Crime Stories with Nancy Grace – Episode Summary

Episode: FRIEND SHOT PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE | Crime Alert Recap Saturday 10.18.25
Air Date: October 18, 2025
Host/Presenters: Jennifer Gould, Drew Nelson, Jackie Howard, Nicole Parton

Overview

This episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace recaps a series of recent and ongoing high-profile crime stories, focusing on cases that have shocked communities and left families searching for truth and justice. The topics range from a fatal Russian roulette incident and a controversial suicide ruling in a suspicious stabbing death, to the disappearance of a young girl and a chilling account of stalking against a local meteorologist. The tone is urgent and investigative, designed to spotlight continuing questions and systemic issues in American justice.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Russian Roulette Tragedy in Ohio

• [00:03]

  • Story: Rachel Counts, 23, killed in a game of Russian roulette with friend Omarion Horne, 23, in northern Cincinnati.
  • Details: While playing cards, Horne allegedly produced a gun, removed all but one bullet, and asked Rachel if she wanted to play "Russian ruler." He then pointed the gun at her and pulled the trigger. Rachel died at the scene; Horne was arrested and charged with felony murder, felony assault, and reckless homicide.
  • Insight: Raises serious concerns about recklessness and criminal liability in cases involving deadly 'games.'

  Notable Quote:

  “Prosecutors say Horne then pointed the gun at Rachel and pulled the trigger. Rachel pronounced dead at the scene...”
  — Jackie Howard [00:22]

2. Ellen Greenberg: The ‘Suicide’ with 20 Stab Wounds

• [01:54]

  • Story: Ellen Greenberg, a teacher found dead in 2011 with 20 stab wounds (including to the back of her head), is again officially ruled a suicide, to the devastation of her family.
  • Details:
    • Dr. Lindsay Simon, Chief Medical Examiner, upholds original suicide ruling despite admitting the case is "unusual."
    • Family attorney Joseph Pedraza criticizes the new review as a “deeply flawed attempt to justify a predetermined conclusion” [03:46].
    • The case—is filled with oddities: initial ruling was homicide, then bizarrely changed to suicide; mystery surrounding physical evidence, missing surveillance footage, and potential recreation proof.
    • Parents Sandy and Josh Greenberg pushed for this review after court pressure; litigation continues with appeals and a civil suit alleging a law enforcement cover-up.

  Notable Quotes:

  "The distribution of injuries is admittedly unusual, but concluded that Greenberg...would be capable of inflicting these injuries herself."
  — Dr. Lindsay Simon, via Jennifer Gould [02:15]

  “That’s all Sandy and I have ever asked for for Ellen – the truth about her death.”
  — Josh Greenberg [03:04]

  “Shame on you, Simon...the report’s reliance on distorted portrayals of Ellen’s mental health.”
  — Attorney Joseph Pedraza, via Jennifer Gould [04:42]

  “The truth will not come from Philadelphia’s law enforcement machinery.”
  — Jennifer Gould, summarizing the Greenberg family’s sentiments [05:15]

3. Disappearance of Melody Buzzard (Age 9, California)

• [05:27]

  • Story: Melody Buzzard, missing 9-year-old girl from Santa Barbara County, California, has not been seen in over a year—no photos in the last two years.
  • Details:
    • Search began when school authorities notice extended absence.
    • Sheriff's Dept. unable to confirm her whereabouts, and mother Ashley Buzzard did not provide a clear explanation.
    • Melody is now classified as "at-risk missing person." Law enforcement urge tips—“even small details may be critical” [06:40].

  Notable Quote:

  “Detectives say they’ve been unable to confirm a single sighting of Melody in the past year. The most recent photo they could find was taken at least two years ago.”
  — Nicole Parton [06:17]

4. Stalking Nightmare for Meteorologist Kylie Burse (Denver)

• [06:58]

  • Story: Meteorologist Kylie Burse endures years of stalking from an obsessed viewer; most recent incident involves the stalker following her home and trapping her in her garage.
  • Details:
    • The perpetrator (69-year-old) had multiple restraining orders, yet persisted with harassment—including following, messages, showing up at events, and contacting family.
    • Highlights gaps in legal system: latest arrest led to a minimal bond, and no felony stalking charge due to time gap between contacts.
    • Burse hopes her story will “push lawmakers to treat stalking as a serious crime.”

  Notable Quotes:

  “I had a man who I have multiple restraining orders against follow me home from work. He used his truck to follow me into the alley, trapping me in my garage.”
  — Kylie Burse, via Facebook [07:32]

  “He violated the restraining order more than 50 times. Now she says she no longer feels safe living in her home...It’s a horrible sick to your stomach feeling.”
  — Drew Nelson, paraphrasing Burse [08:35]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Rachel Counts case:
  “Rachel pronounced dead at the scene and Horne arrested, charged with felony murder...”
  — Jackie Howard [00:22]

• Ellen Greenberg investigation:
  “The distribution of injuries is admittedly unusual, but...Greenberg would be capable of inflicting these injuries herself.”
  — Dr. Lindsay Simon, via Jennifer Gould [02:15]

• Family’s heartbreak (Greenberg):
  “That’s all Sandy and I have ever asked for for Ellen – the truth about her death.”
  — Josh Greenberg [03:04]

• Missing Melody Buzzard:
  “The most recent photo they could find was taken at least two years ago.”
  — Nicole Parton [06:17]

• Denver stalking survivor:
  “What’s wild is this man has been stalking me for over three years now and he was let out of jail on a misdemeanor.”
  — Kylie Burse [07:43]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:03 – Russian Roulette fatality: Rachel Counts case
• 01:54 – Ellen Greenberg suicide ruling controversy
• 05:27 – Melody Buzzard missing child investigation
• 06:58 – Meteorologist Kylie Burse’s stalking ordeal

Final Thoughts

This episode exposes the layers of injustice, unanswered questions, and real dangers looming in apparently straightforward cases—the recklessness of fatal games, the trauma of families up against official stonewalling, the silent crisis of missing children, and the gaps in stalking laws. Through direct reporting and hard-hitting quotes, the program presents a stark portrait of how frequently justice can feel elusive—leaving listeners with the critical message that the fight for truth and safety can be long and fraught, but must not be abandoned.