Murder on Songbird Road

Murder on Songbird Road

Murder on Songbird Road revisits the stabbing death of an 11-year-old girl in Southern Illinois and the subsequent arrest and conviction of her father’s fiancée for the crime. In this series, veteran true-crime host Lauren Bright Pacheco teams up with criminal defense attorney Bob Motta to investigate whether the case—one that tore apart a rural community, sparking controversy, corruption, and ongoing questions—was truly solved, or if an innocent woman remains wrongfully convicted.

Episodes

January 30, 2025 45 mins

The family of Jade’s father share their remembrances of a life tragically ended and thoughts on the woman they believe took it. Speculation as to what could have motivated the murder takes an unlikely turn, leading to Salem, Massachusetts.

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com

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Weeks after she was arrested for the murder of her step-daughter, Julia Bevely realized she was expecting her fourth child. Her subsequent treatment during pregnancy, birth and postpartum as a pre-trial detainee remain, next to the murder, the most disturbing aspects of the case.

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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January 16, 2025 40 mins

The day of the sentencing, Bob and Lauren retrace the route Julia Bevely claims to have taken the morning of the murder with surprising results. Her increasingly polarizing fate is then decided in a packed Marion courtroom filled with contrasting emotions.

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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January 9, 2025 38 mins

Bob and Lauren connect in Marion, Illinois for Julia Bevely’s sentencing. Through a jailhouse visit with Bevely- and interviews with her family- a narrative emerges that is at odds with key elements of the prosecution theory in terms of the murder and the woman convicted of having committed it. 

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.

 

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January 2, 2025 36 mins

Just days after the murder, the Williamson County State’s Attorney announced the death of Jade Beasley- and the arrest of Julia Bevely- in the same press conference. He claimed a thorough investigation had already been conducted, but glaring questions remain to this day. 

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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January 2, 2025 39 mins

On December 5th of 2020, a blended family was ripped apart when police responded to a 911 call placed from a rural area in Marion, Illinois. At the scene, they would find an 11-year-old girl, brutally murdered and her hysterical 32-year old stepmother. 

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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December 26, 2024 3 mins

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Lauren Bright Pacheco

Lauren Bright Pacheco

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