Inside The Chilling Murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart(The Sins of The Scream Killers)

Cassie Jo Stoddart was born in Pocatello, Bannock, Idaho, on December 21, 1989. Sadly, she was still in high school when she lost her life at the hands of two people she considered her friends.

Her attackers, Brian Lee Draper and Torey Michael Adamcik, were self-acclaimed movie enthusiasts who claimed they were inspired by the movie, SCREAM. They became known as the scream killers. After they had brutally taken her life, they left her body for the horrifying discovery of her family.

A House-Sitting Job Turned Nightmare

On that fateful day in 2006, 16-year-old Cassie Jo Stoddart found herself house-sitting for her aunt and uncle on a quiet evening in Bannock County, Idaho. She had no idea that this seemingly ordinary task would be the end of her.

On the night of September 22nd, Stoddart's boyfriend, Matt Beckham, came over to keep her company.

Later, classmates Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik joined them at the house. The four of them watched a movie together, but Draper and Adamcik unexpectedly left early, claiming they wanted to catch a movie at a local theater. Stoddart and Beckham remained, unaware of the sinister plans that were about to unfold.

Stoddart and Beckham remained, unaware of the sinister plans that were about to unfold.

A Horrific Act and Disturbing Discovery

After Draper and Adamcik left, they surreptitiously re-entered the house through the unlocked basement door. Wearing dark clothing, gloves, and white masks, they intended to scare Stoddart and Beckham.

However, their initial attempts failed, and the two boys retreated to the basement. From below, they turned off the house's power, hoping their victims would investigate. When Stoddart and Beckham failed to respond, Draper and Adamcik turned some of the lights back on.

Growing uneasy, Stoddart's boyfriend decided to leave and asked his mother if Stoddart could stay with them for the night. However, Stoddart, feeling responsible for the house and animals, declined and chose to stay alone. Beckham called Adamcik, who was whispering on the phone, assuming the boys were at a movie theater. Unbeknownst to Beckham, Stoddart's fate was sealed.

A Shocking Revelation and Terrifying Attack

Having heard Beckham leave, Draper and Adamcik turned off the power again and waited for Stoddart. Armed with weapons they had purchased, they crept upstairs.

Draper's intention was simply to scare Stoddart once more, but their actions soon took a sinister turn. They violently attacked Stoddart, brutally stabbing her around thirty times, with several wounds being potentially fatal.

Adding to the chilling nature of the crime, police later uncovered a premeditated plan to murder Stoddart on a videotape, recorded by Draper and Adamcik themselves while they were at school.

Justice Served, Appeals Denied

Following their arrest, Draper and Adamcik were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. During interrogations, each teen pointed fingers at the other, with Draper initially denying his involvement but later confessing to stabbing Stoddart under Adamcik's alleged commands. The investigation also uncovered crucial evidence, including the partially burned videotape of their murderous plans in Black Rock Canyon.

Though appeals were filed by their attorneys, the Idaho Supreme Court upheld Adamcik's sentence in November 2019, after denying his request for post-conviction relief. Draper's conviction for conspiracy to commit murder was vacated due to erroneous instructions, but his conviction for first-degree murder and a life sentence without parole was affirmed.

Adamcik then filed a federal writ of habeas corpus, but in November 2019, it was denied. In March 2022, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Adamcik's sentence, solidifying the denial of any further relief.

The End

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