True Crime Garage Episode 901: April Millsap
Release Date: February 4, 2026
Hosts: Nic and the Captain
Episode Overview
This episode of True Crime Garage covers the 2014 murder of 14-year-old April Millsap in the small town of Armada, Michigan. Hosts Nic and the Captain provide an in-depth analysis of the case, from April’s background and the events surrounding her disappearance to the investigation, trial, and ultimate conviction of her killer, James Donald Van Callis. The episode balances measured storytelling with thoughtful commentary, highlighting the devastating impact such a crime has on a tight-knit community and the crucial role of both digital and circumstantial evidence.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introducing April Millsap & Setting the Scene
[03:32]
- April Millsap was a vibrant, creative 14-year-old living with her devoted mother Jennifer and stepfather David in Armada, Michigan—a village with just over 1,700 residents and virtually no violent crime.
- April loved animals, especially her border collie Penny, and often took long walks with her along the Macomb Orchard Trail.
Quote:
"The murder of a child is an unbearable tragedy, a nightmare for any parent... The village of Armada, Michigan, hadn't seen a murder there since 1973." — Nic [03:32]
2. The Day of the Disappearance & Disturbing Final Message
[08:30] – [12:27]
- On July 24, 2014, April left home with Penny for a familiar walk in the early evening.
- At 6:28pm, she texted her boyfriend Austin: "I almost got kidnapped. OMFG"—a message he wouldn’t see until an hour later due to a delay.
- When April failed to return home, her mother, stepfather, and friends began searching and contacted police.
Quote:
"He (Austin) says that at first he kind of brushed it off as an exaggeration, almost like a joking kind of text a 14-year-old girl might send... But that joke turns into seriousness real quick because the mom hasn't been able to reach her." — Captain [12:27]
3. Discovery of the Crime
[18:50] – [21:04]
- A couple biking along the trail found Penny, who led them to April’s body in a ditch near the trail.
- Police observed April had suffered severe trauma. She was naked from the waist down, her clothes torn, and bear footprints on her body indicated a violent assault.
Quote:
"Whoever killed her, the monster that attacked this 14-year-old girl had bashed in her skull and then stood on her neck, constricting the life out of the teenager." — Nic [22:07]
4. Investigation: Eyewitnesses, Community Mobilization & Forensic Clues
[14:38] — [31:00]
- Multiple eyewitnesses recalled seeing a tense-looking April, a suspicious man on a small black, white, and blue motorcycle, and a woman named Mary Stein’s account was particularly crucial.
- The close-knit town responded with pink ribbons, vigils, and raised substantial support for April’s family.
- Physical evidence was limited due to lack of DNA, but the unique motorcycle and shoe prints on April’s body became key leads. Digital evidence from April's fitness app (tracking her heart rate and movement) also proved pivotal.
Quote:
"This motorcycle is going to be a huge lead because the description of it, it's a unique, almost one-of-a-kind motorcycle." — Nic [37:13]
5. Suspect Identified: James Donald Van Callis
[33:20] — [41:03]
- Police identify James Van Callis, 32, as a suspect. He lived with his father (a registered sex offender) in Goodell's, Michigan. Both had recent drug-related arrests.
- Surveillance footage places James and his motorcycle near the crime scene; his cellphone activity corroborates this.
- He initially claimed to be passing through the area to visit his brother, mentioning attire that didn't match further testimony.
Quote:
"Part of the problem with his story is when they reveal surveillance footage from a gas station in the area. This shows James at the gas station and on his motorcycle before April's murder." — Nic [37:43]
6. Building the Prosecution’s Case: Circumstantial and Digital Evidence
[41:03] — [54:03]
- Despite the absence of direct DNA evidence, the prosecution brought strong circumstantial evidence:
- Van Callis’s ex-girlfriend testified that she awoke to find him cleaning his shoes and helmet with hand sanitizer the night of the murder and later found possible physical debris in his clothing.
- April’s cell phone and fitness data showed her frantic attempts to evade her attacker and her phone’s movement away from the trail at automotive speed—matching the time and location when Van Callis’s motorcycle appeared in surveillance footage.
- Testimony revealed Van Callis made suspicious phone calls and asked his brother to delete texts.
- His internet search history included efforts to attract underage girls.
Quote:
"He says to her, according to her testimony, that he had messed up and that she needed to stick by him and stay with him, and she needed to, if questioned, tell police that he was wearing different shoes that day." — Nic [46:27]
7. Trial, Verdict, and Community Aftermath
[54:03] — [61:11]
- The trial commenced in January 2016; Van Callis did not testify, and the defense presented no witnesses, focusing on the absence of DNA.
- The most critical evidence was the overlay of April's cell phone data with video showing Van Callis (with her phone) passing the same surveillance camera at the murder’s probable time.
- Jury deliberation resulted in a guilty verdict on all counts (first degree murder, kidnapping, assault with intent to commit sexual penetration). Van Callis received life without parole.
Quote:
Jennifer Millsap (victim’s mother): “You, James, are a damn thief. You stole my beautiful daughter's life, and you stole the rest of mine. My life has totally changed since April was killed. My life will never be the same...you don't have the ability to turn back time and take this back.” [59:23]
8. Memorial and Legacy
[61:17] — [63:15]
- Armada, devastated but united, dedicated a memorial garden along the trail, featuring April’s favorite flowers—a place for healing and remembrance.
- Community support and modern investigative techniques were pivotal in solving April’s murder, underscoring both small-town vulnerability and resilience.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Nic [03:32]: "The murder of a child is an unbearable tragedy, a nightmare for any parent."
- Captain [10:40]: "OMFG, for all the old heads in the garage today, that's Oh My God."
- Nic [16:42]: "This encounter would have happened just minutes before April sent what we now know to be that frantic text to her boyfriend."
- Captain [22:18]: "She dies of blunt force trauma to the head and asphyxiation caused by neck compressions... how violent of attack that has to be to leave a shoe print marking on the victim."
- Nic [54:03]: "The best evidence that you have here is from security footage of a house very nearby the murder scene... at the same time Van Callis and April Millsap's cell phone pass the same camera."
- Jennifer Millsap (victim’s mother) [59:23]: “You, James, are a damn thief. You stole my beautiful daughter's life, and you stole the rest of mine. … but what you took from us is unforgivable.”
Important Timestamps
- [03:32] – Case background, introduction of April and the community.
- [06:28] – April’s last message: "I almost got kidnapped. OMFG"
- [18:50] – Discovery of April’s body by joggers and first observations at the crime scene.
- [33:20] – Identification of suspect James Van Callis and police focus on key evidence.
- [41:03] – Ex-girlfriend’s crucial testimony; digital forensics with April’s fitness app data.
- [54:03] – Security footage and cell phone overlay—the pivotal evidence.
- [58:38] – Jury deliberation and verdict.
- [59:23] – Victim impact statement from April’s mother.
- [61:17] – Sentencing and community response.
- [63:15] – Memorial garden and final reflections.
Tone and Style
The hosts maintain a compassionate but direct tone, blending investigative skepticism (“I’m very judgmental these days.” — Captain [18:00]) with empathy for victims and their loved ones. Their analysis is detail-rich without sensationalism, balancing legal rigor with the human cost of tragedy.
For Listeners
This episode delivers a comprehensive and poignant retelling of April Millsap’s murder—highlighting the evolution of modern investigations using eyewitness testimony, digital forensics, and community action in the absence of direct physical evidence. It stands as a testament to justice for April, community solidarity, and the deep wounds left by senseless violence.
Don’t forget:
Be good. Be kind. Don’t litter.