Rotten Mango Episode Summary

Podcast: Rotten Mango
Host: Stephanie Soo
Episode: 18 Yr Old Dead Under His Truck—Dad Claims Empty Truck Ran Son Over BUT Mom Claims Dad Killed Son
Date: November 14, 2025
Episode Theme:
This episode dives deep into the mysterious and highly contentious death of 18-year-old Grant Solomon, whose body was found pinned under his own truck outside a baseball training facility in Gallatin, Tennessee, in 2020. Host Stephanie Soo explores the conflicting narratives: Grant’s father, Aaron Solomon, claims it was a tragic accident; Grant’s mother, Angie, alleges foul play. Through a thorough review of witness statements, physical evidence, public disputes, and family history—including shocking abuse allegations—the episode dissects why the details of the case don’t add up, fueling widespread online debate and conspiracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Circumstances of Grant’s Death ([00:00]–[12:00])

• Background: Grant, a star baseball player in the middle of a custody battle between parents, had recently turned 18 and was anticipating a promising college career.

• On July 20, 2020, both Grant and his father Aaron drove separately to the Ward Performance Institute, a remote training facility.

• Unclear Appointment: Both parties disputed whether a training appointment was scheduled that morning. The gym is now closed, making verification difficult.

  Quote:
  “It’s like no one can agree. We can't even be sure that things are certain. Even the police reports are pretty sparse... very thin.”
  —Stephanie ([02:43])

• Event: Aaron claims he was in his car, checked a work email, and heard a commotion. He exited the car to find Grant trapped under his own truck, which had rolled backward into a ditch.

• 911 call: Aaron’s tone is described as “eerily calm” as he reports his son trapped, relaying other bystanders’ observations.

  Quote:
  “He sounds as concerned as somebody ordering a pizza delivery... This is what evil sounds like.”
  —Stephanie, quoting commenters ([12:04])

• Medical Findings:

  • Grant was found on his back, on rocks, under the front of his truck.
  • The truck was not applying crushing weight but had trapped him.
  • He had bleeding from his head, nose, mouth, and ears; no external crushing injuries or significant abrasions.
  • Cause of death: Cardiac arrest due to blunt trauma.

2. Conflicting Testimonies and Missing Evidence ([12:00]–[22:00])

• Presence of mysterious “three witnesses” in construction vests who disappeared before police arrived and never came forward.

• Lack of security or street cameras; only Aaron’s testimony is detailed in official records.

• Aaron’s story: Claims Grant’s truck must have slipped out of gear, rolled backward down the incline while Grant retrieved his gear, dragging him into the ditch.

• Angie’s skepticism: Numerous points don’t add up—no drag marks, no damage to the truck, blood only at resting place, car found in park when police arrived.

• No forensic analysis requested on Grant’s truck; Aaron declined.

  Quote:
  “If he knew that the car was in park and it still rolled down the hill, I think that he would get his black box analyzed and he would sue the shit out of Toyota.”
  —Stephanie ([21:03])

3. Physics, Forensics, and Reenactment Doubts ([22:00]–[44:00])

• Physical Implausibility: Listeners and Stephanie struggle to envision any scenario that would put Grant in the ditch, on his back, facing the way he was, with such limited injuries.

• No evidence of tumbling/skidding or burns from the hot undercarriage, which would be expected if the truck dragged or trapped Grant after an hour-plus drive.

• Aaron’s reaction: He never checked under the truck for Grant during the emergency—contradicts what most parents would do.

• Later, Aaron reenacts Grant’s position in the ditch for Angie, appearing emotionally detached.

  Quote:
  “There are so many what ifs… That’s why I said it has to be a God thing. Because none of it makes sense.”
  —Aaron Solomon (paraphrased by Stephanie) ([38:30])

  “If Aaron Solomon has nothing to do with Grant Solomon’s death… I do think, in my personal opinion, I don’t think he’s a good dad. I wouldn’t even take this half-baked answer if my utensils went missing in the house.”
  —Stephanie ([45:07])

4. Family Conflict, Custody, and Alleged Motives ([44:00]–[54:00])

• Angie’s Theory: Believes Grant was never at the top of the lot—that he was placed in the ditch and the truck moved intentionally.
• Custody Battle & Abuse Allegations:
  • Angie and daughter Gracie accuse Aaron of abuse and being the real perpetrator of Grant’s death; Aaron denies, claiming smear campaign.
  • Grant’s friends said he was seeking custody of Gracie, fearing for her safety.
  • Conflicting evidence and accusations regarding child abuse, manipulation, and parental alienation.
  • Social media, especially “Freedom for Gracie” Instagram, heavily campaigns allegations against Aaron.
  • Listeners, and even Stephanie, acknowledge both parents as unreliable narrators; concern centers on Gracie’s well-being.

5. Community, Social Media, and Aftermath ([54:00]–End)

• Public Outcry:

  • Vigils, online petitions, and a GoFundMe campaign collectively raise ~$200,000 for “justice for Grant and Gracie.”
  • Demands for an exhumation, accident reconstruction, and a reopened investigation remain unmet.

• Angie’s Actions & Arrest:

  • After intensive social campaigning, Angie is arrested in a murder-for-hire plot to have Aaron killed.
  • Raises questions about the authenticity of her activism—whether motivated by pursuit of justice, money, or personal vendetta.
  • Disappearance and silence after years of campaigning lead to suspicions regarding the use of GoFundMe funds and Angie’s intentions.

  Quote:
  “Where did that money go? And now that she’s run out... is she after Aaron Solomon’s million dollar trust? What is the motive? Is it justice or is it money?”
  —Stephanie ([58:40])

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On the confusing police records and witness absence:
  “Even the police reports of this incident, of Grant’s death are pretty sparse. There’s, like, not a lot of public police reports and they’re very thin.” ([02:43])
• Public suspicion over Aaron’s 911 demeanor:
  “He sounds as concerned as somebody ordering a pizza delivery... like, this is what evil sounds like.” ([12:04])
• Skepticism about physics of the incident:
  “I don’t know how that works… I’m not like a physics girl. I’ve never been a stem girly, but I just, I don’t know how that works.” ([16:54])
• Host’s opinion on Aaron’s lack of pursuit for answers:
  “If Aaron Solomon has nothing to do with Grant Solomon’s death... I do think in my personal opinion, I don’t think he’s a good dad...[he’s] very quick to accept that this is a ‘freak accident’.” ([45:07])
• Erie’s religious rationalization:
  “There are so many what ifs… That’s why I said it has to be a God thing. Because none of it makes sense.” ([38:30])

Important Timestamps

• [03:49] — Introduction of the mysterious construction worker witnesses
• [05:23] — The 911 call, Aaron’s demeanor discussed
• [12:00] — Discovery of Grant’s body and injuries
• [19:25] — Contentions over physics and lack of drag marks
• [21:03] — Declined forensic analysis and suspicion about suing Toyota
• [38:30] — Aaron’s “God thing” explanation
• [44:00] — Stephanie’s judgment on Aaron's response and “freak accident” acceptance
• [49:54] — Grant seeking custody of Gracie and family dynamics
• [54:33] — Angie’s claim about Grant’s premonition and GoFundMe controversies
• [58:40] — Questions over money and motives in aftermath

Episode Tone & Closing Thoughts

Stephanie maintains the Rotten Mango tone: morbidly fascinated, deeply critical, but open to the complexities and ambiguities in true crime cases. She expresses sympathy for Grant and Gracie, frustration with law enforcement, and skepticism toward both parents. The episode ends with unresolved questions and a call for further investigation.

For listeners seeking a deep dive into a convoluted and painful case, this episode captures the strange, contradictory, and emotionally charged elements that have made the Solomon tragedy a magnet for controversy and online vigilantism.