5 Chilling Facts About The Ezra McCandless Case: The Murder Of Alex Woodworth And Her Failed 2025 Appeal

The brutal 2018 murder of Alex Woodworth by his former lover, Ezra McCandless, remains one of the most compelling and tragic true crime cases in modern Wisconsin history. The case captivated the nation due to McCandless's dramatic and ultimately unsuccessful claim of self-defense, which was contradicted by the horrific nature of the crime scene and her own shifting statements.

As of December 13, 2025, the legal saga surrounding the case has reached a new, definitive conclusion: the Wisconsin Court of Appeals has denied Ezra McCandless's latest bid for a new trial, solidifying her life sentence. This deep dive explores the current status of the case, the chilling facts of the murder, and the complex legal battles that followed the initial conviction.

The Victims and The Perpetrator: Biographical Profiles

The core of the Alex Woodworth murder case involves a complicated, volatile love triangle and the lives of two young people whose paths ended in tragedy.

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• Victim: Alexander "Alex" L. Woodworth
  • Age at Death: 24 years old.
  • Residence: Eau Claire, Wisconsin area.
  • Relationship with Perpetrator: Ex-boyfriend/lover. The two had a tumultuous, on-again, off-again relationship.
  • Date of Death: March 22, 2018.
  • Cause of Death: Fatal stabbing (16 wounds).
• Perpetrator: Ezra McCandless (Born Ezra J. Woodard)
  • Age at Crime: 22 years old.
  • Conviction: First-Degree Intentional Homicide.
  • Sentence: Life in prison with eligibility for extended supervision after 50 years.
  • Current Incarceration: Taycheedah Correctional Facility, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
  • Defense Claim: Self-defense against an alleged sexual assault attempt.

5 Chilling Facts That Defined The Alex Woodworth Murder

The trial of Ezra McCandless was a media sensation, not only for the gruesome nature of the crime but for the perpetrator's calculated efforts to paint herself as a victim. The evidence presented by the prosecution in Eau Claire County Circuit Court detailed a cold-blooded murder.

1. Woodworth Was Stabbed 16 Times in a Car

The murder took place on March 22, 2018, in the Town of Spring Brook, Wisconsin. Alex Woodworth was found dead in Ezra McCandless’s car, having suffered 16 stab wounds. The wounds were not confined to a single area, but were inflicted across his head, neck, torso, and groin. This high number of wounds and their distribution were key pieces of evidence used by prosecutors to dismantle McCandless’s claim that she acted purely in self-defense during a brief struggle.

2. The Self-Defense Claim Was Contradicted by the Scene

McCandless admitted to killing Woodworth but claimed she was forced to stab him after he allegedly attempted to rape her in her car. However, investigators found a number of details at the scene that severely undermined her story. McCandless was found with self-inflicted scratches and the word "S-O-R-R-Y" carved into her arm, which the prosecution argued was a staged attempt to appear as a victim following the murder. Furthermore, the knife used in the stabbing was a large, fixed-blade hunting knife that McCandless had brought with her, suggesting premeditation.

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3. The Murder Was a Culmination of a Volatile Love Triangle

The relationship between McCandless and Woodworth was complicated by the involvement of a third person, a man named Jason Mengel. Testimony during the trial revealed that McCandless was involved with both men simultaneously, creating a highly volatile situation. The prosecution argued that McCandless lured Woodworth to the remote location to end their relationship, and when the confrontation escalated, she carried out the planned attack.

4. A Life Sentence with a 50-Year Non-Parole Period

In October 2019, Ezra McCandless was found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide. In February 2020, Judge James M. Peterson sentenced her to life in prison. The judge stipulated that McCandless would not be eligible for extended supervision (parole) for 50 years. During her sentencing, McCandless offered a tearful apology to Woodworth's family, which was met with skepticism given her actions immediately following the murder.

5. The Wisconsin Court of Appeals Denied Her 2025 Appeal

In the most recent and significant development, Ezra McCandless's post-conviction legal efforts have been definitively rejected. Following her sentencing, McCandless pursued an appeal, primarily arguing that she received "ineffective counsel" during her trial. This claim is a common basis for new trial requests in criminal appeals.

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However, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, in an opinion filed in September 2025, denied her appeal for a new trial. This ruling confirms the original verdict and sentence, meaning McCandless will continue to serve her life sentence at the Taycheedah Correctional Facility. The denial marks a major legal roadblock for McCandless, reinforcing the state's position that justice was served in the murder of Alex Woodworth.

The Enduring Impact of the Eau Claire Tragedy

The murder of Alex Woodworth and the subsequent trial of Ezra McCandless left a lasting scar on the local community and served as a stark example of a relationship turning fatally toxic. The case is frequently cited in true crime media, highlighting the dangers of manipulative behavior and the difficulty of proving self-defense when the evidence points strongly toward premeditation.

For the Woodworth family, the 2025 appeal denial provides a measure of finality, confirming that the person responsible for their loss will remain incarcerated for the foreseeable future. The tragic events of March 2018 in Spring Brook, Wisconsin, continue to resonate, a grim reminder of the lives shattered by first-degree intentional homicide.