Podcast Summary: Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode Title: MOM'S CHILLING POST BEFORE SHE & TWINS, 6, SHOT DEAD IN MANSION, BITTER DIVORCE
Date: December 12, 2025
Host: Nancy Grace
Guests:

• John Powell (Charity’s eldest son)
• Randy Powell (Charity’s father)
• Doug Warner (journalist)
• Joseph Scott Morgan (forensics expert)
• Greg Morse (defense attorney)
• Dr. Janie Lacey (psychotherapist)
• Chris McDonough (former homicide detective)

Main Theme

This episode investigates the tragedy of Charity Bialis—a mother of three, including 6-year-old twins—who was shot and killed alongside the twins in their mansion amid a contentious, abusive divorce from Dr. Randall Bialis. Nancy Grace explores the surrounding circumstances, previous allegations against Dr. Bialis, the relevance of a chilling social media post by Charity before her death, systemic failings, and parallels with the suspicious death of his previous wife.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovery of the Murders and Communication Failures

• How the Family Learned:
  Charity’s son John recounts learning about the deaths via social media and texts. Law enforcement did not inform the family directly.

  • Quote [04:28]:
    “They never did. We had to contact them and wait for a call back from them.” — John Powell

• Law Enforcement Response:
  Randy (Charity’s father) had to reach out to connections to get confirmation from the coroner.

  • Quote [04:50]:
    “They told me that they didn’t have time and that they didn’t know how to get in touch with me was their excuse.” — Randy Powell

2. Parallel Death of Previous Wife, Shawna Bialis

• Similarity in Circumstances:

  • Both wives were practical nurses, mothers of young children, shot in the head in their homes while married to Dr. Bialis.
  • Shawna’s death in 2012 was ruled suicide, but her family found the scene suspicious.

• Autopsy & Investigation:
  Both women autopsied by the same person, raising questions about systemic connections and thoroughness in the small medical and legal community.

  • Quote [12:21]:
    “That’s rare, isn’t it?” — Nancy Grace

3. Timeline and Nature of Charity’s Death

• Death Details:

  • Charity shot twice (head and chest), twins shot in the chest.
  • Crime occurred one day after a final divorce hearing in which Dr. Bialis, despite a history of abuse, was awarded joint custody.
  • Location of bodies: Upstairs in the mansion; bedrooms all located upstairs.

• Investigation Involvement:

  • Federal agencies (Secret Service, Homeland Security) brought in for digital forensics and ballistics.
  • Public and family frustrated with lack of transparency from local law enforcement.
  • Quote [15:57]:
    “They have not provided any information…I asked about that. That seems like a strange addition to this investigative unit.” — Doug Warner

4. Abusive Relationship and Legal System Failings

• Documented Abuse:

  • Dr. Bialis pled guilty to choking Charity in front of their children; accusations found credible by state child welfare investigators.

• Family Questioning Custody Ruling:

  • Both John and Randy express disbelief that a convicted abuser could win joint custody.
  • Quote [27:54]:
    “Millions of dollars can do wonders, I assume. I have no idea how any judge could give him any kind of custody.” — Randy Powell

• Systemic Protection of Influential Abusers:

  • Charity publicly complained she was treated as the problem, while Dr. Bialis was protected by the legal system.

5. Charity's Chilling Social Media Post

• Foreboding Warning:

  • Shortly before her death, Charity posted:
    “If a woman’s partner has ever strangled her even once, her risk of being murdered by that same partner with a gun shoots up 750% compared to a woman who has never been strangled.”
  • Post underscores her fear for her own safety and that of her children.

• Expert Validation:

  • Dr. Janie Lacey explains the statistical and psychological significance of strangulation in intimate partner violence.
  • Quote [30:17]:
    “Strangulation is the single most important warning sign we have…They're rehearsing murder.” — Dr. Janie Lacey

6. Evidence of Violence and Prior Threats

• Video Evidence:

  • John recorded Dr. Bialis stabbing his truck tires in a confrontation, underscoring an escalating pattern of aggression.
  • Quote [36:45]:
    “He told my mom to grab a knife and go out there and start trying to stab my tires, and she couldn’t do it. And then that’s when you see him come behind with the knife as well…and taunting me…” — John Powell

• Childhood Abuse Allegations:

  • State caseworker concluded abuse allegations against Dr. Bialis were substantiated by forensic interviews with the twins.
  • Quote [34:11]:
    “They conveyed to her some of what had happened and she reached out for help. And they had done a forensic interview … that was the outcome.” — Randy Powell

7. Forensic and Legal Complexities

• Questions of Motive & Means:

  • Experts debate the plausibility of suicide based on crime scene facts (multiple gunshots, involvement of children).
  • Likewise, points raised on ballistics, possible links to first wife’s case, and ownership of the weapons used.

• Legal Maneuvering Post-Death:

  • Charity’s father and son allege Dr. Bialis moved to dismiss the divorce after the murders, aiming to claim the estate.
  • Quote [39:51]:
    “The next day [after Charity’s death], he made a motion to dismiss the divorce so that it would all go back to Bialis.” — John Powell

8. Remembering the Victims

• Humanizing Charity & the Twins:
  • John shares personal memories: twins’ talents and intelligence, Charity’s deep, faith-based love for her children and her advocacy against domestic violence.
  • Quote [24:22]:
    “She was a very loving mother… She really had a passion for spreading awareness for domestic violence.” — John Powell

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "She is shot twice…this is not a suicide murder."
  — Nancy Grace [01:45]

• “When you strangle someone, you don’t leave any marks. You’re telling that person, I can take your breath away at any moment.”
  — Dr. Janie Lacey [31:24]

• "Both women look alike. Number one, both women are shot with a handgun...Both were in the middle of domestic turmoil."
  — Nancy Grace [09:19]

• “If a woman’s partner has ever strangled her even once, her risk of being murdered by that same partner with a gun shoots up 750%.”
  — Charity Bialis's shared post [28:41]

• “He pled guilty to choking her in front of the children. She was very scared…She was just trying to make it better for her children.”
  — John Powell [25:52]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment | |----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:44 | How family learned of the murders | | 05:31 | Questions about Dr. Bialis’ prior marriage and previous wife’s suspicious death | | 09:19 | Comparison between Charity’s and Shawna’s deaths | | 12:14 | Rare overlap: same medical examiner for both Charity and Shawna | | 22:34 | John recounts mother’s devotion and failed system protections | | 24:21 | John describes Charity’s personality and advocacy goals | | 25:52 | Reason for divorce: history of abuse | | 28:41 | The chilling pre-murder social media post | | 30:17 | Dr. Janie Lacey on the lethal implications of strangulation | | 36:45 | John narrates the tire-slashing incident with Dr. Bialis | | 39:51 | Allegation of Dr. Bialis moving to dismiss divorce for estate inheritance |

Conclusion

Nancy Grace’s investigation unpacks a series of institutional failures, evidentiary controversies, and systemic bias favoring an influential abuser, culminating in the horrific killing of a mother and her children. The episode puts a stark spotlight on warning signs, the importance of taking victim statements seriously, and the deadly consequences when the legal system fails to protect survivors and their children.

If you have information related to the case, contact the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office at 479-783-1051.