Real-Life Horror Story: Mother Uncovers Son's Deadly Secret (True Crime Documentary)

 00:00:00 - 00:20:00In the "Real-Life Horror Story: Mother Uncovers Son's Deadly Secret" documentary, the tragic death of Martha Embrel, a beloved librarian in Franklin, Tennessee, is meticulously investigated. Martha was found dead in Franklin Park, having been viciously attacked and beaten with a blunt object, with parts of her body missing. The police initially suspected foul play and gathered evidence, including sleeping pills found in Martha's system and a baseball bat with blood on it nearby. The investigation led to Martha's 17-year-old son, Jace, who confessed to tasting his mother's body like Lunchables during an interrogation. Jace was charged with first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years, along with mandatory psychiatric treatment. The investigation brought attention to the challenges families face when seeking mental health treatment. Martha's family, including her husband Thomas and surviving children, Cricet and Boost, sought solace and healing amidst the pain. The community of Franklin offered support, standing together against the darkness that had touched their lives. Martha's story serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of mental illness and the importance of accessible mental health care.See more00:00:00 In this section of the True Crime Case Files episode, the focus shifts to a horrifying story from Franklin, Tennessee, in May 2005. A devoted mother, Martha Embrel, was found dead in Franklin Park, leaving her community in shock. Martha, a beloved librarian at Franklin High School, was well-loved by students and teachers for her warm smile and dedication to helping others. She enjoyed reading, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Martha's husband, Thomas, reported her missing when she didn't come home from work. A local hiker, Ryan Jenkins, discovered her naked body in the bushes of the park, and the community was devastated by the news of her tragic death. The investigation led by Detective Sah Owens and Officer Mark Davis revealed that Martha had been viciously attacked and beaten with a blunt object, with parts of her body missing. The police initially thought she might have been attacked by a wild animal, but as they gathered evidence, they began to suspect foul play. Brian Jenkins, the hiker who found Martha, was visibly shaken and provided valuable information to the authorities. The team of forensic experts was called in to help gather clues and secure the crime scene. The exact cause of Martha's death remained unclear at that point, leaving everyone anxiously waiting for more information from the police.00:05:00 In this section of the "Real-Life Horror Story: Mother Uncovers Son's Deadly Secret" documentary, the police meticulously investigate the death of Martha, a woman found dead in a park with signs of a violent struggle. The medical examiner discovered sleeping pills in Martha's system, indicating she had been drugged before being attacked. The police found a baseball bat with blood on it nearby, likely the weapon used in the attack. Witnesses reported hearing strange noises in the area but didn't think much of it at the time. Thomas, Martha's husband, was the first suspect, but there was no solid evidence linking him to the crime. The police also investigated Samantha, a coworker of Martha's, due to their recent arguments and her inability to confirm her alibi. The investigation continued as the police looked for more evidence to determine the involvement of both suspects.00:10:00 In this section of the true crime documentary, the investigation into Martha's death continues with the examination of new evidence. A runner named Dr. Linda Bastardi discovered a torn piece of clothing and some handwritten notes and drawings in a metal box in the woods near Franklin Park. The notes and drawings were determined to be written by Martha's 17-year-old son, Jace, who had been struggling with severe psychological issues and an addiction to marijuana. Martha had been trying to get him help but faced resistance from insurance companies and healthcare providers. The police questioned Jace again, and during the interrogation, he made a shocking statement, confessing to tasting his mother's body like Lunchables, confirming their worst fears. Despite his initial denial of involvement, Jace's confession led the police to believe he was involved in Martha's tragic death.00:15:00 In this section of the "Real-Life Horror Story: Mother Uncovers Son's Deadly Secret" documentary, Jace Imell, a 17-year-old boy from Franklin, Tennessee, confessed to killing and cannibalizing his mother, Martha Imell. The police had enough evidence, including Jace's confession and items found in his room, to charge him with her murder. The investigation focused on ensuring justice for Martha and her grieving family. On May 23, 2005, Jace was arrested at home while playing video games. His defense attorney, Rachel Breezy Kelly, argued that his severe mental illness and marijuana-induced psychosis were the causes of the crime. The jury found Jace guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years, along with mandatory psychiatric treatment. The verdict brought mixed reactions, with some feeling justice had been served, while others hoped for a lighter sentence for Jace's mental health needs. The trial concluded, leaving the community in Franklin to heal and bring attention to the challenges families face when seeking mental health treatment.00:20:00 In this section of the True Crime Documentary titled "Real-Life Horror Story: Mother Uncovers Son's Deadly Secret," we learn about the aftermath of Martha Umbrell's tragic death and the family's attempts to heal. Thomas Umbrell, Martha's husband, sought solace in his work as an insurance agent, while their surviving children, Cricet and Boost, struggled to come to terms with their mother's loss. Jason Brell, now serving his sentence at River and maximum security institution, received psychiatric treatment as part of his rehabilitation. Martha's case brought attention to the gaps in mental health care, prompting discussions about improving access to treatment for those in need. The Umbrell family found moments of peace and healing amidst the pain, honoring Martha's memory through acts of kindness and service. The community of Franklin continued to offer support, standing together against the darkness that had touched their lives. Martha's story is a reminder of the devastating impact of mental illness and the importance of accessible mental health care. Join True Crime Case Files next time for more real-life murder mysteries. If you have any thoughts about this case or a case of your own you'd like us to investigate, leave us a comment. Until then, stay safe.