The Brutal Murder of 21-Year-Old Lilie James

Skip to the case time stamp: (9:10) On May 2, 2025, siblings Lilly (6) and Jack (4) Sullivan were said to be in the kitchen of their home in Nova Scotia, Canada.  Their parents - mother Malehya Brooks-Murray and their stepfather Daniel Martell - became worried when the children fell silent. The story they have told authorities is that they believe the children slipped outside to play and wandered off.  The couple searched for the children before calling 911.   A large-scale search ensued for the children.  The search involved hundreds of people and ran for weeks.   The only traces of the children that have been found include a blanket and a possible boot print. Since their disappearance, Malehya has left the family home and has blocked Daniel on social media.   Daniel is adamant that he had nothing to do with the disappearance of the children and has told the media that he passed a polygraph test. Read our blog for Jack and Lilly - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2025/06/28/where-are-lilly-and-jack-sullivan/ Be sure to check out the GraveYard Tales podcast. Hosts Adam and Matt look at the history behind haunted places, ghost encounters, and cryptid encounters.  Find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Rumble. Join us on Patreon for exclusive weekly true crime content.  You also get ALL episodes ad-free - patreon.com/truecrimesociety Follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news - Instagram.com/truecrimesociety

Timestamps: (3:17) - Karen Read Trial Update (9:40) - Lilie James Murder Coercive control is a behavior that is intended to dominate and control a partner.  Studies indicate that it can occur in up to 58% of intimate partner violence relationships. Australian woman Lilie James (21) began dating Paul Thijssen (24) in August 2023.    Paul exhibited controlling behavior, including monitoring Lilie’s location over social media and waiting outside social events for her.   By October 2023, the relationship was over. Just days after the breakup, Paul went to a location where he knew Lilie would be.  He struck her with a hammer over 25 times, killing her.   He then fled the scene and would take his own life by jumping from a cliff. Read our blog for Lilie here Be sure to join us on Patreon - you get exclusive weekly content and all of our episodes are ad-free Join us on Instagram for the latest crime news This episode is sponsored by: Rula - Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that’s actually covered by insurance. Visit Rula.com/tcs to get started.

Timestamps - (11:37) Jennifer Kesse Start Florida woman Jennifer Kesse (24) had the world at her feet in 2006.   She had a supportive partner and was becoming increasingly successful in her corporate career.  Jennifer had also purchased her own brand new condo in Orlando, Florida. On January 24, 2006, it appears that Jennifer began getting ready for her work day.  She showered and gathered her keys, phone and iPod.   She never made it to work and has never been seen again. Jennifer’s car was found days after she vanished, dumped in an apartment complex lot a few miles from her home.  Some reports indicate that there were drag marks on the hood of the car, suggesting that there had been a struggle.   When police reviewed CCTV of the location where the car was found, they found that it had been dumped at 11.59am on the day that Jennifer disappeared.  A person was seen exiting the vehicle and walking away.   This person has never been identified. Was Jennifer abducted by someone she knew?  Or could an employee at her condo complex have been responsible? Read our blog for Jennifer here Join us on Patreon for weekly exclusive content - everything is ad-free Follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news This episode is sponsored by: IQBar - IQBAR’s plant protein bars are packed with high-quality ingredients to help keep you physically and mentally fit.  And right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your twenty percent off, text CRIME to sixty-four thousand. Say goodbye to sticky notes and calendar confusion with Skylight. The Skylight Calendar is here to keep your family organized! This beautifully designed digital display syncs with your existing calendars, making it effortless to track events, appointments, and reminders in one easy-to-see place.  Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to SkylightCal.com/tcs

Timestamps - (10:45) Moms Who Murder A study by Brown University showed that from 1976 to 2007, on average, there were 500 cases of filicide a year in the United States. Filicide is the deliberate act of a parent killing their own child. Police were called to a home in Florida on May 30, 2025 for a welfare check on Ra’myl Pierre.   School officials were worried about his absence.  When authorities arrived at the home, they found Ra’Myl’s mother, Rhonda Paulynice, acting ‘oddly’.   Ra’myl was found dead and wrapped in a blanket in the house.  It is alleged that Rhonda killed her son in an attempt to exorcise him of evil spirits. On May 26, 2025, neighbors in Bundaberg, Queensland in Australia called police after they allegedly witnessed Lauren Flanigan in the front yard with her deceased daughter, Sophia.  Lauren is alleged to have stabbed her daughter to death.   She was taken into custody.   Lauren suffered a ‘medical emergency’ in her cell and was taken to hospital where she passed away on 1 June, 2025.   A full investigation into her death has commenced. Read our blog for these cases - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2025/06/04/moms-who-murder-june-2025/ Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news - Instagram.com/truecrimesociety Join us on Patreon for exclusive weekly and ad-free content - patreon.com/truecrimesociety

Timestamps: (10:50) - Baby Tana Update (15:58) - Mysterious Deaths Caitlin Tracey and her husband Adam Beckerink had a very volatile relationship.  Caitlin alleged abuse by Adam against her and she filed for an emergency protective order against him in 2023.   Despite this, the couple married in April 2024.   In October 2024, Caitlin was found dead in the stairwell in Adam’s luxury apartment complex.   Reports indicate that her body 'pulverized' and that she was missing a foot when she was found.   Adam has not been charged in relation to Caitlin’s death.   Australian women Baillee Schneider and Phoebe Handsjuk passed away eight years apart from each other - Phoebe died in 2010 and Baillee died in 2018.  The circumstances surrounding the deaths of both women have received a lot of media attention due to the fact that they were both dating the same man at the time they died.  That man has never been charged in relation to either of their deaths. Read our blogs for these cases: Caitlin Tracey Bailee Schneider & Phoebe Handsjuk Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news - Instagram.com/truecrimesociety Join us on Patreon for exclusive content, released weekly - Patreon.com/truecrimesociety This episode is sponsored by: IQBAR is the better-for-you, plant-protein based snacks made with brain-boosting nutrients to refuel, nourish, and satisfy hunger without the sugar crash. IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your twenty percent off, text CRIME to sixty-four thousand.

Timestamps: (6:40) - Creche update / Listener of the week (11:23) - Patty Wu-Murad Update (14:46) - Grace Millane British woman Grace Millane (21) had the world at her feet.   She had just graduated university and was taking a year off to travel the world.   After spending weeks in South America, Grace arrived in New Zealand in November 2018.  She enjoyed meeting the locals and making new friends. In late November 2018, Grace matched on Tinder with a man named Jesse Kempson and the two decided to meet up.  They enjoyed visiting some bars and restaurants in Auckland.  The two hit it off and Grace decided to return to Jesse’s place for the night.   She was last seen getting out of an elevator in his apartment complex and was never seen again.  Jesse murdered Grace that night.  Over the coming hours, Jesse made internet searches including "rigor mortis", "extra large bags" and "carpet cleaner".  He also went on another Tinder date that had been previously planned, while Grace’s body was in his room. Jesse would end up confessing to Grace’s murder and has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years. Read our blog for Grace’s case here As always, be sure to check the timestamp if you’d like to get straight to the case.   Join us on Patreon for exclusive weekly content.  You also get all our main episodes ad-free - patreon.com/truecrimesociety Follow us on Instagram for the latest crime and current event news - Instagram.com/truecrimesociety

Timestamp to get straight to the case: (5:38) In 2008, Irish man Jason Corbett placed an ad for an au-pair to assist him in raising his two young children Sarah and Jack.  Jason’s first wife Margaret had passed suddenly in 2006, leaving him widowed with two small children. American woman Molly Martens answered the ad.  She moved from her Tennessee home to Limerick, Ireland to live with the Corbett family.  Molly and Jason fell in love and decided to move back to America to get married and settle.   Their marriage soon soured - Jason was resistant to Molly adopting his children.  Molly would regularly make comments about Jason’s weight. One night in August 2015, Molly’s father Tom was staying with the family in the Corbett home.  He called 911 and reported that there had been an altercation at the home and he had acted in self-defense.   When authorities arrived, Jason was pronounced dead. In 2017, Molly and Tom ended up being convicted of Jason’s murder. In 2023, they both took plea deals in the case and were resentenced.   They were freed from prison in 2024. This case is in the media again due to the new Netflix documentary titled ‘ A Deadly American Marriage.’   Read our blog on this case Be sure to join us on Patreon for exclusive weekly, ad-free content - patreon.com/truecrimesociety Follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news - Instagram.com/truecrimesociety This episode is sponsored by: IQBar - IQMIX is a zero-sugar drink mix from IQBAR that hydrates, boosts your mood and promotes mental clarity.  And right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your twenty percent off, text CRIME to sixty-four thousand. Skylight - Say goodbye to sticky notes and calendar confusion with Skylight. The Skylight Calendar is here to keep your family organized! Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to SkylightCal.com/tcs StoryWorth - Customers love Storyworth. They’ve preserved millions of family stories since their founding over ten years ago.  Give the “dads” in your life a unique, heartfelt gift you’ll all cherish for years—Storyworth! Right now, save $10 during their Father’s Day sale when you go to Storyworth.com/tcs

Timestamps: (7:47) - Erin Patterson Trial/ Updates (10:15) - Listener of the week (12:29) - Lottery Case Florida man Abraham Shakespeare was struggling to make ends meet in 2009.  He was unable to read or write and was working any job that he could get. One fateful Wednesday that year, Abraham was down to his last $5.  He asked a co-worker to purchase $2 worth of lottery tickets for him and he gave the rest of his money to a homeless person. From those tickets, Abraham won a $30m jackpot and his downfall began.   People constantly begged him for money and took advantage of him. Dee Dee Moore contacted Abraham after his win and offered to write a book about his life.  Instead, she took his newly purchased assets and ended up murdering Abraham and burying his body in the backyard of a property that she owned. Read our blog for this case - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2025/05/04/losing-the-lottery-the-murder-of-abraham-shakespeare/ Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news - Instagram.com/truecrimesociety Join us on amazing true crime community on Patreon for exclusive weekly content  - patreon.com/truecrimesociety

Timestamp to skip the intro chat: (8:00) In 2011, Amy Pitzen and her husband Jim had been having marital issues.  Amy struggled with mental illness and was worried Jim would divorce her and take custody of their son, Timmothy (6). On May 11 that year, minutes after Jim dropped Timmothy off at Kindergarten, Amy went to the school and signed her son out.   She then took him on a road trip that spanned hundreds of miles.  She did not tell Jim her plans.    Jim became worried when he could not get hold of Amy and he made a report to police.  On May 14, Amy’s body was found in a motel room.  There was no sign of Timmothy.  Amy left behind multiple suicide notes, including one that read  “I’ve taken him somewhere safe.  He will be well cared for and he says that he loves you. Please know that there is nothing that you could have said or done that would have changed my mind.” Now, 14 years later, Timmothy remains missing.   Did Amy give him to another family or is the reality more sinister? Read our blog for this case - https://truecrimesocietyblog.com/2025/04/29/timmothy-pitzen-missing-for-14-years/ Join us on Patreon for weekly exclusive and ad-free content - Patreon.com/truecrimesociety Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news - Instagram.com/truecrimesociety This episode is sponsored by: IQMIX is a zero-sugar drink mix from IQBAR that hydrates, boosts your mood and promotes mental clarity.  Text CRIME to 64000 to get twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping.

Timestamp to skip the intro chat: (5:58) In the past few months, the remains of multiple people have been found in different locations in New England.    These discoveries have sparked speculation online and in the media that a serial killer may be stalking the area. We discuss some of the possible victims of this killer and tell their stories.   We also run through some information about John and Jane Doe cases that have been discovered in the region.  Read our blog on this episode Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest crime news Join our community on Patreon for exclusive weekly content and to get all our episodes ad-free This episode is sponsored by: The Skylight Calendar is here to keep your family organized! This beautifully designed digital display syncs with your existing calendars, making it effortless to track events, appointments, and reminders in one easy-to-see place.  Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to SkylightCal.com/tcs