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. The agent who led the FBIs search of the car showed jurors where they found a red stain in the trunk, underneath the trunk lining below the locking mechanism. Nichols was 15 when she disappeared on July 3, 2014 from her home in Fairfield, 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. She also left a note saying she loved her mother, but would never be happy at home. Police say Nichols was initially considered a missing person until her remains were found in a rural area in Wayne County, Illinois in 2018. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. As Dateline previously reported, the 15-year-old was last seen on July 3, 2014, at her home in Fairfield, Illinois, where she lived with her mother and stepfather. In count three, Murbarger is accused of intentionally or knowingly caused the death of Megan Nichols by manner and means to the Grand Jury unknown, causing the death of Megan Nichols. In Count four, the Concealment of a Homicidal Death alleges that Murbarger knowingly concealed the death of Megan Nichols by causing her body to be buried in a shallow grave in a remote area of Wayne County. The act allegedly occurred on or between July 3, 2014 and December 26, 2017. In counts 5 and 6, Murbarger is accused of Home Invasion in that he allegedly committed a Criminal Sexual Abuse against Megan P. Nichols in that said defendant committed an an act of sexual conduct or sexual penetration with Megan P. Nichols, who was at least 13 years of age but under 17 years of age and the defendant was less than 5 years older than Megan P. Nichols. The first-degree murder trial of Brodey I. Murbarger began this morning with jury selection in Wayne County Circuit Court in Fairfield. At first, he wanted to take down the house, Rosenthal said. The remains were found in a rural location in Wayne County, Illinois, FBI Public Information Officer Brad Ware previously told Dateline. 4. The city says the owners should. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Funeral arrangements made for Vanderburgh County, Late morning pileup slows traffic on Henderson strip, Overnight emergency shelter opening tonight in Owensboro, Flags flown at half-staff in Perry County, Greenville FD free person trapped after tree falls, Miami takes No. to turn the house into a permanent gallery for local artists. 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. 00:56:29 - On July 3, 2014, 15-year-old Megan Nichols disappeared from her Fairfield, Illinois home. Megans friend, Holden August, told NBC affiliate WFIE that her disappearance and death took a while to digest for him and his classmates. 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. Brodey Murbarger was arrested at his place of employment Wednesday without incident. FAIRFIELD, Ill. (WEHT)- Friends and family of Megan Nichols have been on an emotional rollercoaster as her former boyfriend Brodey Murbarger is behind bars, accused of murdering her. UPDATE: Brodey Murbarger found guilty of murdering Megan Nichols in 2014. Murbarger faces a murder charge after an Illinois grand jury indicted him on September 25, 2020, in connection with Megan Nichols' disappearance and murder, the press release stated. The owners say the city should, particularly if officials are so set on preserving the home. We're continuing to follow the outcome out of a murder trial that's happening in Wayne County, Illinois. Then in December of 2017, remains were found in a rural area in Illinois. On July 3, 2014, 15-year-old Megan Nichols disappeared from her Fairfield, Illinois home. An Illinois grand jury issued the indictment for Murbarger in connection with the murder and disappearance of Megan Nichols. Brodey Murbarger testified that Megans blood was in his car after a sexual encounter, in which he used his shirt to clean the blood. FAIRFIELD, Ill (WEHT) Brodey Murbarger, 26, was found guilty of first degree murder on Thursday after the jury deliberated for only an hour. According to NBC News, she was considered a missing person as police said she withdrew money from a bank before her disappearance. This is a subreddit for those cases of murder that go unsolved for years, even decades. Brodey Murbargers attorney filed a motion on his clients behalf Tuesday. On Wednesday, an FBI investigator told the jury about text messages between Murbarger and Nichols which. When youre hanging up a poster with your friends picture on it, thats when its like, Oh, this is real, Holden said. The Wayne County Circuit Clerk told us Wednesday that Murbarger's sentencing date was being delayed. Megan was dating an 18-year-old named Brodey Murbarger, an Built in 1918, the house now waits in a state of dire disrepair on its 1.5-acre Angelina Avenue lot while its owners and city officials wrangle over the next turn in its fortunes. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Nichols was considered a missing person until her remains were found in a field outside Boyleston, Illinois in 2017. He apologized to the victims' family and raised $1.6 million for them, according to the New York Times.But the family insisted he . Murbarger remains in custody in Indiana pending extradition to Illinois. The state then rested its case and the defense not only called Murbargers father Jayson Murbarger to the stand but called the defendant himself to testify. Nichols, 15 was reported missing from her Fairfield, Illinois home in the early morning hours of July 3, 2014. The charges include three counts of First Degree Murder, one count of Concealment of a Homicidal Death and two counts of Home Invasion. 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. Brodey Murbarger was arrested in 2020.. During the more than two-week trial, jurors heard testimony from multiple witnesses some of them surprising. 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. 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. That would allow the developer to build a road and more homes on the site without razing the historical structure. Brodey Murbarger was arrested in 2020. Credit: Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office, Credit: Evansville Police Department/WFIE, Search for accused Johnson County scammer ends in arrest, Boone County Deputy Jacob Pickett remembered on 5 year anniversary of line of duty death, Live Doppler 13 Weather Blog: Record-breaking rain raises ongoing flood concerns, Live Doppler 13 Weather Blog: Mild air returns with more rain, snow returning late week, Datelines digital series Missing in America, Two women missing in southwestern Indiana, Suspect in 1986 cold case dies months after confession. https://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/closing-arguments-wrap-up-in-murbarger-murder-trial-jury-to-deliberate/. Lee said the group of owners would like nothing better than to cut ties to the property. This was an on-record portion of the proceedings, meaning defense, prosecution, and jury were there along with the judge and court reporter. Follow 44News on Facebook, or download the free 44News apps on Android or Apple devices. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. An abatement order would require the houses owners to repair, rebuild or demolish the house. Murbarger was taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail, but he is no longer an inmate. An Evansville, Indiana man is facing charges in the disappearance and murder of teenager Megan Nichols in 2014. In Japanese court, Alkonis pleaded guilty to negligent driving. She had left her cell phone behind at the house. [Exclusive: People who found remains in Wayne Co. talk to 14 News]. The defense, however, argued the evidence is speculation and circumstantial. 25-year-old Brodey I. Murbarger appeared in a status hearing via Zoom in Wayne County Circuit Court yesterday morning. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Brodey Ian Murbarger, 24, was arrested Wednesday, October 8, 2020, in the 2014 murder of 15-year-old Megan Nichols whose body was found nearly three years ago in a shallow grave in southeastern. Brodey Ian Murbarger of Evansville, Indiana has been arrested in connection with the murder of his former girlfriend, Megan Nichols. A body was found - it was tragic, but maybe itll lead to something more. Follow 44News on Facebook, or download the free 44News apps on Android or Apple devices. 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. 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. 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. Murbarger. No further info regarding charges has been released. The stain tested positive in the field for blood. The trial was set to begin May 2 but was delayed during a pretrial hearing on Friday in Wayne County Circuit Court. Opinion: How has American healthcare gone so wrong? However, theres a bit of relief now that an arrest has been made. Murbarger took the stand on Wednesday and testified that Nichols blood was in his car after a sexual encounter in which he used his shirt to clean the blood. The dates of the alleged acts were on or between July 2, 2014 and July 3, 2014 in count 5 and one or more occasions and as a continuing course of action between November 28, 2013 and July 1, 2014. Three are for first degree murder. 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. We have boarded and reboarded that house 15 times in the last two years, Lee said. Murbarger is awaiting trial for the 2014 slaying of 15-year-old Megan Nichols of Fairfield. A month later, they were identified as those of Nichols. Nichols was considered a missing person until her remains were found in a field outside Boyleston, Illinois in 2017. It wasn't until 2017 that Nichols' remains were discovered in a rural area of Wayne County. EVANSVILLE, Ind. 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. We're told that the maximum sentence Murbarger faced for the crime was 60 years, and that the minimum possible sentence was 20 years. The Wayne County Circuit Clerk told us Wednesday that Murbarger's sentencing date was being delayed. The family, according to Lee and Bass, is not interested in paying to restore the home. Megan was dating an 18-year-old named Brodey Murbarger, and the relationship had caused a rift between Megan and her mother. 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: . Parlor Doughnuts hold soft opening for new location on Main St. Man arrested on murder charges in Providence. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. We will continue to provide updates on the case. Meanwhile, the abandoned home has been plagued by graffiti, vandalism and arson. A 24 year old is not a former bf. As we previously reported, Brodey Murbarger, the man found guilty of murdering Fairfield teen Megan Nichols, was scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday afternoon. 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. The first-degree murder trial of Brodey Murbarger has been delayed again. More than three years later, the skeletal remains of Megan were found in a shallow grave south of . In the 10 years that the property has been on the market, Lee said, there have been no offers. Holden August, a friend of Nichols, heard the news on Wednesday morning. Murbarger, 24 was taken into custody Wednesday morning at his place of employment in Evansville and lodged in the Vanderburgh County jail pending extradition to Illinois to stand trial on multiple charges related to the death. "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. The state also says during police interviews, Murbarger told others he went to Nichols house around 9:30 pm July 3, 2014 because he thought she had run away. The manner of death was determined to be homicide. Jail) [Previous: 'I'm sick,' says woman who discovered Megan Nichols'. Call or Email Renovari Counseling for a free phone consultation now - (714) 248-0598. But the city has vetoed the owners previous proposals for the site, said Jeffrey Lee, spokesman for the group that owns the house. Rosenthal said, however, that the requests were stalled because the city was waiting for acceptable renovation proposals from the owners. 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.. WAYNE COUNTY, IL A 26-year-old man charged with the murder of his 15-year-old girlfriend nearly 10 years ago is seeking to have his trial moved from Wayne County where the young girls body was found in a shallow grave years after her disappearance. Its one of those things where you kind of always knew it was him," August said. Link has been updated, guilty verdict returned. 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. The house is one of only seven historical homes in the city, according to Donna Bass, chairwoman of Placentias historical committee. https://www.14news.com/2022/10/12/ill-murder-suspect-takes-stand-day-8-trial/?outputType=amp. Brodey Murbarger was arrested for Murder on today's date . (WFIE) - Evansville police say detectives arrested an Evansville man on murder charges in relation to the 2014 disappearance/murder of Megan Nichols. Murbarger is strangled and suffocated Megan Nichols to death in her Fairfield home on July 3, 2014, and later buried her body in a shallow grave in a rural part of Wayne County. Murbarger was arrested in connection with Nichols' death in 2020 after she went missing in 2014 at the age of 15. What happens when the murderer doesnt get caught? The radio station hasnt updated their transcripts yet since this morning. Brodey Murbarger has been sentenced to prison for the murder of Fairfield, Illinois teen Megan Nichols. 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. According to Lee, the owners have lost a substantial amount of money on the property, which cost $750,000 in 1988. 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? UPDATE: Brodey Murbarger found guilty of murdering Megan Nichols in 2014. The owners say theyve asked the city for demolition permits in the past, but all those requests were denied. One month later, on January 26, 2018, authorities positively identified the remains as belonging to Megan. While authorities first considered Megan a runaway, according to Dateline, her family didnt agree. [Click here to see the indictment documents obtained by 14 News]. Search for Free Cell Phone Deals Without Paying, Datelines digital series Missing in America. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Following a telephone conference on Wednesday in Wayne County Circuit Court, Murbarger's defense attorney requested a continuance until October 3. one hour of jury deliberation. The city felt that was too crowded.. You have permission to edit this article. On Wednesday, an FBI investigator told the jury about text messages between Murbarger and Nichols which revealed the two were in a sexual relationship. Murbarger did address Judge Molt, asking for leniency. The man at the center of a high profile murder case out of Wayne County, Illinois, learned his sentence on Friday. Copyright 2020 WFIE. According to the clerk, Murbarger will now be sentenced on Friday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. Multiple agencies in Evansville, Indiana took Brodey Murbarger, 24, into custody Wednesday morning. Theres no sense of closure and the families of the victims are left devastated. 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. There was a problem saving your notification. Brodey Ian Murbarger, 24, was indicted in September by a grand jury. Police say Nichols was initially considered a missing person until her remains were found in a rural area in Wayne County, Illinois in 2018. The City Council has declared the house a public nuisance, and the city Planning Commission voted this month for abatement. EVANSVILLE, Ind. Its been six dark years for Nicholss family and friends, whose questions were left unanswered. Murbarger had lived in Fairfield, and met Nichols at New Hope School, where he was a senior and she was a sophomore. Her whereabouts remained a mystery for three years until human remains were found on December 26, 2017. To a 15 year old. It wasn't until 2017 that Nichols' remains were discovered in a rural area of Wayne County. The father and son were asked about blood found in the defendants car prosecutors argued was used to transport Megans body to a rural Boyleston field where it was buried. Brodey Murbarger was arrested in 2020 and is facing a first-degree murder. 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. Evansville, Indiana Area. Judge Michael Molt handed down the sentence at the conclusion of a two hour hearing before a packed Wayne County courtroom. RC Beverage Company. 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. Brodey Murbarger has been sentenced to prison for the murder of Fairfield, Illinois teen Megan Nichols. (Vanderburgh Co. A chapter still remains unclosed as friends and families continue to wait. All rights reserved. The FBI, along with many law enforcement organizations, including the Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office and the Evansville Police Department, continue to investigate Megans case. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Murbarger was arrested in 2020 while working in Indiana. The property is highly problematic now, said Lee, because the owners lost their liability insurance in 1998. Website: www.renovaricounseling.com. Brodey Murbarger, 24, has been charged with murder, Evansville Police said. Please post information in the comments related to the case! Its one of those things where you kind of always knew it was him," Hold told WFIE. 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. Lee said that when they bought the property, they believed that the city would let them clear the site and build condominiums. As reported in October, Brodey Murbarger was found guilty of the murder of Megan Nichols, of Fairfield, Illinois. I had never had someone that I was close to that had died and, you know, that was traumatic," August said. August says Nicholss disappearance took awhile to digest for him and his classmates. WAYNE CO., Ill. (WFIE) - The trial started Monday morning for the man accused in the 2014 murder of Megan Nichols. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. As we previously reported, Brodey Murbarger, the man found guilty of murdering Fairfield teen Megan Nichols, was scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday afternoon. From Evansville, IN newsman (formerly of Fairfield): Brodey Ian Murbarger of Evansville, Indiana has been arrested in connection with the murder of his former girlfriend, Megan Nichols. He said he then placed the shirt in the trunk, where leaking water caused the blood to spread. Megan was last seen alive on July 3, 2014, at her . OSullivan said the messages at first were romantic and sexual in nature and included several references to the couple planning a runaway in mid-2014. Court documents show Murbarger was indicted on six counts. The Court on Tuesday issued a protective order for Megan Nichols medical records. One is for concealment of homicidal death, and two are for home invasion.