In the summer of 1986, 18-year-old Brent Brand attended a party in Vincennes, Indiana â and never made it home. Eight days later, his body was found face down in a drainage ditch across state lines. No visible injuries. No clear cause of death.A Priest had the answers... But would he talk?What followed wasnât just an investigation⊠it became a witch hunt. Over 30 witnesses were named â including police officers. Brentâs mother spent the rest of her life fighting for answers she never got.This is the case that haunts a town.And the silence still speaks volumes.đ§ Listen nowđ Sources for âThe Final Trace: Brent BrandâThe Advocate âAntigay Hate Is Nothing New in Indianaâ https://www.advocate.com/current-issue/2016/5/02/antigay-hate-nothing-new-indianaJ. Patrick Redmond â Some Go Hungry Fictional novel inspired by Brent Brandâs case and growing up gay in Vincennes, Indiana.Indiana Court Records (Knox County archives and public filings related to the obstruction of justice charges against James Leyendecker)Illinois & Indiana News Archives (1986â1988) Evansville Courier & Press, Vincennes Sun-Commercial, and other local outlets reporting on Brentâs death, the grand jury investigation, and Leyendeckerâs legal proceedings.
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In the summer of 1986, 18-year-old Brent Brand attended a party in Vincennes, Indiana â and never made it home. Eight days later, his body was found face down in a drainage ditch across state lines. No visible injuries. No clear cause of death.A Priest had the answers... But would he talk?What followed wasnât just an investigation⊠it became a witch hunt. Over 30 witnesses were named â including police officers. Brentâs mother spent the rest of her life fighting for answers she never got.This is...