FRIEND SHOT PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE | Crime Alert Recap Saturday 10.18.25

Summary

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

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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.

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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

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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.

Transcript

[Jennifer Gould]

Crime alert, Hourly update.

[Drew Nelson]

Breaking crime news now.

[Jackie Howard]

I'm Jackie Howard. A young Ohio woman shot dead playing a game of Russian roulette with a friend. According to prosecutors, Rachel Counts, 23, suffered a gunshot wound to the chest Oct. 5 at a home in northern Cincinnati. Reportedly, Rachel had been playing cards with omarion Horne, also 23. Horne allegedly pulled out a gun, removed all but one bullet, asking Rachel if she wanted to play Russian ruler. Prosecutors say Horne then pointed the gun at Rachel and pulled the trigger. Rachel pronounced dead at the scene and Horne arrested, charged with felony murder, felony assault and reckless homicide. More crime and justice news after this.

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[Jennifer Gould]

I'm Jennifer Gould. The long awaited new official review of Ellen Greenberg's mysterious 2011 death has delivered a devastating final blow to her family. The Philadelphia medical Examiner's office has again classified the case as a suicide, despite the beloved 27 year old teacher being found with 20 stab wounds, including to the back of her head. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Lindsay Simon upheld the controversial ruling. In a 32 page report, Simon acknowledged the case's grim facts, noting that, quote, the distribution of injuries is admittedly unusual, end quote. But concluded that Greenberg, who is being treated for anxiety, quote, would be capable of inflicting these injuries herself, end quote. The ME's office stated its opinion was expressed with a, quote, reasonable degree of medical certainty, end quote. Ellen's father, Josh Greenberg, spoke to Nancy Grace on a previous episode of Crime Stories. The truth.

[Drew Nelson]

That's all Sandy and I have ever asked for for Ellen, the truth about her death.

[Jennifer Gould]

Greenberg was discovered dead in her apartment on January 26, 2011 by her fiance, Sam Goldberg during a blizzard. The autopsy confirmed the horrific scene. 20 puncture wounds to her neck, heart and back. With the knife still lodged in her chest, Goldberg has never been ID'd as a suspect. The ruling ignited immediate fury from the family's attorney, Joseph Pedroza, who called the report, quote, unquote, tripe and a, quote, deeply flawed attempt to justify a predetermined conclusion, end quote. Pedraza specifically attacked Simon's attempt to dismiss a stab wound found in the victim's spinal column, calling the official theory a, quote, insult to Ellen and her family, end quote. The lawyer added that the review dismissed unexplained bruises, missing surveillance footage, and a physical recreation that proved Greenberg could not have inflicted all the wounds herself, stating, quote, shame on you, Simon, citing the report's reliance on, quote, distorted portrayals of Ellen's mental health, end quote. The controversy is a painful Rewind to 2011, when then assistant coroner Marlon Osborne initially ruled the death of homicide, only to bizarrely reverse his decision to suicide weeks later. After meeting with Philadelphia police, parents Sandy and Josh Greenberg forced this MEO reevaluation by settling a lawsuit in February. After an appellate court in 2023 called the original investigation, quote, deeply flawed, end quote. Their legal war continues. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted an appeal in July of 2024 to review the death, and a separate civil suit seeks damages for the alleged, quote, unquote cover up. The MEO's decision now cements the suicide findings, leaving the family with a clear message, quote, the truth will not come from Philadelphia's law enforcement machinery, end quote. Pedraza vows to seek justice for Ellen's murder by, quote, any means necessary. End quote.

[Nicole Parton]

I'm Nicole Parton. Authorities in Santa Barbara County, California, have launched a troubling search for a missing nine year old girl who hasn't been seen in over a year and not even in a photograph for two. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office began actively searching for Melody Buzzard on Tuesday after a school administrator raised concerns that the child hadn't attended school in quite some time. Deputies attempted to locate Melody and her mother, Ashley Buzzard, at their home, but Melody was not there and officials say no clear explanation was given for her whereabouts. Although this missing person's case is just one day old, 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. The Sheriff's office is urging anyone with no matter how small to come forward. In a statement, they said even small details may be critical in helping investigators ensure her safety. If you've seen Melody Buzzard or have any contact with her in the past year, please call 805681, 4150. Anonymous tips can also be submitted at 805-681-4171. At this time, authorities have not confirmed whether foul play is suspected, but they do say Melody is currently classified as an at risk missing person.

[Drew Nelson]

I'm Drew Nelson Much like the lonely man in the Genesis song Turn It On Again, A Denver meteorologist says her stalker blurred the line between television and real life until he believed she was his wife.

[Weather Reporter]

Look at all of this lightning. These storms are packing an incredible punch here. So coming down through Akron, we are still under that severe thunderstorm warning there until 6 o' clock this morning.

[Drew Nelson]

Kylie Verse, age 36 of Fox31 Denver, says the 69 year old viewer followed her home last month and rang her doorbell. After years of sending messages and showing up at public events, here's what she said on Facebook A few weeks ago.

[Weather Reporter]

I had a man who I have a restrained multiple restraining orders against follow me home from work. He used his truck to follow me into the alley, trapping me in my garage. I was able to get into my house. He then went around to the front door and started ringing the doorbell when I was able to call 91 1- Grab My Dog and get out of there. 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.

[Drew Nelson]

The man was released on a $1,500 bond Bur says that she was told there had been too big of a time gap between his last contact and the new incident to charge felony stalking. Burst first began hearing from the man In 2022 when messages appeared on her social pages. He called her quote, my beautif blocked him many times but he kept creating new accounts. He also contacted her family and friends, even trying to buy art from her sister in law. The stalker showed up at events, including a charity hike in 2023 and told her he had a pair of hiking boots for her. When she told him she couldn't accept gifts, he began to cry. She later obtained a restraining order that he violated more than 50 times. Now she says she no longer feels safe living in her home. She told the Denver Post, quote, it's a horrible sick to your stomach feeling. She hopes sharing her story will push lawmaker to treat stalking as a serious crime. For the latest crime injustice news, follow Crime Alert Hourly update on your favorite podcast app with this crime alert, I'm Drew Nelson.

[Nicole Parton]

This is an iHeart podcast.