Podcast Summary: Snapped: Women Who Murder

Episode: Cathie Grigsby
Host: Oxygen
Date: September 14, 2025

Episode Overview

This gripping episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder delves into the murder of Jack Grigsby, a beloved retiree from rural Texas, and the unraveling investigation that centered on his estranged wife, Kathy Grigsby. The episode traces the shocking plot, the mystery surrounding Jack’s death, and the ultimately failed “perfect crime.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Murder & Immediate Investigation

• Setting: Sargent, Texas, a close-knit Gulf Coast community (03:05)
• Discovery: On May 17, 2009, Kathy Grigsby calls 911, claiming to have found 72-year-old Jack dead in their home.
  • “The caller, 59 year old Kathy Grigsby, says she just found her husband, 72 year old Jack Grigsby, unresponsive.” (04:02)
• Crime Scene: Jack is found lying on the floor, blood pooled around his head; initial possibilities include suicide or homicide (05:19).
• No Weapon Found: Absence of a weapon at the scene points to homicide (13:30).

2. The Grigsbys’ Background and Marital Strain

• Jack’s Life: Hardworking, family-oriented, retired to embrace fishing and a quieter lifestyle (06:41–09:25).
• Kathy’s Background: Twice-divorced bookkeeper, active in sorority, not ready for rural retirement (07:49–09:34).
• Growing Apart: Kathy unhappy with isolation; escalation of arguments and eventual separation (10:08–11:18).
• Financial Tension: Kathy depended on Jack for financial support even after moving out (10:28).

3. Initial Suspects & Timeline

• Alibi: Kathy provides receipts and confirms she was at a Dallas sorority convention with friends during the murder (15:53–16:02).
• Handyman Royce Cootie: Investigators consider him due to recent work at Jack’s house, but his alibi (fishing with a friend) is confirmed (20:12–21:37).

4. Forensic Breakthroughs

• Shell Casing: 9mm casing at the scene; Kathy owned a 9mm Ruger, allegedly bought for protection (17:00–17:17).
• Missing Weapon: Kathy claims her gun was stolen; no sign of forced entry at her apartment (17:54–18:09).

5. Witness Reports & Break in the Case

• Eyewitness Joe Zamora: Reports seeing a suspicious man in a Ford Taurus circling Jack's home on the day of the murder (22:03).
  • “He kept driving around, just, you know, I was like, what the hell?” (22:16)
  • Man described as “scrunchy looking, kind of looked like a biker” (23:13).
• Composite Sketch & Surveillance: Sketch and Texaco station security footage help identify the suspect (27:11; 29:39).

6. Uncovering the Conspiracy

• Tracing the Card: Purchases at the Texaco traced to a Lone Star card registered to Suzanne Matz, connected to suspect Daniel Ray Harrison (30:20–31:02).
• Daniel’s Background: Criminal record with a history of drugs and prison (31:13).
• Suzanne’s Link: Suzanne Matz and Kathy were friends; Kathy also did Suzanne’s taxes (32:16–32:50).
• Murder for Hire Plot: As far back as 2003, Kathy allegedly inquired about having Jack killed (33:07).

7. Confession and Motive

• Daniel’s Confession: After police pressure, Harrison outlines the murder-for-hire plan, implicates Kathy, and explains how she provided the weapon and a key (36:46–39:57).
  • “She started to poison him... She tried to rabbit do it.” (35:22; 36:57; 45:53—on failed poisoning attempt)
  • “She had a receipt for the key being made at Walmart, which ultimately we knew was the key that she gave to Daniel Harrison to gain access to get the gun to commit the murder.” (42:17)
• Deadline: Kathy wanted Jack killed before their divorce finalized, after which she'd lose her status as insurance beneficiary (34:33; 38:37).
• Jack’s Insurance: Kathy stood to inherit $100,000 if Jack died before their divorce was final (37:59–38:10).
• Bitter Irony: Unbeknownst to Kathy, Jack had already changed the policy—she’d get nothing (45:23; 45:37–45:46).

8. Legal Outcomes

• Daniel’s Deal: Pleads to murder, sentenced to 40 years in exchange for testimony (43:58).
• Kathy’s Trial & Conviction:
  • Convicted of capital murder after a swift jury decision (46:30).
  • “She’ll die in prison. Most people who think they’re really smart and that they’re going to commit the perfect homicide, they don’t.” — Detective (46:37)
• Aftermath:
  • Kathy sentenced to life in prison (47:13).
  • Daniel eligible for parole in 2029.
  • Suzanne Matz not charged.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Community Suspicion:
  “Sargent is a little bedroom community. If you walk in there, people want to know who are you and what are you doing here?” (03:22)
• On Kathy’s Reaction:
  “She did, you know, break down. She seemed truly, truly traumatized.” (05:41)
• On a Failed Perfect Crime:
  “Most people who think they're really smart and that they're going to commit the perfect homicide, they don't.” (46:37)
• On Motive & Irony:
  “The irony of the whole thing is that she wouldn’t have got a dime.” (45:37)
• On Evidence & Planning:
  “She had a receipt for the key being made at Walmart, which ultimately we knew was the key that she gave to Daniel Harrison…” (42:17)
• On Desperation:
  “She was not going to be able to survive.” (44:42)
• Chilling Callousness:
  When Daniel calls Kathy post-murder, she only asks: “How was my dog? Pretty cold.” (41:12)

Timeline & Timestamps for Key Segments

• Murder & Discovery: 04:02 – 05:19
• Victim and Perpetrator Background: 06:03 – 09:34
• Separation & Divorce Motive: 10:08 – 11:18
• Initial Alibi & Investigation: 12:10 – 16:02
• Gun Evidence Unfolds: 17:00 – 18:09
• Eyewitness Account: 22:03 – 23:13
• Suspect Identified via Surveillance: 29:39 – 31:02
• Murder for Hire Plot Revealed: 33:07 – 34:33
• Daniel’s Confession & Plot Details: 36:46 – 42:17
• Legal Resolution & Sentencing: 43:58 – 47:13

Conclusion

Through interviews, personal accounts, and investigative details, the episode methodically unravels how Kathy Grigsby’s calculated desperation to maintain financial security led her to orchestrate her husband’s murder. Yet, her intricate scheme failed at almost every level: evidence, alibi, and ultimately motive, as she was written out of the will. The justice system delivers a resolute end—demonstrating once again that “perfect crimes” are all but impossible.