Florida Woman Kills Both of Her Exes in the Same Day | 6AM 12.24.25

Summary

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Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Florida Woman Kills Both of Her Exes in the Same Day
Date: December 24, 2025

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Overview

In this episode, Nancy Grace delves into a shocking double homicide in Florida, where 51-year-old Susan Avalon stands accused of murdering both of her ex-husbands on the same day. The episode weaves in firsthand reporting, law enforcement insights, and chilling details while also touching on two additional cases: a complex custody battle after a mother's tragic death in Georgia, and a former child star's public battle with homelessness and addiction.

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Main Story: Double Homicide in Florida

The Crime and Immediate Investigation

• [00:00] Nancy Grace delivers the initial crime alert:
  "A Florida woman guns down two ex-husbands after using stolen food to get into one of their home. Susan Avalon, 51, arrested. Charged with second degree homicide for shooting both exes dead."

• [00:30] Drew Nelson provides a detailed timeline:

  • First, Manatee County deputies respond to a shooting in Bradenton. The victim, identified by his 15-year-old daughter as Avalon's ex-wife, later succumbs to his injuries.
  • The daughter describes hearing three gunshots and seeing a Honda Odyssey drive away. This detail is key as Avalon owns such a vehicle.
  • Investigators immediately connect Susan Avalon to custody disputes and owed child support.

Link Between the Victims & Law Enforcement Response

• [01:15] Upon arrival at Avalon's home, detectives find her cleaning the Honda Odyssey—a highly suspicious act.
  • When asked about the ex-husband, Avalon asks, "Which one?"—alarming detectives to the possibility of multiple victims. (Drew Nelson, 01:43)
• [01:50] A second crime scene is rapidly discovered in Tampa, confirming Avalon's other ex-husband as the next victim. Authorities piece together the murders' order, confirming the Tampa killing came first.

Chilling Details & Aftermath

• Avalon used food stolen from a Panera (via the Doordash/UberEats pickup area) to gain access to at least one victim’s home.
• Her current boyfriend reports odd behavior: she recently found one ex's address and made fatalistic statements about "in case something happens to her".
  • "She told him that in case something happened to her, she loved him. He described her behavior as out of character." (Drew Nelson, 02:24)
• Upon returning home, Avalon reportedly took a shower fully clothed, wearing a gray sweatshirt seen on surveillance tape.
• [02:40] Prosecutors in both counties (Manatee and Hillsborough) intend to seek first degree murder charges and potentially the death penalty.
• Five children now face the holidays without their fathers.

Notable Quote

• "Which one?" — Susan Avalon’s reply when asked about her ex-husband, stunning detectives and prompting the search for a second crime scene. (Drew Nelson quoting investigators, 01:43)

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Additional Stories

1. Georgia Custody Battle Exposes Legal Gaps

• [05:50] Drew Nelson reports on Adrian Hardin, who wins custody of his infant son after his partner, Adriana Smith, is declared brain dead.
• Smith had been kept on life support for months due to her pregnancy and Georgia abortion law requirements.
  • "Smith was rushed to Emory University Hospital... declared brain dead on February 19th. Because Smith was pregnant, she was kept on life support for months, her family says. Doctors told them Georgia's abortion law required it." (Drew Nelson, 06:34)
• Hardin, the father, had to sue for rights to his own child, as Georgia law does not grant unwed fathers parental rights automatically.
  • "Unless he marries the mother or sues her, the father has absolutely no legal rights, even in a tragic situation such as this." (Nancy Grace, 07:22)
• The case spotlights the grim legal challenges of unmarried fathers in Georgia.
• Baby Chance, born premature, remains in NICU.
• Hardin publicly thanks supporters and calls for legal reform:
  • "And I cherish every moment with my son. I'm so proud of my girl, my baby. I know she'll love to see him." (Nancy Grace, quoting Hardin, 07:59)

2. Former Nickelodeon Star Tyler Chase’s Struggles

• [08:06] Drew Nelson highlights the plight of Tyler Chase, a former Nickelodeon child star now homeless in Southern California.
• Despite ongoing offers, including immediate detox and treatment as arranged by fellow actor Sean Weiss, Chase continually declines help.
  • "We have a bed for him at a detox and we have a place for him to go and get long term treatment... All we need to do now is find him." (Nancy Grace quoting Sean Weiss and Drew Nelson, 09:34-09:47)
• Chase’s mother urged fans not to donate money, emphasizing his need for medical care instead.
• His story sheds light on mental health, personal autonomy, and the struggles of childhood fame.
• Police clarify that Chase is not wanted for any crime.

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• [01:43] Detective’s alarm at Susan Avalon’s response:
  "She says, 'Which one?'" — indicating more than one ex may be involved.
• [02:55] Drew Nelson’s somber closure:
  "Meanwhile, five children are preparing for the holidays without their dads."
• [07:22] Nancy Grace on the custody case:
  "Unless he marries the mother or sues her, the father has absolutely no legal rights, even in a tragic situation such as this."
• [09:34–09:47] Sean Weiss’s call to action:
  "We have a bed for him at a detox... All we need to do now is find him."

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–02:55: The Florida double homicide unfolding, law enforcement response, chilling details.
• 05:50–08:06: Georgia custody/abortion law intersection and legal fallout.
• 08:06–10:29: Tyler Chase’s homelessness, addiction, and supporters' efforts.

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Tone & Style

The episode blends Nancy Grace’s trademark directness, sense of urgency, and compassion for victims and families. The reporting by Drew Nelson is factual and respectful, focusing on investigative details and the real-life consequences for those affected.

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Summary

This episode encapsulates Nancy Grace’s approach: relentless focus on victims, sharp legal insight, and a commitment to exposing all facets of complex, heartbreaking crime stories. The Florida double homicide is presented as a chilling convergence of personal animus, premeditation, and tragedy, followed by equally impactful deep-dives into the intersections of law, family, and personal struggle in other cases.

For listeners seeking a thorough, emotionally resonant, and legally informed take on recent crime stories, this episode delivers.

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Transcript

[Nancy Grace]

Crime alert. I'm Nancy Grace. A Florida woman guns down two ex husbands after using stolen food to get into one of their home. Susan Avalon, 51, arrested Charged with second degree homicide for shooting both exes dead. Police allege Avalon walks into a nearby Panera, grabs a food order off the doordashing ubereats pickup stand and leaves, then uses the food to get into the homes of the exes. Straight out to Drew Nelson for more.

[Drew Nelson]

Nancy Manatee county deputies were first called to a home on Chatham light run in Bradenton. A man had been shot after answering his front door. Deputies were able to speak with him at the scene. He identified the shooter as most likely his ex wife. He was taken to a local hospital and later died from his injuries. The victim's 15 year old daughter was inside the home at the time. She told deputies she heard three gunshots. She then saw a Honda Odyssey driving away. As deputies worked the brake Bradenton case, they identified Susan Avalon, 51, of Citrus county as a person of interest. Records showed custody disputes between Avalon and the Bradenton victim. The suspect owes the victim about $4,000 that we find out in child support. So she becomes our primary target. And she ironically owns a silver Honda Odyssey that Sheriff Rick Wells detectives traveled to Avalon's Citrus county home to question her. They arrived as she was coming outside with bleach and cleaning rags. She began wip down her Honda Odyssey. Wells describes what happened next. Detectives let her know that they are there to speak about her ex husband, she says. Which one? Obviously that response raised immediate concern. Investigators realized there could be another crime scene. Manatee county deputies contacted Tampa police and requested a welfare check at a home on East Friarson Avenue. Officers entered that home and found an adult male dead with multiple gunshot wounds. There was also damage to a rear door. Authorities confirmed this victim was also an ex husband husband. Authorities now believe the Tampa killing happened first. Investigators say Avalon then traveled to Manatee county and went to the Bradenton home where the second shooting occurred. Avalon's live in boyfriend told detectives she had recently located the address of one of her former husbands. He said she told him that in case something happened to her, she loved him. He described her behavior as out of character. He later told detectives that she returned home and immediately jumped in the shower. Still fully clothed in a gray sweatshirt seen on surveillance footage, Avalon was arrested later that night. She faces a murder charge in Manatee County. Prosecutors say they plan to pursue a first degree murder charge which is eligible for the death penalty. Tampa authorities are still working with prosecutors to determine charges in the Hillsborough county case. Prosecutors there intend to seek first degree murder and the death penalty as well. Meanwhile, five children are preparing for the holidays without their dads.

[Nancy Grace]

Thanks, Drew. More crime and justice news after this.

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[Drew Nelson]

Father wins custody of his newborn son after the child's brain dead mother was kept on life support, exposing gaps in state law that left him without parental rights and stirred controversy over Georgia's abortion law. An Atlanta judge awarded Adrian Hardin sole legal and physical custody of his son, Chance. The decision follows months of legal uncertainty after the mother, Adriana Smith, died earlier this year. Taken off life support after the child was born by C section, the case drew national attention back in February. Smith, who was a 30 year old nurse, was nine weeks pregnant when she suffered a medical emergency. She went to the hospital with severe headaches. She was given medication and sent home.

[Nancy Grace]

Adriana's boyfriend found her the next morning.

[Drew Nelson]

Unresponsive and gasping, attorney Melanie Stavis says. Smith was rushed to Emory University Hospital. Doctors found multiple blood clots in her brain. She was declared brain dead on February 19th. Because Smith was pregnant, she was kept on life support for months, her family says. Doctors told them Georgia's abortion law required it. Georgia law bans abortion.

[Nancy Grace]

After six weeks, baby Chance was miraculously born by C section on June 13th of this year.

[Drew Nelson]

Smith was taken off life support days later and died four days after that. Once Chance was born, Adrian Hardin faced a new crisis. Under Georgia law, an unwed father has no automatic parental rights. Hardin was not married to Smith. He was forced to sue to legally establish custody of his own child.

[Nancy Grace]

Unless he marries the mother or sues her, the father has absolutely no legal rights, even in a tragic situation such as this.

[Drew Nelson]

Without the lawsuit, Hardin could have lost his son to foster care. That risk remained, even with a positive DNA test and his involvement in the child's life. Earlier this month, a judge granted Hardin custody. Chance was born premature and placed into the neonatal intensive care unit. He remains there as doctors monitor his progress. Speaking publicly for the first time, Hardin thanked supporters and remembered his former partner.

[Nancy Grace]

And I cherish every moment with my son. I'm so proud of my girl, my baby. I know she'll love to see him.

[Drew Nelson]

Hardin and his attorney say the case should lead to changes in Georgia law. They argue no grieving parent should have to fight the courts just to bring their child home. A former Nickelodeon child star is living on the streets of Southern California, turning down repeated offers of help as a fellow former child actor publicly pleads for help finding him to get him sober. Police in Riverside, California say they have frequent contact with Tyler Chase, best known for playing Martin Quarley on Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, which began airing on Nick in the early 2000s. Officers say they encounter him at least once a week and have repeatedly offered mental health services, drug and alcohol treatment and temporary shelter. Each time Chase declines. Police say he is cooperative and polite, but firm in his refusal. Chase's situation drew attention after a Tick Tock video featuring him began circulating. In the clip, he appears disheveled and confirms he once acted on Nickelodeon. Didn't you play?

[Nancy Grace]

Did you play on Disney Channel?

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Nickelodeon.

[Nancy Grace]

Oh, Nickelodeon.

[Drew Nelson]

What show is it again, Nancy? Classified School Survival.

[Nancy Grace]

Oh yeah, you're that kid on it, huh? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I remember you, yeah.

[Drew Nelson]

One of those responding is actor Sean Weiss, who played goalie Greg Goldberg in the Mighty Ducks films and has spoken openly about his past struggles with addiction and homelessness. Weiss said he has secured immediate help for Chase if he can be reached. Weiss posted posted to Instagram.

[Nancy Grace]

We have a bed for him at a detox and we have a place for him to go and get long term treatment thanks to my buddy Mike.

[Drew Nelson]

Jordan at 1111 RECOVERY.

[Nancy Grace]

All we need to do now is find him.

[Drew Nelson]

Weiss explains that Chase would be welcomed into a sober living and long term treatment program at a recovery facility in San Clemente, California, potentially starting on a scholarship. Weiss says Chase was last reportedly seen near a shopping plaza in Riverside, but his current location is unknown. He's urgin anyone who encounters Chase in person to contact him directly so he can help. Police say Chase is not wanted for any crime and that his situation remains a matter of personal choice unless he meets criteria for involuntary intervention. A GoFundMe launched by fans was later shut down at the request of Chase's mother, who says her son needs medical care, not money, but still refuses treatment.

[Nancy Grace]

Thanks, Drew. 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 help solve unsolved homicides. With this crime alert, I'm Nancy Grace.

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Support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index. With AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Public Advisors llc. SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures [e-mail] Disclosures this is an iHeart podcast.

[Nancy Grace]

Guaranteed Human.