Abusive Boyfriend Who Killed Ohio Mom of 2 Said He Taught Her ‘Hard Lessons Out of Love’

A harrowing incident involving an Ohio mom of two and the rally to save her life takes center stage in an all-new episode of Crime in Progress on A&E. The moment-by-moment dash to uncover the events leading up to 34-year-old Nicole Booth’s fatal injuries, complicated by her uncooperative boyfriend, unfolds entirely through raw police body cam and chilling surveillance footage.

In Dorset, Ohio, on November 15, 2021, Thomas Graley—a repeat domestic violence offender—called 911 to report his girlfriend stopped breathing, according to police reports obtained by A&E Crime + Investigation. Prior to her collapse, Graley, 37, alleged the couple was arguing before Booth announced she was feeling unwell. However, deputies said it was obvious the victim suffered injuries that were inconsistent with a fall. Booth’s entire body was covered in bruises, and she had broken teeth and possibly a shattered jaw, according to first responders.

At the scene, Graley was uncooperative and “appeared to be in a state of panic,” the police report read. “He was running around the house in his boxers and sweating excessively” and “refused to answer any of my questions and told me that he needed to be with his kids,” a deputy wrote. Graley also instructed his children not to speak with authorities, according to the report. He was subsequently detained for obstructing their investigation and transported to the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office for further questioning.

During the drive, Graley made a series of eyebrow-raising statements, such as “There’s nothing in my house that’s gonna save her,” and “saying what happened ain’t gonna change nothing, and it ain’t gonna save her life,” according to authorities. His sister, Juanita, alleged her brother had a history of physical violence toward Booth. Two weeks earlier, the victim was “unrecognizable” and looked “beat the f--- up,” according to deputies.

Juanita claimed Booth pleaded with her not to call the police and begged, “Please don't leave me, he’s going to kill me.” Juanita said she abstained from getting authorities involved over fear of retaliation, per police records.

Booth was hospitalized in a coma while suffering from internal bleeding and several fractures. The mom of two was in “grave condition and barely clinging to life,” according to authorities. She had cigarette burns on both arms and legs, severe bruising and eye lacerations, among other injuries, the police report read. After three days on life support, Booth succumbed to her injuries, prompting investigators to file murder charges against Graley.

Graley’s stepfather told investigators that his stepson believed if a woman “gets out of line, it’s OK to slap her, put her in her place,” according to police records.

At least two previous girlfriends alleged Graley was abusive and controlling, authorities said. Friends of the couple claimed Booth wasn’t allowed to speak unless she was spoken to and that he would verbally berate and yell at her and their kids, authorities said.

Several videos recovered from Graley’s cell phone showed Booth with visible injuries in which she appeared “motionless and battered,” per authorities. In one clip, Graley held a machete to her face and throat, while their children were heard crying in the background, according to police records.

“I don’t beat on Nicole, I teach Nicole hard lessons out of love,” Graley confessed in the videos, per authorities.

He pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, and in October 2022, he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.