Hidden True Crime - Horror, Confessions & Religious Delusions-Inside the Murder Charges | Michael Monkey Vaughan

Episode Date: November 13, 2025

“I don’t even know anything about this little boy…” That’s what Stacey Wondra told Dr. John in our January 2024 interview—now he and his then-wife, Sarah, are charged with first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, and destruction of evidence in the disappearance of 5-year-old “Monkey” Vaughan. In this hard but essential episode, we walk through the newly released probable-cause affidavits, timeline, and key evidence—alongside excerpts from our interview—to reveal what investigators say happened the night Michael vanished. Sponsors: Head to https://DRINKAG1.com/HIDDEN to get a FREE Welcome Kit with an AG1 Flavor Sampler and a bottle of Vitamin D3 plus K2, when you first subscribe! During Tovala’s Black Friday sale, you can get a FREE Tovala smart oven when you order meals 6+ times. Head to http://Tovala.com/HIDDEN and use my code HIDDEN to claim your free smart oven for a limited time. About Hidden True Crime What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling. Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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I don't even have a heart to get in a fight with somebody and hurt them. That's Stacey Wondra you just heard there during an interview with Hidden True Crimes Dr. John Matthias in January of 2024. That same man who claimed that he doesn't have a heart to hurt anyone. he's now charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder of a little boy. This is going to be a hard episode, but an important episode, about one of the most heartbreaking and long-awaited cases we've ever covered. After more than four years of searching and hoping for answers in the disappearance of five-year-old Michael, also known as Monkey Vaughn,

the little boy who vanished while playing outside his home in Fruitland, Idaho, arrests have finally been made multiple arrests now. And we now have probable cause affidavits, meaning we have exactly what law enforcement believe happened to a five-year-old boy who was just looking to play. We shared the breaking news of Stacey's charges last week, but now both Stacey and Sera Wondra, a couple long suspected and connected to the case, are now both charged with first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, and concealment or destruction of evidence. Honestly, this is a moment many of us have been waiting for, especially Michael's family, and for those of us who have followed this case since day one. John and I have both personally

interviewed Stacey Wundra, the man now charged with kidnapping and murder, and tonight we're going to walk you through those newly released probable cause affidavits for both Stacey and his then-wife, Sarah. documents that detail, what investigators say happened to little Michael and how the case may finally have some answers, despite little Michael, who has still never been found. Michael is still missing. For those who have been with us since the beginning of this case, you know that Michael's case has been one of the most difficult we've ever covered. Back in July of 2021, five-year-old Michael Vaughan vanished, completely disappeared from his quiet Fruitland Idaho neighborhood on what seemed

like this ordinary, perfect summer evening. His father, Tyler, he was home making dinner for the family. His mother, Brandy, was working. And in the span of just minutes, he disappeared without a trace. Searches began immediately, although no Amber alert. It's a difficult decision that still haunts some to this day. But the community, they came together. Law enforcement, combed fields, canals, farmland, the FBI joined in. Flyers went up across Idaho and then across the country. People across the country, they purchased blue tinted light bulbs,

and they changed their front porch lights to different hues of blue. Monkey's favorite color. a call to bring him home. But weeks turned into months, and months turned in two years. Through it all, Michael's family, especially his mom, Brandy, and dad Tyler, did not give up hope. Brandy kept speaking, kept pushing, and kept believing that somebody knew what happened. And now we have the first time. real picture of what investigators believe unfolded that night

and the horrifying chain of events that followed. And this is your trigger warning once again. The newly released probable cause documents for Stacey and Sarah Wundra, which we will go through in detail, lay out what detectives say happened, and it is not an easy read or an easy listen. It's disturbing. A group of adults, friends and lovers,

and what police believe they did to a little boy again, who just simply wanted to play. John and I have reviewed both affidavits, and I will read through them here in this episode. It tells us about the evidence, what witnesses are saying, and then in a following episode, Dr. John will help us understand what these documents reveal and how a person or people could be capable of something so allegedly monstrous. The probable cause paints a chilling timeline, starting with the moment Michael disappeared and how investigators were led to the Wondra home quickly after their search began. Because according to Fruitland police, Michael was last seen between 615 and 630 that evening knocking on neighbors' doors, asking to play.

By 645, his father, Tyler, realized Michael wasn't in the house. By 721, he called 911. And for years, investigators ruled out the Vaughan-Neil family, even extended relatives. But one house, one house just blocks away, kept coming up again and again. It belonged to Stacey and Sarah Wondra. So let's get to it. Stacey's probable cause. I, Detective Juanita Kelleher, the undersigned being first duly sworn on oath, says, I am a peace officer employed by the Fruitland Police Department.

The defendant is alleged to have committed the following crimes between the dates of approximately July 27th, 2021 through 2025. First degree murder. Kidnapping, second degree, destruction or concealment of evidence. The crimes were not committed in my presence. I believe that there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed such crimes because of the following facts. On July 27, 2021, neighbors reported seeing 5-year-old Michael between approximately 615 and 630 in the area of Michael's home and nearby residents on South Arizona in Fruitland, Payette County, Idaho. Michael knocked on some of his neighbor's doors attempting to play with neighbors or in their yards. Michael was told to return home by all of the neighbors he contacted.

At approximately 6.45 to 6.50 p.m., Tyler Vaughn noticed his first. five-year-old son Michael was missing from their home located in Fruitland. Hayet County, Idaho. Tyler began searching his home and property for Michael. Tyler called 911 to report his son missing at approximately 721 p.m. and the Fruitland Police Department responded to the area. Fruitland Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, along with other local agencies and volunteers searched for Michael over several weeks and now years. Through interviews, searches, and other corroborating evidence, all of Michael's family and household members have been determined to not have any knowledge

of Michael's current location, nor were they involved in Michael's disappearance. All of Michael's neighbors on SW 9th Street and Arizona have also been thoroughly investigated, searched and interviewed, and have been determined by law enforcement not to have any knowledge of or involvement in Michael's disappearance. The surrounding area was searched extensively, and Michael has never been found. Live sent canine teams searched the surrounding neighborhoods August 2nd through 3rd, 2021 using a pair of Michael's shoes for Michael sent. Out of approximately 300 homes, canine handlers reported the dogs only showed interest in one house located in Fruitland, and this is the home of Stacey and Sarah Wondra. A canine handler also reported that canine Banshee showed interest in the area of the corner of the corner of the corner of.

of Metalark and Red Wing Street. The canine showed interest at the intersection and then headed straight to the fence and front door of the Wondra's residence. So in other words, law enforcement had their eyes on the Wundra's house as early as August 2021. Thanks to the impeccable work of canines.

I'll continue. Quote, on August 2nd, 2021, Canine Banshee tracked sent down to a tree over the edge of the bluff off of southwest 8th and 3 Rivers Way. Kainaini Banshee was determined to track the scent into the thorny bushes under the tree despite the thorns. A discarded child stroller was located deep in those thorny bushes. On August 5th, 2021, a pink big flyer tricycle was located behind the bluff's sign at 3 Rivers Way and Southwest 8th Street.

During the search of the same area the day prior, the tricycle was not there. Jim S, who lives in the Three River subdivision, later reported that he had found the tricycle over the bluff under a tree next to a child's stroller. Jim said he took it home to use one of the wheels for another project, but then discarded it after not removing the wheel as planned. Jim said he left it behind the bluff sign for neighborhood kids to use. Kim E. would later report to law enforcement that she had seen the tricycle in the wondrous garage during a yard sale in the spring of 2021. Kim was able to describe the layout of the Wonders Garage and where she saw the tricycle on a stack of boxes. The described stack of boxes was still there during a later search warrant of the Wondra residents and garage. Dorothy S, who was present at or in Fruitland reported on July 29, 2021, that she saw Michael riding a big wheel tricycle at the corner of Red Wing Street and Meadowlark Avenue on July 27th.

She was either entering or leaving the neighborhood. Dorothy is seen on surveillance videos coming into the neighborhood westbound on SW8 Street at 6.25 p.m. And left the neighborhood eastbound on SW8 Street at 7.25 p.m. Other than that, Dorothy's reports, there are no other reports of Michael being seen anywhere other than SW 9th Street and his next door neighbor's house on the date of his disappearance. video surveillance was gathered from security cameras in the neighborhood Michael disappeared from as well as the neighboring areas. Michael has never seen on any of the surveillance footage that was obtained. Stacey Wondra is captured on surveillance footage driving a white Lexus and pulling into a parking area of a splash pad in the neighborhood off of SW8 Street at 3.23 p.m. Those hours on July 27, 2021, Stacey is seen exiting the driver's door.

walking around to the passenger side of the car and appears to be testing the exterior door handle, as if to see if it is locked. Stacey then walked back around the driver's side of the vehicle where he got into the driver's seat and exited the area onto SW 8th Street at 3.24 p.m. 1 minute after arriving. Video surveillance shows an adult male walking in the area of Three Rivers Way at 6.08 p.m. on July 27, with 2021 and the same male is captured walking in the area of the neighborhood splash pad at 618 p.m. The last image of the male is captured at 6.28 p.m. as he walked through the wooded area to the west back toward the area in which the Wonders lived. Brandon Shirtliff was identified in 2022 as

being this person and told detectives during an interview that the surveillance video captured him as he was walking and searching for a missing child on the date that Michael disappeared. This video captured Brandon walking prior to Michael Bean reported Brandon reported he was living with the Wundras on that date. On August 1st, 2021, Fruiland police contacted the residents in Fruetland. On their initial search of the residence, they located Adrian Lucene, hiding in a closet. Hiding in a closet.

And residents of the home on that date and on July 27th, 2021, were identified as married couple Stacey and Sarah Wondra and their sublets. Brandon Shirtliff and Adrian Lucene. All four of them were interviewed on August 1st, 2021, just days after Michael or Monkey disappeared. Adrian was vague in that interview and his statements would not commit to a solid statement. He also refused to provide his social security number in identification confirmation. He provided Stacey's phone number as his own and concealed his real phone number from law enforcement. On August 21st, 2021, Sarah reported that on July 27, 2021,

she and Stacey slept until noon. Sarah said that they left their residence around 5 p.m. to tow a vehicle to CUNA. Sarah and Stacey denied they were home around 6.30 p.m. on July 27th, 2021. Cell phone tower data and surveillance footage show Sarah, Stacey, Adrian, and Brandon were in the area of their neighborhood at the time of Michael's discipline. appearance. Sierra, Adrian, and Brandon return to Fruitland. This is verified by surveillance in Sarah's blue Toyota Corolla at 508 p.m. only to leave again at 512 p.m. The Toyota came back

into the neighborhood again at 556 p.m. surveillance footage shows Sarah driving the maroon GMC pickup on July 27th, 2021. And as she drove out of the neighborhood at 708 p.m., Stacy, has been identified as the front passenger and Brandon was a driver's side rear passenger. Sarah and Stacey and Brandon's phone data show that they were co-located as they left the neighborhood at 708 p.m. altogether and they drove to CUNA, Idaho. Yeah, there you go. They were all together driving to CUNA. Remember that. Adrian's phone did not provide any location data during the evening of July 27th, 2021. However, Adrian took a selfie and photo in the guest bathroom at the Wondra residence at 7.26 p.m.

Wondra's maroon GMC pickup truck is captured on surveillance footage returning to their fruitland neighborhood at 11.22 p.m. on July 27, 2021. Pulling or towing a silver Mercedes-Benz. Following Michael's disappearance, Sarah had a distinct change in behavior. Following Michael's disappearance, listen to this, Sarah began to stand along the highway near Love's gas station in Ontario, Oregon, by the way, Fruitland, Idaho is right by Ontario, Oregon. It's a border town between Oregon and Idaho. So she would stand along the highway near Love's gas station in Ontario, Oregon with signs stating to, quote, repent of your sins and that the end of time was near,

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Cash account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, member, SIPC, not a bank. Instant withdrawal subject to conditions, fees and eligibility requirements may apply to certain checking features of the cash account. Sarah's social media posts on TikTok and Facebook also changed drastically to religion and asking for forgiveness of her sins. Prior to Michael's abduction, Sarah had posted only approximately 11 videos on TikTok over three years. But following Michael's abduction, Sarah posted approximately 329 videos from September 15, 2021 through December 15th, 2021 through December 17th. 24th, 2021. In TikTok videos, Sarah posted that Sarah made testimony statements regarding her involvement in criminal behaviors and stated that she had broken all 10 commandments, all of the 10 commandments. And it should be noted, the probable cause states that thou shalt not kill is one of

the 10 commandments. Also, the main reason I believe in Jesus is, I have done so much. any bad things in my life. I've lied. I cheated. I've stolen. I've coveted my neighbor. I pretty much broke every Ten Commandment besides physical murder. You know. But Jesus said in Matthew, if you hate your brother or you hate someone in your heart, you've

murdered them. So, I mean, technically by what Jesus said, yeah, I guess I've committed all of them. But I haven't physically murdered someone. obviously, but I'm just saying like those things, I've done all those things. And I believe in Jesus because I know deep down that I am in desperate need of a savior. Because I am just like, um, Loveticus, I think it's Lvina, no, yeah, Lidicus says, you know, All of our good works are filthy rags unto the Lord. And I don't know if you know what that filthy rags means,

but it's talking about women's period rags. There's nothing that we can do good in this life that could fix any of the bad that we've done because God's irreparable proof that he exists, proves that his word needs to be taken seriously and none of it contradicts each other all of it is found to be 100% true in fact prophecies have been fulfilled

and are being fulfilled right now so if that's true and I know I'm an imperfect person by completion I mean I'm completely imperfect not because God made me that way, but because sin was entered in this world. And I've indulged in it.

I've indulged in too much sin. The first time I ever sin was too much sin. Because Jesus is perfect. And God is perfect. And I don't want to live without God. Look at all the beauty around. Look at all the beautiful things that are still here. That's because the Holy Spirit.

Sarah also alleged in her videos that it did not matter what sins she had committed because God had forgiven her for all of them. Michael's missing person flyer can be seen on her refrigerator in the background in some of her videos. That is true and it is chilling. Sarah was interviewed again by law enforcement on November 15th, 2021. Stacey was also interviewed. after being confronted with the photo of her leaving the neighborhood on July 27th, 2021, driving the GMC pickup at 708 p.m., Sarah changed her story and said she was driving the GMC to get to Brandon's Mercedes-Benz from CUNA to tow it back to Fruitland.

Sarah said the trip to CUNA to get the car had not been previously planned and that it was Stacey who wanted to go get that car at the time and date. Sarah said she stopped at SW8th in South Arizona on the way out of the neighborhood to input the address into the GPS. Sarah said she drove to North Snowbell in Kuna, which is Brandon's mother's home. And it's worth noting that Brandon was in the truck with them when they entered the GPS coordinates to go to Brandon's mother's house and that Sarah's and Brandon's cell phone data showed them at the residence earlier that day. Sarah said that Brandon's mother, Tina Morialli, was out of town. Sarah said Tina did not allow Brandon to have people in her home when she was not there.

So Sarah and Stacey, they parked down the road. And Brandon used a back gate on the south side to enter Tina's residence so that her doorbell camera did not capture him there. Sarah reported that while towing the car back to Fruitland, the toe strap broke. Sarah and Stacey Wundrish sold their phones, lost or sold their vehicles, and got rid of their furniture shortly after Michael went missing. Sarah was asked about changing her phones following Michael's abduction. Sarah provided two reasons. Sarah said that they sold their phones because she and Stacey were splitting up, and Sarah said they sold their phones because a demon told her to.

Sarah was still paying on the phones that she sold. Sarah was asked about her Facebook post and provided the following responses. I literally had like a demon tell me that I need to leave my husband. And I literally deleted all of my pictures. I have no idea what my passwords are. We had a fight. My husband and I had to sell our phones and we had to get new phones and I can't access any of my stuff. So I do have Facebook.

Just don't have access to it right now. end quote. When asked about the vehicles Sarah and Stacey have, Sarah said the GMC pickup was repossessed. Sarah said that she told Stacey when they heard the repo guys were coming to take the truck, quote, we are going to be the nicest repo they ever had today, end quote. Law enforcement was later told that the truck appeared to have been thoroughly cleaned prior to the repo following the interview on November 15th, 2021. Brandon reported Sarah and Stacey contacted him and told him that they were re-interviewed about Michael's abduction. Brandon said Stacey suggested that they were not involved in M's abduction. Stacey suggested Brandon come over to their place and create an alibi or write a letter on behalf of Sarah and Stacey saying that they were not involved in Michael's abduction. Tina Morialli, Brandon Shirtliff's mother was interviewed by law enforcement and Tina reported that Brandon's behavior changed.

after he lived with the Wondra's. So Sarah's behavior's changed. Now, Brandon's behavior's changing. Tina explained that Brandon became more depressed and withdrawn, spending more time playing video games and smoking marijuana. Tina would not tell law enforcement where Brandon was or what his phone number was at that time. Kay Ramsey, Sarah's mother,

was interviewed and shown a picture of a tricycle described above. Kay claimed that she found the tricycle in some bushes prior to Michael's abduction. The bushes that Kay described are near where Jim S found the tricycle just after Michael's abduction. Kay said that would be the reason her DNA would be on the tricycle. Kay said that after all of that effort, she left it at the intersection of Three Rivers Way and SW 8th Street. Kay was 73 years old in July of 2021, and the bushes were very difficult to get to. Kay Ramsey, Sarah's mother, also confirmed to law enforcement that Sarah and Stacy's dog

had dug holes in the backyard of the Red Wing residence. Kay reported the dog had dug up, but she later determined to be the ear of a green stuffed animal. Kay said that she had thrown away the stuffed ear. Kay Ramsey is alleged to have withheld information and or evidence in other criminal investigations involving Sarah in 2022. And then Kay initially concealed a firearm used in an aggravated assault in which Sarah was later convicted of. So I'm going to pause really quickly. This is Lori now, not quoting me.

It sounds as if Kay Ramsey, Sarah's mother, might also be facing charges. We shall see. Let's continue. why he wasn't expecting that covering up for her daughter i'll go on back to the probable cause when law enforcement met with sarah on october 12th 2022 sarah said that god told her he was going to help her find the boy during the interview at the first mention of michael sarah became emotional and broke down crying in front of the detective sarah wrote a testimony and said that if law enforcement read it They would locate Michael.

Sarah suggested God had forgiven Hitler for his sins and that God had redeemed Sarah for her sins. Christy Cutch told detectives prior to Sarah's arrest in April of 2022, she made a statement about Stacey being involved in the abduction of a five-year-old boy. Christy said she made personal notes of their conversation. In June of 2022, there was a recorded jail phone call. between Sarah and Christy, where Sarah advised Stacey had been arrested. Christy asked if he had been charged with the kidnapping of a five-year-old boy. Sarah recanted her prior statements, claiming that Christy misunderstood her prior comments.

Also mentioned was how Sarah's dog was digging large holes in the backyard. On November 5, 22, at 1255 a.m., Stacey contacted Fruitland police and requested an interview at the Washington County Jail. This is interesting. He is requesting the interview. And at that time, Stacey provided vague details about events surrounding Michael's abduction. Stacey and Sarah's religious beliefs and behavior started within a couple of days after Michael's abduction. After Stacey's arrest for an unrelated incident, Stacey spoke of changing phones and or SIM cards to prevent law enforcement from following or profiling him. And I'll write. Before we continue, again, the next paragraphs are very difficult. I'll begin.

Quote, on November 10th, 2022, Stacey asked again to speak with the Fruitland police detectives. Stacey wanted a deal, the same offer that was given to Sarah in the Michael Vaughn case. Stacey admitted Michael had been in his house the night of Michael's abduction. Stacey admitted the tricycle had been in his garage, where Kim E. had previously described seeing it. Stacey then said that when he first saw Michael, Sarah was carrying Michael into their home. Stacey said Michael was put into a duffel bag to transport him out of their house and to Brandon's house in Kuna. Stacey said Sarah was frantic, trying to figure out. to do and Brandon interjected, quote, I have a duffel bag, and quote. Stacey described Michael as crying,

and to prevent him from moving or making noise, Stacey described how Sarah taped Michael using duct tape. When asked who put Michael in the bag, Stacey said Brandon grabbed the bag and gave it to Sarah. Sarah picked up Michael as Adrian helped hold the sides of the bag open as they shoved Michael in the duffel bag. Stacey described Michael was wiggling, trying to get away. Stacey said he could see Michael in the back with his knees bent up in the fetal position. And while describing and demonstrating how Michael was taped and stuffed into a duffel bag in his living room, Stacey had a physical reaction and began violently vomiting. When asked if he was vomiting because of the chewing tobacco he was using, he indicated

that he was throwing up because the stress of talking about Michael. Stacey provided two reasons they stopped in the GMC at the corner of Southwest 8th Street and South Arizona in Fruitland. One, for Stacey to put power steering fluid into the vehicle and two, so Brandon could check to see if Michael was still a little. live because Michael was bound with a duct tape and stuffed into a duffel bag in the bed of the truck. Stacey said he was able to hear Michael making noises like a dull scream. Stacey said they were worried about being seen because they saw a car parked off of South

Arizona. Stacey said they drove straight to Brandon's mother's house in Kuna, Idaho, where Brandon grabbed both bags, the duffel containing Michael and a backpack and went into a house. to the house by himself. Stacey said that once they arrived in Kuna, Michael was not making any more noises and none of them had checked on Michael to verify he was still alive. Stacey said that Brandon told him he left Michael in the bag and put him in the spare room inside his mother's house. They then towed Brandon's car back to Fruitland. Stacey said that Sarah, Brandon, and Adrian went to CUNA the next day to get Michael.

The three of them brought Michael's body back to the house in Fruitland. He stated that he was inside. Brandon was on guard and Sarah and Adrian dug the hole together. Stacey reported he did not previously report this information because he thought he would still get into trouble and because he was fearful of Sarah hurting him. In an interview, Stacy stated that Michael had a stuffed animal, some sort of stuffed animal, I want to say, like a dinosaur or monkey.

And what I saw was a monkey, was it was a green and looked like a green monkey, end quote. In one interview, Stacey advised the lime green monkey was a dog toy and that he and Sierra gave it to monkey to keep him quiet while he was sitting on the couch in their room. Additionally, Stacey stated that the idea to take a child to sell for money was Adrians, and they would get a $10,000 cut. Stacey was asked if Sarah provided any direction throughout any part of this. Stacey said that Sarah asked him and Brandon to follow her lead, which was to take the kid. Stacey recalled that most of the conversation at that point was Sarah trying to figure out

what they were going to do. Sarah had asked Brandon, where we should put the boy? And Brandon was like, well, you guys can take him, take him over to my house and we'll deal with it. And that will buy us some time. And quote. Following his interview with law enforcement, Stacey called his mother, Tamara Johnson, from the Washington County Jail on a video visit. Tamara asked Stacey if Michael was alive. Stacey shook his head and said, Sarah accidentally killed him. Tamara asked how, Stacey said, suffocation, and went on to say they buried him in a duffel bag. End quote. After his interview and phone call to his mother, Stacey wrote an apology letter to Michael's parents and then attempted to hang himself in his jail cell, but he was rescued by Washington County Jail staff.

and I'm going to take a break from reading the probable cause for a moment here and point out that Stacey brought up a duffel bag during his interview with Dr. John in January of 20, 24, nearly two years ago. It is chilling. And before we continue, I just want to play it. And then we'll go ahead and keep reading the probable cause. Okay. So by my calculations, this would put us around 5 p.m. Uh-huh. And you and Sarah are, and Brandon, are going to go get his car?

Correct. So you get in your vehicle to do that? Yeah, so, yeah, we went and, I grabbed the tow strap from the garage. because we didn't have a trailer, so I had to tow it, keep in mind, we had to tow it with a strap. Okay. So we got everything ready. Brandon, you know, got all those clothes ready because he had a bunch of clothes, dirty clothes. And so he got his clothes ready, put him in his duffel bag.

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I'll return to the affidavit now. Quote, it should be noted that during some parts of Stacey's incarceration in the Washington County Jail, prior to his confession and directions on where to find Michael's body, Sarah was out of custody and living back at the house on Red Wing Street

as evidenced by her being there when law enforcement arrived to execute the search warrant. Sarah could have had the time and ability to move any evidence from the property without Stacey's knowledge. In June of 2022, Sarah called Kay Ramsey, her mother, from jail, and spoke about spouses being able to testify against each other. In a recorded phone call from the Washington County Jail to Sarah, Stacey expressed

concern that Sarah was going to turn on Stacey. Sarah confirmed that Stacey was referring to Michael. Sarah told Stacey that she had already told her attorney that she wasn't going to. to turn on Stacy and that she wasn't going to testify against Stacy. Stacy then reassured Sarah he would never testify against her. As a search warrant was executed on November 12th, 2022, Stacey described the exact location as to where to find Michael buried in the backyard of the residence. He instructed detectives through video chat.

I can't. Can you turn the camera around so I can show you? We're going to flip it around right now. Stand by. There you go. It's like right under that mound area. A little like right to the right of the trees area. To the right of the trees? Yeah. A little bit.

So can you see it? Okay, where are at now? Now he's off the dirt mound. It's like underneath the dirt mound area. Is that where he's standing? Yeah, a little bit less, like closer to the house. Kind of closer to the house? Yeah.

And what is he wrapped in? It should be, I mean, it should be a garbage bag. Okay, what color is the garbage bag? It would be white or black. We only had two colors right about there. Okay. I mean, like I said, that's where he was buried. Okay.

That's the last place I had known. Again, I haven't been home for quite a while, and a lot of shit. You know what I mean? So the only other place I would say if he's not in that backyard is go to CUNA to Brandon's house and check in the backyard by the tree area. Okay, well, we're going to finish here first and then we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Okay. So we're going to do right or less? That general area, I mean that bucket's enough to dig, but you're going to want to start digging underneath the dirt piles. I don't know how far she actually dug to be honest with you. About, give me an estimate.

I mean, maybe four or five feet. Four or five feet? You know, four or five feet, that's probably... Like I said, you ask for an estimate, I'm giving you what, I mean, it's probably shorter than that. I don't have an exact idea. Okay, when she dug the hole, was she standing in the hole? She was standing outside of it. Okay, and was she using a regular shovel? I think it was a bull nose or what do you call them pointed ones.

Okay, and did the shovel, was she able to stand on the outside of the ground and the shovel able to reach the bottom of the hole? Yes. Okay, about how far down was the shovel in the hole? I don't know, let's say, like three feet down. Two feet down. I mean, I don't have a, like I said, I don't have an exact, you know, measurement, like to give you. I mean, I didn't pay attention that far. That's okay.

Okay. We will try where you suggested. All right. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Yep. Okay.

Sierra Wonder, who was located in the residence at the time was detained. As officers read to her the search warrant, Sarah made several strange statements. Quote, wow, that is a lot. I definitely did not kill that boy. The Most High God already told me who did it so. Oh, wow, wow, the Most High God just told me that Stacey was the one who killed him and he buried him in the yard of Carson's house. She also said, quote, the Most High God told her, Stacey was the one that killed him and he buried him.

The Most High God just told me that Stacey was the one who did it. He wants me to make sure you understand that I had nothing to do with it. He said that Stacey buried him in the backyard by the shed. It wasn't actually Stacey who harmed the boy, end quote. As officers started to search the residence, Sarah asked several times if the officers had found him yet, end quote. Idaho State Police and Ada County Sheriff's Office assisted with the execution of the

search warrant at the Wonders residence along with five separate certified cadaver canines. Prior to officers digging in the backyard of the Wondra residents, cadaver canines were deployed and alerted in the backyard to a total of five certified cadaver dogs.

They were all deployed and all five alerted inside the Wondra backyard in the approximate area of where Stacey claimed he witnessed Sarah and Adrian Barry Michael. Neither Michael nor any human remains were located during the execution of this search warrant.

Prior to excavating the backyard, law enforcement noted there were several areas in the yard that appeared to have been filled in with dirt and or resauded. Kay and Ed Ramsey reported they had filled in areas of the yard where Stacey and Sarah's dog had dug holes. At various interviews after the disappearance of Michael, Stacey was asked what happened to his and Sarah's cell phones from July of 2021. Stacey said Sierra wanted to detract attention so we are not on the radar, end quote.

And that was the reason they sold the phones. When asked if there was evidence of the crimes on these phones, Stacey said there were text messages. Investigation revealed that the Wundras changed their phones approximately three times in a five-month period. Stacey described purchasing SIM cards to put in his cell phone to evade law enforcement. The GMC pickup was subsequently repossessed for non-payment.

Stacey then called Kim's cars, wanting the truck back or to borrow it. He also told them to hurry up and sell it. Stacey further advised that they sold the Lexus they had at the time Michael was abducted. Within a few weeks of Michael's disappearance, the Wundra's cloud data revealed that Stacey and Sierra searched four rental houses in other states and financial assistance in different areas. Additionally, a photo of items boxed up was taken on July 30th, 2021, as if they were preparing to move. In summation, Stacey confessed that the four members of the household Stacey Wondra,

Sera Wondra, Brandon Shirtliff, and Adrian Lucene were all involved in the abduction and killing of Michael. The neighbor, Dorothy S., saw Michael writing a charge. tricycle near the Wunderer home at the time Michael went missing. That same tricycle was seen in the Wondra garage prior to the abduction. That tricycle was discarded outside the neighborhood off a bluff after Michael went missing. K. Ramsey, Sarah Wondra's mother, claimed to have found it and moved it to the entrance of the neighborhood, which is refuted by the fact that another neighbor unrelated to the case claimed to have found it and placed it there. That's Jim.

Kay's story also does not account for the fact that the tricycle was in the house before being discarded and before Michael went missing. Live sent track dogs were deployed and the only house they showed interest in was the Wundra house. That same dog showed interest in the area where Michael went missing from the area where the tricycle was discarded. Based on the foregoing, your affiant is required. requesting that Stacey Wondra be charged with kidnapping and murder in the first degree,

as well as the concealment of evidence and of the probable cause for Stacey Wondra. Difficult read. As far as Sierra Wundra's probable cause, we'll read that. Sierra is now charged with the same as Stacey, first degree murder, second degree kidnapping, and destruction of or concealment of evidence. her probable cause honestly was nearly identical to Stacey's nearly identical, but with a few more details related directly to Sarah's actions and her part in Michael's disappearance and murder, which will now go over now those specific details.

It states, quote, cell phone data showed that Sarah, Brandon, and Adrian were co-located in Meridian, Idaho on July 27, 2021, earlier in. in the day, meaning the day of Michael's abduction. It then states, quote, written communication between Sarah and Stacey on August 8, 2021 was recovered from the ICloud data. Sarah told Stacey that on that date that she wanted to move and quote, get out of this neighborhood and this house, end quote. Sarah also said to Stacy, quote, I like it better when you agree to be no one else here ever, but then you didn't want to listen to me about our sanctuary. So now we need to find another one. I need a new castle, end quote. Written communication from Sarah's phone on August 12th,

2021 indicates a falling out between Stacey and Brandon with Brandon being kicked out of the Wondra residence. And Sarah changed her phone number. The affidavit talked more about Sarah's interview on the 15th in 2021, where she talked about towing Brandon's car back from Kuna. It reads, quote, Sarah reported that while towing the car back to Fruitland, the toe strap broke. While they were on the side of the road, Sarah reported she urinated and removed the shirt she was wearing in order to use it to wipe. Sarah would not provide information on which shirt she was wearing or what happened to it. Upon returning to their neighborhood, Sarah said they spoke with a pedestrian who informed them of the missing child. Sarah did not mention wearing a shirt when they

spoke with a pedestrian but previously spoke of trying to cover herself as she was standing along the roadway. Sarah said that after returning home, she and Brandon took her blue Toyota and drove around to help search for the child, again, not mentioning reclothing. In later interviews, Sarah stated she and Brandon went to the gas station for soda and candy prior to helping with the search. Sarah stated that on that night, she drove down S.W. 9th Street for the first time and drove past Michael's home where she saw Michael's mother crying outside. Sarah said she and Brandon went home due to the number of people already out searching, end quote. That is the end of her little pieces of her probable cause affidavit that differ from Stacey's.

And to end on that fact that she saw that night, Brandy Neal, monkey's mother outside crying. while she knew exactly what had happened. And none of these four adults told her anything. The affidavit further went on to state, though, quote, while Sarah Wondra was in custody at the Payot County Jail, she was emotionally distraught and complained about people saying she did something bad. The jailer asked what was going on, and she described, quote, I don't know if it was him, I don't know what body I saw.

and end quote. And then when the jailer asked, body, what do you mean? She explained, quote, I don't know it was in the bag. I couldn't see it, end quote. And then when the jailer realized that she was possibly talking about her case, he ended the discussion. Such a difficult read. I'm grateful we're finally getting answers. In our next episode, we will share for the first time publicly, Dr. John Matthias's full unedited interview with Stacey Wondra. Again, this was in January of 2024. And this is the man now charged with kidnapping and killing five-year-old Michael Vaughn. And I'm going to follow that episode. After that, we will have Dr. John Way in on his thoughts after reading both affidavits and revisiting that chilling 2024. May justice be served. Before I switched to Wellfront, my APY was probably 0.1. Once I switched chiching. With the Wealthfront cash account, earn up to 4.2% APY on your cash.

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