Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"And even though she's flat on her back, the blood from the entry wound on her temple has flowed upward to her face, like around her nose and across her lips. And it should be flowing back towards her hair, right? If she shot herself and fell." — Britt
"It's about loving myself and trying to be a better partner and mother. And therapy is a great way to be the best version of you." — Ashley Flowers
"But the thing that her family keeps coming back to is the fact that Peter seemed to know Jade was dead before they even knew what had happened in the apartment." — Britt
This episode of Crime Junkie delves into the tragic and perplexing case of Jade Winston, who was found deceased in her Carrier Mills, Illinois apartment on August 17, 2007. Initially appearing to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, inconsistencies at the scene, particularly the unusual blood spatter patterns and the positioning of the body and weapon, immediately raised suspicions of a homicide. Chief Deputy Major Todd Fort's gut feeling that the scene was staged prompted a deeper investigation, uncovering a web of conflicting testimonies from friends, family, and individuals connected to Jade and her social circle, including her boyfriend Nick and Jory’s ex-boyfriend Peter.
The investigation faced numerous hurdles, including allegations of a cover-up, missing or incomplete records, and differing opinions among law enforcement and forensic experts regarding the manner of death. While some evidence, such as gunshot residue tests, initially pointed towards Jade and Nick, and the initial crime scene suggested suicide, the medical examiner's findings regarding blood flow and bullet trajectory complicated these theories, suggesting the body may have been moved. The case was further complicated by the accidental death of Jade’s brother, Jerome, just days later, adding another layer of grief and suspicion for the family.
Despite a coroner's inquest jury ruling Jade's death a homicide in 2008, and subsequent leads involving individuals from Kentucky and potential connections to Jade's brother's drug activities, the case has remained officially unsolved. Even with a former FBI agent's report suggesting suicide, the initial homicide ruling and the lingering questions about the blood spatter and staged scene mean the investigation remains open, with Jade's family and many in the community still seeking definitive answers and justice.