On 12 February 1993 in Merseyside, England two 10-year-old boys, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables , abducted, tortured, and murdered a 2-year-old boy, James Patrick Bulger. Thompson and Venables led Bulger away from the New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle, after his mother had taken her eyes off him momentarily. After Bulger was led away from his mother at a shopping center in Bootle. The boys took him to a railway line, where they physically abused and killed him. One of the boys threw the blue paint that they had shoplifted earlier into Bulger's left eye. They kicked, stamped, and threw bricks and stones at him. They placed batteries in Bulger's mouth although none were found there. Finally, the boys dropped a 10 kg (22 lb) railway fishplate on Bulger. He sustained 10 skull fractures as a result of the bar striking his head. Pathologist Alan Williams stated that Bulger suffered so many injuries—42 in total—that none could be identified as the fatal blow. Following this heinous act, the boys callously placed James's lifeless body on the railway tracks in the hope that it would appear as though he had been struck by a train. His body was found on a railway line two and a half miles (four kilometers) away in Walton, Liverpool, two days later. and Venables and Thompson were arrested and charged with murder. Jon Venables, one of the two boys who murdered James Bulger in 1993, has lost his parole bid to be released from prison in 2023. Home Secretary David Blunkett approved the decision, and they were released a few weeks later on lifelong license after serving eight years. It was reported that both boys "were given new identities and moved to secret locations under a 'witness protection'-like program. #TrueCrime

A Minnesota man was convicted of first-degree murder Thursday for beheading his girlfriend in front of several witnesses. Alex Saborit 44, was found guilty in the slaying of America Thayer, 56, in July 2021. In her ruling, the judge found the "nature of the assault" proved Saborit intended to kill Thayer, and that his possession of the machete, threats made prior to the killing and "tumultuous" relationship "marked by frequent arguments and accusations of abuse" showed premeditation, CBS reported. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that Saborit struck Thayer with an 8-pound dumbbell while they were in a vehicle near downtown Shakopee, then he decapitated her with a machete. People in other cars and nearby homes saw the attack. One of them shot a video that appeared to show Saborit pull Thayer's body out of the car into the street then pick up her head by the hair. Saborit and Thayer were on the way to his court appearance for felony charges alleging that he set fire to their apartment in Shakopee during a confrontation with police and that Saborit attacked Thayer after she told him she wanted to end their relationship. Saborit fled the scene and disposed of the machete along the way. He was arrested about 1 ½ miles away near the Trave Lodge Hotel where he was staying. County Attorney Ron Hocevar said he was pleased with the verdict, and that he expects Saborit to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. "My mom never deserved to have this happen in the first place," Thayer's 42-year-old son, Charles Thayer, said after the verdict, the Star Tribune reported. "This monster deserves to be put away for life." #TrueCrime

Texas woman sentenced for luring man to remote area where MS-13 gang members murdered him A Houston Texas, woman was sentenced to 30 years in prison for luring a man to a remote area to be attacked and killed by gang members who allegedly felt the victim disrespected them in a rap battle. Karla Jackelin Morales, 24, pleaded guilty Friday to charges in connection with the July 29, 2018, murder of 24-year-old Jose Alfonso Villanueva, according to Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. Morales was scheduled to go to trial in October 2021, but she jumped bond and cut off her ankle monitor to escape detection and was arrested in Houston about nine months later. "This defendant jumped bail in 2021 to escape the consequences of her actions, but she was re-arrested and, on the eve of trial this week, pleaded guilty for what she did," Ogg said in a statement. "This was a premeditated and planned out attack and we have now been able to get justice for the victim’s family." Morales lured Villanueva to a field in Spring, Texas, where she told him they would smoke marijuana to celebrate his birthday. But Morales had taken him to the area so five MS-13 gang members waiting there could kill him.! The gang members attacked Villanueva with a machete and shot him as he attempted to run away. The gang members were allegedly angry at Villanueva because he disrespected them in a rap battle. His body was found about a week after the killing. "This women knowingly lured an innocent man to be murdered by five MS-13 gang members in the most brutal and depraved manner that you could imagine sending shockwaves and fear throughout the Houston community," Homeland Security Investigations Houston acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Kurtz said in a statement. "By working in conjunction with our local law enforcement partners and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, we were able to hold all of the individuals responsible for this horrifying tragedy accountable and hopefully bring some closure to the victim’s family." Jose Alfonso Villanueva was lured to a field in Spring, Texas, where five MS-13 gang members were waiting to kill him. The gang members have all been convicted in Villanueva's murder. Assistant District Attorney Jason Sanchez, a chief in the district attorney's Organized Crime Division, with Assistant District Attorney Neha Mehtaji. "This should be cautionary tale to anyone who thinks they may want to join a gang that it doesn’t matter your age, gender or anything else," Sanchez said in a statement. "We will prosecute you for the crimes you commit." #TrueCrime

The tragic story of Shaniya Davis Shaniya Davis was a five-year-old girl who was sold by her mother, Antoinette Davis, to a man named Mario McNeill on November 10, 2009. This shocking event would lead to a series of events that would ultimately result in the death of Shaniya, a preschooler who had her whole life ahead of her. After being sold to McNeill to cover a debt of $200, Shaniya was taken to a hotel, where she was sexually assaulted and murdered. Her body was later discovered in a wooded area in North Carolina. The details of her death are truly heartbreaking, and it is difficult to imagine the pain and suffering she must have endured in those final moments. The tragic nature of Shaniya's death led to widespread media attention and both Antoinette Davis and Mario McNeill were arrested and charged in connection with her death. Antoinette Davis was charged with human trafficking, felony child abuse, and filing a false police report, while McNeill was charged with first-degree murder, rape of a child, and kidnapping. The trial was emotionally charged, and the details that emerged during the proceedings were nothing short of horrific. Shaniya's death is a reminder of the unimaginable cruelty that can be inflicted upon innocent children, and her memory will continue to serve as a call to action to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. Shaniya's family and community mourned her loss deeply, with many calling for justice and accountability. The case also brought attention to the issue of child trafficking and the need for greater awareness and intervention to protect vulnerable children from such atrocities. In the end, McNeill was sentenced to death, while Antoinette Davis received a sentence of 17 years to life in prison. While justice was served in some sense, the loss of Shaniya's life remains a tragedy that will never be forgotten. Her memory will serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting children and preventing such senseless acts of violence from occurring in the future. #TrueCrime

Nevaeh Amyah Buchanan (February 3, 2004 - May 24, 2009) Nevaeh passed away when she was 5 years old. She went missing from her apartment complex in Monroe, Michigan. She was last seen playing outside on her scooter. At one point, another child who had been outside playing went to tell Nevaeh's mother that she was riding her scooter in the street. When her mother went outside to tell her to stay on the sidewalk, she had already vanished. A massive search for Nevaeh immediately went underway. Three sex offenders in the area were questioned, and one of them began burning things in his backyard as soon as he returned home from the questioning. However, the three men were all cleared. Sadly, Nevaeh's body was discovered on June 4, 2009 on the banks of a river. She had been buried in a shallow grave, and had died of asphyxiation from being buried alive. There were no signs of sexual assault. Sadly, Nevaeh's murder remains unsolved. Nevaeh was a beautiful, bright, intelligent, and happy little girl. She loved school, and had just graduated from preschool. She was described as a tomboy, who loved motorcycles, stuffed animals, and playing on the playground. Her favorite movie was "The Jungle Book." Nevaeh is greatly missed by all who loved her. Rest in peace, Neveah! #TrueCrime

Jeanette Maples, a 16-year-old girl residing in Eugene, Oregon, had a passion for reading during her time at Cascade Middle School from 2006. However, after completing eighth grade in 2008, she transitioned to being homeschooled under the registration of Lane Education Service District. Jeanette lived with her mother, Angela McAnulty, and Angela's husband, Richard McAnulty. On the evening of December 9, 2009, just before 8 PM, authorities received a distress call from the residence on Howard Avenue. Inside, they found Jeanette unconscious and injured in the bathtub. Angela claimed that Jeanette had been sleeping in the living room when she suddenly stopped breathing. Jeanette was swiftly taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield, but she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Upon initial examination, it became apparent that Jeanette had endured prolonged abuse and starvation. Dr. Daniel Davis, the pathologist who performed the autopsy, stated that Jeanette had suffered such extensive harm from various sources that he couldn't determine which specific injury had caused her death. Her body had wasted away, devoid of fat and with minimal muscle tissue. The effects of starvation alone could have been fatal, but Jeanette's body exhibited numerous injuries in different stages of healing. Over 200 injuries were observed, many resulting from blunt force inflicted by a manufactured object with a straight, machined edge. Dr. Davis discovered a hole at the back of Jeanette's head, causing bleeding in her brain. Furthermore, Jeanette had pneumonia in the form of an abscessed lung, which might have introduced bacteria into her bloodstream, leading to shock and eventual demise. #TrueCrime

Dana Nicole Bradley (July 24, 1967 - December 18, 1981) Dana passed away when she was 14 years old. She disappeared on the evening of December 14, 1981, while hitchhiking on Topsail Road in St. John's, Newfoundland. She had been at a friend's home after school and was on her way home to a family birthday party. When she did not arrive, the family reported her missing to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. Her body was found in a wooded area on the Maddox Cove Road south of St. John's four days after she disappeared. Her skull had been fractured by a blunt object and she had been sexually assaulted. In 1986, a man confessed to killing Dana, but later recanted, saying that the confession had been coerced, and all charges against him were dropped. No one else has ever been charged, and so far, Dana's murder remains unsolved. Dana was a sweet, beautiful, and smart young girl. At the time of her death she was a ninth grader and reportedly made good grades. She is greatly missed by her friends and family. Rest in peace, Dana! #TrueCrime

At 15, Danielle Vaughan was left in the care of her mother’s friend, who was then a 50 year old man. They became romantically involved, Danielle got pregnant, and Vaughan was a mother by the time she was 17. They married and eventually had four children. Their youngest was named Dennis. Dennis Vaughan Jr. was born in 2014, the fourth of Danielle Vaughan children. Vaughan, now 33, has led a life marred by abuse. She remembered her mother, Sherry Connor, as erratic and prone to violent outbursts. Danielle’s husband grew controlling and violent. Both of them started using drugs. Dennis Sr. has been repeatedly arrested for drugs. In 2016, police raided the family’s Laconia home, arresting Dennis Sr. — and Vaughan lost custody of her four children. “That was the beginning of a horrible four years,” she said, but she was willing to move mountains to get her children back. She kicked heroin. She went to her appointments. She found stable housing, away from Dennis Sr. She worked to piece together a life and prove she could care for her children. In the summer of 2017, a court granted custody of the four children to Vaughan’s mother, Sherry. Vaughan had reservations about the arrangement, after the way she had grown up. “I knew my mom had that mean bone in her body,” she said. But she wanted to believe she would love and care for her grandchildren. Before long, Vaughan said, she started noticing the children had bruises on their wrists or their ears. One of the children was hospitalized with a concussion. Connor would always have an explanation, Vaughan said. Then during one visit, Vaughan noticed finger-shaped bruises around her children’s chins. “I knew those bruises. I knew what they were from.” Vaughan said her mother used to grab her by the chin, almost lifting her off the floor as she yelled, “Now you look at me.” All the children were too skinny, Vaughan said. On a visit to Connor’s home for Christmas in 2018, she discovered their deplorable living conditions. Connor’s home in Laconia was vile, Vaughan said, with human and dog feces on the floor. She kept the refrigerator and cabinets locked, so the children — 4-year-old Dennis and the three older children — couldn’t get food or drinks themselves. When they got too thirsty, Vaughan said, they drank out of the toilet — and were punished for it. They used a bucket to go to the bathroom. After that visit, Vaughan figures she called DCYF every day. But the division screened out her reports, or the cases were closed as “unfounded,” she said, meaning an investigation did not turn up abuse or neglect. One day, Vaughan got a voicemail from her mother, who seemed to have dialed by mistake. Vaughan could hear a hand smacking flesh, her third-oldest child screaming, and her mother screaming back. “I hate you, you dirty dog,” she screamed, cursing at the 8-year-old, Vaughan remembered. “I can’t wait for someone to take you away.” Vaughan made another report, she said. In July 2019, Vaughan said, her mother duct-taped that same child to a chair and left him overnight in an Epsom campground. Other people in the campground called police. DCYF petitioned a court to remove the child from Connor on an emergency basis, and returned him to Vaughan. Vaughan said she is still not clear about why the division removed only one of her children from Connor’s care in the summer of 2019 — but did not move to get her other three children, including Dennis Jr., out of Connor’s home. By this time, Vaughan said she was calling for help multiple times a day. She called the Office of the Child Advocate, an ombudsman’s office, police, every authority she could think of. She was frantic. “I was begging to put them anywhere else but her house,” Vaughan said. On Christmas Eve 2019, Vaughan went into work early for her cleaning job at Elliot Hospital. She was there less than an hour that Tuesday morning when a state police sergeant asked to talk to her. She felt a knot in her stomach as they walked into an empty room. “He looks at me and says, ‘Dennis is dead.’” 3 years later, Danielle is still trying to get answers about how exactly her son died. In May 2020, an autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Dennis died of blunt force trauma to the head and neck, and ruled the death a homicide. No one has been charged, Associate Attorney General Jeffery A. Strelzin said the investigation is still open. Vaughan is trying to understand how the child welfare system failed her family so utterly. #TrueCrime

Rochelle Gluskoter (April 10, 1940 - February 15, 1946) Rochelle passed away when she was 5 years old. She was sadly kidnapped from her home in Los Angeles, California as she was playing in her front yard. The abductor, who is believed to have been a stranger, drove up and lured Rochelle into his or her car, and she was sadly never seen again, despite the city's efforts to find her. A year later, her skeleton was discovered, and she was identified by the dress that she had been wearing when she went missing. Sadly, Rochelle's murder remains unsolved. Rochelle was a bright, happy, playful, and loving little girl, who is greatly missed by her family. Rest in peace, Rochelle! #TrueCrime