Crime Stories with Nancy Grace - Mom of Four Hacked to Death by Man on Early Release | Crime Alert Recap Saturday 07.12.25

Episode Date: July 12, 2025

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This is an iHeart Podcast. Crime alert, hourly update, breaking crime news now. I'm Jennifer Gould, a Washington state man with a laundry list of past violent attacks. Now stands accused of brutally murdering his girlfriend, a beloved mother of four, then allegedly dismembering her body. Seattle police officers were summoned to an apartment where they discovered the gruesome scene. The body of 31 year old Chiara Sewell bore obvious signs of trauma. The details are truly sickening. Sewell's grieving mom, Tanika Tigner,

spoke to reporters outside the courthouse. You did this to my daughter. What did she do to you? In the back of her neck is like decapitated off or something. What the fuck is wrong with you? You're crazy. The alleged killer, 55-year-old Willie James McCoo was captured on surveillance video with Sewell. But in the days that followed,

only McCoo appeared on camera, seen hauling large duffel bags and garbage sacks out of the building. When detectives later executed a search warrant on McCoo's storage locker, they uncovered the suspected implements of terror, an 18-inch machete and an 11-inch hunting knife, tools grimly consistent with the nature

of the injuries found. McCoo's criminal record is as long as it is disturbing. He was sprung from prison just last fall after serving nearly two decades for a vicious 2005 attack where he used a knife on a sleeping woman. He was initially handed a 28 year sentence for first degree assault, but that was controversially slashed due to the Blake decision, a ruling that reevaluated drug possession convictions. Here's Kiara's mom again outside the courthouse.

I want him to pay for what he did to my daughter. He needs to rot, especially if he's got priors. He stabbed another girl. Cops finally apprehended McCoo for murder and are holding him on a $4 million bond. This alleged monster already with convictions for assault with a deadly weapon and attempting to elude law enforcement is even considered a person of interest in another murder investigation. Court records show McCoo was arrested on May 20th for a Department of Corrections release violation but was released just nine days later. Chiara's family is now desperately

fighting for justice to hopefully prevent another tragedy like this from happening again. More crime and justice news after this. I'm Drew Nelson. A Connecticut jury finds a young man not guilty of murder in the 2022 stabbing death of a prep school athlete, But the case may not be over on Wednesday. Jurors acquitted 20 year-old Raul Valley of murder, intentional manslaughter and intentional assault in the death of 17 year-old James Jimmy McGrath. Jimmy was stabbed during a drunken fight outside a house party in Shelton on May 14th of 2022. Three other teens

were also stabbed, but they survived after the stabbings Valley, age 16 at the time, had been charged as an adult and faced up to 105 years in prison. It goes without saying that we're extremely disappointed with the result. This was a fair trial. That's attorney Michael Rosnick representing the defendant was not guilty of assault. The court ruled. This was a fair trial. That's attorney Michael Ross Nick representing the McGrath family, the family and I would

like to point out our thankfulness for the state's attorney's office. They did an exhaustive job. They conducted a thorough trial and they were indeed well prepared. A jury could not reach a verdict on reckless manslaughter and reckless assault charges. Judge the the

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his obituary called him the sunshine of his parents lives and a friend to many quote he understood the meaning of being part of a team. His family later formed the Jimmy McGrath Foundation their third annual golf tournament in his honor was held in June. A wrongful death lawsuit remains pending. Retrial on the deadlock charges is still possible. I'm Nicole Parton. A collection of mugshots reveals the troubling case of a Tennessee man charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of his nephew in Mississippi. The teenager, who was in the custody of the Department of Children's Services, had recently been placed in the care of his uncle.

As of Thursday, the man accused of his nephew's death remains incarcerated in Wayne County. Despite having a history of legal issues, DCS permitted him to take care of the teenager. Stacy O'Donnell has been appointed by the court as guardian ad litem to advocate for the welfare of the foster child and is devastated by the news of his passing. The Jasper County Sheriff's Department

has identified Victor Jerry Jerome Carver III as the individual suspected of killing 17-year-old Caden Cantrell. Sheriff Randy Johnson reported that deputies discovered Cantrell's body in a ditch on Monday in Vossburg, Mississippi. He was lying on his side in what appeared to be a critical position in the ditch, Johnson stated. Carver, originally from Collinwood, Tennessee, is now facing a manslaughter charge. According to Sheriff Johnson, Cantrell was under the care of Tennessee Child Protective Services at the time of his death and he and Carver were en route

to Louisiana for a family visit. Investigators, after speaking with relatives, shared insights with the sheriff, Sheriff Johnson about potential circumstances leading to the tragedy. Fox 17 says that Carver has an extensive criminal record, including multiple convictions and felonies such as attempted aggravated assault. Oda Neal expressed her concern that DCS should not have entrusted Cantrell to someone with Carver's background, suggesting that other family members might have provided a safer environment. I've been a certified child welfare specialist for 15 years, and this is the worst outcome

I've ever encountered, she said. DCS has issued a statement expressing their deep sorrow over Cantrell's death. The department indicated they are collaborating with law enforcement as a criminal investigation unfolds and that employees involved are currently on leave while the agency reviews its policies and their application in the case. O'Donnell highlighted the lack of oversight for DCS, noting that it largely is self-regulates. She intends to petition the juvenile court to evaluate whether DCS took adequate measure to ensure the child's safety.

Updates will be provided as the situation unfolds. Meanwhile, Carter is awaiting extradition to Jasper County, Tennessee, with the possibility of waiving his extradition rights. For the latest crime and justice news, follow Crime Alert Hourly Update on your favorite podcasting app. With this crime alert, I'm Nicole Parton.