High school softball coach recruited ex-player in murder plot, prosecutors say | Forensic Files

[music] >> On January 12th, 2020, when police responded to a report of a man down in a
Jay County, Indiana roadway, they found 31-year-old Shay Bryer clinging to life.
Lead detective Ben Schwartz. It was at the hospital where they ended up finding the bullet wound in his back. There was
no exit wound. It was actually in his heart. He passed away. An investigation was launched and Shay's
family soon pointed police in the direction of a local high school softball coach, E.J. Stephen. She was
Shay's ex-fiancee and the mother of his child. I learned they had a rocky relationship. Shay and E.J. had been
battling over Shay's access to the child. Police questioned E.J. twice. And ultimately, she admitted that she
and one of her 18-year-old former players, Shelby Heaston, picked Shay up that night and that Shelby shot him. Why
did Shelby shoot him? He told me about it and he told me that I didn't think that he was going to die.
E.J. and Shelby were arrested and charged with murder. But at trial, E.J. took the stand and placed all the blame
on Shelby. Wes Shimanek was one of the prosecutors on the That she was essentially shocked and
surprised that Shelby did this. Prosecutors rejected that. This was all for her benefit.
But would a jury buy E.J.'s version of events? Shay's aunt, Tiffany McLaughlin, was worried. I felt like going into it
that she's going to be found guilty and then [music] I'm like, wait a second. What's happening here?

Prosecutors allege an Indiana high school softball coach enlisted a former player in a plot to murder her ex-fiancé in January 2020. Anne-Marie Green reports for "48 Hours."

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Brief Summary

Shay Bryer was murdered, implicating his ex-fiancee E.J. and her player Shelby in a complex trial over blame and custody issues.

Key points

Shay Bryer's Tragic Death. On January 12th, 2020, Shay Bryer was found clinging to life after being shot.
E.J. Stephen's Arrest. Shay's ex-fiancee E.J. Stephen and her player were arrested for his murder.
Trial Tensions. During the trial, E.J. blamed Shelby, raising doubts about her credibility.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

Why did Shelby shoot him?

A pivotal question in the investigation.

0:58WatchJan 2, 2026

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