“Dude, I Just Killed Cassie.” – The Murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart
- David Bray
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
On the morning of September 22, 2006, Cassie Jo Stoddart began her day like any other. She woke up, got ready, and went to school. Sixteen years old and a junior at Pocatello High School in Pocatello, Idaho, Cassie was working hard on her education.
She had a passion for music and drawing. She attended her classes, spent time with friends, and experienced what seemed like a completely normal day. What she didn’t know was that it would be her last.
The Evening
After school that Friday, Cassie went to her aunt and uncle’s house to housesit and care for their three cats and two dogs. She was more responsible and mature than many girls her age, and her family trusted her without hesitation.
That evening, she invited her boyfriend, Matt Beckham, and two friends — Brian Lee Draper and Torey Michael Adamcik — over to hang out and watch Kill Bill: Vol. 2.
Before sitting down to watch the movie, Cassie gave them a full tour of the house.
About halfway through the film, Brian and Torey told Cassie and Matt they were leaving to go see a movie at a theater instead. Although Cassie and Matt thought it was odd, they brushed it off and said their goodbyes.
What they didn’t know was that on their way out, Brian and Torey circled around to the back of the house and unlocked the basement door so they could return later undetected.
The Obsession
Brian Lee Draper and Torey Michael Adamcik were self-proclaimed movie buffs. They were obsessed with filmmaking and routinely studied cinematography. But alongside that interest, they had developed an unhealthy fascination with serial killers and true crime.
At the time, they were fixated on the horror film Scream — a movie centered on a masked killer stalking teenagers. They had already planned to kill Cassie that night in an effort to re-create a scene from the film and achieve notoriety.
On their way to the house earlier that evening, the teens recorded themselves discussing what they were about to do.
When they realized Matt was present, their original plan was disrupted. They wanted Cassie alone in what they described as her “big, dark house.” Wanting a solid alibi, they went to a local theater, purchased tickets, and entered the building. Afterward, they left and drove around, filming more of their excitement as they prepared to carry out the murder.
All they needed now was for Matt to leave.
The Break-In
Parking down the street, Brian and Torey dressed in dark clothing, gloves, and white masks. They re-entered the house through the unlocked basement door while Cassie and Matt continued watching movies upstairs.
From the basement, they intentionally made loud noises, hoping to lure Cassie and Matt downstairs so they could “scare” them before killing them. When that failed, they cut the power to the house, expecting someone to check the breaker.
When no one came down, they restored the power.
During this time, Cassie and Matt hadn’t heard anything unusual. It wasn’t until the power went out that they became concerned. One of the dogs kept staring toward the basement stairs, growling and barking intermittently.
Frightened, Cassie asked Matt if he could stay the night. He called his mother, who said no, but offered for Cassie to come stay at their home instead. By then, the power had returned, and Cassie felt obligated to remain at the house to care for the animals.
She told Matt not to worry — that she would be fine.
A short time later, Matt’s mother picked him up, leaving Cassie alone.
On the drive home, Matt called Torey and asked about meeting up later. He could barely hear him; Torey sounded like he was whispering. Matt assumed he was still in the theater and eventually hung up.
But Torey was not in the theater.
He was still in the basement — with Brian — waiting.
And Matt had just confirmed that Cassie was alone.
The Murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart
Once again, Brian and Torey cut the power in another attempt to lure Cassie downstairs. When that failed, they decided to move upstairs.
Armed with a dagger and a serrated hunting knife, they entered the living room. Cassie was on the couch — confused, frightened, and alone.
Brian slammed a closet door to terrify her further. The two were exhilarated, treating the moment like a scene from a movie. They were toying with her.
Despite her screams for help, Brian and Torey attacked her.
Cassie was stabbed over 30 times. Twelve of the wounds were potentially fatal.
"Dude, I Just Killed Cassie."
After leaving the house, the two recorded themselves again, documenting their excitement. They later drove to Black Rock Canyon and disposed of the murder weapons and other evidence.
Two days later, Cassie’s aunt and uncle returned home with their 13-year-old daughter. It was she who found Cassie’s lifeless body on the living room floor.
Police immediately questioned Matt Beckham. It did not take long for him to mention Brian and Torey — the only other individuals who had been there that night.
Five days after the murder, police located both teens. Each blamed the other.
Eventually, Brian led investigators to Black Rock Canyon, where the weapons and additional evidence were recovered.
Both Brian Lee Draper and Torey Michael Adamcik were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
To this day, both continue filing appeals in an effort to have their sentences reduced or overturned. Each time they do, Cassie’s family must relive the trauma and sit through proceedings as the killers attempt to shift or minimize responsibility.
Final Thoughts
The case shocked the nation — not only because of its brutality, but because of the calculated planning and obsession with fame.
Cassie Jo Stoddart was sixteen years old.
She was a daughter, a student, an artist, and a friend.
Her life was not a horror movie.
It was real.
It is important to note that the video recordings Brian and Torey made before and after the murder are available online. The footage contains no graphic violence, but it is deeply disturbing. In the recordings, they can be heard discussing their plans in detail, laughing, and celebrating afterward. In one of the clips, one of them states plainly, “Dude, I just killed Cassie.” Viewer discretion is strongly advised. The videos serve as chilling documentation of premeditation and a sobering reminder of how calculated this crime truly was.
References
Harris, S. (2016). Idaho State Journal. Remembering Cassie Jo – Brother opens up on 10th anniversary of grisly murder. Received at: https://www.idahostatejournal.com/members/remembering-cassie-jo-brother-opens-up-on-10th-anniversary-of-grisly-murder/article_b160f34d-1f1e-5a9c-a585-
bc49422a78b7.html. Web.
Wikipedia. (2021). Murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart. Received at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Cassie_Jo_Stoddart. Web.
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