When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. Nichols says he believes prescription drugs played a part in Castos death, which he called an accident, and he claims he later discovered she was using marijuana and also taking medication to lose weight and for depression. An Oregon court terminated Nichols' parental rights. For defense attorney Mike Arnold, representing Stephen Nichols gives new meaning to the phrase "full-time job.". Stephen Nichols: Let me ask you, if you shoot your war buddy because you see how much pain he's in, is that murder? This past weekend, 48 Hours profiled the story of Stephen Nichols and Rhonda Castro. Stephen Nichols: I'm not going to comment on that. He wrote and directed his first short film, Get the Dime, starring Daniel Bess Emily Bergl and Robert Picardo. But prosecutors knew their case against Nichols could fail. Stephen Nichols: I hugged the right wall pretty much on the way down. Stephen Nichols: We were both holding onto each other's clothing, and we were both yelling. And she loved her family. Did she tumble forward? California had the Zodiac Killer. 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. Julia Simmons: He can be very charming. But having now admitted to inappropriate behavior with a 13-year-old girl, pleading to having sex with Rhonda's underage sister and playing a role in Rhonda's death, Nichols' chances of regaining custody of his daughter are in jeopardy. stephen nichols rhonda castro. Rhonda loved being a mom, but hoped to restart her modeling career. Stephen Nichols had been charged with murder in the 2009 death of 23-year-old Rhonda Casto, the mother of their then-infant child. I just answered the questions that they asked. Everything, Steve. Casto's mother Julia Simmons told Salinas: 'He told Melanie that she was a dead ringer for her sister, and that the baby would forget her mother within just a matter of a short time and that they could be a family - the three of them.'. Stephen Nichols was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in February 1951. The Real Story with Maria Elena Salinas | Watch Full Episodes & More! In 2005, Nichols, who was 10 years older than Rhonda and recently divorced, was working as a day trader. shelved 24,195 times Showing 30 distinct works. Her friends described her relationship with Nichols as volatile, and her mother says she was considering ending things with him before she died. But what Nichols seems to be suggesting to "48 Hours" is that Rhonda may have chosen to go off that cliff. Dr. Christopher Young [in court]: I can tell that -- based on the injuries that she has, she -- she landed -- predominantly on her legs and her pelvis. Julia Simmons: He had lost a bunch of money the year before. In the months before Castos death, Simmons who pleaded guilty in July to embezzling Social Security survivor benefits intended for her granddaughter says she was thinking of leaving Nichols. Stephen, a pompous day trader, was probably not doing as well financially as he wldve liked people to think. Julia Simmons: [Laughs] She's never attempted suicide. And it's not the only allegation Nichols has faced involving a minor. Julia Simmons: He did try to push his wife over a balcony in China. The most shady character seems to be her mother, but that doesnt mean he did not do it. Prosecutors hope the judge will allow them to tell jurors about some "bad acts" in Stephen Nichols' troubled past at his upcoming murder trial. 27/05/2022; Posted by diarmuid o connor kerry age; 27 . And I just immediately fell in love with her. Up until that point she's the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. 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. 'Everything about her was impressive,'Nichols said of Casto in 2015. Stephen Nichols: We were planning on getting married both in America and China to make it official. In fact, I actually feel that the mother is the more shady one. For more on Castos sudden death and the investigation that followed, subscribe now to PEOPLE or pick this weeks issue, on newsstands Friday. I was like, "F--- America. But then, Nichols claims, Rhonda asked him a startling question completely out of the blue. When you see a missing post or a post without comments, it was likely lost during a migration. But this week the 42-year-old has walked free. 'I had hypothermia. 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. He used you to hurt me. Stephen Nichols: No. I was crying nonstop. Nichols says the question unnerved him, especially since three months earlier, he claims Rhonda had demanded he buy life insurance. The Oregon Supreme Court ruled a three-hour police interview with him after his arrest was inadmissible. Stephen Nichols: The police never once asked me if it was a suicide. 'I just immediately fell in love with her.'. Julia Simmons: She had a 9-month-old baby at home that she loved dearly. The Apocalypse Music Quiz; Birthdays and Anniversaries. Dr. Nichols earned his M.A. A Hood River County judge had ruled the February 2015 statement inadmissible, but the state appealed to the higher court, and lost. Nichols packed up and headed to Wuxi, about 75 miles from Shanghai. Stephen Nichols net worth: Stephen Nichols is an American actor who has a net worth of $8 million dollars. Though Nichols says he doesnt remember much about what happened, he does recall Casto running along the narrow trail with a towel over her shoulders, like Superwoman, and he says he witnessed her fall. She is in a good place and not hurting or unhappy, Simmons says of Casto. By 2013, four years had gone by and no charges had been filed against Nichols. Instead of catching his connecting flight to Oregon, Nichols says authorities separated him from his daughter. And I didn't wanna believe it. Peter Van Sant: Did you have sex with her? Why dont you believe her friends? One important piece of evidence against Nichols is records that indicate he had increased Casto's life insurance policy to $1million several months before the incident. Colburn says Rhonda learned that Nichols was having sex with Melanie. Know more in just minutes with our free newsletters. Stephen Nichols: I was shocked. Nichols claims that Rhonda had long struggled with a serious drug problem. Stephen Nichols CBS affiliate KOIN Stephen Nichols, 40, was arrested Thursday, Feb. 12 in connection with the death of his former girlfriend, 23-year-old Rhonda Casto, of Portland, who. The NBC soap. With no cell service to call for help, Nichols says he made his way back to the trailhead and dialed 911. But something did happen. I want to one day see her again. Stephen Nichols: That's [laughs] of course that's not what I'm saying. The first one, a shocking love triangle involving another of Rhonda's younger sisters, Melanie, that may have provided a motive for murder. Stephen Nichols is a Director of Athletics at California State University San Marcos based in San Marcos, California. (Read more hikers stories.). Prosecutors don't agree and want a jury to see a picture taken by Rhonda showing red marks left from an alleged physical encounter with Nichols. It's just the way I deal with pain. Melanie Casto. Stephen and Rhonda hit it off and started dating. Edwin Somarriba passed away peacefully at 94 years old after a brief illness on Saturday, October 8, 2022 in Castro Valley, CA. But Nichols claims just the opposite was true. I just dont understand how they can try him. Nichols has starred in several feature films including the WWII drama Heaven's Tears, the horror classic Witchboard, Choices, with Demi Moore, and as the unsuspecting cyborg in the sci-fi thriller Phoenix with Brad Dourif. For the first time, he talks about what may have happened in Rhonda's last moments of life that day in 2009, comparing her to a wounded soldier. Julia Simmons: He did rape my daughter. Herein, Who is the wealthiest soap opera star? What do you remember? So both Nichols and Rhonda had each taken out a $1 million policy on the other. I won't let him screw us up again. "She was trying to get up the courage to do it," says Julia Simmons. Nichols says Landy became like a mother to his daughter. First published on March 17, 2018 / 11:34 PM. This week, Nichols was sentenced to time already served (19 months in jail) and three years' probation, reports People. It's a story "48 Hours" has been following since 2015. And oh yes, he is guilty as sin. While not saying it in so many words, Stephen Nichols' mind games manage to drop a bombshell. The Editors and Staff wish to sincerely thank the following authors who wrote articles for Journal of Oncology Practice in 2015. Just days after Casto's death, investigators also began questioning the father's account. Their relationship, which has stood the test of time both on and off . Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle for the US Department of Energy. She was learning to play the piano. Stephen Nichols [video diary]: We're at the top of Spencer Butte in Eugene. Stephen Nichols: [Laughs] That part I'm not gonna take you through, because she did fall off, and I can say I had absolutely nothing to do, either directly or indirectly, with her falling off. snowrunner unable to establish connection with the host. Stephen Nichols: I had nothing to do with Rhonda Casto's death. Soon, Rhonda joined her mother in the condo, not as a roommate but as Nichols' girlfriend. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. He is appealing that decision. Nichols was given credit for time served while awaiting trial. Peter Van Sant: And what were you sensing from Rhonda? Stephen Nichols: I had been there before. I dont believe her friends either when they say he threatened to kill her. Peter Van Sant: And is that what you did? Julia Simmons: He planned the whole thing, it was premeditated, the whole thing. No matter what your opinion of the mother (or of the victim, for that matter) , this girl did not deserve to die. Stephen Nichols: We made it a pact that we would hike 20 or 25 of the top trails in Oregon. Carrie Rasmussen [in court]: When you look at the relationship that the defendant then had with Rhonda Casto, Notes from a therapist Rhonda had been seeing reveal she was depressed but not suicidal from her relationship with Stephen, which she described as "loveless.". Best MatchPowered by Whitepages Premium Stephen Guerard Nichols Arlington, VA AGE 60s AGE 60s Stephen Guerard Nichols 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. I think she held on for longer for the sake of the baby. There's now zero-percent chance that Steve goes to prison for murder, that a jury gets it wrong. If it was simply for loneliness he cldve had a friend move in, not some strange lady hed never met. 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The trail was very popular for a steep drop-off that looked over the Columbia River Gorge. Nichols says Rhonda was depressed and, shockingly, that she had tried to take her own life at least three times before he even met her. Medical examiner and forensic pathologist Dr. Christopher Young says Rhonda's injuries were mostly below the waist. Police began looking into Nichols' involvement in Casto's death early in the investigation, and charged him with murder in 2015. Stephen Nichols: And I asked her "Are you OK hiking on this trail?" Nichols got a job teaching English to Chinese businessmen. Renee Ellory has written this blog since 2006, dedicating her free time to help others understand people. But Arnold would need more than luck. Our sincerest apologies. So Nichols says the couple came up with an adventurous plan to lose weight. Rhonda clearly had hiked many times, yet Mom never even knew she had been hiking, ever. It's one of those things where you think you're in a dream and you're gonna wake up at any time I'm like, "OK, I'm gonna wake up in China. Computational Scientist, Computational Fluid Dynamics. Nichols stood on the cliff's edge, then took a step back. Found inside - Page 1456. But that never happened. (AP Photo/Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facilities via AP, file), Police Remove Hair, Mattress Covers From Kohberger's Apartment, Troopers Chase 13-Year-Old Driver for 16 Minutes, PA: None 'More Deserving' of Life in Prison Than These 3, Cops: Man Tried to Pull Bikini Barista From Drive-Thru, Prosecutors: Brian Walshe Made Chilling Google Searches, Feds Won't Seek Death for Shooter Accused of Killing 23, Man Allegedly Killed His Entire Family. [Laughs] she knew that for a reason. Then, Nichols says, Rhonda once again asked him that unsettling question. Play chess. Gerry Tiffany | Lead investigator: Pretty much the next morning. 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. 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. He was arrested over . Peter Van Sant: So how does a kid from Oregon end up in China? I have nobody. Downing Street slams US President's criticism of new laws to restrict impact of strikes Ouch! Stephen Nichols: For about three months after Rhonda died, I completely shut down.
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