Murbarger was accused in the 2014 disappearance and killing of 15-year-old Megan Nichols. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Jail) [Previous: 'I'm sick,' says woman who discovered Megan Nichols'. In closing arguments Thursday, prosecutors told the jury Murbargers story has changed several times and that the varying stories contradict each other. He was arrested Wednesday without incident and is in jail awaiting extradition back to Illinois. Murbarger then said he placed the shirt in the trunk, where leaking water caused the blood to spread. Quality Control Laboratory Technician. I dont want to get too excited," August said. Last November a Wayne County jury found Brodey Murbarger responsible for strangling or smothering Megan Nichols to death. Three are for first degree murder. 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 September 29, a Wayne County Grand Jury indicted Murbarger on six separate charges. On Friday, Murbarger was sentenced to 50 years in prison for Nichols's murder, according to court officials. Parlor Doughnuts hold soft opening for new location on Main St. Man arrested on murder charges in Providence. I am at work and had a lot of background noise but Im pretty confident that is what I heard. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. [Click here to see the indictment documents obtained by 14 News]. According to authorities, prior to her disappearance, Megan withdrew money from a local bank while on her bicycle. [Exclusive: People who found remains in Wayne Co. talk to 14 News]. 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. I would love to see that house be taken and refurbished and something decent made there.. 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: . No further details were released. You have permission to edit this article. Brodey Ian Murbarger of Evansville, Indiana has been arrested in connection with the murder of his former girlfriend, Megan Nichols. The city felt that was too crowded.. 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.. 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. Brodey Murbarger, 24, has been charged with murder, Evansville Police said. 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. All rights reserved. This was an on-record portion of the proceedings, meaning defense, prosecution, and jury were there along with the judge and court reporter. There was a problem saving your notification. Multiple agencies in Evansville, Indiana took Brodey Murbarger, 24, into custody Wednesday morning. Holden August, a friend of Nichols, heard the news on Wednesday morning. 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. Murbarger had lived in Fairfield, and met Nichols at New Hope School, where he was a senior and she was a sophomore. The Wayne County Circuit Clerk told us Wednesday that Murbarger's sentencing date was being delayed. "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 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. 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 stated he disposed of the shirt in a ditch. A body was found - it was tragic, but maybe itll lead to something more. All rights reserved. While authorities first considered Megan a runaway, according to Dateline, her family didnt agree. Through those statements, the state says Murbarger places himself with Nichols on the night and time she disappeared. The property is highly problematic now, said Lee, because the owners lost their liability insurance in 1998. 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? An abatement order would require the houses owners to repair, rebuild or demolish the house. More than three years later, the skeletal remains of Megan were found in a shallow grave south of . According to the Navigator Journal, Megan and Brodey Murbarger had previously dated. Lee said the group of owners would like nothing better than to cut ties to the property. UPDATE: Brodey Murbarger found guilty of murdering Megan Nichols in 2014. Hes remained in the Wayne County Jail since that time with bond set at $300,000 cash. 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. 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. Then in December of 2017, remains were found in a rural area in Illinois. Murbarger did address Judge Molt, asking for leniency. Murbarger was arrested in 2020 while working in Indiana. They paid $2,800 a month for rent. Nichols was considered a missing person until her remains were found in a field outside Boyleston, Illinois in 2017. Follow 44News on Facebook, or download the free 44News apps on Android or Apple devices. On July 3, 2014, 15-year-old Megan Nichols disappeared from her Fairfield, Illinois home. He said he then placed the shirt in the trunk, where leaking water caused the blood to spread. Meanwhile, the abandoned home has been plagued by graffiti, vandalism and arson. 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. [Previous: Im sick,' says woman who discovered Megan Nichols remains]. At first, he wanted to take down the house, Rosenthal said. Its one of those things where you kind of always knew it was him," Hold told WFIE. 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. The charges include three counts of First Degree Murder, one count of Concealment of a Homicidal Death and two counts of Home Invasion. 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. 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. The first-degree murder trial of Brodey Murbarger has been delayed again. The house is one of only seven historical homes in the city, according to Donna Bass, chairwoman of Placentias historical committee. The investigator also testified the two were planning to runaway together five months prior to Nichols disappearance. Another was a note that Megan had written that contained very . 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, 15 was reported missing from her Fairfield, Illinois home in the early morning hours of July 3, 2014. 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. A chapter still remains unclosed as friends and families continue to wait. The trial was set to begin May 2 but was delayed during a pretrial hearing on Friday in Wayne County Circuit Court. 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. The man at the center of a high profile murder case out of Wayne County, Illinois, learned his sentence on Friday. 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. (WFIE) - Evansville police say detectives arrested an Evansville man on murder charges in relation to the 2014 disappearance/murder of Megan Nichols. 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. 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. You have permission to edit this article. (WFIE) - Its week two of a murder trial in Fairfield, Illinois for the man accused in the 2014 murder of 15-year old Megan Nichols. RELATED: Two women missing in southwestern Indiana, RELATED: Suspect in 1986 cold case dies months after confession, Example video title will go here for this video. But the overriding question remains: Who should pay for the renovation? What happens when the murderer doesnt get caught? Friends say . Family members could not be reached for comment. I had never had someone that I was close to that had died and, you know, that was traumatic," August said. In the 10 years that the property has been on the market, Lee said, there have been no offers. Megan was dating an 18-year-old named Brodey Murbarger, and the relationship had caused a rift between Megan and her mother. (Vanderburgh Co. 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 was arrested in 2020. The owners say the city should, particularly if officials are so set on preserving the home. Murbarger was set for trial September 19 for the slaying of 15-year-old Megan Nichols of Fairfield. The family called police to report her missing at about 1 am July 4, 2014. In the first count of First Degree Murder charges, Murbarger is accused of intentionally or knowingly caused Megan Nichols to be suffocated, knowing said act would cause the death of Megan Nichols. In the second count, Murbarger is accused of intentionally or knowingly caused Megan Nichols to be strangled, knowing said act would cause the death of Megan Nichols. Brodey Ian Murbarger, 24, was arrested Wednesday without incident and is in jail awaiting extradition back to Illinois. Website: www.renovaricounseling.com. A hearing on all pending motions in the case is scheduled for March 18 with a May 2 setting being eyed as a possible start date for a jury trial. Her whereabouts remained a mystery for three years until human remains were found on December 26, 2017. His attorney, Christian Baril, filed two motions before Judge Michael Molt- one for the allowance of in-person visits with Murbarger and another for the reduction of the current $300,000 cash bond. The documents show hes accused of strangling and suffocating Megan and burying her in a shallow grave. EVANSVILLE, Ind. Further, a search warrant for his home was issued. 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. 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. . In the meantime, he hasnt done what we think is the proper maintenance on the site.. Evansville, Indiana Area. 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. According to NBC News, she was considered a missing person as police said she withdrew money from a bank before her disappearance. We asked the city to condemn the property, but they refused to do that. The City Council will consider that option at its Dec. 19 meeting, said Joyce Rosenthal, director of development services for Placentia. The documents show hes accused of strangling and suffocating Megan and burying her in a shallow grave. 00:56:29 - On July 3, 2014, 15-year-old Megan Nichols disappeared from her Fairfield, Illinois home. 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. one hour of jury deliberation. Brodey Murbarger testified that Megans blood was in his car after a sexual encounter, in which he used his shirt to clean the blood. In March, the landowners had preliminary talks with the Placentia-Yorba Linda Art Assn. Bass, the Placentia historian, said city officials balk at taking over the renovation because it will be so expensive. His attorney, Christian J. Baril, told Judge Michael Molt and State's Attorney Kevin Kakac the review of discovery materials is going well. 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. As reported in October, Brodey Murbarger was found guilty of the murder of Megan Nichols, of Fairfield, Illinois. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Hes accused of strangling and suffocating Nichols and burying her in a shallow grave. The trial continues on Wednesday. Murbarger was arrested in 2020 while working in Indiana. 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. The family, according to Lee and Bass, is not interested in paying to restore the home. 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. 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. An Evansville, Indiana man is facing charges in the disappearance and murder of teenager Megan Nichols in 2014. Follow 44News on Facebook, or download the free 44News apps on Android or Apple devices. 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. Nichols was 15 when she disappeared on July 3, 2014 from her home in Fairfield, Illinois. Now the price tag for renovation has reached $300,000. UPDATE: Brodey Murbarger found guilty of murdering Megan Nichols in 2014. But the city balked because of the homes historical significance, he said. https://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/closing-arguments-wrap-up-in-murbarger-murder-trial-jury-to-deliberate/. 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They dont want to pay for the property.. WAYNE CO., Ill. (WFIE) - The trial started Monday morning for the man accused in the 2014 murder of Megan Nichols. RC Beverage Company. Lee said that when they bought the property, they believed that the city would let them clear the site and build condominiums. 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. 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 Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office this week. August says Nicholss disappearance took awhile to digest for him and his classmates. Judge Michael Molt handed down the sentence at the conclusion of a two hour hearing before a packed Wayne County courtroom. Sep 2019 - Present3 years 5 months. The Court on Tuesday issued a protective order for Megan Nichols medical records. 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 Murbarger was arrested at his place of employment Wednesday without incident. But in February 2014 the messages reflected a more tumultuous relationship, with Murbarger at one point calling Nichols annoying.. 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 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. 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. The last tenants were 12 members of Cal State Fullertons Sigma Nu fraternity, who got a conditional-use permit from the city to live there from 1991 to 1997. No further info regarding charges has been released. Then he was going to leave the house and build houses around it. To a 15 year old. The City Council has declared the house a public nuisance, and the city Planning Commission voted this month for abatement. He was taken Friday to a jail in Illinois. EVANSVILLE, Ind. (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. They also reminded jurors that Murbarger told others hed gone to Megans Fairfield home around 9:30 p.m. July 3, 2014 the night she disappeared. EVANSVILLE, Ind. Search for Free Cell Phone Deals Without Paying, Datelines digital series Missing in America. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. A pre-trial hearing was held yesterday (Tuesday) via Zoom in Wayne County Circuit Court for 25-year-old Brodey I. Murbarger. However, theres a bit of relief now that an arrest has been made. Opinion: How has American healthcare gone so wrong? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He added that theres a bit of relief now that an arrest has been made. Her cell phone was also left behind and had been wiped clean. WAYNE CO., Ill. (WFIE) - The trial started Monday morning for the man accused in the 2014 murder of Megan Nichols. Sentencing rescheduled for man convicted of Wayne County teen's murder, 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. Murbarger remains in custody in Indiana pending extradition to Illinois. It had been wiped clean. Brodey Murbarger has been sentenced to prison for the murder of Fairfield, Illinois teen Megan Nichols. Members of the Kraemer family, for their part, apparently have distanced themselves from the dilapidated house that bears their name. 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. 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 Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. 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. Welcome to the subreddit! After deliberating for more than an hour, a jury found Brodey Murbarger guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Megan Nichols. 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. 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. Murbarger was found guilty of the murder of Megan Nichols this afternoon after approx. Megan, who was featured in Datelines digital series Missing in America shortly after she vanished, was initially considered a missing person. 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 PRE TRIAL 3/19/22 The first-degree murder trial of 25-year-old Brodey I. Murbarger has been delayed until fall. Following a telephone conference on Wednesday in Wayne County Circuit Court, Murbarger's defense attorney requested a continuance until October 3. In Japanese court, Alkonis pleaded guilty to negligent driving. In reference to the varying stories, the defense states Murbarger was an awkward teen under a lot of pressure due to rumors circulating of his involvement in Nichols disappearance and would have been flustered during interrogations. Press J to jump to the feed. 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The manner of death was determined to be homicide. FAIRFIELD, Ill (WEHT) Brodey Murbarger, 26, was found guilty of first degree murder on Thursday after the jury deliberated for only an hour. We're continuing to follow the outcome out of a murder trial that's happening in Wayne County, Illinois. As reported in October, Brodey Murbarger was found guilty of the murder of Megan Nichols, of Fairfield, Illinois. Local radio news at noon stated that the Grand Jury indictments cant yet be released. 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. Its not just you, Work phones make a comeback as offices ban WhatsApp, TikTok. 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. When youre hanging up a poster with your friends picture on it, thats when its like, Oh, this is real, Holden said. Brodey Ian Murbarger, 24, was indicted in September by a grand jury. 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. 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. There were a few cryptic clues left behind at the home, one was Megan's cell phone which had been completely wiped. It wasn't until 2017 that Nichols' remains were discovered in a rural area of Wayne County. Murbarger had lived in Fairfield, and met Nichols at New Hope School, where he was a senior and she was a sophomore. https://www.14news.com/2022/10/12/ill-murder-suspect-takes-stand-day-8-trial/?outputType=amp.