Serialously with Annie Elise

Episode 361: My Sit Down with Nancy Grace: Kohberger Posed Victims Bodies? Monique Tepe Shot MULTIPLE Times?!

Date: February 2, 2026
Host: Annie Elise
Guest: Nancy Grace

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, Annie Elise sits down with renowned legal analyst and true crime host Nancy Grace for a deep dive into several notorious cases: the Idaho murders committed by Brian Kohberger, the shocking Monique and Spencer Tepe case, and reflections on the Casey Anthony trial. Nancy offers candid, unfiltered takes—dispelling myths, sharing prosecutorial insights, and delivering memorable moments and strong opinions throughout. The conversation is fast-paced, rich with details, and peppered with both professional wisdom and personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Idaho Murders & Brian Kohberger ([01:49]–[25:53])

Details on Victims and Crime Scene ([01:49]–[03:30])

• Annie recaps the brutality revealed in newly unsealed documents:
  • Kaylee Goncalves: Stabbed 38 times (24 to face, scalp, neck)
  • Maddie Mogen: 28 times (13 to face, scalp, neck)
  • Xana Kernodle: 67 times (23 to face, scalp, neck)
  • Ethan Chapin: 17 times (4 to face, scalp, neck)
• Emphasis on the concentrated violence, especially injuries to the victims’ faces, suggesting possible motivation linked to hatred or misogyny.

Nancy Grace on Motive and Prosecutorial Focus ([03:30]–[07:08])

• Nancy underscores that “why” (motive) isn’t necessary to prove in court but offers analysis on destruction of beauty and identity:
  • “He was destroying the beauty of these victims... Her teeth were stabbed out of her mouth. Her teeth were around her.” – Nancy ([05:05])
  • Asserts this goes to a deep-seated hatred or misogyny.
• Annie asks if Kaylee was the specific target; Nancy clarifies the attack was premeditated, with stalking and planning involved—disputing the idea of a wild "rampage".

Targeting, Planning, and Online Theories ([07:08]–[09:55])

• Discussion on whether there was a specific intended victim; Nancy emphasizes long planning and stalking, both in person and digitally.
• Addresses online proponents for Kohberger’s innocence (“Pro Burgers”):
  • “He pled guilty under oath. In a court of law, he did it.” – Nancy ([09:30])
  • “Sing it to somebody that cares.” – Nancy ([09:51])

The “Posed” Victims Allegation ([09:55]–[14:39])

• Annie brings up defense claims that Kaylee and Maddie were “posed” after death.
• Nancy explains “posed” and “staged” as terms of art—tampering with a crime scene:
  • “Anytime you tamper with a scene... that's staging. That means typically not random.” ([13:08])
  • Sees the staging as probative: planned, not a spontaneous burglar, and argues it demonstrates the crime was intentional and premeditated.

Kohberger’s Modus Operandi and Motivations ([14:39]–[19:34])

• Annie probes deeper into incel theories and possible motives:
  • Nancy details Kohberger’s background: struggles with women, drug addiction, failed attempts at law enforcement careers.
  • Motive as “devil’s brew”: need to prove himself, hatred for women, and desire to emulate violent criminals he studied.
  • “The four victims were guinea pigs. He wanted to prove he could do it and not get caught. He wanted to be master of his craft.” – Nancy ([18:24])
  • Nancy refers to Kohberger as “personified evil” and closes the segment with “may he rot in hell.”

Prosecution Decisions & Nancy’s Take ([24:36]–[25:53])

• Annie asks what Nancy would have done differently as prosecutor:
  • “Number one, I would have had the balls to take it to trial. Let's just start with that.” – Nancy ([24:36])
  • Criticizes plea deals on overwhelming evidence cases and says prosecutors should be willing to risk trial, especially in death penalty cases.

2. Monique and Spencer Tepe Case ([25:53]–[38:01])

Case Recap and Initial Questions ([25:53]–[27:37])

• Annie provides context: the couple gunned down with two young children present; weeks without arrest; Monique’s ex-husband, Michael McKee, later charged amid revelations of a decade of abuse and threats.

Stalking, Planning, and the Night of the Murder ([27:37]–[33:52])

• Nancy Grace breaks down the surveillance, stalking, and McKee’s possible activities:
  • “He was caught on a neighbor's surveillance video entering the curtilage... He was seen getting over the fence into the backyard... He got access into the home proper. What did he do in there? I don't know... he knew where he was going the night of the murders.” ([28:00])
  • Suggests McKee was obsessively monitoring Monique and possibly escalating.
  • Discloses bombshell: “Everyone thinks that Spencer was shot multiple times and Monique was shot once. That is not true... Monique Tepe by shooting the victim multiple times with a firearm. She was shot multiple times, too, according to this document. Which means to me, he unloaded the gun on both of them.” ([33:30])

Duration of Grudges in Domestic Homicide ([33:52]–[35:38])

• Annie asks about the rarity of such a long-harbored grudge.
  • “I'd have to say no... Dr. McKee is the first one I've seen that nursed his hatred for nearly a decade.” – Nancy ([34:18])
  • Reveals allegations of rape and abuse during the marriage.

Advice for the Prosecutors ([35:38]–[38:01])

• Nancy advises the local prosecutor, new to homicide trials, to defer to more experienced colleagues:
  • “Let the vets try the case... I would not trust this to a first time homicide prosecutor... You work up to that.” – Nancy ([35:50])

3. Casey Anthony Case Reflection ([38:01]–[56:14])

Coverage and Memorable Interviews ([43:35]–[46:23])

• Annie invites Nancy to reflect on past coverage; Nancy remembers interviews with:
  • Judge Belvin Perry, who presided over the trial and knew Casey’s responsibility.
  • George and Cindy Anthony: “delightful, smart, kind, caring people” cruelly vilified while they grieved.

Bodyguard and Family Dynamics ([46:23]–[49:14])

• Nancy recounts a revealing anecdote: upon release from jail, Casey’s first words were, “what’s for supper?”—suggesting lack of maternal concern.
• Recalls George Anthony’s desperate confrontation with Casey and how the parents’ actions suggest their innocence in Caylee’s disappearance.

Peacock Documentary & Admission of Lies ([49:14]–[51:10])

• Casey Anthony’s docuseries and acknowledgment that “Zanny the nanny” never existed:
  • Nancy never watched it, doesn’t derive validation from Casey admitting her lies: “I already knew she lied.”
  • Strongly rejects giving Casey Anthony a platform.

Legal Theories and Personal Position ([51:21]–[56:14])

• Nancy declines participating in pro-Casey documentaries due to lack of editorial control and critique of their focus.
• Explains possible legal theories: felony murder, child abuse, “abandoned and malignant heart.”
  • “That is murder on several different levels. It could be felony murder, which is a death that occurs during the commission of a felony... There are several legal theories under which topmom could be prosecuted for murder...” – Nancy ([54:15])
• Believes jury misunderstood the law and reiterates her position that Casey is responsible for Caylee’s death.

4. Ellen Greenberg Case ([56:14]–[58:40])

• Nancy expresses deep support for further investigations into Ellen Greenberg’s suspicious “suicide.”
  • “Do I think she was murdered? Yes. You cannot stab yourself over 20 times in the back, including severing your dura...” – Nancy ([58:25])
  • Calls for federal involvement, denounces political entanglements that hampered justice.

5. Lightning Round: Nancy's Hot Takes ([59:17]–[62:13])

Barry Morphew ([59:17])

• References tranquilizer found in Suzanne Morphew’s system, points to Barry’s unique access.

Jodi Arias ([59:47])

• “Jodi Arias, the ultimate grifter and con who actually shot a bird at me in the courtroom.... She changed her story multiple times... Rot in hell Arias.” – Nancy ([59:52])

Scott Peterson ([60:43])

• Details Peterson’s lack of emotion after being told the bodies of Lacey and Connor were found:
  • “Within 15 minutes... he goes, hey, can we drive through In-N-Out. I want a double double with cheese and a shake. Really?” – Nancy ([60:47])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He was destroying the beauty of these victims.” – Nancy Grace ([05:00])
• “He pleaded guilty under oath. In a court of law, he did it.” – Nancy Grace ([09:30])
• “I don’t get validation from [Casey Anthony] admitting she lied. I already knew she lied.” – Nancy Grace ([51:10])
• “Jodi Arias, the ultimate grifter and con who actually shot a bird at me in the courtroom…” – Nancy Grace ([59:52])
• On Scott Peterson’s reaction to news of Lacey and Connor’s deaths: “He wants an effing double double with cheese. Anything else?” – Nancy Grace ([61:24])

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |------------|------------------------------------------------| | 01:49 | Introduction of Nancy Grace and Kohberger case | | 03:30 | Motive and brutality in Idaho stabbings | | 07:08 | Stalking, targeting, and online debate | | 09:55 | Discussion on victims being “posed” | | 14:39 | Kohberger’s possible motives and background | | 24:36 | Prosecutorial decisions in Kohberger case | | 25:53 | Monique & Spencer Tepe case overview | | 27:37 | Michael McKee surveillance, stalking, plans | | 33:52 | Duration of grudge in domestic homicide | | 35:38 | Advice for Franklin county prosecutor | | 38:01 | Start of Casey Anthony case reflection | | 43:35 | Memorable interviews, George & Cindy Anthony | | 46:23 | Bodyguard’s account & family dynamics | | 49:14 | Docuseries and “Zanny the nanny” | | 51:21 | On refusing to participate in Casey docs | | 54:15 | Legal theory explanations on murder | | 56:14 | Ellen Greenberg case & federal involvement | | 59:17 | Hot Takes: Morphew, Arias, Peterson | | 62:21 | Nancy Grace plugs her platforms |

Tone & Language

True to the show’s conversational, unsparing style, both Annie and Nancy speak candidly and often bluntly, especially on the justice system’s failings and infamous defendants. Nancy’s legal explanations are interspersed with personal anecdotes and vivid analogies, maintaining an accessible, no-nonsense tone throughout.

Final Thoughts

This episode delivered everything Serialously listeners expect: deeply researched case details, sharp legal insight, unfiltered hot takes, and a sense of community for true crime aficionados. Nancy Grace’s authoritative voice pairs perfectly with Annie’s inquisitive, empathetic hosting—making this a must-listen for anyone passionate about true crime and legal analysis.