Suvechha Sarkar
The state of Kentucky was shaken to its core by two tragedies that were years apart but connected to one another. In December 2003, Sabrina Marie Vaughn, lovingly known as Bri, suddenly went missing. Six years later, in July 2009, Bryia Anne Runiewicz was found dead in her house. The investigation of the case and a sudden tip led detectives to the remains of Sabrina in 2010, linking both crimes to the same killer. Investigation Discovery’s ‘Evil Lives Here: My Son Broke My Heart’ explores not only these cases but also the impact the killer’s actions had on his own family. It also features an interview with the killer’s mother, offering additional insight into the case.
Sabrina Vaughn’s Remains Were Discovered Six Years After Her Death
Jimmy Dale Vaughn and Mary Howard McGuire welcomed Sabrina Marie Watkins into this world on September 28, 1980, in Kentucky. She had a cheerful and kind personality and was affectionately referred to as Bri by her loved ones. Her mother was previously married to Clifford Roy Vaughn, who had a son, Clifford Vaughn, and daughters, Tracy, Angela, Tina, and Natosha. Mary and Clifford appear to have divorced before the former became close with Jimmy. Sabrina’s father later married Diane and had sons, Michael and Anthony, and daughters, Toshia and Shonna. As she became an adult, she embraced motherhood with the birth of her daughter, Julie Babbitt. On the personal front, she was also in a relationship but kept the details under wraps.
The 23-year-old and her four or five-year-old daughter resided in Clay City, Kentucky, when she suddenly went missing on December 18, 2003. Sabrina was last seen at two residences in Menifee County and Bath County. However, despite intensive searches and a thorough investigation, authorities couldn’t find her. Things changed in January 2010 when a man in Montgomery County custody gave officials a tip about an individual named John French. According to reports, the latter led them to a rural road in Powell County, Kentucky. When the ground at the location was dug on January 14, 2010, they first discovered a human leg bone. The experts also found most of her skeletal remains. They were later positively identified as Sabrina through a DNA match on June 25, 2010. The court records stated that Sabrina was allegedly strangled to death.
Bryia Runiewicz Was Killed in Her Home in Kentucky
Bryia Anne Runiewicz was born on September 10, 1977, in Erie, Pennsylvania, and arrived as a bundle of joy in the lives of her parents, Dora Clair and Anthony Charles Runiewicz. Her parents later parted ways, and her mother married Leonard R. Mitchell. She was close to her brother Scott Darr, sister Dorothy Wilson, and stepsister Melissa Mitchell. A woman of faith, Bryia was an active member of the Mt. Carmel Christian Church. In adulthood, she met Ernest Edward Williams, and they hit it off. Soon after, they tied the knot, and over the years, welcomed two daughters, Madyson Ann and Morgan Faithe Williams, into their lives.
However, Bryia eventually got divorced and began residing in Cynthiana, Kentucky, with her daughters. Her interest in public service led her to work at the Bourbon County Jail. By the time 2009 rolled around, she had been seeing someone. However, tragedy struck on July 4, 2009, when her ex-husband, Ernest, passed away. Naturally, Bryia was reeling from the loss of the father of her kids. Yet, the resilient mother of two carried forward and was working towards building a better life for her kids. On July 31, Bryia was at home with her daughters, Madyson and Morgan, who were 7 and 8 at that time, respectively. Later that night, authorities received information about her murder and rushed to her residence. As per court records, they found her dead on the couch with her remains covered. They discovered that she had been decapitated.
The Killer’s Confession and Unexpected Tips Cracked Two Murder Cases
When Sabrina Vaughn went missing, she was dating Bass Webb. When his mother, Vickie Webb, was questioned about Sabrina, she told the detectives that Bass brought her home around Thanksgiving. She claimed that one day Bass had asked her not to tell anyone anything if they asked about Sabrina. Gradually, the case grew cold, since officials could not find any leads. On July 31, 2009, following the murder of Bryia, Bass came into focus again as he drove a Geo Tracker and tried to run over a deputy sheriff and a pretrial officer just outside the Bourbon County Jail. Bass was then tracked down 4 miles away from the location when his truck caught on fire.
Bass surrendered and was arrested on the spot. One of the detectives testified that right after the incident, he confessed to the police that he had killed his ex-girlfriend, Bryia. He reportedly told them that her daughters were sleeping in the house and they should go to the residence before they woke up. Upon investigation, they learned that Bass and Bryia had dated for around 5 months before they broke up due to his alleged jealousy issues. Furthermore, they discovered that he had a long list of run-ins with the law due to violence-related charges. Ultimately, Bass was charged with the murder of Bryia and two counts of attempted murder for trying to run over two law enforcement officers. Furthermore, he was later indicted on the charge of first-degree rape in relation to Bryia’s case.
During the proceedings of this case, in 2010, Bass’ brother, Claude, cousin, John French, and his girlfriend, Krista Bussell, came forward when they were embroiled in legal issues. In 2010, Claude testified that Bass called him on December 19, 2003, asking him to drive him to John’s home. During that time, Claude alleged, Bass said that he had choked Sabrina to death. According to John’s testimony, Bass and Sabrina were at Krista’s apartment when the incident occurred. John confessed that he then went with his girlfriend and Bass to the location and found Sabrina lying on the floor. He continued that he and Bass put Sabrina into the trunk while Krista sat inside the car. John further testified that they reportedly dropped Krista off at John’s apartment before he went to help Bass bury Sabrina’s remains. In April 2010, Bass was indicted by a grand jury on the charges of Sabrina’s murder and tampering with physical evidence.
Bass Webb is Serving His Sentence at a Kentucky Prison Facility Today
Between 2009 and 2011, the case of Bryia’s murder moved slowly due to Bass’ other violence charges. It included an attempt to murder and a contempt charge because he had reportedly spat on a judge. Bass was also under a competency evaluation at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center in November 2010. The psychiatrist’s assessment deemed him competent to stand trial. He was convicted of the two counts of attempted murder on September 9, 2011, and sentenced to 20 years and 17 years in prison, respectively. However, just before the trial concerning Bryia’s murder was scheduled, Bass pleaded guilty to the murder charge and was sentenced as a persistent felony offender on July 17, 2012. As part of the plea deal, the rape charge against him was dismissed. However, on August 14, 2012, Bass filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea.
A court hearing occurred on September 19, 2012, where Bass’ motion was denied. He was formally sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder. Based on his sentencing, he would be eligible for parole after serving 20 years. On April 3, 2017, the jury trial for Sabrina’s murder finally began. On April 12, 2017, the jury deliberated and found him guilty of murder. Ultimately, he was sentenced to life in prison for the murder. On May 24, 2017, Bass was convicted of tampering with evidence and received a sentence of 5 years in prison. He later challenged aspects of his 2017 murder trial, claiming about jury instructions and procedural issues, but the court affirmed his judgment. He had also filed motions for post-conviction relief, but they were denied. Bass is currently incarcerated at Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville, Kentucky.
Read More: Byron Wright Murder: Where is Michele Donohue Now?
