True Crime All The Time – Episode 478: Bobby Farrell Jr.

Release Date: March 9, 2026
Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike "Gibby" Gibson

Episode Overview

In this episode, Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson (Gibby) discuss the tragic and shocking murder of Bobby Farrell Jr., a young man from New Richmond, Ohio, who disappeared on July 6, 2021. The case stunned the community and Bobby’s family when it was revealed that his killer was someone deeply trusted—a best friend considered part of the family. The hosts break down the timeline, the investigation, key players, disturbing motives, and the emotional fallout from this betrayal.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bobby Farrell Jr.'s Background

• [05:38] Bobby, born December 19, 1997, in Cincinnati, was the middle of three siblings, close to both his brother and sister.
• Known for his humor and positivity, Bobby was athletic (football, wrestling) and passionate about sketching and art.
• Fell in love in high school with a girl named Stacy—his family thought she was “the one.”

Memorable Quote:
Mike Ferguson: "[Bobby] could fill a room with positive energy... Bobby played football and wrestled, he also loved art and sketching, a hobby he kept up after graduating high school." [05:38]

2. Key Relationships & Early Red Flags

• [08:04] Stacy’s friend Keonte Gardner (sometimes called Chiantay) became Bobby’s best friend, spending much time with the Farrell family, who considered him like a son.
• Bobby and Stacy’s daughter was born in April 2017 and was legally blind. Although young and under stress, they maintained a strong co-parenting relationship after breaking up.
• Bobby’s romantic connections included Angel (who became jealous of his relationship with Stacy); this drama introduced tension and suspicion when Bobby went missing.

Memorable Moment:
Mike Gibson: "You really can't be jealous of somebody that has an ongoing relationship... because of a child they have together." [13:18]

3. Day of Disappearance & Initial Investigation

• [14:54] On July 6, 2021, Bobby left with Keonte; his movements captured on a doorbell camera at 5:38 pm.
• He didn't take his wallet, cash, or ID—suggesting he’d be out only briefly.
• Keonte claimed he dropped Bobby at Dee’s Dairy Barn, where a woman in a black car picked him up—implying it could be Bobby’s ex, Angel.
• Bobby’s family grew anxious, especially after he missed a major family event—a planned C-section for his brother’s wife the next morning.

Insightful Discussion:
Mike Ferguson: "When you miss something like this, I think it raises the stakes..." [17:25]

4. Angel & Other Suspects: Investigative Leads

• Angel was scrutinized due to her toxic relationship with Bobby and concerning social media posts ("you hate me now. I'm not even done yet. Wait till I make your life hell." [24:23]).
• Angel explained that her incriminating posts weren’t about Bobby and offered her phone for investigation.
• Another possible suspect was Corey Goodwin, linked via an ex-girlfriend and phone pings, but he was cleared through alibi and phone records.

5. Family Search Efforts & False Leads

• The Farrell family and friends, including Keonte, distributed missing person posters and fielded numerous tips—none fruitful.
• Hosts discuss the problem of "bad tips," highlighting the difficulties families face sorting genuine information from noise. [32:46–33:48]

6. Break in the Case: Suspicion Back on Keonte

• [34:49] Investigators found no video evidence supporting Keonte’s version; phone records showed both Bobby and Keonte’s phones traveling together after the alleged drop-off.
• Confronted, Keonte changed his story multiple times—suggesting alternate scenarios (a mysterious car, a money debt).
• After four hours of interrogation and an emotional confrontation with Stacy, Keonte confessed they “shot Bobby twice in the head” [37:56].

Standout Quote:
Mike Ferguson (about Stacy’s role in the confession): "Stacy, who has known him for a long time, looks him in the eyes and says, 'We gotta have the truth,' and then he breaks." [37:56]

7. The Truth Unfolds: Motive, Betrayal & Arrests

• Keonte alleged a drug dealer (Christian Beasley aka 'Boog'), whom he owed $10,000, forced him to set Bobby up.
• In reality, deeper phone and social media analysis revealed Keonte was in a secret relationship with Stacy and jealous of her continued communication with Bobby.
• Investigators concluded Keonte paid Beasley $500 to murder Bobby, lured him out, and facilitated the killing in his car (cleanup failed; blood and bullet evidence remained).

Memorable Exchange:
Mike Ferguson: "For only $500 now?" [49:43]
Mike Gibson: "Yeah. I mean again, no amount of money but $500. Is that the total? Is that a down payment?" [49:45]

8. Aftermath: Shock, Sentencing, and Family Trauma

• The betrayal was profound: the family never suspected Keonte, who joined them in search efforts and comforted them despite knowing the truth.
• Keonte pleaded guilty and received life without parole. Christian Beasley also received life plus additional years.
• The judge remarked on the "cold-blooded" and "brutal" nature of the crime, highlighting the senselessness of killing over jealousy.

Notable Quotes:
Judge Farrant: "It’s unfathomable to me... This is one of the most brutal, cold blooded planned executions I’ve seen [in 44 years]." [51:44]
Bob Farrell (Bobby's father): "It was like one of my sons killed my son... She was like, you know, Chiantay's gone too. I love that kid." [40:00]

9. Final Reflections & Emotional Impact

• The hosts reflect on the overwhelming betrayal and senselessness of the crime—the destruction of two families, leaving a daughter fatherless.
• The family’s pain is underscored by Bob and Katie Farrell’s powerful courtroom statements about trust, grief, and the lack of remorse shown by Keonte.
• The episode closes with the reiteration that murder is always senseless, but this case’s motive—jealousy and failed friendship—makes it especially tragic.

Emotional Quote:
Jenny Farrell: "The betrayal of her son’s best friend felt like somebody took my whole heart and just took it right out of my chest." [56:02]

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [05:38] — Bobby’s background and family connections
• [08:04] — Introduction of Keonte/Chiantay as best friend
• [14:54] — Timeline of Bobby’s disappearance
• [20:30-26:02] — Angel’s involvement and investigation into other suspects
• [34:49] — Keonte’s alibi breaks, phone records tell the truth
• [37:56] — Confession to Stacy and emotional confrontation
• [42:37] — Discovery of Bobby’s remains and the charges
• [46:20] — Revelation of Keonte’s jealousy as true motive
• [51:44] — Sentencing and Judge’s condemnation
• [53:29-56:02] — Family statements and courtroom impact
• [56:26] — Host reflections on the tragic legacy

Notable Quotes

• "What am I supposed to feel like in my life? It was like one of my sons killed my son." – Bob Farrell [40:00]
• "If my son brings somebody home and he loves them, we love them... We trusted our son, so why wouldn’t we trust Keonte?" – Bob Farrell [52:57]
• "The betrayal... felt like somebody took my whole heart and just took it right out of my chest." – Jenny Farrell [56:02]
• "As we wrap this one up, it's one I'm really struggling with... this has got to be one of the most senseless murders that we've covered." – Mike Ferguson [56:03]

Tone & Style

• The hosts deliver a detailed, empathetic, and occasionally lighthearted discussion, balancing the gravity of the case with their natural banter.
• Especially attentive to the family’s emotional experience and the devastating effects of betrayal.
• The tragedies, twists, and ironies of the case are treated with solemn respect while maintaining the show's signature conversational tone.

For listeners or readers unfamiliar with Bobby Farrell Jr.'s case, this episode is a comprehensive, emotionally charged exploration of trust, friendship, jealousy, and betrayal—with a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be destroyed.