Stephen Nichols, also known as Stephen Earl Nichols, was born on February 19, 1951, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. Rumors of a relationship between Nichols and Casto's sister have been swirling for several years, but this is the first time that he has confirmed them. Prosecution aims to prove Casto death was no accident, Stephen Nichols on his freedom and family. Nichols stood on the cliff's edge, then took a step back. In November 2003, Stephen was still married to his ex, an American woman, and living in China for the first time when his spouse accused him of trying to suffocate her and throw her over the railing of their eighth floor apartment. Nichols, then a 30-year-old day trader in Portland, Oregon, soon began tutoring Casto, who was taking college courses, and their relationship escalated. So both Nichols and Rhonda had each taken out a $1 million policy on the other. The wrenching drama tells the story of a callous young actor's life-changing wake-up call while researching a role as a transgender woman. Happy 70th Birthday Richard Thompson; Happy 60th Birthday Kate Bush; Nick Drake; 21 Years Ago Today Peter Van Sant: Did you have sex with her? Using insurance, and then four months later she's dead. And she loved playing with jewelry, just like Rhonda did. Course not. The plan was for Casto, a 23-year-old aspiring model, to walk the popular Eagle Creek Trail along Oregons Columbia River Gorge accompanied by her boyfriend, Steve Nichols. What you're saying is she jumped. They never even brought it up, suicide. A Hood River County judge had ruled the February 2015 statement inadmissible, but the state appealed to the higher court, and lost. Colburn says Rhonda learned that Nichols was having sex with Melanie. And then yeah, that's when they arrested me. It's a story "48 Hours" has been following since 2015. Stephen Nichols: We wouldn't argue at all. Best MatchPowered by Whitepages Premium Stephen Guerard Nichols Arlington, VA AGE 60s AGE 60s Stephen Guerard Nichols Stephen Nichols: We were both holding onto each other's clothing, and we were both yelling. Mike Arnold: I'm very excited to see Steve for the first time outside in the fresh air. Mike Arnold: It's still a long fight ahead. But really, when it comes down to it, I miss my daughter. Stephen Nichols: We planned on getting married in the summer. snowrunner unable to establish connection with the host. Stephen Nichols: We made it a pact that we would hike 20 or 25 of the top trails in Oregon. Stephen Nichols: I had actually proposed to her right before I came back to America. Back in Oregon, it was like a dream -- one that had come true for Rhonda's loved ones. Stephen Nichols: I can say this with being with so many American women, Chinese women -- all-inclusive -- are better partners. It's just the way I deal with pain. The most shady character seems to be her mother, but that doesnt mean he did not do it. And Julia Simmons claims Rhonda made a chilling statement to her just before the hike. For months following his February 2015 arrest for murder, Stephen Nichols faced pretrial hearings on a slew of issues from evidence to motive -- including whether there should even be a trial since the defense considers Rhonda Casto's death an accident. Occams razor. Stephen Nichols: It's all hypothetical, because I'm telling people, you know, think -- think outside the box. Stephen Nichols: I'm not going to comment on that. 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?". 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. I made my way back to the car and called 911.'. I cant tell if he is lying. Mike Arnold [in court]: It is something that obviously is titillating and interesting. 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--. He's too narcissistic, egotistical, sociopath. Peter Van Sant: This plea deal, is it justice to you? Nichols later alleged that Casto had been high on marijuana and prescription drugs while on the hike. Money-wise he treated her like a princess., But, Sconce says, the relationship was tumultuous.. Stephen Nichols, Patch and Kayla, Days of Our Lives, Patch and Kayla's Wedding, Around the World in 80 Days, Pierce Brosnan, Matlock, Andy Griffith, The Young and the Restless, Tucker McCall, Witchboard, Robert Picardo What Nichols didn't know is that the entire time he was out of the country, investigators stayed on Rhonda's case and Simmons stayed on theirs. Stephen Nichols: No. She would be emotionally and mentally abused, and possibly physical. After having her baby, Rhonda gained a little weight and wanted to lose it, said Nichols, so he suggested they go hiking. And on the eve of his trial, a defiant Nichols is convinced there will be many more happy days ahead. For defense attorney Mike Arnold, representing Stephen Nichols gives new meaning to the phrase "full-time job.". Julia Simmons: He did try to push his wife over a balcony in China. 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. Edwin Somarriba passed away peacefully at 94 years old after a brief illness on Saturday, October 8, 2022 in Castro Valley, CA. Julia Simmons: I think she was attracted not so much to his looks, but to his his -- what he had. Nichols packed up and headed to Wuxi, about 75 miles from Shanghai. Peter Van Sant: Did you put Rhonda out of misery that day? In March 2009, Casto, 23, was hiking with Nichols on a trail in the Columbia River Gorge when she fell 100 feet to her death. Stephen Nichols: I'm alone about 99 percent of the time. 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. You are putting someone out of their misery that essentially has zero chance of survival. I said, "No." Judge John Wolf: What is your plea to the charge of criminally negligent homicide? Right after uttering those haunting words, Rhonda set out on the Eagle Creek Trail along Oregon's Columbia River Gorge, where she died hours later on May 16, 2009. Jessica Colburn: She was so happy that he was finally planning something. 'She was going to move out, but she was trying to get up the courage to do it,' Simmons said. Nichols would spend the next 14 months in jail awaiting trial. Nichols says Landy became like a mother to his daughter. Jessica Colburn: No. 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. Saturday night's episode, entitled "Trail Of Tears ," will retrace Rhonda Casto's steps as she went hiking with her boyfriend, Stephen Nichols, on the rocky trails at a popular Oregon destination seven years ago. Rhonda told her mom about going on the hike, "He's either gonna give me a ring or he's gonna throw me off the cliff." When asked presented with the idea that Nichols killed one sister to be with the other, he responded: 'Well you can believe whatever you want. Stephen Nichols: You'll be amazed at what you're willing to sign to stay out of prison. 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. Travel chaos expected at the Port of Dover because FRENCH workers are taking part in a 'National Day of Bad news, men 'winter penis' might be real after all, doctors say. Lived In Hayward CA, South San Francisco CA, Menlo Park CA, Redwood City CA. Stephen Nichols: She's beautiful, of course. By sharing her insights on human behavior, deception and the truth. Judge John Olsen: To that charge, what's your plea? Three months after Stephen Nichols' arrest in 2015, his attorney, Mike Arnold, took his own investigative team up the Eagle Creek Trail where, he believes, Rhonda Casto slipped and fell to her death. In fact, just after his arrest for murder, Nichols was indicted on two counts of third-degree rape and three counts of third-degree sodomy for allegedly having sexual relations with an underage Melanie back in 2005. My name is Rhonda.". Rhonda Casto, the single mother who died after falling from a cliff while hiking, is the newest topic of CBS' 48 Hours. Judge John Olsen: To that charge, what's your plea?. I dont believe her friends either when they say he threatened to kill her. Julia Simmons: She would not be a normal child. Peter Van Sant: Well, you brought this up. When she says Rhonda said/did one thing that Stephen disagrees with, I believe she is the one who is lying and hes being truthful. We'll just start crossing 'em off the list. He claims that didn't happen, but something else did. He is appealing that decision. Home; About; News. It said thered been four deaths in a 6 month period on that trail. 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. He played the part of Steve Johnson (Patch) on the soap opera Days of Our Lives from 1985-90; after that, he had a stint on General Hospital as Stefan Cassadine from 1996-03. Who is Scott Reeves married to? Relief for homebuyers as bill slashing Stamp Duty until 2025 is passed by the Lords and will become law. He's just said that to get sympathy. Melanie Casto. Love the hike, this is one of the happiest days of my life. ", The fall was initially ruled an accident, then in 2015 Nichols, 42, was charged with murder, recalls the Daily Mail. And oh yes, he is guilty as sin. Stephen Nichols: We were planning on getting married both in America and China to make it official. If it was simply for loneliness he cldve had a friend move in, not some strange lady hed never met. Julia Simmons: Yeah, right. After Rhonda went off the trail, Nichols says he hiked down the deep ravine. He was arrested over . Stephen says: No I did not. Figures and Tables. Stephen Earl Nichols (born February 19, 1951) is an American actor, recognized for his roles on American daytime soap operas. But Jessica Colburn says Rhonda told her about only one planned hike. Stephen Nichols: I can say this with being with so many American women, Chinese women -- all-inclusive -- are better partners. Stephen Nichols: I hate all the suicide questions. Stephen Nichols: I had been there before. Carrie Rasmussen [in court]: For years, the District Attorney's Office has believed that Mr. Nichols is responsible for the death of Rhonda Casto. Stephen Nichols: She asked me if anything ever happened to her would I promise to take care of her daughter. But investigators believe there really was a relationship between Nichols and Melanie, one that continued on and off for four years, right up to that fateful last hike. I was looking for a place, a room to rent. I just dont understand how they can try him. Renee Ellory has written this blog since 2006, dedicating her free time to help others understand people. Nichols may have had a million reasons to keep suicide a secret. Nichols has denied any responsibility for Castos death. 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