Stephen Nichols: My daughter was absolutely thriving. He's just said that to get sympathy. She is in a good place and not hurting or unhappy, Simmons says of Casto. It's a theory that could support Nichols' new suggestion of suicide. Stephen Nichols: If it's a suicide, life insurance doesn't pay out. That's a jump. I wonder if the distancing language of her at the end means anything. But in April 2016, with a trial date nowhere in sight, Judge John Olson reduced Nichols' bail to $250,000. The trail was very popular for a steep drop-off that looked over the Columbia River Gorge. Stephen Nichols: When our daughter was born, it meant everything to her. And in the depths of the Great Depression, Cleveland had the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run.On September 5th, 1934, a young beachcomber made a gruesome discovery on the shores of Cleveland's Lake Erie: the lower half of a female torso, neatly severed at the waist. Stephen Nichols: I had nothing to do with Rhonda Casto's death. Course not. After Rhonda went off the trail, Nichols says he hiked down the deep ravine. Stephen Nichols: If I waited over a year to go to trial, I probably had a zero-percent chance. Nichols has directed for both stage and screen. I will always love Rhonda. 'I had hypothermia. The man accused of pushing his girlfriend off a cliff to her death in 2009 has admitted he was having sex with her underage sister. Stephen R Nichols, 78 Resides in Sedona, AZ Lived In Staten Island NY, Old Bridge NJ, Washington DC, Monkton MD Related To Belinda Nichols, Sandra Nichols, Ralph Nichols, Mary Nichols Also known as Steve R Nichols, Stephen Nichol Includes Address (8) Phone (5) Email (3) See Results Stephen D Nichols, 75 Resides in Phoenix, AZ olive tree children ministries; teaching blog; about our ministry; salvation prayer; contact us Bail was set at $2 million. 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. I fully expected to spend the rest of my life with her, I have never done anything to harm her. The most shady character seems to be her mother, but that doesnt mean he did not do it. Like there's always other options there. The Editors and Staff wish to sincerely thank the following authors who wrote articles for Journal of Oncology Practice in 2015. And sh -- that's why she was on the prescription medications. Peter Van Sant: Did you have sex with her? Home My Books Read More Contact Stephen Nichols's Phone Number and Email Last Update 12/25/2022 1:51 PM Email s***@csusm.edu Engage via Email Contact Number (760) ***-**** Engage via Phone Mobile Number (***) ***-**** Engage via Mobile HQ Phone In several interviews Simmons has alleged that Casto had been building up the courage to leave Nichols and move out of their shared apartment in the months leading up to her death. 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. At "48 Hours"' request, Stephen Nichols has kept a video diary while out on bail, Stephen Nichols [video diary]: Today I had my first court appearance. Over the years, Stephen Nichols and Mary Beth Evans have played beloved characters on the daytime soap Days of Our Lives. Their relationship, which has stood the test of time both on and off . Her friends described her relationship with Nichols as volatile, and her mother says she was considering ending things with him before she died. This week, Nichols was sentenced to time already served (19 months in jail) and three years' probation, reports People. Things were tough after the baby was born. It started pouring down rain and thunder came. She was worried about not having enough money to support Ava., Nichols denies he was having any relationship problems with Casto. The case, already years in the making at the time of Nichols arrest in 2015, had encountered multiple legal obstacles as his prosecution proceeded. In all the years they had been together, he had never put any effort into planning anything for her. Stephen Nichols: What was her point in going up there? Nichols later alleged that Casto had been high on marijuana and prescription drugs while on the hike. I'm like, "Well, can I take a plea and then just say, obviously it never happened," and -- I was told later, nope. stephen nichols rhonda castro. 27/05/2022; Posted by diarmuid o connor kerry age; 27 . Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. 'She was worried about not having enough money to support Ava.'. Stephen Nichols: It was decided by the weather. Julia Simmons: You've destroyed my whole family. She had dance lessons. We will continue to fight until we have proven my innocence. Julia Simmons, Rhondas mother, rented a room from Stephen Nichols, and she decided to introduce her daughter to Nichols. But something did happen. [Laughs] I'm not gonna answer that. SHe is an opportunistic, lying piece of crap in my view! Casto died while she was. Stephen Nichols: That's [laughs] of course that's not what I'm saying. Instead of catching his connecting flight to Oregon, Nichols says authorities separated him from his daughter. That's the first thing I did when I got there. Play chess. She clearly just wanted money and thought she would score a payday here. Mike Arnold: People take pleas for all sorts of reasons. Stephen Nichols: I have been emotionally abusive at times to people. Stephen Nichols: I felt she was into me too. He told police that Casto accidentally slipped and fell, and he hiked down the hill to help her, but didnt have a cell phone to alert authorities. Stephen Nichols: I'm like, "What is going on here? Stephen Nichols: I hate all the suicide questions. We have found at least 200 people in the UK with the name Stephen Nichols. F--- all the past. And so she just started bolting down, like at a full sprint, running down the trail. And I'm like, "Yeah you really do look like her.". So that's just another one of his lies to take the heat off of himself. When "Patch" returns home, he has a lot of explaining [] Stuart W Nichols, 95. I think it was an accident, based on the footage of the treacherous trail conditions. With no cell service to call for help, Nichols says he made his way back to the trailhead and dialed 911. Nichols packed up and headed to Wuxi, about 75 miles from Shanghai. She says she has leaned on her faith that one day she will be reunited with her daughter, who she says is watching over her and Ava. As Nichols awaits trial in the death of Rhonda Casto, he has some pleasant distraction -- visits from his fiance, Landy. But this case is not about belief, it's about the facts that can be presented to a jury at trial. Stephen Wagner Nichols, 40, was arrested February 12 at San. Stephen Nichols has not revealed anything about his parents. Did she tumble forward? Stephen Nichols: She did fall off. Acciavatti, Nicole. She would be emotionally and mentally abused, and possibly physical. 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. Also, the mother is framed as the person who is lying, but regardless of the mothers wrongdoing there are multiple accounts from multiple people that Stephen denies outright. Tessa Simmons: I loved having a niece. Stephen Nichols: Let me ask you, if you shoot your war buddy because you see how much pain he's in, is that murder? He divorced when the market was at its height and then chose to get a roommate. Most of the time innocent people plead guilty in order to gain an advantage or meet a goal. But Castos mother, Julia Simmons, doesnt buy Nichols story and believes her daughter would never put herself at risk. And oh yes, he is guilty as sin. And she goes, "I wanna be back with my dad.". Stephen Nichols was accused of pushing his fiance to her death off a dangerous hiking trail in 2009. Stephen Nichols: We were planning on getting married both in America and China to make it official. It is like a slap in the face for me and a slap on the hand for him, Simmons says. HOOD RIVER, Ore. (KOIN 6) Police have arrested a Bend man for allegedly murdering his girlfriend five years ago in a case that was originally ruled an accidental death. (Read more hikers stories.). That was his story in 2015, when Nichols was forbidden by his attorney from discussing details of Rhonda's deadly fall with "48 Hours"". Nichols says they didn't linger on the trail for long. 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. A Hood River County judge had ruled the February 2015 statement inadmissible, but the state appealed to the higher court, and lost. Casto fell 100 feet to her death about a mile from the trailhead along a. Know more in just minutes with our free newsletters. Peter Van Sant: That's terrible. Less than six months after Rhonda's death, he was charged with five counts of sex abuse for allegedly touching a 13-year-old girl on the buttocks. You are putting someone out of their misery that essentially has zero chance of survival. Colburn says Rhonda had grown unhappy and that the relationship had taken a dangerous turn. And I just immediately fell in love with her. Stephen Nichols: The weather was excellent, actually. He wrote and directed his first short film, Get the Dime, starring Daniel Bess Emily Bergl and Robert Picardo. 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. Twice.". Judge John Wolf: And to the charge of coercion? Stephen Nichols, 42, has admitted he was having sex with his girlfriend Rhonda Casto's 16-year-old sister Melanie at the time that Casto fell to her death on a hike in 2009 in Oregon. Mike Arnold [with cash in hand in front of bail machine]: Presumption of innocence, ladies and gentlemen. Stephen Nichols joins R.C. Love the hike, this is one of the happiest days of my life. Peter Van Sant: Well, you brought this up. Nichols denies the claim and was not charged with a crime in China, but Oregon court documents show a witness confirmed Nichols' ex-wife's account. 1,956 followers. Mike Arnold: Between the physical evidence and the science, there won't be much dispute about this bein' -- a tragic accident on a dangerous trail. Peter Van Sant: You sent sexually suggestive texts to her and a selfie with your shirt off. Then, for the second time in our "48 Hours" interview, Nichols brings up the topic of suicide. Rhonda Casto's last words to family members before embarking on a scenic hike with boyfriend Stephen Nichols: "He is either going to give me a ring or throw me off a cliff, ha ha ha." Stephen Nichols, a man accused of a 2009 murder in Hood River County, on Friday pled guilty to a separate charge of sex abuse, in Washington County. 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. Of the sentence, Casto's mother tells People, "This is the justice system being stupid I am just disgusted with the outcome." California had the Zodiac Killer. 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. Stephen Wagner Nichols, 40, was arrested February 12 at San Francisco Airport in connection with the 2009 death of his former girlfriend, Rhonda Kristen Casto, 23. After having her baby, Rhonda gained a little weight and wanted to lose it, said Nichols, so he suggested they go hiking. I just dont understand how they can try him. She goes, "I have dreams all the time." News Sport Region Music Person Profession. Peter Van Sant: This plea deal, is it justice to you? Jessica Colburn: She was in therapy. Rhonda's younger sister, Tessa, was just nine years old at the time. She was learning to play the piano. Mom Drove Wife and Kids Off Cliff, the 'Hart Family Murders' Remain Chilling, Minn. So wish us luck. Nichols says the question unnerved him, especially since three months earlier, he claims Rhonda had demanded he buy life insurance. A Room With A View star Julian Sands, 65, is missing in Californian mountain range: Urgent search is under No one likes a complainer! Adding to the prosecutions problems was the fact that the former lead detective, who had retired in 2012, destroyed evidence on his computer, including crime scene and autopsy photos and trail-head fee envelopes from potential witnesses. And it's not the only allegation Nichols has faced involving a minor. Revealed: Man being hunted by police after disappearing with a missing aristocrat and her baby daughter is a EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: It's deja vu for Richard Gere as this co-star looks pretty familiar. It's not justice. Julia Simmons: She would not be a normal child. Medical examiner and forensic pathologist Dr. Christopher Young says Rhonda's injuries were mostly below the waist. Please don't, don't plead out.". Just a few hours before her death, Rhonda, who had learned of the affair, sent this text to her sister: Peter Van Sant [reads text aloud to Nichols]: "I don't know what to say besides he's a piece of sh--. Lived In Hayward CA, South San Francisco CA, Menlo Park CA, Redwood City CA. He began to thrive too, falling in love with Landy Yin Yan. There's a single footprint, you're telling me, at the edge of the cliff. Peter Van Sant: And if your granddaughter were to be placed back into his custody, what do you think would happen? Peter Van Sant: And what were you sensing from Rhonda? as far as your opinion thats totally fine.. You guys do realize I simply put my relatively uninformed opinion based off of 20 seconds up right? Stephen Nichols: Let's say you're in a war situation and you're with your buddy, and I don't know, he -- he takes a landmine or a grenade or something. Nichols, 41, formerly from Bend and Portland, pled guilty to two counts of sex abuse in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor. Stephen Nichols: You'll be amazed at what you're willing to sign to stay out of prison. Still firmly believing Nichols is a murderer, Rhonda's mother Julia was allowed to address the court. It sounds so insulting to American women [laughs], but they just -- they make better partners. Home; About; News. Peter Van Sant: What are you saying, Stephen? Stephen Nichols: The exact opposite. Suggesting that Rhonda Casto chose to jump to her death from Eagle Creek Trail. And there's more. He chased after her, but by the time he reached her body he collapsed from exhaustion and hypothermia. I look forward to that day.. And then yeah, that's when they arrested me. There has been a crowd funding campaign for his bail at http://www.fundedjustice.com You can donate by clicking here: https://www.fundedjustice.com/en/projects/27691-Stephen-Nichols-Murder-Bail-LOAN---Rhonda-Casto-Eagle-Creek-Fall-Death So while I'd prefer to be coming home and doing farm chores and listen to wildlife instead I'll be thinking about my closing argument or what the next step of the case is. Casto was a 20-year-old Texas transplant when, in 2005, she met Nichols through her mother, who was renting a room in his three-bedroom condo. People can reach whatever conclusion they want. Occams razor. He was arrested in February 2015 at the San Francisco International Airport, when he returned to the country. Julia Simmons: Yeah, right. Stephens ego saw arm candy when he met Rhonda. Peter Van Sant: Do you believe that Stephen was in love with Melanie? He wasn't around as much. and you know, somebody that's really nice. But it's a bittersweet victory. Stephen Nichols: And I asked her "Are you OK hiking on this trail?" By sharing her insights on human behavior, deception and the truth. Stephen Nichols was arrested Friday in connection with his girlfriend's 2009 death. That isnt the case, seeing as the girl who was on the show that had also fallen from the same cliff and survived was also very athletic and strong. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle for the US Department of Energy. Click here to find personal data about Stephen Nichols including phone numbers, addresses, directorships, electoral roll information, related property prices and other useful information. Renee Ellory has written this blog since 2006, dedicating her free time to help others understand people. I'll just say that. My gut tells me hes guilty, especially after he left the country and stayed in China with his daughter. For Simmons, the years since Castos death have been difficult and moving on has been even harder. I was crying nonstop. By 2013, four years had gone by and no charges had been filed against Nichols. Stephen Nichols: Does sound like she's angry. Stephen Nichols: It's all hypothetical, because I'm telling people, you know, think -- think outside the box. I wonder how healthy your own relationships are with men. Stephen Nichols (born February 19, 1951) is an American actor, most notable for his roles on American daytime soap operas. 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