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Mysterious Death: Brent Brand
In the summer of 1986, 18-year-old Brent Brand attended a party in Vincennes, Indiana — 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 wasn’t just an investigation… it became a witch hunt. Over 30 witnesses were named — including police officers. Brent’s 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.
🎧 Listen now
📚 Sources for “The Final Trace: Brent Brand”
- The Advocate “Antigay Hate Is Nothing New in Indiana” https://www.advocate.com/current-issue/2016/5/02/antigay-hate-nothing-new-indiana
- J. Patrick Redmond – Some Go Hungry Fictional novel inspired by Brent Brand’s 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 (1986–1988) Evansville Courier & Press, Vincennes Sun-Commercial, and other local outlets reporting on Brent’s death, the grand jury investigation, and Leyendecker’s legal proceedings.
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By OdieStew ProductionIn the summer of 1986, 18-year-old Brent Brand attended a party in Vincennes, Indiana — 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 wasn’t just an investigation… it became a witch hunt. Over 30 witnesses were named — including police officers. Brent’s 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.
🎧 Listen now
📚 Sources for “The Final Trace: Brent Brand”
- The Advocate “Antigay Hate Is Nothing New in Indiana” https://www.advocate.com/current-issue/2016/5/02/antigay-hate-nothing-new-indiana
- J. Patrick Redmond – Some Go Hungry Fictional novel inspired by Brent Brand’s 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 (1986–1988) Evansville Courier & Press, Vincennes Sun-Commercial, and other local outlets reporting on Brent’s death, the grand jury investigation, and Leyendecker’s legal proceedings.