MURDERED: Brittany McGlone

The gist

On May 4, 2007, Britney McGlone was found murdered in her boyfriend Jeff Stogner's bedroom in Winnsboro, Texas—beaten with what investigators believe was a tire iron or crowbar. Despite a detailed investigation revealing a small circle of people who knew she'd be there that morning, the case went cold for over a decade. In 2022, Chad Carr, the boyfriend of Jeff's sister, was finally arrested based on circumstantial evidence, a failed polygraph, and a troubling violent history—but a grand jury's refusal to indict has kept him free.

Key takeaways

• Britney's trauma was hidden: She had confided to her sister Hope that their grandfather, James McGlone, had sexually abused her since childhood. This motive was investigated but ruled out when his alibi (7 AM-4:30 PM work shift) held up.
• The crime scene was intimate: Britney was found naked with her underwear missing, covered in blood from blunt force trauma. The killer showered afterward, suggesting comfort in the home, but no DNA evidence definitively linked anyone to the murder.
• Chad Carr's shaky alibi: A 25-year-old who had picked up Jeff's sister Velva from school, Chad claimed he went to an eye doctor appointment at 10 AM but arrived at 10:20 PM—late by his own admission. He had only a 59-minute window unaccounted for, though investigators noted the crime scene was only 6 minutes from locations he claimed to visit.
• A pattern of violence: In 2001, Chad had attacked a woman named Debbie with a jack handle—the same type of weapon allegedly used to kill Britney. He later served 10 years for sexually assaulting his ex-wife and had alleged incidents of animal cruelty.
• Physical evidence found but inconclusive: Search warrants turned up white shorts and shirt with blood, a gray ski mask, and women's underwear matching Britney's size—but the underwear had been washed before testing, and DNA testing proved inconclusive or inconclusive or matched residents of the house.
• Velva's damning testimony: Eight months after the murder, Jeff's sister told police Chad smelled like her body wash (Soft Soap Ultra Rich Shea Butter) after claiming to have showered, despite having no reason to shower at the house. She also said he seemed nervous and didn't want to be alone afterward.
• The grand jury rejected the case: Despite Sheriff Kelly Cole and Captain Mike Chilson believing sufficient evidence existed for trial in 2022, a grand jury returned a "no bill" after just 90 days—prosecutors claim key testimony and the full case weren't presented to jurors.
• DNA mystery remains: Investigators recovered DNA from the shower drain that doesn't belong to anyone living in the house, but Sheriff Cole won't discuss details, saying there are "still avenues to go down."

Notable quotes

• Captain Chilson on Chad's arrest reaction: "He didn't even seem surprised, but rather it felt more like he was, he believes, maybe relieved."
• On Chad's denials: "He said things like you won't find my DNA, I couldn't have done it, but never a flat out denial" of murdering Britney.
• Velva's chilling observation: When Chad picked her up from school, "something was off. Like, he seemed nervous and there was this distinct smell that she remembers."

Worth a full listen?

Listen to the full episode if you want a deep dive into a frustrating cold case that raises questions about investigative procedures, grand jury oversight, and justice delayed—particularly for families waiting 15+ years for answers in small-town America.