Ep 8. Murder in Omaha

In this episode of Nightmare Next Door, titled "Murder in Omaha," we delve into the tragic story of an unsolved murder that shocked a quiet Nebraska community. On a July morning in 2013, 26-year-old Jessica O'Grady, eight months pregnant, vanished without a trace. Her fiancé, Christopher Edwards, reported her missing three days later, prompting a massive search effort by police and volunteers.

The investigation quickly led investigators to Edwards, who had a history of violence and had been arrested multiple times for domestic abuse. However, without any concrete evidence linking him to Jessica's disappearance, police were unable to make an arrest. As days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, the community was left wondering what happened to Jessica and her unborn child.

In the months following Jessica's disappearance, her family and friends launched their own investigation, determined to find answers. They searched fields and waterways, put up posters and billboards, and even offered a reward for information leading to her whereabouts. Their efforts paid off in May of 2014, when a fisherman discovered a plastic tote with human remains in a lake just outside of Omaha. Dental records confirmed that the remains belonged to Jessica O'Grady.

The discovery of Jessica's body reignited the investigation, and detectives began to piece together the events leading up to her murder. Edwards quickly became the prime suspect, and police uncovered a shocking motive for the killing. Edwards was engaged to two different women, each of whom was pregnant with his child. He had promised to leave Jessica and marry his other fiancée, despite Jessica's insistence that they were meant to be together. On the night of her disappearance, Edwards lured Jessica to his home and strangled her before dismembering her body and disposing of it in the lake.

The investigation also revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse by Edwards towards the women in his life. He had a history of controlling behavior, emotional manipulation, and physical violence. His ex-girlfriends recounted instances of him threatening to harm them and their children if they ever left him. In the end, Christopher Edwards was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Jessica O'Grady and her unborn child.

"Murder in Omaha" is a heart-wrenching episode that explores the devastating impact of domestic violence and the lengths that loved ones will go to in pursuit of justice. Through interviews with Jessica's loved ones and local law enforcement, viewers gain a sense of the fear and uncertainty that consumed the community in the months following her disappearance. The episode highlights the importance of community involvement in solving crimes and brings attention to the need for increased awareness and education surrounding domestic violence.