Crime Stories with Nancy Grace - Missing Virginia Mom's Body Found in Concrete Slab| Crime Alert Hourly Update Bonus

Episode Date: August 22, 2024

A missing Virginia mom's remains have been found.. encased in a concrete slab... A house fire in Texas reveals a triple murder...and, one may plays dead in an effort to avoid paying child support.  Jennifer Gould reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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I'm Jennifer Gould. A year-long mystery in Virginia has come to a tragic end as the remains of a missing woman have been identified and now her husband has been charged with murder. Elsie Mae Wigington, a loving and devoted mother and grandmother, was reported missing in June of 2023. The 46-year-old's remains were discovered under a concrete slab on the Amherst County property she shared with her husband, Frederick Wigington Jr. The discovery was heartbreaking news for Elsie's family. Her daughter, Sativa Rucker, spoke to ABC 13 News. I held out hope to the very end that she was okay. I was devastated when my dad told me. The investigation into Elsie's disappearance began over a year ago after she reportedly sent a distressing message to her foster sister saying, quote, he's going to kill me, end quote. And she stated she

was leaving him and heading to Maryland for safety, but she never arrived. The registered nurse was then reported missing on June 26th, 2023, after family members received what they believe was a fake text from someone posing as Elsie. Her family long suspected Frederick was involved, saying the two had a tumultuous relationship and that Elsie was the victim of domestic violence. The discovery of her remains was jump-started when a new sheriff took over the department. Amherst County Sheriff Jim Ayers spearheaded the efforts to find out what happened to Elsie. Here's Sheriff Ayers talking to WDBJ7 News. Obviously, that has been the number one priority to determine what the fate of Elsie was. That led to renewed questioning and more searching of the Wigington property,

which eventually led to the grim discovery in a trailer. The cause of death has not been released. Frederick Wigington was quickly arrested. The 37-year-old initially faced charges related only to the concealment of a dead body, but the discovery of Elsie's remains and later confirmation of her identity prompted the updated charges of first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He's being held without bond at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail. Frederick Wigington will appear in court October 7th. In the meantime, the investigation continues. More crime and justice news after this. A horrific crime has shaken the Cypress Mill Park community in Texas after a fire reveals three bodies, a mother, her son and his girlfriend inside a home on Plains River Drive.

Authorities are currently searching for the suspect or suspects responsible. Evidence suggests the fire was deliberately set after the victims were murdered in an effort to cover up the triple murder. Investigators believe the perpetrator then left the scene through the back door. Here's Sergeant Michael Ritchie with the Harris County Sheriff's Office talking to KPRC News. But I do believe there's still enough evidence. As you can see, you know, the house behind me, it's still intact. It wasn't completely burned down. In the meantime, the victims have been identified as Kelly Mascarelli, her son Colin Foster, and his girlfriend, Cameron Richard. All three reportedly lived in the house together. While the cause of death is yet to be determined through autopsies,

officials say trauma found on the bodies indicates foul play occurred before the fire was set. One victim was discovered on the first floor, the other two located upstairs. Despite the tragedy, a glimmer of hope in the form of another possible clue. Neighbors reported there's a ring camera on the property, potentially offering valuable video to help in the investigation. The Harris County Sheriff's Office, though, is urging anyone with information to please come forward by calling the HCSO Homicide Unit directly each CSO homicide unit directly at 713-274-9100 or call Crime Stoppers. And finally, a Kentucky man who tried to play dead to avoid child support payments

is losing something even more valuable, his freedom. Jesse Kipp has been convicted of hacking into state registries and falsifying official records to fake his own death. The 39-year-old's scheme began in January of 2023 when he gained access to Hawaii's death registry system using stolen credentials. demise completing a worksheet for a death certificate, which caused Kiff to be registered as deceased in several government databases, effectively disappearing from the radar. But Kiff did not stop there. He also accessed other state registry systems and private networks using stolen identities and tried to sell those systems on the dark web. Prosecutors say he admitted that faking his death was motivated by a desire to avoid his outstanding child support obligations. Kipf was

finally arrested last November. He pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and computer fraud. Now he not only has to pay over $195,000 in restitution for damages and unpaid child support, he'll spend the next nine years behind bars. Talk about an expensive lesson. For the latest crime and justice news, follow the Crime Alert hourly update on your favorite podcast app. With this Crime Alert, I'm Jennifer Gould. This is an iHeart Podcast.