Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: MISSING 38 WEEK PREGNANT WOMAN FOUND DEAD | CRIME ALERT RECAP

Date: November 29, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts & CrimeOnline
Summary compiled from: Hourly Crime Alert Update (No main Nancy Grace discussion)

Brief Overview

This episode features a rapid-fire recap of some of the day’s most chilling crime stories from across the United States, focusing on updates from reporters Dave Mack, Nicole Parton, and Drew Nelson. The main story centers on the tragic case of missing 22-year-old Michigan woman Rebecca K. Park, who was found dead just before her due date. Other cases discussed include a Virginia assistant principal plotting violence against law enforcement, a Utah father charged with severe child abuse after a near-fatal hike, and new revelations in the high-profile murder case of teen Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The show delivers facts, urgent updates, and law enforcement quotes aimed at keeping listeners informed and vigilant.

Key Crime Stories & Discussion Points

1. Rebecca K. Park: 38-Week Pregnant Woman Found Dead (Michigan)

• Incident Recap [02:55–04:32]:

  • Rebecca K. Park, 22, missing since Nov. 3, was found dead in Manistee National Forest, MI.
  • Massive search efforts, elevated urgency as she was 38 weeks pregnant (due Nov. 18).
  • Her phone was found near her mother’s home.
  • Shortly after body is found, her fiancé, Richard Fowler (43), and younger sister, Kimberly Park (21), are taken into custody. Charges not yet disclosed.
  • Law enforcement declined to specify whether the remains of a newborn were discovered.

• Key Facts:

  • Family (especially fiancé and sister) were very vocal in media appeals while under suspicion.
  • The nature of the arrest and the charges remain unclear pending autopsy.
  • “The Wexford County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment further pending an autopsy.” (Dave Mack, 04:19)

2. Virginia Assistant Principal & Brother: Plot to Attack Police and ICE Agents

• Incident Recap [04:32–06:30]:

  • Brothers John Wilson Bennett (assistant principal) and Mark Booth Bennett became subjects of a federal investigation for allegedly plotting violence against law enforcement.
  • Caught discussing plans to “kill police officers and ICE agents” per DHS sources.
  • Mark Bennett arrested at airport en route to Las Vegas — allegedly to buy weapons, though the defense says he was attending a Formula 1 race.
  • Both are charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding. Attorneys deny they pose any real threat.

• Notable Law Enforcement Quote:

  • “It is alarming that someone, especially an educator, would consider plotting to kill and attack law enforcement officers and ICE agents, discussing how to acquire a high caliber rifle capable of penetrating bulletproof vests.” – Assistant Secretary Trisha McGlothin, DHS [05:37]

3. Utah Father Charged After Deadly Mountain Hike with Children

• Incident Recap [06:30–09:51]:

  • Micah Smith faces three counts each of child torture and aggravated child abuse after a harrowing hike almost killed his three children (ages 2, 4, 8).
  • Smith ignored weather forecasts and warnings from his wife.
  • Severe conditions struck: “A storm moved in—snow, hail, and rain” (Drew Nelson, 07:22).
  • Children found hypothermic, one had to be revived, suffered a stroke, and remains hospitalized. The 8-year-old described learning CPR to help her younger sibling.
  • Smith previously expressed suicidal thoughts and was later charged with domestic violence after being trespassed from his child’s hospital care.

• Notable Moment:

  • “Video from Smith’s phone captured one child asking, ‘Are we going to freeze to death?’” (Drew Nelson, 08:24)
  • “The children are now receiving proper medical care. Child Protective Services is involved. The investigation remains active.” (Drew Nelson, 09:39)

4. The Celeste Rivas Hernandez / D4VD Case: Decapitation Rumors and Secrecy

• Incident Recap [09:51–14:15]:

  • Celeste Rivas Hernandez, missing LA County teen, found dead in September in the “frunk” (front trunk) of a Tesla registered to singer David Anthony Burke (D4VD).
  • Speculation rampant — anonymous leaks claimed the body was “frozen and decapitated.”
  • LAPD Captain Scott Williams categorically denies these rumors:

    “Celeste’s body was not frozen and she was not decapitated. The whole frozen thing doesn’t make sense—her body was in the car for weeks.” (Dave Mack, 14:19)

  • Timeline clarified:
    • Tesla last moved July 29, marked by police, then towed to impound September 5th.
    • Body found September 8th; notably, one day after Celeste’s 15th birthday, but she was 14 at death.
  • LAPD withholds additional information, citing risk to witnesses.
  • D4VD (David Anthony Burke) confirmed as suspect; all court documents currently sealed.

• Detective Quote:

  • “Making the documents public will reveal or tend to reveal the ongoing investigation and the integrity of the investigation as well as the identity of witnesses and or informants who are cooperating with law enforcement…” – Detective Joshua Byers [15:10]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the public appeals by persons under suspicion:

  • “Among the very vocal family members asking for help locating Rebecca have been her fiancé, Richard Fowler, and her younger sister, Kimberly.”
    — Dave Mack [03:36]

• On the conspiracy to harm law enforcement:

  • “Their attorneys also claimed that Mark was traveling to Vegas to attend a Formula 1 race, not to acquire weapons.”
    — Nicole Parton [06:12]

• On the children’s ordeal in Utah:

  • “[The 8-year-old was] taught CPR to try to save her brother and to also to continue to go through that experience where she communicated fear and concern and they were told to march on.”
    — DA Sim Gill (via Drew Nelson) [07:08]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:55] – Rebecca K. Park missing/dead case update
• [04:32] – Assistant principal, brother, and alleged plot against ICE/police
• [06:30] – Utah father charged in child abuse/mountain hiking incident
• [09:51] – Celeste Rivas Hernandez/D4VD singer: new details, LAPD updates
• [14:15] – Detailing LAPD’s rationale for secrecy, judge seals all related docs

Tone & Overall Language

The episode maintains a brisk, urgent, and factual tone — less conversational, more news bulletin — aiming to keep listeners up to date and aware of ongoing criminal investigations. Law enforcement quotations add gravity and authenticity to the updates; the language is direct, often quoting public officials and family statements verbatim.

Closing

This Crime Alert episode delivers a sobering look at major cases, focusing on victims, active investigations, and the complexities facing law enforcement. Listeners are left with new, sometimes chilling, revelations and a call to follow updates as these cases unfold.