to turn the house into a permanent gallery for local artists. I had never had someone that I was close to that had died and, you know, that was traumatic," August said. The remains were found in a rural location in Wayne County, Illinois, FBI Public Information Officer Brad Ware previously told Dateline. 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. 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. When youre hanging up a poster with your friends picture on it, thats when its like, Oh, this is real, Holden said. I dont want to get too excited," August said. Search for Free Cell Phone Deals Without Paying, Datelines digital series Missing in America. 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. Nichols was 15 when she disappeared on July 3, 2014 from her home in Fairfield, Illinois. (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. Nichols was considered a missing person until her remains were found in a field outside Boyleston, Illinois in 2017. Further, a search warrant for his home was issued. 4. On Wednesday, an FBI investigator told the jury about text messages between Murbarger and Nichols which revealed the two were in a sexual relationship. 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. Quality Control Laboratory Technician. It wasn't until 2017 that Nichols' remains were discovered in a rural area of Wayne County. Murbarger was arrested in 2020 while working in Indiana. [Previous: Im sick,' says woman who discovered Megan Nichols remains]. Three are for first degree murder. What happens when the murderer doesnt get caught? Please post information in the comments related to the case! 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. The FBI, along with many law enforcement organizations, including the Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office and the Evansville Police Department, continue to investigate Megans case. 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. A search warrant was also executed at Murbargers home at the Lakewood West apartment complex in Evansville, Indiana. "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. 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. The city felt that was too crowded.. 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. She had left her cell phone behind at the house. 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. Last November a Wayne County jury found Brodey Murbarger responsible for strangling or smothering Megan Nichols to death. 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 NBC News, she was considered a missing person as police said she withdrew money from a bank before her disappearance. 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. EVANSVILLE, Ind. The city says the owners should. When youre hanging up a poster with your friends picture on it, thats when its like, Oh, this is real, August said. A chapter still remains unclosed as friends and families continue to wait. The City Council will consider that option at its Dec. 19 meeting, said Joyce Rosenthal, director of development services for Placentia. 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 Wayne County Circuit Clerk told us Wednesday that Murbarger's sentencing date was being delayed. It had been wiped clean. Ill update whenever I get more info. 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. 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. According to the clerk, Murbarger will now be sentenced on Friday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. Megan was initially considered a missing person until her remains were located in a rural area in Wayne County Illinois in 2018. 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. In the meantime, he hasnt done what we think is the proper maintenance on the site.. The owners say the city should, particularly if officials are so set on preserving the home. According to Lee, the owners have lost a substantial amount of money on the property, which cost $750,000 in 1988. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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: . There was a problem saving your notification. Edited spelling and corrected charges as of 2:00 PM. 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. August says Nicholss disappearance took awhile to digest for him and his classmates. Its been six dark years for Nicholss family and friends, whose questions were left unanswered. RC Beverage Company. An Illinois grand jury issued the indictment for Murbarger in connection with the murder and disappearance of Megan Nichols. 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 documents show hes accused of strangling and suffocating Megan and burying her in a shallow grave. 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. More than three years later, the skeletal remains of Megan were found in a shallow grave south of . He was arrested Wednesday without incident and is in jail awaiting extradition back to Illinois. It wasn't until 2017 that Nichols' remains were discovered in a rural area of Wayne County. 1 seed in ACC, edges Pitt 78-76 for, Kitayama holds onto Bay Hill lead over Scheffler,, No. FAIRFIELD, Ill (WEHT) Brodey Murbarger, 26, was found guilty of first degree murder on Thursday after the jury deliberated for only an hour. Follow 44News on Facebook, or download the free 44News apps on Android or Apple devices. Friends say . Her cell phone was also left behind and had been wiped clean. His attorney, Christian J. Baril, told Judge Michael Molt and State's Attorney Kevin Kakac the review of discovery materials is going well. 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. Nichols, 15 was reported missing from her Fairfield, Illinois home in the early morning hours of July 3, 2014. WAYNE CO., Ill. (WFIE) - The trial started Monday morning for the man accused in the 2014 murder of Megan Nichols. 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. All rights reserved. 25-year-old Brodey I. Murbarger appeared in a status hearing via Zoom in Wayne County Circuit Court yesterday morning. At first, he wanted to take down the house, Rosenthal said. The manner of death was determined to be homicide. On September 29, a Wayne County Grand Jury indicted Murbarger on six separate charges. Megan was dating an 18-year-old named Brodey Murbarger, and the relationship had caused a rift between Megan and her mother. Link has been updated, guilty verdict returned. The man at the center of a high profile murder case out of Wayne County, Illinois, learned his sentence on Friday. 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. 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. Murbarger was accused in the 2014 disappearance and killing of 15-year-old Megan Nichols. You have permission to edit this article. Judge Michael Molt handed down the sentence at the conclusion of a two hour hearing before a packed Wayne County courtroom. Murbarger remains in custody in Indiana pending extradition to Illinois. They dont want to pay for the property.. We're told that the maximum sentence Murbarger faced for the crime was 60 years, and that the minimum possible sentence was 20 years. Its one of those things where you kind of always knew it was him," Hold told WFIE. For more than three years, state and local police along with the FBI followed up on hundreds of tips. Court then moved outside so jurors could have the chance to see the car themselves. Now the price tag for renovation has reached $300,000. MURBARGER PRE TRIAL 3/19/22 The first-degree murder trial of 25-year-old Brodey I. Murbarger has been delayed until fall. They paid $2,800 a month for rent. 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. Multiple agencies in Evansville, Indiana took Brodey Murbarger, 24, into custody Wednesday morning. 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. We will continue to provide updates on the case. 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. In July, a fire damaged the propertys garage, according to Placentia police. An Evansville, Indiana man is facing charges in the disappearance and murder of teenager Megan Nichols in 2014. Murbarger was set for trial September 19 for the slaying of 15-year-old Megan Nichols of Fairfield. 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. 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. Brodey Ian Murbarger, 24, was indicted in September by a grand jury. We're continuing to follow the outcome out of a murder trial that's happening in Wayne County, Illinois. 00:56:29 - On July 3, 2014, 15-year-old Megan Nichols disappeared from her Fairfield, Illinois home. (Vanderburgh Co. A month later, they were identified as those of Nichols. 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.