Mel Ignatow was charged with tried for murder, kidnapping, sodomy, sexual abuse, robbery and tampering with evidence in regard to Schaefer’s disappearance and death. However he was acquitted. Then evidence was found that showed Mel Ignatow raping and torturing Brenda that night. Due to double jeopardy laws, he could not be charged again with her murder. He was charged and convicted of perjury. At this trial, he openly admitted that he killed Brenda Sue Schaefer. He died 9/1/2008.
Defendants
James Maurice Reeder – pled guilty, sentenced to 37 years in prison
Becky Heupel – pled guilty for failing to protect her daughter, sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in prison (released)
Becky Heupel
INMATE INFORMATION
DOC Number: 363283
Offender Name: REEDER, JAMES MAURICE
Offender ID: 363283
Date of Birth: 09/05/1986
Age: 28
Race: White
Gender: Male
Custody Status: In Custody
Location: Stafford Creek Corrections Center
191 Constantine Way
Aberdeen, WA 98520
(360) 537-1800
MDOC Number: 833902
SID Number: 4118101H
Name: RENEE MARIE KING
Racial Identification: White
Gender: Female
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5′ 5″
Weight: 136 lbs.
Date of Birth: 02/18/1982 (33)
RENEE MARIE KING Image Date: 4/16/2012
MDOC STATUS
Current Status: Prisoner Earliest Release Date: LIFE
Assigned Location: Huron Valley Complex/Women’s Maximum Discharge Date: LIFE
Security Level: II
MARKS, SCARS & TATTOOS
Body Piercing- Left Ear
Body Piercing- Left Nose
Body Piercing- Lip
Body Piercing- Navel
Body Piercing- Right Ear
Tattoo- Back
Tattoo- Back Neck
Tattoo- Left Forearm
Tattoo- Left Stomach
Tattoo- Lower Back
Tattoo- Right Shoulder
Tattoo- Right Wrist
PRISON SENTENCES ACTIVE
Sentence 1
Offense: Criminal Sexual Conduct, 1st Deg (Person Under 13)
Minimum Sentence: 30 years 0 months 0 days
MCL#: 750.520B1A
Maximum Sentence: 50 years 0 months
Court File#: 11001495-FC
Date of Offense: 11/20/2010
County: Macomb
Date of Sentence: 04/10/2012
Conviction Type: Jury
Sentence 2
Offense: Child Abuse, 1st Degree
Minimum Sentence: 7 years 2 months 0 days
MCL#: 750.136B2
Maximum Sentence: 15 years 0 months
Court File#: 11001495-FC
Date of Offense: 11/20/2010
County: Macomb
Date of Sentence: 04/10/2012
Conviction Type: Jury
Sentence 3
Offense: Homicide – Felony Murder
Minimum Sentence: LIFE
MCL#: 750.316B
Maximum Sentence: LIFE
Court File#: 11001495-FC
Date of Offense: 11/20/2010
County: Macomb
Date of Sentence: 04/10/2012
Conviction Type: Jury
Look at that sweet little face. I cannot fathom how a parent can harm or allow harm happen to their children. Brittany Cherokee Dawn Bell is charged with child neglect, not murder, because the medical examiner was unable to determine exactly how the baby died. This is not rare. It does happen. I do hope that there is real justice in this case. This ‘mother’ did not even appear remorseful for her baby dying. From all that I read, she is a real poor example of a mother. Apparently she is a heavy drug user, which would cloud any judgment she may have had, if any. And she actually tried to blame this on her 18-month-old twins. Her other children have been taken away, thankfully.
DOC Number 960990
First Name DANIEL
Middle Name E
Last Name MESSEL
Suffix
Date of Birth 08/07/1965
Gender Male
Race White
Facility/Location Indiana State Prison
Earliest Possible Release Date 04/23/2075
Sentence Information
Date of Sentence 09/22/2016
Description MURDER
Term in Years / Months / Days 80 00 00000
Type of Conviction M
Indiana Citation Code 35-42-1-1
Cause Number 07C01-1504-MR-000113
County of Conviction BROWN
Projected Release Date 04/23/2075
Bonnie's Blog of Crime 