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High school softball coach recruited ex-player in murder plot, prosecutors say

January 02, 2026 / 01:57

This episode covers the murder of Shay Bryer, the investigation led by Detective Ben Schwartz, and the trial involving his ex-fiancee E.J. Stephen and her former player Shelby Heaston.

On January 12th, 2020, Shay Bryer was found critically injured on a roadway in Jay County, Indiana, with a bullet wound that ultimately led to his death. Detective Ben Schwartz details the investigation that followed, which pointed to E.J. Stephen, Shay's ex-fiancee and mother of his child.

Shay and E.J. had a tumultuous relationship, primarily over custody issues regarding their child. Police questioned E.J., who admitted to being with Shelby Heaston, one of her former players, when Shay was shot. Shelby claimed she did not intend to kill Shay.

During the trial, E.J. testified, shifting the blame to Shelby, which raised questions about her credibility. Prosecutor Wes Shimanek argued that E.J. acted out of self-interest, complicating the jury's decision.

Shay's aunt, Tiffany McLaughlin, expressed concern about the trial's outcome, reflecting the tension surrounding the case and the uncertainty of justice being served.

TLDR

Shay Bryer was murdered, implicating his ex-fiancee E.J. and her player Shelby in a complex trial over blame and custody issues.

Episode

1:57
00:00:05
[music] >> On January 12th, 2020, when police responded to a report of a man down in a
00:00:11
Jay County, Indiana roadway, they found 31-year-old Shay Bryer clinging to life.
00:00:18
Lead detective Ben Schwartz. It was at the hospital where they ended up finding the bullet wound in his back. There was
00:00:25
no exit wound. It was actually in his heart. He passed away. An investigation was launched and Shay's
00:00:32
family soon pointed police in the direction of a local high school softball coach, E.J. Stephen. She was
00:00:39
Shay's ex-fiancee and the mother of his child. I learned they had a rocky relationship. Shay and E.J. had been
00:00:46
battling over Shay's access to the child. Police questioned E.J. twice. And ultimately, she admitted that she
00:00:55
and one of her 18-year-old former players, Shelby Heaston, picked Shay up that night and that Shelby shot him. Why
00:01:04
did Shelby shoot him? He told me about it and he told me that I didn't think that he was going to die.
00:01:12
E.J. and Shelby were arrested and charged with murder. But at trial, E.J. took the stand and placed all the blame
00:01:20
on Shelby. Wes Shimanek was one of the prosecutors on the That she was essentially shocked and
00:01:29
surprised that Shelby did this. Prosecutors rejected that. This was all for her benefit.
00:01:36
But would a jury buy E.J.'s version of events? Shay's aunt, Tiffany McLaughlin, was worried. I felt like going into it
00:01:44
that she's going to be found guilty and then [music] I'm like, wait a second. What's happening here?

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 80
    Most shocking
  • 80
    Most unpredictable
  • 75
    Most dramatic
  • 75
    Most intense

Episode Highlights

  • Shay Bryer's Tragic Death
    On January 12th, 2020, Shay Bryer was found clinging to life after being shot.
    “31-year-old Shay Bryer clinging to life.”
    @ 00m 14s
    January 02, 2026
  • E.J. Stephen's Arrest
    Shay's ex-fiancee E.J. Stephen and her player were arrested for his murder.
    “E.J. and Shelby were arrested and charged with murder.”
    @ 01m 12s
    January 02, 2026
  • Trial Tensions
    During the trial, E.J. blamed Shelby, raising doubts about her credibility.
    “But would a jury buy E.J.'s version of events?”
    @ 01m 36s
    January 02, 2026

Episode Quotes

  • Why did Shelby shoot him?
    High school softball coach recruited ex-player in murder plot, prosecutors say
  • I felt like going into it that she's going to be found guilty.
    High school softball coach recruited ex-player in murder plot, prosecutors say

Key Moments

  • Shay's Discovery00:14
  • Rocky Relationship00:44
  • Murder Charges01:12
  • Trial Doubts01:36