Episode Overview

Podcast: 48 Hours (Post Mortem series)
Episode: Post Mortem | Coached To Kill
Host: Natalie Morales (CBS News, guest host)
Guest: Anne-Marie Green (48 Hours correspondent)
Date: January 6, 2026

Main Theme:
This Post Mortem episode dives deep into the investigation and courtroom aftermath following the murder of 31-year-old Shay Breyer in Jay County, Indiana. Morales and Green analyze the murder, the unexpected involvement of three women, key evidence, interpersonal dynamics, and the chilling ripple effects on families and communities.

Key Discussion Points

1. Case Background and The Suspects

• Victim: Shay Breyer, 31, found incoherent and shot on a remote bridge; later died of his injuries (01:52).
• Primary Suspects: Three women—EJ (ex-fiancée and mother of Shay’s child), Shelby (18, shooter), and Hannah (18, getaway driver).
  • EJ: “She is Shay's ex fiancé and the mother of his child...She's 10 years older than [Shelby and Hannah]. She's a softball coach. She's coached them.” (03:11, 04:17)

Notable Quote:
“It’s rare that we see a woman as a killer, but in this case, we have three women who are charged with killing Shay or being involved in his death.”
— Natalie Morales (02:44)

2. Relationship Dynamics and Motive

• EJ’s influence over Shelby and Hannah explored; possible manipulative relationship, hints of unusual closeness.
• Motive: Shay was seeking parental rights; his move to be present in his daughter's life provoked EJ.
  “When Shay hired an attorney and then filed those court documents...EJ started talking about getting rid of him.” (05:29)

Notable Quote:
“Shay really wanted to be a dad. He did not have a great relationship with his own father, and he wanted to kind of like, correct that family story.”
— Anne-Marie Green (06:00)

3. The Fatal Night

• EJ lured Shay out under the pretense of meeting, using her close relationship and his hope for reconciliation.
  • Why did he get in the van?
    “I think Shay got into the van thinking that they could possibly rekindle their relationship. He wanted to raise his daughter. He wanted parental rights. I think he would have probably done anything to do that, even get into that van.”
    — Green and detectives (07:27)
• The location—a remote, rural bridge—chosen for its isolation.
  • “Beautiful and eerie...there’s really no reason to go there and stop, really, other than maybe to take in the scenic view...the fact that anyone found Shay is a miracle in and of itself.”
    — Anne-Marie Green (08:04)

4. Warning Signs and Missed Opportunities

• EJ previously vented her frustration to friend (and former police officer), Christi Sybre, hinting at wanting Shay “gone.”
• Discussed ‘experimenting’ by spiking Shay’s drink with chopped pills, showing a progression toward violence.

Notable Moment:
“She just believed. I mean, even after that experiment where they threw stuff in his drink. She just never believed that they would take it this far.”
— Anne-Marie Green (09:42)

5. The Teen Accomplices: Shelby and Hannah

• Shelby (shooter): “She was studying to become an EMT before she was arrested. She wanted to become a nurse.”
• Hannah (driver): was “on a scholarship,” with aspirations of opening a nursing home.
• Tape from interrogation reveals disconnect:
  “[Shelby asks] Can I fail Facebook?” (13:59)

Notable Quote:
“No concept of the damage that has been done. The life. The lives that have been devastated. Including her own.”
— Anne-Marie Green (14:49)

6. Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

• Trials Held Separately:
  • EJ goes first, attempts to shift blame to Shelby.
    “Her defense...is I just wanted to talk to Shay...If I had known Shelby was going to shoot him in the back, why would I be standing right next to Shay?” (15:20)
  • Both EJ and Shelby found guilty—each sentenced to 55 years.
  • At Shelby’s sentencing, supporters claim she was manipulated:
    • Quote: “She had the misfortune of finding comfort in a wannabe cult leader who literally destroyed several families for her own self interest.” (17:14)
• Hannah: Pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter via plea deal; seen as least culpable but still faced jail time.

Notable Discussion:
“There was. She really had a lot of support from the entire town, not just her family. And that may have had an impact on the deal that she got.”
— Anne-Marie Green (18:18)

7. Aftermath & Family Tragedy

• Shay’s Family: Deeply affected by the trials; forced to repeatedly relive his last moments via police bodycam footage. “They wanted the defendants in this case to know that he was loved.” (16:17)
• Daughter’s Custody:
  • EJ’s family now has primary custody; court-arranged visitations allow Shay’s mother, aunt, and grandmother to see the girl once per month.
  • “They want to do nothing more than just sort of pour into that little girl and make sure that she feels love in the middle of this great loss.”
    — Anne-Marie Green (21:17)

Memorable Quotes & Moments (With Timestamps)

• On the shocking suspect lineup:
  “It’s rare that we see a woman as a killer, but in this case, we have three women who are charged...”
  — Natalie Morales (02:44)

• On manipulation:
  “You have to wonder about the nature of her [EJ’s] influence over them.”
  — Anne-Marie Green (04:17)

• On missed intervention:
  “Each one of them had the opportunity at one point in time to do the right thing, and all three did not. And so, you know, the final act...just taking the phone away from him and throwing it into the river...they were basically leaving him to die.”
  — Natalie Morales (19:37)

• On the repercussions of violence:
  “Including her own [life].”
  — Anne-Marie Green (14:49)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Case Introduction & Main Suspects: 01:52–04:17
• Motive Discussion: 05:29–06:44
• Fatal Night & Location: 07:11–08:04
• Christi Sybre & Warning Signs: 08:53–11:38
• Shelby & Hannah’s Background: 12:47–14:49
• Legal Proceedings: 15:00–18:18
• Aftermath & Custody: 21:01–21:55
• Conclusion: 21:55–22:28

Tone & Style

• Investigative, analytical, and somber, with moments of empathy and urgency.
• Retains CBS reporting’s signature blend of careful detail, human interest, and procedural insight.
• Emphasis on the ripple effect of violent crime—loss, guilt, community reaction, and the irreparable shattering of family.

Summary

This episode of “48 Hours: Post Mortem” delivers a thorough examination of the murder of Shay Breyer, the disturbing orchestration of the crime by his ex-fiancée and her two teenage proteges, and the legal and emotional fallout for everyone touched by the case. The episode humanizes both the victim and, in varying degrees, the perpetrators—exploring the nuances of motive, manipulation, and conscience. Green and Morales’ discussion stands out for its thoughtful approach to complex social, familial, and psychological themes, and brings the audience deep into not just what happened, but how such tragedies come to pass.