Crime Junkie Podcast Episode Summary: "MURDERED: Anastasia WitbolsFeugen"

Release Date: August 11, 2025

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Crime Junkie, hosts Ashley Flowers and Britt Prewat delve into the mysterious and troubling case of Anastasia Whitbulsfukin. The story begins with a late 1990s fatal teen romance that spirals into a complex investigation filled with confessions, twists, and lingering doubts about the police's conclusions.

Discovery of the Crime

At nearly 4 AM on October 23, 1997, Deputy David Epperson of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department was patrolling Lincoln Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri, searching for stolen vehicles—a common sight in the dark cemetery grounds. At a turnaround spot, Deputy Epperson discovered a "woman with dark hair lying on her back with a huge gunshot wound to the middle of her face" (00:00).

Realizing the severity of the situation, he "calls for backup" and searches the immediate area for any identifying items. However, the only items found were a key and a cuckoo clock keychain, offering no immediate clues (00:50).

Initial Investigation and Identification

By sunrise, investigators had completed the initial examination and conducted an autopsy. They struggled to identify the victim due to the lack of personal belongings. The turning point came when they expanded their search to the adjacent Mount Washington Cemetery. The property manager revealed that the night before, an "18-year-old Anastasia Whitbull's Fugen" was seen alone, then later with two males and one female around 7 PM (03:51).

An urgent call was made to Anastasia’s father, Robert Whitbull's Fugan, also known as Bob. When contacted, Bob was informed "they're working on identifying a young woman" and was asked about his daughter's dentist, leading to the confirmation of her identity through dental records (04:34).

Unraveling the Timeline

Bob provided a detailed timeline: Anastasia was dropped off at Mount Washington Cemetery by her stepmother around 4:30 PM to meet her boyfriend, Justin Bruton. Bob returned home at 9:30 PM, only to realize Anastasia was still out. He learned from Justin that they had a fight, leading to Anastasia walking off alone (05:05).

However, Justin became unresponsive to police inquiries. Ashley Flowers notes, “the boyfriend of our victim in the wind,” highlighting Justin’s sudden disappearance and the suspicious absence of his vehicle (06:40).

Witness Testimonies and Suspicions

Additional witnesses emerged, including Byron Case (18) and his 15-year-old girlfriend, Kelly Moffatt. They recounted Anastasia's distress call from a Dairy Queen payphone near Mount Washington Cemetery. Anastasia requested a pickup, but during the drive, a fight erupted between her and Justin. Anastasia stepped out of the car at a stoplight to walk alone into a sketchy area, while Justin sped off with Byron and Kelly returning her to safety (08:10).

By October 25, Justin was found dead near an old warehouse in Kansas, near his abandoned car. He had a shotgun by his side, leading authorities to rule his death a suicide, further complicating the investigation (18:05).

The Trial of Byron Case

With lacking evidence against Justin, police turned their focus to Byron Case. Kelly Moffatt eventually came forward, offering a confession in exchange for transactional immunity, revealing that Byron and Justin had planned Anastasia's murder. Kelly stated, “the whole thing, Anastasia's murder was planned by Justin and Byron and that I, Kelly, had no idea what was going to happen that day” (24:43).

Despite inconsistencies in Kelly’s statements and the absence of physical evidence, Byron was arrested, tried, and convicted of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. The prosecution heavily relied on Kelly’s testimony and a dubious recorded phone conversation from Byron, which they interpreted as a "tacit admission" of guilt (32:06).

Post-Trial Appeals and Doubts

Years later, the Midwest Innocence Project reviewed Byron’s case but declined to take it on. In 2019, attorney Brian Russell took up Byron’s appeal, convinced of his innocence after thorough examination of the case files. He presented three alternative theories:

1. Justin as the True Culprit: Suggesting that Justin may have accidentally shot Anastasia and later took his own life out of guilt.
2. Patrick Rock: Anastasia's close family friend, who could have been called for help, though no evidence supports this.
3. Unknown Perpetrator: Possibly someone within their friend group or a stranger who then orchestrated Justin’s suicide to cover up the murder.

Ashley Flowers reflects, “I keep coming back to his suicide, if that's what it really was. His death has to be involved, right?”

Suspicious Behavior of Anastasia’s Father, Bob

Bob's behavior post-crime raised significant red flags. He reported hearing a gunshot around 11:30 PM the night Anastasia was found dead and later returned to the crime scene, offering "skull fragments" to the police, which were never properly investigated (14:50). Additionally, Bob had a history of misconduct, including statutory sodomy of a minor, further casting doubt on his integrity and possible involvement.

Britt Prewat notes, “Bob’s past is downright creepy, weird sus,” emphasizing the suspicious actions and lack of transparency in his interactions with law enforcement (47:14).

Alternate Theories and Unanswered Questions

The case remains riddled with unanswered questions:

• Lack of Physical Evidence: No bullets were found at Anastasia’s crime scene, and Justin’s shotgun was discovered separately without any processing reported.
• Inconsistent Testimonies: Kelly’s shifting blame from Byron to Justin undermines the prosecution’s case.
• Byron’s Death: Justin’s suicide removes him as a suspect but leaves a gap in the timeline that Byron’s innocence team seeks to fill.

Ashley Flowers questions, “why isn’t Byron just saying Justin did it?” highlighting the perplexing nature of the unresolved evidence (41:19).

Current Status and Closure

Ultimately, the Jackson County Sheriff's Department closed Anastasia Whitbulsfukin's case with Byron Case serving seven years in prison for her murder. Despite appeals and alternative theories, no conclusive evidence has emerged to exonerate Byron or implicate another party definitively.

Britt Prewat concludes, “from the justice system and Anastasia's family and loved ones, including Bob and Patrick, the person responsible is behind bars,” yet the investigation's flaws leave lingering doubts (53:44).

Conclusion

The haunting case of Anastasia Whitbulsfukin underscores the complexities and potential miscarriages within the criminal justice system. With questionable testimonies, suspicious behaviors, and a lack of concrete evidence, the true circumstances surrounding Anastasia's murder remain shrouded in mystery. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the need for meticulous investigations and the enduring quest for truth and justice.

Notable Quotes:

• Britt Prewat (00:16): "This is the story of Anastasia Witbulsfukin."
• Ash (06:40): "But the pieces eventually fall into place."
• Britt Prewat (14:50): "Bob says he remembers something from the night he went out looking for his daughter."
• Britt Prewat (24:47): "Transactional immunity offers her a broader protection from specific offenses related to her testimony."
• Britt Prewat (32:06): "Police think that that's a tacit admission."
• Ash (38:29): "You’re like, I'm giving you a name, I'm giving you a chore."
• Britt Prewat (53:44): "In the eyes of the justice system and Anastasia's family and loved ones, the person responsible... is behind bars."

Support and Resources:

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for immediate assistance.

For more information and to explore this case further, visit crimejunkiepodcast.com.

Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.