Crime Stories with Nancy Grace: “Spin Cycle: Wife Bashes Hubby w Bat, Tries to Wash Away Bloody Evidence”

Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Jennifer Gould for Nancy Grace (Crime Alert Hourly Update)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire collection of shocking and unusual crime stories from across the U.S., highlighting the day's most disturbing reports: a brutal domestic homicide and botched cover-up, a murderous poisoning plot fueled by AI chatbot searches, and a bizarre catnapping involving a delivery driver. The tone is urgent, detailed, and direct, with commentary from community members and affected parties.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Florida Domestic Homicide & Evidence Destruction

[00:00–02:52]

• Tragedy Unfolds:
  In Fort Pierce, Florida, 60-year-old Bonnie Teitkin is accused of killing her husband, William Teitkin, 64, after a turbulent 40-year marriage.

  • Death caused by multiple blunt force head injuries—allegedly administered with a wooden club or bat.
  • Bonnie attempted to destroy evidence by putting blood-soaked clothes and towels in the washing machine.

• Discovery & Police Investigation:

  • Deputies arrived after the couple’s adult children requested a welfare check.
  • Bonnie was found in the garage near the washing machine, apparently “mid-cycle” to cover up the crime.
  • A trail of blood led from the garage through the house to William’s body.
  • According to statements, Bonnie told her son over the phone:

    "Dad's dead."
    (No direct timestamp, but occurs around [01:23].)

• Notable quotes & community reaction:

  • Sue Roseman, a neighbor, expresses disbelief:

    “You really don't think something's gonna go that far. You know that as much as they drank and all their whole history, it finally came to that and it's, I just don't think that's gonna happen.”
    —[00:35]

• Confessions & Motive:

  • Bonnie reportedly confessed to her son that she struck William with a club, claiming she “snapped” after his alleged sexual assault earlier that day.

    “…she had, quote, unquote snapped and couldn't take it anymore, end quote.”
    —[01:54]

  • The relationship had a history of domestic incidents.

• Current Status:

  • Bonnie Teitkin is jailed without bond as investigations continue.

2. NC School Therapist’s AI-Poisoning Plot

[03:52–06:50]

• Plot Overview:
  Cheryl Harris Gates, a North Carolina pediatric school therapist, is arrested for the calculated attempted poisoning and stalking of her estranged husband.

  • Used ChatGPT to research “lethal and incapacitating prescription drug combinations.”
  • Spiked his favorite energy drink, Celsius, with controlled substances on at least two occasions.
  • Husband survived and collaborated with law enforcement by surrendering tainted drinks and digital evidence.

• Evidence:

  • Police found
    • Syringes
    • Medical droppers
    • Digital scales
    • A capsule filling kit
    • Prescription medications—all ordered online.

• Timeline & Actions:

  • Plot spanned July–September; two clear poisoning attempts [July 12, August 18].
  • Additional charges for stalking (planted GPS tracker, broke a window at husband’s home).
  • Gates’ staff profile removed from the school website upon arrest.

• Community Response:

  • Sharonda Taylor (parent):

    “Is it just the fact that he crossed her the wrong way? And what if a child crossed her the wrong way? Would she do something to that child?” —[04:20]

• Current Status:

  • Bail revoked after attempted murder charges; Gates held without bond.

3. Catnapped Cat in West Hollywood

[06:51–07:50]

• Incident Summary:

  • Six-year-old cat Floki was abducted from owner Emir Ukraine’s porch by a food delivery driver, as captured on surveillance video.
  • The driver stuffed the cat in the trunk of his Prius and drove off.

• Aftermath & Bizarre Twist:

  • Two weeks later, the driver handed Floki in at the police station and asked for the $1,000 reward.
  • Emir Ukraine refused:

    "Like, almost like, you know, one of those movies they kidnapped first and they asked the money later on. Like, it's just, it's unbelievable." —[07:26]

• Law Enforcement Response:

  • The West Hollywood Sheriff's Department began a criminal investigation.
  • The driver now faces possible legal consequences rather than a reward.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sue Roseman (neighbor):

  “You really don't think something's gonna go that far. You know that as much as they drank and all their whole history, it finally came to that and it's, I just don't think that's gonna happen.” —[00:35]

• Bone-chilling family confession (Bonnie Teitkin to son):

  "Dad's dead." —[01:23]

• Sharonda Taylor (parent) on therapist suspect:

  “Is it just the fact that he crossed her the wrong way? And what if a child crossed her the wrong way? Would she do something to that child?” —[04:20]

• Emir Ukraine (cat owner):

  "Like, almost like, you know, one of those movies they kidnapped first and they asked the money later on. Like, it's just, it's unbelievable." —[07:26]

Timestamps for Highlights

• [00:00–02:52] — Florida wife kills husband, evidence found in washing machine; confession to son
• [03:52–06:50] — NC school therapist plots poisoning with ChatGPT research; community concern and evidence details
• [06:51–07:50] — Catnapping in West Hollywood; kidnapper tries to claim reward

Tone and Language

• The narration is urgent, factual, detailed, and at times emotionally charged, reflecting the gravity and shock of each crime story.
• The episode is tightly structured for rapid consumption, without dramatic embellishments, letting the raw details and remarks speak for themselves.

This episode of “Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” presents three disturbing yet fascinating vignettes from recent headlines, sharply focused on the depth and darkness of everyday crime. For listeners seeking an immediate, unfiltered account of daily crime news, this episode delivers gripping storytelling interwoven with impactful community voices.