Meyers-Snyder Murders
Double Homicide of Minors
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Elfrida, Arizona
TIME PERIOD
July 8, 1991
VICTIMS
2 confirmed
On July 8, 1991, in Elfrida, Arizona, two 13-year-old girls, Mandy Meyers and Mary Snyder, were abducted from a Fourth of July weekend fair by Richard Dale Stokley, 38, and Randy Ellis Brazeal, 19. The girls were lured under the pretense of going to the restroom, taken to a remote location, raped, and subsequently murdered to prevent them from reporting the crimes. Stokley and Brazeal were arrested shortly after the incident, with Stokley later convicted of first-degree murder and executed by lethal injection on December 5, 2012, while Brazeal pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was released in 2011 after serving 20 years. The case remains a significant point of trauma for the Elfrida community, which raised funds for the victims' funerals.
Richard Dale Stokley is believed to have been the primary perpetrator behind the abduction and murders, with some speculation that he may have had prior knowledge of the girls or their routines. There are theories that suggest Stokley and Brazeal may have targeted the girls due to their vulnerability during the fair, and some community members believe there could be additional unsolved cases linked to Stokley's violent history. Additionally, there are ongoing discussions about the adequacy of the investigation and whether more could have been done to prevent the crime or identify other potential suspects.
The Tragedy in Elfrida: The Meyers-Snyder Murders
A Day at the Fair
On a warm summer day in Elfrida, Arizona, July 8, 1991, the town was bustling with the excitement of a Fourth of July weekend fair. Among the crowd were two 13-year-old friends, Mandy Meyers and Mary Snyder. Born just months apart—Mandy on March 20, 1978, and Mary on January 20, 1978—these young girls had their lives tragically cut short on the same day they had gathered to enjoy the festivities. The two girls, both students with bright futures ahead, vanished from the fairgrounds after telling a friend they were heading to the restroom. They would never return.
Lured by Familiar Faces
The disappearance of Mandy and Mary was not a random act of violence. It was a premeditated plan carried out by two men: Richard Dale Stokley, a 38-year-old who had been working as a stuntman at the fair, and Randy Ellis Brazeal, a 19-year-old who had once dated Mandy's older sister. Using their familiarity and trust, Stokley and Brazeal lured the girls away from the fairgrounds to a remote area. There, the heinous acts unfolded as they raped and then murdered the girls to silence them, ensuring there would be no witnesses to their crime.
The Discovery and Arrests
The following day, Randy Brazeal turned himself and his car over to the police in Chandler, while Richard Stokley was apprehended in Benson. The small community of Elfrida was rocked by the news. The bodies of the girls were discovered in a partly flooded mine shaft, bringing an end to the desperate search efforts but marking the beginning of a lengthy legal ordeal.
In the wake of the tragedy, the community rallied together, raising over $5,200 to cover the funeral expenses for Mandy and Mary. The local elementary school was closed for six weeks, during which time counseling was provided to students to help them cope with the traumatic event.
The Legal Battle
The wheels of justice began turning with Brazeal reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors. On November 12, 1991, he admitted to two counts of second-degree murder and received a 20-year sentence, one that would run concurrently without the possibility of parole. This plea deal was made prior to the completion of DNA testing, which prosecutors feared might not conclusively link Brazeal to the crimes. However, later results indeed confirmed his involvement, as DNA from both Brazeal and Stokley was found on the victims.
Richard Stokley's trial commenced on March 12, 1992, at the Cochise County Superior Court. By March 27, the jury found him guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and sexual misconduct with a minor under 15. He was acquitted on three other charges of sexual misconduct.
The families of the victims watched as justice took its course. Snyder's sister openly demanded the death penalty for Stokley, a sentiment echoed by the jury foreman. On July 14, 1992, Stokley was sentenced to death by Judge Matthew Borowiec.
The Long Road to Execution
Stokley's journey through the appellate system was extensive. His appeal against the death sentence was rejected by the Arizona Supreme Court on June 27, 1995. Subsequent appeals were dismissed by federal courts, including the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which twice denied his petitions in 2011 and 2012.
As the end of his appellate process approached, Stokley's execution was set for December 5, 2012. Despite last-minute efforts by his attorneys to argue that his accomplice, Brazeal, had been released after serving his sentence, and thus his own execution was unjust, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the appeal on December 4, 2012.
The Final Act
On December 5, 2012, Richard Dale Stokley was executed by lethal injection at Florence State Prison. Before his death, he expressed some regret but chose not to apologize to the families of Mandy and Mary. His last meal consisted of a Porterhouse steak, various sides, and chocolate ice cream. He was pronounced dead at 11:12 a.m.
The response to Stokley's execution was mixed. Mandy's mother called him a coward for not facing the families, while Mary's sister mourned the life experiences her sister would never have. Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne stated that justice had finally been served, hoping it would bring some peace to the families.
Randy Brazeal's Life Post-Release
Randy Brazeal was released on July 2, 2011, after completing his 20-year sentence. He returned to Arkansas, where he was originally from. In 2014, he was arrested for a minor offense of public urination, resulting in a 70-day jail sentence and a $700 fine.
Remembering the Victims
The tragic events of July 1991 left an indelible mark on the small community of Elfrida. The memory of Mandy Meyers and Mary Snyder lives on as a sobering reminder of the senseless violence that claimed their young lives.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Meyers-Snyder Murders
Mandy Meyers and Mary Snyder, both 13, are abducted, raped, and murdered by Richard Stokley and Randy Brazeal.
Arrests Made
Randy Brazeal surrenders to police, and Richard Stokley is arrested shortly after.
Brazeal Sentenced
Randy Brazeal pleads guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and is sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Stokley Convicted
Richard Stokley is found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and other charges.
Stokley Sentenced to Death
Richard Stokley is sentenced to death for the murders of Mandy Meyers and Mary Snyder.
Death Warrant Signed
The Arizona Supreme Court signs the death warrant for Richard Stokley, scheduling his execution.
Final Appeal Denied
The U.S. Supreme Court dismisses Stokley's final appeal the day before his execution.
Stokley Executed
Richard Stokley is executed by lethal injection at Florence State Prison.
Brazeal Released
Randy Brazeal is released from prison after serving his 20-year sentence.
On July 8, 1991, in Elfrida, Arizona, two 13-year-old girls, Mandy Meyers and Mary Snyder, were abducted from a Fourth of July weekend fair by Richard Dale Stokley, 38, and Randy Ellis Brazeal, 19. The girls were lured under the pretense of going to the restroom, taken to a remote location, raped, and subsequently murdered to prevent them from reporting the crimes. Stokley and Brazeal were arrested shortly after the incident, with Stokley later convicted of first-degree murder and executed by lethal injection on December 5, 2012, while Brazeal pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was released in 2011 after serving 20 years. The case remains a significant point of trauma for the Elfrida community, which raised funds for the victims' funerals.
Richard Dale Stokley is believed to have been the primary perpetrator behind the abduction and murders, with some speculation that he may have had prior knowledge of the girls or their routines. There are theories that suggest Stokley and Brazeal may have targeted the girls due to their vulnerability during the fair, and some community members believe there could be additional unsolved cases linked to Stokley's violent history. Additionally, there are ongoing discussions about the adequacy of the investigation and whether more could have been done to prevent the crime or identify other potential suspects.
The Tragedy in Elfrida: The Meyers-Snyder Murders
A Day at the Fair
On a warm summer day in Elfrida, Arizona, July 8, 1991, the town was bustling with the excitement of a Fourth of July weekend fair. Among the crowd were two 13-year-old friends, Mandy Meyers and Mary Snyder. Born just months apart—Mandy on March 20, 1978, and Mary on January 20, 1978—these young girls had their lives tragically cut short on the same day they had gathered to enjoy the festivities. The two girls, both students with bright futures ahead, vanished from the fairgrounds after telling a friend they were heading to the restroom. They would never return.
Lured by Familiar Faces
The disappearance of Mandy and Mary was not a random act of violence. It was a premeditated plan carried out by two men: Richard Dale Stokley, a 38-year-old who had been working as a stuntman at the fair, and Randy Ellis Brazeal, a 19-year-old who had once dated Mandy's older sister. Using their familiarity and trust, Stokley and Brazeal lured the girls away from the fairgrounds to a remote area. There, the heinous acts unfolded as they raped and then murdered the girls to silence them, ensuring there would be no witnesses to their crime.
The Discovery and Arrests
The following day, Randy Brazeal turned himself and his car over to the police in Chandler, while Richard Stokley was apprehended in Benson. The small community of Elfrida was rocked by the news. The bodies of the girls were discovered in a partly flooded mine shaft, bringing an end to the desperate search efforts but marking the beginning of a lengthy legal ordeal.
In the wake of the tragedy, the community rallied together, raising over $5,200 to cover the funeral expenses for Mandy and Mary. The local elementary school was closed for six weeks, during which time counseling was provided to students to help them cope with the traumatic event.
The Legal Battle
The wheels of justice began turning with Brazeal reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors. On November 12, 1991, he admitted to two counts of second-degree murder and received a 20-year sentence, one that would run concurrently without the possibility of parole. This plea deal was made prior to the completion of DNA testing, which prosecutors feared might not conclusively link Brazeal to the crimes. However, later results indeed confirmed his involvement, as DNA from both Brazeal and Stokley was found on the victims.
Richard Stokley's trial commenced on March 12, 1992, at the Cochise County Superior Court. By March 27, the jury found him guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and sexual misconduct with a minor under 15. He was acquitted on three other charges of sexual misconduct.
The families of the victims watched as justice took its course. Snyder's sister openly demanded the death penalty for Stokley, a sentiment echoed by the jury foreman. On July 14, 1992, Stokley was sentenced to death by Judge Matthew Borowiec.
The Long Road to Execution
Stokley's journey through the appellate system was extensive. His appeal against the death sentence was rejected by the Arizona Supreme Court on June 27, 1995. Subsequent appeals were dismissed by federal courts, including the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which twice denied his petitions in 2011 and 2012.
As the end of his appellate process approached, Stokley's execution was set for December 5, 2012. Despite last-minute efforts by his attorneys to argue that his accomplice, Brazeal, had been released after serving his sentence, and thus his own execution was unjust, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the appeal on December 4, 2012.
The Final Act
On December 5, 2012, Richard Dale Stokley was executed by lethal injection at Florence State Prison. Before his death, he expressed some regret but chose not to apologize to the families of Mandy and Mary. His last meal consisted of a Porterhouse steak, various sides, and chocolate ice cream. He was pronounced dead at 11:12 a.m.
The response to Stokley's execution was mixed. Mandy's mother called him a coward for not facing the families, while Mary's sister mourned the life experiences her sister would never have. Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne stated that justice had finally been served, hoping it would bring some peace to the families.
Randy Brazeal's Life Post-Release
Randy Brazeal was released on July 2, 2011, after completing his 20-year sentence. He returned to Arkansas, where he was originally from. In 2014, he was arrested for a minor offense of public urination, resulting in a 70-day jail sentence and a $700 fine.
Remembering the Victims
The tragic events of July 1991 left an indelible mark on the small community of Elfrida. The memory of Mandy Meyers and Mary Snyder lives on as a sobering reminder of the senseless violence that claimed their young lives.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Meyers-Snyder Murders
Mandy Meyers and Mary Snyder, both 13, are abducted, raped, and murdered by Richard Stokley and Randy Brazeal.
Arrests Made
Randy Brazeal surrenders to police, and Richard Stokley is arrested shortly after.
Brazeal Sentenced
Randy Brazeal pleads guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and is sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Stokley Convicted
Richard Stokley is found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and other charges.
Stokley Sentenced to Death
Richard Stokley is sentenced to death for the murders of Mandy Meyers and Mary Snyder.
Death Warrant Signed
The Arizona Supreme Court signs the death warrant for Richard Stokley, scheduling his execution.
Final Appeal Denied
The U.S. Supreme Court dismisses Stokley's final appeal the day before his execution.
Stokley Executed
Richard Stokley is executed by lethal injection at Florence State Prison.
Brazeal Released
Randy Brazeal is released from prison after serving his 20-year sentence.