November 29, 2024 • 23 mins
In this gripping true crime story, we explore the shocking murder of Mike McLennon, a sheriff whose secret gay love affair with a teen boy leads to a fatal confrontation. Set in Johnson City, Tennessee in August 2013, this chilling tale unravels a complex love triangle involving Mike, his estranged wife Kelly Anne, and his young lover Skyler. As secrets come to light, the investigation reveals a dark history of manipulation, addiction, and betrayal, culminating in a brutal murder that shakes the community. Witness the dramatic twists, hear the gripping testimonies, and discover the fates of those involved in this tragic case that highlights the dangers of hidden relationships and the struggles for redemption. Don't miss this captivating episode of True Crime Case Files, where real-life horror unfolds.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to True Crime Case Files. In today's episode, we
explore the tragic and complex case of a respected family
man and police officer whose secret life led to a
grizzly murder in late August of twenty thirteen. This is
the story of a hidden affairs, jealousy, and a deadly confrontation.
Michael Mike mcclennan was forty two years old and had
(00:20):
served as a police officer in Johnson City, Tennessee for
over a decade. He was married to his high schools sweetheart,
Kelly Ann, forty, and they had been together for fifteen years.
From the outside, their life seemed perfect. Kelly Ann was
a devoted stay at home mom, heavily involved in activities
at their church. The couple had two young children and
lived in a suburban neighborhood. Mike was often seen as
(00:43):
a dedicated officer, but behind the scenes, things were far
more complicated. In late June of twenty thirteen, Mike arrested
eighteen year old Skuyler Farber for marijuana possession. Skuyler, who
had just graduated from high school, worked part time at
a local Kroger while preparing for college. He was described
as quiet and reserved by his friends, but he had
(01:03):
a trouble past, including multiple arrests for pot use. When
Mike arrested him, Skyler's future seemed uncertain. However, Mike saw
something different in him. After the arrest, Mike made an
offer he'd dropped the charges if Skyler agreed to meet
up privately for sex. Desperate to avoid jail time, Skuyler accepted.
Their meetings begin frequent, evolving from an occasional illicit sex
(01:26):
to a full blown romantic relationship. This left Mike conflicted.
He felt ashamed and paranoid, knowing that his job, marriage,
and public image were all on the line. He was
supposed to be an upstanding officer and family man. His
feelings for Skyler made him feel alive, but also terrified.
Kelly Ann had no idea about Mike's double life. She
(01:47):
began to sense that their marriage was faltering, but couldn't
figure out why, and was stressed, feeling she couldn't do
anything about it. Mike did everything he could to keep
his affair hidden, even creating fake alibis for his time
away from home and using burner phones to communicate with Skyler. Skyler,
on the other hand, felt conflicted too. While their relationship
(02:07):
helped him avoid jail, he was not emotionally prepared for
the intensity of their connection. Mike's promises of leaving his
wife and starting a life together never materialized, which left
Skyler frustrated and feeling used. The secrecy of their relationship
was taking the toll on both men. The power dynamics
between them were clear. Mike was the older, respected authority figure,
(02:29):
while Skyler felt like he had no choice but to
continue the affair for fear of legal consequences. This love
triangle made everyone feel trapped in their own way. Kelly
Anne was confused, Mike was drowning in guilt, and Skyler
was caught between fear and resentment. But they had no
idea the tragic turn this triangle would take. On the
morning of August twenty eighth, twenty thirteen, a hiker named
(02:52):
Doug Harper was walking his dog, Jackie Hirschpindler, along a
trail near Buffalo Mountain Park in Johnson City, Tennessee. It
was just after a tight o'clock anne when Doug noticed
something unusual. He spotted what looked like a pile of
clothes in a small clearing near the wooded area. Curious,
he approached, only to be shocked by what he found. Boddie.
The man was lying face down, motionless, and it was
(03:14):
clear he had been badly beaten. Doug later told police
he felt a wave of panic wash over him. Doug
immediately called nine to one one, his voice trembling as
he gave the dispatch of the location. The body was
later identified as forty two year old officer Michael mcclennan,
a well known figure in the community. Doug, visibly shaken
when interviewed later by local media like WJHLTV, said he
(03:38):
couldn't believe something like this had happened in their quiet town.
He had been hiking the trail for years and never
expected to stumble upon such a horrific scene. I didn't
know what to think, Doug said. I was just scared
and didn't want to touch anything. Within minutes, police officers
and paramedics arrived at the scene. The secluded area was
quickly takeed off and the investigation gaters began to process
(04:01):
the crime scene. Mike's body showed clear signs of blunt
forced trauma to the head. He had defensive wounds on
his arms, suggesting that he had tried to fight off
his attacker. There was blood on the ground, but not
a large amount, leading investigators to believe that the murder
hadn't happened right there. It appeared the killer had either
tried to move the body or staged the scene to
(04:22):
confuse investigators. The brutal nature of the crime stunned the community. Initially,
some thought it could have been a mugging gone wrong,
but the level of violence didn't add up to a
simple robbery. As news of Mike's death spread through Johnson City, friends, family,
and fellow officers were left in shock. Mike's wife, Kelly Anne,
was reportedly inconsolable when she was informed of her husband's death.
(04:46):
She and their two children had no idea of what
had happened to Mike, and now they were forced to
face the devastating reality. When police arrived at the crime
scene on August twenty eighth, twenty thirteen, it was clear
they had a brutal case on their head. Officer Michael
McLennan's body was found in a clearing near Buffalo Mountain Park,
and the scene was disturbing. Investigators, led by Detective Sarah Watkins,
(05:09):
brush and officer Tom Bridge immediately began processing the area.
Both officers were seasoned investigators, but the grisly details of
this case left them unsettled. Mike's body was severely beaten,
with blunt forced trauma to the head being the apparent
cause of death. His arms had deep defensive wounds, showing
he had fought back against his attacker. But as investigators
(05:32):
looked closer, they noticed something even more disturbing. Mike's genitals
were missing. This grotesque detail left police speculating about the
killer's motive. Was it a personal attack a crime of passion?
Theories began to swirl. Some investigators believed the removal of
the genitals was meant to send a message, possibly related
to the Sunshine Family and the Society of Zen and Consciousness,
(05:53):
new cults that had begun operating in the area. The
scene became even more complex when bite marks were discovered
on the At first, investigators considered the possibility of cannibalism,
but forensic analysis soon suggested a different explanation. The bite
marks likely came from a wild animal, possibly a coyote
or other scavenger, that roamed the wooded area near Buffalo Mountain.
(06:15):
Detective Watkins. Brush noted that the presence of the bite
marks didn't seem connected to the cause of death, but
rather occurred after Mike had already been killed. It's something
we're looking into, she told the Johnson City Press, but
we believe these injuries were inflicted. Post mortem. Blood was
found on the ground near Mike's body, but it didn't
appear to be enough to suggest the attack had happened
(06:36):
at that exact spot. Investigators used luminol to search for
more traces of blood, hoping it would help them piece
together the timeline of events. There were no immediate signs
of a struggle in the surrounding area, leading the police
to believe the attack had either started somewhere else or
Mike had been lured there by someone he knew. As
investigators calmed through the scene, the case was quickly becoming
(06:57):
more complex and unsettling than anyone had anticipated. The brutal
nature of the crime, along with the strange and symbolic injuries,
left police with more questions than answers. The first person
police turned their attention to a Skyler Farber, an eighteen
year old recent high school graduate with a troubled history.
Skyler was well known in Johnson City, but not for
(07:19):
the right reasons. He had struggled with a marijuana addiction
for years, leading to several run ins with the law.
He had been arrested by officer Michael mcclennan just a
few months earlier in a routine traffic stop when a
small amount of marijuana was found in his car, but
instead of charging Skyler, Mike made an offer that would
forever change the young man's life. Mike saw an opportunity
(07:41):
to manipulate Skyler for free sex, using his position of
power to prey on the vulnerable team. In exchange for
not arresting him, Mike demanded Skyler to have sex with
him whenever he wanted. Skyler, who was already struggling to
stay a felt trapped. If he didn't go along with
Mike's demands, he faced jail time at a ruin future. Mike,
who had a respected public persona as a loving husband
(08:04):
and father, knew how to hide his secrets well. To
everyone else, he was a model officer, but to Skuyler,
he was someone completely different, a manipulative, controlling, and increasingly
paranoid lover. As their relationship continued in secret, Skuyler's feelings
grew increasingly complicated. On one hand, he relied on Mike
for protection from the law for his drug habits, but
(08:26):
on the other he felt used and disgusted by the situation.
Mike's promises to help him get clean and start a
new life always felt empty. Skyler, who had been dreaming
of leaving Tennessee to attend college, saw those dreams slipping away.
The strain of the affair, combined with Skyler's deepening addiction,
left him feeling angry, confused, and desperate. When police brought
(08:48):
Skyler in for questioning, they were already aware of his
connection to Mike. Detective Sarah Watkins brush led the interrogation,
focusing on Skyler's tumultuous relationship with the officer was visibly nervous,
fidgeting and avoiding eye contact. At first, he denied any
involvement in the murder, but under pressure, his demeanor changed.
He admitted to the affair, but was quick to emphasize
(09:10):
that it wasn't consensual. He controlled me. Skuyler told the
detectives he had all the power. I was just a
butt he could bleep. As police continued to press Skuyler's
answers became more emotional. He expressed feelings of betrayal and anger,
especially after learning that Mike had been involved with other
young men. The discovery of Mike's other affairs sent Skyler
(09:31):
into a tail spin, and investigators began to suspect that
his rage over being manipulated might have turned violent. Kelly
Ann McLennan forty, was Officer Mike mc clennan's wife of
fifteen years. To everyone in Johnson City, they seemed like
the perfect couple, a loving mother and wife and a
well respected police officer, but behind closed doors, their marriage
(09:54):
had grown cold in the past few years. When police
brought Kelly Ann in for questioning after Mike's murder, she
was still in shock but willing to cooperate. Sitting in
the interrogation room, Kelly Ann opened up about the growing
distance between her and Mike. She described how the man
she married seemed to change over the last few years.
He used to be so present, so involved, she told
(10:15):
Detective Sarah Watkins brush, but lately it felt like he
was somewhere else, like he had built a wall between us.
The emotional connection they once shared had faded, and their
physical relationship had nearly disappeared. She assumed it was the
stress of his job, or maybe something they could work
through with time. But there was something else that had
troubled Kelly Ann, something she had discovered in their home
(10:37):
a few months before Mike's murder. She found a stash
of gay pornography hidden in the closet of their son's bedroom,
who was away at Bible camp for the summer. At first,
I didn't want to believe it was his, she said,
her voice trembling. I thought maybe it had to do
with his job, or it was some kind of mistake.
She didn't confront Mike about it, hoping the issue would disappear,
but the discovery stayed in the back of her mind,
(10:59):
raising question and she couldn't ignore. Could her husband have
been hiding something. The police then dropped a bombshell that
shattered Kelly Anne's world. Detective Watkins brush revealed to her
that Mike had been engaging in a sexual relationship with
a young man, Skylar Farber, manipulating his vulnerable young mind
after he met him while on duty. Kelly Anne's face
went pale as the weight of the revelation hit her.
(11:21):
She was stunned, unable to process what she was hearing.
The man she thought she knew had been living a
double life, deceiving her and their children. Kelly Ann broke
down in tears, gagging almost to the point of homiting.
I swear on my Grandma's Bible. I had no idea
what she sobbed. How could he do this? How could
he betray us like that? The image of Mike as
(11:41):
a devoted husband and father was now destroyed, replaced by
the reality of his secret life. She couldn't fathom how
the man she had loved for so long had been
hiding such dark secrets. Her shock, confusion, and anger were palpable.
Kelly Ann had been living in the shadow of a lie,
and now she was left to pick up the pieces
for broken life. As the investigation into Mike mc clennan's
(12:04):
murder deepened, police uncovered a dark and unexpected twist. While
searching through Mike's phone records in personal files, investigators stumbled
upon a shocking pattern. Mike had been involved in dozens
of secret sexual relationships with young men he had arrested
while on duty. These weren't ordinary arrests. Mike had set
up these encounters by targeting vulnerable young men, mostly in
(12:25):
their late teens or early twenties, often of color, arresting
them on trumped up charges like marijuana possession or disorderly conduct.
After the arrests, Mike would offer them a way out.
He promised to make the charges disappear if they agreed
to have sex with him. The revelation was a gut
punch to the local police department. Investigators were horrified as
(12:46):
the scope of Mike's predatory behavior became clear. It was
a real punch in the stomach. One detective admitted, this
bleep was wearing the same badge as the rest of us,
and he was using it to manipulate and abuse these
bleeping kids. The discovery raised deep concerns about how many
more victims there could be. Mike had been a well
respected officer for years, which meant this behavior could have
(13:08):
been going on for a long time. There were now
fears that other young men who may have been too
ashamed or scared to come forward, were out there. What
made things worse was Mike's involvement in community programs like
Cops with Kids, an outreach initiative at the local high
school aimed at building trust between teenagers and law enforcement.
Now police feared Mike might have used this program to
(13:29):
get close to even younger boys, creating a chilling undercurrent
of suspicion within the department. Detectives worked around the clock,
but the weight of what they were uncovering was difficult
to bear. The more they dug, the more they realized
how widespread Mike's abuse of power had been. This isn't
just about solving a murder anymore, lead investigator Sarah Watkins Brushstead.
(13:51):
It's about bringing justice to all the victims whose lives
this soiled diaper of a human being manipulated and ruined.
The department braced itself for the possibility of more victims
coming forward, knowing they were dealing with a much bigger
case than they'd initially thought. Dejonte Moore had always been
a troubled kid, a former foster child, searching for love
(14:11):
and acceptance in all the wrong places. When Mike mcclennan
entered his life, it felt like he had finally found
someone who truly cared. Mike had arrested d Johntay for
shoplifting at Local seven to eleven in twenty eleven, like
many others, Dejhontaye was offered a way out. Mike promised
to make the charges disappear in exchange for something far
more personal. The relationship quickly turned sexual, but for Dejontay,
(14:36):
it wasn't just about the manipulation. He believed that Mike
genuinely loved him. When police questioned d Johntay after Mike's murder,
he revealed the depth of their relationship. No one ever
loved me like Mike did, Dejhonte told investigators, his voice breaking.
It took care of me, made me feel important. I
didn't care about what he made me do because I
(14:56):
thought we had something real. For two years, Te remained
in Mike's life, convinced he was special, But in the
summer of twenty thirteen, Dejonte's world shattered. One late August night,
while heading to the twenty four hour Walmart on Main Street,
he saw Mike's car parked in a dimly lit section
of the lot. Curious, Dejonte approached, only to catch Mike
(15:17):
in the act having sex with Skyler, a young man
Mike had also manipulated into a relationship. Seeing the two
of them together felt like a knife to the heart
for Dejonte. He later told police how devastated he was.
I couldn't believe it. I thought I was the only one,
Dejonte said. It made me sick. I just stood there
(15:37):
watching and everything I thought was real just crumbled. I
felt like a fool. The betrayal was unbearable for de Jontay.
He had already been struggling with his own identity and
self worth, and seeing Mike with Skuyler made him realize
that he was just another pawn in Mike's twisted game.
Dejontey left the scene without confronting them, too stunned to
say anything at the time, but the incident planted a
(16:00):
seed of anger and resentment in him, which would only
grow over the coming weeks. The Walmart parking lock incident
became a critical moment in the investigation, shedding light on
just how deeply Mike had manipulated those in his life.
Dejonte's feelings of betrayal, combined with the evidence of Mike's
multiple secret relationships, painted a picture of a man who
preyed on vulnerable young men, leaving a trail of emotional
(16:23):
devastation in his wake. Part eight, On the night of
August twenty eighth, twenty thirteen, Skuyler Farber confronted Mike McLennan
in the parking lot of a secluded clearing near Buffalo
Mountain Park. Tensions had been building between the two, fueled
by jealousy and betrayal. Skyler felt angry and hurt, tired
of Mike's sexual manipulations with him and dozens of other
(16:45):
young men. I just wanted the bleep to feel what
I felt, Skuyler later told police. As the argument escalated,
Skuyler's emotion spiraled out of control. He later admitted to
police to being high as a kite on marijuana, which
clouded his judgment and intensified his feelings of rage. In
a moment of fury, he pulled out a hockey puck
(17:05):
that he had hidden in his car. He beat the
puck into Mike, who was taken by surprise and slightly drunk.
I didn't really want to kill him, Schuyler said, his
voice shaky, But it just happened. It felt like I
was in a movie, like I was watching someone else
do it. Mike fell to the ground, and Skuyler felt
a mix of fear and adrenaline rushed through him. Instead
(17:27):
of calling for help, he panicked as he looked at
Mike's lifeless body, a dark impulse took over. In an
act of extreme rage and desperation, Skyler admitted to the
police that he ate parts of Mike's flesh. I didn't
know what I was doing. I was just so angry.
I just ate part of him. Actually, he reminded he
of undercooked hamburger helper, he confessed, adding that he also
(17:50):
ate Mike's genitals. This shocking revelation left detectives and investigators
in disbelief, in queasy. When police arrived at the scene,
they found Mike's body in a horrific state. Evidence led
them to Skyler, who had fled but was later apprehended
after being spotted nearby. Witnesses described a young man running away,
and officers quickly connected the dots. Skyler was arrested, and
(18:13):
as he sat in the interrogation room, the reality of
his actions began to sink in the wheat made me
feel like I was in a nightmare, he said, his
eyes wide with fear. I never wanted it to go
this far. The police pieced together the details of the
murder and discovered Skyler's history with Mike, leading them to
suspect him as the killer. The relationship that once brought
(18:35):
him joy had turned into a deadly entanglement. As he
was led away in handcuffs, Skyler's feelings of regret began
to overpower the anger that had driven him to commit
the crime. I didn't just lose Mike, I lost myself,
he said, tears streaming down his face. Skyler's actions shocked
the community, leaving them to wonder how love could turn
so deadly. His story became a cautionary tale, highlighting the
(18:59):
dark side of obsess and betrayal. In March twenty fifteen,
Skyler Farber faced trial for the brutal murder of Mike mcclenn.
The courtroom was packed with family members and friends of
both men, eager to hear the details of the case.
Skyler's attorney, James Dukevich, argued that his client was not
responsible for his actions due to his heavy marijuana use.
(19:20):
Skyler was high when he committed this crime. Dukevich explained
to the jury the marijuana affected his mind and made
him psychic. The defense claimed that Skyler's marijuana use had
altered his perception of reality. They presented evidence showing that
he had a history of using marijuana, which they argued
could lead to temporary insanity. Dukotitch called in a psychologist,
(19:43):
doctor Ellen Quack, to testify about the effects of marijuana
on mental health. She explained that some individuals could experience
severe paranoia or hallucinations when under the influence. The prosecution,
led by attorney Sarah Jackson, countered this argument by emphasizing
that Skyler had been fully aware of his actions during
the murder. Jackson highlighted the chilling details of how Skyler
(20:04):
had killed Mike and then utilated his body, eating his
flesh and his genitals. This wasn't a crime of passion,
it was premeditated and gruesome, She told the jury. Skyler
knew exactly what he was doing. As the trial progressed,
Skuyler felt a mix of hope and anxiety. The marijuana
defense provided him with a glimmer of hope, but he
(20:25):
was also aware that the evidence against him was overwhelming.
When the jury finally delivered their verdict, it was met
with a heavy silence in the courtroom. Skyler was found
guilty of second degree murder, a verdict that left him devastated.
During sentencing, the judge expressed concern over the brutality of
the crime and the impact on Mike's family. Skyler was
(20:46):
sentenced to twenty five years to life in prison. As
he heard the sentence, tears filled his eyes. He felt
a wave of regret wash over him. I never wanted
this to happen, he thought to himself. If I could
take it back, I would. In the months following the verdict,
Skyler struggled to cope with his new reality. He often
replayed the events of that night in his mind, wishing
(21:07):
he had made different choices. The tragedy of love turned
to loss haunted him every day in prison. As years passed,
the lives of Skyler, Lee, Kelly, Anne mcclennan, and Dejonte
took very different paths in the aftermath of the tragic
events surrounding the murder of Mike mcclennan. Skyler remained in prison,
serving his twenty five year to life sentence for the
(21:28):
brutal murder of Mike. He struggled to adjust to life
behind bars, facing the consequences of his actions. Every day.
Skyler spent much of his time reflecting on his past
decisions and the choices that led him to this point.
In prison, he began taking classes and participated in group therapy,
hoping to better himself despite his grim surroundings. He expressed
(21:49):
a desire to turn his life around and perhaps help
others avoid the same mistakes. Meanwhile, Kelly Ann found solace
in a surprising place. After the tumultuous end to her marriage,
she began exploring her faith more deeply. In January twenty sixteen,
she officially converted to Catholicism and announced her intention to
become a nun. She felt that dedicating her life to
(22:11):
serving others would bring her peace and purpose. She joined
a convent in her hometown of loading, New Jersey, where
she focused on helping at risk youth and the homeless.
Kelly Hann's transformation was widely reported in local media, with
many praising her decision to turn her life around in
such a meaningful way. De Jonte, too, sought to make
a positive impact on the world. Following the chaos of
(22:31):
his relationship with Mike, he relocated to Washington, d C.
Where he began advocating for criminal justice reform. Dejonte worked
with various organizations focusing on issues such as police accountability
and the rights of marginalized communities. He shared his story,
emphasizing the need for better oversight of law enforcement and
the dangers of manipulation within the justice system. Dejonte's work
(22:55):
gained recognition, and he was invited to speak at several events,
including a panel discussion on youth and criminal justice at
a prominent university. As they forged ahead with their lives,
each of them carried the scars of their past. Skyler,
in his quest for redemption, faced the harsh realities of
prison life. Kelly had embraced her faith and found a
new mission, while Dejonte used his experiences to fight for
(23:18):
a better system. Their paths may have diverged, but each
sought healing and purpose in their own way, showing that
even in the face of tragedy, hope can emerge. Thank
you for listening to True Crime Case Files. Join us
next time as we uncover another shocking story of betrayal, deceit,
and murder.
Welcome to True Crime Case Files. In today's episode, we
explore the tragic and complex case of a respected family
man and police officer whose secret life led to a
grizzly murder in late August of twenty thirteen. This is
the story of a hidden affairs, jealousy, and a deadly confrontation.
Michael Mike mcclennan was forty two years old and had
(00:20):
served as a police officer in Johnson City, Tennessee for
over a decade. He was married to his high schools sweetheart,
Kelly Ann, forty, and they had been together for fifteen years.
From the outside, their life seemed perfect. Kelly Ann was
a devoted stay at home mom, heavily involved in activities
at their church. The couple had two young children and
lived in a suburban neighborhood. Mike was often seen as
(00:43):
a dedicated officer, but behind the scenes, things were far
more complicated. In late June of twenty thirteen, Mike arrested
eighteen year old Skuyler Farber for marijuana possession. Skuyler, who
had just graduated from high school, worked part time at
a local Kroger while preparing for college. He was described
as quiet and reserved by his friends, but he had
(01:03):
a trouble past, including multiple arrests for pot use. When
Mike arrested him, Skyler's future seemed uncertain. However, Mike saw
something different in him. After the arrest, Mike made an
offer he'd dropped the charges if Skyler agreed to meet
up privately for sex. Desperate to avoid jail time, Skuyler accepted.
Their meetings begin frequent, evolving from an occasional illicit sex
(01:26):
to a full blown romantic relationship. This left Mike conflicted.
He felt ashamed and paranoid, knowing that his job, marriage,
and public image were all on the line. He was
supposed to be an upstanding officer and family man. His
feelings for Skyler made him feel alive, but also terrified.
Kelly Ann had no idea about Mike's double life. She
(01:47):
began to sense that their marriage was faltering, but couldn't
figure out why, and was stressed, feeling she couldn't do
anything about it. Mike did everything he could to keep
his affair hidden, even creating fake alibis for his time
away from home and using burner phones to communicate with Skyler. Skyler,
on the other hand, felt conflicted too. While their relationship
(02:07):
helped him avoid jail, he was not emotionally prepared for
the intensity of their connection. Mike's promises of leaving his
wife and starting a life together never materialized, which left
Skyler frustrated and feeling used. The secrecy of their relationship
was taking the toll on both men. The power dynamics
between them were clear. Mike was the older, respected authority figure,
(02:29):
while Skyler felt like he had no choice but to
continue the affair for fear of legal consequences. This love
triangle made everyone feel trapped in their own way. Kelly
Anne was confused, Mike was drowning in guilt, and Skyler
was caught between fear and resentment. But they had no
idea the tragic turn this triangle would take. On the
morning of August twenty eighth, twenty thirteen, a hiker named
(02:52):
Doug Harper was walking his dog, Jackie Hirschpindler, along a
trail near Buffalo Mountain Park in Johnson City, Tennessee. It
was just after a tight o'clock anne when Doug noticed
something unusual. He spotted what looked like a pile of
clothes in a small clearing near the wooded area. Curious,
he approached, only to be shocked by what he found. Boddie.
The man was lying face down, motionless, and it was
(03:14):
clear he had been badly beaten. Doug later told police
he felt a wave of panic wash over him. Doug
immediately called nine to one one, his voice trembling as
he gave the dispatch of the location. The body was
later identified as forty two year old officer Michael mcclennan,
a well known figure in the community. Doug, visibly shaken
when interviewed later by local media like WJHLTV, said he
(03:38):
couldn't believe something like this had happened in their quiet town.
He had been hiking the trail for years and never
expected to stumble upon such a horrific scene. I didn't
know what to think, Doug said. I was just scared
and didn't want to touch anything. Within minutes, police officers
and paramedics arrived at the scene. The secluded area was
quickly takeed off and the investigation gaters began to process
(04:01):
the crime scene. Mike's body showed clear signs of blunt
forced trauma to the head. He had defensive wounds on
his arms, suggesting that he had tried to fight off
his attacker. There was blood on the ground, but not
a large amount, leading investigators to believe that the murder
hadn't happened right there. It appeared the killer had either
tried to move the body or staged the scene to
(04:22):
confuse investigators. The brutal nature of the crime stunned the community. Initially,
some thought it could have been a mugging gone wrong,
but the level of violence didn't add up to a
simple robbery. As news of Mike's death spread through Johnson City, friends, family,
and fellow officers were left in shock. Mike's wife, Kelly Anne,
was reportedly inconsolable when she was informed of her husband's death.
(04:46):
She and their two children had no idea of what
had happened to Mike, and now they were forced to
face the devastating reality. When police arrived at the crime
scene on August twenty eighth, twenty thirteen, it was clear
they had a brutal case on their head. Officer Michael
McLennan's body was found in a clearing near Buffalo Mountain Park,
and the scene was disturbing. Investigators, led by Detective Sarah Watkins,
(05:09):
brush and officer Tom Bridge immediately began processing the area.
Both officers were seasoned investigators, but the grisly details of
this case left them unsettled. Mike's body was severely beaten,
with blunt forced trauma to the head being the apparent
cause of death. His arms had deep defensive wounds, showing
he had fought back against his attacker. But as investigators
(05:32):
looked closer, they noticed something even more disturbing. Mike's genitals
were missing. This grotesque detail left police speculating about the
killer's motive. Was it a personal attack a crime of passion?
Theories began to swirl. Some investigators believed the removal of
the genitals was meant to send a message, possibly related
to the Sunshine Family and the Society of Zen and Consciousness,
(05:53):
new cults that had begun operating in the area. The
scene became even more complex when bite marks were discovered
on the At first, investigators considered the possibility of cannibalism,
but forensic analysis soon suggested a different explanation. The bite
marks likely came from a wild animal, possibly a coyote
or other scavenger, that roamed the wooded area near Buffalo Mountain.
(06:15):
Detective Watkins. Brush noted that the presence of the bite
marks didn't seem connected to the cause of death, but
rather occurred after Mike had already been killed. It's something
we're looking into, she told the Johnson City Press, but
we believe these injuries were inflicted. Post mortem. Blood was
found on the ground near Mike's body, but it didn't
appear to be enough to suggest the attack had happened
(06:36):
at that exact spot. Investigators used luminol to search for
more traces of blood, hoping it would help them piece
together the timeline of events. There were no immediate signs
of a struggle in the surrounding area, leading the police
to believe the attack had either started somewhere else or
Mike had been lured there by someone he knew. As
investigators calmed through the scene, the case was quickly becoming
(06:57):
more complex and unsettling than anyone had anticipated. The brutal
nature of the crime, along with the strange and symbolic injuries,
left police with more questions than answers. The first person
police turned their attention to a Skyler Farber, an eighteen
year old recent high school graduate with a troubled history.
Skyler was well known in Johnson City, but not for
(07:19):
the right reasons. He had struggled with a marijuana addiction
for years, leading to several run ins with the law.
He had been arrested by officer Michael mcclennan just a
few months earlier in a routine traffic stop when a
small amount of marijuana was found in his car, but
instead of charging Skyler, Mike made an offer that would
forever change the young man's life. Mike saw an opportunity
(07:41):
to manipulate Skyler for free sex, using his position of
power to prey on the vulnerable team. In exchange for
not arresting him, Mike demanded Skyler to have sex with
him whenever he wanted. Skyler, who was already struggling to
stay a felt trapped. If he didn't go along with
Mike's demands, he faced jail time at a ruin future. Mike,
who had a respected public persona as a loving husband
(08:04):
and father, knew how to hide his secrets well. To
everyone else, he was a model officer, but to Skuyler,
he was someone completely different, a manipulative, controlling, and increasingly
paranoid lover. As their relationship continued in secret, Skuyler's feelings
grew increasingly complicated. On one hand, he relied on Mike
for protection from the law for his drug habits, but
(08:26):
on the other he felt used and disgusted by the situation.
Mike's promises to help him get clean and start a
new life always felt empty. Skyler, who had been dreaming
of leaving Tennessee to attend college, saw those dreams slipping away.
The strain of the affair, combined with Skyler's deepening addiction,
left him feeling angry, confused, and desperate. When police brought
(08:48):
Skyler in for questioning, they were already aware of his
connection to Mike. Detective Sarah Watkins brush led the interrogation,
focusing on Skyler's tumultuous relationship with the officer was visibly nervous,
fidgeting and avoiding eye contact. At first, he denied any
involvement in the murder, but under pressure, his demeanor changed.
He admitted to the affair, but was quick to emphasize
(09:10):
that it wasn't consensual. He controlled me. Skuyler told the
detectives he had all the power. I was just a
butt he could bleep. As police continued to press Skuyler's
answers became more emotional. He expressed feelings of betrayal and anger,
especially after learning that Mike had been involved with other
young men. The discovery of Mike's other affairs sent Skyler
(09:31):
into a tail spin, and investigators began to suspect that
his rage over being manipulated might have turned violent. Kelly
Ann McLennan forty, was Officer Mike mc clennan's wife of
fifteen years. To everyone in Johnson City, they seemed like
the perfect couple, a loving mother and wife and a
well respected police officer, but behind closed doors, their marriage
(09:54):
had grown cold in the past few years. When police
brought Kelly Ann in for questioning after Mike's murder, she
was still in shock but willing to cooperate. Sitting in
the interrogation room, Kelly Ann opened up about the growing
distance between her and Mike. She described how the man
she married seemed to change over the last few years.
He used to be so present, so involved, she told
(10:15):
Detective Sarah Watkins brush, but lately it felt like he
was somewhere else, like he had built a wall between us.
The emotional connection they once shared had faded, and their
physical relationship had nearly disappeared. She assumed it was the
stress of his job, or maybe something they could work
through with time. But there was something else that had
troubled Kelly Ann, something she had discovered in their home
(10:37):
a few months before Mike's murder. She found a stash
of gay pornography hidden in the closet of their son's bedroom,
who was away at Bible camp for the summer. At first,
I didn't want to believe it was his, she said,
her voice trembling. I thought maybe it had to do
with his job, or it was some kind of mistake.
She didn't confront Mike about it, hoping the issue would disappear,
but the discovery stayed in the back of her mind,
(10:59):
raising question and she couldn't ignore. Could her husband have
been hiding something. The police then dropped a bombshell that
shattered Kelly Anne's world. Detective Watkins brush revealed to her
that Mike had been engaging in a sexual relationship with
a young man, Skylar Farber, manipulating his vulnerable young mind
after he met him while on duty. Kelly Anne's face
went pale as the weight of the revelation hit her.
(11:21):
She was stunned, unable to process what she was hearing.
The man she thought she knew had been living a
double life, deceiving her and their children. Kelly Ann broke
down in tears, gagging almost to the point of homiting.
I swear on my Grandma's Bible. I had no idea
what she sobbed. How could he do this? How could
he betray us like that? The image of Mike as
(11:41):
a devoted husband and father was now destroyed, replaced by
the reality of his secret life. She couldn't fathom how
the man she had loved for so long had been
hiding such dark secrets. Her shock, confusion, and anger were palpable.
Kelly Ann had been living in the shadow of a lie,
and now she was left to pick up the pieces
for broken life. As the investigation into Mike mc clennan's
(12:04):
murder deepened, police uncovered a dark and unexpected twist. While
searching through Mike's phone records in personal files, investigators stumbled
upon a shocking pattern. Mike had been involved in dozens
of secret sexual relationships with young men he had arrested
while on duty. These weren't ordinary arrests. Mike had set
up these encounters by targeting vulnerable young men, mostly in
(12:25):
their late teens or early twenties, often of color, arresting
them on trumped up charges like marijuana possession or disorderly conduct.
After the arrests, Mike would offer them a way out.
He promised to make the charges disappear if they agreed
to have sex with him. The revelation was a gut
punch to the local police department. Investigators were horrified as
(12:46):
the scope of Mike's predatory behavior became clear. It was
a real punch in the stomach. One detective admitted, this
bleep was wearing the same badge as the rest of us,
and he was using it to manipulate and abuse these
bleeping kids. The discovery raised deep concerns about how many
more victims there could be. Mike had been a well
respected officer for years, which meant this behavior could have
(13:08):
been going on for a long time. There were now
fears that other young men who may have been too
ashamed or scared to come forward, were out there. What
made things worse was Mike's involvement in community programs like
Cops with Kids, an outreach initiative at the local high
school aimed at building trust between teenagers and law enforcement.
Now police feared Mike might have used this program to
(13:29):
get close to even younger boys, creating a chilling undercurrent
of suspicion within the department. Detectives worked around the clock,
but the weight of what they were uncovering was difficult
to bear. The more they dug, the more they realized
how widespread Mike's abuse of power had been. This isn't
just about solving a murder anymore, lead investigator Sarah Watkins Brushstead.
(13:51):
It's about bringing justice to all the victims whose lives
this soiled diaper of a human being manipulated and ruined.
The department braced itself for the possibility of more victims
coming forward, knowing they were dealing with a much bigger
case than they'd initially thought. Dejonte Moore had always been
a troubled kid, a former foster child, searching for love
(14:11):
and acceptance in all the wrong places. When Mike mcclennan
entered his life, it felt like he had finally found
someone who truly cared. Mike had arrested d Johntay for
shoplifting at Local seven to eleven in twenty eleven, like
many others, Dejhontaye was offered a way out. Mike promised
to make the charges disappear in exchange for something far
more personal. The relationship quickly turned sexual, but for Dejontay,
(14:36):
it wasn't just about the manipulation. He believed that Mike
genuinely loved him. When police questioned d Johntay after Mike's murder,
he revealed the depth of their relationship. No one ever
loved me like Mike did, Dejhonte told investigators, his voice breaking.
It took care of me, made me feel important. I
didn't care about what he made me do because I
(14:56):
thought we had something real. For two years, Te remained
in Mike's life, convinced he was special, But in the
summer of twenty thirteen, Dejonte's world shattered. One late August night,
while heading to the twenty four hour Walmart on Main Street,
he saw Mike's car parked in a dimly lit section
of the lot. Curious, Dejonte approached, only to catch Mike
(15:17):
in the act having sex with Skyler, a young man
Mike had also manipulated into a relationship. Seeing the two
of them together felt like a knife to the heart
for Dejonte. He later told police how devastated he was.
I couldn't believe it. I thought I was the only one,
Dejonte said. It made me sick. I just stood there
(15:37):
watching and everything I thought was real just crumbled. I
felt like a fool. The betrayal was unbearable for de Jontay.
He had already been struggling with his own identity and
self worth, and seeing Mike with Skuyler made him realize
that he was just another pawn in Mike's twisted game.
Dejontey left the scene without confronting them, too stunned to
say anything at the time, but the incident planted a
(16:00):
seed of anger and resentment in him, which would only
grow over the coming weeks. The Walmart parking lock incident
became a critical moment in the investigation, shedding light on
just how deeply Mike had manipulated those in his life.
Dejonte's feelings of betrayal, combined with the evidence of Mike's
multiple secret relationships, painted a picture of a man who
preyed on vulnerable young men, leaving a trail of emotional
(16:23):
devastation in his wake. Part eight, On the night of
August twenty eighth, twenty thirteen, Skuyler Farber confronted Mike McLennan
in the parking lot of a secluded clearing near Buffalo
Mountain Park. Tensions had been building between the two, fueled
by jealousy and betrayal. Skyler felt angry and hurt, tired
of Mike's sexual manipulations with him and dozens of other
(16:45):
young men. I just wanted the bleep to feel what
I felt, Skuyler later told police. As the argument escalated,
Skuyler's emotion spiraled out of control. He later admitted to
police to being high as a kite on marijuana, which
clouded his judgment and intensified his feelings of rage. In
a moment of fury, he pulled out a hockey puck
(17:05):
that he had hidden in his car. He beat the
puck into Mike, who was taken by surprise and slightly drunk.
I didn't really want to kill him, Schuyler said, his
voice shaky, But it just happened. It felt like I
was in a movie, like I was watching someone else
do it. Mike fell to the ground, and Skuyler felt
a mix of fear and adrenaline rushed through him. Instead
(17:27):
of calling for help, he panicked as he looked at
Mike's lifeless body, a dark impulse took over. In an
act of extreme rage and desperation, Skyler admitted to the
police that he ate parts of Mike's flesh. I didn't
know what I was doing. I was just so angry.
I just ate part of him. Actually, he reminded he
of undercooked hamburger helper, he confessed, adding that he also
(17:50):
ate Mike's genitals. This shocking revelation left detectives and investigators
in disbelief, in queasy. When police arrived at the scene,
they found Mike's body in a horrific state. Evidence led
them to Skyler, who had fled but was later apprehended
after being spotted nearby. Witnesses described a young man running away,
and officers quickly connected the dots. Skyler was arrested, and
(18:13):
as he sat in the interrogation room, the reality of
his actions began to sink in the wheat made me
feel like I was in a nightmare, he said, his
eyes wide with fear. I never wanted it to go
this far. The police pieced together the details of the
murder and discovered Skyler's history with Mike, leading them to
suspect him as the killer. The relationship that once brought
(18:35):
him joy had turned into a deadly entanglement. As he
was led away in handcuffs, Skyler's feelings of regret began
to overpower the anger that had driven him to commit
the crime. I didn't just lose Mike, I lost myself,
he said, tears streaming down his face. Skyler's actions shocked
the community, leaving them to wonder how love could turn
so deadly. His story became a cautionary tale, highlighting the
(18:59):
dark side of obsess and betrayal. In March twenty fifteen,
Skyler Farber faced trial for the brutal murder of Mike mcclenn.
The courtroom was packed with family members and friends of
both men, eager to hear the details of the case.
Skyler's attorney, James Dukevich, argued that his client was not
responsible for his actions due to his heavy marijuana use.
(19:20):
Skyler was high when he committed this crime. Dukevich explained
to the jury the marijuana affected his mind and made
him psychic. The defense claimed that Skyler's marijuana use had
altered his perception of reality. They presented evidence showing that
he had a history of using marijuana, which they argued
could lead to temporary insanity. Dukotitch called in a psychologist,
(19:43):
doctor Ellen Quack, to testify about the effects of marijuana
on mental health. She explained that some individuals could experience
severe paranoia or hallucinations when under the influence. The prosecution,
led by attorney Sarah Jackson, countered this argument by emphasizing
that Skyler had been fully aware of his actions during
the murder. Jackson highlighted the chilling details of how Skyler
(20:04):
had killed Mike and then utilated his body, eating his
flesh and his genitals. This wasn't a crime of passion,
it was premeditated and gruesome, She told the jury. Skyler
knew exactly what he was doing. As the trial progressed,
Skuyler felt a mix of hope and anxiety. The marijuana
defense provided him with a glimmer of hope, but he
(20:25):
was also aware that the evidence against him was overwhelming.
When the jury finally delivered their verdict, it was met
with a heavy silence in the courtroom. Skyler was found
guilty of second degree murder, a verdict that left him devastated.
During sentencing, the judge expressed concern over the brutality of
the crime and the impact on Mike's family. Skyler was
(20:46):
sentenced to twenty five years to life in prison. As
he heard the sentence, tears filled his eyes. He felt
a wave of regret wash over him. I never wanted
this to happen, he thought to himself. If I could
take it back, I would. In the months following the verdict,
Skyler struggled to cope with his new reality. He often
replayed the events of that night in his mind, wishing
(21:07):
he had made different choices. The tragedy of love turned
to loss haunted him every day in prison. As years passed,
the lives of Skyler, Lee, Kelly, Anne mcclennan, and Dejonte
took very different paths in the aftermath of the tragic
events surrounding the murder of Mike mcclennan. Skyler remained in prison,
serving his twenty five year to life sentence for the
(21:28):
brutal murder of Mike. He struggled to adjust to life
behind bars, facing the consequences of his actions. Every day.
Skyler spent much of his time reflecting on his past
decisions and the choices that led him to this point.
In prison, he began taking classes and participated in group therapy,
hoping to better himself despite his grim surroundings. He expressed
(21:49):
a desire to turn his life around and perhaps help
others avoid the same mistakes. Meanwhile, Kelly Ann found solace
in a surprising place. After the tumultuous end to her marriage,
she began exploring her faith more deeply. In January twenty sixteen,
she officially converted to Catholicism and announced her intention to
become a nun. She felt that dedicating her life to
(22:11):
serving others would bring her peace and purpose. She joined
a convent in her hometown of loading, New Jersey, where
she focused on helping at risk youth and the homeless.
Kelly Hann's transformation was widely reported in local media, with
many praising her decision to turn her life around in
such a meaningful way. De Jonte, too, sought to make
a positive impact on the world. Following the chaos of
(22:31):
his relationship with Mike, he relocated to Washington, d C.
Where he began advocating for criminal justice reform. Dejonte worked
with various organizations focusing on issues such as police accountability
and the rights of marginalized communities. He shared his story,
emphasizing the need for better oversight of law enforcement and
the dangers of manipulation within the justice system. Dejonte's work
(22:55):
gained recognition, and he was invited to speak at several events,
including a panel discussion on youth and criminal justice at
a prominent university. As they forged ahead with their lives,
each of them carried the scars of their past. Skyler,
in his quest for redemption, faced the harsh realities of
prison life. Kelly had embraced her faith and found a
new mission, while Dejonte used his experiences to fight for
(23:18):
a better system. Their paths may have diverged, but each
sought healing and purpose in their own way, showing that
even in the face of tragedy, hope can emerge. Thank
you for listening to True Crime Case Files. Join us
next time as we uncover another shocking story of betrayal, deceit,
and murder.
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