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Sean ‘Diddy' Combs trial: Cassie Ventura's mother, a federal agent and an exotic dancer testify

Sean ‘Diddy' Combs trial: Cassie Ventura's mother, a federal agent and an exotic dancer testify

NBC News20-05-2025

Where the sex trafficking trial stands
David James, Combs' former personal assistant, took the witness stand today, followed by Cassie Ventura's mother, Regina Ventura, and a male exotic dancer Sharay Hayes, whose nickname is "The Punisher."
Regina Ventura said she documented her daughter's bruises, allegedly received at the hands of Combs; once called police on Combs when he took Ventura's phone; and that Combs demanded $20,000 in exchange for sex tapes with Ventura on them. The money was later returned, she said.
The government is expected to call Combs' former chef, Jourdan Atkinson, to the stand today.
Combs faces five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has vociferously denied the allegations against him.
This live briefing may include graphic descriptions of sexual violence. For resources on sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline.
Sign up for the ' Diddy on Trial ' newsletter for key developments and analysis, and listen to Dateline's nightly podcast.
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Agent walks jury through Combs' Miami property raid
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
Prosecutors brought up photos of Combs' Star Island home as Special Agent Gerard Gannon explained how agents executed search warrants on the Miami property.
He told the court the property's extensive size required dozens of people to search the 20,000-square-foot home. He noted that agents cleared the house and were assigned in teams of two to search each room.
Photographers were taking photos of items before they were bagged with a description of each item and where it was found. Gannon said it was his job to compile an itemized list and that he went through every piece of evidence to break it down into categories.
Prosecutors push back on Ventura's emotions during sex scenes
Adam Reiss and Doha Madani
In a brief redirect, Hayes was asked more about Ventura's time during their sex scenes with Combs.
Prosecutor Meredith Foster asked about the one time Ventura appeared to enjoy herself but also asked Hayes about the other times where she would apparently wince and sigh. Foster asked whether Ventura's focus was on Combs.
Hayes said that there was a consistent awareness to Combs and his perception and his desires of the moment.
Hayes then left the witness stand.
Ventura appeared to be a willing player in sex scenes, stripper says
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
In a dozen or so sexual performances, Hayes never had the sense Ventura was uncomfortable with it all, he testified.
The sex worker agreed with defense attorney Xavier Donaldson's leading questions that Ventura wasn't in any "discomfort" while performing in front of Combs.
He said it seemed like it was consensual, agreeing with Donaldson's description of Combs as a director of the scenes.
Police called over Combs' chef being fired in 2008, records show
Maite Amorebieta
David James, Combs' former personal assistant, testified earlier today that the mogul once asked him to file a police report alleging Combs' personal chef assaulted him.
James told the court he didn't do it because he didn't want to make a "false report." The incident occurred in Alpine, New Jersey, according to James, but a date was not given.
Records of 911 calls to Combs' former Alpine residence obtained by NBC News show that police were called March 22, 2008, over an issue with Combs' personal chef. It's unclear if this was the same incident James was referring to when he didn't file a report.
A man named David James told police the chef was fired and left upset but "stated that there were no threats" made by her, according to the report. Police advised Combs and James that it was a civil matter.
"Mr. Combs was satisfied and just wanted to make this a matter of record due to his celebrity status," the report said.
'The Punisher' says he was hired up to a dozen times
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
The first encounter with Ventura and Combs led to a healthy tip and more gigs, Hayes said.
She said thank you and was handed more money, which he counted in the elevator and realized it was $1,200," Hayes said of that first encounter at Trump Tower, adding that he now knows one of his clients was Sean Combs.
In total, Hayes estimated he performed for the couple from eight to a dozen times.
He said he was called to the first rendezvous by a woman who called herself "Janet," but it didn't take long for him to realize who his clients were — one of the biggest names in the music industry and his well-known girlfriend.
Hayes said he eventually saw Combs' face and that Combs wore a baseball cap, adding that he is a fan of the rapper and follows him on Instagram.
Hayes said he got the nickname 'The Punisher' as a teenager because of his prowess on the basketball court.
Cassie's parents depart Manhattan federal court
Regina Ventura and Rodrick Ventura, left, parents of Cassie Ventura, today in New York City.
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Male stripper chronicles first sexual encounter with Ventura, Combs
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
The male stripper nicknamed "The Punisher" said he was paid $800 to create a "sexy scene" for Combs and Ventura, all while keeping eyes off the music mogul.
Hayes said he was called to a Trump Tower hotel suite in the fall of 2012, and was greeted at the door by Cassie "wearing a bathrobe and nothing on underneath and she had a wig."
He was handed a "sack of money" with $800 inside as Ventura told him to "create a sexy scene of me and her applying baby oil on each other and create a sexy environment that her husband would come up on," the witness said.
She told Hayes not to acknowledge Combs, try not to look at him and have no communication with him, he said.
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Defense declines to cross-examine Regina Ventura
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Defense attorneys chose not to cross-examine Cassie Ventura's mother, Regina Ventura, allowing her damaging testimony to stand uncontested.
Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said, "I do not have any questions for you."
Regina Ventura's testimony about Combs threatening her daughter over a sex tape and abuse was left uncontested.
Cassie's mom called police after Combs took her daughter's phone, she says
Regina Ventura once called the police on Combs after her daughter, Cassie, told her that Combs had taken her phone.
Ventura testified that she had a bitter argument outside her daughter's apartment building as she tried to get the phone back. Ventura was inside her apartment at the time, she said.
She said she was trying to hit Combs but was unsuccessful.
Eventually, Regina Ventura said Combs gave the phone back and took her daughter's car as he left.
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Ventura's mother says she documented her daughter's injuries
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Regina Ventura said she took photos of her bruised daughter in late 2011 to make a record of the alleged beatings at the hands of Combs, Cassie Ventura's boyfriend at the time.
The mother said her daughter was bruised, and the photos were taken that December.
Ventura's mom says Combs wanted $20K for her daughter's sex tape
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Adam Reiss, Chloe Melas and Doha Madani
Prosecutors revisited an email Ventura sent to her mother in December 2011 that said Combs threatened to release explicit videos of Ventura after he learned she was dating Kid Cudi.
Regina Ventura said she was physically sick and didn't understand what was going on but Combs was trying to hurt her daughter.
She testified that Combs wanted $20,000 for the video. She said Combs was angry that he had spent money on Cassie Ventura and that she was with another person.
Regina Ventura said she took out a home equity loan to pay for it.
The money was returned to her several days later, she told the court.
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Ventura's mom, Regina Ventura, takes the stand
Combs' former personal assistant is finished testifying, and the government has called its next witness, Regina Ventura.
Ventura's mom has been sworn in and prosecutor Emily Johnson will begin the questioning.
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James said he did not follow Combs' order to report chef to police
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Combs didn't always get along with his former personal chef Jourdan Atkinson, James said.
After one physical confrontation between Combs and Atkinson in Alpine, New Jersey, Combs asked James to report Atkinson to police, James said.
But James said he didn't file it because he didn't want to make a false report, yet he told Combs that he did it.
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Defense pushes James on altercation with Combs' personal chef
David James testified to an argument that turned physical between himself and Combs' chef, after which Combs' told James couldn't put his hands on a woman.
James told the court he was in Miami in Combs' kitchen when the chef told him how to do his job. The former assistant admitted to grabbing her wrists and telling her to stay in her lane.
James said Combs heard about it and called him into his room. He said he told Combs what happened, and Combs told James he couldn't put his hands on a woman.
It was one of two occasions when Combs warned James that he could be fired, James testified. The other time was when James smoked marijuana, he said.
Witness testifies with protection, though no crime is apparent
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
James disclosed he was testifying under an agreement with prosecutors, though there's been no evidence so far that he would need legal protection.
The defense has been pushing James to disclose any deals he might have made with prosecutors to testify, particularly about the "Mel's Diner incident" when Combs and his team allegedly armed themselves to look for rapper Suge Knight.
James said he had signed a proffer, a legal agreement that generally protects witnesses from prosecution for what they say on the witness stand.
But so far, there's been no evidence any crime was committed against Knight by Combs' team on the early morning trip to Mel's Diner in Los Angeles that would indicate James needs protection from prosecutors.
Security worried Combs would be shot, James says
Combs' security detail often included a second car when the rap mogul was traveling, David James said, as his team was "suspicious" of anyone "pulling up on him to shoot him."
James testified that people often would try to touch Combs or ask for his autograph, which his former boss wouldn't sign. He said staff would sign items and send them out on Combs' behalf.
He said he didn't think "gracious" was a word he would use to describe Combs.
The security detail would also tell James something to the effect of, "You know what rhymes with tired? Fired." Though James said he admitted to Combs he was tired once after running a red light, but James did not get fired for it.
The 'mundane' is appreciated in this courtroom
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
In a trial filled with lurid and disturbing details of sexual abuse, the promise of "mundane" questions was welcomed in the courtroom.
In his cross-examination of James, defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo told the witness that he had few more mundane questions.
James answered that he likes mundane questions, drawing laughter from the gallery.
James recalled how much he admired Combs and his desire to work for him.
James said he wore Combs clothing line Sean John, and when he was studying in London in 2004, people would come up to him and ask where he got his clothing. He said that made him understand Combs' global reach and his brand and made him want to work for him because Combs was successful and self-made, and he admired Combs' marketing skills.
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Cross-examination pushes deeper into Suge Knight incident
Diddy's defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, took over David James' cross-examination. He started by asking James why he didn't provide more details on the Suge Knight incident.
James responded that the story stopped because he was instructed not to say anything that would incriminate himself. Agnifilo asked about a prior statement in which James said he was inside the diner, but James said he didn't remember it.
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Suge Knight incident prompted assistant to quit
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
James said he was "shook" after seeing the desire by Combs' team to grab guns and confront Suge Knight at a Los Angeles diner in 2008.
The witness recalled an incident when the team was out getting a late snack at Mel's Drive-In when Combs' confidante D-Roc spotted the Death Row Records chief there and said, "That's mother f------ Suge Knight."
James said that Combs' team met up with the music mogul back at his house and he armed himself with three handguns to go and possibly confront Knight. The incident, James testified, is what prompted him to quit.
James said he was shaken and that it was the first time as his assistant that he realized his life was in danger. He said he told Combs' team that he wanted to leave his job, but he would give them six months notice so he could train the next assistant.
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Combs kept video of assistant dancing at New Year's Eve party
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
James recalled how he once got high on ecstasy at a New Year's Eve party, and Combs allegedly kept a video of James dancing at the party.
James said Combs told him he would keep it in case Combs needed it in the future because it would embarrass James.
This minor detail could help prosecutors build their greater narrative that Combs allegedly used his business to control people in his sphere.
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Combs brought in FBI lie detector specialist to question assistant, James said
Combs brought in a lie detector test and conducted it on James at least twice while James worked as his assistant.
James told the court that in his first year working for Combs, some money went missing and Combs had a former FBI agent who specialized in polygraphs to interview him.
He said it was intimidating because he had never taken a lie detector test before.
He added that the second time he took a lie detector test was after a watch went missing. James also testified that Combs' security searched his clothes and drawers when a Cartier bracelet went missing.
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Former assistant saw Ventura in hotel bed and a stranger while Combs showered
David James testified that he walked into a hotel room to deliver items for Combs when he saw Ventura in a hotel bed with a man he did not know in the room.
The former assistant said he was in Miami in 2008 when Combs requested James bring his iPad to the couple's hotel room. When no one answered, James testified that he used his key to let himself in.
James said he saw Ventura apparently sleeping with a comforter pulled up to her neck while Combs was in the shower. He testified he saw a man with long hair walk across the room.
James said he never spoke to Ventura or Combs about it and that he never had conversations with them about their personal affairs.
Standard overnight bag in Combs world: $10,000 cash and Viagra
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
James told jurors that Combs didn't travel light and had a long laundry list of items to be packed in his overnight bags.
The music mogul's Louis Vuitton regularly carried $10,000 in cash "and sometimes much more," James said.
Combs' medicine bag included 25 to 30 undisclosed pill bottles along with Advil, Tylenol, Viagra, "pills to increase sperm count," and water pills, James said. He later added that Percocet and ecstasy were in the medicine bag and that he witnessed Combs taking them.
The witness also said he was instructed to buy baby oil, Astroglide and condoms for trips in cash so that Combs could reimburse him, personally, off the company books.
James said Combs searched his computer history for a blog post on Ventura abuse
David James said he didn't witness any physical violence between Combs and his former girlfriend, but testified that he did see a blog post alleging that Combs hit Ventura at a club.
Combs allegedly searched James' computer history and became upset, telling James that someone was lying. The former assistant called it "jarring" because Combs had never searched his computer history before.
James looked for the post, he said, because Ventura had been staying at the London hotel for a week and he was tasked with bringing her food. But Combs' personal staff was the one answering the door.
He said he was surprised because he was expecting to see Cassie, who usually answered the door.
Ventura testified last week that Combs put her up in the London hotel after allegedly attacking her in the back of a car while leaving an event. She told the court that she didn't feel as if she could leave and that Combs' security was present.
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David James and attorneys arrive at court
David James, Combs' former personal assistant who will testify today, was seen arriving at court shortly after 8 a.m.
Other arrivals this morning include attorneys for Combs: Anna Estevao, Xavier Donaldson, Alexandra Shapiro, Teny Geragos, and Brian Steel.
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Here's a recap of yesterday's testimony
Erik Ortiz and Marlene Lenthang
Three witnesses testified yesterday on how Combs appeared to control Cassie.
The witnesses were: Dawn Richard, a singer in Combs' former girl group Danity Kane, Ventura's former best friend Kerry Morgan, and David James, a personal assistant who worked for Combs from 2007 to 2009.
Richard recalled how Combs would allegedly punch and choke Cassie. Morgan testified that she witnessed Combs assault Cassie twice, once in Jamaica and once in Los Angeles. Morgan also testified that Combs assaulted her in Cassie's home, leading to a falling out between Morgan and Cassie. James testified that Ventura told him Combs controlled her career and money.
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David James' testimony to continue this morning
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
The seventh day of testimony in Sean Combs' trial should start with continued questioning for his former personal assistant, David James.
James gave compelling testimony yesterday, vividly recalling details of his two-year stint at Combs' side.
The witness was emotional at times, shedding tears as he described some of the better days and more rocky times Combs and Cassie enjoyed.
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Sharing their front-row seat to Combs and Cassie's life
Adam Reiss and David K. Li
Jurors will get a more insider's look at the luxurious — and often tumultuous — lifestyle Combs led with Cassie Ventura.
After James' testimony, the government is expected to call three witnesses today: Sharay Hayes, Regina Ventura and Jourdan Atkinson.
Hayes is an exotic dancer known as 'The Punisher,' while Regina Ventura is Ventura's mother, and Atkinson once worked as a personal chef for Combs.
Last week, Cassie described how Combs directed her to hire male sex workers to take part in 'freak offs,' often long and drug-fueled orgies choreographed by the defendant who watched in the same room.
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Now with Danielle missing, she was more worried for her daughter's safety and she didn't trust Scott. Scott did go to the New Jersey State Police to report Danielle missing. And days later, he was arrested — but not for Danielle's disappearance. He is currently serving prison time on drug and theft convictions. Josh Mankiewicz: 'You think he had something to do with this, and you think he knows more than he's telling.' Sue Quackenbush: 'I've written to him in – in jail asking can I come see him, 'cause I know I could look in his eyes and know in two seconds. It's no proof, but I would know as a mom. I absolutely believe he knows or directly has something to do with it.' We also wrote to Scott. In an email to Dateline, Scott said he has been devastated by Danielle's disappearance and wants answers himself. He said he was not at the campsite the night Danielle went missing, and when he returned the next morning, she was gone. He insists police should be looking at someone else: a man who was camping near Scott and Danielle. In fact, Sue says Danielle had complained to her about that same man. Danielle told Sue that man would bother her when Scott was not around. And Sue says Roscoe, Danielle's pit bull, was himself a barrier between Danielle and anyone who might have wanted to harm her. Sue Quackenbush: 'Roscoe was truly Danielle's life. She spent a majority of her time with that dog because she could – she could trust him. Roscoe was older. He had to be put down a month before. I do think that Roscoe protected Danielle.' Sue had to wonder: Could that nearby camper have noticed Roscoe was gone, and seen that as an opportunity? It is a question Sue still cannot answer, even as she learned a lot more about Danielle's movements before she went missing. Months after Danielle was last seen, investigators got another big break. A man contacted police saying he had seen Danielle on the evening of April 13th, hours after she left the Wawa gas station. Here's Sergeant Labriola. Det. Sgt. Ryan Labriola: 'She was seen alive around 6 p.m. on April 13th. That was the last time she was on video by these two civilians that were just driving down the road.' And the State Police did not have to take the man's word for it, because he's a blogger and freelance photographer, and he recorded the interaction on video. Danielle Lopez: 'I was looking at the trees and I got distracted, and by the time I realized I was in a big puddle.' That's Danielle on the day police believe she went missing. Danielle Lopez: 'I was like, 'S---.' And it was fine until I put it in drive...' Man filming: 'Oh, no.' Danielle Lopez: 'Um, is there –? What do I do?' The portions of the video that were posted online show Danielle walking down Lost Lane — that same dirt road where her car would later be found. She asks the man recording for help because, she says, her car is partially submerged in mud about a mile down the road. Sue Quackenbush: 'She tells them, 'What do I do?' Which is – is asking for help, especially from a young girl who isn't that trusting of people any longer. She – she says, 'What do I do?'' Josh Mankiewicz: 'And they start talking about how they don't have any way to tow her out of there, but they don't say, 'Get in.'' Sue Quackenbush: 'No. No. She asked if they could push her. They said no. She said, 'Then I'm just going to keep going, I guess,' as you probably hear.' Danielle Lopez: 'I just walked and it took me like 20 minutes. I was just gonna keep going that way.' Man filming: 'I mean, like, the road is right there, but—.' Danielle: 'All right, I was just gonna wait there.' Sue Quackenbush: 'And they pointed her in the direction of the road.' That was April 13th at 6 p.m. According to New Jersey State Police, that is the last time anyone saw or spoke with Danielle Lopez. She was walking toward the main road. There's no way to know if she made it there or not. After that brief moment of hope, Sue still had no real answers. Police continued to actively search for Danielle to no avail. And then one evening, while watching TV, Sue was inspired to take the investigation into her own hands. Sue Quackenbush: 'I saw one of your — your Dateline episodes, where there was a private investigator and I contacted that private investigator to see what they could guide me with. And she said she couldn't help me but was I aware of CUE? So I contacted Monica Caison immediately.' Monica Caison: 'We began in 1994, in September. Basically, um, because I saw the families in need.' That is Monica Caison, founder of the nonprofit CUE, an acronym for Community United Effort. Monica Caison: 'So, that's when CUE was born — to basically be that liaison between families — with law enforcement, the community, bringing forth awareness and just basically doing whatever it took to bring that missing person home.' Josh Mankiewicz: 'Families who are looking for someone missing are in a different situation than families who are watching a homicide investigation progress, aren't they?' Monica Caison: 'Absolutely. Um, you're dealing with an unknown fate.' Sue says she is more than grateful for the care and support CUE has shown her, starting with the CUE coordinator assigned to Danielle's case, Lisa Valentino. Sue Quackenbush: 'Lisa has grown to be someone I can count on for support and guidance in the right direction. Sometimes it's when it's as simple as, 'I just can't breathe,' or 'What should I do?'' Lisa Valentino: 'I work with the families of CUE. I'm the New Jersey State outreach coordinator.' Now, I already know Lisa Valentino. Lisa knows what these families are going through, because she has been in their shoes. In fact, she is still in them today. Her sister, Allison Jackson Foy, vanished from North Carolina in 2006. I reported on that case for Dateline. Josh: 'Is it possible that if Allison had decided to walk away from her life that she wouldn't have told you?' Lisa: 'No way.' Lisa's sister Allison's remains were found nearly two years after she went missing. So far, no one has been arrested for her murder. Now Lisa volunteers at CUE in her home state of New Jersey. Josh Mankiewicz: 'In the case of someone who's missing, you don't know, and it can go on forever and you might never know.' Lisa Valentino: 'Right. And that's what I say to Sue all the time: The not knowing is the hardest part. It's –. I mean, I – I would like justice for my sister. I won't stop. But I'm at a different point: I know where my sister is.' Lisa took up Danielle's case in November 2024. Josh Mankiewicz: 'Everybody in New Jersey knows the Pine Barrens.' Lisa Valentino: 'Everybody in New Jersey knows the Pine Barrens.' Josh Mankiewicz: 'So what kind of place is that to people who haven't been there?' Lisa Valentino: 'Well, it's huge, first of all, and there's hundreds of people in and out of there on a daily basis. I know a lot of four-wheelers go out there, a lot of hikers go out there. And I also think if you don't know where you're going or have maps, or this and that, it could be very easy to get lost in, as well.' Josh Mankiewicz: 'Well, yeah, that's what I was gonna say. I mean, it's an easy — it's an easy place to get lost in, and it's also an easy place to go, if you don't want anybody to see what you're doing, whatever that is.' Lisa Valentino: 'That is correct.' The CUE Center offered a $5,000 reward for information that helps authorities find Danielle. Lisa and Monica have also helped to keep Danielle's name in the media. NBC Philadelphia: 'Shining above 295 in Burlington County is a picture of Danielle Lopez. That big smile that her mom says she is known for.' Josh Mankiewicz: 'You think this is a case where – where a billboard or a reward could make a difference?' Monica Caison: 'I believe that it always makes a difference. If the information is out there, it will bring someone forward, you know, to come forth and help law enforcement get to the next place to search.' As police and CUE continue their work, good Samaritans still sometimes show up and search for Danielle in the Pine Barrens. And out of nowhere, on March 16, 2025 — 11 months after Danielle vanished — one of those helping hands found something near the spot where Danielle was last seen. Sue Quackenbush: 'This article of clothing has not been there at all through any of those searches and was all of a sudden placed hanging from a tree.' During the spring of 2025, Sue Quackenbush learned a searcher had found women's underwear, bleached by the sun. It could have belonged to her daughter, Danielle. Josh Mankiewicz: 'And I guess there's – there's a chance that that might belong to her?' Sue Quackenbush: 'The area was searched very extensively by the police on foot and horseback and canines and marine units. But out in the forest where she was last seen, I placed her flyer on a memorial – some flowers and a flag. That area has been gone over by people that just hike those woods regularly and keep in touch with me. This article of clothing has not been there at all through any of those searches and was all of a sudden placed hanging from a tree.' Josh Mankiewicz: 'What do you make of that?' Sue Quackenbush: 'Could be absolutely nothing. I don't know what to make of it, but I — I have nothing to lose by trying to investigate every part of this that I can.' Sue says police have told her they do not have the resources to test every item of clothing found in the woods for DNA. When she heard that, she turned to an old friend whose nephew is a private investigator. Sue Quackenbush: 'He is going to have a lab that has agreed to — they're going to take my DNA swab to have it compared privately since the police wouldn't.' Private investigator Jimmy Ramsey has decided to do more than just that DNA test. He and his firm are taking on Danielle's case pro bono. Luckily for Sue, he knows New Jersey quite well. Ramsey spent decades of his law enforcement career there. Josh Mankiewicz: 'You had cases there before?' Jimmy Ramsey: 'Uh, as a cop, I worked in the south quite a bit — sure, down, you know, Atlantic City side of the Pine Barrens is more but, yeah, in the Pine Barrens, sure.' Josh Mankiewicz: 'So Danielle is not the first missing woman in the Pine Barrens.' Jimmy Ramsey: 'Absolutely not. No.' In April, Ramsey sent Sue's DNA swab and the underwear found in the woods to an independent lab for testing. He meets with Sue frequently to give her updates on the investigation. Josh Mankiewicz: 'Well, you know, Sue is convinced that her boyfriend, sort of, is either involved or knows more than he's saying. That make sense to you?' Jimmy Ramsey: 'You know, the first thing I did was look at his Facebook page and, man, it was – it was an alarming photograph of him with a – a blowtorch. And a quick Google search showed he had recently been caught up in a, uh, undercover operation selling methamphetamine. That world — the methamphetamine world in that area — is not great. And she was obviously not so much involved, I wouldn't say, but the people that she was with were involved with it.' Jimmy Ramsey also heard about the man camping near Danielle — the same one Danielle had complained to her mom about. So he tracked down that man and interviewed him. Ramsey said the man told him he was camping near Danielle and Scott for two weeks and he left the day Danielle disappeared — April 13th. Ramsey says he believes both that man and Scott know more than they're sharing with investigators. He specifically wonders why Scott waited nearly two weeks to report Danielle missing to police. Jimmy Ramsey: 'They're together every day and staying at that campsite together, so he would've been in day-to-day contact with her. To not report her for, you know, let's call it one day, maybe two days — but weeks out? I – I think that's a big red flag for me.' Danielle's boyfriend Scott told Dateline he did not report her missing in those early days because it was not out of the ordinary for Danielle to pick up and leave at times. He said he would do anything to help find Danielle and bring her home. Scott remains behind bars on those unrelated charges and is eligible for parole in January 2027. And Sue continues to search for her daughter. Josh Mankiewicz: 'There've been a lot of searches.' Sue Quackenbush: 'A lot of searches. Yes.' Josh Mankiewicz: 'And more than once, remains have been found, but not her.' Sue Quackenbush: 'Oh, no. I've gone through four different times. I can't even begin to tell you the anxiety around all of that.' Josh Mankiewicz: 'Because each time you think, 'This is it.'' Sue Quackenbush: 'But I just don't know what to think. Do I want it to be? Do I not want it to be? It's, um, there's no clear vision that way. But the law enforcement is very good about getting back to me as quickly as they can to let me know.' Sue Quackenbush has been through more than most of the people I meet — and that is saying a lot. Two of her children are gone. Her third is still missing. It is hard to think about taking advantage of someone in her position. That said, like many families of the missing, Sue has encountered her share of shady characters — people who claim to have information to share in exchange for money. Sue Quackenbush: 'I was scammed horribly in the beginning. They were quite detailed, very specific about how and what to do. And it wasn't until they started asking me for money that I went to the investigation, and they were aware of very similar, almost precise wording done to another missing person's family.' Josh Mankiewicz: 'Did you end up giving them any money?' Sue Quackenbush: 'No.' Josh Mankiewicz: 'No. You just had your hopes raised.' Sue Quackenbush: 'There's been a lot of ups and downs for me in the searches, waiting for them to occur, the scammers, the fake GoFundMes that have been set up that have nothing to do with me. It's still not going to be enough to — to take me down. I'm going to continue to try and find answers.' On April 13, 2025 — the one-year anniversary of Danielle's disappearance — Sue held a vigil for loved ones to gather and pray for Danielle's safe return. A local pastor gave the introduction. Pastor: 'I know for many of you, this is a very hard, hurtful, confusing time. And I thank you so much for coming together today to not only support Sue, to support one another, but to keep Danielle in our prayers.' Sue Quackenbush: 'Danielle sang 'Let There Be Peace on Earth' in the talent show at school. So I picked that song as we — we light candles and pray for answers.' In May of 2025, the DNA test results came back from the underwear found by that searcher in the woods. And they were inconclusive. According to the lab report, there was not enough DNA present on the underwear to confirm if it did, in fact, belong to Danielle. The New Jersey State Police say their investigation is open and active. They told Dateline they have interviewed dozens of people but, as of late last year, nothing viable came from those conversations. They have not named any suspects. Danielle Lopez is still a missing person. The CUE Center and private investigator Jimmy Ramsey also remain invested in solving Danielle's case. As Sue searches and hopes for leads, she tries to remember the good times she and Danielle had together and her daughter's big, bright smile. Sue Quackenbush: 'She's beautiful. She resembles me only in her dimples.' Josh Mankiewicz: 'There's a yellow ribbon around the tree outside your house.' Sue Quackenbush: 'That old song, Josh, you would know it — 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon If You Still Want Me.' Danielle would know – she knows that song. She's a singer. She loves songs. She would know. Yes. That will remain 'til there's answers.' Josh Mankiewicz: 'Looking at you today, I wonder how you keep going.' Sue Quackenbush: 'I need answers. I will not — I will stay well to fight for Danielle. I have a strong faith, and I believe this will be made right, but I've got to continue. I've got – I've got to. I'm her only voice.' Here is how you can help… Danielle is 5'4' and at the time of her disappearance weighed 135 lbs. She has brown hair and green eyes. Today Danielle Lopez would be 38 years old. Anyone with information regarding her disappearance is asked to contact the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at (609) 882-2000 or contact the CUE Center for Missing Persons 24-hour line at (910) 232-1687. CUE's $5,000 reward for information leading investigators to Danielle remains in effect until July 31, 2025. You can see photos and videos of her on our website. To learn more about other people we've covered in our Missing in America series, go to There you'll be able to submit cases you think we should cover in the future. Thanks for listening. See you Fridays on Dateline on NBC.

'I was in bed with P Diddy when assault video surfaced - here's what he said'
'I was in bed with P Diddy when assault video surfaced - here's what he said'

Daily Mirror

time17 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

'I was in bed with P Diddy when assault video surfaced - here's what he said'

Sean "Diddy" Combs' ex-girlfriend took the stand this week in the rap mogul's sex trafficking trial, testifying about her relationship with the embattled music icon Sean"Diddy" Combs' ex-girlfriend has chillingly recalled how she was in bed with the music mogul when video of his assault of Casandra "Cassie" Ventura surfaced online. Combs, who has been held in jail since his high-profile arrest in September 2024, is currently on trial in New York. The music mogul pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Testifying under the name Jane, she described the atmosphere as "very eerie" upon the release of the notorious 2016 hotel assault video. Jane recounted how she gave Combs "space" while he reportedly scrambled to manage the fallout with his family and associates. "I just remember that they were just trying to come up with some sort of sincere apology post or something regarding the video," Jane disclosed during her testimony. The video, initially reported by CNN, seemingly captures Combs, wearing only a towel, pursuing Ventura towards an elevator at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. The footage suggests Combs then kicked and hit Ventura before hurling an object at her. Following the incident, Combs issued an apology through a now-deleted video. "It's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life," Combs admitted. "Sometimes you gotta do that. I was f***ed up. I mean I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behaviour on that video is inexcusable." During Combs' ongoing trial, the video has been played repeatedly. Jane expressed her feelings about Combs' subsequent apology, labelling it as "underwhelming". "I felt there was no heart there," she stated in court, voicing her "disappointment" with his public response. Combs faces charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has entered a plea of not guilty. It comes after Diddy and Cassie's former makeup artist, Mylah Morales, took the stand and testified that she saw Cassie with injuries on her face on Grammy weekend in 2010. After a party at Prince's house, Morales and Cassie went to a hotel room. Diddy later came into the room and asked where Cassie was, Morales testified. She said Combs went into the room where Cassie was and closed the door. Morales said she heard yelling and screaming. 'I was just frantic and I didn't know what to do,' Morales said. She added that Cassie was 'distraught' when Combs stormed out. 'She had a swollen eye and a busted lip and knots on her head." She took Cassie to her home to recover for a few days. She revealed a doctor friend checked Cassie over after the incident. When they recommended she got to the hospital, Cassie refused and they did not call the police. Morales said she didn't phone the police because she feared Combs and feared for her life.

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