Authorities were scrambling for leads when Erin Mulcahy’s body was discovered at her apartment in Waynesfield, Ohio, in July 2017. Biological evidence and witness accounts eventually led them to her ex-husband.
‘The Murder Tapes: Smokescreen,’ a documentary on Investigation Discovery, focuses on how the police tracked down Brent Williams and the criminal prosecution that followed. So, if you’re interested in learning more about this case, we’ve got you covered.
Erin Mulcahy’s Cause of Death
Erin M Mulcahy is an Ohio native who graduated from high school in 2000. During her scholastic years, the 35-year-old was a competitive athlete. Erin was a major admirer of prominent sitcoms like ‘Friends‘ and ‘Seinfeld,’ in addition to being a pet lover.’ They had been estranged at the time of the incident, despite her marriage to Brent Williams in April 2016. The last time Erin was contacted was on July 5, 2017.
On July 8, 2017, investigators were brought to Erin’s apartment in Waynesfield after receiving a 911 call. Erin was found naked in the bathtub under a running shower when the landlord called.
She appeared to have been deceased for some time. The flat had no traces of forced entry, and the authorities didn’t believe there was any foul play at first. However, an autopsy found Erin had been strangled, and there were traces of sexual assault, making the case a homicide.
Who Killed Erin Mulcahy and Why?
Erin had been suffering from alcoholism for more than a decade and was prone to seizures, according to the authorities. While a tox screen revealed no alcohol, she did have low amounts of diazepam, an anxiety medicine. She had previously threatened suicide and was transported to the local hospital.
Brent and Erin had an on-again, off-again relationship, and things had gotten so bad in the months preceding up to Erin’s death that Brent moved out of the flat and filed for divorce.
Brent claimed to have last seen Erin roughly six days before the landlord discovered her death when questioned. On July 6, 2017, he admitted to being in the flat to pick up a few things. Brent claimed he could hear his estranged wife’s shower running but left without calling her.
“She was trying to quit drinking,” he said in an interview with the police, implying that Erin had a seizure. She desired my return. I would have gotten her on her side if I had been there when she had that seizure.”
However, Erin’s face and throat had some bruises, according to the autopsy. Strangulation seems to be the cause of the injuries. Brent’s sperm was also discovered within Erin’s body.
People who had casual connections with Erin and Brent testified at the trial, and their testimony was crucial. Chris Sexton, who met Erin through an online dating site, claims they had intercourse on July 3, 2017, at her home.
Then there were the testimonies of a number of Brent’s female acquaintances. Tiffany Reynolds met Brent three weeks after Erin’s death over the internet. They exchanged some racy images, according to her, and when they met in person, Brent discussed his wife’s death and a $25,000 insurance policy he had taken out in her name. “He stated (Erin) drank herself to death,” Tiffany said, “but it didn’t seem like her death hurt him much.”
Ruth Oelke stated that after learning of Brent’s marriage, she stopped communicating with him, but on July 7, 2017, he called her. Ruth claimed Brent told her he hadn’t married anymore when she indicated she couldn’t see him because of his marital status.
Sandra Ball, another lady, claimed Brent visited her on July 7, 2017, the day Erin was discovered dead. Brent was “not his usual self,” she claimed.
What happened to Brent Williams and Where is He Now?
Brent Williams had forfeited his right to a jury trial, which meant the matter was determined by a judge. Brent remained adamant about his innocence throughout the trial. A pathologist testified for the defence, contradicting the idea that Erin died from strangling; the doctor said that she most likely died from a seizure.
Despite this, Brent was found guilty of Erin’s murder in June 2019. “I am not guilty of these charges,” he told the judge when he was 46 years old. This isn’t something I did. I’m sorry if you thought I was the one who did it.” Brent was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison as a result of his actions. He is still detained at the Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution in Lima, Ohio, according to records. In May 2034, Brent will be eligible for parole.
