News
Mom kills kids, 3 and 5, their grandmother and herself after losing custody of kids to their father
A Texas mother who had shot to death her two young children and their grandmother had just lost custody of the kids to their father as part of a divorce, his lawyer reveals as the victims were recently buried.
The bodies of Karina Dietering, 37, of San Antonio, her two kids, Robert, 3, and Clara, 5, and her 68-year-old mother Galina Tenzeyevna Taypina had been found inside their apartment on April 27, according to police.
The children’s father Jason Dietering was the one who discovered the tragic scene.
The dad’s attorney Charles Hardy said Diertering went to meet the mom to get the kids two days earlier, after he had just won their custody, WOAI reports. However, when he went to meet the mother to make the exchange, she was a no-show.
He told KSAT: ‘When (Karina) did a no show for the exchange, (Jason) frantically made phone calls. He waited the appropriate time and then asked for welfare checks.’
‘(Jason) finally got there on Sunday and again asked for a welfare check but refused to go into the apartment. Monday morning, he looked into the window and found something was amiss,’ Hardy continued. ‘He actually broke into the apartment and found the scene.’
Police, upon being contacted by the father, went to the home at the Sedona Ranch Apartments.
The victims were laid out in two bedrooms, San Antonio Police Chief William McMannus says.
Authorities said the mother took her own life after shooting the children and their grandmother.
Funerals were held for the children on Saturday. The mother also was buried with the kids, as requested by their father, his lawyer says.
‘He said it was not about the mother,’ Hardy told KSAT. ‘It was about the children.’
Hardy explained how the parents initially split and ended up in divorce court.
He said that the family originally was from Mississippi, and that the mother had convinced the father to allow her to relocate to Texas temporarily for a job opportunity that never existed. ‘She lived in San Antonio long enough for Texas to have time to take jurisdiction over their divorce case,’ Hardy says.
Over the course of a year, the parents were able to share custody of the children. However, a judge granted full custody to the father in Mississippi where he lived upon the recommendation of two top psychologists, says the lawyer.
The custody swap should have taken place in Orange, Texas.
Instead the mother never showed up, Hardy says. He said the mom, ‘killed her mother, these two wonderful children and herself instead of following the court’s order.’
‘Terrible. I can’t even imagine. I can’t even describe it,’ says Hardy, reacting to the murder-suicide found by his client.
There was no previous indication the mother would harm the children, he says.
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
Boko Haram Demands $300,000 Ransom For Abducted Borno Ex-LG Chair, Another Victim
How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit
Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly
Your Second Coming Was A Chance To Avoid These Political Mistakes – Fayose To Fubara
Corruption Battle: Dangote Drags Ex-NMDPRA Boss To EFCC After ICPC Withdrawal
Rivers Crisis: Full List Of 8 Misconduct Allegations Against Governor Fubara
Panic In Ibadan As Rising Kidnap, Robbery Threats Trigger Official Red Alert
Wizkid Becomes First African Artist To Enter Spotify’s 10 Billion Streams Elite
Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Becomes West Africa’s All-Time Box Office King
