Culpable Podcast: "A Conversation w/ Emily"
Podcast: Culpable
Date: July 22, 2025
Host: Dennis Cooper (Tenderfoot TV & Audacy)
Guest: Emily (Brittany Stykes’ younger sister)
Season Focus: Revisiting Season 2; Ongoing pursuit of justice in the 2013 murder of Brittany Stykes
Episode Overview
This bonus episode of Culpable centers on an in-depth conversation with Emily, the younger sister of Brittany Stykes—a young mother shot and killed in a still-unsolved 2013 highway murder. Host Dennis Cooper reconnects with Emily, who has grown into a more vocal advocate for her sister’s case after years of pain, frustration, and family resilience. The discussion investigates the lingering impact on Brittany’s family, shifts in their pursuit of the truth, theories about the case, and the ongoing struggle with local law enforcement. It is a candid, emotional exchange that gives listeners rare insight into the lived reality of victims’ families long after media attention fades.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Family Update and Enduring Grief
- Family Life Now: Emily shares that the family is doing “pretty good for, you know, circumstances being,” highlighting new family additions and the continuation of close bonds (02:26).
- Living Next Door: Emily bought her grandmother’s house, next to her parents, enhancing family closeness, though she jokes about “driving my parents nuts” (03:07).
- Grief Over Time: Emily notes, “People tell you that with grief, that it gets better over time, and it really doesn't... The wall has came down a little bit... but the grief and the hurt is still there.” (04:31)
- Evolving Outlook: She describes shifting from a state of emotional withdrawal to anger and resolve, fueling her advocacy for Brittany (06:54).
Family Unity and Support
- Family Togetherness: Despite the stress that often leads other families to fracture, Brittany’s parents “never place blame with each other... They tried their best to be there for us and show us that they still loved us and supported us even though they weren’t whole anymore.” (06:54)
- Role as a Supporter: Emily feels responsibility to “give back” and support her parents by keeping Brittany’s case and memory alive (06:54).
Memorials and Their Importance
- Message Behind Memorials: Annual events serve to remind the community and local law enforcement “we're not going away and we're not going to let it be some case number... We want to show them that we're still advocating.” (09:19)
- Family Healing: The family has learned to reclaim Brittany’s father’s birthday (the day Brittany was murdered) through celebration with grandchildren: “Even though she died on his birthday, it doesn’t mean that he’s not worth celebrating.” (10:54)
Theories Around Brittany’s Murder
- Intentional, Not Random: Emily firmly believes her sister’s murder was not random: “I think it was intentional” (11:51). She recalls how Brittany had well-known plans that day, making it highly unlikely to be coincidental.
- Road Rage Theory Rejected: The alleged “road rage” incident earlier that day never made sense to Emily. “If something’s going to happen, it happens right after the fact... there was never really a connection with that for me.” (13:42)
- Online Support and Tips: The family’s Facebook page fostered outreach from others touched by similar tragedies and even generated new tips and leads, which were shared with law enforcement (14:53, 20:01).
Frustration with the Investigation
- Local Law Enforcement: Ongoing disappointment with the Brown County Sheriff’s Office’s handling of the case—frequent turnover in lead detectives, lack of transparency, and perceived reluctance to seek outside assistance (35:03, 36:24).
- Emily’s father learned about case leadership changes from a grocery store conversation, not directly from the department (35:14).
- Pushing for Accountability: Emily describes filing open records requests and urging authorities to allow other agencies (like BCI or the Attorney General) to review the case: “If you guys aren’t going to do anything, we’re going to find someone who will.” (39:27)
- Mistakes from Day One: BCI reportedly told the family early on that “there was mistakes made on Britney’s case that not even a rookie should have made.” Yet, those deficiencies still haven't been revisited or addressed (39:27).
- Desire for Outsider Review: Emily advocates for transparency: “I think the best thing that they could do is just be like, hey, we made mistakes and we need help. But I don't know if the sheriff's department is ever going to allow that to happen.” (39:27)
Family’s Commitment and Advocacy
- Long-Term Push: The family will “always continue to advocate for Brittany” and refuses to let her become “just a case number.”
- Generational Impact: Sharing Brittany’s memory with younger family members (Aubrey, Brittany's daughter; Emily’s own children) is crucial—by practicing old traditions and preserving keepsakes (31:02).
- “We’ve tried our best to keep her memory alive and share those memories with our kids.” (31:02)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
“People tell you that with grief, that it gets better over time, and it really doesn't... Some days it feels like I just talked to her yesterday, and other days it feels like I haven't seen her in a lifetime.”
– Emily, 04:31 / 06:13
“I think it was intentional... the plan was already there, and everyone knew where she was at and what she was going to be doing. So I don't think that it was just some accidental incident that had happened that day.”
– Emily, 11:51
“The whole reason we continue [the memorials] is to kind of show the community and definitely the sheriff's department that we're not going away and we're not going to let it be some case number... We're still seeking answers and justice. We don't want anyone to forget.”
– Emily, 09:19
“You can't tell me that on a busy highway... there's no leads, there's no tips, no evidence, Nothing. ...It floors me that nobody has came forward and been like, hey, this is what I seen. Nothing.”
– Emily, 23:36
“As far as... theories and feelings... We don't badmouth anybody to Aubrey. Our whole focus is Aubrey and Aubrey’s feelings. We really do try our best to stay neutral and just show her... we love you. And if there's anything that Brittany would have wanted, it was her to be happy and safe."
– Emily, 29:22
“If you guys can't solve this case or you're not going to get anywhere, ask for help, bring someone else in, share her case somewhere else. It's not fair to the families for you to sit there and not be able to go anywhere, work this case and not ask for help."
– Emily, 44:06
“To all of us, she was somebody. She was somebody important... as far as the giving up hope, you're not going to see that.”
– Emily, 42:38
“It’s not even the hope that’s paralyzing. It’s just the emptiness in it. It’s awful.”
– Emily, 44:06
Important Timestamps
- Family update and coping with loss – 02:26 to 06:28
- How the family has coped over time; Emily's evolving role – 06:54 to 08:34
- Annual memorials and their purpose – 09:19 to 10:54
- Discussing Brittany's murder being on their dad’s birthday – 11:20 to 13:05
- Road rage incident and theories about the crime – 13:05 to 14:19
- Impact of the podcast and support from listeners – 14:53 to 16:42
- Creation and impact of the Justice for Brittany Facebook page – 18:53 to 20:51
- Emily’s personal theory of the case; disbelief in randomness – 21:04 to 23:36
- Frustration with lack of leads and eyewitnesses – 23:36 to 26:18
- Family's approach to sensitive relationships after Brittany’s death – 27:20 to 30:00
- Keeping Brittany's memory alive for the next generation – 31:02 to 32:31
- Law enforcement turnover/lack of progress – 35:03 to 39:27
- Desire for outside investigation and transparency – 39:27 to 42:01
- The family’s unshakable advocacy; plea to authorities – 42:38 to 44:06
- Closing reflections and gratitude for the podcast – 46:14 to 46:53
Tone & Language
Throughout, Emily speaks candidly, often with raw emotion and a powerful blend of frustration, longing, and steadfastness. Her language is direct and heartfelt, reflecting the exhaustion and resilience of a family living with unanswered questions and bureaucratic indifference. The host maintains compassion and respect, striking a balance between journalistic curiosity and empathetic listening.
Summary Takeaway
This episode places listeners inside the heart of an enduring tragedy, revealing not just the procedural failures behind an unsolved murder but also the depth of loss, love, and perseverance among those left behind. Emily’s determination ensures Brittany’s name will not fade from memory, and her advocacy serves as a poignant reminder of the personal cost of unresolved violence—and the urgent need for both justice and transparency.
For updates, follow the “Justice for Brittany” Facebook page and subscribe to stay tuned for Culpable’s upcoming season three.