Post Mortem | The Blackout Murder of Livye Lewis Podcast Summary by CBS News' 48 Hours
Overview
In the gripping episode of “Post Mortem,” host Anne Marie Green delves into the harrowing case of Livye Lewis, a young woman brutally murdered by her ex-boyfriend, Matthew Edgar, in the small town of Hemphill, Texas. The episode meticulously unpacks the complexities of the investigation, Edgar's audacious escape during his trial, and the profound impact on Livye's family and the tight-knit community. Through insightful interviews and compelling narratives, correspondents Peter Van Sant and producer Judy Rybeck provide an in-depth exploration of a case that shook a town of just a thousand residents.
The Crime
The tragedy unfolded at a local party in Hemphill, where an argument between Livye Lewis and her ex-boyfriend, Matthew Edgar, escalated fatally. As Anne Marie Green introduces the case, she sets the stage for a community blindsided by violence:
Ann Marie Green [00:48]: “This murder occurs in Hemphill, Texas. We've done some stories in some small communities, and having worked in small towns, what you find is that everyone knows everyone. This is a really small community. About a thousand people live there.”
Edgar's actions that night led to Livye's untimely death, a crime that would ripple through the community and ignite a complex investigation.
Matthew Edgar's History and Behavior
Edgar was no stranger to legal troubles. Judy Rybeck reveals a disturbing pattern of behavior:
Judy Rybeck [01:44]: “Before becoming Livy's boyfriend, Matthew Edgar had not won not two, but three high-speed chases in one day with law enforcement.”
His aggressive tendencies were evident, yet Livye's mother, Darcy, chose not to judge him despite his volatile past:
Judy Rybeck [01:57]: “Darcy, Livy's mom, said, 'If I did that, I'd be judging him. And I don't like to judge people. And besides, I've made some mistakes in my life.' It’s just kind of a different way of thinking.”
This perspective underscores the complexities of personal relationships and familial bonds in the face of danger.
The Investigation
The murder investigation was particularly challenging for Hemphill's local law enforcement, unaccustomed to such grave crimes. Peter Van Sant elaborates on the community's shock:
Peter Van Sant [02:38]: “I just don't think they'd ever seen anything like this before. So they had to call in state troopers and, you know, reinforcement. There were a lot of cops at the scene of the crime.”
The initial chaos at the crime scene was palpable, with Livye's mother experiencing intense emotional distress:
Judy Rybeck [03:06]: “We are taken at the very start of the hour to the death scene. And you're hearing the shrieks of Darcy, the mom, and 'Where's my baby? Where is she?' And it was so real and devastating.”
The investigation quickly pointed towards Edgar due to his abusive history and the mounting evidence against him.
The Family's Response
Livye's family, particularly her mother Darcy, grappled with grief and frustration over the handling of the aftermath. Judy Rybeck provides a poignant account of Darcy's anguish:
Judy Rybeck [03:37]: “She was sensing, of course, that her daughter was gone and no one was telling her, but it was. It was torture.”
Darcy's strength and resilience were evident as she navigated her loss, striving to maintain composure amidst overwhelming sorrow.
DNA Evidence Anomaly
A perplexing aspect of the case emerged when DNA tests revealed blood on Edgar's face that did not match him or Livye. Judy Rybeck discusses this mysterious evidence:
Judy Rybeck [05:13]: “This is one of the strangest aspects of this story... the blood on Matthew Edgar's face... they still don't know whose blood it is.”
Theories emerged, including the possibility that Bobby Ozan, another party attendee, might be involved. However, forensic tests never confirmed this suspicion, leaving lingering questions about the true sequence of events that night.
Suspicions Around Montana
Initially, investigators suspected Montana, Livye's ex-wife, of involvement due to some circumstantial evidence, such as Edgar wearing clothes tagged with Montana's name. However, further investigation cleared her of any wrongdoing:
Peter Van Sant [12:25]: “She wouldn't talk to us. She's left town and wants nothing to do with any of this.”
A multi-agency investigation ultimately concluded that Montana had no connection to Livye’s death, exonerating her from suspicion.
Edgar's Arrest and Legal Turmoil
Despite the evidence against him, Matthew Edgar managed to evade immediate justice. Arrested shortly after the murder, Edgar was released on a relatively low bond of $50,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic, a decision that many found controversial given the severity of his alleged crime:
Peter Van Sant [13:55]: “Texas law was that they could only hold him for so long, and if he was still unindicted, they had to let him go.”
His subsequent assault on Montana led to a bond increase, but Edgar’s troubles were far from over. The situation took a dramatic turn when his ankle monitor battery died, allowing him to flee authorities during his murder trial:
Peter Van Sant [15:06]: “It's a pattern. And so he just thought they would all wake up the next day and start over again.”
Edgar remained on the run for nearly a year, heightening the tension and fear within the community.
Capture and Sentencing
Edgar was ultimately apprehended while hiding in Hemphill, underscoring the challenges of finding someone within a small community. The investigation highlighted the support systems that make long-term evasion difficult:
Peter Van Sant [16:31]: “Most people who run stay fairly close to home unless they're going over the border or they don't have, you know, family to support them.”
On January 3, 2023, Edgar was formally sentenced to 99 years in prison with the possibility of parole after serving 30 years. The sentencing reflected the gravity of his crimes, though the potential for parole sparked discussions about justice and accountability:
Peter Van Sant [17:41]: “In order to get out, at that point, he's gonna have to confess to the murder... he might just do it to get out.”
Impact and Aftermath
The murder of Livye Lewis had a profound impact on her family and the community. Livye was portrayed as an accomplished young woman with aspirations that contrasted sharply with the prevailing culture of Hemphill:
Judy Rybeck [18:19]: “She was an outlier in that she was academically accomplished, she had goals in life. She was going to university, and she had her escape. It was right there in front of her. And yet that culture pulled her back.”
Livye's mother, Darcy, found solace in memorializing her daughter, even as she struggled with her loss:
Judy Rybeck [18:59]: “Livy... was her accomplishment. Giving birth, raising that. That young girl who became successful. She was her dream child.”
The community's journey through grief, justice, and the quest for closure is a testament to the enduring effects of such tragedies.
Conclusion
The “Post Mortem” episode of “48 Hours” masterfully navigates the intricate layers of Livye Lewis's murder case, from the initial crime to the eventual capture and sentencing of Matthew Edgar. Through detailed storytelling, emotional interviews, and a focus on both the victims and the perpetrators, the podcast offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of the case's complexities and its lasting impact on a small Texas community.
Notable Quotes:
- Ann Marie Green [00:48]: “This is a really small community. About a thousand people live there.”
- Judy Rybeck [01:57]: “If I did that, I'd be judging him. And I don't like to judge people.”
- Peter Van Sant [02:38]: “I just don't think they'd ever seen anything like this before.”
- Judy Rybeck [05:13]: “They still don't know whose blood it is.”
- Peter Van Sant [17:41]: “He's gonna have to confess to the murder... he might just do it to get out.”
Listen to Full Episode:
To gain a deeper understanding of the case and hear firsthand accounts from those involved, listen to the full episode of “Post Mortem | The Blackout Murder of Livye Lewis” available on 48 Hours.