The Breaking Point

Summary

Summary of "The Breaking Point" Episode of What Happened to Holly Bobo?

What Happened to Holly Bobo? is a gripping podcast series produced by ABC News that delves into the mysterious disappearance and eventual discovery of Holly Bobo, a young nursing student from rural Tennessee. In the episode titled "The Breaking Point," released on May 27, 2025, the series explores the complex legal battles and questionable testimonies that have left the case shrouded in uncertainty.

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Discovery of Holly Bobo's Remains

The episode opens with Larry Stone narrating the pivotal moment in September 2014 when he and his cousin were foraging for ginseng along Interstate 40 in Decatur County, Tennessee. During their search, Larry stumbled upon a disturbing find:

[02:22] Larry Stone: "I walk over to the bucket, I picked it up, but then a feeling come over me. Just something just told me, turn around."

Upon investigation, they discovered Holly Bobo's remains near a towering cell tower. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) confirmed the identity through dental records, revealing a gunshot wound as the cause of death.

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Initial Suspects: The Adams Brothers and Jason Autry

Shortly after the discovery, TBI arrested Zach Adams and Jason Autry, members of a local group known as the "A Train." Both denied involvement, leaving the police with unanswered questions. The focus then shifted to Zach's younger brother, Dylan Adams, who was incarcerated for unrelated charges at the time. Dylan's family contended that he had intellectual disabilities, complicating his credibility as a witness.

[09:13] Larry Stone: "And Dylan was. He was slow. He really was."

Despite these concerns, Dylan was brought in for questioning, leading to a controversial interview that would later cast doubt on the initial case.

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Dylan Adams' Controversial Interview

The crux of the episode revolves around Dylan Adams' interview with TBI agents Brent Booth and Jeff Jackson. The session, lasting nearly three hours, was marked by increasing tension as Dylan's account fluctuated under pressure.

[16:30] Larry Stone: "Why didn't you tell me that when we first started talking? That's a problem. Do you agree that's a problem?"

Dylan initially implicated his brother Zach and Jason Autry, but inconsistencies and his family's claims of intellectual disabilities raised suspicions about the validity of his confession. Eventually, Dylan was charged with two counts of rape in connection to Holly's case, though no DNA evidence tied him directly to the crime scene.

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Shane Austin: An Additional Suspect

Another figure in the investigation was Shane Austin, a member of the "A Train," who was initially questioned but later took his own life in February 2015. Shane's parents revealed that an undated letter suggested he felt harassed by TBI, though they firmly denied his involvement in Holly's murder.

[38:31] Larry Stone: "Well, if he was going to take his life over guilt, do you think it would have happened that many years past? But I'm probably going to say he lost his job. He was coming back home to live with his mom and dad, flat broke, addicted to drugs."

Shane's suicide and the circumstances surrounding his interaction with law enforcement added another layer of complexity and raised questions about the methods used to secure testimonies.

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Legal Battles and Lingering Doubts

The episode details the legal proceedings that ensued, highlighting the challenges in proving the suspects' guilt amidst questionable testimonies and the absence of concrete evidence. Despite the convictions of Zach Adams and Jason Autry, doubts persist within the community and the Bobo family about whether justice was truly served.

[29:53] Larry Stone: "I don't believe either one of them was capable of killing somebody or raping somebody, kidnapping them."

The lack of DNA evidence and the fraught nature of the interviews left many unresolved questions about what truly happened to Holly Bobo.

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Impact on the Bobo Family and Community

Karen Bobo, Holly's mother, shares the profound and lasting impact the case has had on her family. The search for closure remains elusive, as the legal outcomes do not provide the definitive answers they sought.

[30:04] Larry Stone: "They're not murderers."

The episode underscores the emotional toll on the Bobo family and the community, emphasizing the ongoing quest for truth and accountability.

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Conclusion: An Unfinished Investigation

"The Breaking Point" encapsulates the intricate web of investigations, interviews, and legal maneuvers that have yet to fully unravel the mystery of Holly Bobo's death. The episode leaves listeners contemplating the efficacy of the justice system and the true nature of the events that transpired on that fateful September day.

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Notable Quotes:

• Larry Stone [02:22]: "I walk over to the bucket, I picked it up, but then a feeling come over me. Just something just told me, turn around."
• Larry Stone [16:30]: "Why didn't you tell me that when we first started talking? That's a problem. Do you agree that's a problem?"
• Larry Stone [29:53]: "I don't believe either one of them was capable of killing somebody or raping somebody, kidnapping them."
• Larry Stone [30:04]: "They're not murderers."

---

This episode of What Happened to Holly Bobo? masterfully navigates the complexities of one of Tennessee's most baffling cases, offering listeners an in-depth look at the suspects, the investigation's challenges, and the lingering uncertainties that continue to haunt those involved.

Transcript

[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Larry Stone]

Switch upfront payment of $45 for 3.

[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Larry Stone]

Then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra.

[Ryan Reynolds]

See full [e-mail] in Tennessee, September is ginseng hunting season. The plant and its roots are coveted around the world for their health benefits, and for generations, ginseng hunters in the area have foraged the woods to find the plant, to sell it, or to make their own tinctures or teas. But wild ginseng is hard to spot. It typically only grows on the shady side of a hill and it blends right in with other plants like poison ivy and Virginia creeper. But if you can spot ginseng in the wild, you can make a small fortune. And that's why Larry Stone was foraging along Interstate 40 in Decatur County, Tennessee in September 2014. It was the first week of ginseng hunting season, and this was one of his usual routes. Here he is in court a few years later, recounting that day, showing the courtroom where he was on a map near the highway. He's a big guy, outdoorsy and tough looking, with short hair and a salt and pepper goatee.

[Larry Stone]

That Sunday morning, the 7th, we parked right here at this cable right here. I got out of the truck, got my water, got my little fanny pack, whatever you want to call it, and took off right down through here.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Larry brought his cousin with him that day. They went down for a ways before Larry turned back around to get something from his car. On his way back, he spotted a ginseng plant and then another one.

[Larry Stone]

But then something caught my eye.

[Ryan Reynolds]

It was a three gallon water bucket.

[Larry Stone]

So I walk over to the bucket, I picked it up, but then a feeling come over me. Just something just told me, turn around. And I'm sitting there thinking the whole time in my head, why is a three gallon bucket sitting here upside down in the woods? So I went with my instinct when the feeling hit me, said turn around. And then that's when I found what I am.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Leary tried to yell for his cousin who was about 300 yards away, because.

[Larry Stone]

At first I couldn't get nothing out of my mouth. I was so stunned. And I finally got his name out of my mouth. I said, timmy, get up here now. And he's like, what? And I said, I found remains. And he said, no, you didn't. You're lying. And I said, get up here now. I'm being serious now. Get up here. I just started bawling. So finally he come up there, and I. I looked at him, I said, please tell me that's one of the things they use in school. It's not real. And he kind of looked at it, and he said, it's real. Well, what specifically did you find that said the. The skull.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Okay.

[Larry Stone]

And then that's when I looked at him. I said, you know who this could be, right? And he looked back at me. He said, who do you think it is? So that's when I said, I think this is ollie.

[Ryan Reynolds]

After almost three and a half years, the remains of holly bobo have been found right off the interstate near a giant cell tower. Larry and his cousin called 91 1. Agents with the Tennessee bureau of investigation showed up shortly after. What they found was a few bones, including several human ribs and teeth, as well as a skull. Forensic examiners saw evidence of animals scavenging the remains, but they were able to determine a cause of death. Gunshot wound to the right side of the back of the head. Along with the human remains, they also found an earring, chapstick, and a purse. After comparing the teeth that were found with holly's dental records, they told the bobo family that they'd found her remains. Then they broke the news to the public. The Jackson sun newspaper was there to cover it.

[Larry Stone]

TBI has been able to confirm through the findings of an odontologist that the remains are of Holly bobo. TBI agents and the decatur county sheriff's department have continued to work tirelessly over three years to thoroughly follow leads and bring those responsible to justice.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Just a few days after holly's remains were found, TBI received a call that would provide a much needed break in the investigation. Would Holly bobo finally receive justice? I'm abc news senior national correspondent Eva pilgrim. From ABC Audio and 2020, this is what happened to Holly. Bo Episode 4 the Breaking Point.

[Larry Stone]

We are those people. We became those people that no one ever wants to be.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Karen bobo had waited more than three years to find out what happened to her daughter. When her daughter's remains were found in September 2014, she finally knew. She spoke to ABC News in 2017 about what that meant. Closure is sure not a good word, because in this situation, there's never closure. But I just. I have spoken with many parents who have never, to this day, still don't have their child's remains.

[Larry Stone]

And I truly believe I was at my breaking point.

[Ryan Reynolds]

I don't think I could have lived much longer with the not knowing. A few months prior, before they even found Holly's remains, agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation began making their first charges in the Holly Bobo case. One after another, TBI began rounding up the A train, a group of local young men known for their drug use. Zach Adams was the first to be arrested. In March of 2014, he was charged with kidnapping and murder. Holly's remains were found about six miles from his home. The following month, a friend of his, Jason Autry, was charged with the same thing. Remember, Jason is the older friend in that group in his mid-30s, when the rest of the guys were in their 20s. But Zack and Jason both denied any involvement. So even after they were arrested, police still didn't know for sure what happened to Holly Bobo. Around the time these arrests were happening, agents were continuing to speak with another young man, someone TBI had hoped would become the linchpin to TBI's case. Zach's younger brother, Dylan Adams. In 2014, Dylan was incarcerated on a gun charge unrelated to the Holly Bobo case. During this time, investigators spoke to him at least six times over eight months. Over the course of these interviews, Dylan appeared to implicate his brother Zach Adams and Jason Autry in the kidnapping and murder of Holly Bobo. Dylan's family says he has intellectual disabilities. He would have a hard time completing a simple task. This is Cindy Adams, Dylan's mother. Maybe a little slow in reading, comprehending things like that. His grandfather, Dick Adams, agrees.

[Larry Stone]

And Dylan was. He was slow. He really was.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Later, prosecutors would push back on Dylan's family's claims about his intellectual abilities. They pointed out that Dylan was able to drive and that he could read even if he had trouble. They said it's not like he needed a babysitter to help him all day. According to TBI, in March of 2014, Zach told a fellow inmate heading to Dylan's jail to give his brother a message, quote, tell my brother he is the one who started this expletive, and if he don't shut his mouth, he will be in the hole beside her. Then the following August, according to court documents, Dylan was released from jail after pleading guilty to lesser federal charges. Ten days after Holly's remains were found in September, TBI received a call. They were told that Dylan had just confessed to taking part in the kidnapping and murder of Holly Bobo.

[Larry Stone]

Today's date is the 17th day of September 2014. The time is approximately 6:50pm this will be an interview with Dylan Adams, present for the.

[Ryan Reynolds]

In the video obtained by ABC News, Dylan is sitting across from TBI agent Brent Booth. Next to Dylan is TBI agent Jeff Jackson, just a couple feet away from him. The three are sitting in a small, brightly lit room around a table covered with papers and a couple of soda bottles. Dylan is slim with short dark hair. He's wearing a black T shirt and sunglasses tucked behind his ears and over his head. Remember, this wasn't the first time Dylan had spoken with investigators. This was the latest in a series of conversations they'd had over that year. Agent Jackson leads the interview.

[Larry Stone]

Let's back up to the day before all this happened and don't leave any detail of any kind out. I'm not mad at you. They're not going to raise my voice or anything like that. I'm not mad at you. I'm very glad that you're doing the right thing and coming forward. Okay.

[Ryan Reynolds]

The agents begin with a light tone, but as you'll learn, they're about to conduct an interview that would later be criticized by members of Dylan's family. In this recording, Agent Jackson tells Dylan to walk him through everything, starting from the day before Holly went missing.

[Larry Stone]

How did all y' all get together the night before this happened? I was out. Zach's hawks are coming up. They we dumbed out. We was gummed out and they ended up leaving. I mean, they left about 12, one o' clock.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Dylan alleges they did some drugs together at his and Zach's house. Then he says Zach and Jason Autry left TBI Agent Jeff Jackson asks Dylan for more details on what the group talked about.

[Larry Stone]

This is one of the most obviously traumatic few days of your life and I'm sure that it's stuck in your head like permanently. So try to, try to come up with every detail that you can for me about anything that they were talking about, because here's what I'm getting at. There had to been some kind of discussion, whether you're a part of it or not. You're sitting there with them shooting up some dope. There had to be some discussion about what was fixing to happen and why her? Why Holly, why? How did she get picked? Which one of you knew her the most? Which one of you thought she was good looking and why her? There, you see where I'm coming from?

[Ryan Reynolds]

Dylan nods in agreement. Agent Jackson tells him to not leave anything out this time.

[Larry Stone]

Let's make every bit of it right. What was the discussion that led up to choosing her and going and getting her? That I have no clue. But they'd be talking about going get somebody. I mean talking about finding someone to rape.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Dylan again nods.

[Larry Stone]

What were they saying? We fixing go get her later on tonight. What they said her to find her. I mean this is what look it her. They didn't say Holly's name. They said her okay.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Dylan nods his head. He says that all four men sexually assaulted Holly Bobo. Throughout much of the interview, Dylan appears alert, looking directly at each agent as he speaks to them, at times nodding along as they speak to him. Dylan says Zach and Jason left the night before in Dylan's truck and that they returned the following morning around 9p30 or 10 with Holly in the truck.

[Larry Stone]

Describe what was she doing? What did she look like? What was she wearing? She had long pants on, pink shirt. Was her hair in any kind of was it pulled back down? Was she fighting, kicking, screaming? Or what was she was at first they brought her in into the ass. She said, why are you doing this? Why me?

[Ryan Reynolds]

Agent Jackson continues to question Dylan on what happens next. Dylan says the men brought Holly into the living room, which is where he says she was assaulted.

[Larry Stone]

Who? Who did what first to Holland when she got in.

[Ryan Reynolds]

As in Jason Autry. Dylan says Jason was the first one to assault her. Agent Jackson asks him what happens next. Dylan claims his brother Zach put a gun to his head and told him to rape Holly or else he'd kill him. Dylan says he raped Holly, then Zach raped her foreign. Nearly an hour into the interview, the agent's tone shifts. He asks Dylan whether Shane Austin had also been at the house the evening before Holly's abduction. Dylan says yes. A few minutes later, Agent Jackson asks Dylan about why he didn't mention Shane. Earlier we agreed that you weren't going.

[Larry Stone]

To leave anything out. When we started talking, you told me that Zach and Autry left. You didn't say nothing about Shane Austin until I specifically asked you. And then you say well yeah, he was there. And then you say well oh yeah, Zach carried him. Why didn't you tell me that when we first started talking? That's a problem. Do you agree that's a problem?

[Ryan Reynolds]

Dylan nods.

[Larry Stone]

I'm not trying to jump on you, Dylan. You have to tell me the truth. You have to tell me the truth for me to do anything with this information.

[Ryan Reynolds]

As the interview progresses, Dylan's account continues to evolve. He adds details to events already discussed. Agent Jackson periodically tells him to not make anything up and to tell the truth. After three hours, the TBI agent says he has problems with what Dylan is saying and begins to ask Dylan a series of questions point blank.

[Larry Stone]

Truth is that while sitting around smoking dope with Shane Alton, Zach Adams, Jason Autry and you at Zach's house, plan got hatched out to go get Holly Bobo herself. Go get her, bring her back and rape her. That happened, yes or no?

[Ryan Reynolds]

Dylan softly says, yes sir.

[Larry Stone]

After that happens, what was the plan to do with Holly? You don't know what the plan was to do with Holly?

[Ryan Reynolds]

Dylan says, no sir and shakes his head.

[Larry Stone]

What'd you think he was gonna do? You know what was gonna happen. You withheld information. Then you were given a chance to come in here tonight and freely spill your guts to us about what you know. And you made me sit in here and pull teeth. Then when I asked you another question or he asked you some hard questions that you don't like, the question you do sitting here going, oh my God, oh my God. What am I going to think of? What can I say? What can I say? That ain't how this works. That ain't ever going to work ever again.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Dylan just looks at the agent and blinks a few times. Agent Jackson continues to express frustration with how Dylan has answered his questions. He tells him, quote, what worth are you to us as a witness? If I gotta sit here and go through all this hell to get an answer out of you, I'm not gonna sit in here.

[Larry Stone]

You have been in here, Dylan, for hours with me tonight. Do you realize how many hours you've been in here? You got here at 5:00. It is 9:30 at night. Why are you making this this way? I'm through. I'm sick of it.

[Ryan Reynolds]

In terms of who killed Holly, in one version he says it was Zachary, in another it was Jason Autry. His problem is he's clueless. He has no concept of what is.

[Larry Stone]

Really going on right now.

[Ryan Reynolds]

And later, Dylan's family would speak out about the unusual circumstances leading up to his police interview.

[Larry Stone]

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[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Larry Stone]

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[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Larry Stone]

More out of whatever you're into or getting into. Visit Amazon.comprime to learn more.

[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Larry Stone]

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[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Larry Stone]

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[Larry Stone]

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[Larry Stone]

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[Ryan Reynolds]

Ray Ban Meta Glasses Iconic Style meets Meta AI this episode is brought to you by Greenlight. Get this Adults with financial literacy skills have 82% more wealth than those who don't. From swimming lessons to piano classes, US parents invest in so many things to enrich our kids lives, but are we investing in their future financial success? With Greenlight, you can teach your kids financial literacy skills like earning, saving and investing. And this investment costs less than that. After school Treat Savings Start prioritizing their financial education and future today with a risk free [e-mail] Spotify greenlight.com Spotify this episode is brought to you by. Enterprise Mobility. From fleet management to flexible truck rentals to technology solutions, Enterprise Mobility helps businesses find the right mobility solutions so they can find new opportunities.

[Larry Stone]

Because if your business is on the road, they want to make sure it's on the road to success.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Enterprise Mobility Moving you moves the world. Find your [e-mail] this episode is brought.

[Larry Stone]

To you by Factor.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Optimize your nutrition this year with Factor America's number one Ready to Eat meal service. Factor's Fresh, Never Frozen meals are dietitian approved. Ready to eat in just 2 minutes. Choose from 40 weekly options across 8 dietary preferences like calorie smart, protein plus and keto. Eat smarter at FactorMeals.com listen50 and use code listen50 for 50% off plus free shipping on your first box FactorMeals.com listen50 code listen50 terms and conditions apply. In the last episode, you heard Cindy Adams talk about her older son, Zach. In a 2017 interview with ABC News, she shared that Zach's criminal behavior began at a young age. Cindy says her younger son Dylan struggled too, in a different way. He just was slow in some motor skills, even I could tell that Dylan would not stay focused. She says Dylan was diagnosed with a hyperactive disorder and that throughout his education, he attended special ed classes for kids with learning disabilities. He eventually also got involved in drugs, like his older brother Zach. When Cindy watched the video of Dylan being interviewed by agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, she didn't see a criminal.

[Larry Stone]

I just see someone being bullied into saying something they didn't do. I think that he was just trying to get through it.

[Ryan Reynolds]

We reached out to the two investigators, Brent Booth and Jeff Jackson, to ask them about Dylan's mother's allegation. We didn't hear back from Booth. And TBI declined to comment on Agent Jackson's behalf. As we said earlier, prosecutors would later point out that Dylan's intellectual disabilities didn't extend to things like driving and that he was able to function throughout the day. But Cindy says she believes even before the TBI interview, there was something bigger going on with Dylan. Remember, throughout the spring of 2014, Dylan had been in jail on that gun charge not related to the Holly Bobo case. In August of 2014, he was released. But rather than going back home to live with his mom, prosecutors arranged to have him released into the custody of a private citizen and former Memphis police officer named Dennis Benjamin. Dylan's mother, Cindy, says she had no idea who this Dennis Benjamin was. And she says she had no way to get in touch with her son because of the conditions of his release. I was told that I would not be able to contact him or he would not be able to contact me.

[Larry Stone]

I think safe house was more the word that they used because Dylan was their precious cargo.

[Ryan Reynolds]

He was the key witness, and he.

[Larry Stone]

Had to be protected. I had no idea where he was going. They told me that they would, you know, buy him all new clothes, that.

[Ryan Reynolds]

You know, that he might get to work a little. This arrangement is something that has struck me as unusual since the beginning. We interviewed a former U.S. marshal for this story, and I asked him, is it normal for someone to be released into the custody of someone who they don't know and who is a former law enforcement agent? He agreed that it was, quote, real strange. The circumstances of why Dylan went to live with Dennis Benjamin are unclear. The records concerning his release are still under seal. But after Holly's remains are found in September 2014, Dennis Benjamin is the one who calls TBI to let them know Dylan has more to tell them about the Holly Bobo case. It is this call that kicks off the hours long interview. You heard Earlier, Dylan's brother's attorney, Jennifer Thompson, told us that in her experience, Dylan Adams being released into the custody of of Dennis Benjamin is not standard.

[Larry Stone]

I, in my 28 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney, have never, ever come across anything as odd as.

[Ryan Reynolds]

What happened in Dylan Adams federal case. We reached out to Dennis Benjamin to ask him about this, and he declined to answer any questions. We also asked TBI for comment, as well as the office of the prosecutor who arranged for Dylan's release, and both declined to comment. Four weeks after the interview, Dylan is charged with two counts of rape in Holly's case. And TBI comes knocking on the door of Dick Adams, Zach and Dylan's grandfather, looking for physical evidence to corroborate Dylan's story.

[Larry Stone]

Come to the door there and hand me a church warrant.

[Ryan Reynolds]

ABC News visited Dick Adams at his home in 2024. Dylan and Zach lived together in one of the buildings on his property. He remembers that day.

[Larry Stone]

I couldn't do nothing. I couldn't go out the door. They had a man sitting out there watching me, watching the door. It was awful. They left a lot of stuff there. They left spray, cans of pepper spray and pouches. They was laying all in the yard and things out there. They meant to tear everything up. I mean, you can. You can look and see. They meant to tear everything up.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Dick Adams brought our team to where Zach and Dylan lived. When you first walk in, there's a huge slab of plywood where police ripped up the floor.

[Larry Stone]

They knocked a hole in it to see what was back there. I reckon tore the fan down as they was tearing the floor out. They used my pick and things to tear this out with, but they cut it out with a saw. I guess they thought the bullet went to the floor, so they cut the floor out and carried the couch.

[Ryan Reynolds]

TBI took the couch, parts of the floorboard, and hundreds of other items from the house. But no DNA was ever found connecting the men to Holly Bobo's murder. ABC News reached out to tbi. They declined to answer any specific questions about the case. So given all this, does Dick Adams think his grandsons were guilty?

[Larry Stone]

I don't believe either one of them was capable of killing somebody or raping somebody, kidnapping them.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Their mother agrees.

[Larry Stone]

I know my boys.

[Ryan Reynolds]

They're drug addicts.

[Larry Stone]

They're not murderers.

[Ryan Reynolds]

TBI continued to pursue the case against her sons. But it wasn't just the Addams Brothers who were taken up in this. Remember, they were part of a larger crew that law enforcement called the A Train. And there was Another guy in that group, a redhead named Shane Austin. Is this his room here?

[Larry Stone]

Yes.

[Ryan Reynolds]

In 2024, I visited the home of Shane's parents, Rita and Jimmy Austin. They showed me old photos of their son. How old is he in this one? Looks like it's probably his first Christmas.

[Larry Stone]

So he'd be about. Probably about a month old. Yeah. Here's some of his home run balls.

[Ryan Reynolds]

The Austins live in Decatur county. They were among the many volunteers who'd gone out in search of Holly Bobo the week of her disappearance in April 2011. But then they said they had to stop once TBI showed up at Shane's door the following Sunday.

[Larry Stone]

We was very surprised, and Shane was, too, when he called us that day. He said, hey, they just come down here, rolling down through here and searched my trailer and brought the dogs. And he was. You could tell he was surprised.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Around this time, witnesses told investigators that Shane Austin had crossed paths with Holly at the raccoon hunt the week prior.

[Larry Stone]

We heard that he was trying to take a picture of her and pretending like he was talking on the phone. But now Shane only had a flip phone. So I don't think you could hold that flip phone up to your head.

[Ryan Reynolds]

And take a picture of somebody Like I mentioned. In episode three, Shane said he did not remember seeing Holly at the hunt. He said he was out of his mind on drugs at the time. But Shane's name continued to be floated among investigators, along with his friend Zach Adams. Shane's mother, Rita, described Shane as a fun, competitive kid.

[Larry Stone]

She was one of the first boy children in our family. He liked football. He liked baseball. He liked playing cards. He was very competitive. He was my partner in card playing because we're the only two that could get along. His dad plays for fun, and we play to win. So we couldn't get along, but we could at cards because we understood what we wanted from each other. He always wanted to make us happy and make us proud.

[Ryan Reynolds]

But things changed in high school. Shane got hurt playing football and had two surgeries on his shoulder.

[Larry Stone]

He needed more and more pain medicine. And then's when I think we really knew he had a problem.

[Ryan Reynolds]

His parents say he developed an addiction to the opioid morphine. Shane's parents struggled with their son, but they didn't think that meant he was capable of abducting and murdering Holly Bobo.

[Larry Stone]

He was addicted to morphine. And that's what I told the TBI guy when he come to the gate down there. I said, hey. I said, if she'd been made of Morphine. I'd said you come to the right place, but no. No way.

[Ryan Reynolds]

You don't think your son had anything to do with.

[Larry Stone]

No. No, I don't. You would have to know Shane. He was a. He was kind. He likes dogs. He loves his dogs. And he would pick up strays. He didn't even like to shoot deer. Okay. He's not. He wanted to be a deer hunter, but he didn't really want to shoot a deer. So I just. I don't believe that for one minute. That is a far step for somebody that's. I know Shane had a lot of traffic violations and some stuff, but that's a big step to go from and take a life. To take a life.

[Ryan Reynolds]

With his bright red hair, Shane did not match the description Clint Bobo gave to police of Holly's abductor. But police continued to pursue him after they charged Zach Adams in March 2014. They questioned Shane again about whether he was involved. Shane accepted an immunity deal to cooperate and tell them what he knew about his friend's involvement. Shane's father said Shane did so out of fear. Not fear because he was guilty, but fear over how he could possibly afford going to trial. Shane's father says a lawyer advised them to take the deal.

[Larry Stone]

If you don't do it, they're going to arrest him. Dave John told me they're going to arrest him, and he said it's going to cost 60 plus thousands of dollars. So us three, we talked and. And we agreed.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Shane signed the deal. According to authorities, Shane said Zach Adams came to pick him up at 9 or 10am on the morning of Holly's ABD. He says they drove around to get gas and pick up some pills. Shane also told authorities that he later heard Zach Adams make incriminating comments about what happened to Holly. A month and a half after the abduction, Shane says Zach told him that he killed Holly Bobo and put her in the Tennessee River. But Shane says he didn't see Zach do anything and that he didn't believe that what Zach told him was true. Investigators believed Shane knew more than he was telling, and they revoked that immunity deal. According to Shane's parents, TBI agents kept pushing Shane for more information.

[Larry Stone]

If they wasn't here, they was calling him, harassing him. So we didn't have any peace. I mean, the people that's dealing this thing have a lot of power.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Throughout 2014, things took a turn for the worse for Shane.

[Larry Stone]

People didn't want to have nothing to do with him. He was pretty much ostracized in this community. That's when he was. He got bad again. I don't know if it was them calling him or whatever, but anyway, his drug use just escalated and that's from that, so. And Christmas, last time we sleep.

[Ryan Reynolds]

In February 2015, Shane Austin's body was discovered in a hotel room. He had taken his own life.

[Larry Stone]

Our life will never be normal again. Karen Balbo's life, never be normal again. Or Dana's. Like I said, this has affected so many lives.

[Ryan Reynolds]

After his death, Shane's parents say they found an undated letter in his belongings. In the letter, Shane writes about the frustration he feels being targeted by tbi. He writes, quote, the current administration at the table. TBI is now willing to hang three innocent men. Knowingly, I know we are not perfect and we have made many mistakes, but I have never physically hit any woman. We asked his mom what she thought about rumors Shane had taken his own life out of guilt for his role in Holly Bobo's murder.

[Larry Stone]

Well, if he was going to take his life over guilt, do you think it would have happened that many years past? But I'm probably going to say he lost his job. He was coming back home to live with his mom and dad, flat broke, addicted to drugs.

[Ryan Reynolds]

That's kind of what I think.

[Larry Stone]

But, you know, there wasn't a note. I don't believe for one minute it had anything to do with Holly Bobo's him killing her.

[Ryan Reynolds]

The morning of June 3, 2015, three men were escorted into the Decatur county courthouse with armed guards. Brothers Dylan Adams, Zach Adams and their friend Jason Autry were now each charged with a brain brand new set of crimes. Premeditated, first grade murder, aggravated rape and aggravated kidnapping. All three would also face the death penalty. The first trial would be the state versus Zach Adams. But in the two years before that trial began, a lot would change. Dylan Adams would go from being a key witness for TBI to being kept off the stand completely. Another witness would instead become a crucial part of the prosecution's case. Jason Autrey. That's next time on what happened to Holly Bobo. What Happened to Holly Bobo is a production of ABC Audio in 2020 hosted by me, Eva Pilgrim. The series was produced by Camille Peterson, Julia Nutter, Kiara Powell, Norah Hannah and Meg Fierro. With help from Audrey Mostek and Amira Williams. Our supervising producer is Susie Liu. Music and mixing by Evan Viola. Special thanks to Liz Alessi, Janice Johnston, Michelle Margulaz, Sean Dooley, Christina Corbin, Kieran McGurl, Andrew Paparella and Emma Pich. Josh Cohan. Is our director of podcast programming. Laura Mayer is our executive producer.

[Larry Stone]

For the team. Ready to conquer the grandest stage. Immortality awaits moments of sweat and sacrifice.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Towards the composition of champions.

[Larry Stone]

It's self explanatory. The glory is mandatory.

[Ryan Reynolds]

An unforgettable journey is nearing its finale.

[Larry Stone]

Four more wins to take home the trophy.

[Ryan Reynolds]

The NBA Finals, presented by YouTube TV. Begin June 5th on ABC.

[Larry Stone]

Switch is back.

[Ryan Reynolds]

All right. Get tickets now. Look, they got a dog.

[Larry Stone]

How to the movie of venom of the summer.

[Ryan Reynolds]

You sure that's a dog?

[Larry Stone]

Yeah. Rough.

[Ryan Reynolds]

This Memorial Day.

[Larry Stone]

The summer starts with Stitch.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Adorable little psychopath.

[Larry Stone]

Stitch is back. All right.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Disney's Lilo and Stitch.

[Larry Stone]

Rated pg.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Parental guidance adjusted. Now playing only in theaters.