A chapter still remains unclosed as friends and families continue to wait. Her cell phone was also left behind and had been wiped clean. Ill update whenever I get more info. Murbarger was set for trial September 19 for the slaying of 15-year-old Megan Nichols of Fairfield. After deliberating for more than an hour, a jury found Brodey Murbarger guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Megan Nichols. Opinion: How has American healthcare gone so wrong? An Evansville, Indiana man is facing charges in the disappearance and murder of teenager Megan Nichols in 2014. "Which excited is a weird word for something like this, but I think that Ive gotten excited from, Oh, shes been sighted over there, - you know, that kind of thing. Jena Reynolds, Marriage & Family Therapist, Placentia, CA, 92870, (949) 383-4561, During my 10 years as a Psychotherapist, I have provided counseling to those challenged by: . A private party could restore the Kraemer house as a residence, or someone could restore it and use it for some low-key use, like a bed-and-breakfast, she said. FBI investigator William OSullivan testified Wednesday about the more than 7,000 text messages exchanged between Murbarger and Nichols between December 2013 and February 2014. In March, the landowners had preliminary talks with the Placentia-Yorba Linda Art Assn. Brodey Murbarger. Police say Nichols was initially considered a missing person until her remains were found in a rural area in Wayne County, Illinois in 2018. Nichols, 15 was reported missing from her Fairfield, Illinois home in the early morning hours of July 3, 2014. There was a problem saving your notification. Placentia's historical Kraemer house sits abandoned with a broken balcony, boarded-up windows, a weed- and trash-choked lawn and broken glass strewn across the cracked driveway. This was an on-record portion of the proceedings, meaning defense, prosecution, and jury were there along with the judge and court reporter. EVANSVILLE, Ind. Bass, the Placentia historian, said city officials balk at taking over the renovation because it will be so expensive. Link has been updated, guilty verdict returned. According to the clerk, Murbarger will now be sentenced on Friday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. Murbargerwas arrestedin connection with Nichols' death in 2020 after she went missing in 2014 at the age of 15. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Placentias historical Kraemer house sits abandoned with a broken balcony, boarded-up windows, a weed- and trash-choked lawn and broken glass strewn across the cracked driveway. Evansville man linked to murder of Megan Nichols, victims friend speaks out, Evansville hotel manager accused of stealing from guest, Silver Alert canceled for elderly Evansville woman, Dispatch: Missing persons case underway after car found under Twin Bridges. The Wayne County Circuit Clerk told us Wednesday that Murbarger's sentencing date was being delayed. 1 South Carolina women rout Mississippi, reach, MLB pitchers adjusting to quick pace of new pitch, Military prospects see NFL hopes rise after policy, Register your business, school for our weather closing alerts, Developmental DisabilitiesAwareness Month, Charlottes Furniture is Your Stop for La-Z-Boy, 50th Anniversary of National Nutrition Month, Melanie Alberts Red Wine Braised Short Ribs, Hoosier Lottery Walk on the Wild Side 2023, KWC Womens Basketball Ticket Sweepstakes, Best athletic wear for kids joining baseball and, How to watch all the Oscar-nominated movies in style, Best smart home devices for older users, according, John Mellencamp to donate his archives to Indiana, Trooper killed on I-69, speeding driver arrested, Ukraine: Mourners commemorate 8 men killed in Bucha, 1 killed when business jet encounters severe turbulence, Many trees uprooted across Smith Mills community, Murder suspected after Madisonville mans death, Tri-State storms leave substantial damage in its, Animal shelter dispels dog fighting rumors in Perry, Eyewitness News experiences hours-long power outage, Evansville PD says another officer fell ill during, High winds cause damage across the Tri-State, Suspicious mail leads to large drug bust in Evansville, Man describes seeing roof of St. Joes Church land, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Local radio news at noon stated that the Grand Jury indictments cant yet be released. Brodey Ian Murbarger, 24, of Evansville, Indiana, was taken into custody outside his place of employment and transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail, according to a press release issued by. https://www.14news.com/2022/10/12/ill-murder-suspect-takes-stand-day-8-trial/?outputType=amp. [Click here to see the indictment documents obtained by 14 News]. Parlor Doughnuts hold soft opening for new location on Main St. Man arrested on murder charges in Providence. The Court on Tuesday issued a protective order for Megan Nichols medical records. A farmer found the remains three years after the 15-year-old girl was reported missing. EVANSVILLE, Ind. In Japanese court, Alkonis pleaded guilty to negligent driving. Under that plan, new homes would have been built around the Kraemer house for a colony of resident artists. The city felt that was too crowded.. Family members could not be reached for comment. Lee said that proposal is on hold because talks are underway to sell the property to a builder who will renovate and move the Kraemer house to another spot on the parcel. In the 10 years that the property has been on the market, Lee said, there have been no offers. But the overriding question remains: Who should pay for the renovation? Sep 2019 - Present3 years 5 months. EVANSVILLE, Ind. This is a subreddit for those cases of murder that go unsolved for years, even decades. It used to be luxurious: five bedrooms, a guest house over the garage, a swimming pool, a hot tub and cabana, a lighted tennis court and a covered barbecue. Murbarger remains in custody in Indiana pending extradition to Illinois. WAYNE COUNTY A Wayne County jury has started deliberations in the case charging 26-year-old Brodey Murbarger with the 2014 murder and disappearance of his high school girlfriend Megan Nichols. On July 3, 2014, 15-year-old Megan Nichols disappeared from her Fairfield, Illinois home. Brodey Ian Murbarger, 24, was arrested Wednesday without incident and is in jail awaiting extradition back to Illinois. Court then moved outside so jurors could have the chance to see the car themselves. There was a problem saving your notification. Testimony began Tuesday with officers from the Illinois State Police as well as the FBI who conducted separate searches of the car Brodey Murbarger used at the time of Megan Nichols disappearance. Its not just you, Work phones make a comeback as offices ban WhatsApp, TikTok. As they see it, there are only two options left: Sell the property to a builder for development or allow the city to take over the site and pay for the restoration. Speaking on behalf of the city, Rosenthal said the best possible scenario is that the house be restored and placed on the states list of historical homes. Now the price tag for renovation has reached $300,000. Murbarger then said he placed the shirt in the trunk, where leaking water caused the blood to spread. Her family didn't believe she was actually a runaway though and her disappearance was featured in Datelines digital series Missing in America.". No further info regarding charges has been released. The City Council has declared the house a public nuisance, and the city Planning Commission voted this month for abatement. Then in December of 2017, remains were found in a rural area in Illinois. The family, according to Lee and Bass, is not interested in paying to restore the home. It wasn't until 2017 that Nichols' remains were discovered in a rural area of Wayne County. Brodey Ian Murbarger, 24, was indicted in September by a grand jury. You have permission to edit this article. MURBARGER PRE TRIAL 3/19/22 The first-degree murder trial of 25-year-old Brodey I. Murbarger has been delayed until fall. Murbarger was taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail, but he is no longer an inmate. In the meantime, he hasnt done what we think is the proper maintenance on the site.. On Wednesday, an FBI investigator told the jury about text messages between Murbarger and Nichols which. A body was found - it was tragic, but maybe itll lead to something more. The family called police to report her missing at about 1 am July 4, 2014. Jayson Murbarger testified the trunk on his sons car often leaked water, but he was unaware of any other fluids that may be in the trunk. There were a few cryptic clues left behind at the home, one was Megan's cell phone which had been completely wiped. The first-degree murder trial of Brodey I. Murbarger began this morning with jury selection in Wayne County Circuit Court in Fairfield. Murbarger had lived in Fairfield, and met Nichols at New Hope School, where he was a senior and she was a sophomore. The documents show hes accused of strangling and suffocating Megan and burying her in a shallow grave. They paid $2,800 a month for rent. The defense team for Murbarger says the evidence in the case is speculation and circumstantial, citing there is no motive for Murbarger to commit murder, and no evidence that Nichols death was due to strangulation. Her biological father was . It was hard to get a configuration that looks nice, said Lee, adding that the proposal has been drafted but not yet officially submitted to the city. Nichols was 15 when she disappeared on July 3, 2014 from her home in Fairfield, Illinois. Im local to her and her family, local radio just announced that the former boyfriend, Brodey Murbarger, has been arrested in connection with her disappearance and death. WAYNE COUNTY A 27-year-old former Fairfield man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for strangling his then-high school girlfriend to death nearly 10 years ago. According to court documents, Murbarger was indicted on three counts of first degree murder, one count of concealment of homicidal death and two counts of home invasion. 00:56:29 - On July 3, 2014, 15-year-old Megan Nichols disappeared from her Fairfield, Illinois home. . Evansville, Indiana Area. Once back in the courtroom, the jury also heard from the FBI agent who collected Megan Nichols remains once they were discovered, and saw the pictures from the scene. A search warrant was also executed at Murbargers home at the Lakewood West apartment complex in Evansville, Indiana. Brodey Murbarger, 24, has been charged with murder, Evansville Police said. Indeed, several structures--including Placentias historical water tower, a school and a major county thoroughfare--already bear the Kraemer name in honor of one of the early families to settle the county. There are reports that Murbarger and Nichols had at one point dated, but the FBI could not confirm that to Dateline because of the ongoing investigation. Copyright 2020 WFIE. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. She had left her cell phone behind at the house. They dont want to pay for the property.. However Wayne County court documents indicate that he has been or will be faced with: 3 counts murder or intent to kill or injure Either 1 count of concealing a homicidal death 2 counts of home invasion. Brodey Murbarger has been sentenced to prison for the murder of Fairfield, Illinois teen Megan Nichols. An Illinois grand jury issued the indictment for Murbarger in connection with the murder and disappearance of Megan Nichols. Edited spelling and corrected charges as of 2:00 PM. WAYNE CO., Ill. (WFIE) - The trial started Monday morning for the man accused in the 2014 murder of Megan Nichols. The owners say theyve grown deeply frustrated because they want to be rid of the property but cant seem to get an acceptable proposal past city officials. According to Lee, the owners continued to lose money on the property even when it was occupied because the monthly mortgage and taxes are about $4,500. Megans mother, Kathy Jo Hutchcraft, discovered her daughter missing from her room around 11 p.m. Dateline reported that she later found a note Megan reportedly left behind, telling her that she loved her, but she would never be happy at home. Brodey Murbarger, man convicted of murdering Wayne County teen Megan Nichols, sentenced to prison, Indiana man arrested in Wayne County teens murder, Man found guilty of murder in Wayne County teen's death, Another Government Agency Being Impersonated by Scammers Calling Tri-Staters, Wayne County Sheriff Locates Student Who Never Came Home From Class, 21-year-old pleaded guilty in designer phone case, Former student-athlete speaks amidst misconduct investigation at a local college, Child dies after falling off cliff at Garden of the Gods, Jury selection begins in trial for man accused of murdering Illinois teen. FAIRFIELD, Ill. (WEHT) - As the murder trial for Brodey Murbarger continues into its second week, the jury heard from two unexpected witnesses, first Murbarger's father Jayson, followed by. Murdaugh, 54, was found guilty of all four counts against him on Thursday in connection with the deaths of his 52-year-old wife, Maggie, and their 22-year-old son, Paul, near the dog kennels of. The house is one of only seven historical homes in the city, according to Donna Bass, chairwoman of Placentias historical committee. Lee said the group of owners would like nothing better than to cut ties to the property. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. All rights reserved. As reported in October, Brodey Murbarger was found guilty of the murder of Megan Nichols, of Fairfield, Illinois. The defense, however, argued the evidence is speculation and circumstantial. The FBI, along with many law enforcement organizations, including the Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office and the Evansville Police Department, continue to investigate Megans case. Jury moves outside to see suspects car on day 7 of Ill. murder trial, Evansville hotel manager accused of stealing from guest, Silver Alert canceled for elderly Evansville woman, Dispatch: Missing persons case underway after car found under Twin Bridges. I would love to see that house be taken and refurbished and something decent made there.. While authorities first considered Megan a runaway, according to Dateline, her family didnt agree. Murbarger did address Judge Molt, asking for leniency. As reported in October, Brodey Murbarger was found guilty of the murder of Megan Nichols, of Fairfield, Illinois. Meanwhile, the abandoned home has been plagued by graffiti, vandalism and arson. Its really hard to process, August said. The stain tested positive in the field for blood. According to court documents, Brodey Murbarger was indicted on three counts of first degree murder, one count of concealment of homicidal death and two counts of home invasion. Last November a Wayne County jury found Brodey Murbarger responsible for strangling or smothering Megan Nichols to death. Through those statements, the state says Murbarger places himself with Nichols on the night and time she disappeared. The once-elegant . If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. So finally leading to an arrest is great, but I guess I will truly be at ease if he is found guilty - if justice can truly be served.. But in February 2014 the messages reflected a more tumultuous relationship, with Murbarger at one point calling Nichols annoying.. Megan was dating an 18-year-old named Brodey Murbarger, and the relationship had caused a rift between Megan and her mother. Further, a search warrant for his home was issued. But the bottom line is that something has to be settled with that property., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, L.A. County moves to require quake retrofits as Turkey-Syria death toll exceeds 50,000, Historic movie lot that gave Studio City its name to get $1-billion makeover, How renovation of an iconic Chinese mall represents a shift in L.A.s Chinese community. Welcome to the subreddit! Murbarger was arrested in 2020 while working in Indiana. There are many other important things that need to be taken care of financially in Placentia, she said. [Previous: Im sick,' says woman who discovered Megan Nichols remains]. But the city balked because of the homes historical significance, he said. Also, Im no expert so I dont understand the multiple counts of murder and dont want to speculate. The documents show hes accused of strangling and suffocating Megan and burying her in a shallow grave. Copyright 2022 WFIE. In closing arguments Thursday, prosecutors told the jury Murbargers story has changed several times and that the varying stories contradict each other. On 09-25-2020 an Illinois grand jury issued an indictment for Brodey Murbarger (11-27-95) in reference to the 2014 disappearance/murder of Megan Nichols. Nichols was considered a missing person until her remains were found in a field outside Boyleston, Illinois in 2017. Some murders are so shocking and evil that they capture the mind of the general public and it wont let go until a killer is brought to justice. But the city has vetoed the owners previous proposals for the site, said Jeffrey Lee, spokesman for the group that owns the house. [Exclusive: People who found remains in Wayne Co. talk to 14 News]. During closing arguments Thursday, the state of Illinois argued that Murbarger has changed his story several times through interviews with police, claiming all stories contradict one another. You have permission to edit this article. Its been six dark years for Nicholss family and friends, whose questions were left unanswered. Murbarger. Brodey Murbargers attorney filed a motion on his clients behalf Tuesday. The manner of death was determined to be homicide. Brodey I. Murbarger has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder of his former girlfriend, 15-year-old Megan Nichols of Fairfield. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Murbarger stated he disposed of the shirt in a ditch. If you have any information regarding the circumstances of Megan Nichols death, please contact the FBI at (217) 522-9675. I think the Kraemer house has tremendous possibilities, Bass said. Follow 44News on Facebook, or download the free 44News apps on Android or Apple devices. Tesla Mexico plant means $10-billion investment, Nuevo Leon governor says, Assistants kindly request that you stop calling them assistants, Working more on the weekends?