Prosecutor: Indiana Softball Coach, Former Player Plotted to Murder Ex-Fiancé

In a shocking case from January 2020, 31-year-old Shea Briar was murdered, leading investigators to uncover a web of deceit involving his ex-fiancée, Esther Jane Stephen, and her former player, Shelby Hiestand. The incident took place in Jay County, Indiana, and has since become a grim reminder of the lengths individuals might go when emotions and custody battles collide.

The Mysterious Disappearance of Shea Briar

Shea Briar was reported missing after he failed to appear for church on January 12, 2020. Local pastor Angela Smiley recalled the preceding night when Shea was last seen helping at a church event. His absence raised immediate concerns, prompting family members, including his aunt Tiffany McLaughlin and grandmother Sharon Taylor, to start calling hospitals and law enforcement when they learned Shea was missing.

The Discovery and Investigation

Shea was found on a rural bridge, having sustained a gunshot wound. He succumbed to his injuries shortly after being discovered. Detective Ben Schwartz led the investigation in a tight-knit farming community where news travels quickly. The detectives began their inquiry by delving into Shea’s life, learning about his upbringing in Indiana and Hawaii, as well as his recent struggles with parenting rights over his daughter with E.J. Stephen.

The Complicated Relationship

Shea and E.J. began dating only after the birth of their daughter in January 2019, which followed a brief engagement. Their relationship was tumultuous, culminating in E.J. calling off the engagement in September 2019. Shea’s desire to establish paternity and seek custody ignited tensions, with Shea reportedly expressing that E.J. had threatened him if he pursued legal action. In November 2019, Shea filed a court document for paternity and custody, escalating the stakes between him and E.J.

Unraveling Motives and Suspicions

• Shea’s family suspected E.J. might have been involved in his murder.
• Det. Schwartz identified several suspicious elements in E.J.’s behavior.
• Phone records showed E.J. was the last person to contact Shea before the shooting.

In the immediate aftermath of Shea’s murder, E.J. was called in for questioning. She appeared emotionally detached, which raised further suspicions from detectives. Witness Kristi Sibray, a longtime acquaintance of E.J., later provided crucial information about a conversation that hinted at darker intentions regarding Shea.

Planning the Crime

In the days leading up to Shea’s death, there were discussions between E.J. and Shelby about eliminating Shea. Their conversation took a sinister turn when they discussed various methods to do so. Witnesses later revealed that E.J. often confided in Shelby about her frustrations with Shea.

A Night of Tragedy

On the night of January 11, 2020, E.J. and Shelby picked up a rifle after obtaining it from Shelby’s residence. They later drove to meet Shea under the guise of reconciliation. However, what ensued was a tragic confrontation where Shelby shot Shea, leaving him to suffer before he was discovered.

Legal Proceedings

Following their confessions, E.J. and Shelby were arrested and charged with murder. Initially claiming to have just gone along with Shelby’s plan, E.J.’s testimony would later evolve, leading prosecutors to argue that she orchestrated the events leading to the shooting. E.J. received a 55-year sentence after being found guilty, while Shelby faced a similar fate.

Community Reaction

The murders sent shockwaves through the small community of Jay County. Shea’s family, shocked and grieving, could hardly comprehend the betrayal surrounding his death. “He was one of a kind,” noted his half-sister, Sydney Hoevel. Friends and family continue to remember him, questioning how such drastic actions could unfold amidst unresolved personal conflicts.

Conclusions

The case of Shea Briar serves as a grim reminder of how deep-seated emotional issues can lead to tragic outcomes. Investigators uncovered numerous personal connections and motives that wove a complex narrative leading to his untimely death, which remains a cautionary tale emblazoned in the memory of those who knew him.