Introduction
In the realm of parental fears, none is more haunting than the loss of a child. On the first day of May, 2023, an otherwise ordinary Monday in Henryetta, Oklahoma, an Amber Alert sent shockwaves through the small community. Local teens Ivy Webster, 14, and Brittany Brewer, 15, had vanished. Their disappearance, alarming as it was, would be the catalyst for an even more horrifying revelation.
The extensive search for the girls culminated in a chilling tableau: a property dotted with seven lifeless bodies. This grim discovery not only stunned the families of the missing girls but also cast a pall of dread over the entire town of Henryetta. The land, sprawling over a hundred acres on the town's fringes, was rented by Jesse Lee McFadden and his wife, Holly Teannettel L. McFadden (Mayo). McFadden as it would turn out, would be identified as a registered sex offender. The gruesome find thrust the ordinarily peaceful Henryetta into the national spotlight in the most dreadful way.
Henryetta, a quaint country town with less than 6,000 residents, had been known for its legacy of rodeo culture, personified by the likes of Jim Shoulders and Terry Don West, rather than for any sinister happenings. This close-knit community boasted notable natives such as football Hall of Famer and former Dallas Cowboy, Troy Aikman, Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Steven W. Taylor, and former Major League Baseball player, Mark Ryal. Yet, this gruesome discovery sent shockwaves through the town's foundations, overshadowing its proud history.
The shock was not confined to the families of Ivy and Brittany or the residents of Henryetta. Even McFadden's own mother was left reeling. However, the grim tale doesn't conclude with this revelation. The story, much like the investigation into this shocking crime, continues to unfold, promising further revelations in this harrowing chapter of Henryetta's history.
Background
As Sunday, April 30, 2023, unfolded, the atmosphere took an eerie turn. Both Ivy and Brittany, who were due back home that Sunday afternoon or evening, didn't appear. Even more unsettling was the silence from the girls. The Brewer and Webster families, accustomed to regular updates from their daughters, had received no communication.
Seeking to allay their concerns, McFadden reached out to both families, reporting that they were in McAlester, working on his ranch, and that everything was fine. But the truth was far from his assurances. As the hours ticked by, the girls never showed up at home. By Monday, May 1, 2023, the Brewer, and Webster families, consumed by worry and fear, filed missing persons reports. Amber Alerts were swiftly issued that same morning, and so began a heart-wrenching journey into uncertainty and dread for these two families.
A chilling revelation soon unfurled as the families discovered McFadden's dark past: he was a convicted rapist and a registered sex offender. Meanwhile, investigators were piecing together a disturbing pattern. McFadden had been conspicuously absent from his jury trial scheduled for that morning, which was related to another sexual offense case involving a minor.
Adding to the mounting sense of dread, authorities found that the Sunday night trip to McCalister, Oklahoma, as claimed by McFadden, had never occurred. Neither McFadden nor Holly could be contacted by anyone. Disturbingly, no one had been in touch with McFadden, Holly, or any of the children since Sunday, and McFadden's had been the last voice anyone had heard on Saturday.
The Okmulgee Sheriff's Department, already in possession of a "Failure to Appear" bench warrant due to McFadden's skipped jury trial, swiftly secured a "Search Warrant" based on the accumulating evidence. They turned their focus to the property rented by McFadden and his wife Holly. What they discovered there was a horrifying sight that defied all expectations: seven lifeless bodies scattered across the property.
With heavy hearts, the Okmulgee Sheriff's Department was tasked with delivering the agonizing news to the Brewer and Webster families, who had been clinging to the hope that their daughters were safe. The once vibrant community of Henryetta was left grappling with a tragedy that would forever tarnish its small-town tranquility.
Crime
In the harrowing span between Saturday, April 29, 2023, and Monday, May 1, 2023, Jesse Lee McFadden orchestrated a monstrous act of violence. This mass killing and subsequent suicide claimed seven lives. Among the victims were his wife Holly, her children Rylee Elizabeth Allen, 17, Michael James Mayo, 15, Tiffany Gore Guess, 13, and their friends Ivy Webster, 14, and Brittany Brewer, 15. In a chilling conclusion to his rampage, McFadden used a 9mm handgun - purchased by Holly in September of 2022 - to end his own life.
The grim tableau unfolded across the expansive property. Holly and her two children, Michael, and Tiffany, were discovered together outside the McFadden home. Some 500 yards away, the lifeless bodies of Rylee, Ivy, and Brittany were found, each separated from the others by approximately 150 yards.
According to the preliminary findings of the medical examiner, Holly had been struck by three gunshot wounds to the head, while Michael and Tiffany suffered two. Rylee, Ivy, Brittany, and McFadden each bore a single gunshot wound to the head. Their bodies were discovered around 3:00 pm on that fateful Monday, May 1, 2023.
Investigation
As the investigation unfolded, law enforcement on the scene maintained a remarkable reticence. Their silence raised questions among the anxious community members, but most urgently among the victims' families, who were desperate for answers.
Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice, addressing the press outside the cordoned-off McFadden property on the day of the grim discovery, shared that investigators "are no longer looking" for the two teenagers who had been the subjects of that morning's Amber Alerts. However, he remained notably tight-lipped about the identities of the other victims. "We believe we have found the persons," he said, "we are just waiting for confirmation." When probed about the potential inclusion of McFadden among the victims, his response was a terse, "yes."
Adding to the atmosphere of controlled disclosure, Gerald Davidson, the spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), stated, “There is no suspect at large that we are looking for right at this moment.” He added, “So … there is no threat to the community.”
These sparse, guarded responses, devoid of any detailed information, left a vacuum that soon filled with speculation. As the community grappled to make sense of the tragedy, it seemed that the unspoken facts may hold more weight than the tidbits shared by the authorities. The pressing question remained: what were they not saying, and why were they saying so little?
Jesse Lee McFadden had been set free from prison prematurely in 2020, having served just 15 years of a 20-year sentence for first-degree rape. His release was even more unsettling considering that he was due in court that very morning for a jury trial tied to another sex crime - a case that had originated during his incarceration.
According to Oklahoma's stringent sentencing requirements for such severe offenses, McFadden should have served at least 85% of his original sentence. However, his release after only 15 years fell noticeably short of this threshold. Disturbingly, McFadden had secured his early freedom despite having committed an additional sexual offense before his release - a fact that raised profound questions about the checks and balances of the justice system meant to protect society from such recidivist behavior.
On Saturday night, McFadden texted the victim for the case that he was defending himself against. The messaged read:
During a press conference held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice offered a grim assessment of the case. "I follow the evidence … and the evidence is that McFadden murdered six people and then killed himself,” he stated unequivocally. Yet, when it came to understanding the rationale behind the chilling act, Prentice admitted, "I don't have any evidence to indicate what the actual motive was."
Prentice also shed light on a particularly unsettling aspect of the crime scene: it appeared to have been manipulated post-crime. The evidence suggested that McFadden had moved the bodies of his victims after committing the murders, implying a chilling level of calculation and control.
On May 8, 2023, the investigation took a more rigorous turn as an excavator was brought onto the McFadden property. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) assured Ivy Webster's grandmother that they would conduct an exhaustive search. They committed to leaving no stone unturned before relinquishing control of the property. This promise provided a glimmer of hope in the midst of the tragedy - a hope that justice would be served, and closure could eventually be found for the families and the community affected by this horrifying event.
The most poignant insights into this harrowing case emerged from the voices of the victims' families. Janette Mayo, mother of Holly McFadden, confirmed that her daughter and three grandchildren were among the seven individuals discovered on the property. According to her, the police had informed her of their tragic end - all had been shot to death.
In a similar vein, Nathan Brewer, father of Brittany Brewer, confirmed to KOTV in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that his daughter was indeed one of the victims. The state's medical examiner, Eric Pfeifer, had informed him that Brittany had succumbed to a single gunshot wound to the head.
Two days later, Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice publicly confirmed the identities of the six victims: Holly and her children Rylee, Michael, and Tiffany, along with their friends, Ivy Webster and Brittany Brewer. The authorities also confirmed that McFadden was the seventh body found at the scene, with the evidence suggesting he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
One family member recounted a chilling detail: it appeared that three of the victims had made a desperate attempt to escape. It was suspected that McFadden had intended to have more individuals present at the sleepover, with signs pointing towards a premeditated plan. Annicka, a friend of Tiffany's, shared a haunting revelation: "I got a text asking if I wanted to go up to the mall in Tulsa, and I said I don’t know if I can today. And she said OK, and I said, maybe next week".
The Family Investigates
Frustrated by the Okmulgee Sheriff's Department's secrecy and feeling an unsettling disquiet about the whole situation, Ivy Webster's father, Justin, decided to take matters into his own hands. On Thursday, May 4, 2023, he invited the news outlet KFOR to accompany him, his wife, and his mother-in-law on a somber journey through the McFadden home in search of answers.
Granted access by the property owners, they braced themselves for the painful truths that awaited them. Their quest, however, unearthed more than they had ever imagined. Was there an inclination among the law enforcement agencies to swiftly close the case, given the apparent death of the suspected perpetrator? The families wouldn't stand for it.
The discoveries they made sparked a chain of events that resulted in a significant shift in the investigation. By Monday, May 6, 2023, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) assumed full control of the case, having previously only provided support. So, what was it that they found that prompted such a dramatic turn of events?
Computer/Automation Equipment
· 3 x Computer Towers Throughout the House
· 2 x Laptops in a Cabinet in the Laundry Room
· 6 x Desktop Monitors Throughout the House
· 9 x Cell Phones (including Ivy Webster's)
Sexual and Bondage Devices
· Bed Frame with Restraints Attached to it - they still had chains attached
· Human Dog Collar
· Bondage Devices
· Handcuffs
· Restraints Bolted to the Kitchen Counter with Chains and Padlocks Attached
· Padlock Packaging and Receipt for Purchase
Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia
· Syringe Filled with a Black Substance
· Prescription Medication Bottle - prescribed to McFadden
· Drug Paraphernalia
Other
· Ledger of Names and Dates of Birth (possibility of additional victims)
· U Lock Storage Unit Payment with a Storage Unit # (possibility of additional victims)
· Shelf Lined with Witchcraft Related Books
· Twin Size Bed w/ a Pink Patterned Blanket Lying Across it in the living room
On May 8, 2023, a heart-wrenching revelation came to light. Shannon Boykin, Ivy Webster's grandmother, informed News 9 that the medical examiner had confirmed Ivy had been sexually assaulted. Then, on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, even more alarming details emerged. A private investigator, engaged by the family's attorney, Cameron Spalding, found that a staggering 32 cell phones were registered to McFadden's address. This crucial information was promptly handed over to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), only a day after they took the helm of the investigation.
The scale of the tragedy and the horrifying revelations drove Ivy Webster's father, Justin, to express his anguish and anger publicly. "We can’t have parents go through what we have. I’m angry. This should have never happened," he lamented.
Cameron Spradling, the Webster family's attorney, took to Twitter, revealing that the OSBI had detected a potential disturbance in a pond on the property that they hoped to clarify soon. He also reported sightings of an excavator on the property. In a potent plea, he wrote, "No words can express this family’s fear that the sexual assault of their baby girl has been placed on the dark web. We demand that law enforcement seize all electronic devices within this house of horrors."
Aftermath
The families of all the victims are grappling with unspeakable grief, mourning the tragic loss of their loved ones. Malaina Schabell, Brittany's mother, shared the sad detail that her daughter had just celebrated her 15th birthday the week before. Justin Webster, Ivy's father, spoke of how Ivy was supposed to participate in a pageant the following week - a future that was cruelly snatched away.
Janette Mayo, Holly McFadden's mother, has been very vocal on social media in the aftermath of the tragedy. Amidst her own grief, she has been dealing with criticism directed towards her late daughter. She revealed that Holly had discovered the truth about McFadden a few months prior to the tragic incident, and that McFadden had offered an explanation that Holly had accepted. This adds another layer of complexity and sorrow to the already tragic circumstances surrounding these events.
Ladonna McFadden, the mother of McFadden, said she hadn't "had any time to think about my son or anything like that.""I don’t understand it,” she said. “I never, ever, ever would have expected anything like this.”
Conclusion
Given further evidence unearthed by the family within the McFadden residence, this case might hold deeper intricacies than what initially meets the eye. We are compelled to question - did Oklahoma prematurely release McFadden from incarceration?
In-depth research suggests that recidivists are responsible for a disproportionate volume of crime, with post-prison arrest rates soaring 30 to 45 times higher than that of the general populace (Rosenfeld, Wallman, & Fornango, 2005). Tragically, these crimes tend to escalate over time, often culminating in murder.
In a study by Abel and his team, paraphiliacs (those diagnosed with a psychosexual disorder) were interviewed under conditions of assured confidentiality. The startling revelation was that a mere 3.3 percent of their self-confessed hands-on sex offenses, such as rape and child molestation, resulted in an arrest (Abel et al., 1988).
This case remains in progress. We urge anyone possessing pertinent information to contact the OSBI tip line at 800-522-8017 or send an email to tips@osbi.ok.gov. Confidentiality is guaranteed for those providing information.
Resources
How to Report Sex Offenders in Oklahoma
We urge members of the community to remain vigilant and proactive in reporting sex offenders who are not adhering to their registration obligations, or any individual suspected of posing a threat to public safety. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) holds the responsibility for the registration and monitoring of sex offenders within the state.
If you have information that could be crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of your community, we strongly encourage you to reach out to the ODOC or other appropriate law enforcement agencies. You can contact the ODOC at their office location:
Oklahoma Department of Corrections 3400 North Martin Luther King Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73111 Phone: (405) 425-2500
OSBI Statement - Thursday, May 11, 2023
The OSBI serves as the lead criminal investigative agency in Oklahoma through partnerships with other federal, state, county, and local law enforcement agencies. With original jurisdiction in limited crimes, the OSBI is jurisdictionally available by request to our partners for assistance in various capacities including investigative specialty services, partial, and full investigations.
On Saturday, May 6, 2023, Okmulgee County District Attorney Carol Iski requested the OSBI provide full investigative assistance and assume the lead role in the continuing investigation regarding the homicides of Holly McFadden, Tiffany Guess, Michael Mayo, Rylee Allen, Ivy Webster, and Brittany Brewer at the hands of Jesse McFadden.
The OSBI and our law enforcement partners recognize there is a tremendous amount of information being publicly presented, from a variety of sources, as it relates to this case. In tragedies such as this, when families and communities are grieving and looking for answers, the rapid flow of information, and in some instances speculation, can lead to misinformation being widely disseminated.
Since the misinformation can be a distraction to the families and friends working to navigate their grief and may compromise the investigation as it moves forward, the OSBI does want to furnish the following facts to help provide some clarification and prevent the further spread of unconfirmed information.
Since May 6, 2023, the OSBI has been communicating with the involved families, working to keep them informed on the progress and priorities in this case, and tirelessly processing items, conducting interviews, searching additional locations and property, and obtaining intelligence and documentation. Many of the investigative efforts have occurred with the support of other law enforcement agencies including the Grand River Dam Authority, the Okmulgee County District Attorney’s Taskforce, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
The investigative process is ongoing and will be lengthy, but is an attempt to determine what led up to and occurred during this incident. The work is also to discern whether there are other potential victims or suspects not yet identified.
While OSBI is aware there is information circulating that does not represent investigative facts, we will not attempt to address each aspect of the miscommunications. Pursuant to Oklahoma Statute 74 O.S. 150.5(D)(1), OSBI investigations are confidential and the OSBI cannot release detailed information regarding investigations to the public. This helps ensure the confidentiality and integrity of each investigation.
As we move through the investigation, the OSBI will continue to consider all available information and will conduct additional investigative activity necessary to evaluate information veracity. Anyone who has information relevant to this investigation may call the OSBI tip line at 1- 800-522-8017, or email tips@osbi.ok.gov. Those providing information may remain anonymous.
OSBI understands that at the culmination of this investigation, there will be many facets of this case that will need to be addressed. Some of those are not under the purview of the OSBI, but for those that are, we will attempt to address them within our statutory guidelines. Future official updates regarding the progress of the investigation appropriate for public release will be provided by the OSBI or the Okmulgee District Attorney’s Office via a subsequent press release or on the official OSBI sites.
Going forward, OSBI will continue to work with the family and our law enforcement partners as we all look for greater understanding. We ask for the continued support of the family and friends of Holly, Tiffany, Michael, Rylee, Ivy, and Brittany.
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