Mom Kills Herself After TV Interview

CNN's Nancy Grace Grills Mother Who Says Her Baby Was Kidnapped

(AP)  Two weeks after telling police that her son had been snatched from his crib, Melinda Duckett found herself reeling in an interview with TV's famously prosecutorial Nancy Grace.

Before it was over, CNN's Grace was pounding her desk and loudly demanding to know: "Where were you? Why aren't you telling us where you were that day?"

A day after the taping, Duckett, 21, shot herself to death, deepening the mystery of what happened to the boy.

Police have refused to say whether she left a suicide note, and said nothing they have found so far in their investigation of her death has shed light on the whereabouts of her 2-year-old son, Trenton.

Investigators have stopped short of calling her a suspect but have focused increasing attention on her movements just before the boy vanished and the notes, computer, camera and other items seized from her house.

Duckett's family members disputed any suggestion that she hurt her son. They said that the strain of her son's disappearance pushed her to the brink, and the media sent her over the edge.

"Nancy Grace and the others, they just bashed her to the end," Duckett's grandfather Bill Eubank said. "She wasn't one anyone ever would have thought of to do something like this. She and that baby just loved each other, couldn't get away from each other. She wouldn't hurt a bug."

Janine Iamunno, a spokeswoman for Grace, said in an e-mail that Duckett's death was "an extremely sad development," but that the program would continue covering the case.

"We feel a responsibility to bring attention to this case in the hopes of helping find Trenton Duckett, who remains missing," Iamunno said.

Duckett had told police that after she finished watching a movie Aug. 27, she went to check on Trenton in his bedroom, and all she found was an empty crib — and a 10-inch cut in the window screen above it.

At the time, she was living with her son, wading through a messy divorce with the boy's father and trying to get her life back on track after getting laid off from her job with a lawn care company.

The boy's disappearance in this town of 19,000 people about 45 miles northwest of Orlando stretched the 75-member police force to its limits. Fliers were posted on gas station doors around town, asking for information from anyone who might have seen the boy, a brown-haired youngster wearing denim shorts and a diaper.

Trenton's father, 21-year-old Josh Duckett, was closely questioned after the boy disappeared. Newspapers reported that his wife had taken out a temporary restraining order against him. But Josh Duckett took a polygraph test and has answered all police questions satisfactorily, Capt. Ginny Padgett said.

On Sept. 7, Melinda Duckett gave a telephone interview to CNN Headline News' Grace, a former prosecutor known for practically cross-examining her guests. Duckett stumbled over such questions as whether she had taken a polygraph — she said she refused on the advice of her divorce lawyer — and where, exactly, she was shopping with the boy before his disappearance.

Hours before the interview aired, Duckett shot herself Friday with her grandfather's gun at her grandparents' house, up the road from where she was living.

Investigators are still trying to piece together a timeline of where she and Trenton were 24 hours before she reported him missing. On Tuesday, they released the make and model of her car, a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and asked anyone who might have seen it during that period to call them.

Also on Tuesday, a newspaper reported that she bought a shotgun from a pawn shop two days before Trenton vanished. Padgett said police could not confirm that.

On Monday, agents used dogs and digging equipment to search an outlying area that someone had called about, but found nothing. Investigators continued to field tips.

"We're following up," Padgett said. "Hopefully they'll bring in something to help us firm up the timeline."

[jetlizhan]

I love Nancy Grace - she is for the victims, no matter what their age. She must have had a gut feeling (and hers is usually right on target) that this young mother had something to hide or knew something and Nancy wanted it to come out so this precious 2 year old could be found. I applaud her - it's very sad that this young woman died by her own hands - she found a permanent solution to a temporary problem. God bless her - but the main concern is and should be in finding this baby. Nancy Grace is herself a victim of a violent act of murder (her fiance just days before her wedding) and she puts her whole heart and soul in her mission for victims. Keep it up Nancy!

[tonnie45]

I think Nancy should remember that she is no longer prosecuting people and she should not be so judgemetal when questioning VICTIMS. If it had been her child, how would she have responded to that line of questioning. I'm sure that this young mother probably thought life was over without her child. I know I would feel that way.
Nancy, put yourself in her shoes and ask yourself how you would have reacted. I think it was very selfish. All Nancy wanted was to try to break this young lady. Guess what, YOU DID!!! Right on to the point of taking her own life. I can't even stand to watch you on CNN.

[tsfl61]

I agree with Tonnie45. The way Nancy Grace hammers at her guests completely turns me off. I can't see why anyone would agree to an interview with her, and certainly anyone with something to hide AND half a brain, wouldn't. People, in general, need to back off and let the legal system do its work. Neither the media or ourselves are the judge of guilt or innocence. If I was Nancy, I'd be feeling more than a little responsible for this death.

[aessedai9]

If someone took my sleeping child from his crib, I would never kill myself! I would want to remain alive so that he would have his Mommy to come back to. I couldn't "rest" until he was found or I knew what happened. On the other hand, if I knew he was dead, I would no longer want to live. If I knew I had something to do with his disappearance, but he was alive, I'd sing like a bird so we could find them. This young woman killed herself because she knew there was no hope. And, if it had not have been Nancy who brought it to light, it would have been the police or FBI. What's worse: life in prison or just dying?

[biermang]

I think Nancy Grace should be prosecuted!!!!

[wamerritt]

Well, if they find that this young mother had nothing to do with the disappearance of her son, then Nancy ought to be prosecuted for "man-slaugther". If the mother was guilty of something, and Nancy forced her into facing it, then "BRAVO!"

[rish39]

The media needs to be careful not only with what they ask but how they ask it. The way Ms. Grace treated this mother, who may also be a victim in this case, was dispicable.

[janand2]

Nancy Grace claims to be a victim's advocate. But she is really an overly paid, uncaring, pampered and unprofessional example of a journalist. Usually, she decides guilt then seeks to expose the person in the public arena. She stripped this young woman bare on national TV, pounding away at her relentlessly. Why? For ratings and more viewers! Nancy needs to be in the constant spotlight...the victims she claims to represent are merely a conduit for her own agenda. I despise the fact she used a missing two year old baby...his fragile mother and her "adoring public" to create another "exclusive". I pray...Trenton will be found despite this fiasco...and his tortured mother find peace in death.

[eloquin]

There is no excuse for Ms. Grace's actions.
1) if the mother were innocent, then Grace's actions led to the "last straw" which cause an emotionally distraught woman to seek an end to her unbearable misery.
BUT
2) Even if she were guilty; Grace's actions were the same as a KKK lynch mob. I'm sorry, but this country is fighting to keep our freedoms and those include trial by jury. I don't watch Grace's show, but after reading about her actions in other publications, I had to see how someone acts who is accused of causing the death of another individual. I was appalled!! This "woman" was acting like she had done the world a service!!! I could not watch her "show" long. I was nausiated.

[mjv2944]

If she didn't have nothing to hide, then there was no real reason to kill herself. If she didn't want grilled then she shouldn't have gone on TV. If you don't like Grace, then don't watch her. We need more people who are for victim's rights, enough of the crying for criminal rights.

[momnique]

Is Nancy Grace related to Ann Coulter? Same ******, uncaring, no-compassion-type of women. It's all about them and their glory. The media need to cull out that kind of people.

[isthatso-2009]

Nancy Grace is to jurisprudence and investigative reporting such as flatulence is to an air freshener.

What a joke television has become. Truly the opiate of the masses.

[DeanBuzzell]

CNN used to be the only western network that could operate anywhere in the world. I remember seeing a crowd of Iranian 'students' attacking two journalists, shouting 'CIA, CIA', and the Iranian police stepping up to stop them, shouting 'CNN!, CNN!' It was a moment that the network replayed over and over and over, because it proved convincingly that CNN's journalistic credentials were respected everwhere in the world. Sadly, CNN realized that good journalism doesn't sell well, so now you have idiots like Nancy Grace, and fear/hate mongers like Fox's O'Reilly and Hannity. They all have two things in common - they have their OWN agenda, and they don't give a *** about you. Shame on CNN/FOX for giving these people a forum, and shame on US for patronizing them.

[strikers15]

I used to watch Nancy Grace and thought that she provided compelling discussion and admired her for being an advocate of victim's rights. However in the past year, she's gone over the top in my opinion. In her profession she has an obligation to be an investigative journalist and to provide accurate, unbiased presentation of the facts. She should not use her popularity and position to provide unfair sensational journalism. I can't help but think that her head has swollen with all of the ladies calling in and saying "we love you Grace". Her actions are also surely influenced by viewer ratings and pressure from the top to be controversial.

I think she's now the Jerry Springer of journalism and I've flipped my channel to watch Greta in the same time slot. They often cover the same topics and Greta does it in a balanced, respectful, and professional manner.

[fhunter]

Prosecutor Graceless and President Clueless wishes to corrupt our legal system. Everything for a rating point or a vote!

We have to get rid of them, both of them.

[momnique]

mjv2944, sounds like you already made up your mind about this woman's guilt. You are quick to judgment without knowing the facts. I would hate for you to be on a jury. You sound like the type that would shoot first, and ask questions later. Nancy Grace's actions are inexcusable. If she wants to behave that way, she should return to the court room and get off the air. I suspect she was not that successful in court so she devised a way to get noticed by bashing people on the air and get some TV station some ratings. Shame on her. I hope she gets many nights where she lays awake and thinks long and hard about the impact she has on people. We can do without her and the likes of her.

[long_rider]

This Grace person, who ever she is, is a clear cut case of modern day news (ha ha). She is trying to make news, not report it.

Grace is a disgrace to the profession.

And Americans just sit and watch, and accept it. CNN does have to file for an FCC license? A possible way to hold them accountable for the act Grace perpetrated against this women.

I hope other Americans have a chance to face the CNN court.

Will America please rise, CNN is now on the air.

Has this Grace person been fired yet?

Who owns CNN, Adolf Hitler?

Our country would be bettter off with out having CNN around.

[peaceforusa]

I can only imagine the turmoil this young mother was facing through a bad marriage/divorce. I am just saddened that she allowed Nancy Grace to provoke her to this end. I can only pray that someone who truly knew the situation has physical custody of Trenton and that he is safe. I know many situations where fathers threaten women through their children and I don't know this for sure, but Trentons father may have done this and the first thing a mother wants to do is protect her child(ren) from these threats. I pray this is what Melinda did.
We can all write to CNN and tell them what Nancy Grace did wasn't an interview but a massacre on and to Melinda's mental health. She was already fragile and Nancy Grace helped to pull that trigger. Nancy Grace should be banned from ever being on TV again and in the courtroom. There isn't any room for people like this in society.

[marrerov]

I didnt see the interview with the boys mother but her actions following the interview, in my opinion, implicates her in her sons disapperance. Killing herself only makes her look guilty and unfortunately her son still missing.

[peaceforusa]

And Americans just sit and watch, and accept it.

I think you need to rethink this statement...Americans may have watched it, but they have not accepted it. There are many of us AMERICANS that are totally apalled by her treatment of Melinda Duckett and hope that CNN will sit up and take notice that they screwed up big time. If they don't fire Nancy Grace, then CNN's ratings will go down the tube, because we can all boycott them.

[marybethinct]

Guility!!!

[rattlecan-2009]

Nancy Grace is out of control. Whether her victim was innocent or guilty, she was emotionally fragile, but Nancy Grace was undeterred as she performed her role of judge, jury and executioner. Yes, Melinda Duckett carried out the sentence herself, but Nancy Grace is not without guilt. Her basic attitude is that she doesn't care who she hurts as long as she gets ratings.

[torre28]

I think the mother had something to do with the boy missing you cant blame the reporter for doing her job and trying to do it well the mother killed herself because she didnt think anyone would think she did something to her own kid so what she going through a divorce so what and as far as the father he may not even be the reason for the divorce she may have wanted it and she got the order taken out on him to keep him from his son yes the father may have cheated on her or something and she thought she would get the order on him it would hurt him and he would come back when she seen it was not working she did something to the child who reminds her of his father and yes i am a woman

[mark_bednar]

I will never watch her show again. Human compassion in the light of loss of one's own child should be one's top priority. In time with enough backlash, she will naturally be taken off the air.

[djkames]

"You have to attack the root of a tree if you expect it to fall"

Stop watching CNN and see how fast they get rid of her when their ratings take a nose dive. Anyone that justifies her actions, youre idiots.

[venturaprice]

May NG never sleep well again. Causing a suicide in this manner is as bad as premeditated murder.
Roy

[poodledink]

This family has suffered enough! May God keep them close in their time of mourning, and may God lead the police to this child. Amen.

[donfay43]

I think people like Nancy Grace should not be allowed to call themselves journalists. I hope they find out what happened to Melinda's child and find evidence that she had nothing to do with it. Then maybe the network will get Nancy Grace off the air. Pushing someone to suicide is beyond irresponsible, it's criminal-or at least should be. I don't watch her show and never will-now you know why!

[sumcalmesmar]

I don't think bashing Nancy Grace helps the search for the missing boy. Face it, if you were the person doing the interview with the young mother and she wasn't cooperating with authorities and avoided your questions on her whereabouts the day her son disappeared, you might have asked the questions in the same manner that Nancy did. Futher, a suicidal persons problems stem far deeper that one interview with one tough person. Just because you may feel that Nancy was too harsh on the girl doesn't make her the country's punching bag. If she would have gotten the answers that the authorities wanted, you would be praising her right now instead of making her feel responsible for a suicide that would have happened whether Nancy interviewed her or not.

[rattlecan-2009]

This is in response to sumcalmesmar's post. Of course Melinda Duckett's problems went far deeper than her interview with Nancy Grace. Nevertheless, she was still an emotionally fragile person whom Nancy Grace basically bludgeoned over the edge. And unless you're God, you do not know she would have committed suicide anyway.

[brian5064]

Nancy Grace is a joke. She epitomizes garbage TV.

[debbiemeadow]

Unbelievable. I will never watch her show again...well come to think of it I've only seen it twice anyway. If the supposition is innocent until proven guilty, what the hell is wrong with Nancy Grace to do that

[sumcalmesmar]

This message is in response to rattlecan.
I am not disputing the fact that the girl was emotionally fragile, and I am by NO MEANS calling myself God. Perhaps the suicide may not have taken place, we will never know. How are you so sure that Nancy Grace is the one who "bludgeoned her over the edge?" Were you inside her mind at the time? The whole story is a tragedy. A child is missing, a young, beautiful girl is dead and we can debate the what if's all day and point fingers all day, but it doesn't reunite him with his loved ones, and it doesn't bring her back. Can't we focus our attention's towards helping locate him? If you are correct and Nancy did have something to do with it, then you have made your point and no one is forcing you to watch her show. If other folks are correct and she was not to blame, then let's hope that some good comes of all of this hype and the child is found, and the family is at peace. The more it is publicized and broadcast, the more the boy is on people's minds. Let's just pray that he is found and the family suffering will be over soon.

[sopome]

A person has to ask themselves... WHY would this woman agree to an interview where she did not intend to answer questions regarding the child's dissapearance. The big issue here is WHERE is the boy. Don't lose sight of this. Whether or not the mom was involved... as a parent, I can honestly say that would be my ONLY goal... to get them back. WHY would you NOT answer seemingly straight forward questions if that was your goal as well? It only turns into a 'assault' when a person avoids or skirts the question. The interview was maybe the straw that broke the mom's back...but was not the REASON she committed suicide.

[dalemotte]

Am I not correct in saying that Nancy Disgrace had a fiance that died or was murdered?She was probably responsible or had some responsiblity in his death.Listening to her on the T.V.I can imagine him saying,this *** is *** nuts and I've got to boogie.

[shirlfischer]

I was a fan of Nancy Grace but who is she to assume this mother was guilty of some unspeakable acts toward her child. Mrs. Grace has forgotten that we in America are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and by her peers. If Mrs. Grace thinks this will increase her ratings then she's not the attorney or journalist we all thought she was. How can anybody want her an an interviewer...God have mercy on her soul...

[jacqueline41-2009]

The only person who know where this child is is God and the person who took him--whether in life or death. I will not blame his mother for something of this nature can cause one to "fold under pressure". As for Nancy Grace, maybe next time she should weigh her words a little more carefully--sometimes pushing a person can cause harm to the interviewer and not the interviewed.

This show is nothing more than a freak show. ALl experts but none have any substance. You would think they learned with that Karr incident. I am going to stop watchung that whole dumb network.

[spredbury]

Nancy Grace is a disgrace to humanity. I have followed this story by watching all of Grace's appearances on TV hopeing she would show some remorse for her evil actions. Grace is in search of ratings *** the cost. I have never watched her show and would not even consider it not. I really can't express the amount of disdain I have for Grace.

[cathaleen]

I saw a few minutes of the interview with Nancy Grace and Melinda Duckett. I thought that Nancy Grace was over the top. I have seen other interviews that she did and none were like this.
She bullied and battered this girl.

[peaceforusa]

To SoPoME

I understand she was advised by her lawyer to not answer the questions. She may have made the appearence to prove to people that she didn't harm her child, but Nancy Grace went for the throat and asked her the questions she was advised not to answer. Melinda Duckett may be innocent in the sense she did not kill her child, but maybe just hid him away from the father. With her death goes the answer to that puzzle. I pray he is safe. Either way it goes she is dead and Nancy Grace pushed her to it.

[peaceforusa]

To SoPoME

I understand she was advised by her lawyer to not answer the questions. She may have made the appearence to prove to people that she didn't harm her child, but Nancy Grace went for the throat and asked her the questions she was advised not to answer. Melinda Duckett may be innocent in the sense she did not kill her child, but maybe just hid him away from the father. With her death goes the answer to that puzzle. I pray he is safe. Either way it goes she is dead and Nancy Grace pushed her to it.

[cd327]

Pounding her desk and demanding?? Who does she think she is? Feel better, now, Nancy Grace? That you could be directly responsible for a young woman's death, who was obviously distraught, and in a fragile condition, and SUPPOSEDLY innocent until proven guilty????

Remember, there is such a thing as KARMA. Oh, and Nancy, was your 'precious' interview WORTH it?????

[lstray]

Why is Nancy Grace responsible? I saw the interview and listened to the woman's answers...they were not the answers of a distraught mother, they sounded like she had something to hide. It is very sad that this woman committed suicide. Is that an indication of how far she was willing to go to keep her son from his father? Divorces bring out he worst in people. I hope the boy is found safe and reunited with his father. Nancy did not cause anything, she was trying to do what any sane person would do...find out where the boy is. The mother just did not seem like she was concerned at all in her tone of voice or demeanor. As a mother myself, I could not imagine being in her shoes and talking or acting like she was. I would be upset to say the least; looking all over the place and on the news to ask people to help me find my children and willing to tell whatever to whoever to make sure they were found. That's just my opinion..you are entitled to yours. I do pray for the boy, the mother, the father, and the rest of the family that remains in this horrible situtation but don't blame Nancy.

[nugu-2009]

"Nancy Dis-Grace" -- I couldn't agree more! If there is such a thing as justice, Ms. Grace will be interviewed on the death of her fiancee by some viewer-hungry harpy who will try to insinuate her into an active role in the mystery.

[thblessed1]

I did not see the Nancy Grace interview, but if I knew I was innocent, no one could say anything to shake or break me. And if my son were missing, and possibly alive, I would not be so selfish as to take my own life. Police, CIA, FBI interrogate innocent people, but they don't go home and commit suicide because they felt under pressure. I don't like Nancy Grace's program, but she isn't responsible for this girl's weaknesses.

[dawger51]

It really saddens me to think that for the sake of ratings and advertising dollars that news organizations hire the likes of Nancy Grace. I have seen her one time and found her to be offensive, demeaning, and cruel to the person that was being grilled. Why has "news" become more about the presenter than the news. As I grow older, I watch less and less TV news and rely more and more on print media. I'm tired of TV and radio folks yelling at me.

[astrofeng]

Responsibility for our words and actions is a Universal Principle that our court system mimics. The mass media has no business "prosecuting" ANYONE in the circus court of public opinion. Now Nancy Grace bears the burden of guilt that she dumped on this 21 year old Mother and her own circus court presides at HER trial...

[orionenigma]

Nancy Grace is as pitiful as a commentator as she is a disgrace to her trade.
Her overly dramatic and often arrogant attitude, braced with her inane innuendo, serves as a thinly veiled attempt to mask her inability to flesh the facts from her feverish imagination.
Was Ms. Duckett guilty of a heinous act?
Maybe she was, then again, maybe she wasn't. Perhaps we'll never know, but the one undisputable FACT in this entire sordid episode, is that Nancy is still around and on-air, and THAT is without a doubt, a crime of the highest magnitude.

[orionenigma]

Nancy Grace is as pitiful as a commentator as she is a disgrace to her trade.
Her overly dramatic and often arrogant attitude, braced with her inane innuendo, serves as a thinly veiled attempt to mask her inability to flesh the facts from her feverish imagination.
Was Ms. Duckett guilty of a heinous act?
Maybe she was, then again, maybe she wasn't. Perhaps we'll never know, but the one undisputable FACT in this entire sordid episode, is that Nancy is still around and on-air, and THAT is without a doubt, a crime of the highest magnitude.