Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"The missing pieces in this case tell a story of their own." — Host
"In the presence of a circumstance such as the decedent being involved in a law enforcement pursuit, and reportedly fleeing from them into the woods, I would have liked to have had more information regarding Tripp's behavior and health history to confidently rule his death as suicide. In my opinion, the manner of death would best be classified as undetermined, as the role of law enforcement if any in the death is unclear." — Dr. Ashley Matthew (Forensic Pathologist)
"I hate that it ended that way. I really do. But I couldn't have done anything in my power to change what happened without getting Mr. Bynum in trouble." — Preston Cox (Ride-along)
This episode of Crime Junkie investigates the death of 15-year-old Tripp Brazil, whose passing was ruled a suicide by ligature hanging following a police pursuit of his four-wheeler. However, the narrative presented by the hosts highlights significant discrepancies and unanswered questions surrounding the official account. The investigation details the initial pursuit, Tripp's subsequent disappearance into the woods, and the discovery of his body. Key points of contention include the lack of clear probable cause for initiating the pursuit, the suspicious timing and content of a text message sent from Tripp's phone shortly before his death, and a notable 49-minute gap in Deputy Trey Bynum's body camera footage, during which Bynum put on latex gloves.
Further casting doubt on the suicide ruling are findings from the Brazil family and their private investigator. These include the location and condition of Tripp's belongings, the condition of his feet suggesting he did not walk the distance to where he was found, and concerns raised by a forensic pathologist regarding the size of the tree branch used in the hanging, which may not have been strong enough to support Tripp's weight. Additionally, the origin of the ratchet strap used in the hanging is questioned, with potential links to a nearby deer stand, yet Tripp's apparent lack of shoes and the "violent ground" terrain make a solitary trek highly improbable.
The episode also explores the past disciplinary records of Deputy Bynum and Sergeant David Kinney, both of whom were involved in the pursuit and subsequent search. The hosts and the Brazil family's investigator suspect that the official narrative may be an attempt to conceal potential misconduct or foul play. The narrative raises questions about the anonymized tip that identified Tripp, the handling of evidence, and the integrity of the investigation, leaving listeners with a strong sense of unease about the circumstances surrounding Tripp Brazil's death. The family's ongoing fight for answers and the potential impact of their efforts to utilize the Freedom of Information Act are also discussed.