Trenton Duckett Missing: Did the Media and Nancy Grace Push Melinda Duckett Over the Edge to Suicide?
Lets start out by saying that 2 year old Trenton Duckett is still missing. The focus should 
be on the missing boy and his whereabouts. Instead the media has made the story about the media. It is disturbing that certain shows have only covered this story after Melinda Duckett committed suicide rather than when Trenton Duckett went missing.
The question has arose, did an over-zealous media and Nancy Grace push Melinda Duckett, the mother of missing Trenton Duckett, over the emotional edge to commit suicide? Melinda’s grandparents seem to think so.
Duckett’s grandparents said she was fed up with the coverage that unfairly scrutinized her.
“Nancy Grace and the others, they just bashed her to the end,” Duckett’s grandfather Bill Eubank told the Associated Press. “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.”
It is obvious to many that a decision, or one should say a lack of thought to determine to take one’s life is a result a a multitude of many factors. Was the manner in how Melinda Duckett was treated on the Nancy Grace show the only factor that resulted in Duckett’s suicide? No; however, it was most likely a contributing factor and one that may have been the final straw.
The Nancy Grace Show had the following comment to make in responding to the allegation that they were to blame for Melinda Duckett’s suicide.
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.
Also, Nancy Grace responded to a callers question the other night as to if she felt responsible for Melinda Duckett’s death in any way. 
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My question is, you are such a good interviewer and everything. I just wonder, with the pressure that you put on the mother with your questions your last show, is there any possible way that you feel you might have somehow pushed her over the edge or contributed to her suicide?
GRACE: You know, Stan, speaking as one that knows firsthand, when you suffer a tragic loss, you look for somebody to blame. You look hard. I do not feel that our show is to blame for what happened to Melinda Duckett. The truth, Stan, is not always nice or polite or easy to go down. Sometimes it`s harsh, and it hurts.
I`d like to also point out that Melinda committed suicide before that interview ever aired. It had never gone to air. The purpose of this show is all about finding Trenton Duckett. That`s what we`re about. And I`d like to also point out that, seemingly, police agreed with my line of questioning. You`ve got to know that we are deeply saddened to learn about her death, Melinda Duckett`s, the mother of Trenton, the day after she taped our program. It was last week.I hope the viewers keep in mind that this show is one of the single most active in looking for missing children. And as part of that, I often — always, I would hope, I ask parents the same questions I would ask any mom and dad about an investigation in a missing child case, where they were when the child went missing, what happened, what`s the timeline, anything to help find that missing child. I also ask whether the parents have taken a polygraph, as I did with Melinda. And at that point, and at this point, Trenton is still missing, and our focus is on finding him.
The response that Nancy Grace gives to the question does beg the question as to whether they went too far. She states, “the truth is not always nice or polite”. Does anyone think that either Nancy Grace or her producers when booking this interview made those types of comments to Melinda Duckett? Does anyone believe in order to get Melinda Duckett to come on the Nancy Grace Show that the following line was used to entice her, “Sometimes it`s harsh, and it hurts”? Hardly. For those that state they Melinda Duckett knew what she was getting into when she went on the Nancy Grace Show, I would say … did she really? Those that are familiar with Nancy Grace know she a a tough nosed, ex-prosecutor and a rather in-your-face interviewer. Personally, I have never had a problem with Nancy Grace. However, when one is dealing with a parent of a missing child there is another whole level of decorum. Approximately 537,000 watch the Nancy Grace show according to the last reports. There are approximately 300,000,000 people in the United States. You do the math, think its possible a 21 year old divorced mom has ever seen the show? Its hardly the demographic that they are going after.
What is even more bizarre than the overzealousness of the interview was the comment by Nancy Grace stating that she was not responsible because, “I`d like to also point out that Melinda committed suicide before that interview ever aired. It had never gone to air”. So what? This is your defense? Melinda Duckett would not have had to seen the interview to get emotionally upset to commit suicide, she took part in the interview. She would have been upset at the time of the taping of the show Nancy, not when she saw it. As reported, it was the grilling she received during the taping of the show that the grandparents are claiming, not the actual video.
Two weeks after telling police that her son had been snatched from his crib, Melinda Duckett found herself reeling in an interview with television’s famously prosecutorial Nancy Grace. Before it was over, Grace was pounding her desk and loudly demanding to know: “Where were you? Why aren’t you telling us where you were that day?”
When reading the actual 9/8/06 transcripts of the Nancy Grace Show one can plainly see 
how a calm introduction referencing “a mothers worst nightmare” turned into a relentless attack on Melinda Duckett regarding the polygraph and if Melinda had taken one. Then came the time line badgering. Nancy grace prides herself on being a prosecutor, yet such actions on her part would never have been tolerated in a court of law. I am sure Nancy is familiar with the court room term, “asked and answered” and “objection, badgering the witness.”
Was Nancy Grace in part responsible for the death of Melinda Duckett? The answer most likely is … could very well be. Did anyone at the Nancy Grace Show take into consideration the emotional or mental state of Melinda Duckett prior to the interview? Did anyone care is probably more to the point. However, that being said it is very likely if Melinda was as unstable as she seemed to be that she may have committed suicide at some point later. Which brings me to my biggest issues with what the media and Nancy Grace did.
1. The media is not the DA’s office even if they may have been one at some point in their career. They should never interfere in a case to the point where they actually affect the on going case.
2. Who does not think the line of questioning done by Nancy Grace would have been asked by the local police as well who had a better understanding what Melinda Duckett’s psychological make up may have been? Knowing what, when and how to ask the question.
3. Lie detector tests are not DNA. There is a reason why these things are inadmissible in a court of law. Serial killer Ted Bundy passed it with flying colors. A person who was an emotional wreck may not even have a shot of passing, even if they were innocent.
4. Melinda Duckett was a divorsed, 21 year old single mom. She was in the middle of a horrific divorce and custody battle where both sides seemed to be as bad as the other. reports are that she had been laid off and was having money issues. Then her child goes missing. Then a long comes Nancy Grace with all the finesse and compassion in the world.
5. These are missing persons cases. For anyone who has experienced a child missing or been involved in a missing persons case, they are an emotional roller coaster nightmare. There has to be a certain amount of deference given when reporting and questioning. We all want the truth to come out; however, sometimes it has to come out in its own time.
6. What if Melinda Duckett was responsible for Trenton’s disappearance by accident or on purpose? What if it was only a matter of time before the right button was pressed and she confessed? What if in dealing with guilt and realizing what she had done she later still committed suicide? However, in doing so in her own terms she may have left a note as to what happened and where Trenton may be. Now, we will never know.
7. What if she is innocent and had emotional and mental issues that were pushed to the brink?
In the end what is the result of what was done in the Nancy Grace interview? Most likely people will not want to come on the show for fear of being attacked. That hardly serves Nancy Grace nor the spread of information of a missing person story. The media has effectively interjected themsleves into the case and become the story rather than reorting the story. That is the true tragedy … as Trenton Duckett is still missing.
The fact of the matter is that the media does serve a purpose and play a role in missing persons cases. Their job is to report and disseminate information to the public. There job is not to ambush, interrogate or prosecute a crime that they do not even know what may have taken place. It has been stated by Nancy Grace on a recent show that she was outraged that others would make money off of others pain. Well Nancy, what do you think you do for a job? There is a place for the media as long as it is a win-win situation.
Getting the word out on missing person cases is crucial. The more eyes the better. One never knows if they will spot a missing, abducted or exploited child. For that the media can make all the ad revenue they want. However, too many media outlets only covered the story of missing 2 year old Trenton Duckett after Melinda committed suicide. What is that about?
Its not about the media … its about TRENTON DUCKETT.
HELP FIND TRENTON DUCKETT. Pray that he is found safe.
Excellent interpretation. Nancy Grace is an absolute disgrace to CNN. After reviewing the transcript for the “Melinda” interview, it seems the father and Nancy Grace had an agenda set for this mother. Melinda’s comments
seem to be from someone under “severe stress”. My goodness, look at how much she had on her plate -loss of her child, divorce, custody, loss of job, etc…-and to be grilled by someone as insensitive and self serving as Nancy Grace…that would be more than most could take. The news media relies on sensationalism and second guessing to bring us to the tube for a daily dose of “what’s up?” and at no time give consideration to the lives distroyed or the consequences of bad reporting. I hope Trenton is found and I am sure he will miss his mother.
Comment by Deborah | September 14, 2006
Thank you for the story on Trenton Duckett and Nancy Grace. I happened to see that interview and I found it appauling. But then again, I find Nancy Grace appauling. I was channel surfing or I never would have landed on her show.
Please keep the pressure on. Nancy has to be stopped. Her in-your-face badgering does no one any good. And she does it for ratings. That’s the tragedy. I can’t believe 500,000 some odd people watch her.
I heard she was fired from her real job as a lawyer. If so, did it have anything to do with her badgering, etc.?
Sincerely,
A
Comment by ann | September 14, 2006
Yes, I do believe NG was probably harsh on Melinda. If Melinda didn’t like the questioning then she could have hung the phone up at the beginning. If her divorce attorney advised her not to say anything or take a polygraph then she should have advised her not to go to any talk shows especially NG. I’m sure this divorce attorney has heard of NG if not then she should have researcher her because of the way NG operates and a fine job she does I may add. NG is not responsible for Melinda’s actions only Melinda was. This show was for finding Trenton not to determine how fragile Melinda was.
_______
SM: I really hate to burst your bubble, but these shows are to get ratings first, not find people. If they truly cared they would delve into deeper issues of the people then just asking direct in your face questions. BTW, when was the last time a 24-7 cable show solved a missing person case live on TV? Their purpose is to put forth the story in hopes people will watch, maybe rember seeing something and then leaving a tip with authorities.
You are right in that Melinda is responsible for her own actions … so is Nancy Grace.
R
Comment by tkwb1961 | September 14, 2006
You’re absolutely right! Everyone take the focus off Nancy and put it on Trenton, he is all that matters right now. Let us pray.
Comment by CMC78 | September 15, 2006
I believe Nancy Grace was and continues to be way out of line. The term “innocent until proven guilty” is something Nancy F’n Grace needs to learn. I’m so sick of listening to her badgering when she doesnt have all the facts. She has no idea what happened and has no info the public wouldnt have as she’s not involved in the case. This washed up ex lawyer should be taken off the air as soon as possible. If a radio host ever badgered someone like that and they killed themselves the following day, you can bet you bottom dollar they would be taken off the air for good. So should Nancy Grace; she does nothing positive for the media but degrade it even more. Get her a** off the air!
Comment by Brian | September 15, 2006
I am very sorry but I must speak my opion . I don`t like speaking of the dead no matter who they are and I am sorry if someday the family of Melinda reads this and is hurt by my words . My heart does go out to them for the loss of their grand child and more important the pain they must be going through not knowing what happened to that sweet baby and my prayers are with them and I hope they do find that beautiful baby safe and unharmed . I do however want to speak my mind about this whole idea of Nance Grace being to blame or the media being to blame for Melinda taking her own life that is wrong . Melinda oviousley had serious problems of her own that drove her to do such a thing but most important Melinda was very very selfish to take her own life and to do so while her baby was missing .. most normal people would want to stay alive no matter how crazy it drove them the not knowing to see what happened to their baby if they would be alive retuned in the next min or whatever she did not and I believe that she must of did something to him her self that she could not live with her self . I assure you the Media is not to blame . I can tell you she should of been more than happy to give a time line or answer any questions that was put on her by Nancy Grace or anyone else because she is lucky they even made time for her or Trenton1s picture to be shown on T.V at all the media can do wonders and save lives when it comes to missing children and so many that well deserve the medias time and attention to find a loved one a missing child does not get that time and I am sure if they did more could of been found . Melinda was selfish she was selfish to do that to her self and to her family and child and she was even more selfish to blow her brains out at her grand parents home for someone to have to clean up that mess really upsets me . I never write but I felt that I needed to this time . I watched the interview on Nancy Grace that night and believe me I have saw Nancy be much harder on others . Also, if Melinda thought she was being so hard on her she sure did not sound like it there wasn`t a quiver or emotion in her voice . I know everyone is not the same but I will say If I did nothing wrong and someone was trying to put the blame on me I would not kill myself I would stand up stright and say it or not I would think “” ****”" I will show you ! Any body normal would have ..so don`t try to blame the media or Nancy Grace that is a crock and a cowards way out just like Melinda took . I hope the police finds Trenton . I hope he is safe and sound but god forbid if something is wrong and Melinda had anything to do with it I hope that the truth will come out . I hope the police do everything they can and don`t just let this go cold . Trenton deserves the truth to be known . Thank you for letting me speak my mind .
Tammy pcb , fl
Comment by Tammy Storey | September 15, 2006
It is always rational to think that every one acts and behaves in calm and reasonable way. We do not care to believe that so much of our actions are emotional. We are an emotional, judgemental, jumping to conclusion kinda of people. There is no doubt in my in mind that Nancy is a true Catch-U-Next-Tuesday kinda person, and hiding behind a veil of victims rights is laughable.
Anyone one who gets pointed as a killer probable would go into an irriational state if such person is innocent. If you are a minority even so much more. Where where her adopted so called parents? Rather than to think she was selfish, think rather that she was cornered, accussed desperate and in pain. Questions are where are her parents? Why hasn’t the police done a better job in keeping her reassured and in the loop? Why aren’t there helpful citizen to help her cook or keep her company since its logical to think that any person who loses a loved they become suicidal themselves…Think it through!
Comment by Compananzi | September 16, 2006
” Trenton Duckett Missing: Did the Media and Nancy Grace Push Melinda Duckett Over the Edge to Suicide? “Yes, Nancy “Disgrace” absolutely played a significant role and should be held accountable. Nancy “Disgrace” has blood on her hands. Shame on CNN for unleashing this bulldog on this crisis situation which should have been referred to the appropriate professional not for a ratings boost. CNN should pull a Trump card on Nancy: You’re fired!
Comment by Kenny | September 16, 2006
I just want to say my heart goes out to Joshua & family who are now searching and praying for their boy, little Trenton. As a young mother i coudnt imagion doing anything to my son, that in my opinion Melinda did to hers.. I have a job, i attend school and i have a 14 month old son, and im 17 and i couldnt ever do something so horrible, i believe she was to calm and to go get her hair dyed while her son was missing, cmon.
Comment by Amanda | September 18, 2006
I am disappointed at the Monkees this time. I love this site, read it every day since the terrific coverage of the Natalee case, quite possibly our most famous missing person. And here we are criticizing Nancy, a great proponent of solving missing person cases, when at the same time the same people who find this line of questioning wrong scream at the Netherlands authorities for NOT asking questions like these?
Melinda’s responses were unlike any mother’s of a missing child. She was intentionally evasive. Nancy asked the questions we wanted to hear. I suggest you look at Melinda, and not attack one of our best media allies for missing persons.
_________
Jim,
You are really missing the point. You actually contradicted yourself in your comment.
Just because Nancy Gracy is a Missing Person’s advicate does not give her carte blanche and free rhein to act irresponsibe. If anything, we are tougher on our own than “dirt bad judges” who refuse to give proper sentences to criminals as we have to be better.
You made the comment:
YES WE ARE. The key word in your sentence was “authorities”. The police should be questioning and interogating Melinda Duckett, not NG. Are we supposed to presume that they were not?
If you don’t believe me, maybe you will believe a former FBI Profiler:
Comment by Jim N. | September 18, 2006
Stop watching Nancy Disgrace. She is a cruel, heartless woman who doesn’t care about anything except ratings. Everyone is talking meanwhile her ratings continue to rise. Turn her OFF!
Comment by Disgusted | September 19, 2006
Nancy Grace and Diane Dimond are two of a kind. Both are biased and inaccurate in reporting. Both do more harm than good. Help to get them off the air, by signing this petition.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/419858296
Comment by Jean | September 22, 2006
Did Nancy Grace also go by Melinda Duckett’s apartment and throw away Trenton’s toys and pictures and paint the walls? Things got a little hot in the kitchen with Nancy Grace. Don’t dance with Nance if you can keep up with the steps!
Comment by Nancy Fan | September 24, 2006
Nancy is heroing the father of the missing child, oh no, he passed a polygraph, he is not guilty. Right! As a former prosecutor she is fully aware that a polygraph doesn’t mean crappola, it can’t be admitted in court and sure as hell doesn’t clear anyone of guilt. The child’s father is already on a “send donations” tour, to cover expenses via Sun Trust bank. Right!
I think the father of the missing boy has carte blanche given to him by Grace and the Mother has been rendered guilty by the police because Grace says she is guilty. Sad when a dead person becomes the suspect, indicted and convicted by a female judge Roy Bean who needs to be off the air. Her antics are now getting dangerous.
By the way, I don’t believe Melinda killed her child! I would also like to see a time frame of the daddy’s activities for the day the boy disappeared. And, submitting a non true report to authorities to get Daddy from having custody of the son is not abnormal in tough child custody cases.Grace knows this also. Most Mothers fight like lions to keep their children, Melinda was no different.
Comment by Bleu | September 25, 2006
Yes, Nancy Grace is sometimes very harsh even with her own guests, rude and do not let them even talk if she does not hear what she wants to hear. But she should not be blamed for Melinda’s actions, she is the one that made her son dissappear, there is no other explanation. I sadly believe the little boy is in heaven, too many days have passed and not a clue of his whereabouts. His mother was all screwed up in her head, too busy thinking of ways to take revenge on her husband, too full of hate, not to defend the man, but he had not seen his boy since June.
It takes more than a telephone interrogation to commit suicide, Melinda could have always hang up the phone. People have walked off TV stages when the questioning was not of their taste.
Yes, I think Nancy grace overdid it, she acted like a prosecutor badgering the witness, without no one to object, no judge to warn her, but Melinda chose to go to that show to complete her performance, sorry to say, to try to cover up that she was responsible for her son’s dissappearance and point the investigation towards her husband, whom evidently she hated so much.
Let us just hope and pray that Trenton is with family somewhere, Melinda is from Asian heritage evidently, perhaps the little boy is in Asia somewhere? Has anyone investigated Melinda’s roots? Are her grandparents Asian also? the adopted parents? Where does she really come from?
My humble opinion. Nancy Grace is harsh at times, but she is not responsible for Melinda’s actions, from beginning to end.
Comment by Oneyka | September 25, 2006
Ok, I do not think that Nancy Grace pushed her over her limits. They were simple questions that she should have answerd where was she the day disapeared. The investigators would ask me and my family what we were doing where we were who we were with ect. That is how it works.If she didn’t have anything to hide then she would have cooperate. Any mother would. Why wouldn’t she ? Did the stress that she was hiding her son somewhere or even worse get to her??? I do not think that Nancy Grace pushed her to commit suicide no way.. If my little boy was missing A. I would be voluntering info, B. I would definitly not shoot myself after a interview with someone that was harah and baggering she oviously had severe mental issues or no care for her son or family if her son is out there he will be growing up without his mother how horrible is that. I just hope that he’s alive and with people that love him I hope we find him soon. So much more about this then the whole Nancy Grace thing I mean Melinda is the prime suspect now.. Nancy Grace wasn’t that far off.. And the police said that they could have arrested Melinda but, chose not to b/c they wanted to see if she would corporate..
Sarah Central FL
Comment by Sarah Pitt | September 27, 2006
Open your eyes. She murdered her child and then took her own life. It’s obvious.
Comment by Nate | October 15, 2006
Melinda Duckett put the gun to her own head, no one but no one made her do it. She would not have even been on the Nancy Grace show if she didn’t do something to her OWN son. Melinda was already found out and the police were about to arrest her “THAT IS WHY SHE OFFED HERSELF”. Nothing at all to do with Nancy Grace. Nancy grace is about the only one who is ALL for the victims and all of you that want to see her fired is probably because you all are criminals at heart and she is stepping on your and those scum defense lawyers toes. They are the ones that should be fired
Comment by Joanne | December 15, 2006