Snapped: Women Who Murder – "Johnetta Hall"
Podcast by Oxygen | Episode Date: February 15, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode tells the tangled and chilling story of the murder of Bill Reynolds—a Vietnam veteran, car enthusiast, and family man living in rural southern Indiana. Central to the plot is Johnetta Hall, the mastermind behind a complex murder-for-hire plot involving family betrayal, greed, and manipulation, culminating in Reynolds' shooting death in his own driveway. The investigation uncovers a web of deceit, false alibis, and manipulation, ultimately leading to multiple arrests and convictions.
Key Discussion Points & Investigation Breakdown
1. Discovery of Bill Reynolds’ Murder
- [00:30-04:01]
- Bill Reynolds found shot dead in his driveway. No weapon, shell casings, or witnesses at the scene.
- Initial confusion over whether the wound was self-inflicted, but lack of gun and evidence shifts focus to homicide.
- First responders identify Reynolds and inform his sons.
“Your instant gut feeling is this is going to be a tough one.”
— Investigator [00:40]
2. Bill Reynolds: Background and Family Dynamics
- [04:15-09:23]
- Reynolds, an Army veteran scarred by his Vietnam experience, led a modest, hardworking life.
- His love for collectible cars, NASCAR memorabilia, and later, his second marriage to Dalene Cates.
- Recovered from cancer shortly before his death, but marital tensions escalated during his illness.
“My dad always had kind of like a TV crush on Reba. So when he met Dalene, he thought, this is the woman that I've looked for my whole life.”
— Family Member [07:28]
3. Suspicion Falls Within the Family
- [09:38-11:09]
- Police gather little physical evidence from the crime scene.
- Bill’s sons immediately express suspicion toward Dalene, relating marital discord, property disputes, and threats.
- Discovery Bill’s belongings and prized collection are missing after Dalene vacated the property post-divorce.
“She was hoping he would die in the hospital... All his 100,000 pieces worth of Nascars and Hot Wheels, everything was gone.”
— Family Member [00:50]
4. Dalene Cates: Questioned and Alibied
- [17:34-19:41]
- Dalene appears visibly upset upon learning of Bill’s death but raises suspicions by immediately discussing cleaning supplies when officers visit.
- Dalene’s alibi involves cleaning her new residence with her daughter, Johnetta Hall, and claims no involvement.
- Voluntarily hands over her phone for location tracking.
“No, it would be more personal to her. She would use a knife or a bat. She would not use a gun.”
— Dalene (on hypothetically killing Bill) [18:25]
5. Johnetta Hall: Alibi Unravels
- [19:49-25:10]
- Johnetta is evasive in her interview, expresses no concern for Bill’s death, and gives a meandering account of her day.
- Provides a receipt from a gas station, and GPS data seems to confirm her story.
- On video surveillance, Johnetta is seen with two men, contradicting her claim of being alone.
“I was doing a really good job of [getting myself lost].”
— Johnetta Hall [23:48]
6. Surveillance & Interrogations Lead to New Suspects
- [27:08-32:00]
- Police identify men seen with Johnetta as Jacob Mathis and Kerry Heald via surveillance and vehicle plate.
- Mathis and Heald are questioned, eventually confessing to being part of the plot, and implicating Johnetta as the mastermind and provider of the murder weapon.
“He reported seeing that... Kerry shot Bill Reynolds in the driveway. And when they got back in the car, Kerry handed Jacob a gun and said, wipe that off.”
— Investigator [31:12]
7. The Murder Plot Fully Unfolds
- [32:08-37:41]
- Johnetta allegedly hires Heald to murder Reynolds, promising a share in Reynolds’ NASCAR memorabilia as payment—allegedly valued up to $800,000.
- Motive cited: resolve Dalene’s financial and property disputes post-divorce and as twisted retribution.
- Ameris Bunyard, Johnetta’s daughter, is drawn in as a facilitator (transporting the murder weapon) and directly witnesses her boyfriend's admission after the crime.
“Who really accepts to kill somebody for NASCAR? In my mind, that's just not a thing.”
— Ameris Bunyard [37:17]
8. Arrests, Motives, and Trials
- [37:46-41:31]
- All parties except Dalene charged; Dalene is cleared by corroborated alibi and lack of evidence.
- Plea deals struck by Ameris Bunyard, Kerry Heald, and Jacob Mathis. Johnetta Hall goes to trial, is found guilty, and receives life without parole.
- Motives dissected: Johnetta’s manipulation, Ameris’ desire for maternal approval, Heald’s greed for memorabilia, and Mathis’ need for acceptance.
“In my opinion, Janetta is a monstrous, vile and evil human being.”
— Investigator [40:58]
9. Aftermath and Reflections
- [42:37-43:27]
- Ameris expresses regret and self-blame for failing to stand up for Bill.
- Family mourns the loss of Bill and the havoc wreaked upon all involved.
- Final sentences: Johnetta Hall (life without parole), Kerry Heald (55 years), Jacob Mathis (32 years), Ameris Bunyard (30 years, 10 suspended), Dalene Cates (never charged).
“Even though myself and my family were very satisfied with Jannetta getting life without parole, there's still that void there.”
— Family Member [43:04]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
“She was hoping he would die in the hospital...”
— Family Member [00:50]
“No, it would be more personal to her... She would use a knife or a bat. She would not use a gun.”
— Dalene (to law enforcement regarding hypothetical weapon choice) [18:25]
“I just came back from killing your grandfather. I walked right up to him and put the pistol between his eyes and pulled the trigger.”
— Kerry Heald, relayed by Ameris Bunyard [37:46]
“Who really accepts to kill somebody for NASCAR? In my mind that's just not a thing.”
— Ameris Bunyard [37:17]
“In my opinion, Janetta is a monstrous, vile and evil human being.”
— Investigator [40:58]
Timeline of Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 00:30 | Crime described, Bill Reynolds discovered dead | | 04:15 | Bill Reynolds’ life and background | | 09:38 | Investigation stymied, family raises suspicions | | 12:48 | Dalene’s manipulation of legal/financial situation | | 17:34 | Dalene interviewed, raises red flags | | 19:49 | Johnetta interviewed, inconsistencies emerge | | 25:01 | GPS confirms Johnetta's story...until surveillance found | | 27:08 | Johnetta seen with Mathis & Heald, confessions follow | | 32:08 | Plot and payment revealed—murder for NASCAR memorabilia | | 36:02 | Johnetta arrested, Ameris confesses to involvement | | 39:17 | Trial, convictions, sentences | | 42:37 | Ameris' remorse, family’s loss | | 43:27 | Sentencing recap/final reflections |
Conclusion
This episode exemplifies Snapped’s signature storytelling—a methodical unraveling of domestic conflict, greed, and manipulation spiraling into a shocking murder. Through meticulous detective work and stubborn persistence, investigators expose not just the trigger-puller, but the entire conspiracy leading back to Johnetta Hall’s calculated orchestration. The tragedy leaves lasting scars on all families involved—with Bill Reynolds’ sons left seeking closure and grieving not only the loss of a father but the betrayal and destruction sowed by those once closest to him.