I'm like, "Well, can I take a plea and then just say, obviously it never happened," and -- I was told later, nope. The case was involving my daughter. Play chess. Stephen Nichols: I don't think I screamed anything at her. Steve Nichols confirmed that he was having a relationship with Rhonda Casto's sister Melanie in an interview withMaria Elena Salinas of Investigative Discovery's The Real Storyset to air Monday. Sep 19 2022. Stephen Nichols: No. Wow! Did you not hear that FOUR other people fell from that same ledge in 6 months?? But prosecutors knew their case against Nichols could fail. Nichols was reportedly a person of interest early in the investigation, but was not arrested until 2014. What do you remember? Clean surface for clean world He divorced when the market was at its height and then chose to get a roommate. In order to pass the sex offender treatment, you have to admit that. And so Nichols decided to make Landy his wife after a year of dating. The plan was for Casto, a 23-year-old aspiring model, to walk the popular Eagle Creek Trail along Oregons Columbia River Gorge accompanied by her boyfriend, Steve Nichols. On their hike, Rhonda, according to Stephen, slipped and fell to her death. The Investigator book. [Laughs] I'm not gonna answer that. Looking for Stephen Nichols in California? And she took pictures of them in the mirror. Stephen Nichols: We wouldn't argue at all. Stephen Nichols pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide. She broke into a run and, according to Nichols, she slipped on the wet path and fell more than 150 feet to her death. Stephen R Nichols, 78 Resides in Sedona, AZ Lived In Staten Island NY, Old Bridge NJ, Washington DC, Monkton MD Related To Belinda Nichols, Sandra Nichols, Ralph Nichols, Mary Nichols Also known as Steve R Nichols, Stephen Nichol Includes Address (8) Phone (5) Email (3) See Results Stephen D Nichols, 75 Resides in Phoenix, AZ She knew she wasn't livin' past the age of 25. Has anybody else only just now seen this?! My daughter will be nudging me and we'll be back to normal." Is Nichols being self-sacrificing, having said nothing about suicide until now -- even as he stands charged with murder -- or is he self-serving? It's a story "48 Hours" has been following since 2015. Prince and Princess of Wales pay tribute to Auschwitz survivor Zigi Shipper, who dedicated his life to Keep calm and carry on! My gut tells me hes guilty, especially after he left the country and stayed in China with his daughter. Mike Arnold [in court]: It is something that obviously is titillating and interesting. He wrote and directed his first short film, Get the Dime, starring Daniel Bess Emily Bergl and Robert Picardo. Julia Simmons: Right before they went on their hike they had a little scuffle on the stairs, and he put some bruises on her back. What Nichols didn't know is that the entire time he was out of the country, investigators stayed on Rhonda's case and Simmons stayed on theirs. In April 2014, a secret grand jury heard evidence and indicted Nichols for the murder of Rhonda Casto. When Rhonda Casto set out on March 16, 2009, for a hike with her boyfriend, her family had no idea the day would transform into a nightmare one that ended with Castos lifeless body at the bottom of a steep ravine. Read more in our, This undated file photo provided by the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facilities shows Steven Nichols, who pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and coercion after striking a plea deal with prosecutors. Stephen Nichols: I had been there before. Prosecutors believed he pushed her off the Eagle Creek trail cliff, causing her to fall 100 feet to. He told police that Casto accidentally slipped and fell, and he hiked down the hill to help her, but didnt have a cell phone to alert authorities. He claims that didn't happen, but something else did. On top of that, the claims from the other people didnt mean much in regards to whether or not Stephen may have killed her- they were just claims of him saying something to her that wasnt very nice. They dated three years and had a little baby girl together. To Simmons' shock and horror, there had been a settlement conference with the prosecution and the defense agreeing to allow Nichols to plead guilty to lesser charges. Give the relationship a few years, a severe economic downturn, trapped in relationship by having a baby, and a girlfriend who doesnt like you but wants a ring. She goes, "I'll be fine." Nichols eventually agreed to split the money with Casto's mother and with the estate of his daughter. They make better wives. Stephen Nichols: I have been emotionally abusive at times to people. Nichols says they didn't linger on the trail for long. She was taking Tae Kwon Do. Twice.". But it's justified as of that point. And she thought that having our daughter would bring her happiness and it didn't. You would have to look into how many times in her past she committed suicide. 'She was going to move out, but she was trying to get up the courage to do it,' Simmons said. Peter Van Sant [holding a photo of Rhonda]: Tell me about this. We hardly ever fought, he says. Money-wise he treated her like a princess., But, Sconce says, the relationship was tumultuous.. He has American nationality, believes in Christianity, and is Caucasian because he was born in the United States. Peter Van Sant: This Rhonda sounds like somebody who doesn't care much at all about you. Jessica Colburn says Rhonda did suffer from postpartum depression. So our daughter would have gotten nothing. Butt out Biden! Peter Van Sant: What are you saying, Stephen? Peter Van Sant: You've led me down a path to believe this was a suicide, and I don't think you can look me in the eye and say, "Well, Peter, you're wrong," can you?". Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facilities/AP, 'He Is Either Going to Give Me a Ring or Throw Me Off a Cliff,' a Mom Allegedly Said Before Fatal Hike, Oregon Man Accused of Pushing Girlfriend Off a Cliff to Her Death Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charges, Mom Was Told Daughter Overdosed in February. And she knew that Steve was trying to drive a wedge between 'em. And sh -- that's why she was on the prescription medications. A fast and unbiased roundup of whats happening in the world today. By Megan Sheets For Dailymail.com and Snejana Farberov For Dailymail.com and Stephanie Haney For Dailymail.com, Published: 15:57 GMT, 16 June 2018 | Updated: 18:07 GMT, 16 June 2018. stephen nichols rhonda castro. Stephen Nichols has not revealed anything about his parents. Nichols' confession of his relationship with Casto's sister Melanie could be viewed as a motive to kill the young mom, pictured above with baby Ava shortly before her mysterious death. Stephen Nichols had been charged with murder in the 2009 death of 23-year-old Rhonda Casto, the mother of their then-infant child. But it's a bittersweet victory. Follow. Figures and Tables. But Nichols says Rhonda was acting strangely. Stephen Nichols: I'm trying to think of a way to think of this. "Correct," Nichols answers. She also said that her daughter had been wanting to get out of the relationship with Nichols for a long time. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. A Hood River County judge had ruled the February 2015 statement inadmissible, but the state appealed to the higher court, and lost. I think it was an accident, based on the footage of the treacherous trail conditions. An investigation into Rhonda's death was immediately launched and a memorial was held. He has portrayed Steve "Patch" Johnson on NBC's Days of Our Lives on and off since 1985. So I said, "OK.". Mike Arnold: When you have a case where someone's falsely accused, you can't really separate yourself from work and home life. Peter Van Sant: Did you yell at her, "Hey, what are you doin', stop, walk, we're walking down?". Mike Arnold: There's some problems with the juvenile court system that the longer you wait, the harder it is to get a child returned to parent. Odd that you find the need to defend Nichols so stronglyI have a feeling youre not exactly a neutral party. shelved 24,195 times Showing 30 distinct works. I didn't wanna do that. She told me he spoiled her, says Castos friend Jen Sconce. In all the years they had been together, he had never put any effort into planning anything for her. after Prince Harry What MailOnline readers really think about Jeremy Clarkson so do you agree with 20 of the best-rated DAN WOOTTON: Jeremy Clarkson made a mistake, but Amazon and ITV looking to cancel one of Britain's favourite 'I don't think playing the victim helps': Founder of mental health charity SANE says Meghan Markle should Let them eat cake! Home; About; News. For Simmons, the years since Castos death have been difficult and moving on has been even harder. Stephen Nichols: I decided when I got to China, this is a whole fresh start. There's now zero-percent chance that Steve goes to prison for murder, that a jury gets it wrong. I just said, I was screaming on the phone to Carrie, "No, no, you can't do this. I was like, "That's interesting.". Jessica Colburn: The proposal never happened. Deception Detection & Credibility Training, https://www.eyesforlies.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/black-logo-smaller.jpg, 48 Hours: Stephen Nichols and Rhonda Castro, Casey Anthony: Where The Truth Lies Analysis, Bachelorette contender Tino Francos true desire. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? But that never happened. Nichols was given credit for time served while awaiting trial. An Oregon court terminated Nichols' parental rights. I look forward to that day.. I am not a fighter. Also, the mother is framed as the person who is lying, but regardless of the mothers wrongdoing there are multiple accounts from multiple people that Stephen denies outright. I was like, "F--- America. Nichols and Casto first became romantically involved in 2005 - when he was 30 and she was 20 - after Simmons introduced the two while renting a room in his three-bedroom condominium in Portland. Dr. Stephen J. Nichols is president of Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Fla., chief academic officer for Ligonier Ministries, and a Ligonier Ministries tea Dr. Stephen J. Nichols is president of Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Fla., chief academic officer for Ligonier Ministries, and a Ligonier Ministries tea "She was trying to get up the courage to do it," says Julia Simmons. The diary includes video of Landy hiking to that fateful spot on Eagle Creek Trail. Background. ", Stephen Nichols: And I go, "What are you talking about?" In return, he pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and coercion. There's a single footprint, you're telling me, at the edge of the cliff. Colburn says Rhonda had grown unhappy and that the relationship had taken a dangerous turn. Peter Van Sant: Was she alive when you got to her? On March 16, 2009, Rhonda and Stephen would set out on that fitness hike and Rhonda would not live to see the end of the day. In February 2015, nearly six years later, Nichols was arrested and charged with killing Casto accused of pushing her off a 100-foot cliff so he could collect a $1-million life insurance policy. I love Rhonda. It all started 11 years earlier when a stunning 20-year-old woman knocked on Nichols' bedroom door at his home just outside Portland, Oregon. When "Patch" returns home, he has a lot of explaining [] Acciavatti, Nicole. You are putting someone out of their misery that essentially has zero chance of survival. A little over two months and she was fluent in Mandarin. Nichols flew back to the U.S. with his daughter in February 2015 to get married. So that's just another one of his lies to take the heat off of himself. Peter Van Sant: So when Stephen is telling us that they were planning their future together and everything was great and it was a lovey-dovey relationship, is he lying to me? Stephen Nichols: It was decided by the weather. And I felt like it happened out of nowhere. I fell asleep on her chest and I dont know how long I was asleep for, but I woke up and I realized I was shaking uncontrollably because I was so cold, he says. I think she held on for longer for the sake of the baby. Rumors of a relationship between Nichols and Casto's sister have been swirling for several years, but this is the first time that he has confirmed them. (505) 431 - 5992; crusty italian dinner rolls recipe; zulay henao military service. But how exactly did Nichols and his attorney end up at this moment? He also received an honorary D.H.L. Just days after Casto's death, investigators also began questioning the father's account. The Apocalypse Music Quiz; Birthdays and Anniversaries. Most of the time innocent people plead guilty in order to gain an advantage or meet a goal. Rhonda Casto's last words to family members before embarking on a scenic hike with boyfriend Stephen Nichols: "He is either going to give me a ring or throw me off a cliff, ha ha ha." A few. Mike Arnold: Inclement weather hits and disaster happens. After having her baby, Rhonda gained a little weight and wanted to lose it, said Nichols, so he suggested they go hiking. She says she has leaned on her faith that one day she will be reunited with her daughter, who she says is watching over her and Ava. Authorities also pointed to an alleged inappropriate relationship with Castos underage sister and a previous incident where Nichols was accused of attempting to push his then-wife off a balcony in China in 2003. She would be emotionally and mentally abused, and possibly physical. Jessica Colburn: He's absolutely lying to you. Stephen Nichols: If it's a suicide, life insurance doesn't pay out. Casto in a still from tonight's mysterious examination of her death Rhonda had a premonition and joked to her family way back in 2009, telling them told them her partner and father of her. He says she was high on drugs and slipped off the edge of the cliff: When we started hiking up the trail, I knew something was wrong with her.. Peter Van Sant: And did Rhonda ever tell you how young her sister was when she first had sex with Stephen? But Nichols says Rhonda was acting strangely. Casto fell 100 feet to her death on March 16, 2009, while hiking on the Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon (pictured), Casto had slipped on the path and fallen into a freezing ravine, where she died of hypothermia, Simmons has had strong doubts about Nichols' story from the beginning, telling People:'She would never skip down a trail that narrow. While she doesn't track her cases anymore due to limited time, she still shares her opinions with the public when time allows. But in April 2016, with a trial date nowhere in sight, Judge John Olson reduced Nichols' bail to $250,000. They went hiking in Oregons Columbia River Gorgea place of stunning beauty and unforgiving cliffs. So while I'd prefer to be coming home and doing farm chores and listen to wildlife instead I'll be thinking about my closing argument or what the next step of the case is. Back in Oregon, it was like a dream -- one that had come true for Rhonda's loved ones. If you trip or slip, thats irrelevant. She would complain how he treated her and how they werent getting along, Simmons says. March 16, 2009 23-year-old Rhonda Castro and her boyfriend Steve Nichols set out the day of March 16 to hike a Eagle Creek Trail. Stephen Nichols: Hmm, now we're -- [laughs, then pauses] and that's the part I'm not going into. Julia Simmons: I think Steve is just throwing all these ideas out to throw people off the fact that he pushed her. Stephen Nichols: We planned on getting married in the summer. That was his story in 2015, when Nichols was forbidden by his attorney from discussing details of Rhonda's deadly fall with "48 Hours"". Peter Van Sant: This plea deal, is it justice to you? This is cascading rain, like, you can actually just see the water flowing down the trail. I think she knew the relationship wasnt a good one, Sconce says. Rhondas mother cashing the grandaughters death benefit checks seems also fishy to me. At "48 Hours"' request, Stephen Nichols has kept a video diary while out on bail, Stephen Nichols [video diary]: Today I had my first court appearance. Stephen Nichols was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in February 1951. Rhonda told her mom about going on the hike, Hes either gonna give me a ring or hes gonna throw me off the cliff.. I wonder if the distancing language of her at the end means anything. The now 42-year-old continues to deny playing any role in Casto's death, which is shrouded in mystery and doubt nearly 10 years later. Relief for homebuyers as bill slashing Stamp Duty until 2025 is passed by the Lords and will become law. Stephen Nichols: If I don't have my daughter, then it's pretty much game over for me. 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