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JULY 28, 2000

LATE BREAKING (5:00 PM EST):
Ralf and Eleanor Panitz surrendered to authorities today in Sarasota, Florida. They flew into Florida this afternoon, having last been seen in Maine.

The couple is being held without bail and will be arraigned in the upcoming weeks.

Reality-based television is popular these days but real life took an ugly turn when a woman who appeared on the talk show The Jerry Spring Show was found dead just hours after the episode on which she appeared aired on national television.

On Thursday, authorities in Florida issued a first-degree murder warrant for Ralf Panitz, 40, for the death of his ex-wife, Nancy Campbell-Panitz. Eleanor Panitz, Panitz's current wife, is being considered a witness to the murder.

The couple are feared to have fled to Maine and are believed to be attempting to enter Canada. Authorities believe Eleanor Panitz, who is Mi'kmaq, may be trying to enter a First Nations reserve in New Brunswick.

New Brunswick is home to over 20 First Nations. Most are Mi'kmaq or Maliseet reserves, but it is unknown at this time to which particular First Nation Mrs. Panitz is a member or which she might be attempting to enter.

Ralph Panitz is a German citizen who might be trying to get to his country's embassy in Canada.

The alleged murder apparently occurred at the Sarasota, Florida home Panitz and his ex-wife once shared. On Monday, Campbell-Panitz obtained a restraining order against her ex-husband, forcing him from the house.

Later, the three could be seen arguing with each other on the airing of "Secret Mistresses Confronted," which was taped in May. Police found the beaten-to-death body of Eleanor just hours later.

With the news of the death gaining national attention, many are once again asking if talk shows have gone too far. In 1995, a Jenny Jones Show guest killed another after a secret homosexual crush was revealed.

Jonathan Schmitz was convicted of murdering Scott Amedure. The Jenny Jones Show and its producer, Warner Bros., were found negligent in Amedure's death and ordered to pay $25 million to Amedure's family.

Relevant Links:
Ralf Panitz on AOL - hometown.aol.com/wolfsmile2
Eleanor Panitz on AOL - hometown.aol.com/flmigmaq/myhomepage/profile.html
The Jerry Spring Show - www.jerryspringer.com
New Brunswick First Nations - www.aboriginalcanada.com/firstnation/dirfnatl.htm