Murder In America – EP. 192: TENNESSEE – The Confession: A Massive Update In The April Holt Case

Date: March 7, 2025
Hosts: Courtney Shannon & Colin Browen

Overview

This episode delivers a significant update on the tragic April Holt case out of Tennessee, previously covered in episodes 177–179. After months of awaiting justice, hosts Colin and Courtney return with distressing news: Donovan Holt, April’s estranged husband who confessed to her murder, received a sentence widely viewed as shockingly lenient. The episode explores the failures of the justice system, includes emotional interviews with April’s mother, Jamie Dickerson, and her husband Jeremiah, plays Donovan’s chilling confession, and reflects the family’s efforts to find healing and advocate for change.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Case Recap and Developments ([04:34]–[11:16])

• Background: April Holt, a 29-year-old mother of two, was working as a lash artist in Nashville while in a failing marriage with Donovan Holt.
• Timeline of Events:
  • Financial troubles and infidelity surfaced; April decided to leave Donovan in July 2023.
  • Days before her death, April was sexually assaulted, a trauma she recorded in her journal.
  • On July 28, 2023, Donovan sent their son Denzel to “check on” April and he discovered her unconscious in the bathroom, a plastic bag taped around her head.
  • Initially, police accepted Donovan’s story that April died by suicide—no thorough investigation or scene examination followed until hours later.
  • Frustrated by inaction, April’s mother Jamie conducted her own investigation, eventually recording a FaceTime confession from Donovan.
• Arrest and Sentencing: Donovan was arrested a full year later and ultimately sentenced to just 2 years in jail and 8 years in community corrections—with time served, he'll be in a less restrictive program in just 18 months.

“This is the same man who strangled his wife to death, staged her suicide, sent their son in to find her body, and then lied to the police and the family about it for an entire year.” – Colin Brown [11:04]

Critique of Investigation and System Failure ([11:16]–[13:44])

• Investigative Failures: Flaws highlighted include delayed scene response, reliance on Donovan’s narrative, and a lack of forensic diligence—key evidence was overlooked or misinterpreted.
• Dismissal of Evidence: Despite Jamie’s efforts and clear inconsistencies, authorities did not revisit the case until the confession was supplied.

“Their investigation from the very beginning was one of the most flawed investigations I have ever seen.” – Colin Brown [11:16]

Donovan Holt’s Confession (FaceTime Recording) ([15:20]–[35:36])

• Confession Details:
  • Donovan discusses the couple’s marital issues, April’s relationships outside the marriage, and their struggles.
  • He claims April asked for rough sex, which resulted in accidental strangulation.
  • Describes panicking, staging the scene to appear as a suicide, and calling in their son.

“She was so… she was, she was so, you know, that's—we were doing that, and she was like, harder. And I'm like, no. And she hits, she punched me… I was on top, and I was doing it harder, and she didn’t make it out of that situation. And I, I'm telling you now, I panic.” – Donovan Holt [33:44]

• Host Rebuttal: Colin cautions listeners not to accept Donovan’s narrative, casting doubt on his reliability and intentions.

Family Interview: Jamie & Jeremiah’s Perspective ([37:28]–[54:10])

• Sentencing Disappointment:
  • Jamie describes difficult legal choices presented to her—choose between a plea deal that guaranteed some punishment (with little risk to Donovan’s record) or gamble on a potential harsher, yet riskier, sentence.
  • She chose the former to protect Denzel’s custody.

“They were like, well, you chose this. I was like, no, I didn't choose it. I didn't have a choice, right?” – Jamie Dickerson [38:10]

• Perception of Systemic Injustice:
  • The family expresses disbelief and anger at the judicial outcome and continued lack of accountability for both Donovan and the authorities.

“People get longer sentences for drug charges, and this guy took someone’s life… We are incredibly disheartened by this sentencing.” – Courtney Brown [13:44]

• Custody Concerns: Jamie shares relief at securing clauses preventing Donovan from pursuing custody until his sentence is fully served.

“Until he’s fulfilled all legal obligations, he can’t take me to court.” – Jamie Dickerson [42:19]

Police Accountability & Reform ([44:32]–[53:56])

• Immunity from Reprimand: Jamie discusses the tort act letter she received, informing her the department can't be held liable for negligence or mishandling of the case.
• Advocacy and Change: She’s now active in pushing for procedural changes, such as ensuring medical examiner autonomy in future homicide investigations and creating centralized medical examiner offices.
• Medical Examiner Issues: Inadequate resources and improper police influence tainted the cause-of-death determination.

“Let it be a medical evaluation only first. Yes. And then put all the pieces. But don’t add their opinion to your report.” – Jamie Dickerson [53:28]

Impact Statement & Family Healing ([54:27]–[65:54])

• Victim Impact Statement: Jamie’s poignant words, originally meant for Donovan and the court, are read aloud, capturing her devastation and plea for systemic change.

“The justice system was intended to protect and serve. And I tell my grandkids that there are two justices, one on earth and one in heaven. ... When you hear the name April Holt from this point forward, hear an echo of the change that is to come.” – Jamie Dickerson [61:30]

• Children’s Coping:
  • Denzel and Serenity have differing reactions to their father’s limited outreach from jail. Jamie answers their questions with honesty while trying to shield them from ongoing trauma.
• Nonprofit Transformation:
  • The initial grief center Jamie opened had to close due to lack of community support, but she now sends customized comfort packages nationwide to children who lose a parent.

“I don't want any kid to feel like, they don't have someone that loves them. So I was like, this is just our way of reaching out and just giving them a hug through a box.” – Jamie Dickerson [65:41]

Hosts’ Reflections & Closing Thoughts ([65:54]–end)

• Frustration and Motivation: The hosts stress the importance of sharing April’s story, not just for justice denied but to help drive policy and accountability reforms nationwide.
• Call to Listeners: They encourage support for victims, reforms in law enforcement, and continued awareness-raising for cases like April’s.

Notable Quotes & Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• On Failings of the Investigation and Justice System:
  • “If April’s case would have had a more competent department handling things, we are confident that this outcome would have been different.” – Narrator/Host [65:54]
  • “It's their way of, like, not having to admit that they were wrong all the way... so this is how we're going to pay her back.” – Jamie Dickerson [39:00]
• On Jamie’s Relentless Advocacy:
  • “Jamie Dickerson is the sole reason that there’s any semblance of justice here, for lack of a better word.” – Colin Brown [35:36]
• On the Broader Impact:
  • “When you hear the name April Holt from this point forward, hear an echo of the change that is to come.” – Jamie Dickerson [61:30]
• Perspective on Sentencing:
  • “They give people with DUIs more time than a murderer.” – Courtney Brown [40:30]
• On Emotional Toll:
  • “We have experienced every parent’s worst nightmare. We live with this pain for the rest of our lives in a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.” – Jamie Dickerson’s Statement [58:20]
• On Systemic Calls to Action:
  • “I'm trying to get it where the investigator isn't allowed to have any say or be in the autopsy until it's been done completely.” – Jamie Dickerson [53:35]

Important Timestamps

• Case Recap & Setup: [02:00]–[11:16]
• Sentencing Details: [11:16]–[13:44]
• Donovan Holt’s Confession: [15:20]–[35:36]
• Interview w/ April’s Family: [37:28]–[54:10]
• Victim Impact Statement: [54:31]–[61:30]
• Family Healing & Nonprofit: [63:46]–[65:44]
• Systemic Reform Efforts: [51:17]–[53:56]
• Closing Reflections: [65:54]–[66:48]

Tone and Style

The episode is intimate, frank, and emotionally charged. Hosts Colin and Courtney blend investigative rigor with deep empathy, giving the victims’ family ample space to share their pain and efforts at healing. The approach is critical of the justice system, frequently advocating for listeners to demand better and to support reforms and accountability efforts.

Takeaway

This episode is a call to recognize the failures in our legal and investigative systems, to support families who must become their own advocates, and to honor April Holt’s legacy by striving for meaningful change. Jamie Dickerson’s voice stands as a testament to maternal resolve and community action in the face of overwhelming injustice.