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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 case of Shay Bryer, involving his ex-fiancée E.J. Stephen and her former player Shelby Heaston. Key discussions include the investigation led by Detective Ben Schwartz, the rocky relationship between Shay and E.J., and the trial where E.J. shifted blame onto Shelby.

On January 12th, 2020, Shay Bryer was found with a fatal bullet wound in his heart in Jay County, Indiana. Detective Ben Schwartz details the investigation that followed, which led to E.J. Stephen, Shay's ex-fiancée, being implicated.

Shay's family pointed police towards E.J., who had a tumultuous relationship with Shay, particularly over their child. E.J. and her former player Shelby Heaston were arrested after admitting to picking Shay up the night he was shot.

During the trial, E.J. testified, claiming she was shocked by Shelby's actions and placed the blame solely on her. Prosecutor Wes Shimanek argued that E.J. was manipulating the situation for her own benefit.

Shay's aunt, Tiffany McLaughlin, expressed concern about the trial's outcome, uncertain if justice would be served.

TLDR

Shay Bryer's murder case involves his ex-fiancée E.J. Stephen and her player Shelby Heaston, who shot him amid a custody dispute.

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
    Biggest twist
  • 75
    Most heartbreaking
  • 75
    Most unpredictable

Episode Highlights

  • Shay Bryer's Tragic Death
    On January 12th, 2020, Shay Bryer was found clinging to life after being shot.
    @ 00m 06s
    January 02, 2026
  • The Investigation Begins
    Police launched an investigation leading to Shay's ex-fiancee and a former player.
    @ 00m 30s
    January 02, 2026
  • Trial and Blame
    E.J. Stephen placed the blame for Shay's death on Shelby Heaston during the trial.
    @ 01m 17s
    January 02, 2026

Episode Quotes

  • I didn't think that he was going to die.
    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

  • Tragic Discovery00:05
  • Rocky Relationship00:44
  • Murder Charges01:14
  • Trial Tension01:41