Justice for Brittany McGlone

For several years, I have produced a podcast titled Catch my Killer (www.catchmykiller.com). When I first began this journey, I knew I didn’t want to copy the same format of other true crime podcasters. I wanted to focus on the victim. However, I realized that to get the real story about a missing person or homicide victim; I needed to speak to someone who knew the real story. I also wanted to focus on victims who have never received much attention from social media, newspapers, television journalists or even law enforcement. Since deciding on this journey, I have never looked back and will continue bringing attention to missing people and unsolved homicide cases.

One story I covered came from a small town called Winnsboro, Texas. As of a 2010 census, less than 4,000 people lived there. Patricia Tice had shared the story about her beloved daughter Brittany McGlone. She had an amazing mother-daughter relationship with Brittany. After high school, Brittany wanted to emulate her mother. She wanted to become a nurse like her mother. After speaking to Patricia, I learned a lot about Brittany and the circumstances leading to her 2007 homicide which had gone unsolved until just recently.

Brittany McGlone grew up in Winnsboro Texas. She played trumpet in her high school’s marching band and graduated with honors. After she graduated from high school, she took some time off and worked before attending nursing school at Baylor University.

May 4, 2007 would become the worst day of Patricia Tice's life. An unknown killer had sexually assaulted and murdered Brittany. Patricia could not comprehend why anyone would harm her daughter. She worked two jobs and was the perfect daughter. She called Brittany the perfect daughter. She didn't drink, do drugs, have any legal issues or cause any trouble.

A proud mother, Patricia wanted nothing more than for her daughter to become a successful young woman.

According to Brittany's family, she was always able to find the bright side of any situation. Her sunny smile, goofy sense of humor, and positive outlook on life made it impossible for anyone to have a bad day around her.In an interview with the television program Dateline, Brittany's half-sister Hope McGlone said she could not help but feel happy around her. “With her positive outlook on life, she would just radiate good energy. I don’t think she ever had a bad day. We should all strive to live like she did.”

Sisters Hope and Brittany, shared the same father and were close. They played video games and talked all night during holidays and summers. According to Hope, “Their summers in East Texas were the best days of her life.”

Law enforcement learned Brittany dated Jeff Stogner, the son of one of Brittany's coworkers at a local retailer similar to a mini-Walmart. After leaving work, Brittany spent the night with Jeff. Although it was Brittany's first time, Patricia wasn't alarmed. During the morning of May 4, 2007, Brittany's boyfriend Jeff and his stepfather traveled to Dallas to complete an errand. Since Brittany had just finished working hours earlier, Jeff didn't want to wake her up, so he let her sleep in. When he left, Brittany was sleeping peacefully in his bed.

After returning home, Jeff found a horrific scene when he and his father entered the house. He discovered Brittany's naked body. The killer entered the home, sexually assaulted Brittany and killed her. Authorities believe Brittany was killed sometime between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. The killer left with Brittany's clothing and the murder weapon.

Law enforcement learned that Jeff’s sister dated a man named Chad Carr, who had previously been convicted of various crimes which included burglary of a building, sexual assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was considered to be a person of interest in Brittany's death. Patricia told me she didn't believe Brittany's killer would be identified and arrested.

However, Wood County Sheriff Kelly Cole would enter Patricia's life and become the only law enforcement officer to give her hope in 15 years. According to Patricia, Sheriff Cole had taken a serious interest in solving the case. According to Brittany’s family, several other sheriffs have come and gone. In the past, they didn't return her calls or showed little interest in the case. In spite of this, Kelly Cole had gained the trust of Brittany's family. Sheriff Cole assured Patricia that he would bring Brittany's killer to justice. Sheriff Cole has said it’s possible that two people may be involved in this horrific crime. He isn’t ruling anyone out so everyone remains a suspect.

According to a local media source, Cole said, “It’s not just finding someone to arrest.” He added, “We want to make sure we’ve got everything like it needs to be, because we may only get one shot at prosecuting this.”

Patricia told me Brittany's death has devastated her family. Her death put Brittany's grandparents into an early grave and also forced Patricia out of her nursing career; the loss devastated her mentally to the point of no return. However, law enforcement would arrest a potential suspect in 2022.

I learned on Thursday, September 1, 2022, that Chad Earl Carr had been arrested for the murder of Brittany McGlone. I immediately thought of Patrica Tice and the joy she must be experiencing. Sadly, it does not bring Brittany back, but at least Patricia knows Chad Carr will spend his days sleeping behind bars in a jail cell.

*** This column is dedicated to the memory of Brittany McGlone. Rest in peace, young lady.

Marc is a longtime resident of Clermont County and an avid reader. Contact him through his website at www.themarcabe.com or through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Catchmykiller. Marc also has a podcast called Catch my Killer, where he interviews family members seeking justice for their murdered loved ones. You can listen at www.catchmykiller.com.