Dateline: True Crime Weekly — October 23, 2025

Hosted by Andrea Canning (NBC News)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into three major stories:

• A decades-old amusement park murder in Georgia, finally seeing a break thanks to a pivotal witness.
• The tragic case of an aspiring beauty queen found murdered in Philadelphia, with questions swirling about law enforcement and justice gaps.
• How a Canadian detective is using documentaries to advance a haunting child murder investigation. Plus, the team rounds up court verdicts and legal developments in several high-profile cases.

1. The Amusement Park Murder: Break in a Cold Case

(Start: 01:31)

The Crime and Investigation

• Victim & Scene: Doris Worrell, mother of three, was shot and killed at her family's amusement park in Douglas, Georgia, in 2006. Her husband, John, found her body.
• Initial Theories: Investigators considered a botched robbery or retaliation (John had recently chased people from the park).
• Key Figure: Paula Yarbury, a then-teenage undocumented immigrant from Venezuela the Worrells had taken in, ultimately played a critical role.

"She lived with them for quite a while...helping out in the family by taking care of the kids, which is how she's sort of become known as the nanny."
— Dorothy Newell (04:39)

Motive & New Developments

• Motive Speculation: Allegations arose that John had an inappropriate relationship with Paula and feared losing his children in a divorce.
• Early Suspects: Two men, both park employees, were charged a few years after Doris’s murder but the charges were dropped for lack of evidence.
• Dramatic Moves: Paula was deported, and John moved to Costa Rica with the children, later joined by Paula. Their relationship later ended, and John returned to the US.
• Breakthrough: Years later, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) traveled to Costa Rica to find Paula, who provided information leading to John’s arrest in 2025.

"Slow, steady effort is rewarded with justice that arrives like a thunderbolt."
— Detective Insp. Shawn Glassford (03:07)

• Current Legal Status: John Worrell pleads not guilty; his defense is seeking a venue change, citing internet-fueled local bias.
• Family Impact: Doris’s family has not seen her children for 19 years; her eldest daughter spoke in support of John at a bond hearing.

"It's tough, and I know the family's really upset that they have not seen these kids."
— Dorothy Newell (09:23)

2. The Aspiring Beauty Queen’s Murder — Justice Delayed in Philadelphia

(Start: 11:31)

Who Was Kada Scott?

• 23-year-old Penn State grad, fashion lover, pageant contestant, described as “charismatic and kind.”
• Disappeared while heading to her job at an assisted living facility.

Timeline of Disappearance

• Arrives at work at 10pm, October 4th; vanishes soon after. Personal items and car left at work.
• Police search intensively; body later found in a shallow grave near a vacant school.

"If we gotta drive a trillion miles to come find you, we're going to find you."
— Dorothy Newell, echoing family (11:51)

The Break in the Case

• 21-year-old Keon King is arrested for kidnapping; he and Kada knew each other, but relationship details are unclear.
• A public tip, after police plead for help, leads them to a school, where evidence belonging to Kada was located.
• A further, specific tip ("go back, she's there, look again") leads to her body being found in woods behind the school.

"It was, go back, she's there, look again."
— Brian Sheehan (15:07)

Shocking Prior Accusations & System Failure

• King had previously been charged with a similar kidnapping — the victim had filmed him stalking her but later did not appear in court, prompting dropped charges.
• DA attributes this to witness fear; King was free on bail.

"Fear could have been the driving factor."
— Brian Sheehan, quoting DA Krasner (16:32)

• After evidence of foul play, King faces homicide charges and conspiracy (suggesting others may be involved).

Family and Community Response

• Kada’s family releases a heartfelt statement after her body is found, mourning her loss and calling her spirit unforgettable.
• Andrea notes the entire city is affected.

"Kada was deeply loved ... her light, kindness, and beautiful spirit will forever remain in their hearts."
— Brian Sheehan (17:29)

3. Dateline Roundup: Updates on Ongoing Cases

(Start: 19:57)

Paul Zumat Retrial — California Hookah Lounge Murder

• Accused of murdering girlfriend Jennifer Skipsey, then setting their house on fire (2009).
• First convicted in 2011 (arson & murder); new trial allowed in 2020.
• Found guilty again (Oct 2025), with sentencing scheduled for November 21; faces life in prison.

"They delivered their verdict on the 16th anniversary of Jennifer’s murder."
— Brittany Thomas (21:31)

Dan Serafini — MLB Pitcher’s Courtroom Twist

• Convicted of murdering father-in-law and attempted murder of mother-in-law; sentencing delayed due to appeal claims (ineffective counsel, juror misconduct over security footage).
• Judge delays sentencing; new date: February 20, 2026.
• Family divided: wife supports Serafini; her sister demands life in prison.

Nicholas Rossi — The Fugitive’s Reckoning

• Faked his own death, fled to Scotland; extradited to the US and convicted of two rapes in Utah.
• Victims make impact statements: “still afraid of him.”
• Rossi maintains innocence (“These women are lying... we will lodge an appeal.” — Rossi at sentencing, 25:00).
• Sentenced to at least five years to life; faces another sentencing next month.

4. A Detective’s Documentary: “Grand River Baby” Case, Ontario

(Start: 25:25)

The Case

• In 2022, a child’s body was found in the Grand River, Dunville, Ontario.
• No matching missing persons reports; DNA inconclusive.
• The child (nicknamed “Grand River Baby”): estimated 10 months to 3 years old; ancestry traced to South China and North Africa.
• Community deeply affected, holding vigils and pressing for answers.

"We've said it before, but we want to give this child her name back."
— Det. Insp. Shawn Glassford (26:13)

Turning to Media: Detective-Led Documentary

• Glassford and the Ontario Provincial Police produced a documentary (“Unsolved” series) to share details and images, hoping for new leads.
• Video gained 110,000+ views and drew tips from both Canada and the US, although none have cracked the case yet.
• $50,000 reward for information is still on offer; tipline: 1-844-677-9403 (works in US/Canada).

"It's a good way to get the message out to the public."
— Det. Insp. Glassford (29:13)

• Andrea hopes other agencies consider this community-facing strategy.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Slow, steady effort is rewarded with justice that arrives like a thunderbolt."
  — Det. Insp. Shawn Glassford (03:07)

• "She lived with them for quite a while...which is how she’s become known as the nanny."
  — Dorothy Newell (04:39)

• "Fear could have been the driving factor."
  — Brian Sheehan, quoting Philadelphia DA Krasner (16:32)

• "These women are lying. And in due course, we will lodge an appeal."
  — Nicholas Rossi (25:07)

• "We've said it before, but we want to give this child her name back."
  — Det. Insp. Shawn Glassford (26:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|-------------| | Amusement Park Murder | 01:31–09:56 | | Philadelphia Pageant Queen Case | 11:31–18:05 | | Dateline Case Roundup | 19:57–25:22 | | Detective Documentary (“Grand River Baby”) | 25:25–30:37 |

Tone & Style

The episode maintains the measured, empathetic, and inquisitive voice of NBC’s Dateline. Andrea is compassionate with victims’ families, precise with details, and often circles back to the lasting impacts of crime on entire communities.

Summary Takeaway

This episode offered a close look at how long-buried secrets, community pressure, and even creative policing can break past barriers to justice. It highlighted systemic cracks—witnesses too fearful to testify, local biases, and the agony of unresolved family trauma—while championing the dedication of investigators, reporters, and loved ones who refuse to give up.