Mothers Unearth Dark Truth Behind Missing Children!

During the scorching summer heat, Cheryl Holsonbake drove two hours from her home to Kern County in rural California. She was determined to search the land that looked like a shallow grave, using only her hands. Accompanied by two other mothers seeking answers for their children, Cheryl recalled the emotional journey to Fox News Digital. “We took shovels and combed the area looking for my son,” she said. “I believed that if I searched with my own hands, I could bring him back to his family. That’s what we did on weekends.”

Cheryl Holsonbake, along with her son Micah Holsonbake, is part of the heartbreaking story known as the “Bakersfield 3.” These cases are intertwined, and the pursuit of truth is the focus of a new true crime docuseries titled “The Bakersfield 3: A Tale of Murder and Motherhood,” premiering on Investigation Discovery [ID]. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Fox News Digital for comment.

The mothers of the “Bakersfield 3” hope that the docuseries, premiering on Mother’s Day, will encourage anyone with information to come forward. “As long as people listen to the story, we’ll keep telling it. It helps our detective,” stated Cheryl Holsonbake. The tragic events began in March 2018 when Micah Holsonbake went missing, followed by the disappearance of Baylee Despot, and the shooting death of James Kulstad, who shared connections with Micah and Baylee.

It was Diane Byrne, who passed away in 2024 after battling ovarian cancer, that made the connection between the cases. She contacted Cheryl to share the link between their sons. The trio of mothers united to seek answers and justice for their children, forming a bond in their shared grief.

Baylee Despot, who knew Micah Holsonbake, went missing shortly after James Kulstad’s death. Jane Parrent, Baylee’s mother, described their last encounter outside a friend’s house before Baylee disappeared. “I gave her a quick hug…I wish I could have held onto her longer,” Parrent tearfully recounted.

The tragic and complex story of the “Bakersfield 3” continues to unfold, shedding light on the enduring bond of the grieving mothers and their relentless pursuit of the truth.

In hindsight, one can never predict what the future holds. On that fateful day, I had the chance to see her, touch her, smell her, and hear her voice.

During the final months, the children faced personal struggles. James, once passionate about surfing, fell into drug addiction after a car accident in 2007 led to opioid prescriptions, as reported by Marie Claire. James Kulstad’s mother revealed that he had associated with Micah Holsonbake, who also battled drug addiction following surgery after serving in the Navy post 9/11 and working as a stockbroker. Baylee was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, survived an overdose, and endured domestic violence in a past relationship. Micah Holsonbake’s mother still carries guilt over their last conversation, where he asked for money and she hung up on him, never speaking to him again.

The mothers, Diane Byrne and others, suspected a connection between the cases and took matters into their own hands due to frustration with the lack of information from the police. They followed up on tips, even posting missing posters daily and investigating suspicious areas themselves. Micah Holsonbake’s father reached out after seeing a missing flyer for Baylee Despot. Despite challenges and heartache, they remained committed to uncovering the truth.

The unsolved murder of James Kulstad in 2018 remains a painful mystery. A woman’s leg, believed to be Baylee’s, was discovered in a Kern County lake. Subsequently, a severed arm was found in a bag, prompting interest in DNA testing from ANDE for quicker results.

The lives of these individuals were marred by addiction, tragedy, and loss. The community, led by resilient mothers, continues to seek justice and closure amidst overwhelming challenges.

In 2018, during the Christmas season, Holsonbake discovered from ANDE that the arm belonged to her son. The following year, Baylee Despot, pictured on the left with her mother, was charged in absentia for Micah Holsonbake’s murder. In 2020, Queen and Baylee were accused of Micah’s kidnapping, torture, and murder by Marie Claire. Investigators believed that Queen and Baylee took Micah to Matthew Vandecasteele’s garage in 2018 to inquire about a firearm that Micah was accused of stealing from Queen. Prior to his disappearance, individuals who knew Micah mentioned to authorities that he had become increasingly fearful of Queen. Some sources indicated that Micah owed drug debts to various individuals. Vandacasteele, who had been interviewed by the police while serving time for other offenses, stated that Queen requested the use of his garage to obtain information from Micah. Allegedly, zip ties were placed on Micah’s arms by Queen and Baylee, and Baylee retrieved a knife from the apartment. Following the incident, Baylee appeared distressed. Mysteriously, Jane Parrent’s missing posters of her daughter, Baylee Despot, were being taken down. Police discovered that Vandecasteele had searched online for ways to dissolve a body just days after Micah’s presumed death. Baylee’s mother disclosed a history of domestic violence. Despite assumptions that the tragic events would drive the mothers apart, they remained supportive of each other. Baylee Despot is still missing. In 2022, Queen was convicted of second-degree murder in Micah’s case and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, plus an additional 56 years. The rest of Micah’s remains have not been located. Another unresolved case involves the killing of James, which authorities do not believe is directly linked to Micah or Baylee. The mothers of the “Bakersfield 3” are urging anyone with information to step forward. Holsonbake emphasized the importance of sharing any tips that could help locate missing loved ones.

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