Summary5 min read

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Son Charged w Murder After Killing & Slow Roasting Mom's Corpse in Fire Pit | Crime Alert 6AM 10.23.2025
Date: October 23, 2025
Host: Nancy Grace

Episode Overview

This episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace focuses on shocking recent crimes, including a grisly matricide case in Indiana, the tragic death of a child in California’s floodwaters, and the loss—and life-saving legacy—of an Alabama teen. Nancy Grace and correspondent Jennifer Gould break down disturbing case details, reconstruct critical investigation moments, and share voices from witnesses and those affected. The tone is direct, urgent, and empathetic, with clear focus on justice for victims and families.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Indiana Matricide: Nicholas Yates Kills and Burns His Mother

[00:02–03:00]

Nancy Grace introduces the case: Nicholas Yates initially reported his mother, Cheryl Yates, missing and described her as “the sweetest person ever.”
Police charge Nicholas after finding human remains in a backyard burn pit—suspected to be his mother.

Details from Jennifer Gould:

Yates is charged with murder after police say he "brutally killed his own mother, Cheryl Yates, then spent an entire day slow roasting her body to ash to cover the unthinkable crime." [00:36]
Nicholas' 911 call raises suspicion: "The calculating son made a fatal verbal slip telling detectives, 'She was the sweetest person,'" (past tense), flagging him to police. [00:51]
Nicholas lied about Cheryl's whereabouts and belongings; later admitted selling her phone and computer for cash.
Motive discussion: Financial disputes. Cheryl reportedly planned to evict Nicholas due to money issues.
Confession elements:
- Yates struck Cheryl in the throat during an argument, causing her face to turn blue.
- She fell backward, sustaining fatal injuries.
- Yates hid the body in a wooden box overnight, then spent the next day burning her remains in the backyard fire pit.
- He “brazenly moved new roommates into the victim's bedroom,” telling them his mom was moving out and feigning fear of being alone.
Police discover a charred spinal column and other bones in the fire pit.
Yates confesses after being confronted with evidence, is held without bond, pleads not guilty. Next court date is in January.

Notable Quotes:

“She was the sweetest person.” — Nicholas Yates, flagged by police for using the past tense ([00:51])
“Yates admitted to stuffing her body in a wooden box, leaving it overnight before spending the entirety of the next day burning her remains in that outdoor fire pit.” — Jennifer Gould ([01:46])
“He brazenly moved new roommates into the victim's bedroom, telling them his mother was, quote, moving out and he was, quote, afraid to be alone, end quote.” — Jennifer Gould ([01:57])

2. California Flood Tragedy: Father Charged After Son’s Death

[04:11–06:00]

Brandon Aguilera Padilla faces charges after his two-year-old autistic, nonverbal son Xavier dies in a flood-related incident in Barstow, California.
The incident took place on September 18th: Aguilera Padilla allegedly ignored explicit flood warnings, driving into a flooded zone.
After their vehicle was swept away, both exited the car but were separated by strong currents.

Witness Perspective:

“The current kind of took his car into a ditch. When the car stopped, that's when he grabbed the baby and got out of the car and the current ripped the baby out of his hands along with his clothes, his underwear, his pants and took off.” — Eyewitness ([05:43])
First responders found Aguilera Padilla stranded on a patch of land and rescued him; his son's body was found in a flood control channel the next day.
Final charges: Vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and felony child abuse endangerment.
Aguilera Padilla pleads not guilty; held on $200,000 bond, next court date on October 27th.

3. Alabama Teen Cheerleader’s Life, Death & Organ Donation

[06:00–08:12]

Kimber Mills, an 18-year-old cheerleader, was fatally shot at a bonfire party, suffering catastrophic injuries.
Three others wounded; suspect Steven Tyler Whitehead (27) was arrested.
After three days on life support, Kimber’s family chose organ donation, granting her a legacy of saving others.

Emotional Moments:

“It was emotional. As soon as she turned that corner, the whole hallway crying. You can tell she was really loved by the whole community.” — Shane McKay, describing Kimber’s hospital ‘honor walk’ ([07:36])
Kimber’s heart, lungs, and kidneys were donated, fulfilling her dream of helping others.
Charges against Whitehead likely to be upgraded in light of her passing.

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:02] — Introduction to Cheryl Yates case and Nicholas Yates’ arrest
[00:36] — Case specifics: method and motive of the matricide, evidence trail
[01:46] — Confession and crime scene details; covering up the crime
[04:11] — California father’s charges after flood tragedy
[05:43] — Eyewitness account of the flood incident
[06:00] — Alabama cheerleader killed at party; community and family response
[07:36] — Kimber Mills’ organ donation and lasting tribute

Memorable Quotes

“She was the sweetest person.”
— Nicholas Yates, flagged for suspicious use of past tense ([00:51])
“Yates admitted to stuffing her body in a wooden box... burning her remains in that outdoor fire pit.”
— Jennifer Gould ([01:46])
“He brazenly moved new roommates into the victim's bedroom, telling them his mother was ‘moving out’ and he was ‘afraid to be alone.’”
— Jennifer Gould ([01:57])
“The current kind of took his car into a ditch... the current ripped the baby out of his hands.”
— Eyewitness on Xavier’s death ([05:43])
“You can tell she was really loved by the whole community.”
— Shane McKay, on Kimber Mills’ honor walk ([07:36])

Tone & Style

Nancy Grace’s approach is no-nonsense, driven by a sense of urgency and deep empathy for victims. The episode delivers facts briskly, interwoven with emotional accounts and clear calls for justice, maintaining a somber and compelling narrative throughout.

Loading summary

Transcript10 lines

[00:02]
A
Crime Alert. I'm Nancy Grace. Breaking crime news now. When Nicholas Yates mom went missing, he described her as the sweetest person ever. Now Indiana police charge him with her murder. Human remains found in the burn pit in the backyard. Wow, that's original. The county coroner's office working to identify the remains, but police believe they do belong to Cheryl Yates, reported missing by her 20 year old son. Jennifer Gould has the details.
[00:34]
B
Nancy. Nicholas Thomas Yates is now charged with murder after police say he brutally killed his own mother. Cheryl Yates then spent an entire day slow roasting her body to ash to cover the unthinkable crime in Clinton, Indiana. Yates, 20, triggered instant suspicion when he reported his mother missing. During the call to cops, the calculating son made a fatal verbal slip telling detectives, quote, she was the sweetest person, end quote. A chilling use of past tense that immediately flagged him as the prime suspect. The lies mounted as he offered bizarre excuses for why her phone and computer had been left behind. Later confessing he sold both electronics at a local electronic store for quick cash. The horrific motive, Cheryl had told co workers she was furious with her son for wasting money while she paid his bills and she planned to make a move out. This argument over his tenancy and finances unfortunately escalated violently. Yates allegedly confessed he struck his mom in the throat, causing her face to turn blue. She reportedly fell backward, hitting her head first on a metal bed frame, then a wooden chest, and became unresponsive. In a macabre attempt at disposal, Yates admitted to stuffing her body in a wooden box, leaving it overnight before spending the entirety of the next day burning her remains in that outdoor fire pit. After the murder, he brazenly moved new roommates into into the victim's bedroom, telling them his mother was, quote, moving out and he was, quote, afraid to be alone, end quote. Police searched the backyard, discovering the bones in the burn pit, including a charred human spinal column. Confronted with the grotesque evidence, Yates allegedly admitted to the slaying. He was taken into custody without incident and is being held without bond. He has since pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and his next court date is in January. For more crime and justice news, watch Crime Stories with Nancy Grace on Fox One and YouTube. And you can also listen to crime stories with Nancy Grace on your favorite podcast app, Nancy.
[03:01]
A
Thanks, Jennifer. More crime and justice news after this.
[03:06]
C
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[04:11]
B
A California father's desperate month long ordeal ended in handcuffs after he was charged in connection with the horrific death of his two year old son Xavier, who was fatally swept away in a torrent of floodwaters. Brandon Aguilera Padilla, 26, was arrested following an investigation by the Barstow Police Department, which culminated in the San Bernardino County District DA's office filing charges while police initially booked the father on a murder charge. The final counts are vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and child abuse endangerment under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death. The latter count includes a special allegation of willful harm resulting in death. The terrifying incident unfolded on September 18th at 7:14pm on the 24,000 block of West Main street in Barstow when floodwaters violently overtook Aguilera Padilla's vehicle, carrying it into a wash. Reports indicate the father allegedly ignored explicit warnings and drove directly into the treacherous flood zone. After the car was overwhelmed, the father and son managed to exit but were immediately separated by the surging current. This witness spoke to the media.
[05:43]
D
The current kind of took his car into a ditch. When the car stopped, that's when he grabbed the baby and got out of the car and the current ripped the baby out of his hands along with his his clothes, his underwear, his pants and took off.
[06:00]
B
First responders located the father on a small flooded island and rescued him, but the search for the highly vulnerable child, who suffered from autism and was non verbal, continued through the night. The following day, the toddler's remains were tragically discovered in the San Bernardino County Flood control channel. Aguilera Padilla was arrested at his home. He he pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment on October 21st. He's being held on a $200,000 bond. The next court date is October 27th. Anyone with information about this incident has been asked to call Detective Bryce Carson at 760-255-5183 and finally, an 18 year old cheerleader's life was tragically cut short. But her death sealed a mon life saving legacy. Kimber Mills was fatally shot at a bonfire party in Alabama suffering catastrophic wounds to her head and leg in the sudden senseless violence that wounded three others and led to the arrest of 27 year old Steven Tyler Whitehead. After three agonizing days on life support, her devastated family made the ultimate decision to preparing to say their final goodbyes. On Tuesday, Kimber was wheeled down the UAB hospital corridor in a heart wrenching honor walk. Shane McKay was there and spoke to CBS 42 News.
[07:37]
E
It was emotional. As soon as she turned that corner, the whole hallway crying. You can tell she was really loved by the whole community.
[07:45]
B
Hundreds of staff and loved ones lined the hall as the beloved student who once aspired to be a nurse was taken to surgery to become an organ donor. Her heart, lungs and kidneys were given to others, ensuring her final mission was fulfilled saving lives. In the meantime, the gunman Whitehead has been charged with three counts of attempted murder. But with Kimber's passing, charges are expected to be upgraded.
[08:13]
A
Nancy for the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast Crime Stories where we do our best to find missing people, especially children, and help solve unsolved homicides with this crime alert. I'm Nancy Grace. This is an I Heart podcast.