Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Missing 4-Year-Old Oakley Carlson Declared Dead Four Years Later | Crime Alert 6AM 10.22.25
Date: October 22, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Nancy Grace delivers breaking news on the heartbreaking case of Oakley Carlson, a Washington state child declared legally dead nearly four years after her disappearance. The episode dives into the complex investigation, judicial process, ongoing suspicions around her parents, and the emotional reactions of those close to the case. The episode also covers crime news about Virginia Giuffre's memoir, exposing more allegations in the Jeffrey Epstein network and renewed scrutiny on Prince Andrew.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Declared Death of Oakley Carlson

[00:00 - 02:54]

• Oakley's Disappearance and Declaration of Death

  • Oakley Carlson was last seen in 2021; her body has never been found.
  • The case became public when a school principal overheard Oakley’s sister describe their mother’s claim that "Oakley had, quote, gone out into the woods and had been eaten by wolves."
  • After years of investigation, a Pacific County judge has declared Oakley legally dead at the petition of her siblings, marking nearly four years since she was last seen alive at age 4.
  • Her mother, Jordan Bowers, who had just been released from prison, and her father, Andrew Carlson, remain suspects in an open homicide investigation.

• Background and Family History

  • Oakley was returned to her biological parents from foster care in 2019 by the Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families.
  • Both parents gave conflicting and false statements about Oakley’s whereabouts and were convicted of child endangerment related to exposing their other children to methamphetamine.
  • Bowers was later sentenced to 43 months for identity theft and recently released under supervision.

• Foster Mother’s Response

  • Jamie Jo Hiles, Oakley’s former foster mother, was shocked by the declaration and remains deeply engaged with investigators.
  • Hiles emphasizes the importance of keeping Oakley's case in the public eye.

Notable Quotes

• "Oakley's body has never been found. Last seen alive by someone other than her parents in 2021..."
  — Nancy Grace [00:04]

• "Her mother, Jordan Bowers, who was released from prison just weeks before the ruling, remains a suspect."
  — Drew Nelson [00:34]

• "I hope that they just keep seeing Oakley’s face and maybe they just are like, okay, I need to... I need to come forward with what I know."
  — Jamie Jo Hiles [01:49]

• "I think that just keeping her relevant just kind of refreshes everybody’s memory that yes, she is still out there and it’s important to keep her name alive.”
  — Jamie Jo Hiles [02:32]

Suspicious Parental Statements and Investigation Details

• The “eaten by wolves” claim deeply concerned detectives but no physical evidence supported it, instead establishing "suspicious circumstances" around the disappearance.

• Detectives describe both parents as “persons of interest” in a "nobody homicide case."

• The reward for information in the Oakley Carlson case has now grown to $100,000.
  Law enforcement invites tips to the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office at 360-964-1729.

Virginia Giuffre Memoir & Epstein Case Updates

[04:35 - 08:18]

• Memoir Posthumously Released

  • Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, "Nobody’s Girl," was published six months after her death, candidly detailing her trafficking and sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and others.
  • She described being repeatedly raped by "scores of wealthy, powerful people," including naming a “well known prime minister” and a “former US Senator.”
  • Giuffre alleged childhood sexual abuse by her father, claims which he denies.

• Allegations Against Prince Andrew and Royal Fallout

  • Giuffre recounted being trafficked to Prince Andrew, noting he correctly guessed her age as 17.
    "He was friendly enough, but still entitled, as if he believed having sex with me was his birthright." — Virginia Giuffre [05:42]
  • Prince Andrew’s legal team paid a civil settlement; he continues to deny wrongdoing.
  • Giuffre’s book claims Andrew’s associates hired online trolls to harass her, and that Scotland Yard is investigating claims he sought dirt on her.
  • Pressure is mounting for the prince to step away from public life; biographer Tina Brown states William and Kate "can't abide Andrew and want him... to disappear from Windsor."

• Public and Political Response

  • UK MPs are calling for an inquiry into Prince Andrew’s taxpayer-subsidized Windsor estate arrangements amid the scandal.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Oakley Carlson case main coverage:
  [00:00 – 02:54]

• Foster mother Jamie Jo Hiles speaks:

  • On the ongoing need to keep Oakley’s story alive: [01:49], [02:32]
  • Emotional response to declaration of death and parents’ release

• Reward and contact info for the Oakley case:
  [02:39] – [02:54]

• Virginia Giuffre memoir crime update:
  [04:35 – 08:18]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “Detectives described that as one of several disturbing comments that made them fear Oakley had been killed.”
  — Drew Nelson, on the 'eaten by wolves' statement [01:56]

• “The powerful men who used me were never punished, but she wanted her story told so others would know what she endured.”
  — Drew Nelson, quoting Giuffre’s memoir [06:46]

• "Prince William and Princess Kate, quote, can’t abide Andrew and want him and Sarah Ferguson to, quote, disappear from Windsor."
  — Drew Nelson, quoting Tina Brown [07:49]

Tone & Style

Nancy Grace maintains her direct, impassioned style, demanding accountability and pushing for public vigilance, particularly for missing children. The coverage combines rigorous reporting with emotional testimony, highlighting the human stakes of both justice and remembrance.

Further Information

• Oakley Carlson tip line: 360-964-1729 (Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office)
• For ongoing updates, visit crimeonline.com.

Conclusion

This episode brings closure, yet unresolved pain, to Oakley Carlson’s case through her legal declaration of death amid continuing suspicions around her parents. The refusal to let the child’s memory fade echoes throughout, most poignantly in the words of her foster mother Jamie Jo Hiles. In parallel, the segment on Virginia Giuffre’s memoir exposes more details from the Epstein scandal, stoking calls for further royal accountability.

Listeners are encouraged to stay informed, vigilant, and proactive in cases of missing persons and the pursuit of justice.