Its been six dark years for Nicholss family and friends, whose questions were left unanswered. 00:56:29 - On July 3, 2014, 15-year-old Megan Nichols disappeared from her Fairfield, Illinois home. Murbarger was set for trial September 19 for the slaying of 15-year-old Megan Nichols of Fairfield. All rights reserved. The family, according to Lee and Bass, is not interested in paying to restore the home. Please post information in the comments related to the case! 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. Megan was dating an 18-year-old named Brodey Murbarger, and the relationship had caused a rift between Megan and her mother. The defense, however, argued the evidence is speculation and circumstantial. [Click here to see the indictment documents obtained by 14 News]. All rights reserved. The stain tested positive in the field for blood. Brodey Murbarger was arrested at his place of employment Wednesday without incident. Murbarger was arrested in 2020 while working in Indiana. 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. She also left a note saying she loved her mother, but would never be happy at home. It had been wiped clean. However, theres a bit of relief now that an arrest has been made. 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. Megan was initially considered a missing person until her remains were located in a rural area in Wayne County Illinois in 2018. Brodey Ian Murbarger, 24, was arrested Wednesday without incident and is in jail awaiting extradition back to Illinois. Court documents show Murbarger was indicted on six counts. To a 15 year old. Lee said the group of owners would like nothing better than to cut ties to the property. 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. [Previous: Im sick,' says woman who discovered Megan Nichols remains]. Bass, the Placentia historian, said city officials balk at taking over the renovation because it will be so expensive. Local radio news at noon stated that the Grand Jury indictments cant yet be released. When youre hanging up a poster with your friends picture on it, thats when its like, Oh, this is real, Holden said. This is a subreddit for those cases of murder that go unsolved for years, even decades. UPDATE: Brodey Murbarger found guilty of murdering Megan Nichols in 2014. The documents show hes accused of strangling and suffocating Megan and burying her in a shallow grave. 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 once-elegant 5,872-square-foot house, still flanked by birds-of-paradise bushes, is now a rotting shell. More than three years later, the skeletal remains of Megan were found in a shallow grave south of Fairfield. FAIRFIELD, Ill (WEHT) Brodey Murbarger, 26, was found guilty of first degree murder on Thursday after the jury deliberated for only an hour. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Brodey Murbarger was arrested for Murder on today's date . Judge Michael Molt handed down the sentence at the conclusion of a two hour hearing before a packed Wayne County courtroom. Welcome to the subreddit! "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. WAYNE CO., Ill. (WFIE) - The trial started Monday morning for the man accused in the 2014 murder of Megan Nichols. The Wayne County Circuit Clerk told us Wednesday that Murbarger's sentencing date was being delayed. Her cell phone was also left behind and had been wiped clean. The sheriff here reports that the arrest was made by Evansville IN PD at the direction of the FBI and his office is not involved at this time. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Its one of those things where you kind of always knew it was him," August said. Further, a search warrant for his home was issued. 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. The once-elegant . One month later, on January 26, 2018, authorities positively identified the remains as belonging to Megan. As we previously reported, Brodey Murbarger, the man found guilty of murdering Fairfield teen Megan Nichols, was scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday afternoon. He was arrested Wednesday without incident and is in jail awaiting extradition back to Illinois. As we previously reported, Brodey Murbarger, the man found guilty of murdering Fairfield teen Megan Nichols, was scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday afternoon. Nichols was 15 when she disappeared on July 3, 2014 from her home in Fairfield, Illinois. She had left her cell phone behind at the house. Last November a Wayne County jury found Brodey Murbarger responsible for strangling or smothering Megan Nichols to death. Police say Nichols was initially considered a missing person until her remains were found in a rural area in Wayne County, Illinois in 2018. According to authorities, prior to her disappearance, Megan withdrew money from a local bank while on her bicycle. EVANSVILLE, Ind. 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. We asked the city to condemn the property, but they refused to do that. We will continue to provide updates on the case. 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. EVANSVILLE, Ind. 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. Police say Nichols was initially considered a missing person until her remains were found in a rural area in Wayne County, Illinois in 2018. Brodey Murbarger. The property is highly problematic now, said Lee, because the owners lost their liability insurance in 1998. Follow 44News on Facebook, or download the free 44News apps on Android or Apple devices. There were a few cryptic clues left behind at the home, one was Megan's cell phone which had been completely wiped. Nichols, 15 was reported missing from her Fairfield, Illinois home in the early morning hours of July 3, 2014. 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. They dont want to pay for the property.. (WFIE) - It's week two of a murder trial in Fairfield, Illinois for the man accused in the 2014 murder of 15-year old Megan Nichols. 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. Family members could not be reached for comment. Murbarger did address Judge Molt, asking for leniency. But the overriding question remains: Who should pay for the renovation? I had never had someone that I was close to that had died and, you know, that was traumatic," August said. 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. Brodey Murbarger was arrested in 2020 and is facing a first-degree murder. The owners say the city should, particularly if officials are so set on preserving the home. Our biggest concern was that something of value didnt turn into a piece of junk, but the city may be too late in its efforts to save the house, Bass said. Murbarger had lived in Fairfield, and met Nichols at New Hope School, where he was a senior and she was a sophomore. Now the price tag for renovation has reached $300,000. Edited spelling and corrected charges as of 2:00 PM. At the time of Megan's disappearance, Brodey lived in Fairfield and had allegedly been dating the victim. one hour of jury deliberation. (WFIE) - Evansville police say detectives arrested an Evansville man on murder charges in relation to the 2014 disappearance/murder of Megan Nichols. On July 3, 2014, 15-year-old Megan Nichols disappeared from her Fairfield, Illinois home. An Evansville, Indiana man is facing charges in the disappearance and murder of teenager Megan Nichols in 2014. Nichols had gone missing in 2014 at the age of 15, but in 2017, her remains were discovered in a rural area of Wayne County, eventually leading to Murbarger's arrest. On Wednesday, an FBI investigator told the jury about text messages between Murbarger and Nichols which revealed the two were in a sexual relationship. Hes accused of strangling and suffocating Nichols and burying her in a shallow grave. It wasn't until 2017 that Nichols' remains were discovered in a rural area of Wayne County. He was taken Friday to a jail in Illinois. The first-degree murder trial of Brodey Murbarger has been delayed again. Following a telephone conference on Wednesday in Wayne County Circuit Court, Murbarger's defense attorney requested a continuance until October 3. Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/103.0.0.0 Safari/537.36, Shawn Parrs Backstage Country, Weeknights, President Biden announces new sanctions against Russia, countering Putins invasion of Ukraine, Three out of state residents arrested near Effingham for trafficking drugs. Brodey Ian Murbarger of Evansville, Indiana has been arrested in connection with the murder of his former girlfriend, Megan Nichols. But in February 2014 the messages reflected a more tumultuous relationship, with Murbarger at one point calling Nichols annoying.. The court also heard from an FBI DNA expert who confirmed the blood in Murbargers trunk came from Megan Nichols. 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. Bond has been set at $3 million. The investigator also testified the two were planning to runaway together five months prior to Nichols disappearance. EVANSVILLE, Ind. Nichols, 15 was reported missing from her Fairfield, Illinois home in the early morning hours of July 3, 2014. Nichols was considered a missing person until her remains were found in a field outside Boyleston, Illinois in 2017. Through those statements, the state says Murbarger places himself with Nichols on the night and time she disappeared. The City Council will consider that option at its Dec. 19 meeting, said Joyce Rosenthal, director of development services for Placentia. EVANSVILLE, Ind. The documents show hes accused of strangling and suffocating Megan and burying her in a shallow grave. Its not just you, Work phones make a comeback as offices ban WhatsApp, TikTok. He added that theres a bit of relief now that an arrest has been made. The house has slid from being a city jewel to a prominent eyesore. Murbarger had lived in Fairfield, and met Nichols at New Hope School, where he was a senior and she was a sophomore. The man at the center of a high profile murder case out of Wayne County, Illinois, learned his sentence on Friday. Court then moved outside so jurors could have the chance to see the car themselves. The remains were found in a rural location in Wayne County, Illinois, FBI Public Information Officer Brad Ware previously told Dateline. Brodey Murbarger was arrested in 2020. The man at the center of a high profile murder case out of Wayne County, Illinois, learned his sentence on Friday. 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. . Murbarger was accused in the 2014 disappearance and killing of 15-year-old Megan Nichols. On Wednesday, an FBI investigator told the jury about text messages between Murbarger and Nichols which. If you have any information regarding the circumstances of Megans death, please contact the FBI at (217) 522-9675. 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. A body was found - it was tragic, but maybe itll lead to something more. 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. An Indiana man was arrested Wednesday for the 2014 murder of an Illinois teen whose body was found nearly three years ago in a shallow grave. In Japanese court, Alkonis pleaded guilty to negligent driving. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. An Illinois grand jury issued the indictment for Murbarger in connection with the murder and disappearance of Megan Nichols. Jail) [Previous: 'I'm sick,' says woman who discovered Megan Nichols'. 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: . 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. to turn the house into a permanent gallery for local artists. 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. 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. Brodey Murbarger, 24, has been charged with murder, Evansville Police said. I think the Kraemer house has tremendous possibilities, Bass said. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. As reported in October, Brodey Murbarger was found guilty of the murder of Megan Nichols, of Fairfield, Illinois. The city felt that was too crowded.. Brodey Murbarger testified that Megans blood was in his car after a sexual encounter, in which he used his shirt to clean the blood. Sep 2019 - Present3 years 5 months. The FBI, along with many law enforcement organizations, including the Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office and the Evansville Police Department, continue to investigate Megans case. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. More than three years later, the skeletal remains of Megan were found in a shallow grave south of . Another was a note that Megan had written that contained very . Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. 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. 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. The trial continues on Wednesday. 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. What happens when the murderer doesnt get caught? 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. We're continuing to follow the outcome out of a murder trial that's happening in Wayne County, Illinois. Megan, who was featured in Datelines digital series Missing in America shortly after she vanished, was initially considered a missing person. They told the jurors there was no motive for Murbarger to kill Nichols, Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 14_7_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/605.1.15 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/14.1.2 Mobile/15E148 Safari/604.1, Shawn Parrs Backstage Country, Weeknights, JEFFERSON COUNTY ARREST REPORTS OCTOBER 13TH, 2022, Odin man pleads guilty in child sex abuse case. Multiple agencies in Evansville, Indiana took Brodey Murbarger, 24, into custody Wednesday morning. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. 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. Parlor Doughnuts hold soft opening for new location on Main St. Man arrested on murder charges in Providence. 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. Megan was dating an 18-year-old named Brodey Murbarger, an A pre-trial hearing was held yesterday (Tuesday) via Zoom in Wayne County Circuit Court for 25-year-old Brodey I. Murbarger. According to Lee, the owners have lost a substantial amount of money on the property, which cost $750,000 in 1988. Her family didn't believe she was actually a runaway though and her disappearance was featured in Datelines digital series Missing in America.". I dont want to get too excited," August said. 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. Murbarger was arrested in 2020 while working in Indiana. The city says the owners should. He was arrested Wednesday without incident and is in jail awaiting extradition back to Illinois. Then in December of 2017, remains were found in a rural area in Illinois. Brodey Murbargers attorney filed a motion on his clients behalf Tuesday. 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. 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