Anatomy of Murder – “The Dream (Kelly Brennan)”

Podcast: Anatomy of Murder (audiochuck)
Hosts: Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi & Scott Weinberger
Date: November 4, 2025

Overview of the Episode

In this episode of "Anatomy of Murder," the hosts Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi, a former NYC homicide prosecutor, and Scott Weinberger, an investigative journalist and former deputy sheriff, delve into the 2010 disappearance and murder of Kelly Brennan, a beloved nurse from Indialantic, Florida. The investigation is marked by complex personal relationships, a mysterious 911 call about a “dream,” and an unlikely suspect—a woman whose confession blurs the line between guilt and delusion. The hosts, alongside Lt. Todd Goodyear of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, dissect the murder, the evidence, and the haunting motivations behind a crime that stunned the quiet beachside community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Disappearance of Kelly Brennan

• Setting: Indialantic, FL—a peaceful beach town (02:34)
• Kelly Brennan, known as a dedicated nurse and reliable friend, vanishes after leaving work for a personal training session she never attends. Her boyfriend, Daniel Trott (the town’s former mayor), grows alarmed when he cannot reach her and reports her missing the same night (03:12–04:39).
• "He starts to drive around in that area. He's also trying to get a hold of her on the phone and of course it's going to voicemail. He can't get in contact with her."
  —Todd Goodyear [04:23]

2. Complicated Relationships and the Immediate Investigation

• Kelly was in the process of divorcing her husband. Daniel Trott, her boyfriend, was also married and in the midst of his own separation (05:40–06:49).
• Initial suspects are Kelly’s estranged husband and Daniel Trott; both men have potential motives (06:22–07:21).
• Police quickly verify Daniel Trott’s alibi via plane tickets and surveillance footage; similarly, Kelly’s husband is cleared with receipts and video evidence from local stores (08:44–10:57).
• "As far as Daniel, we're able to rule him out from the fact that we know that he was on a plane... really didn't have the opportunity."
  —Todd Goodyear [08:44]
• The focus shifts as both primary male suspects are ruled out less than 24 hours after Kelly disappears (12:14).

3. The Unusual 911 Tip and "The Dream"

• The investigation seems to stall until a bizarre 911 call the next morning from the mother of Sheila Trott (Daniel's soon-to-be ex-wife), who claims Sheila had a dream about Kelly Brennan and her location (15:34–17:06).
• "She actually said something to the effect that she believed that her daughter Sheila was having a dream. And she kept seeing Kelly Brennan's face and she thought that she had hurt her."
  —Todd Goodyear [17:06]
• Police are initially skeptical but treat the call seriously due to the caller’s identity and proximity to the Trott family (17:42–18:16).

4. Piecing Together Sheila Trott's Story

• Sheila had left home for several hours the night Kelly disappeared and returned appearing disoriented, eventually experiencing what seemed like panic attacks or seizures (18:48–20:16).
• "She keeps seeing Kelly's face. She thinks she heard her. She thinks she's at Mark's Landing."
  —Todd Goodyear [20:16]
• Sheila’s mother, disturbed by her daughter's statements, calls police—leading officers to Mark's Landing (20:46).

5. Discovery of Kelly Brennan’s Body

• After exhaustive searches, police aviation spots a body hidden in scrub at Mark’s Landing, matching Kelly’s description in her workout attire (22:32–23:26).
• "If you weren't paying attention, you could walk by and probably not know she was there."
  —Todd Goodyear [24:00]
• Blunt force trauma is found as the cause of death, with the attack unusually linked to a female perpetrator (24:30–25:07).

6. Building the Case Against Sheila Trott

• The evidence is puzzling: how did Sheila, a respected real estate broker with no criminal record, lure and kill Kelly at the beach? (25:07–25:53)
• Investigation finds Kelly’s blood in her car, which was parked suspiciously nearby. The location of blood suggests she was ambushed near her home, then transported to Mark's Landing (32:59–33:32, 34:11–35:02).
• Eyewitnesses and physical evidence (flashlight in the bushes, blood pattern) corroborate the timeline and the attack scenario (35:13–36:07).
• "We have a feeling that this is probably where the first event happens...a person could come up behind her and blitz attack her and take her down."
  —Todd Goodyear [35:13]

7. Sheila Trott’s Arrest and Shifting Defense

• Sheila offers no real confession, only references to her “dream.” When a lawyer calls, she stops cooperating (29:28–29:46).
• Her defense narrative shifts over time—eventually she claims to have witnessed a mysterious “man” kill Kelly, but never calls police (37:32–38:02).
• "Sheila now says she went over to confront Kelly about the relationship. And right as she gets there, a person kills Kelly...Sheila follows because she's concerned, doesn't call the police..."
  —Todd Goodyear [37:32]
• Defense at trial focuses on lack of direct evidence and alternative perpetrators, but the jury is confronted by the changing stories and Sheila’s unusual admission (38:32–39:55).

8. Prosecution, Motive, and Verdict

• Sheila’s motive is established as jealousy, anger over loss of status, and financial concerns amid her husband’s new relationship (40:57).
• The prosecution zeroes in on circumstantial evidence: the timeline, physical evidence, family testimony, and Sheila’s incriminating dream (39:52–41:20).
• "Unfortunately for them, you can't really come away from is the fact that she had a dream that said she killed Kelly. It's just a strange case. It's bizarre almost to the fact that you have this dream that unlocks a murder."
  —Todd Goodyear [41:20]
• The jury convicts Sheila Trott of all charges; she is sentenced to life in prison (41:40–41:46).

9. Aftermath and Reflections

• The episode closes reflecting on the pain extending to all involved—Kelly Brennan, her family, Sheila Trott’s mother and sons who courageously testified, and the lingering ambiguities about Sheila’s true mindset (41:55–43:07).
• "I've also thought a lot about Sheila Trot's sons and her mom. What they did was brave and I'm sure very difficult. They called police when she made the strange statements and then ultimately testified at trial. When called by the prosecution as a prosecutor. I say they obviously did the right thing, but I can also see how very difficult that must have been. And I'm sure they were conflicted. You can continue to love someone even when you know they've done very bad things. So I feel for them too."
  —Anna Sega Nicolasi [43:07]
• The fundamental message remains: even among messy, complicated relationships, violence is never the answer.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "If you weren't paying attention, you could walk by and probably not know she was there."
  —Todd Goodyear [24:00]
• "She gives the actual location. So almost in some weird way, in her mind, she decided she wanted her found. But I've never really seen her display remorse in anything she's ever said."
  —Todd Goodyear [42:15]
• "It's the pattern. This case is a perfect example. It's the digital crumbs that look ordinary until they line up a little too neatly...and that's what solves it. Justice came together the same way the lie came apart, piece by piece."
  —Scott Weinberger [42:30]
• "Relationships can be messy, they can cause pain, they can end. But they shouldn't lead to violence and obviously never to murder."
  —Anna Sega Nicolasi [43:07]

Timeline of Major Events

• Kelly Brennan reported missing: (Feb 15, 2010) [03:12–04:39]
• Both male suspects (husband & boyfriend) cleared: [08:44–12:14]
• Mother-in-law calls about “the dream”: [15:34–17:06]
• Sheila Trott experiences panic/medical episodes: [18:48–20:16]
• Police find Kelly's body at Mark's Landing: [22:32–23:26]
• Vehicle with blood evidence discovered: [32:59–33:32]
• Timeline for Sheila’s potential involvement established: [36:07–36:22]
• Sheila Trott arrested: [37:04]
• Sheila’s defense shifts, trial & guilty verdict: [37:32–41:46]

Tone, Language, and Storytelling

The episode maintains a methodical, insider’s perspective, blending detailed investigation techniques with a narrative style that humanizes both the victim and those affected by the crime. The hosts’ tone is respectful, analytical, and at times, empathetic—especially when reflecting on the ripple effects for everyone close to the case. Policeman Todd Goodyear provides clear, procedural insights and first-hand assessments throughout.

Summary

This episode lays bare the intricate layers of the Kelly Brennan case: a tragic death ensnared in jealousy, projection, and the unraveling of marriages. What at first appeared a classic spurned-lover crime became a twist-filled tale when the killer—a woman—emerged from the unlikely space between dream and reality. Through policework, family courage, and dogged evidence-gathering, justice was achieved, yet the human cost remains—reminding us that relationships, while fragile, should never lead to violence.

For listeners: This episode weaves investigation, psychology, and courtroom drama into a haunting story about fatal obsession and the search for truth, piece by piece.