Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley

Episode: "Who Killed Donna?" (feat. Tucker Simmons)
Release Date: December 16, 2025
Guest: Tucker Simmons

Episode Overview

In this gripping and emotional episode, Savannah Chrisley explores a real-life murder mystery alongside Tucker Simmons, a reality TV producer turned true crime investigator. Tucker shares the harrowing story of his aunt, Donna Arceneaux, whose 2017 death in rural Louisiana was hastily ruled a suicide by local authorities—despite clear autopsy findings of homicide. Together, Savannah and Tucker dissect the tangled web of small-town corruption, botched investigations, and personal loss, while shining a light on Tucker’s years-long quest for justice chronicled in his podcast, Freeze Frame.

The episode offers insight into challenging a flawed system and the heartbreak of fighting for answers when law enforcement and local culture seem stacked against you.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background: Tucker's Journey Into True Crime

• Tucker moved from Washington Parish, Louisiana, to Los Angeles to work in reality TV before discovering his passion for true crime storytelling (02:21).
• Returning to the South in 2020, he set out to unravel rumors about his own family, leading him to his aunt’s mysterious death (05:06).
• "[My family's] connection to the former DA who went to prison... and a quite large cult, allegedly, reportedly, in my opinion... I just wanted to know, are the rumors true? And it quickly shifted to a murder investigation..." – Tucker (05:03)

2. Donna Arceneaux: The Victim and Her Circumstances

• Donna was found dead in her bed on October 24, 2017; the initial police report ruled it a suicide—despite the autopsy ruling it a homicide (06:37).
• Donna was known for caring deeply about her appearance, which cast further doubt on the suicide ruling (16:17, 17:13).
• "[Donna] was the most beautiful woman in Washington Parish. People to this day still acknowledge that." – Tucker (16:39)

3. Corruption and Botched Investigation

• Tucker discusses the "hotbed" of Louisiana political corruption and how local culture—particularly a "boys club" mentality among authorities—obstructed real investigation (03:08, 19:02).
• The county sheriff’s office pressured the medical examiner to rule Donna’s death a suicide (07:02, 18:02).
• "I really think the simplest explanation is probably what the truth is. And it's just poor police work, lazy police work..." – Tucker (19:32)

4. Evidence Contradicting Suicide

• The autopsy revealed the bullet path indicating death by homicide, not suicide, due to the unlikely trajectory and extensive internal damage (07:58).
• Donna’s body, found in a T-shirt and nothing else, and the state of the home suggested foul play (17:13, 46:55).
• Blood droplets throughout the home, evidence of cleanup, and inconsistencies in the boyfriend’s story (46:55-48:39).

5. Obstacles and Opposition

• Tucker faced ridicule in his hometown and resistance from authorities and suspects (28:28, 30:14).
• Notable stand-off moments, including putting up a giant billboard outside the sheriff’s office during an election to force the case back into the spotlight (28:54, 29:32).
• “If you have nothing to hide, then you wouldn't be concerned with something like this going up.” – Savannah (30:14)

6. The Boyfriend: Primary Person of Interest

• Donna’s ex-husband was ruled out by Tucker’s own investigation (34:50).
• Focus shifted to Donna’s new boyfriend, who became increasingly controlling— installing trackers, writing strict relationship rules, and taking ownership of Donna's house just two months before her death (36:51, 39:30).
• Handwritten “rules” were found in Donna’s nightstand, confirmed by their spiritual counselor as real (40:17).
• “If you have to write a list of rules, she's probably not the one for you.” – Michelle, spiritual counselor (41:03)
• Donna’s boyfriend was arrested for domestic violence in 2016; charges were dropped shortly after (50:13).

7. Details of the Crime Scene and Investigation

• Timeline reconstructed: The boyfriend delayed checking on Donna, involving her spiritual advisor instead of calling police directly (43:45).
• Anonymous uploads to Tucker’s website delivered hundreds of crime scene photos and documents, confirming chaotic and suspicious elements at the scene, such as defrosted pork chops and unfinished dinner preparations—contradicting a suicide narrative (46:55).
• Forensics showed a staged scene, blood cleanup, and possible removals of evidence (48:02–54:04).

8. Motives, Theories, and Ongoing Investigation

• Donna was reportedly in possession of damaging video evidence involving her boyfriend; she told her ex-husband, "If I'm losing my house, he's losing his reputation" (60:45).
• Multiple SD cards and possible evidence have never been recovered, possibly due to the time between her death and authorities’ real involvement (61:55–62:35).
• The new sheriff’s administration is actively investigating; a grand jury is expected (55:07, 67:34).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Small Town Politics & Corruption:
  “Louisiana has always been known as extremely corrupt when it comes to politics. And that has proven to be true throughout this process.” – Tucker (04:07)
• On the Pressure to Conform:
  "People run with [rumors], and the vile things that they still say about her, as if that makes her murder less important." – Tucker (20:36)
• On Facing Backlash:
  “There are a lot easier ways to get rich. Investigating your aunt’s murder is not one of them.” – Tucker (64:58)
• On The Billboard:
  "[We put the billboard] right across the street from the police station during an election year... it was strategic... how are we going to get people talking?" – Tucker (29:32)
• On Donna’s Voice Being Silenced:
  “[She] was foun d with only a T-shirt on, nothing else. She would never want to be found that way.” – Tucker (17:13)
• On the Motive:
  "Knowing the types of things Donna did have, you know, to keep herself safe if ever needed, I tend to believe that she did have a video of a very compromising situation." – Tucker (61:14)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:21 | Tucker’s journey from LA reality TV to true crime | | 05:06 | Discovering the family’s dark history and focus on Donna | | 06:12–07:02 | Official ruling vs. reality: the suicide/homicide discrepancy | | 16:17–17:13 | Description of Donna, her vanity, and suspicion about suicide | | 19:30 | The Sheriff’s “boys club,” lack of training, and investigation | | 28:54–29:32 | The infamous billboard: pushing the case into public eye | | 34:50 | Ex-husband’s involvement ruled out | | 36:51–41:03 | The controlling boyfriend, handwritten rules, and counselor's view| | 43:45–45:28 | Timeline of Donna’s disappearance and discovery | | 46:55–48:00 | Crime scene details; evidence of staging and attempted cleanup | | 54:29–55:38 | New sheriff, grand jury pending, investigation update | | 61:14 | Motive: Donna’s possible “collateral” video, blackmail rumors | | 64:58 | Addressing criticisms about profiting from the story | | 69:23 | Tucker on the importance of staying quiet during new investigation| | 70:04 | How to listen to Freeze Frame & submit tips |

Additional Resources & Call to Action

• Freeze Frame Podcast: Listen on all major platforms or visit freezeframepodcast.com.
• Case Information & Crime Scene Tips: WhoKilledDonna.com (anonymous tip submissions still active).
• Contact Information: For anyone with information about Donna’s case, the websites remain active as investigation continues.

Tone and Delivery

The episode is deeply empathetic, candid, and informed—mixing personal pain, frustration, and the determination to seek justice. Both Savannah and Tucker foster an atmosphere of openness, honesty, and willingness to challenge uncomfortable truths, especially around small-town loyalty and institutional failure.

Closing Reflection

Savannah underscores the emotional weight and significance of Tucker’s journey:
“Because you chose to ask the hard questions, uncover things that no one else would, it has now come back to life.” (66:02)

Tucker’s final word:
“To see the son of a bitch who killed her in jail.” (65:32)

This is a must-listen for anyone interested in true crime, rural justice systems, or the resilience of family in the face of systemic indifference.