Crime Stories with Nancy Grace - New Jersey Husband Breaks Silence Months After Wife’s Brutal Murder | Crime Alert 08.25.26

Episode Date: August 25, 2026

The husband of murdered New Jersey psychotherapist Brooke Hanlon is addressing rumors surrounding her death after breaking his silence nearly three months later. In Missouri, a former assistant fire chief faces second-degree murder charges after a hidden cellphone video exposed his lie that his wife committed suicide. A North Carolina mother has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the horrific 2015 child abuse death of her two-year-old daughter. Sydney Silvagni reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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I'm Sidney Silvani. Nearly three months after 36-year-old licensed psychotherap. therapist Brooke Hanlon was found brutally stabbed to death inside her Chester, New Jersey home. Her husband is speaking out for the very first time. James Connor Hanlon broke his silence during an interview with a reporter from the Daily Mail, stating, my heart is totally shattered. When asked to address unsubstantiated rumors that he was involved in the crime, Connor, who has never been identified as a suspect or person of interest in the case, said, of course not, before adding, it's a tragedy. The Daily Mail also published photos of Connor

picking up breakfast in Chester, where he and Brooke lived with their daughter, Avery. No mention was made of the daughter in that story, making it unclear if Connor has custody of the child or if she is with her mother's family. The Daily Mail previously reported that Brooke's father was Cagy when asked about the location of his son-in-law, while Fox News reported that Brooke's sister, Paige Hanlon told a reporter that, for the time being, the baby is safe and being cared for by family members. Those reports, along with another Fox News piece featuring an interview with Brooks' former roommate, in which she said Connor didn't really have much personality, and that she didn't think he was very motivated, spurred rumors of his possible involvement. The Morris County Prosecutor's

Office has not named any suspect or person of interest in the case, nor even suggested that Connor was involved. Brooke was in the master bedroom suite on the second floor when first responders arrived and found her covered in blood with multiple stab wounds. Connor discovered his wife's body and performed CPR per a 911 call. Brooke and Connor purchased their home in 2024 just miles from Brooke's childhood home. They met while attending Northeastern University in Boston, married in 2021, and welcomed Avery in July 2025. Avery recently celebrated her first birthday. More crime and justice news after this. Get Bell Pure Fiber Internet with Crave Netflix and Disney Plus from $94 a month. Price guaranteed for two years on internet with a two-year term and auto pay credit. Visit bell.ca for details and to check

availability. Bell, connection is everything. In Scott County, Missouri, a 14-month investigation into the death of 31-year-old Shelby Perion ended with murder charges against her husband, a former assistant fire chief. 45-year-old Jeremy Perian was arrested Friday, August 21st at Fire Station 4, charged with second-degree murder, felony harassment, domestic assault, and two counts of tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution. According to an affidavit, the assistant fire chief initially told authorities that he and Shelby were driving back from a bar and Kate Girardo on June 25th, 2025, when she said, I'm sorry, I'm a piece of a . pulled out a 380 caliber handgun and shot herself in the head.

When asked whether he made any stops, Perion told deputies he didn't, but then admitted, I lied, I pulled over on King's Highway to B. Claiming the ride was not argumentative. Investigators say his story was a sham. Detectives unlocked a hidden folder on Shelby's cell phone containing a 90-second video recorded a month before her death. In the video, Jeremy was seen striking his wife, grabbing her by the throat, choking her, and repeatedly punching her. Investigators said Perian allegedly told her, I would not get mouthy with me.

I want to kill you so f*** bad right now. And if you're going to lie, then I'm just going to smash your face and go to jail and end my fucking life with you. He also threw his wedding band in her face, stating he was never, wearing it again. State police also recovered text messages where Jeremy wrote, You 100% will need a body bag if I stay with you. And I'd be lying to you if I told you that I was hoping that you wouldn't commit suicide. Forensic analysis of blood spatter in the vehicle determined it was impossible for Shelby to have pulled the trigger. Perian is held without bond

at Stoddard County Jail. Scott County Sheriff Derek Wheatley stated that today's charges demonstrate why they turn the investigation over to independent agencies to follow the evidence. In North Carolina, a woman has been convicted more than 10 years after killing her two-year-old daughter. The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys announced in a statement that Jeannie Diddy was found guilty of first-degree murder for killing two-year-old Macy Grace Diddy. The investigation began on December 2, 2015, when paramedics rushed Macy to Cape Fear Valley Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville. Medical personnel determined Macy suffered severe physical abuse, with scans indicating non-survivable brain injuries in at least 40 separate physical blows. Macy was kept on life's support for two days until her father returned from serving overseas in the military,

passing away on December 4, 2015, 10 days before her third birthday. Jeannie was charged with murder in March 2016. In the months prior, Jeannie approached photographer Sonny Joe for a Photoshop. shoot featuring superimposed photos of Macy as an angel at her gravesite. The photos showed Jeannie's sitting at the gravesite beside the altered image. Sunny Joe said he felt sorry for what he thought was a grieving mother and declined payment. Following a 2020 trial that ended in a hung jury, Jeannie's second trial resulted in a conviction. Upon hearing the verdict, Jeannie created a severe disturbance in the courtroom, cursing and shouting as the jury exited. She was sentenced to let

without parole. For more crime and justice news, be sure to join us for crime stories with Nancy Grace on Fox 1, YouTube, Sirius XM, and now streaming on 2B. With this crime alert, I'm Sidney This is an I-Heart podcast, guaranteed human.