November 22, 2025 • 21 mins
Reid Carter begins the Casey Anthony series with the case that enraged America. June 16, 2008: Two-year-old Caylee Anthony disappears from her Orlando home. Her mother Casey doesn't report it. Instead, she parties at nightclubs, gets a "Beautiful Life" tattoo, and tells elaborate lies about a nanny named Zanny. Thirty-one days pass. Casey's mother Cindy finally calls 911: "It smells like there's been a dead body in the damn car." December 11, 2008: Utility worker finds skeletal remains in woods near the Anthony home. Duct tape. A Winnie the Pooh blanket. The search for Caylee was over.
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Join our new FB groups page here. Take the poll!
Join the Celebrity Trials community on social media! We're building a passionate group of true crime enthusiasts who love diving deep into the most shocking cases in America.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram by searching "Celebrity Trials Podcast" on either platform.
You'll get exclusive behind-the-scenes content, breaking news updates on cases we're covering, and early alerts when new episodes drop. Our social media is where Reid Carter's hottest takes live, including reactions that don't make it into the show.
But more importantly, it's where YOU come in. Share your theories, debate the verdicts, and connect with fellow listeners who are just as obsessed with justice as you are. Did the jury get it right? What questions do you still have? Your comments and insights often shape future episodes.
We cover the trials that matter, but our community makes the conversation unforgettable. Come for Reid's signature cynical commentary, stay for the incredible discussions with thousands of true crime fans who get it.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Callaroga Shark Media, Good morning, I'm Reed Carter. Saturday, November
twenty second, twenty twenty five, courts are quiet for the
Thanksgiving break, so we're bringing you classic murder trials that
dominated headlines and changed America today. Casey Anthony tot mom
(00:25):
the trial of the century, the verdict that sparked outrage
across the nation. June sixteenth, two thousand and eight, two
year old Kaylee Marie Anthony disappeared from her Orlando home.
Her mother, Casey Anthony, didn't report it. Instead, she partied
at nightclubs, got a tattoo that said Bella Vita Beautiful life.
Told her parents Kaylee was with the nanny, told them
(00:48):
they were at the beach at Universal Studios at Disney World.
Thirty one days past. Not a single call to police,
not a single missing person report, just thirty one days
of lies. When Casey's mother finally called nine one one,
she said something that still haunts investigators. It smells like
there's been a dead body in the damn car. December eleventh,
(01:11):
two thousand and eight, five months after Kaylee disappeared, utility
worker find skeletal remains in woods half a mile from
the Anthony home, duct tape over the mouth, a Winnie
the Pooh blanket. The search for Kaylee was over. I'm reed, Carter.
This is Celebrity Trials today, Part one of the Casey
Anthony case. How a two year old vanished, how her
(01:32):
mother spent thirty one days lying, and how America watched
in horror. This is Celebrity Trials. June fifteenth, two thousand
and eight. Father's Day, Orlando, Florida. The Anthony family gathered
at their home, George and Cindy Anthony, Casey Anthony and
(01:56):
two year old Kaylee Marie swimming in the backyard pool
taking photos. Normal family day. June sixteenth, two thousand and eight,
Monday morning. George Anthony testified later that he saw Casey
and Kaylee leaving the house around twelve fifty pm. Kaylee
was wearing a pink shirt, jean shorts, white sunglasses, carrying
(02:19):
her backpack. Casey said they were going to see the nanny,
then maybe to the beach. That was the last time
George Anthony saw his granddaughter alive. But Casey didn't report
Kaylee missing, didn't call police, didn't tell her parents, just
continued her life as if nothing happened. June seventeenth, Casey's boyfriend,
(02:39):
Tony Lazarro picked her up. She moved into his apartment.
No Kaylee. Tony asked where the little girl was. Casey
said she was with the nanny, Zenaida Fernandez Gonzales Zanni.
The nanny said Kaylee would be back soon. June twentieth,
Casey and Tony went to a hot body contest at
Fusion Ultra Lounge. Photos show Casey dancing, laughing, grinding on Tony,
(03:03):
no sign of worry, no mention of her daughter. June
twenty fifth, Casey got a tattoo Bella Vita Italian for
Beautiful Life. The tattoo artist later testified she seemed happy, excited,
talked about starting fresh, getting a new job. No mention
of Kaylee. Throughout late June and early July, Casey told
(03:25):
everyone Kaylee was fine, told her mother Kaylee was at
the beach with Zanni at Universal Studios at Disney World.
Sometimes said she couldn't talk because Kaylee was sleeping. Sometimes
said they were on a work trip to Tampa. Casey's parents,
George and Cindy, grew suspicious they hadn't seen Kaylee in
weeks Casey kept making excuses. Finally, early July, they demanded
(03:50):
to see their granddaughter. Casey said Kaylee was still with Zanni.
The nanny had taken her to Jacksonville for a work event.
They'd be back soon more weeks past. Asked more excuses,
more lies. July thirteenth, two thousand and eight, George went
to pick up Casey's car from a towyard. The white
Pontiac Sunfire had been impounded after being found abandoned at
(04:13):
an amscot check cashing store. When George opened the trunk,
he was hit with an overwhelming smell. He knew that smell,
former police officer, former homicide detective. That was the smell
of human decomposition. He told the towyard manager, I think
there's a dead body in this car. But the trunk
was empty, just a bag of garbage, pizza box, dryer
(04:37):
sheets stuffed around. The smell lingered, penetrated everything. George drove
the car home with the windows down, told Cindy about
the smell. Cindy found Casey at Tony Lazarro's apartment. Demanded
to see Kaylee. Casey kept stalling, making excuses. Finally admitted
Zanni took Kaylee. The nanny kidnapped her thirty one one
(05:00):
days ago. Cindy exploded, called nine one one, not once,
three times. First call seven forty five pm. I have
someone here that I need arrested, explaining Casey had stolen money,
stolen a car. Then also, my granddaughter has been taken.
She has been missing for a month. Second call a
(05:21):
few minutes later, Cindy more frantic. My daughter finally admitted
that the babysitter stole her. I need to find her,
dispatch her. Your daughter admitted the baby is where Cindy,
the babysitter took her a month ago. My daughter's been
looking for her. I told you my daughter was missing
(05:41):
for a month. I just found her today, but I
can't find my granddaughter. Third call minutes later, Cindy completely
losing it. There is something wrong. I found my daughter's
car today and it smells like there's been a dead
body in the damn car. Orange County Shaff's office responded.
(06:01):
Detective Yuri Malich arrived, interviewed Casey. Casey's story last time
she saw Kaylee was June sixteenth, dropped her off at
Sawgrass Apartments with the nanny, Zenaida Fernandez Gonzales. When Casey
came back to pick Kaylee up, both Zanni and Kaylee
were gone. Casey spent the next thirty one days looking
(06:22):
for them. Called Zanni's phone hundreds of times, talked to
Zanni's family, checked everywhere Zanni might be. Why didn't she
call police? Casey said she was scared, worried about what
might happen to Kaylee, thought she could find her daughter herself.
Melich asked for Zanni's contact information, Casey gave him a
phone number dead end. No such person asked for Zanni's address.
(06:46):
Casey gave the apartment number at Sawgrass Management said nobody
by that name had ever lived there. Apartment two ten
had been vacant since before June sixteenth. Casey said she
worked at Universal Studios as an event coordinator. That's how
she knew Zanny co worker connection. Melich asked to see
her work id. Casey said it was at the house.
(07:09):
They went to Universal Studios. Casey walked them through the park,
through the employee entrance, down hallways, finally stopped broke down, crying,
I don't work here. I haven't worked here in years.
I was fired in two thousand and six Everything was
a lie. The nanny, the job, the phone number, the address,
(07:30):
all of it fabricated. July sixteenth, two thousand and eight,
Casey Anthony arrested, charged with child neglect, making false statements
to law enforcement, and obstruction of justice. Bond set at
five hundred thousand dollars. Her daughter had been missing for
thirty one days, and Casey had spent that time partying, lying,
(07:50):
and living with her boyfriend as if nothing was wrong.
The case exploded. Local news picked it up, then national
Nancy Grace devoted entirely shows to it. Cable news ran
wall to wall coverage. America became obsessed with one question,
where is Kaylee Anthony? The search for Kaylee involved thousands
of volunteers. Equisearch, Texas based search and rescue organization, came
(08:15):
to Orlando, combed through wooded areas, searched retention ponds, dragged lakes. Nothing.
August two thousand and eight, Casey released on bond. Protesters
gathered outside the Anthony home, angry crowds, death threats. Someone
put a sign in the yard where is Kaylee? Inside
(08:35):
the house, Casey acted like nothing was wrong. Her former
friends told reporters she was watching movies, texting, acting normal,
not the behavior of a mother whose child is missing.
October fourteenth, two thousand and eight, grand jury indicted Casey
on charges of first degree murder, aggravated child abuse, aggravated
(08:56):
manslaughter of a child, and four counts of providing false
information to law enforcement. Prosecutors announced they would seek the
death penalty. Still no body, no crime scene, no definitive
evidence of what happened to Kayley, but prosecutors believed they
had enough. The smell in the car, the duct tape
(09:16):
found in the trunk, Casey's behavior, the thirty one days
of lies. Casey pleaded not guilty, bail denied. She remained
in Orange County jail. December eleventh, two thousand and eight.
Utility worker Roy Kronk was working in a wooded area
near Suburban Drive, half a mile from the Anthony home.
(09:37):
Saw what looked like a bag in the brush, poked
it with a stick. A skull rolled out. He called
nine to one one. Orange County Sheriff's deputies responded, crime
scene investigators, medical examiner Press showed up within hours. The
remains were small, skeletal, had been there for months, A
(09:57):
tiny skeleton wrapped in a Winnie the Pooh blankinket, black
trash bags, duct tape across the mouth, a laundry bag
from the Anthony home, Kaylee's clothes, the same pink shirt
George remembered from June sixteenth December nineteenth, two thousand and eight.
Medical examiner confirmed the remains were Kaylee Marie Anthony. Cause
(10:18):
of death homicide by undetermined means. The skulls showed duct
tape residue across the mouth and nasal area, but decomposition
was too advanced to determine exactly how she died. The
location was significant. The wooded area was along a route
Casey frequently walked less than half a mile from home,
a place she knew well. Not a random dump sight
(10:41):
somewhere deliberate. Kaylee Anthony was two years old born August ninth,
two thousand and five. Loved Winnie the Pooh, loved swimming,
loved her Cecie doll. Her grandparents adored her. She called
George Joe, Joe, called Cindy c c. Should be nineteen
years old today, should be in college, should be living
(11:03):
her life. Should have celebrated birthdays, graduations, milestones, should have
grown up, fallen in love, had a family of her own. Instead,
she was found in a swamp, wrapped in garbage bags
with duct tape over her mouth, left there to decompose
while her mother partied and lied for thirty one days.
(11:23):
Make it make sense. We'll be right back with the
evidence that made Casey Anthony the most hated woman in America.
The car, the computer searches, the Bella Vita tattoo, and
the prosecution's theory Casey wanted to be free. Welcome back
(11:48):
to celebrity trials. I'm reed, Carter. After Kayley's remains were found,
prosecutors built their case Casey Anthony killed her daughter, disposed
of the body, lied about it one days, then kept
lying when caught. The evidence was circumstantial, no eyewitnesses, no confession,
no clear cause of death. But piece by piece, prosecutors
(12:11):
constructed a narrative. Casey wanted freedom, wanted to party, wanted
to be with her boyfriend without the burden of a toddler,
So she killed Kayley. Let's start with the car, Casey's
white Pontiac Sunfire, the car George smelled and said contained
a dead body. Forensic expert rpad Vas from the Oak
(12:33):
Ridge National laboratory testified the only plausible explanation for the
odor would be the presence of a decomposing human body,
not pizza, not garbage, not any combination of food waste.
Human decomposition has a specific chemical signature, and that car
trunk had it. Air samples from the trunk showed elevated
levels of chloroform, significantly higher than normal. Chloroform is used
(12:57):
to render someone unconscious, It's not naturally occurring in car trunks.
A stain was found in the trunk carpet shaped like
a child's body. Testing showed evidence of human decomposition. Hair
samples recovered from the trunk matched Kaylee's hair and showed
death banding, a pattern that appears in hair after death.
(13:18):
Then there was Casey's computer, the Anthony Family home computer.
Someone searched for chloroform on March twenty first, two thousand
and eight, eighty four times visited websites explaining how to
make chloroform. How much was needed to knock someone out.
Prosecutors argued Casey searched for chloroform, made it using household chemicals,
(13:40):
used it to sedate Kaylee, then suffocated her by placing
duct tape over her mouth and nose. The duct tape
was key evidence found at the crime scene, same brand
as duct tape in the Anthony garage, three pieces placed
over Kaylee's mouth and nose area. Investigators believed it was
applied while Kaylee was alive toocate her and stayed attached
(14:01):
to the skull through decomposition. Defense would later argue the
duct tape was placed after death, part of George Anthony's
alleged staging of the scene, but that theory raised more
questions than answers. Casey's behavior during the thirty one days
was damning. She didn't search for Kaylee, didn't call hospitals,
didn't contact police, didn't tell friends or family, just lied.
(14:25):
She told her parents Kaylee was with Zanni, told her
boyfriend Kaylee was with Cindy told everyone elaborate stories, each
lie building on previous lies, creating a web so thick
she couldn't escape it. Photos from those thirty one days
showed Casey smiling, partying, living her best life, the hot
body contest, the Bella Vita tattoo, sleeping at Tony's apartment,
(14:49):
going to Universal Studios, shopping, acting like a care free
twenty two year old, not like a mother whose daughter
was missing. Prosecutors presented ca Acey's cell phone records, text messages.
She never texted anyone asking for help finding Kaylee, never
searched online for missing children resources, never contacted authorities until
(15:12):
her mother forced the issue. On June sixteenth, the day
Kaylee disappeared, Casey texted Tony, if I could get a
sign or reassurance that I'm doing the right thing, I'd
be so grateful. What was the right thing? Prosecutors argued
she was contemplating killing Kaylee, looking for justification, for permission,
(15:35):
for a sign that it was okay to murder her daughter.
Later that evening, Casey texted Tony again, just sitting here
feeling very accomplished, accomplished hours after Kaylee vanished. What had
Casey accomplished? June twenty fifth, Casey got the bella Vita
tattoo Beautiful Life. The tattoo artist testified Casey seemed excited
(15:59):
about it, said it represented starting fresh, new beginnings. Nine
days after Kaylee disappeared, Casey was celebrating her beautiful life,
a life without her daughter. The prosecution's theory was clear.
Casey wanted freedom, wanted to party, wanted to be young
and unencumbered. Kaylee was an obstacle, so Casey removed that obstacle.
(16:23):
Defense attorney Jose Bias would later argue a different theory,
but during the investigation and pre trial phase, public opinions
solidified Casey Anthony killed her daughter. The evidence pointed to premeditation,
chloroform searches, duct tape, disposal of the body. Thirty one
days of lies. America was ready to convict her before
(16:43):
trial even began. January two thousand and nine, George Anthony
attempted suicide at a Daytona Beach hotel. Police found him
with a five page suicide note. He was despondent and
possibly under the influence of medication and alcohol. The note
express grief over Kaylee, frustration with the media circus, pain
(17:04):
over Casey's arrest. His daughter was accused of murdering his granddaughter.
The family was destroyed. George couldn't handle it. He survived,
spent time in psychiatric care. Eventually returned to support Cindy
through the trial, but their marriage was strained, their family shattered,
their granddaughter gone. April thirteenth, two thousand and nine, state
(17:37):
attorney announced they would seek the death penalty. Casey Anthony
could face execution for killing her daughter. The trial was
delayed multiple times, venue change requests, attorney changes, motions filed,
and argued. Media coverage intensified. Nancy Grace called Casey tot mom.
Cable News dissected every detail. The case became an national obsession.
(18:01):
May twenty eleven, jury selection began. The trial would take
place in Orlando, Orange County, where Kaylee lived and died,
where protesters still gathered outside the courthouse demanding justice. The
prosecution was confident they had the car. The computer searches,
the duct tape, the lies, Casey's behavior, the timeline, all
(18:24):
pointing to one conclusion. Casey Anthony murdered Kaylee Anthony. But
Jose Bias had a different story to tell, a story
involving George Anthony, an accidental drowning, a cover up, sexual abuse,
a narrative so shocking it would divide the jury and
stun the nation. Kaylee Marie Anthony was two years old
(18:44):
when she died. Born August ninth, two thousand and five,
in Orlando, Florida, daughter of Casey Anthony, granddaughter of George
and Cindy Anthony. She loved Winnie the Pooh, had a
stuffed Pooh bear she carried everywhere. Loved swimming in the
backyard pool, Loved her grandparents. Was learning to talk, to dance,
(19:06):
to sing her favorite phrase, I Love you, said it
constantly to Chee Chee, to Jojo, to her mom. Kaylee
should be nineteen years old today, should have graduated high school.
Should be in college somewhere, maybe studying, maybe working, maybe
falling in love. Should have her whole life ahead of her. Instead,
she's buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Orlando. A small white
(19:29):
headstone reads, Kayleie Marie Anthony, Our precious Kaylee born August ninth,
two thousand and five, Found December eleventh, two thousand and eight.
Thirty one days. That's how long Casey waited to report
her missing. Thirty one days of freedom, thirty one days
of beautiful life, thirty one days of lies. Someone has
(19:50):
to say her name, Someone has to remember she was
a person, not just taught mom's daughter, not just the
Casey Anthony Case, A little girl two years old who
loved Winnie the Pooh. Rest in peace, Kaylee Marie. That's
part one of the Casey Anthony Case. June sixteenth, two
(20:11):
thousand and eight, Kaylee disappeared. Casey didn't report it, spent
thirty one days partying, lying, living her beautiful life. July fifteenth,
two thousand and eight, Cindy called nine one one, it
smells like there's been a dead body in the damn car.
December eleventh, two thousand and eight, Kaylee's remains found in
(20:33):
woods near home, duct tape, Winnie the Pooh blanket. The
search was over tomorrow, Part two, The Trial of the Century.
Prosecutors argued Casey killed her daughter to be free. Defense
argued accidental drowning and George Anthony's cover up. July fifth,
twenty eleven, the verdict that shocked America not guilty, and
(20:58):
the public outrage that followed. I'm read Carter, this is
celebrity trials.
Callaroga Shark Media, Good morning, I'm Reed Carter. Saturday, November
twenty second, twenty twenty five, courts are quiet for the
Thanksgiving break, so we're bringing you classic murder trials that
dominated headlines and changed America today. Casey Anthony tot mom
(00:25):
the trial of the century, the verdict that sparked outrage
across the nation. June sixteenth, two thousand and eight, two
year old Kaylee Marie Anthony disappeared from her Orlando home.
Her mother, Casey Anthony, didn't report it. Instead, she partied
at nightclubs, got a tattoo that said Bella Vita Beautiful life.
Told her parents Kaylee was with the nanny, told them
(00:48):
they were at the beach at Universal Studios at Disney World.
Thirty one days past. Not a single call to police,
not a single missing person report, just thirty one days
of lies. When Casey's mother finally called nine one one,
she said something that still haunts investigators. It smells like
there's been a dead body in the damn car. December eleventh,
(01:11):
two thousand and eight, five months after Kaylee disappeared, utility
worker find skeletal remains in woods half a mile from
the Anthony home, duct tape over the mouth, a Winnie
the Pooh blanket. The search for Kaylee was over. I'm reed, Carter.
This is Celebrity Trials today, Part one of the Casey
Anthony case. How a two year old vanished, how her
(01:32):
mother spent thirty one days lying, and how America watched
in horror. This is Celebrity Trials. June fifteenth, two thousand
and eight. Father's Day, Orlando, Florida. The Anthony family gathered
at their home, George and Cindy Anthony, Casey Anthony and
(01:56):
two year old Kaylee Marie swimming in the backyard pool
taking photos. Normal family day. June sixteenth, two thousand and eight,
Monday morning. George Anthony testified later that he saw Casey
and Kaylee leaving the house around twelve fifty pm. Kaylee
was wearing a pink shirt, jean shorts, white sunglasses, carrying
(02:19):
her backpack. Casey said they were going to see the nanny,
then maybe to the beach. That was the last time
George Anthony saw his granddaughter alive. But Casey didn't report
Kaylee missing, didn't call police, didn't tell her parents, just
continued her life as if nothing happened. June seventeenth, Casey's boyfriend,
(02:39):
Tony Lazarro picked her up. She moved into his apartment.
No Kaylee. Tony asked where the little girl was. Casey
said she was with the nanny, Zenaida Fernandez Gonzales Zanni.
The nanny said Kaylee would be back soon. June twentieth,
Casey and Tony went to a hot body contest at
Fusion Ultra Lounge. Photos show Casey dancing, laughing, grinding on Tony,
(03:03):
no sign of worry, no mention of her daughter. June
twenty fifth, Casey got a tattoo Bella Vita Italian for
Beautiful Life. The tattoo artist later testified she seemed happy, excited,
talked about starting fresh, getting a new job. No mention
of Kaylee. Throughout late June and early July, Casey told
(03:25):
everyone Kaylee was fine, told her mother Kaylee was at
the beach with Zanni at Universal Studios at Disney World.
Sometimes said she couldn't talk because Kaylee was sleeping. Sometimes
said they were on a work trip to Tampa. Casey's parents,
George and Cindy, grew suspicious they hadn't seen Kaylee in
weeks Casey kept making excuses. Finally, early July, they demanded
(03:50):
to see their granddaughter. Casey said Kaylee was still with Zanni.
The nanny had taken her to Jacksonville for a work event.
They'd be back soon more weeks past. Asked more excuses,
more lies. July thirteenth, two thousand and eight, George went
to pick up Casey's car from a towyard. The white
Pontiac Sunfire had been impounded after being found abandoned at
(04:13):
an amscot check cashing store. When George opened the trunk,
he was hit with an overwhelming smell. He knew that smell,
former police officer, former homicide detective. That was the smell
of human decomposition. He told the towyard manager, I think
there's a dead body in this car. But the trunk
was empty, just a bag of garbage, pizza box, dryer
(04:37):
sheets stuffed around. The smell lingered, penetrated everything. George drove
the car home with the windows down, told Cindy about
the smell. Cindy found Casey at Tony Lazarro's apartment. Demanded
to see Kaylee. Casey kept stalling, making excuses. Finally admitted
Zanni took Kaylee. The nanny kidnapped her thirty one one
(05:00):
days ago. Cindy exploded, called nine one one, not once,
three times. First call seven forty five pm. I have
someone here that I need arrested, explaining Casey had stolen money,
stolen a car. Then also, my granddaughter has been taken.
She has been missing for a month. Second call a
(05:21):
few minutes later, Cindy more frantic. My daughter finally admitted
that the babysitter stole her. I need to find her,
dispatch her. Your daughter admitted the baby is where Cindy,
the babysitter took her a month ago. My daughter's been
looking for her. I told you my daughter was missing
(05:41):
for a month. I just found her today, but I
can't find my granddaughter. Third call minutes later, Cindy completely
losing it. There is something wrong. I found my daughter's
car today and it smells like there's been a dead
body in the damn car. Orange County Shaff's office responded.
(06:01):
Detective Yuri Malich arrived, interviewed Casey. Casey's story last time
she saw Kaylee was June sixteenth, dropped her off at
Sawgrass Apartments with the nanny, Zenaida Fernandez Gonzales. When Casey
came back to pick Kaylee up, both Zanni and Kaylee
were gone. Casey spent the next thirty one days looking
(06:22):
for them. Called Zanni's phone hundreds of times, talked to
Zanni's family, checked everywhere Zanni might be. Why didn't she
call police? Casey said she was scared, worried about what
might happen to Kaylee, thought she could find her daughter herself.
Melich asked for Zanni's contact information, Casey gave him a
phone number dead end. No such person asked for Zanni's address.
(06:46):
Casey gave the apartment number at Sawgrass Management said nobody
by that name had ever lived there. Apartment two ten
had been vacant since before June sixteenth. Casey said she
worked at Universal Studios as an event coordinator. That's how
she knew Zanny co worker connection. Melich asked to see
her work id. Casey said it was at the house.
(07:09):
They went to Universal Studios. Casey walked them through the park,
through the employee entrance, down hallways, finally stopped broke down, crying,
I don't work here. I haven't worked here in years.
I was fired in two thousand and six Everything was
a lie. The nanny, the job, the phone number, the address,
(07:30):
all of it fabricated. July sixteenth, two thousand and eight,
Casey Anthony arrested, charged with child neglect, making false statements
to law enforcement, and obstruction of justice. Bond set at
five hundred thousand dollars. Her daughter had been missing for
thirty one days, and Casey had spent that time partying, lying,
(07:50):
and living with her boyfriend as if nothing was wrong.
The case exploded. Local news picked it up, then national
Nancy Grace devoted entirely shows to it. Cable news ran
wall to wall coverage. America became obsessed with one question,
where is Kaylee Anthony? The search for Kaylee involved thousands
of volunteers. Equisearch, Texas based search and rescue organization, came
(08:15):
to Orlando, combed through wooded areas, searched retention ponds, dragged lakes. Nothing.
August two thousand and eight, Casey released on bond. Protesters
gathered outside the Anthony home, angry crowds, death threats. Someone
put a sign in the yard where is Kaylee? Inside
(08:35):
the house, Casey acted like nothing was wrong. Her former
friends told reporters she was watching movies, texting, acting normal,
not the behavior of a mother whose child is missing.
October fourteenth, two thousand and eight, grand jury indicted Casey
on charges of first degree murder, aggravated child abuse, aggravated
(08:56):
manslaughter of a child, and four counts of providing false
information to law enforcement. Prosecutors announced they would seek the
death penalty. Still no body, no crime scene, no definitive
evidence of what happened to Kayley, but prosecutors believed they
had enough. The smell in the car, the duct tape
(09:16):
found in the trunk, Casey's behavior, the thirty one days
of lies. Casey pleaded not guilty, bail denied. She remained
in Orange County jail. December eleventh, two thousand and eight.
Utility worker Roy Kronk was working in a wooded area
near Suburban Drive, half a mile from the Anthony home.
(09:37):
Saw what looked like a bag in the brush, poked
it with a stick. A skull rolled out. He called
nine to one one. Orange County Sheriff's deputies responded, crime
scene investigators, medical examiner Press showed up within hours. The
remains were small, skeletal, had been there for months, A
(09:57):
tiny skeleton wrapped in a Winnie the Pooh blankinket, black
trash bags, duct tape across the mouth, a laundry bag
from the Anthony home, Kaylee's clothes, the same pink shirt
George remembered from June sixteenth December nineteenth, two thousand and eight.
Medical examiner confirmed the remains were Kaylee Marie Anthony. Cause
(10:18):
of death homicide by undetermined means. The skulls showed duct
tape residue across the mouth and nasal area, but decomposition
was too advanced to determine exactly how she died. The
location was significant. The wooded area was along a route
Casey frequently walked less than half a mile from home,
a place she knew well. Not a random dump sight
(10:41):
somewhere deliberate. Kaylee Anthony was two years old born August ninth,
two thousand and five. Loved Winnie the Pooh, loved swimming,
loved her Cecie doll. Her grandparents adored her. She called
George Joe, Joe, called Cindy c c. Should be nineteen
years old today, should be in college, should be living
(11:03):
her life. Should have celebrated birthdays, graduations, milestones, should have
grown up, fallen in love, had a family of her own. Instead,
she was found in a swamp, wrapped in garbage bags
with duct tape over her mouth, left there to decompose
while her mother partied and lied for thirty one days.
(11:23):
Make it make sense. We'll be right back with the
evidence that made Casey Anthony the most hated woman in America.
The car, the computer searches, the Bella Vita tattoo, and
the prosecution's theory Casey wanted to be free. Welcome back
(11:48):
to celebrity trials. I'm reed, Carter. After Kayley's remains were found,
prosecutors built their case Casey Anthony killed her daughter, disposed
of the body, lied about it one days, then kept
lying when caught. The evidence was circumstantial, no eyewitnesses, no confession,
no clear cause of death. But piece by piece, prosecutors
(12:11):
constructed a narrative. Casey wanted freedom, wanted to party, wanted
to be with her boyfriend without the burden of a toddler,
So she killed Kayley. Let's start with the car, Casey's
white Pontiac Sunfire, the car George smelled and said contained
a dead body. Forensic expert rpad Vas from the Oak
(12:33):
Ridge National laboratory testified the only plausible explanation for the
odor would be the presence of a decomposing human body,
not pizza, not garbage, not any combination of food waste.
Human decomposition has a specific chemical signature, and that car
trunk had it. Air samples from the trunk showed elevated
levels of chloroform, significantly higher than normal. Chloroform is used
(12:57):
to render someone unconscious, It's not naturally occurring in car trunks.
A stain was found in the trunk carpet shaped like
a child's body. Testing showed evidence of human decomposition. Hair
samples recovered from the trunk matched Kaylee's hair and showed
death banding, a pattern that appears in hair after death.
(13:18):
Then there was Casey's computer, the Anthony Family home computer.
Someone searched for chloroform on March twenty first, two thousand
and eight, eighty four times visited websites explaining how to
make chloroform. How much was needed to knock someone out.
Prosecutors argued Casey searched for chloroform, made it using household chemicals,
(13:40):
used it to sedate Kaylee, then suffocated her by placing
duct tape over her mouth and nose. The duct tape
was key evidence found at the crime scene, same brand
as duct tape in the Anthony garage, three pieces placed
over Kaylee's mouth and nose area. Investigators believed it was
applied while Kaylee was alive toocate her and stayed attached
(14:01):
to the skull through decomposition. Defense would later argue the
duct tape was placed after death, part of George Anthony's
alleged staging of the scene, but that theory raised more
questions than answers. Casey's behavior during the thirty one days
was damning. She didn't search for Kaylee, didn't call hospitals,
didn't contact police, didn't tell friends or family, just lied.
(14:25):
She told her parents Kaylee was with Zanni, told her
boyfriend Kaylee was with Cindy told everyone elaborate stories, each
lie building on previous lies, creating a web so thick
she couldn't escape it. Photos from those thirty one days
showed Casey smiling, partying, living her best life, the hot
body contest, the Bella Vita tattoo, sleeping at Tony's apartment,
(14:49):
going to Universal Studios, shopping, acting like a care free
twenty two year old, not like a mother whose daughter
was missing. Prosecutors presented ca Acey's cell phone records, text messages.
She never texted anyone asking for help finding Kaylee, never
searched online for missing children resources, never contacted authorities until
(15:12):
her mother forced the issue. On June sixteenth, the day
Kaylee disappeared, Casey texted Tony, if I could get a
sign or reassurance that I'm doing the right thing, I'd
be so grateful. What was the right thing? Prosecutors argued
she was contemplating killing Kaylee, looking for justification, for permission,
(15:35):
for a sign that it was okay to murder her daughter.
Later that evening, Casey texted Tony again, just sitting here
feeling very accomplished, accomplished hours after Kaylee vanished. What had
Casey accomplished? June twenty fifth, Casey got the bella Vita
tattoo Beautiful Life. The tattoo artist testified Casey seemed excited
(15:59):
about it, said it represented starting fresh, new beginnings. Nine
days after Kaylee disappeared, Casey was celebrating her beautiful life,
a life without her daughter. The prosecution's theory was clear.
Casey wanted freedom, wanted to party, wanted to be young
and unencumbered. Kaylee was an obstacle, so Casey removed that obstacle.
(16:23):
Defense attorney Jose Bias would later argue a different theory,
but during the investigation and pre trial phase, public opinions
solidified Casey Anthony killed her daughter. The evidence pointed to premeditation,
chloroform searches, duct tape, disposal of the body. Thirty one
days of lies. America was ready to convict her before
(16:43):
trial even began. January two thousand and nine, George Anthony
attempted suicide at a Daytona Beach hotel. Police found him
with a five page suicide note. He was despondent and
possibly under the influence of medication and alcohol. The note
express grief over Kaylee, frustration with the media circus, pain
(17:04):
over Casey's arrest. His daughter was accused of murdering his granddaughter.
The family was destroyed. George couldn't handle it. He survived,
spent time in psychiatric care. Eventually returned to support Cindy
through the trial, but their marriage was strained, their family shattered,
their granddaughter gone. April thirteenth, two thousand and nine, state
(17:37):
attorney announced they would seek the death penalty. Casey Anthony
could face execution for killing her daughter. The trial was
delayed multiple times, venue change requests, attorney changes, motions filed,
and argued. Media coverage intensified. Nancy Grace called Casey tot mom.
Cable News dissected every detail. The case became an national obsession.
(18:01):
May twenty eleven, jury selection began. The trial would take
place in Orlando, Orange County, where Kaylee lived and died,
where protesters still gathered outside the courthouse demanding justice. The
prosecution was confident they had the car. The computer searches,
the duct tape, the lies, Casey's behavior, the timeline, all
(18:24):
pointing to one conclusion. Casey Anthony murdered Kaylee Anthony. But
Jose Bias had a different story to tell, a story
involving George Anthony, an accidental drowning, a cover up, sexual abuse,
a narrative so shocking it would divide the jury and
stun the nation. Kaylee Marie Anthony was two years old
(18:44):
when she died. Born August ninth, two thousand and five,
in Orlando, Florida, daughter of Casey Anthony, granddaughter of George
and Cindy Anthony. She loved Winnie the Pooh, had a
stuffed Pooh bear she carried everywhere. Loved swimming in the
backyard pool, Loved her grandparents. Was learning to talk, to dance,
(19:06):
to sing her favorite phrase, I Love you, said it
constantly to Chee Chee, to Jojo, to her mom. Kaylee
should be nineteen years old today, should have graduated high school.
Should be in college somewhere, maybe studying, maybe working, maybe
falling in love. Should have her whole life ahead of her. Instead,
she's buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Orlando. A small white
(19:29):
headstone reads, Kayleie Marie Anthony, Our precious Kaylee born August ninth,
two thousand and five, Found December eleventh, two thousand and eight.
Thirty one days. That's how long Casey waited to report
her missing. Thirty one days of freedom, thirty one days
of beautiful life, thirty one days of lies. Someone has
(19:50):
to say her name, Someone has to remember she was
a person, not just taught mom's daughter, not just the
Casey Anthony Case, A little girl two years old who
loved Winnie the Pooh. Rest in peace, Kaylee Marie. That's
part one of the Casey Anthony Case. June sixteenth, two
(20:11):
thousand and eight, Kaylee disappeared. Casey didn't report it, spent
thirty one days partying, lying, living her beautiful life. July fifteenth,
two thousand and eight, Cindy called nine one one, it
smells like there's been a dead body in the damn car.
December eleventh, two thousand and eight, Kaylee's remains found in
(20:33):
woods near home, duct tape, Winnie the Pooh blanket. The
search was over tomorrow, Part two, The Trial of the Century.
Prosecutors argued Casey killed her daughter to be free. Defense
argued accidental drowning and George Anthony's cover up. July fifth,
twenty eleven, the verdict that shocked America not guilty, and
(20:58):
the public outrage that followed. I'm read Carter, this is
celebrity trials.
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