The murder of Jackie Vandagriff occurred on the night of September 13, 2016, in Grapevine, Texas. Jackie Vandagriff, a 24-year-old student from Texas Woman's University, was brutally killed by Charles Dean Bryant, a 30-year-old fitness trainer. This case drew widespread attention due to the shocking nature of the crime and the subsequent trial.
| Location | Grapevine, Texas, United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Child murder |
| Motive | Sexual |
| Deaths | 1 (Jackie Vandagriff) |
| Arrests | Charles Dean Bryant |
| Verdict | Guilty |
| Convictions | Charles Dean Bryant: First-degree murder, kidnappingand aggravated sexual assault Manslaughter |
| Sentence | Charles Bryant: Life imprisonment |
Background
editJackie Vandagriff was a student studying nutrition at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. She had recently transferred from the University of North Texas and was working toward her goal of becoming a nutritionist. Friends and acquaintances described her as vibrant, friendly, and enthusiastic about life.[1]
Charles Dean Bryant, the perpetrator, was a personal trainer and former employee at a fitness center.[2][3] Before meeting Vandagriff, Bryant had already developed a troubling pattern of behavior in his relationships.[4] He had recently been issued a restraining order by an ex-girlfriend Caitlin Mathis, accusing him of stalking and harassment.[5]
Crime
editVandagriff met Bryant on the evening of September 13, 2016, at a bar in Denton,Texas.[6] According to surveillance footage and witness accounts, the two left the bar together.[7] They eventually ended up at Bryant’s home in Grapevine, Texas.[8]
The following day, authorities found Vandagriff’s body in a park in Grapevine. Her body had been dismembered and set on fire in an attempt to conceal the crime.[9] The police were alerted by firefighters who had responded to a small fire in the park and found her remains.[10]
Investigators quickly connected Bryant to the murder through surveillance footage showing the two together, as well as physical evidence, including GPS data and DNA found on Vandagriff’s remains. Bryant was arrested shortly after the discovery of Vandagriff’s body.[11][12]
Investigation and trial
editDuring the investigation, it was revealed that Bryant had a history of disturbing behavior, particularly toward women. His ex-girlfriend had filed a restraining order against him, claiming he had stalked and threatened her after their relationship ended. Despite these warnings, Bryant was free at the time of the crime.[13][14]
In the opening statements of the trial, defense attorney Glynis McGinty asserted that while Bryant was guilty of tampering with evidence, he was not responsible for the murder. Rather, she claimed Bryant panicked after Vandagriff’s death and attempted to conceal her body.[15] Prosecutors presented evidence that Bryant had lured Vandagriff back to his home, where he strangled her to death before dismembering her body and attempting to burn the remains.[16][unreliable source] The defense did not deny Bryant's responsibility in Vandagriff's death; however, they argued she had died during sex,[17][18] and that her killing had been the result of an impulsive,[15] drug-induced episode rather than premeditated murder.[citation needed]
The jury convicted Bryant of capital murder, and in 2018, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.[19][20]
References
edit- ^ "Jacqueline Vandagriff Obituary (1992 - 2016) - Legacy Remembers". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
- ^ Leo (2016-09-20). "Gay bar's former employee arrested for murder of TWU student". Dallas Voice. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Robson, Steve (2018-04-11). "Man 'panicked after student died during 'kinky' sex so he dismembered body'". The Mirror. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Downs, Caleb; Mervosh, Sarah (2016-09-19). "Man accused of dismembering Texas Woman's University student was released from jail days before attack". Dallas News. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Amant, Claire St (2021-08-11). "Jackie Vandagriff murder: Was a college student targeted because she resembled her killer's ex?". CBS News. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ "Hours after this date she was dead". NZ Herald. 2016-09-16. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Phillips, Kristine (September 21, 2016). "She left a bar with an accused stalker. Hours later, police found her burned body in a park". Washington Post. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ "What Happened to Jackie Vandagriff? '48 Hours' Dives Into the College Student's Murder and a Killer's Mind". Inside Edition. 2021-01-15. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ "Burned body of TWU student Jacqueline Vandagriff found in Grapevine". NTDaily.com. 2016-09-19. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Smith, Jeff; Gordon, Scott (2016-09-19). "Body Found in Grapevine Park Identified, Police Announce Arrest". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Osborne, Ryan (September 20, 2016). "Grapevine police arrest Haslet man in slaying of TWU student". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Baker, Neal (September 21, 2016). "Charles Dean Bryant arrested for the murder of 24-year-old university freshman Jacqueline Vandagriff". Herald Sun. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Axelrod, Jim (2021-08-14). ""He wanted me dead." Stalking victim speaks out about her former relationship with Jackie Vandagriff's killer". CBS News. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ "Trial starts for man accused of dismembering, burning woman's body". FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth. 2018-04-09. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ a b Helling, Steve (2018-04-10). "Texas Murder Suspect Claims Dismembered College Student, 24, Actually Died During Sex". People. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Miller, Joshua Rhett (2016-09-20). "Student dismembered and burned after leaving bar with man she'd just met: cops". New York Post. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Nsubuga, Jimmy (2018-04-23). "Man cut out student's heart 'during sex' and left her burned remains in a pool". Metro. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ "Murder suspect claims dismembered college student actually died during sex". KOAT Action News. Associated Press. 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ "Man who cut out woman's heart and left burned body in children's pool jailed for life". Sky News. 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Emily, Jennifer (2018-04-16). "Haslet man sentenced to life in prison for killing, dismembering TWU student". Dallas News. Retrieved 2024-10-10.