Snapped: Women Who Murder — Episode Summary: BONUS: The Hunter and the Hunted (Accident, Suicide, or Murder)

Release Date: December 11, 2024
Host/Author: Oxygen

1. Introduction to Leonela Stickney's Death

In this gripping bonus episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder, Oxygen delves into the tragic case of Leonela Stickney, a young mother and immigrant who met an untimely death during what was initially deemed a hunting accident. The episode meticulously unpacks the layers of deception, jealousy, and financial motives that intertwined to unravel the truth behind her demise.

2. The Initial Incident and Bertram's Account

On a seemingly ordinary day, Leonela Stickney accompanied her fiancé, Russell Bertram, on a hunting trip in South Dakota. According to Bertram's account, an accident occurred when Leonela, unfamiliar with firearms, grabbed his shotgun and inadvertently discharged it, striking her in the chest.

• Detective: "And that's when he said the gun accidentally discharged and the shotgun blast struck Leonela in the chest." (05:43)

Bertram, a former law enforcement officer, immediately reported the incident to 911, painting the picture of a tragic mishap during pheasant hunting—a common occurrence in the region.

3. Suspicion Arises: Uncovering Red Flags

While the initial narrative seemed plausible, several inconsistencies began to surface. Investigators noted Bertram's stoic demeanor following Leonela's death, which raised eyebrows among the law enforcement team.

• Detective: "Bertram was seemingly non-emotional. He was stoic." (08:13)

Further scrutiny revealed that Bertram's method of handling the shotgun post-incident was atypical for an experienced hunter. Additionally, the absence of defensive wounds on Leonela suggested there might not have been a struggle, casting doubt on the accidental nature of the shooting.

4. Digging Deeper: Motive and Financial Ties

A pivotal turning point in the investigation came when Leonela's estranged husband, David Stickney, disclosed the existence of two substantial life insurance policies totaling nearly a million dollars, with Bertram listed as the beneficiary.

• Family Member: "Anytime that there's insurance policy, it's always something that law enforcement looks into for a potential motive." (17:18)

This revelation pointed towards a potential financial motive for Bertram to orchestrate Leonela's death. Further investigation into Bertram's background unveiled financial struggles, including a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing and a history of obsessive jealousy in previous marriages.

• Detective: "He was unnecessarily suspicious. He took their phones from them. He accused them of having affairs with other men." (29:04)

5. The Emergence of Nathan Meter

Complicating the case was the discovery of Nathan Meter, a new man in Leonela's life who revealed that Leonela had informed him of her pregnancy just days before her death. Meter shared unsettling details about texts he received from someone impersonating Leonela after her supposed death.

• True Crime Host: "I knew she was going through a very drawn out divorce, but there's nothing to tell me that she had another boyfriend." (22:37)

These fabricated texts suggested that someone was manipulating Leonela's phone to cover up the perpetrator's actions, further implicating Bertram in deceitful behavior.

6. Reaching the Breakthrough and Final Evidence

As the investigation progressed, critical evidence emerged. Despite initial claims of ignorance, text message analyses indicated Bertram's awareness of Leonela's possible pregnancy and her relationship with Nathan Meter. Additionally, forensic examinations failed to find Leonela's fingerprints on the shotgun, undermining Bertram's accidental discharge story.

• Detective: "If you find Leonela's fingerprints on the barrel, then that is consistent with his story that it was just an accident." (14:35)
• Detective: "The phone wreck records were the confirmation to you what your suspicions are because you killed it." (36:59)

These inconsistencies, combined with Bertram's financial motives and history of jealousy, built a compelling circumstantial case against him.

7. The Trial and Conviction

In September 2016, after two years of meticulous investigation, Russell Bertram was brought to trial. The prosecution presented a robust case highlighting the financial incentives, Bertram's manipulative behavior, and the fabricated communications post-Leonela's death.

• Law Enforcement Officer: "The text exchanges between Nathan and Neela's phone undermined Russell Bertram's story that he had not known about the pregnancy at the time of the murder." (43:13)

Leonela's sister, Melissa Del Valle, bravely testified against Bertram, exposing the lies he had perpetuated and the life insurance deceit. The jury, swayed by the overwhelming circumstantial evidence, convicted Bertram of first-degree murder.

• Detective: "The jurors convicted Russ Bertram of first degree murder." (44:05)
• Family Member: "I feel relief, victory for me and for my family. We got the justice for my sister Nila." (44:27)

Bertram was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, ensuring he would never pose a threat again.

8. Conclusion and Impact

The case of Leonela Stickney serves as a haunting reminder of how financial motives and personal vendettas can culminate in tragic outcomes. Bertram's conviction not only brought justice to Leonela and her family but also highlighted the importance of thorough investigative work in unraveling the truth behind seemingly accidental deaths.

• True Crime Host: "I miss Neela. Her life was ended so soon in the relationship has been a long time and I definitely think about it all the time." (44:51)

This episode underscores the resilience of victims' families and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement, ensuring that the truth prevails even in the face of tangled deceit.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Detective: "And that's when he said the gun accidentally discharged and the shotgun blast struck Leonela in the chest." (05:43)
• Detective: "Bertram was seemingly non-emotional. He was stoic." (08:13)
• Family Member: "Anytime that there's insurance policy, it's always something that law enforcement looks into for a potential motive." (17:18)
• Detective: "He was unnecessarily suspicious. He took their phones from them. He accused them of having affairs with other men." (29:04)
• True Crime Host: "I knew she was going through a very drawn out divorce, but there's nothing to tell me that she had another boyfriend." (22:37)
• Detective: "If you find Leonela's fingerprints on the barrel, then that is consistent with his story that it was just an accident." (14:35)
• Detective: "The phone wreck records were the confirmation to you what your suspicions are because you killed it." (36:59)
• Law Enforcement Officer: "The text exchanges between Nathan and Neela's phone undermined Russell Bertram's story that he had not known about the pregnancy at the time of the murder." (43:13)
• Detective: "The jurors convicted Russ Bertram of first degree murder." (44:05)
• Family Member: "I feel relief, victory for me and for my family. We got the justice for my sister Nila." (44:27)
• True Crime Host: "I miss Neela. Her life was ended so soon in the relationship has been a long time and I definitely think about it all the time." (44:51)

This comprehensive summary captures the intricate details and emotional weight of Leonela Stickney's case, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the events, investigations, and ultimate justice served.