Issue 213, August 29, 2024

U.S. Marshals Capture Memphis Murder Suspect Deario Wilkerson After He Falls Through Ceiling, Tragic Murder-Suicide Rocks Texas Lawyer's Family

🕵️^{Trivia Question}

Which act, passed in 2003, created the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and provided additional resources for investigating and preventing child abductions?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

PODCAST: Crime Junkie | AUDIO EXTRA: The Kentucky Meat Shower of 1876

When chunks of meat inexplicably rain down from the sky, the residents of Olympia, Kentucky are left baffled. Experts and theorists are at odds over the origin of this strange phenomenon, and it remains unsolved to this day.

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What’s Happening Now

U.S. Marshals Capture Memphis Murder Suspect Deario Wilkerson After He Falls Through Ceiling

A Memphis murder suspect, Deario Wilkerson, was captured by U.S. Marshals after falling through a ceiling where he was hiding.

The suspect was wanted for first-degree murder in the shooting death of Troy Cunningham.

Wilkerson was located in the city's Northeast section and apprehended without incident.

This arrest marked the third suspect captured in connection to the fatal shooting, with one suspect apprehended shortly after the incident and another arrested a month later.

The U.S. Marshals are responsible for tracking down fugitives, including violent criminals, and have successfully captured over 2,600 fugitives since 2021.

Tragic Murder-Suicide Rocks Texas Lawyer's Family

A Texas lawyer's wife killed her husband in their $1.6 million home outside San Antonio suburb Shavano Park.

Jerry Hernandez, 61, was found dead along with his wife Sonia, 52, in their four-bedroom property.

The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office ruled Jerry's death as a homicide and Sonia's death as a suicide.

Police responded to gunshots at the residence and discovered the deceased couple with gunshot wounds in the master bedroom.

The incident is being investigated as a murder-suicide.

The couple leaves behind a 25-year-old daughter.

Jerry had a successful law career and was recognized as a Top Personal Injury Lawyer in 2017.

🏠 Safety Tip of the Day: Always be cautious when accepting rides from strangers..

Kidnapping often involves abductions where the victim is lured into a vehicle under false pretenses or through coercion. To protect yourself, it's crucial to avoid accepting rides from individuals you don’t know, especially if they approach you in a seemingly random or suspicious manner. If you need a ride, use trusted services like prearranged taxis or rideshare apps, and make sure to share your trip details with a friend or family member. Remaining aware of your surroundings and maintaining a healthy skepticism about offers of help from strangers can significantly reduce your risk of abduction.

Cold Case Highlights

Mother Arrested Over a Decade After Allegedly Smothering Toddler son

In 2011, Destene Simmons allegedly smothered her toddler, Antwan Hope Jr., by putting a pillow over his face.

Despite being taken from her care, Antwan was returned for an unsupervised visit in 2013, after which he was found dead three days later.

Simmons was arrested in Broward County over 11 years after the incident and faces first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse charges.

Authorities finally made the arrest after years of investigation by the Coral Springs Police Department.

Antwan's death was deemed suspicious, and Simmons faces prosecution for the tragic loss of her son..

The Identified Human Remains of Nicolas Paul Grubb: A Story of Closure and Remembrance

Human remains found in a cave on the Appalachian Trail nearly 50 years ago in Berks County, Pennsylvania, have been identified as Nicolas Paul Grubb.

The man disappeared in 1977 at the age of 27 and was determined to have committed suicide by overdosing on Pentobarbital and Phenobarbital.

After years of being unidentified, Grubb was finally matched through fingerprint analysis by the FBI.

The discovery brought closure to his family and highlighted the importance of providing answers to unidentified individuals.

Grubb, also known as Nicky, had served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and lived in Colorado briefly.

PODCAST: Anatomy of Murder | Ambushed

The disappearance of a teenager brings together a group of friends, but when they talk to the police, their stories don't match up. It's up to law enforcement to piece together the brutal truth.

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🔍^{Trivia Answer}
The PROTECT Act (Keeping the Children and Families Safe Act).

The PROTECT Act, formally known as the "Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Children Today Act," was passed to enhance the government's ability to address child abductions and exploitation. It established the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and allocated resources for more effective investigations and prevention efforts.