, listeners receive a comprehensive picture of contemporary American criminal cases as only Nancy Grace’s team can deliver.

Note: Ads and promotional segments (Mint Mobile, Prolon, Taco Bell) are omitted from this summary.

Transcript

[Jennifer Gould]

Crime Alert Hourly Update Breaking crime news now.

[Sydney Sumner]

I'm Sydney Sumner. A former captain with California's Wildfire Management Agency has pleaded guilty to gunning down his girlfriend and her second grader son last year. Darren McFarlane may have changed his plea to guilty to avoid the death penalty as prosecutors had initially said he faces death or life without parole because of special circumstances. Those special circumstances were added because McFarlane killed 29 year old Marissa Herzog and Josiah Devotee Lessa because they were witnesses to a crime. Details about that crime have not been released, although the boy's death may have been because he witnessed his mother's murder. McFarlane also attempted to kill Herzog's daughter in the home but was unsuccessful. Prosecutors say that McFarlane attacked Herzog inside a bedroom before she left the room and used her cell phone. MacFarlane then obtained a gun and went out to the dining room to kill her. The arrest affidavit says that Herzog's murder was willful, deliberate and premeditated and that she and her son were killed because they witnessed a crime. McFarlane then attempted to kill a second child identified as Herzog's daughter. The court documents say the killer did willfully and unlawfully inflict unjustifiable mental suffering on a child or permit a child to suffer unjustifiable mental suffering under circumstances and conditions likely to produce great bodily harm. El Dorado county deputies found Herzog dead at the scene when they arrived. Josiah was taken to a hospital where he died. McFarlane had fled the scene and was later arrested several counties away in Mono County. McFarlane was fired shortly after his arrest. McFarlane pleaded guilty to two counts of first degree murder with special circumstances, attempted murder, child abuse, intentional discharge of a firearm, causing great bodily injury and corporal injury to a cohabitant. His sentencing is scheduled for April 13th. A 37 year old Pennsylvania man was charged with abuse of a corpse this week, months after his 70 year old mother was found dead in the home they shared in Bensalem. Police said they were called to the home by a neighbor who reported a foul odor In October. Derek Buffard answered the door and told an officer he was about to call. My mom stopped breathing this morning. Officers found Cynthia Buffard in the family room emaciated and decomposing. She weighed just 60 pounds and the coroner said she'd likely been dead for nearly two weeks. Investigators found that Derek Buffard had been ordering food delivered to the home multiple times a day and he had to walk past his mother's body to get to the front door. To retrieve the food. Food the Bucks County District Attorney's office said the medical examiner's report indicates Cynthia Buffard died of medical causes and did not appear to have been denied food. Her daughter, Carrie Acevedo, said it's suspected her mother had severe dementia but was never diagnosed. She said that her brother had been living with her for years. Acevedo, who lives out of state, said she had begged her mother to come live with her, but her mom would not leave her son behind. She commented, I feel super conflicted. I know my mom loves my brother very much. I don't want to feel hate for my brother. It feels like a movie. It doesn't feel like it's real life. I feel regret for not being there, for not doing more. Derek Buffard is due in court for a preliminary hearing next month. More crime and justice news after this.

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[Nicole Parton]

I'm Nicole Parton. Police in Florida have arrested 31 year old Joseph Garrett Duggar, charging him with lewd and lasik conduct related to the unlawful sexual interaction with a minor. The Bay County Sheriff's Office reported that a detective from the Tonti Town Police Department in Arkansas reached out to them on Wednesday regarding allegations of past sexual abuse. During a forensic interview, a 14 year old victim recounted incidents involving Duggar that occurred during a family vacation to Panama City beach when she was just nine years old. The investigation revealed that these incidents transpired while the family was staying at a residence in Panama City, according to the Sheriff's office. The victim alleged that Duggar persistently urged her to sit on his lap, sit next to him on the couch and then covered himself and her with a blanket. Authorities further stated that Duggar allegedly manipulated the girl's underwear, made contact with her private areas and rubbed his hands on her thighs, and investigators noted that the victim shared that Duggar eventually expressed remorse, saying he was sorry, leading to him stopping the actions. Earlier this week, the girl's father confronted Duggar regarding the incidents. According to the sheriff's office, Duggar confessed to both the father and the tauntington detectives. Duggar faces charges that include molestation of a victim under the age of 12. The family member, known for his appearances on TLC's 19 Kids and Counting, is currently awaiting extradition to Bay County.

[Drew Nelson]

I'm Drew Nelson in Georgia. A longtime grocery store manager says he was fired after stepping in to protect an elderly co worker from shoplifters suffering a head injury during the attack. It went down in Decatur where Michael Self says it happened at the Kroger on North Decatur Road. That's my Kroger cell phone video shows masked suspects swinging a bag of paper towels at an elderly employee and shoving her. It also shows Self on the ground after he says he was struck in

[Michael Self]

the head and as soon as I got away from that out of that door, someone hit me in the back of the head with something that Self

[Drew Nelson]

on WSB police responded to the store on May 24th of 2025. Around 8:20 that morning, Self was taken to Emory University Hospital with a concussion and he had to have staples in his head. Self says he had managed that location for 14 years. He says he went outside to protect a co worker who had followed the suspects.

[Michael Self]

I literally just wanted to draw the attention away from my associates that were already on their way out there, get them to stop and everybody just be done.

[Drew Nelson]

Self says he did not chase anyone. He says he did not throw a punch. He says he was trying to keep the situation from getting worse.

[Michael Self]

No. Tell him what would happen if I wouldn't have drawn their attention away.

[Drew Nelson]

Three days later, Self says he was fired. He says the company accused him of violating its shoplifting policy and starting the fight.

[Michael Self]

I didn't even get to talk to the people that decided to fire me,

[Drew Nelson]

Kroger told WSB it cannot comment on personnel matters. It's common among many companies to put strict rules in writing telling employees not to engage with shoplifters because of the risk of injury. Self says the outcome has been devastating for his family. A fundraiser has been created to help with medical bills, legal costs and daily needs as he recovers and tries to rebuild.

[Jennifer Gould]

I'm Jennifer Gould. A terminal cancer diagnosis allegedly sent an Arizona stand up comedian on a cross country mission of murder ending in a blood soaked final tour through the streets of Anchorage, Alaska. Matthew Thomas Becker, the 61 year old owner of Bisbee's Chuckleheads comedy club in Arizona traveled over 3,000 miles to hunt down his ex wife before executing her 87 year old father Romaine Clark in cold blood the nightmare began when Becker's ex wife, Rebecca Clark arrived at her midtown hair salon to find her door locks tampered with, unaware her terminal ex was lurking in a Nissan Altima just feet away. As Rebecca fled from a hail of pistol fire, hiding between buildings to save her life, Becker allegedly pivoted to his next target. He drove straight to her Airport Heights home and opened fire on the defenseless 87 year old patriarch. Chief Sean Case with the Anchorage Police Department spoke to KTUU Alaska News 2.

[Drew Nelson]

Based on preliminary investigation, it appears that the suspect went to the rear of the victim's residence, fired a couple of rounds through a glass window, striking and killing the victim and then fleeing the scene.

[Jennifer Gould]

Neighbors and friends found the elderly victim's body after Becker vanished into the Alaskan wilderness. The Anchorage Police Department swiftly ID'd Becker as the prime suspect, charging him with first degree murder in the killing of Romaine Clark and attempted murder in the salon attack. The Anchorage Police Department launched a massive manhunt for the armed and dangerous comic whose brother confirmed he was recently told his days were numbered due to terminal cancer. The search ended though, the next day when search teams discovered Becker's lifeless body in a wooded area near Eagle River. While the medical examiner is still finalizing the cause of death, authorities believe the comedian took his own life. Detectives are still tracing Becker's movements from Arizona to Alaska to see if anyone helped him obtain the murder weapon used in the spree, as his 2020 divorce was marked by a domestic violence restraining which barred him from possessing any firearms under federal law. As for the motive, Bisbee cops recovered rambling handwritten notes taped to the chuckleheads stage shortly after Becker fled for Alaska. The cryptic messages reportedly detailed his quote, unquote final gig and a desperate desire to, quote, unquote settle the score before his terminal clock ran out. Follow the Crime Alert hourly update on your favorite podcast app with this Crime Alert, I'm Jennifer Gould.

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