Episode 227: Joel Kirkpatrick | Screams in the Night

Episode 227: Joel Kirkpatrick | Screams in the Night

From True Crime Couple by True Crime Couple

March 22, 2026 · 1h 48m

About this episode

The episode discusses the tragic case of Joel Kirkpatrick, who was attacked in his home, and the ensuing investigation that raised questions about the true identity of his attacker.

Two screams pierced the silent, unseasonably warm and windy night of October 13, 1997 in Lawrenceville, Illinois. The first, was that of 10 year old Joel Kirkpatrick as he desperately sought help against the person who had entered his room in the black of night and had attacked him with a knife. The second scream was that of his mother’s as she ran to her neighbors house and pounded on their door desperately seeking help. She begged for them to open up. “They’ve got Joel”, she bellowed into the closed door, “They took Joel.” Once the shock of what had happened settled, and the years went on the question that lingered was whether or not the person that hurt Joel was the least likeliest suspect or the dangerous stranger that had rolled into town with that warm wind. Trigger warning: violence against a child Sources: https://www.greatnorthinnocenceproject.org/news/bloodstain-pattern-analysis-another-subjective-science-convicting-innocent-people/ https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2004/06/26/court-overturns-rea-convictio/118184118/ https://www.uis.edu/illinoisinnocenceproject/julie-rea…

People in this episode

Host: True Crime Couple

Topics covered

  • child violence
  • true crime
  • wrongful conviction
  • murder case
  • justice system

Keywords

  • Joel Kirkpatrick
  • Julie Rea
  • Lawrenceville
  • murder
  • wrongful conviction
  • true crime
  • October 13, 1997

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Lawrenceville, Illinois

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