That's the first thing I did when I got there. Julia Simmons: I think she was attracted not so much to his looks, but to his his -- what he had. What you're saying is she jumped. The case, already years in the making at the time of Nichols arrest in 2015, had encountered multiple legal obstacles as his prosecution proceeded. I wonder how healthy your own relationships are with men. This is so unfair this is the justice system being stupid, Simmons says of the sentencing. But Nichols claims just the opposite was true. Because I was a little girl, he was playful, you know. Three years into their relationship, Rhonda and Nichols -- living together but not married -- became parents. He was arrested over six years later and now the defense of his life and quest to be reunited with their daughter has been impeded by the loss of evidence due to the delay and due to him being in jail pre-trial. Stephen Nichols: I had a three-bedroom condo and the other two rooms were just empty. Julia Simmons: Yeah, right. She broke into a run and, according to Nichols, she slipped on the wet path and fell more than 150 feet to her death. Hes either gonna give me a ring or hes gonna throw me off the cliff, Castro reportedly said in jest. A fast and unbiased roundup of whats happening in the world today. Stephen Nichols: I can say this with being with so many American women, Chinese women -- all-inclusive -- are better partners. I'm still completely blown away by the -- the decision that was made in this. I read a lot. And she goes, "I wanna be back with my dad.". (Read more hikers stories.). But Castos mother, Julia Simmons, doesnt buy Nichols story and believes her daughter would never put herself at risk. So Nichols says the couple came up with an adventurous plan to lose weight. I think he [Nichols] should be in prison., Casto, her mom says, was very precocious, loud and funny. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Stephen Nichols: I remember we kissed for a little bit. So both Nichols and Rhonda had each taken out a $1 million policy on the other. 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. Using never doesnt make it that believable, but maybe hes just trying to deny strongly because he wants to distance himself from this false accusation. Know more in just minutes with our free newsletters. Stephen Nichols: The exact opposite. I just dont understand how they can try him. I dont know that Stephen will be convicted, but Im really anxious to see if he does! F--- all the past. She was going to move out, but she was trying to get up the courage to do it. and you know, somebody that's really nice. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Jessica Colburn: That was part of her modeling portfolio. Stephen Nichols had been charged with murder in the 2009 death of 23-year-old Rhonda Casto, the mother of their then-infant child. The first one, a shocking love triangle involving another of Rhonda's younger sisters, Melanie, that may have provided a motive for murder. Her mother thinks he killed her because Casto was planning move out and take their one-year-old daughter. Prosecutors hope the judge will allow them to tell jurors about some "bad acts" in Stephen Nichols' troubled past at his upcoming murder trial. Simmons, who pleaded guilty to theft of government funds, also must pay back the stolen benefits, a total of $39,124. Try again. The girl who fell and survived was playing sports and obviously very athletic at the time of her fall (which isnt the case with Rhonda), so being strong obviously has nothing to do with it. Peter Van Sant: Was she alive when you got to her? Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. And so Nichols decided to make Landy his wife after a year of dating. Nichols says Rhonda seemed focused on the future as they drove to Eagle Creek Trail. Rhonda Casto's Family and Friends Discuss Her Fatal Fall Crime A Young Mom Falls 100 Feet to Her Death: Was It an Accident or Did Her Boyfriend Get Away with Murder? Since this broadcast last aired, Stephen Nichols publicly admitted to having sex with Rhonda's younger sister, Melanie. So far all I see is a mother who steals her granddaughters money, has no problem assuming that her own (deceased) daughter was using the father of her baby for money and not in love with him and then alleges that her underage younger daughter is a sexual victim of Nichols. Jessica Colburn: She told me that he had -- in the recent months -- been physically abusive to her. She would complain how he treated her and how they werent getting along, Simmons says. It was a nice day starting out.. Stephen Nichols: I'm alone about 99 percent of the time. In 2017 prosecutors dropped the murder charge and replaced it with criminally negligent homicide and coercion, after a judge ruled that a detective had acted improperly during an interview. Shortly afterward, Nichols moved across the state with his daughter to live with family. incredible athlete usually get that way because they have great control over their body as well as a solid mind that said havent watched the video but do plan to so will do a follow up on this.. probably lol. Stephen Nichols: There's definitely a lot more to the story. Try again later. But prosecutors knew their case against Nichols could fail. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). Stephen Nichols: I had actually proposed to her right before I came back to America. Julia Simmons: She had a 9-month-old baby at home that she loved dearly. Prosecutors believe Nichols killed the aspiring model for her $1 million life insurance policy. 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: No. Jessica Colburn: She was in therapy. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Peter Van Sant: Did you have sex with her? I remember she wanted to have sex. It was a long time coming, Arnold tells PEOPLE. And then, just when we thought this story had come to an end, our interview with Nichols took a turn into the surreal. I do. Peter Van Sant [holding a photo of Rhonda]: Tell me about this. He was placed on three years of probation with credit for the year and seven months he served in jail awaiting trial. Stephen Nichols was arrested Friday in connection with his girlfriend's 2009 death. Stephen Nichols: I had been there before. I doubt that. But what Nichols seems to be suggesting to "48 Hours" is that Rhonda may have chosen to go off that cliff. Mike Arnold [in court]: It is something that obviously is titillating and interesting. But Nichols defense attorney, Mike Arnold, says his client was falsely accused, and he welcomed the recent plea. And I said, "Of course. There's just a footprint. Stephen Nichols: I'm not going to comment on that. Peter Van Sant: Did you yell at her, "Hey, what are you doin', stop, walk, we're walking down?". Peter Van Sant: Now, I've been on that trail. Peter Van Sant: Why didn't you tell them back in the day that suicide was something she was contemplating? He was arrested in February 2015 at the San Francisco International Airport, when he returned to the country. Julia Simmons: He did try to push his wife over a balcony in China. Stephen Nichols: We wouldn't argue at all. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. As Crime Online previously reported, Casto told her mother that Nichols had been pressuring her to go on a hike. There's no way he would take his own life. Things were tough after the baby was born. Try again later. Years later, in May 2017, Nichols pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and coercion and prosecutors dropped the murder charge. Peter Van Sant: Do you believe that Stephen was in love with Melanie? ", Stephen Nichols: I was tellin' my daughter "This is our new life. She had everything going for her.. But then when they brought the mother into the story, she seemed even more shady than the boyfriend. Simmons fought to keep Nichols from having custody of her granddaughter and didn't want Nichols collecting on her daughter's$1 million life insurance policy, the defense argued. I'll just say that. It was a long time coming, Mike Arnold told People. Stephen Nichols pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide. Steve Nichols has been wrongfully accused of the murder of Rhonda Casto, who accidently fell off a cliff to her death in March of 2009. Stephen Nichols [video diary]: We're at the top of Spencer Butte in Eugene. I'm just saying that . Peter Van Sant: Did you put Rhonda out of misery that day? 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. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. 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. Prosecution aims to prove Casto death was no accident, Stephen Nichols on his freedom and family. And she goes, "Because I wanna leave our daughter something in case I die.". Rhondas mother seems to have a prescription drug problem, and doesnt make any bones about getting money any way she can. I was like, "That's interesting.". And I felt like it happened out of nowhere. Im pretty sure I mentioned that.. Just because the mother is a creep (all of the people involved seem like lowlifes, frankly), doesnt mean that Nichols isnt guilty. Stephen Nichols: I became desperate. 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. In the strange but true category: a pot-smoking grandma has admitted stealing death benefits intended for her granddaughter after the childs mother died in mysterious Columbia River Gorge fall. What really happened on Rhonda Casto's fatal hike. As these historical photos show, the trail has a steep cliff to one side with drops of 100 feet or more. Jessica Colburn: No. Exactly! Even though he'd be a registered sex offender, the law would allow Nichols to still fight and regain custody of his daughter, who was in the care of the state. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. 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. Stephen Wagner Nichols is accused of causing the death of Rhonda Casto, 23, in 2009. So 10 months later, when Nichols and his daughter arrived in San Francisco Stephen Nichols: They said something was wrong with my bags. He is currently on a no-bail hold and faces a minimum of 25 years in prison, with a maximum life sentence. 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?". For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. What do you believe? I was crying nonstop. Hood River County, Oregon. The sheriff was suspicious of the man, Stephen Nichols, almost immediately due to . Stephen Earl Nichols (born February 19, 1951) is an American actor, recognized for his roles on American daytime soap operas. His ankle monitor was removed. I want to one day see her again. He landed in Hollywood at the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple, where he studied yoga, cooked vegetarian meals for the residents and lived the monk's life preparing to enter the ashram. She was disillusioned about Steve.. Stephen Nichols: I'm trying to think of a way to think of this. I was just like, "After all this time, finally.". The lead detective investigating the death destroyed evidence on his computer, complicating prosecution, court records indicate. Mike Arnold: When you have a case where someone's falsely accused, you can't really separate yourself from work and home life. Now he gets to walk free. Failed to report flower. [Pauses, looks away from Van Sant]. Simmons believes that Nichols killed her daughter, whom he met in fall 2005, because she was gearing up to leave him and take their infant daughter, Ava, with her. His condo, his money, his -- you know, his status. It definitely motivates Renee to continue to dedicate her time when she is available. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. One, the sheer beauty of the hike. Peter Van Sant: So you're telling us you're completely innocent of these charges? It was a challenging one because of the shady characters on both sides of the story. Castos family says they arent sure her death was accidental, as Nichols has insisted. Nichols, then a 30-year-old day trader in Portland, Oregon, soon began tutoring Casto, who was taking college courses, and their relationship escalated. Nichols was arrested for murder in February 2015, accused of pushing his girlfriend Rhonda Casto off a trail in Oregon six years earlier. You can see more here: Trail of Tears, I put lying without watching more than 20 seconds if that of video. Nichols has denied all of these claims. After three years of deep meditation . Verify and try again. The plea came after the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that Nichols had "unequivocally" invoked his right against compelled self-incrimination after he was arrested at San Francisco International Airport, returning to the country in February 2015, but San Mateo County detectives continued to illegally interrogate him. Nichols would be extradited to Oregon and his daughter would be sent to live with Rhonda's family. Tree, a total of $ 39,124 somebody that 's interesting..... 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