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In 2007, Chris Vaughn was arrested during a funeral for his wife and three children. He would be tried and convicted of their murders. To this day he maintains no memory of what occurred that tragic day 20 years ago. Murder in Illinois follows the complicated circumstances that led to Vaughn’s conviction, as well as the forensic evidence his supporters believe proves his innocence- in attempt to answer one question: Who killed the Vaughn family?


Murder in Illinois

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.

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1. The Case

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. 
 
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2. The Arrest

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. 
 
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3. The Timeline

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.
 
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4. The Sentencing

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.

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5. The Delivery

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Introducing: Murder on Songbird Road

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. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6. Observations

The State’s Attorney claimed Bevely’s account of encountering an armed assailant was proven false within days of the murder but a closer look into call records raises questions about other possible suspects.
 
Wrongful Conviction Podcast Episodes:
 
Julie Rae
 
Michelle Murphy
 
Melissa Lucio
 
Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. 

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7. Close Calls

Dr. David Fajgenbaum, once a college quarterback and competitive weightlifter, turned medical researcher, was the picture of health until he became critically ill at the age of 25. After all available treatments failed to keep him out of the ICU, David, with his friend Grant’s help, races to save his own life, repurposing existing drugs to find a cure.
 
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If you’re looking for information on Castleman disease or if would like to find out more about the work of Grant, David, and the Every Cure team, visit EveryCure.org. 

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Case #17: Every Cure Pt.1 (Dr. David Fajgenbaum)

Gary Gravina, a skilled carpenter and Marine, was rushed to the ER in 2016 due to severe flu-like symptoms which morphed into a brutal battle with a mysterious disease. Discover how Gary's dire condition would lead him to Dr. David Fajgenbaum and Dr. Grant Mitchell, who had become experts on his rare disease. See how their collaboration not only saved Gary’s life but also significantly impacted the field of medicine.
 
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****** SPOILER ALERT BELOW ******
If you’re looking for information on Castleman disease or if would like to find out more about the work of Grant, David, and the Every Cure team, visit EveryCure.org. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Case #18: Every Cure Pt.2 (Gary)

In the quiet pre-dawn hours of June 14th, 2007 the Vaughn family- Christopher, his wife Kimberly and their three children- set out for an impromptu trip to a waterpark. The family would never arrive.
 
 
 
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1. The Tragedy

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