5 Chilling Facts About The Cassie Jo Stoddart Murder: Where Are The 'Scream Killers' Now?

The murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart remains one of Idaho’s most infamous and chilling cases, a "thrill killing" meticulously planned and executed by two of her high school classmates in 2006. As of December 2025, nearly two decades after the brutal crime that shocked the nation, the case is far from closed, with both convicted killers, Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik, continuing their relentless legal battles from behind bars in a bid to overturn their life sentences.

This horrific event, which drew comparisons to the plot of the horror movie *Scream*, centered on the premeditated stabbing death of a 16-year-old girl while she was house-sitting. The case is a grim study in juvenile delinquency and the pursuit of notoriety, with the killers even filming their motivations and planning. Understanding the crime requires a look at the victim, the perpetrators, the shocking evidence, and the legal labyrinth that continues to unfold today.

The Tragic Life and Death of Cassie Jo Stoddart

Cassie Jo Stoddart was a vibrant, popular high school student whose life was tragically cut short by two people she considered friends. Her murder on September 22, 2006, in Pocatello, Idaho, left a community reeling and her family devastated.

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• Full Name: Cassie Jo Stoddart
• Born: December 21, 1989
• Age at Death: 16
• Location of Crime: Pocatello, Idaho
• Date of Crime: September 22, 2006
• High School: Pocatello High School (Junior)
• Circumstances: Murdered while house-sitting for her aunt and uncle.
• Cause of Death: Multiple stab wounds (at least 29).
• Perpetrators: Brian Lee Draper and Torey Michael Adamcik (both 16 at the time).
• Motive: Described by the perpetrators as a "thrill killing" and an attempt to achieve notoriety, inspired by horror films like *Scream*.
• Legacy: Remembered by her family and community as a bright, kind, and loving young woman.

The 'Scream' Copycat Killing: A Plan for Infamy

The crime committed by Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik was not a spur-of-the-moment act of violence; it was a carefully orchestrated plot to commit the "perfect murder." The most disturbing evidence in the case was the video footage the boys recorded, detailing their intentions and their excitement about the impending murder.

The Premeditation and Video Diaries

The two 16-year-old perpetrators, Draper and Adamcik, were classmates of Cassie Jo Stoddart at Pocatello High School. In the days leading up to the attack, they recorded themselves discussing their plan to commit a murder, explicitly stating their desire to emulate a horror movie scenario.

In one video, Adamcik is heard saying, "We're going to go down in history," while Draper adds, "Just like the *Scream* movies." This chilling documentation provided irrefutable proof of their premeditation and their motive: the pursuit of infamy and the thrill of the kill.

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The Night of the Attack

On the evening of September 22, 2006, Cassie was house-sitting for her aunt and uncle. She invited her boyfriend, Matt Berg, and the two killers, Draper and Adamcik, over to watch a movie.

During the movie, Draper and Adamcik pretended to leave the house. However, while Berg and Stoddart were distracted, Draper secretly unlocked the basement door. The two boys then hid in the basement, waiting for the right moment to strike.

After a period of making noise and attempting to scare Cassie and her boyfriend—a tactic they recorded themselves doing—Matt Berg's mother called and asked him to come home. Matt left, leaving Cassie alone, which was precisely what the killers had planned.

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Shortly after Berg departed, Draper and Adamcik emerged from the basement. They attacked Cassie in the living room, stabbing her repeatedly. The sheer brutality of the attack was later confirmed by the medical examiner, who noted at least 29 stab wounds.

The Investigation and Conviction

The investigation quickly focused on the two boys after their bizarre behavior and the discovery of their video diaries. The footage, which detailed their planning, execution, and post-murder reactions, was the cornerstone of the prosecution's case.

Both Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik were tried as adults, despite being 16 at the time of the crime. In 2007, both were convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. They were each sentenced to two mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole.

The Labyrinth of Appeals: Where Are Draper and Adamcik Now?

Despite being convicted and sentenced nearly two decades ago, the legal saga surrounding the Cassie Jo Stoddart murder is ongoing. Both Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik have mounted numerous appeals, attempting to have their convictions or sentences overturned, often leveraging changes in juvenile sentencing laws.

Torey Adamcik's Continued Legal Challenges (Update 2024-2025)

Torey Adamcik has been the more persistent of the two in his pursuit of a new trial or resentencing. His initial appeals, which challenged the use of his video confessions and the severity of the sentence, were denied.

However, the legal landscape shifted following a series of U.S. Supreme Court rulings—specifically *Miller v. Alabama* (2012) and *Montgomery v. Louisiana* (2016)—which deemed mandatory life-without-parole sentences for juveniles unconstitutional. This opened the door for Adamcik and Draper to challenge their sentences.

Latest Development: As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, Adamcik continues to seek post-conviction relief. His most recent appeal alleges that his civil rights were violated during the initial trial and sentencing process. In 2024, a judge heard Adamcik's plea for a new trial or a new sentencing hearing, which is a key legal development that keeps the case in the news cycle, nearly 19 years after the murder.

This ongoing legal battle means that Adamcik, who is currently serving his two life sentences, is still attempting to prove that his constitutional rights were infringed upon, hoping to be granted a sentence that would allow for eventual parole consideration.

Brian Draper's Status and Appeals

Brian Draper has also pursued appeals, though his legal efforts have been less publicized in recent years compared to Adamcik's. Like Adamcik, Draper's conviction and sentence were upheld by the Idaho Supreme Court.

Draper's primary legal challenges have also focused on the constitutionality of his mandatory life-without-parole sentence as a juvenile offender. While the Supreme Court rulings provided a potential avenue for resentencing, the courts have consistently maintained that the crime was premeditated, exceptionally brutal, and that the mandatory life sentence was appropriate given the specific circumstances of the "thrill killing."

Both individuals remain incarcerated in the Idaho Department of Correction, serving their life sentences. The continuous appeals ensure that the case of Cassie Jo Stoddart remains a relevant, if tragic, topic in discussions about criminal justice, juvenile law, and the impact of media on violent crime.

The Enduring Impact of the Pocatello Tragedy

The murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart is a case frequently revisited in true crime documentaries and media (including a Dateline episode in early 2024), not just for its brutality, but for the chilling evidence left behind. The video diaries provide an unparalleled window into the minds of juvenile thrill killers, showcasing a disturbing lack of remorse and an obsession with notoriety.

The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the potential for extreme violence among seemingly normal adolescents. The LSI keywords associated with the case—such as *thrill killing*, *juvenile life sentence*, *Brian Draper life sentence*, and *Torey Adamcik appeal*—all point to the complex legal and psychological issues that arose from the crime.

For the family of Cassie Jo Stoddart, the ongoing appeals are a painful continuation of their nightmare, forcing them to relive the details of the crime every time the killers seek a legal review. As of December 2025, the final chapter of this tragic story has yet to be written, pending the outcomes of the latest legal maneuvers by the two convicted murderers.