Podcast Summary: Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley

Episode: "He's Finally Been Arrested" (feat. Tucker Simmons)
Date: February 17, 2026
Host: Savannah Chrisley
Guest: Tucker Simmons

Episode Overview

This episode provides a dramatic update on the widely followed murder case of Donna Arsenault, the subject of the podcast series "Freeze Frame," hosted and investigated by Tucker Simmons. With the long-awaited arrest of Troy Scott Jordan—Donna’s boyfriend at the time of her death—Savannah and Tucker detail the shockwaves this arrest sent through their community and offer exclusive insights into the arrest, the legal proceedings, and the ongoing courtroom drama.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Arrest of Troy Scott Jordan

• Background: Last time Tucker appeared on "Unlocked" (Dec 2025), there were suspicions but no arrest. Tucker now confirms arrests have finally been made.
• Arrest Details:
  • Troy Scott Jordan was arrested at his hospital workplace early on December 23, 2025 ([01:19]).
  • He was charged with second degree murder in the 2017 death of Donna Arsenault ([02:00], [21:01]).
  • Tucker rushed to witness the scene, feeling a bittersweet relief ([02:18]).

Quote:

“It’s weird to feel excited, though, because Donna’s still gone. But this has been five years of my life, and I knew he was in custody.” – Tucker ([02:23])

2. Family & Community Reactions

• Mixed emotional responses from Donna’s family—relief, gratitude, reluctance to trust due to past law enforcement failures ([02:50]).
• Public awareness is high due to the publicity of the podcasts and ongoing exposure of local corruption ([03:41]).

Quote:

“Her sister Sherry... was ecstatic. And then a couple other folks... were just kind of like, it's real. Like, I don't know what to believe.” – Tucker ([02:53])

3. Bail, House Arrest & Courtroom Oddities

• Legal Drama:
  • Jordan’s bond set at $2 million but was reduced to $500,000 after a bond hearing ([04:10]).
  • Unusual: The judge directly asked Jordan how much bond he could afford ([04:47]).
  • Jordan’s attorney put him on the stand at the bond hearing—a rare, risky move ([05:25]).
• House Arrest:
  • Jordan secured bail (paid $40,000 to a bondsman) and is now on house arrest with strict geofencing ([17:07], [17:22]).
  • He was terminated from his hospital job immediately following the arrest ([17:29]).

Savannah’s reaction:

“That is the craziest thing I’ve heard. So, like, now you’re not even acting as a judge, you’re saying, all right, how much can you afford?” ([04:51])

4. Key Testimony at Bond Hearing

• Tucker shared and Savannah read excerpts from the court transcript—showcasing both incompetence and damning cross-examination by prosecutors ([06:03]–[14:50]).
• Prosecutors zeroed in on:
  • Allegations of domestic abuse, inconsistent timelines, and potential covering up of evidence (notably, a missing cell phone).
  • Jordan contradicted himself and possibly perjured himself during cross-examination.

Quote:

“So basically a mini murder trial at a bond hearing.” – Tucker ([16:19])

Quote:

"He’s locked himself into a timeline now." – Savannah ([16:30])

5. Upcoming Legal Proceedings

• Next hearing scheduled for April 1st, with trial possibly on April 6th, though a delay is likely ([17:54]).
• Defense asked to delay trial until late 2027, but prosecutors expect it to be sooner ([18:10]).
• Request for a venue change to New Orleans due to high publicity ([28:33]).

Quote:

“My guess would be just work every possible angle to get evidence thrown out or just drag it out as long as they possibly can.” – Tucker ([18:31])

6. Podcasting & Investigation Impact

• Tucker credits the success and exposure of the "Freeze Frame" podcast as pivotal to the renewed investigation ([20:31]).
• The current sheriff and DA directly acknowledged the role of public attention and the podcast series ([21:01], [40:35]).

Quote:

“I obviously know that the podcast is the only reason that the new sheriff looked into the case because there’s so much pressure.” – Tucker ([20:32])

7. Evidence, Suspicions & Involvement of Others

• Jordan’s girlfriend, Suzette, remains by his side and is under scrutiny for potential evidence tampering ([23:52]).
• Some of Suzette’s actions during court (coaching from the gallery, outbursts) highlighted ([24:40]).
• Tucker has recorded, unreleased conversations with Suzette that may be released if relevant to the public case ([27:12]).

8. The Gravity of the Case

• Donna’s family is finding some closure, but grief remains ([29:42]).
• Community and family reactions covered, including the possible effects on Jordan’s children ([36:28]).
• If convicted, Jordan faces mandatory life in prison for second degree murder ([31:52]).

Quote:

“In Louisiana, it’s mandatory life.” – Tucker ([31:52])

9. Reflections and Final Thoughts

• Both Savannah and Tucker reflect on the strange new sense of identity and relief accompanying courtroom progress ([29:20], [38:56]).
• Tucker may be called to testify; he’s prepared and has documented everything ([39:08]).
• Commitment to following through and updating the public as the case develops ([41:43]–[43:13]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On justice delayed:

  “It’s been five years of my life, and I knew he was in custody.” – Tucker ([02:29])

• On courtroom drama:

  “So basically a mini murder trial at a bond hearing.” – Tucker ([16:19])

• On family impact:

  “It doesn’t bring their mom back, but it can give some a little bit of closure.” – Savannah ([30:13])

• On legal process:

  “A grand jury indicted him. So obviously, there’s a lot of evidence that even I don’t know.” – Tucker ([35:00])

• On personal cost and relief:

  “It’s a relief. And I know I’m going to be dragged and dragged to the mud.” – Tucker ([38:56])

• On the power of media:

  “I obviously know that the podcast is the only reason that the new sheriff looked into the case.” – Tucker ([20:32])

Important Timestamps

• Arrest timeline begins: [00:54]–[02:00]
• Arrest at hospital recounted: [01:19]
• Family reactions: [02:44]–[03:15]
• Bond hearing details: [04:10]–[06:03]
• Transcript reading: [06:08]–[14:50]
• Missing cell phone discussion: [14:55]–[16:19]
• House arrest and employment fallout: [17:07]–[17:29]
• Next court dates: [17:54]–[18:10]
• Defense requesting trial postponement: [18:10]–[18:23]
• Role of podcast in renewed investigation: [20:29]–[20:32]
• Sheriff press release read: [21:01]–[23:01]
• Suzette's possible involvement: [23:52]–[28:28]
• Change of venue discussion: [28:33]–[29:08]
• Community/family reflections: [29:42]–[30:17], [36:28]–[37:08]
• Sentence overview: [31:52]
• First/second-degree murder clarification: [32:18]
• Impact and role of media: [40:35]

Where to Get Updates

• Tucker Simmons / Freeze Frame Podcast:
  • Instagram, TikTok, Facebook: @FreezeFramePodcast ([35:51])
  • Part Two of the podcast series to drop soon ([43:01])
• Savannah Chrisley:
  • Committed to sharing trial updates as they happen ([42:44])

Tone & Style

The episode is candid, emotionally charged, and occasionally darkly humorous (“He’s on house arrest in a 400 square foot tiny house” – [23:41]). Savannah and Tucker balance the gravity of the case with the procedural oddities and small-town drama that have made this investigation so gripping. They remain respectful of victims and families, bringing humanity to a long, painful search for justice.

For listeners new and old, this episode provides a clear, thorough, and often jaw-dropping update on the Donna Arsenault case—a testament to the power of persistent journalism and community advocacy.