20 Years Later: The Tragic Story Of Cassie Jo Stoddart And Where Her Boyfriend, Matt Beckham, Is Today
The tragic story of Cassie Jo Stoddart, a 16-year-old high school junior brutally murdered in 2006, continues to resonate with true crime enthusiasts, largely due to the chilling "Scream Killers" motive behind the crime. The most persistent question that arises today, on December 19, 2025, over 19 years after the horrific event, is about the life of the person closest to her that night: her boyfriend, Matt Beckham.
The intense media scrutiny that followed the murder in Pocatello, Idaho, irrevocably changed the lives of everyone involved, especially Matt Beckham, who was the last person to see Cassie alive, excluding her killers. While the perpetrators, Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik, are serving life sentences, Matt Beckham has deliberately chosen a path of extreme privacy. This article delves into the known details of his life at the time of the tragedy, his role in the investigation, and the current status of the man who survived the night that claimed Cassie Jo Stoddart’s life.
Cassie Jo Stoddart: A Brief Biography and Tragic Timeline
Cassie Jo Stoddart, born on December 21, 1989, was a typical American high school student with a bright future ahead of her. She was a junior at Pocatello High School in Pocatello, Idaho, and was known for being a straight-A student who took her studies seriously.
- Victim: Cassie Jo Stoddart
- Date of Birth: December 21, 1989
- Date of Death: September 22, 2006
- Age at Death: 16 years old
- Location: Whispering Cliffs residence, Pocatello, Idaho (Aunt and Uncle’s home)
- Boyfriend at the Time: Matt Beckham
- Perpetrators: Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik (Classmates)
- Motive: "Thrill killing," inspired by the movie *Scream*
The night of the murder, September 22, 2006, Cassie was house-sitting for her aunt and uncle. Her boyfriend, Matt Beckham, joined her at the residence.
Later that evening, Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik, two of Cassie’s classmates, arrived at the house. They were invited inside by Cassie and Matt.
The timeline of the evening is crucial:
- Draper and Adamcik briefly left the house under the pretense of going to a movie, but secretly returned to the house to tamper with the power, plunging the basement into darkness.
- They then hid in a closet in the basement, planning to scare Cassie and Matt.
- Matt Beckham, unaware of the sinister plot, left the house around 11:30 p.m. after his mother, Sherry Beckham, requested he come home.
- Once Matt was gone, the two killers emerged, brutally attacking and stabbing Cassie Jo Stoddart 29 times.
The Private Life of Matt Beckham: Where is Cassie Jo Stoddart's Boyfriend Now?
The question of "Cassie Jo Stoddart boyfriend now" is entirely focused on the life of Matt Beckham, the young man who was with her just moments before the attack. The tragedy left an undeniable mark on his life.
Initial Scrutiny and Clearance
Following the discovery of Cassie’s body, the investigation naturally focused on Matt Beckham as the last person to see her alive, excluding the killers. The police initially treated him as a prime suspect, subjecting him to intense questioning and public scrutiny. This is a common procedure in murder investigations, but for a teenager who had just lost his girlfriend in a horrific manner, it was an immense trauma.
Matt Beckham was quickly cleared of suspicion once police uncovered the damning evidence against Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik, which included a videotape detailing their plan to commit a "thrill killing" and their desire to make a real-life *Scream* movie.
A Deliberate Choice for Privacy
For nearly two decades since the murder, Matt Beckham has maintained a life far removed from the public eye. The most recent and consistent information available suggests that he has made a conscious, understandable decision to pursue a private life.
The overwhelming publicity of the case, the initial suspicion, and the trauma of the event led him to retreat from media attention. He has successfully avoided the spotlight, choosing not to participate in documentaries, interviews, or public discussions about the case.
While the public and true crime community often seek closure or an update on figures connected to such high-profile cases, Matt Beckham’s current whereabouts and professional life are not publicly known. This desire for anonymity is a common response for individuals who have experienced severe trauma and media exposure, allowing them to rebuild their lives away from the painful reminder of the events of 2006.
The "Scream Killers": An Update on Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik
To fully understand the context of the case, it is essential to know the current status of the two individuals responsible for Cassie Jo Stoddart's death: Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik. They were both 16 years old at the time of the murder and were convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
Brian Draper
Brian Draper was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Due to changes in the law regarding juvenile sentencing, his sentence has been reviewed multiple times. In 2017, a judge re-imposed his life sentence, but made it a sentence of life with the possibility of parole after 30 years. However, this decision has been subject to appeals and legal challenges, with the Idaho Supreme Court being involved in subsequent proceedings.
Torey Adamcik
Torey Adamcik also received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Like Draper, his sentence was reviewed and re-imposed as life with the possibility of parole after 30 years. Both Adamcik and Draper remain incarcerated in Idaho state prisons.
The legal battles surrounding their sentences are ongoing, reflecting the complex nature of juvenile sentencing laws in the United States, but as of late 2025, both men are serving their time and have not been released.
The Enduring Legacy of the Cassie Jo Stoddart Case
The murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart remains one of the most chilling examples of a "thrill killing" in modern true crime history. It serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of two teenagers' obsession with violence and horror movies.
While the killers are behind bars, the lives of those who loved Cassie are forever changed. Her family, including her brother Andrew Stoddart, continue to manage the grief and the legacy of her short life. The quiet life chosen by Matt Beckham is his personal way of coping with the trauma of losing his girlfriend in such a senseless and violent way, a decision that deserves respect as he continues his journey toward healing and peace.
Detail Author:
- Name : Aaron Balistreri
- Username : haleigh.funk
- Email : fschuppe@yahoo.com
- Birthdate : 1988-03-01
- Address : 1717 Rylee Harbor Port Zakaryhaven, NV 18673-4451
- Phone : 269-334-8407
- Company : Bernier, Senger and Sanford
- Job : Government
- Bio : Omnis ad voluptatibus odio a corporis id. Voluptas quis rerum praesentium ratione aut. Quis sunt labore ut blanditiis quia odit reiciendis eos. Harum cumque sunt dolor.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/darea
- username : darea
- bio : Eos quia illum unde. Consequuntur eveniet animi et. Sit iste cupiditate saepe aspernatur.
- followers : 463
- following : 2196
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/dare2020
- username : dare2020
- bio : Nihil repellendus corrupti quo dolor omnis ratione.
- followers : 3109
- following : 1223
