Podcast Summary: Snapped: Women Who Murder – Episode: Patricia Brown

Introduction

Snapped: Women Who Murder, hosted by Oxygen, delves into the chilling case of Patricia Brown, a seemingly devoted wife whose actions led to the brutal murder of her husband, Fred Brown. This episode meticulously unpacks the events leading up to the crime, the ensuing investigation, and the courtroom drama that ultimately exposed the dark truths behind a family shattered by greed and resentment.

Background: Fred and Patricia Brown

Fred Brown was a well-respected economics professor at a community college in High Point, North Carolina. Born and raised in Siler City, North Carolina, Fred was admired by colleagues and students alike for his dedication and amiable nature.

Patricia "Pat" Brown, his wife, hailed from Oklahoma. Raised by a single mother alongside her sister Sheila, Pat's early life was marked by financial struggles. Her marriage to Fred in 1969 provided her with stability and a sense of purpose. Together, they had two children, Sabra and Derek, and settled in High Point after Fred's retirement from the army in 1988.

The Murder: April 25, 1991

On a seemingly ordinary spring morning, Fred Brown was found murdered on a rural highway in Guilford County. Detective Major Tom Shepard, who had known Fred all his life, was devastated by the news. “Fred was a truly nice guy. Everybody I know that I've met felt the same way about him” ([04:35]).

Fred was discovered face down with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and back, suggesting the violence was both personal and premeditated. The absence of a wallet initially pointed investigators toward a robbery, but inconsistencies at the crime scene raised suspicions.

Initial Investigation and Family Dynamics

Pat Brown promptly filed a missing persons report when Fred did not return home. Detectives interviewed the family, uncovering that Fred and Pat's marriage, while outwardly stable, harbored underlying tensions. Financial strains emerged as a significant issue, particularly surrounding extensive home renovations and Pat's growing obsession with exotic birds, which strained their finances.

Kenneth Vaughn, a close friend and coworker of Fred, revealed that Fred was under considerable stress due to mounting debts from renovations. “They argued consistently about that, and I think Pat wanted to spend more money than Fred did” ([20:03]).

Breakthrough: The Letters and Leroy Wetzel’s Confession

The case grew cold until July 1994, when detectives received a pivotal lead from Reading, Pennsylvania. Leroy Wetzel, a man with a troubled past and ex-husband to Sheila Wetzel (Pat's sister), confessed in two letters found by his daughter that he had murdered Fred at the behest of Pat Brown.

In a crucial revelation, Leroy detailed the orchestrated plot: Pat had solicited him to kill Fred in exchange for a promised payment of $30,000, intended to alleviate her financial woes. “Pat's stepfather... she was raising him to kill." ([33:11]).

Leroy described how he lured Fred under the pretense of helping with a broken-down car before shooting him multiple times. He admitted, “She said, I felt you would be coming to see me soon” ([02:36]).

The Trial: Unraveling the Truth

In May 1995, Patricia Brown stood trial for the first-degree murder of her husband. The courtroom was electric as Sheila Wetzel took the stand, corroborating Leroy’s account and painting Pat as the mastermind driven by greed and desperation.

Leroy’s testimony was particularly damning. Under oath, he reenacted the murder, providing a vivid account that left no doubt about Pat's involvement. “This was all about her wanting him dead” ([30:51]).

Despite Pat maintaining her innocence, the overwhelming evidence and Leroy’s confession led to her conviction. She was sentenced to life imprisonment but tragically passed away in 2002, less than seven years into her sentence.

Aftermath and Reflections

Both Leroy and Sheila Wetzel received substantial prison sentences for their roles in the murder. The case left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting how hidden resentments and financial pressures can lead to tragic outcomes.

Detective Major Tom Shepard reflected on the case's devastation: “The tragedy of this case is we destroyed two families over nothing and over a bunch of birds and some real estate debt” ([45:59]).

Conclusion

The Patricia Brown case serves as a haunting reminder of the complexities behind seemingly perfect lives. It underscores how underlying tensions and unaddressed grievances can culminate in unimaginable actions. Through detailed investigation and unwavering pursuit of the truth, Snapped: Women Who Murder sheds light on the dark corners of human behavior, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of one of High Point's most harrowing crimes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Detective Major Tom Shepard: “Fred was a truly nice guy. Everybody I know that I've met felt the same way about him.” ([04:35])

• Patricia Brown: “I looked in his eyes and he said they would be better with me dead.” ([21:13])

• Detective Jonathan Jacobs: “If you're gonna hire somebody to kill somebody, you probably ought to pay them once you promise.” ([31:39])

• Sheila Wetzel: “Without the money and with Fred still in the picture, Pat couldn't keep her exotic birds and she couldn't have the lifestyle that she had envisioned for herself.” ([38:10])

• Detective: “The tragedy of this case is we destroyed two families over nothing and over a bunch of birds and some real estate debt.” ([45:59])

Final Thoughts

This episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder meticulously chronicles the rise and fall of Patricia Brown, offering listeners an in-depth exploration of motives, deception, and the pursuit of justice. Through compelling storytelling and critical examination of evidence, the podcast provides a riveting account of a case that continues to resonate as a cautionary tale.