20/20 True Crime Vault: "I Now Pronounce You Dead"
Podcast: 20/20 by ABC News
Air Date: January 27, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode delves deeply into the murder of Molly Watson, a woman found dead in rural Missouri just 48 hours before her dream wedding. Through gripping interviews, investigative reporting, and courtroom drama, the episode unpacks a story of love, deception, and murder rooted in the secret double life of her fiancé, James Addy. The episode tracks the emotional fallout for Molly’s family, the meticulous police investigation, James's trial, and the final verdict, all while giving voice to those closest to the tragedy.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Discovery of the Crime (00:03 – 07:34)
- The Finding: Glenn McSparrin, driving with his daughter, stumbles across Molly Watson’s body late at night on a desolate Missouri backroad. His chilling 911 call sets the tone for the investigation.
- “When I seen her, I swear my heart stopped.” – Glenn McSparrin (05:11)
- Crime Scene Details: Police find Molly shot execution-style in front of her car, wearing pajama pants and a tank top. Engagement ring and marriage certificate are present; robbery is considered unlikely.
2. Molly Watson: Life & Relationships (07:34 – 25:52)
- Background: Molly is remembered by her family as smart, talented, and loving, with a particularly close bond to her son, Declan, who has cerebral palsy.
- “She could read any book, lots of artwork, costuming. She was really good at that.” – Molly’s cousin (11:06)
- Past Loves: Molly’s long-term relationships, including with Amber Brady and ultimately James Addy, are explored with personal anecdotes and past tensions revealed.
- Meeting James Addy: Molly meets James while working as a corrections officer—a relationship that becomes her “dream come true” after years of searching for love.
3. The Wedding That Never Happened (25:52 – 35:42)
- Wedding Planning: Molly is overjoyed and throws herself into planning a Disney-themed wedding, even booking details years in advance.
- Family Doubts: Despite Molly’s excitement, her family harbors suspicions about James, describing him as evasive and distant.
- “It was like a ghost that would come in and go out.” – Molly’s brother (35:07)
- James’s Cold Feet?: Texts suggest Molly’s anxiety about James’s commitment; James reassures her, maintaining his love and intent to marry.
4. The Web of Lies and Double Life Revealed (35:42 – 49:57)
- James tells Molly his wife Melanie has died in a car accident—an outright lie crafted to buy time and conceal his double life.
- Family and wedding planners recall confusion and last-minute changes in wedding plans, which in hindsight were attempts to juggle two simultaneous realities.
5. The Investigation Breaks Open (49:57 – 1:06:11)
- Crime Scene Evidence: Tire tracks, a gunshot-residue-stained t-shirt, and an empty .22-caliber ammunition box are uncovered.
- Witness Account: McSparrin’s earlier sighting of an “older white man in a grandma car” at the scene gains significance.
- Critical Absence: Molly’s phone is missing from the crime scene, making the search for digital clues a priority.
6. Police Confront James Addy (1:06:11 – 1:23:42)
- At Addy’s house, police meet not a grief-stricken fiancé, but his supposedly-dead wife, Melanie, living there with their daughter—exposing Addy’s double life.
- Quote: “We definitely were not expecting for there to be a wife present. She's his wife. The guy's living a complete double life. What is going on here?” (1:14:19)
- James’s Admission: Addy confesses to the affair but denies the murder, offering a weak alibi and producing a secret “purple phone” used to communicate with Molly.
7. Trial and Testimony (1:23:42 – 2:21:15)
- Prosecution: Relies on tire print evidence, the missing phone (found later), the bloody t-shirt (made by Addy’s daughter), and Addy’s conflicting accounts.
- “My conclusion was that particular tire made that particular impression.” – State crime lab expert (1:52:00)
- Witnesses: Addy’s wife and daughter testify; Emma identifies the bloody shirt as one she designed, given to her father.
- “Okay. Yeah, I know that's my shirt.” – Emma Addy (1:59:28)
- Cell Phone Evidence: Cell site data shows Molly drove to the scene while on the phone with Addy.
- Addy’s Lies Unravel: Evidence reveals that Molly began searching for Melanie Addy's obituary the day before her murder, suggesting she suspected Addy’s deception.
- "The day before the murder, they argue a theory that Molly has figured out. She's been fed a pack of lies." (2:04:12)
- Jailhouse Witnesses: Two inmates testify Addy confessed, bolstering the prosecution’s case.
- Defense: Offers no evidence or witnesses, urges the jury to consider reasonable doubt—emphasizing lack of murder weapon and tangible motive, insisting Addy “was in love with Molly.”
8. Verdict and Aftermath (2:21:15 – 2:39:12)
- Jury Verdict: Guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
- “Verdict reads as follows. As to count one, we the jury find the defendant James Addy guilty of murder in the first degree…” (2:29:17)
- Sentencing: Life imprisonment without parole.
- James Addy’s Statement: Reads a love letter to Molly, maintains his innocence, and criticizes his defense attorney, attempting to accuse another ex of the crime.
- Family Reactions and Final Thoughts: Relief at justice but continued pain, with heartfelt moments recalling Molly’s bright spirit.
- “Molly’s the victim. She’s not here, she lost her life.” – Molly’s family member (2:36:42)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
- Glenn McSparrin discovers the body: “When I seen her, I swear my heart stopped.” (05:11)
- On Molly’s personality: “She was so smart. She could read any book, lots of artwork, costuming. She was really good at that.” (11:06)
- Family skepticism of James Addy: “It was like a ghost that would come in and go out.” – Molly’s brother (35:07)
- Detectives confront double life: “We definitely were not expecting for there to be a wife present. She's his wife. The guy's living a complete double life. What is going on here?” (1:14:19)
- Emma Addy identifies the t-shirt: “Okay. Yeah, I know that's my shirt.” (1:59:28)
- Cell phone as ‘voice from the grave’: “Like they say, deceased person doesn't speak, but it's almost like Molly was speaking from the grave.” (2:10:04)
- Jury verdict read: “Verdict reads as follows. As to count one, we the jury find the defendant James Addy guilty of murder in the first degree…” (2:29:17)
- Family closure: “Molly’s the victim. She’s not here, she lost her life.” (2:36:42)
Important Timestamps
- 00:03–07:34: Discovery and 911 call
- 07:34–25:52: Background, Molly’s life, relationships
- 25:52–35:42: Wedding plans, family suspicions
- 35:42–49:57: Addy’s double life & the web of lies
- 49:57–1:06:11: Crime scene, witness account, physical evidence
- 1:06:11–1:23:42: Police confront Addy, Melanie discovered alive
- 1:23:42–2:21:15: The trial: evidence, testimonies, court drama
- 2:21:15–2:39:12: Verdict, sentencing, epilogue
Summary Flow & Tone
The episode unfolds as a layered true crime drama, blending methodical investigative reporting, courtroom fireworks, raw family grief, and the shocking unveiling of a double life. The tone is somber yet engaging, with emphasis on the emotional toll for Molly’s loved ones and the disturbing duplicity of James Addy. The language stays true to the speakers, whether in law enforcement’s procedural detail, the heartbreak of family testimony, or the unblinking directness of courtroom exchanges.