Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode Title: "NAKED NANNY'S" DAMNING FACETIME, STABS TOT'S GRANDPA DEAD WITH SCREWDRIVER
Date: November 6, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Nancy Grace investigates the shocking case of Samantha Ray Booth—dubbed the "Naked Nanny"—who was entrusted by the Ong family to care for their little girl, only to brutally murder the child’s grandfather, David Ong, with a screwdriver. Grace and her panel unravel the timeline, challenge widespread rumors, dissect psychological factors, and scrutinize the evidence, all while pushing past sensationalism to consider the nature of guilt, justice, and mental health in violent crime.

Main Theme

Exploring the unsettling reality behind a lethal betrayal of trust:
How a loyal nanny with no criminal or mental illness history becomes the suspect in a brutal homicide, and the struggle to find rational explanations for irrational violence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Timeline of Events and Immediate Questions

[01:35–04:30]
Nancy Grace introduces the heartbreaking scenario: 83-year-old David Ong, checking on his granddaughter and her nanny, is found stabbed to death with a screwdriver by the very woman the family trusted.
[04:30–05:19]
The initial welfare check: Mom Katie Ong can’t reach the nanny (Samantha), calls her father (David Ong) for a welfare check; when dad goes silent, she sends her brother-in-law next.
[05:50–07:34]
Grace explains why she doesn't fault the mother for relying on a person she knew for years—highlighting the challenge of anticipating such betrayal when someone seems trustworthy and familiar.

"When you know somebody, you don't think to check them out, see if they've gone crazy on social media because you know them."
— Nancy Grace [06:54]

2. Backgrounds of Those Involved

[07:34–08:31]
Alan Langel notes that Katie Ong is a psychologist specializing in ADHD assessments—raising questions about the interactions and possible missed warning signs.
[08:31–09:40]
The panel clarifies: ADHD is not a mental illness and is unrelated to violent hallucinations or psychotic breaks.

“ADHD does not make you have either auditory or visual hallucinations. ADHD is not any sort of a mental illness at all.”
— Nancy Grace [08:31]

3. Searching for a Motive: Drugs? Mental Illness?

[09:40–15:43]
Discussion on Samantha’s background: No criminal record, no known drug use, no documented mental illness according to her family.
Panelists speculate about possible undiagnosed drug use because some drugs (marijuana and mushrooms) were found after her arrest, but Nancy pushes back on forming excuses without evidence.

"Why do we keep talking about it?... We're pretending she's on drugs. We're pretending she had a drug history. We're pretending she had a mental illness history... Have you all lost your minds?"
— Nancy Grace [15:16 & 17:53]

4. Society's Perception of Female Offenders

[15:43–17:42]
Nancy and Tom Green debate the public tendency to rationalize female aggressors’ crimes, especially those who appear "normal" or attractive.
Nancy references the Casey Anthony case as another example.

“Whenever you have a woman, particularly a woman that some people would find attractive... They have a really hard time imagining that she's responsible for a murder. So we do all sorts of contortions to find a way to explain it away.”
— Nancy Grace [16:01]

5. Examining Samantha Ray Booth’s Social Media and Mental State

[19:46–20:31][27:52–33:09]
Clips from Samantha's TikTok reveal she struggled with anxiety, self-loathing, and an eating disorder, described herself as a "lightworker," and referenced doing “inner child” work.
Nancy and psychologist Dr. Janie Lacey clarify: these traits and traumas do not constitute legal insanity or severe mental defect.

“She's laying it all out there. If she's talking about that she drank too much, you don't think she'd blurt out on social media that she also did weed and mushrooms?”
— Nancy Grace [23:02]

[20:56–22:01] (Lightning Round)
Nancy rapidly confirms with Dr. Lacey that: Self-hatred, eating disorders, drinking, anxiety, insecurity, and survival mode are not mental defects.

6. The Night of Violence—Sequence of Events

[12:56–15:43][33:09–34:01]
- Brother-in-law Douglas Smith arrives for a "welfare check on the welfare check". Finds Samantha in the basement, covered in blood, with the grandfather dead.
- Samantha attempts to attack Smith and her young charge; Smith flees with the child, Samantha pursues, neighbors aid escape.
- Samantha strips naked, discards the weapon, and flees before being apprehended by police.
[40:09–40:32]
Police report: Booth drops screwdriver and clothes, flees naked, is arrested, and immediately brags to officers:

“I effed him up and yes, I did it. It was too easy.”
— Narrator/Reporter [40:27]

7. Brutality of the Attack

[34:01–37:54]
Dr. Thomas Coyne, forensic pathologist, explains that screwdriver wounds are smaller but more forceful than knife stabs, especially if targeting the skull or temple region. Death by screwdriver suggests extreme violence and deliberate, repeated force.

“…if you're using enough force, [a screwdriver] can go right into the brain and so you can incapacitate a person pretty fast if you hit the right spot.”
— Dr. Thomas Coyne [37:05]

8. Legal Arguments—Mental Health, Competency, and Sanity

[41:12–43:44]
Legal panelists discuss the distinction between being “insane” at the time of the crime and competent to stand trial. Alan Langel speculates first-degree murder “would be hard” to prove under Michigan law, but Nancy rejects mitigation given the evidence.
The law’s stance: Voluntary drug use, even if proven, is not a defense to homicide.

"Voluntary use of drugs or alcohol is not a defense. Period."
— Nancy Grace [26:42]

Nancy pushes back on all attempts to excuse or explain away the violence:

"No matter which way you guys want to turn, you're going to have to accept that this woman... stabbed an unarmed senior just coming to check on the grandbaby. Dead. Dead."
— Nancy Grace [26:42]

9. Courtroom and Jail Drama

[44:12–45:54]
- Samantha Booth strips naked in her cell at the time of arraignment, perceived as attention-seeking and potentially manipulative behavior to appear “insane”.

“We have Samantha Ray Booth throw herself in the floor of her cell and strip when it's time for arraignment. Not before, not after, but just when it's time for arraignment. Talk about attention seeking.”
— Nancy Grace [45:26]

10. Next Steps & Legal Proceedings

[46:53–47:13]
Samantha Ray Booth is held without bail; next court appearance is scheduled. Her boyfriend’s testimony about a pre-attack Facetime may be key: she was expecting grandpa’s visit, illustrating premeditation and sanity.

"That's damning. It's damning because she was in her right mind and she was not surprised by the grandpa when he came in the door. That is a damning FaceTime and I expect he will be called as a state's witness."
— Nancy Grace [47:45]

Notable Quotes & Moments

Nancy Grace on society's struggle to see women as aggressors:
“Whenever you have a woman, particularly a woman that some people would find attractive... They have a really hard time imagining that she's responsible for a murder.”
[16:01]
On excuses made for violent women:
"We're pretending she's on drugs... We're pretending she had a mental illness history... Have you all lost your minds?"
[15:16]
On voluntary drug use and criminal defense:
"Voluntary use of drugs or alcohol is not a defense. Period."
[26:42]
Samantha Booth’s chilling statement post-arrest:
“I effed him up and yes, I did it. It was too easy.”
[40:27]
Dr. Coyne on the weapon:
"A screwdriver... requires much more force. So yeah, I would imagine each blow would be more forceful... you can incapacitate a person pretty fast if you hit the right spot.”
[37:05]
On mental health and social media self-diagnosis:
“She may be zany, but she is not insane.”
[29:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

[01:35] — Case introduction; outline of crime
[04:30] — Timeline of welfare checks, family response
[07:34] — Panel introduces backgrounds, psychological context
[15:43] — Society’s bias toward female suspects
[20:56] — Samantha Booth’s TikToks dissected for insight into her psyche
[33:09] — Frantic basement scene described; survival and rescue
[34:01] — Forensic details of the screwdriver attack
[40:09] — Nanny flees naked, confesses to the killing
[44:12] — Jail drama and legal analysis of competency/sanity
[47:13] — Next steps in the legal case

Final Takeaways

No convincing evidence of serious mental illness or incapacitating drug use in Samantha Booth. Her social media confessions point to personal struggles but not legal insanity.
The crime’s brutality, paired with her lack of remorse (as shown by her post-arrest bragging), removes the possibility of successful insanity or defect defenses in the eyes of the panel—most notably Nancy Grace.
The conversation exposes societal discomfort confronting violence enacted by women, especially those who “seem” normal or attractive.
Pretrial proceedings continue; the prosecution is likely to rely on evidence of intent and after-the-fact statements to establish premeditation.

For more information or to provide leads, listeners are encouraged to contact the Royal Oak Police Department at 248-246-3000.

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode Title: "NAKED NANNY'S" DAMNING FACETIME, STABS TOT'S GRANDPA DEAD WITH SCREWDRIVER
Date: November 6, 2025

Episode Overview

Main Theme

Exploring the unsettling reality behind a lethal betrayal of trust:
How a loyal nanny with no criminal or mental illness history becomes the suspect in a brutal homicide, and the struggle to find rational explanations for irrational violence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Timeline of Events and Immediate Questions

[01:35–04:30]
Nancy Grace introduces the heartbreaking scenario: 83-year-old David Ong, checking on his granddaughter and her nanny, is found stabbed to death with a screwdriver by the very woman the family trusted.
[04:30–05:19]
The initial welfare check: Mom Katie Ong can’t reach the nanny (Samantha), calls her father (David Ong) for a welfare check; when dad goes silent, she sends her brother-in-law next.
[05:50–07:34]
Grace explains why she doesn't fault the mother for relying on a person she knew for years—highlighting the challenge of anticipating such betrayal when someone seems trustworthy and familiar.

"When you know somebody, you don't think to check them out, see if they've gone crazy on social media because you know them."
— Nancy Grace [06:54]

2. Backgrounds of Those Involved

[07:34–08:31]
Alan Langel notes that Katie Ong is a psychologist specializing in ADHD assessments—raising questions about the interactions and possible missed warning signs.
[08:31–09:40]
The panel clarifies: ADHD is not a mental illness and is unrelated to violent hallucinations or psychotic breaks.

“ADHD does not make you have either auditory or visual hallucinations. ADHD is not any sort of a mental illness at all.”
— Nancy Grace [08:31]

3. Searching for a Motive: Drugs? Mental Illness?

[09:40–15:43]
Discussion on Samantha’s background: No criminal record, no known drug use, no documented mental illness according to her family.
Panelists speculate about possible undiagnosed drug use because some drugs (marijuana and mushrooms) were found after her arrest, but Nancy pushes back on forming excuses without evidence.

"Why do we keep talking about it?... We're pretending she's on drugs. We're pretending she had a drug history. We're pretending she had a mental illness history... Have you all lost your minds?"
— Nancy Grace [15:16 & 17:53]

4. Society's Perception of Female Offenders

[15:43–17:42]
Nancy and Tom Green debate the public tendency to rationalize female aggressors’ crimes, especially those who appear "normal" or attractive.
Nancy references the Casey Anthony case as another example.

“Whenever you have a woman, particularly a woman that some people would find attractive... They have a really hard time imagining that she's responsible for a murder. So we do all sorts of contortions to find a way to explain it away.”
— Nancy Grace [16:01]

5. Examining Samantha Ray Booth’s Social Media and Mental State

[19:46–20:31][27:52–33:09]
Clips from Samantha's TikTok reveal she struggled with anxiety, self-loathing, and an eating disorder, described herself as a "lightworker," and referenced doing “inner child” work.
Nancy and psychologist Dr. Janie Lacey clarify: these traits and traumas do not constitute legal insanity or severe mental defect.

“She's laying it all out there. If she's talking about that she drank too much, you don't think she'd blurt out on social media that she also did weed and mushrooms?”
— Nancy Grace [23:02]

[20:56–22:01] (Lightning Round)
Nancy rapidly confirms with Dr. Lacey that: Self-hatred, eating disorders, drinking, anxiety, insecurity, and survival mode are not mental defects.

6. The Night of Violence—Sequence of Events

[12:56–15:43][33:09–34:01]
- Brother-in-law Douglas Smith arrives for a "welfare check on the welfare check". Finds Samantha in the basement, covered in blood, with the grandfather dead.
- Samantha attempts to attack Smith and her young charge; Smith flees with the child, Samantha pursues, neighbors aid escape.
- Samantha strips naked, discards the weapon, and flees before being apprehended by police.
[40:09–40:32]
Police report: Booth drops screwdriver and clothes, flees naked, is arrested, and immediately brags to officers:

“I effed him up and yes, I did it. It was too easy.”
— Narrator/Reporter [40:27]

7. Brutality of the Attack

[34:01–37:54]
Dr. Thomas Coyne, forensic pathologist, explains that screwdriver wounds are smaller but more forceful than knife stabs, especially if targeting the skull or temple region. Death by screwdriver suggests extreme violence and deliberate, repeated force.

“…if you're using enough force, [a screwdriver] can go right into the brain and so you can incapacitate a person pretty fast if you hit the right spot.”
— Dr. Thomas Coyne [37:05]

8. Legal Arguments—Mental Health, Competency, and Sanity

[41:12–43:44]
Legal panelists discuss the distinction between being “insane” at the time of the crime and competent to stand trial. Alan Langel speculates first-degree murder “would be hard” to prove under Michigan law, but Nancy rejects mitigation given the evidence.
The law’s stance: Voluntary drug use, even if proven, is not a defense to homicide.

"Voluntary use of drugs or alcohol is not a defense. Period."
— Nancy Grace [26:42]

Nancy pushes back on all attempts to excuse or explain away the violence:

"No matter which way you guys want to turn, you're going to have to accept that this woman... stabbed an unarmed senior just coming to check on the grandbaby. Dead. Dead."
— Nancy Grace [26:42]

9. Courtroom and Jail Drama

[44:12–45:54]
- Samantha Booth strips naked in her cell at the time of arraignment, perceived as attention-seeking and potentially manipulative behavior to appear “insane”.

“We have Samantha Ray Booth throw herself in the floor of her cell and strip when it's time for arraignment. Not before, not after, but just when it's time for arraignment. Talk about attention seeking.”
— Nancy Grace [45:26]

10. Next Steps & Legal Proceedings

[46:53–47:13]
Samantha Ray Booth is held without bail; next court appearance is scheduled. Her boyfriend’s testimony about a pre-attack Facetime may be key: she was expecting grandpa’s visit, illustrating premeditation and sanity.

"That's damning. It's damning because she was in her right mind and she was not surprised by the grandpa when he came in the door. That is a damning FaceTime and I expect he will be called as a state's witness."
— Nancy Grace [47:45]

Notable Quotes & Moments

Nancy Grace on society's struggle to see women as aggressors:
“Whenever you have a woman, particularly a woman that some people would find attractive... They have a really hard time imagining that she's responsible for a murder.”
[16:01]
On excuses made for violent women:
"We're pretending she's on drugs... We're pretending she had a mental illness history... Have you all lost your minds?"
[15:16]
On voluntary drug use and criminal defense:
"Voluntary use of drugs or alcohol is not a defense. Period."
[26:42]
Samantha Booth’s chilling statement post-arrest:
“I effed him up and yes, I did it. It was too easy.”
[40:27]
Dr. Coyne on the weapon:
"A screwdriver... requires much more force. So yeah, I would imagine each blow would be more forceful... you can incapacitate a person pretty fast if you hit the right spot.”
[37:05]
On mental health and social media self-diagnosis:
“She may be zany, but she is not insane.”
[29:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

[01:35] — Case introduction; outline of crime
[04:30] — Timeline of welfare checks, family response
[07:34] — Panel introduces backgrounds, psychological context
[15:43] — Society’s bias toward female suspects
[20:56] — Samantha Booth’s TikToks dissected for insight into her psyche
[33:09] — Frantic basement scene described; survival and rescue
[34:01] — Forensic details of the screwdriver attack
[40:09] — Nanny flees naked, confesses to the killing
[44:12] — Jail drama and legal analysis of competency/sanity
[47:13] — Next steps in the legal case

Final Takeaways

No convincing evidence of serious mental illness or incapacitating drug use in Samantha Booth. Her social media confessions point to personal struggles but not legal insanity.
The crime’s brutality, paired with her lack of remorse (as shown by her post-arrest bragging), removes the possibility of successful insanity or defect defenses in the eyes of the panel—most notably Nancy Grace.
The conversation exposes societal discomfort confronting violence enacted by women, especially those who “seem” normal or attractive.
Pretrial proceedings continue; the prosecution is likely to rely on evidence of intent and after-the-fact statements to establish premeditation.

For more information or to provide leads, listeners are encouraged to contact the Royal Oak Police Department at 248-246-3000.

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Summary

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode Overview

Main Theme

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Timeline of Events and Immediate Questions

2. Backgrounds of Those Involved

3. Searching for a Motive: Drugs? Mental Illness?

4. Society's Perception of Female Offenders

5. Examining Samantha Ray Booth’s Social Media and Mental State

6. The Night of Violence—Sequence of Events

7. Brutality of the Attack

8. Legal Arguments—Mental Health, Competency, and Sanity

9. Courtroom and Jail Drama

10. Next Steps & Legal Proceedings

Notable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Final Takeaways

Summary

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode Overview

Main Theme

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Timeline of Events and Immediate Questions

2. Backgrounds of Those Involved

3. Searching for a Motive: Drugs? Mental Illness?

4. Society's Perception of Female Offenders

5. Examining Samantha Ray Booth’s Social Media and Mental State

6. The Night of Violence—Sequence of Events

7. Brutality of the Attack

8. Legal Arguments—Mental Health, Competency, and Sanity

9. Courtroom and Jail Drama

10. Next Steps & Legal Proceedings

Notable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Final Takeaways