True Crime with Kendall Rae Episode Summary
Love Triangle Ends in Horror Because of This Psycho… the Case of Alex Woodworth
Podcast: True Crime with Kendall Rae
Release Date: August 21, 2025
Host: Kendall Rae
Production: Mile Higher Media & Audioboom Studios
Overview
In this gripping episode, Kendall Rae investigates the harrowing 2018 murder of Alex Woodworth—a gentle, highly intelligent young man whose life was cut short in a crime fueled by manipulation, lies, and psychological turmoil. Rae approaches the case with her signature empathy, focusing first on Alex as the overlooked victim in a narrative often dominated by the killer, Ezra McCandless. Through meticulous storytelling, direct quotes, and trial audio, she delves into the toxic love triangle, the intricate web of deceit, the crime itself, and the courtroom drama that followed.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Honoring the Victim: Who Was Alex Woodworth?
[01:36–05:45]
- Alex Woodworth (b. 1994, St. Croix Falls, WI) was the eldest of four siblings, beloved by his family and friends.
- Described as deeply kind, intellectual, compassionate, and “someone who loved the unlovely” (his father’s words).
- Excelled academically, received a philosophy degree, tutored, aimed to be a professor.
- Post-college life centered in Eau Claire: worked at Racy Delaney’s café, adored for his warmth and quirky interests.
“He just honestly sounds like someone I would love to be friends with. He sounds like a real salt of the earth, good person.” — Kendall Rae [06:00]
2. The Introduction of Ezra McCandless
[07:42–14:45]
- Born Monica K. in 1997; changed her name inspired by “Into the Wild”’s Christopher McCandless.
- Early life marked by family instability, but cultivated creativity in art and an eccentric, attention-seeking persona.
- Explored gender identity in high school (“Ezra has called this part of her life a phase... now identifies with she/her pronouns.” — Kendall Rae [10:15]).
- Relationship with older boyfriend Jason Mangels (Ezra was 19, Jason 34).
- Intermingled with Alex and Jason through Eau Claire’s coffee shop community, leading to a tangled, toxic love triangle.
3. The Love Triangle Becomes a Web of Lies and Betrayals
[15:00–28:40]
- Jason and Alex were friends; both became romantically involved with Ezra.
- Ezra lied about her age, manipulated both men emotionally.
- She also initiated a sexual relationship with Jason’s friend, John Hanse, which led to her making false accusations of sexual assault against him.
- Police found these claims baseless—text messages and witness stories contradicted her narrative.
“She’s just a pathetic, manipulative liar who used these allegations of abuse and assault to excuse her terrible choices...” — Kendall Rae [25:29]
- Following exposure and social fallout (accusations, vandalism, eviction by her mother), Ezra’s life became unravelled.
4. The Day of the Murder: March 22, 2018
[29:50–34:00]
- Ezra made suspicious, erratic visits around town. Her ex, Jason, sensed something was wrong and found her at Alex’s house.
- Police were called but found no cause for intervention. Ezra and Alex left together.
- Hours later, a bloodied and disheveled Ezra appeared at Don Sipple’s farmhouse, claiming to have been attacked in the woods, unable to recall her name but repeatedly requesting Jason.
911 Call by Don Sipple: “She just says she don’t know. She’s in kind of bad shape.” [32:20]
5. The Investigation and Discovery of the Crime
[34:05–39:00]
- Medical staff noted Ezra’s injuries did not match her story—most notable was the word “boy” carved into her arm.
- Police soon discovered Alex’s body, brutally stabbed 16 times and left halfway out of Ezra’s car in a muddy field.
- Forensic evidence contradicted any theory of self-defense; initial wounds indicated Alex was ambushed from behind.
6. Interrogation: Ezra’s Changing Stories
[43:00–57:11]
- In interviews, Ezra gave multiple, inconsistent accounts:
- First, claimed amnesia.
- Later, accused Alex of violent attack, describing implausible fights and self-defense maneuvers.
- Detectives poked holes in her stories:
“If Alex really had carved the word ‘boy’ into her arm... he would have had to do it upside down and backwards from his angle. Not to mention, Alex was right handed... it just makes no sense.” — Kendall Rae [42:57]
- Eventually admits: “I carved ‘boy’ into my own arm.” [63:15]
7. Trial and Prosecution
[66:44–93:40]
-
Prosecution: Ezra lured Alex to an isolated spot, killed him, staged the scene, and lied to frame self-defense.
-
Defense: Claimed Ezra was battling for her life.
-
Telling Details:
- Ezra’s demeanor in court was dissonant: “smiling, giggling while describing a situation that she said was so violent, it required her to take someone’s life.” — Kendall Rae [71:20]
- Prosecution exposed her lies regarding the car, wounds, and timeline.
- Forensic pathologists testified that none of Alex’s wounds would have been instantly fatal; he likely suffered for an extended period.
-
Notable Courtroom Moment:
“I would like to see Ezra released from prison at some point in her life... I would like to ruin that for her again and cast her out into the wider world... I want her to agonize with each new person that she meets... Actions have consequences and to simply lock her away... will bar her from the full complement of consequences...” — Alex’s friend, Court Fox [101:34]
- Outcome:
- Jury found Ezra McCandless guilty of first-degree intentional homicide.
- Sentenced to life in prison, eligible for parole after 50 years (2070) [90:16, 100:10].
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Alex’s Life:
- “The one person who would be the best at helping me get through this is gone.” — Court Fox, Alex’s friend [64:18]
- “Alex loved the unlovely.” — Alex’s father, as quoted by Kendall Rae [07:30]
-
On Ezra’s Deceit:
- “She’s just a pathetic, manipulative liar who used these allegations... to excuse her terrible choices.” — Kendall Rae [25:29]
- “It’s honestly pretty unbelievable just how quickly her story unraveled. But I’m glad that she’s such a stupid liar, because now investigators could see very easily who the real perpetrator was.” — Kendall Rae [64:18]
-
Victim Impact:
- “We will never know where life is leading him. He’s gone. And so is a good part of our lives as well. A hole that can never be filled.” — Alex’s friend (court statement) [95:53]
-
On Justice & Sentencing:
- “Actions have consequences... I would like to see her struggle for friends, employment, housing, knowing that the pall of her actions weigh over her.” — Court Fox [101:34]
Timeline of Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | |:----------:|:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:36 | Introduction to Alex Woodworth & his life | | 07:42 | Background on Ezra McCandless | | 14:45 | Ezra’s relationship with Jason Mangle, initiation of love triangle | | 15:00–28:40| False accusations, love triangle complications, Ezra's manipulations | | 29:50 | The day of the crime; Jason’s suspicions; the police’ first involvement | | 32:20 | Don Sipple’s 911 call (Ezra’s post-crime state) | | 34:05 | Discovery of Alex’s body | | 43:00 | Interrogation: Ezra’s series of changing stories | | 57:11 | Detective confronts Ezra, she admits to self-inflicted “boy” carving | | 66:44 | Trial proceedings; prosecution and defense strategies emerge | | 72:13 | Ezra’s testimony: further contradictions, manipulations | | 90:16 | Verdict: Guilty of First-Degree Intentional Homicide | | 91:13 | Victim impact statements; emotional court recollections by Alex’s loved ones | | 100:21 | Ezra's statement at sentencing; attempts at remorse | | 101:34 | Court Fox’s unique sentencing wish |
Final Thoughts & Tribute to Alex Woodworth
Kendall Rae closes by refocusing on Alex’s memory, urging listeners to honor him, not by fixating on his killer, but through acts of kindness and compassion reflective of the person Alex was.
“Maybe this is cheesy, I don’t know. But perhaps one way that we can honor him is just by being kind to one another today... Go do something the way Alex would do it.” — Kendall Rae [103:26]
Summary for Listeners
This episode is a masterclass in victim-centered storytelling and critical analysis of courtroom theatrics and forensic evidence. Rae maintains an empathetic but tough tone, dissecting manipulations while championing the dignity of the victim. Listeners will understand not just the mechanics of the crime but the profound emotional fallout and the rare moments of genuine justice within the U.S. legal system.
(Ad, intro, and outro sections have been omitted from this summary.)