Investigation Discovery hosts a vigil for the Bakerfield 3, which includes Baylee Despot, Micah Holsonbake, and James Kulstad, three friends from Bakersfield, California. The trio went missing or were murdered within one month of each other in the spring of 2018.
In 2022, Baylee’s ex-boyfriend, Matthew Queen, was convicted of second-degree murder in relation to Micah’s death. The mothers of the Bakersfield 3 continue to seek answers, with Jane Parrent, Cheryl Holsonbake, and Diane “Di” Byrne conducting their own investigations and sharing leads.
The Bakersfield 3 and their mothers are the focus of ID’s docuseries “The Bakersfield 3: A Tale of Murder and Motherhood.” The 2023 podcast “The Bakersfield Three” sheds further light on their story. The true crime series debuted on Max on May 11, based on Marie Claire’s 2022 feature, “Of Murder and Motherhood.”
The friends comprising the Bakersfield 3 are Baylee Despot, Micah Holsonbake, and James Kulstad. Micah, a veteran, struggled with addiction after surgery in 2003, while James, an inventor, battled addiction before his tragic death. Baylee, who remains missing, faced challenges after a car accident and marital issues.
Micah was last seen on March 23, 2018, with his remains later found in the Kern River. Baylee disappeared on April 24, 2018, leaving behind unanswered questions and a troubling mystery.
Jane recognized Queen as the person who dropped them off, but confessed, “I love her, but I cannot be with her.” The Bakersfield Three podcast revealed this information from security footage. The Kern Secret Witness program is offering a reward of $16,000 for details about Baylee’s disappearance, and $10,000 each for information regarding James’ death and Micah’s disappearance and death. NBC News reported that Baylee Despot and Matthew Queen were charged with a series of crimes, including murder and torture, in May 2020. They were accused of tormenting and killing Micah in March 2018, then dismembering him over a dispute involving a missing firearm. Matthew Vandecasteele, a friend of Queen, faced charges of kidnapping and conspiracy. Vandecasteele pleaded guilty in 2021 and agreed to testify in exchange for a four-year prison sentence. Queen was ordered to stand trial on 34 charges in May 2021, including murder and torture. He admitted to dismembering a body and spreading the remains in Kern County, assembling illegal rifles, and making disturbing remarks. Queen was convicted on 24 counts in May 2022 and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, plus an additional 56 years. He denied involvement in Micah’s death and Baylee’s disappearance. The mothers of the Bakersfield 3 united to conduct their own investigations following the disappearances or deaths of their children. Di, one of the mothers, expressed that their instincts signaled something was amiss. They connected James and Micah through shared hangouts and learned about Baylee’s disappearance from Micah’s acquaintances.
In order to address the disappearances of their adult children seriously, three concerned mothers collaborated, shared information, and pursued leads together. They even raised money to support search and rescue operations, as reported by Marie Claire. Recognizing the pattern of common names among their children’s friends, they realized the importance of connecting the dots within their social circles. This sense of unity made them realize they were stronger together, as Jane mentioned to Marie Claire.
The mothers of the Bakersfield 3, Cheryl Holsonbake, Diane “Di” Byrne, and Jane Parrent, have remained dedicated to solving their cases and similar ones since their children went missing or passed away. In April 2019, they established the Bakersfield 3 Charity, a non-profit organization that aids families in locating missing children and supports crime-solving initiatives in Kern County, with proceeds benefiting the Kern Secret Witness Program.
Sadly, Di passed away on April 23, 2024, due to ovarian cancer at the age of 68. She left behind her husband, six children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Despite not knowing who was responsible for her son James’s death at the time of her passing, Di’s friend Jane vowed to continue seeking justice for him, promising to uphold her commitment even on Di’s deathbed.
Jane and Cheryl, the mothers of Micah and Baylee, respectively, persist in their quest for answers. Jane regularly updates the Bakersfield 3 Facebook page, sharing memories and seeking information about Baylee. Meanwhile, Cheryl continues to reside in Kern County, actively participating in raising awareness about missing persons cases.
This information was adapted from an article originally published in People magazine.
