Crime Stories with Nancy Grace: Episode Summary
Episode Title: Police to exhume remains in Utah after reopening a 1970 cold case | Crime Alert 6AM 02.10.26
Date: February 10, 2026
Host: iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline
Overview
In this episode of "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace," the focus centers on the dramatic reopening of a 1970 cold case in Utah, with plans to exhume unidentified remains known only as "Jane Doe." The segment explores how advances in forensic science are breathing new life into this decades-old mystery, and the hope it brings for justice and closure. The episode also brings listeners up to date on several breaking crime stories from around the nation, touching on a campus shooting in Rhode Island, a high-profile school shooting trial in Georgia, and revelations from the federal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Utah Cold Case: Exhumation of "Jane Doe" (00:01–01:57)
- Location & Case History: Authorities in Hurricane, Utah (Washington County) are set to exhume human remains discovered in 1970—an unidentified woman known as "Jane Doe."
- Her cause of death was "undetermined," and she was originally interred with a simple grave marker.
- Why Now: Modern DNA technology and access to national missing person databases offer new hope for solving the case.
- Forensic Breakthroughs:
- Previous exhumation attempts (notably in 2014) failed due to inability to locate the remains—officials now believe earlier teams may not have dug deep enough.
- The use of updated forensic science and collaboration with the National Cold Case Coalition could allow for the recovery of viable DNA samples.
- Family Impact: The main objective is to finally identify "Jane Doe" and provide closure for her surviving relatives after more than five decades.
- Upcoming Action:
- The sheriff's office is preparing for exhumation in the coming weeks, which is described as "a significant moment in one of the longest running cold cases in Utah’s history."
Quote:
"Advances in DNA technology and access to national missing person databases give investigators renewed hope that Jane Doe can finally be identified."
— John Laemmle (00:43)
2. Brown University Campus Shooting: Police Footage Released (02:30–03:54)
- New Developments:
- Rhode Island officials released redacted police bodycam video and audio from the December Brown University mass shooting.
- Incident resulted in two student deaths and nine wounded; footage aims to provide transparency while shielding victims.
- Suspect Info:
- Claudio Neves Valenti, a former graduate student, is linked to the campus attack and the murder of an MIT professor.
- Valenti was later found dead in New Hampshire.
- Challenges of Transparency:
- Officials withheld some graphic footage to prioritize sensitivity.
- Noteworthy: Police at one point mistakenly identified a maintenance worker as a suspect during the chaotic response.
- City Response:
- Providence’s mayor emphasized the balancing act between public transparency and victims' privacy.
- Ongoing: Authorities still request help from the public for any additional information or videos related to the event.
Quote:
"The footage, heavily redacted to shield victims and their families from further trauma, includes about 20 minutes of body worn, camera video from responding officers and radio traffic between campus police and municipal authorities."
— John Laemmle (02:33)
3. Georgia School Shooting: Prosecution of the Father (03:54–04:59)
- Trial Updates:
- Jury selection starts in Georgia for Colin Gray, father of Colt Gray, who carried out the Apalachee High School shooting in 2024.
- Legal Angle:
- Colin Gray faces 29 charges, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter for enabling his son's access to firearms despite his mental health concerns.
- National Context:
- The episode notes growing national efforts to prosecute adults whose actions allow for the perpetration of mass shootings.
- Case Details:
- The incident led to four deaths (two students, two teachers) and nine injured.
- Colt Gray, aged 14 at the time, carefully planned and executed the attack.
- Bond & Expectations:
- The accused father is out on a $500,000 bond, with trial expected to last several weeks.
Quote:
"Prosecutors allege he knowingly provided his son access to the firearm used in the attack despite being aware of his mental health struggles and fascination with other school shootings."
— John Laemmle (04:26)
4. Jeffrey Epstein Investigation: Client List Allegations Addressed (04:59–06:14)
- Federal Findings:
- Newly released Justice Department records state that investigators found no credible evidence of Epstein maintaining a client list or running a sex trafficking ring involving high-profile men.
- Evidence Review:
- Authorities reviewed financial records, seized materials, and interviews but found no organized trafficking operation outside of Epstein’s confirmed federal sex crimes.
- Conclusion of Documents:
- There wasn't enough admissible evidence to charge others; no secret client list was recovered.
- Allegations of third-party involvement “could not be independently corroborated.”
Quote:
"According to internal Justice Department documents, the FBI found no credible evidence that Epstein maintained a client list or operated a sex trafficking ring involving powerful or prominent men."
— John Laemmle (05:14)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the Utah Cold Case:
"Records indicate that prior excavation efforts may not have gone deep enough to reach the actual burial site, leading authorities to believe the remains may still be intact beneath the surface."
— John Laemmle (01:29) -
On Transparency in Providence:
"Portions of the recordings were withheld to avoid showing more graphic content... the material released sheds light on the chaotic police response, including moments when officers mistook a maintenance worker for a potential suspect."
— John Laemmle (03:14) -
On Accountability for Mass Shootings:
"The case is part of a broader national trend of prosecutors holding adults accountable for enabling access to deadly weapons used in mass shootings."
— John Laemmle (04:41)
Important Segment Timestamps
- Utah "Jane Doe" Cold Case Exhumation: 00:01–01:57
- Rhode Island Brown University Shooting Update: 02:30–03:54
- Georgia School Shooting Trial (Colin Gray): 03:54–04:59
- Jeffrey Epstein Federal Investigation Update: 04:59–06:14
This episode delivers critical updates on high-impact cold cases, school shootings, and nationally debated investigations, using a mix of legal insight, breaking news, and clear, concise reporting. Listeners are encouraged to follow ongoing coverage at crimeonline.com and stay engaged in the search for justice and truth.
