Two Louisiana hero workers helped save a young girl from a registered sex offender. Sanitation worker Dion Merrick called police after he noticed a car matching the description and license plate of a vehicle listed in the AMBER Alert. The silver sedan was parked in a secluded field , but still visible from the road where he was working,. When police arrived, they found the 10-year-old girl inside the vehicle with a 33-year-old sex offender. Nancy Grace speaks with Dion Merrick.

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Two Louisiana hero workers helped save a young girl from a registered sex offender. Sanitation worker Dion Merrick called police after he noticed a car matching the description and license plate of a vehicle listed in the AMBER Alert. The silver sedan was parked in a secluded field , but still visible from the road where he was working,. When police arrived, they found the 10-year-old girl inside the vehicle with a 33-year-old sex offender. Nancy Grace speaks with Dion Merrick. Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>

Nancy Grace dives deep into the day’s most shocking crimes and asks the tough questions in her new daily podcast – Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. Nancy Grace had a perfect conviction record during her decade as a prosecutor and used her TV show to find missing people, fugitives on the run and unseen clues. Now, she will use the power of her huge social media following and the immediacy of the internet to deliver daily bombshells!

Theme Music: Audio Network

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Nancy Grace dives deep into the day’s most shocking crimes and asks the tough questions in her new daily podcast – Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. Nancy Grace had a perfect conviction record during her decade as a prosecutor and used her TV show to find missing people, fugitives on the run and unseen clues. Now, she will use the power of her huge social media following and the immediacy of the internet to deliver daily bombshells!

Theme Music: Audio Network

Two Louisiana hero workers helped save a young girl from a registered sex offender.   Sanitation worker Dion Merrick called police after he noticed a car matching the description and license plate of a vehicle listed in the AMBER Alert.  The silver sedan was parked in a secluded field , but still visible from the road where he was working,. When police arrived, they found the 10-year-old girl inside the vehicle with a 33-year-old sex offender.  Nancy Grace speaks with Dion Merrick.

Hero city worker risks life, saves 10-year-old girl from sex predator

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a9501dfe-d4f4-4724-ad9b-ae5100426f67/transcript

A jury finds Sean "Diddy" Combs guilty of two counts relating to transporting individuals for prostitution, but the rap mogul is acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.   After the verdict, Combs' attorneys ask for bail. He doesn't get it, instead getting a 50-month prison sentence. Now  Combs is scheduled to be released from federal prison on February 23, 2028.This date has been adjusted or changed at least four times.  
Original date: June 4, 2028
First change: April 25, 2028
Second change: April 15, 2028
Current date: February 23, 2028 

 Release dates are determined by the Bureau of Prisons considering credits for good conduct time, participation in rehabilitation programs, and time served.

Joining Nancy Grace today:
Philip Dubé  - Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal & Constitutional Law; Forensics & Mental Health Advocacy
Dr. Cheryl Arutt - Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist (specializing in trauma recovery, PTSD and EMDR); Website: CreativeEMDR.com, IG: @askdrcheryl
Robert Crispin - Private Investigator at “Crispin Special Investigations," Former Federal Task Force Officer for the United States Department of Justice (DEA and Miami Field Division), and Former Homicide and Crimes Against Children Investigator; Facebook: Crispin Special Investigations Inc.
Rob Shuter - Host: Naughty But Nice Podcast and Former Publicist of Sean Combs; IG: @naughtygossip
Lynn Shaw - Founder and Executive Director of Lynn's Warriors - an organization committed to ending human trafficking and sexual exploitation,  Host of Lynn's Warriors on YouTube;  X: @lynns_warriors, YouTube: @LynnsWarriors,
Tisa Tells - Pop Culture Investigator & Commentator and Host of 'Tisa Tells' on YouTube; YouTube: @TisaTells, Instagram & TikTok: @TisaTellss
Lauren Conlin - Podcaster/Reporter/Host- Co-Host of "PopCrimeTV" on YouTube; Website: primetimecrimeshow.com, X- @Conlin_Lauren, Instagram: @LaurenEmilyConlin, YouTube: @PopCrimeTV
Sydney Sumner -Crime Stories   Investigative Reporter

A jury finds Sean "Diddy" Combs guilty of two counts relating to transporting individuals for prostitution, but the rap mogul is acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.&nbsp; &nbsp;After the verdict, Combs' attorneys ask for bail. He doesn't get it, instead getting a 50-month prison sentence. Now&nbsp; Combs is scheduled to be released from federal prison on February 23, 2028.This&nbsp;date has been adjusted or changed <strong data-sfc-root="ep" data-sfc-cb="" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(0, 29, 53);">at least four times.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul data-sfc-root="ep" data-sfc-cb="" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 12px 0px 16px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">
<li data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-sfc-cb="" data-hveid="CAIIAAgACA0QAQ" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);"><strong data-sfc-root="ep" data-sfc-cb="" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">Original date: June 4, 2028</li>
<li data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-sfc-cb="" data-hveid="CAIIAAgACA0QAg" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);"><strong data-sfc-root="ep" data-sfc-cb="" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">First change: April 25, 2028</li>
<li data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-sfc-cb="" data-hveid="CAIIAAgACA0QAw" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);"><strong data-sfc-root="ep" data-sfc-cb="" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">Second change: April 15, 2028</li>
<li data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-sfc-cb="" data-hveid="CAIIAAgACA0QBA" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);"><strong data-sfc-root="ep" data-sfc-cb="" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">Current date: February 23, 2028&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;Release dates are determined by the Bureau of Prisons considering credits for good conduct time, participation in rehabilitation programs, and time served.
Joining Nancy Grace today:
<ul>
<li>Philip Dub&eacute;&nbsp; - Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal &amp; Constitutional Law; Forensics &amp; Mental Health Advocacy</li>
<li><a href="http://askdrcheryl.com">Dr. Cheryl Arutt</a> - Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist (specializing in trauma recovery, PTSD and EMDR); Website: CreativeEMDR.com, IG: @askdrcheryl</li>
<li><a href="http://CrispinInvestigations.com">Robert Crispin</a> - Private Investigator at &ldquo;Crispin Special Investigations," Former Federal Task Force Officer for the United States Department of Justice (DEA and Miami Field Division), and Former Homicide and Crimes Against Children Investigator; Facebook: Crispin Special Investigations Inc.</li>
<li><a href="http://robshuter.substack.com">Rob Shuter</a> - Host: Naughty But Nice Podcast and Former Publicist of Sean Combs; IG: @naughtygossip</li>
<li><a href="http://lynnswarrior.org">Lynn Shaw</a> - Founder and Executive Director of Lynn's Warriors - an organization committed to ending human trafficking and sexual exploitation,  Host of Lynn's Warriors on YouTube;  X: @lynns_warriors, YouTube: @LynnsWarriors,</li>
<li>Tisa Tells - Pop Culture Investigator &amp; Commentator and Host of 'Tisa Tells' on YouTube; YouTube: @TisaTells, Instagram &amp; TikTok: @TisaTellss</li>
<li><a href="http://www.popcrime.tv">Lauren Conlin</a> - Podcaster/Reporter/Host- Co-Host of "PopCrimeTV" on YouTube; Website: primetimecrimeshow.com, X- @Conlin_Lauren, Instagram: @LaurenEmilyConlin, YouTube: @PopCrimeTV</li>
<li>Sydney Sumner -Crime Stories&nbsp;  Investigative Reporter</li>
</ul>

Diddy's Release Date Changes Again, WHY?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/223d1b70-6463-45ff-ac87-b478011a13a0/transcript

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns discusses coffin birth, the rare postmortem phenomenon formally known as postmortem fetal extrusion. He explains how human decomposition creates gases, bloating skin, skin slippage, purge fluid, maggot activity, and other artifacts that can change the body after death and sometimes mimic trauma, sexual assault, or other evidence. He also discusses the Shanann Watts and Laci Peterson cases to explain how coffin birth is evaluated and why it must be distinguished from live birth or other possibilities.



Highlights

(0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns

(0:15) Coffin birth, decomposition gases, and the autopsy artifacts that can complicate a death investigation

(0:45) What happens after death: autolysis, putrefaction, and the bacteria already waiting inside the body

(2:30) Why decomposition smells so distinct, from rotten eggs and stale urine to rotting fish and foul garlic

(4:00) Dr. Crowns remembers his first decomposed body during medical school in Wichita, Kansas

(8:15) Inside the morgue with flies, maggots, maggot masses, and the daily reality of decomposition cases

(11:45) The Cook County decomposition morgue, the air-handling problem, and one doctor’s very questionable workaround

(18:00) Bloating, skin slippage, brighter tattoos, and the forensic details that can help or hinder identification

(19:30) When decomposition mimics trauma: ruptured scars, gaping wounds, and the risk of misreading the body

(21:15) Purge fluid, mistaken sexual assault concerns, and the importance of separating artifact from evidence

(24:00) Dr. Crowns explains postmortem fetal extrusion, also known as coffin birth, through the Shannan Watts case

(25:00) Laci Peterson, fetal separation, and why coffin birth must be carefully distinguished from live birth or other possibilities



About the Host:

Dr. Kendall Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often-misunderstood realities of forensic pathology.



About the Show

Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations.



Connect and Learn More

Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok at @mayheminthemorgue. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and be sure to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever you get your podcasts.



If you like this episode, don’t keep it to yourself; follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns discusses coffin birth, the rare postmortem phenomenon formally known as postmortem fetal extrusion. He explains how human decomposition creates gases, bloating skin, skin slippage, purge fluid, maggot activity, and other artifacts that can change the body after death and sometimes mimic trauma, sexual assault, or other evidence. He also discusses the Shanann Watts and Laci Peterson cases to explain how coffin birth is evaluated and why it must be distinguished from live birth or other possibilities. 
Highlights
(0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns
(0:15) Coffin birth, decomposition gases, and the autopsy artifacts that can&nbsp;complicate a death investigation
(0:45) What happens after death: autolysis, putrefaction, and the bacteria already&nbsp;waiting inside the body
(2:30) Why decomposition smells so distinct, from rotten eggs and stale urine to&nbsp;rotting fish and foul garlic
(4:00) Dr. Crowns remembers his first decomposed body during medical school in&nbsp;Wichita, Kansas
(8:15) Inside the morgue with flies, maggots, maggot masses, and the daily reality of&nbsp;decomposition cases
(11:45) The Cook County decomposition morgue, the air-handling problem, and one&nbsp;doctor&rsquo;s very questionable workaround
(18:00) Bloating, skin slippage, brighter tattoos, and the forensic details that can help&nbsp;or hinder identification
(19:30) When decomposition mimics trauma: ruptured scars, gaping wounds, and&nbsp;the risk of misreading the body
(21:15) Purge fluid, mistaken sexual assault concerns, and the importance of&nbsp;separating artifact from evidence
(24:00) Dr. Crowns explains postmortem fetal extrusion, also known as coffin birth,&nbsp;through the Shannan Watts case
(25:00) Laci Peterson, fetal separation, and why coffin birth must be carefully&nbsp;distinguished from live birth or other possibilities 
About the Host:
Dr. Kendall Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized&nbsp;forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and&nbsp;Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court&nbsp;hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often-misunderstood&nbsp;realities of forensic pathology. 
About the Show
Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world&nbsp;of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode&nbsp;delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows&nbsp;humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. 
Connect and Learn More
Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok&nbsp;at @mayheminthemorgue. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and be sure&nbsp;to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever you get your podcasts. 
If you like this episode, don&rsquo;t keep it to yourself; follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.

Mayhem in the Morgue: Coffin Birth 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f63e5605-dc89-4d6d-aa27-b478011906ae/transcript

This time last year Stephan Sterns was given 21 life sentences for the death of 13-year-old Madeline “Maddie” Soto.

Maddie was reported missing  February 26, 2024, after she didn't made it to Hunter’s Creek Middle School in Orlando.   Mom's boyfriend, Sterns, initially claimed he had dropped Maddie off that morning, but surveillance footage showed the lie. 

Two days later, March 1, 2024, Maddie's body was found in a wooded area near St. Cloud. Her death rules a homicide by strangulation.  Investigators believe she was already dead the morning she was reported missing and that Sterns moved her body that day when he said he was taking her to school.  Video evidence showed Sterns discarding items, including her backpack and school laptop, into a dumpster at the apartment complex where she lived. 

Forensic analysis of Sterns’ phone revealed images and videos of child sexual abuse, dating back to when Madeline was as young as eight. When investigators initially looked at the phone, they found it had been factory reset. He claimed that was an accident.  

Sterns was arrested February 28, 2024 on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, and later indicted for first‑degree murder and multiple sexual offenses. Sterns pleaded no contest to first‑degree premeditated murder and guilty to 60 other sex crime charges. He began serving his 21 concurrent life sentences with no possibility of parole at the Central Florida Reception Center.  

 

This time last year Stephan Sterns was given 21 life sentences for the death of 13-year-old&nbsp;Madeline &ldquo;Maddie&rdquo; Soto.
Maddie was reported missing&nbsp; February 26, 2024, after she didn't made it to Hunter&rsquo;s Creek Middle School in Orlando.&nbsp; &nbsp;Mom's boyfriend, Sterns, initially claimed he had dropped Maddie off that morning, but surveillance footage showed the lie.&nbsp;
Two days later,&nbsp;March 1, 2024, Maddie's body was found in a wooded area near St. Cloud. Her death rules a homicide by strangulation.&nbsp; Investigators believe she was already dead the morning she was reported missing and that Sterns moved her body that day when he said he was taking her to school.&nbsp; Video evidence showed Sterns discarding items, including her backpack and school laptop, into a dumpster at the apartment complex where she lived.&nbsp;
Forensic analysis of Sterns&rsquo; phone revealed images and videos of child sexual abuse, dating back to when Madeline was as young as eight. When investigators initially looked at the phone, they found it had been factory reset. He claimed that was an accident<a href="https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&amp;&amp;p=1c2fbf84a0368982f96fe5f0b8c9a97ed24cd6645102ddbca66c9421ef2f7e47JmltdHM9MTc4Mjg2NDAwMA&amp;ptn=3&amp;ver=2&amp;hsh=4&amp;fclid=197f3d3c-932c-60de-0c05-2c2992fa6145&amp;u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvTXVyZGVyX29mX01hZGVsaW5lX1NvdG8&amp;ntb=1" data-sups="3" data-hover-id="7"></a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Sterns was arrested February 28, 2024 on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material, and later&nbsp;indicted for&nbsp;first‑degree murder and multiple sexual offenses. Sterns pleaded&nbsp;no contest to first‑degree premeditated murder and guilty to 60 other sex crime charges. He began serving his 21 concurrent life sentences with no possibility of parole at the Central Florida Reception Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;

MADDIE SOTO DEAD:  MOM'S BF CLAIMS 'MADDIE STARTED IT' 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/395265b9-e014-44e7-b25c-b47801169ad7/transcript

Hero city worker risks life, saves 10-year-old girl from sex predator

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