On March 22, 2018, a brutal murder shocked the small town of Spring Brook, Wisconsin, when 24-year-old Alex Woodworth was found stabbed 16 times in his ex-girlfriend's car. The killer was Ezra McCandless, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2020 for the murder. What drove this 20-year-old woman with no history of violence to commit such a heinous crime? The answer lies in a complex web of relationships, obsession, and a desperate attempt to win back the love of another man.
Quick Facts/Summary Box
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Alex Woodworth, 24 years old |
| Perpetrator | Ezra McCandless (born Monica Kay), 20 years old |
| Date of Murder | March 22, 2018 |
| Location | Spring Brook, Wisconsin |
| Weapon | Knife from McCandless's father's house |
| Number of Stab Wounds | 16 (head, neck, groin, and torso) |
| Motive | To win back ex-boyfriend Jason Mengel |
| Sentence | Life in prison with parole eligibility after 50 years |
| Current Status | Appeal for new trial denied (2023) |
Why Ezra McCandless Killed Alex Woodworth?
The primary motive behind Ezra McCandless's murder of Alex Woodworth was her obsessive desire to reunite with her ex-boyfriend Jason Mengel. Prosecutors knew that the case boiled down to whether jurors would believe Ezra McCandless was a brave victim fighting off her attacker or a desperate liar playing a master con. The evidence overwhelmingly pointed to the latter.
McCandless believed that by portraying herself as a victim of assault, she could gain Mengel's sympathy and win him back. "The day before Alex's murder, she sent over 600 messages to Jason, and during that time frame, she was begging to get back together with him," Ryan Prock, an Eau Claire police officer, explained. Her plan was to eliminate Woodworth, who she saw as an obstacle to her reunion with Mengel, while simultaneously making herself appear as a victim who needed Mengel's protection and care.
The prosecution presented clear evidence of premeditation. Prosecutors claim McCandless stabbed Woodworth sixteen times on March 22, 2018, to rid herself of the inner turmoil of having multiple affairs and an abortion. She had wanted Woodworth to help her get back with Mengel by downplaying their affair, but when he refused, she resorted to violence.
The Complex Love Triangle
The tragic story began in the summer of 2017 when 19-year-old Ezra McCandless met 33-year-old Jason Mengel at a coffee shop in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Despite their significant age gap, the two quickly fell in love and moved in together. Their relationship took a dramatic turn when they befriended Alex Woodworth, a 24-year-old barista and aspiring philosophy professor who worked at their favorite coffee shop.
Jason Mengel: I kind of pushed them together at one time, because I knew they both had similar viewpoints … he had some things in his life that I figured she could help him with, and I thought that he could help her with things in her life. This well-intentioned introduction would prove fatal. McCandless and Woodworth developed a secret romantic relationship behind Mengel's back, creating what District Attorney Andrea Nodolf called "not even a love triangle — it was a love square", referring to McCandless's involvement with multiple men.
The relationship dynamics became increasingly complicated when McCandless became pregnant and had an abortion, which deeply affected her emotionally. After Mengel discovered the affair between McCandless and Woodworth, all three relationships fell apart. McCandless, desperate to salvage her relationship with Mengel, began concocting increasingly elaborate schemes to win him back.
Timeline of Events Leading to Murder
March 1, 2018
McCandless filed a sexual assault complaint against one of Mengel's friends, claiming she had been raped. However, police investigation revealed contradictory evidence, including suggestive text messages McCandless had sent to the alleged attacker. The charges were eventually dropped when Woodworth confirmed to police that the encounter was consensual.
March 21, 2018
"The day before Alex's murder, she sent over 600 messages to Jason, and during that time frame, she was begging to get back together with him". These messages revealed her desperate state of mind and obsession with reuniting with Mengel.
March 22, 2018 - Day of the Murder
Morning: McCandless turned up unannounced and saw ex-boyfriend Jason Mengel at Racy D'Lenes Coffee Lounge in Eau Claire. Security footage showed her appearing agitated. She told Mengel she was planning to show Woodworth some of her writings and "take back her life."
Afternoon: McCandless went to Woodworth's house, claiming she had items to return. Mengel, sensing something was wrong, followed her on his bicycle. He found her car outside with the engine running and waited, growing increasingly concerned. A passerby noticed Mengel pacing nervously and called the police.
1:05 PM: Police arrived and spoke with all three individuals. Finding no immediate danger, they left the scene. This would be the last time Woodworth was seen alive.
4:15 PM: McCandless knocked on the door of dairy farmer Don Sipple, in Spring Brook, near Eau Claire. She was covered in mud, blood and bruises, and barefoot. She claimed to be a victim of assault.
March 23, 2018
Officers saw footprints in the mud on the ground. They then found Woodworth's body hanging out of the back of McCandless's 2003 Chevy Impala on a dirt road, near the farmhouse. The car was stuck in the mud.
April 6, 2018
Two weeks after Alex Woodworth was found dead, on April 6, 2018, McCandless was arrested and charged with first-degree intentional homicide.
The Crime Scene and Evidence
The forensic evidence contradicted McCandless's claims of self-defense in multiple ways:
Location of Blood Evidence: McCandless claimed that Woodworth had attacked her in the back seat of her car, however most of the blood evidence at the scene was found outside of the car. This suggested the attack occurred differently than she described.
The "BOY" Carving: The most distinctive and bizarre element of the case was the word "boy" scratched into Ezra's left forearm. McCandless initially claimed Woodworth had carved it during the attack, supposedly mocking her gender identity issues from high school. However, She claimed he had also carved 'BOY' into her arm, which she later admitted was her own doing.
Self-Inflicted Wounds: Dr. Tillotson, who had treated McCandless in the ER and assessed her injuries, testified that her knife wounds appeared to have the characteristics of self-inflicted wounds. This medical testimony was crucial in undermining her self-defense claim.
The Murder Weapon: The knife used to kill Woodworth was confirmed to be from McCandless's father's house. Her father, Joshane, stated at the trial he had previously given his daughter knives. This proved premeditation rather than a spontaneous act of self-defense.
Stolen Phone: McCandless took Woodworth's phone when she left the scene. The prosecution alleged this was to leave him no means of being able to contact anyone, had he been able to. This action suggested consciousness of guilt rather than self-defense.
McCandless's Changing Story
One of the most damaging aspects of McCandless's defense was her constantly evolving narrative:
Initial Claim: She first told police she couldn't remember what happened and directed them to Owen Park in Eau Claire, away from the actual crime scene.
After Body Discovery: In a recorded interview, after Dunn County officers told her that they had found her car and Alex's body, she eventually said that he had attacked her.
Contradictory Versions: Her account of how she obtained the knife changed dramatically. She initially stated "And I cut my hand, because I kept trying to grab him. And then I finally got free, and I finally got the knife away from him". She later said at the trial, "I decided then to knee him in the groin, and he drops the knife at that point. Instantly, I grab the knife. I started stabbing him anywhere and everywhere I could".
The Trial and Conviction
The trial started on October 15, 2019, at the Dunn County Judicial Center, 18 months after the stabbing. The prosecution, led by District Attorney Andrea Nodolf, presented a compelling case that McCandless had murdered Woodworth as part of a calculated plan to win back Jason Mengel.
During the trial, McCandless's behavior drew significant attention. "She just seemed at times to be enjoying it. There were times on the witness stand where she was smiling or joking," said Jason Mengel, also an ex-boyfriend. She changed her appearance daily and seemed to treat the proceedings as a performance rather than a murder trial.
One particularly telling moment occurred when Mengel testified. McCandless wore a pink jacket, which he identified as part of his testimony. During a break, she removed it to reveal a green sweater underneath - the same sweater Mengel had given her in the hospital after the attack. "It was deliberate," Mengel told her. "[Ezra] definitely wore that to get a response outta me".
On November 1, 2019, McCandless was convicted of first degree intentional homicide in the stabbing death of 24-year-old Woodworth. The jury deliberated for only three hours before reaching their verdict.
Sentencing and Aftermath
On February 7, 2020, McCandless was sentenced to life in prison, with eligibility for parole after 50 years, for the first-degree intentional homicide of Alex Woodworth. She will be 72 years old when she becomes eligible for parole in 2070.
The victim's family spoke powerfully at sentencing. Alex's uncle, Dale Hall, stated that "Ezra shows no remorse for what she's done". The family also revealed that Alex's grandfather had suffered a heart attack following the case.
In contrast, McCandless's mother, Roselenna Gunelson, pleaded with the court to grant her daughter the possibility to petition for parole after 20 years. The judge ultimately sided with the prosecution's recommendation.
Failed Appeals and Current Status
McCandless has continued to maintain her innocence and has pursued legal appeals:
- 2023: A Dunn County judge said the defense team in the case was very knowledgeable and said there was a large amount of evidence presented, and denied a new trial
- December 2023: Lawyers for McCandless are taking the case to the state appeals court
Her appeals have focused on claims that her trial was compromised and that her police interviews were improperly conducted. However, courts have consistently upheld her conviction.
Different Perspectives and Debates
While the jury unanimously found McCandless guilty, the case raised several debated issues:
Gender Identity: McCandless's fluid gender identity and name changes (from Monica Kay to Ezra McCandless) became a focal point. She chose the name Ezra, inspired by Chris McCandless from "Into the Wild," and the "BOY" carving reflected her complicated relationship with gender identity.
Mental Health: Some argued that McCandless's behavior indicated mental health issues that weren't adequately addressed. Her dramatic personality changes, compulsive lying, and the elaborate nature of her scheme suggested deeper psychological problems.
Age Gap Relationships: The significant age difference between McCandless (19) and Mengel (33) when they began dating raised questions about power dynamics and emotional maturity in their relationship.
Media Coverage: McCandless herself criticized what she called "prejudicial media" in a statement she issued after her conviction, claiming she was unfairly portrayed regardless of her actions.
The Lasting Impact
The murder of Alex Woodworth serves as a tragic reminder of how obsessive relationships and unchecked mental health issues can lead to devastating consequences. John Woodworth: …he loved the unlovely. He loved bugs. And he loved spiders. … His thing was to find stuff that people didn't care for, and make sure that they were taken care of. Alex's compassionate nature, which led him to try to help McCandless, ultimately cost him his life.
The case also highlighted the dangers of manipulation and the lengths to which someone might go to control a narrative. McCandless's attempt to stage an elaborate crime scene and paint herself as a victim ultimately failed due to diligent police work and forensic evidence.
For the families involved, the tragedy continues to reverberate. As Alex's mother stated at sentencing, "Multiple times a day, I wish that Alex and Ezra never met each other. I truly feel that no one wins in this case".
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Ezra McCandless's motive for killing Alex Woodworth?
Ezra McCandless killed Alex Woodworth in a desperate attempt to win back her ex-boyfriend Jason Mengel. She believed that by eliminating Woodworth and portraying herself as a victim of assault, she could gain Mengel's sympathy and reunite with him. The day before the murder, she had sent over 600 messages to Mengel begging him to take her back.
How many times did Ezra McCandless stab Alex Woodworth?
Alex Woodworth was stabbed 16 times in the head, neck, groin and torso. The brutal nature of the attack contradicted McCandless's claims of self-defense and suggested a crime of passion and rage.
What was the significance of the word "BOY" carved into Ezra McCandless's arm?
The word "BOY" carved into McCandless's forearm was initially claimed to be done by Woodworth during the attack, supposedly mocking her gender identity issues. However, she later admitted to carving it herself as part of her attempt to stage the crime scene and appear as a victim. Medical testimony confirmed the wounds appeared self-inflicted.
What sentence did Ezra McCandless receive?
McCandless was sentenced to life in prison, with eligibility for parole after 50 years. She was sentenced on February 7, 2020, meaning she will not be eligible for parole until 2070, when she will be 72 years old.
Did Ezra McCandless show remorse for her crime?
According to testimony at sentencing, McCandless showed no genuine remorse. Her behavior during the trial, including smiling and joking on the witness stand, suggested she was more concerned with her performance than the gravity of her crime. She maintained her innocence and claimed self-defense throughout.
Has Ezra McCandless appealed her conviction?
Yes, McCandless has pursued multiple appeals. In November 2023, a Dunn County judge denied her request for a new trial. As of December 2023, her lawyers were taking the case to the state appeals court, but her conviction has been consistently upheld.
What happened to Jason Mengel after the murder?
Jason Mengel testified at McCandless's trial and was clearly traumatized by the events. He described feeling manipulated by McCandless and expressed shock at her behavior during the trial, particularly when she wore clothing he had given her in an apparent attempt to elicit a response from him.
Sources and Further Reading
The tragic case of Ezra McCandless and Alex Woodworth has been extensively documented through court proceedings, police investigations, and media coverage. For those seeking to understand more about this case and similar crimes of passion, resources include court transcripts from the Dunn County Judicial Center, investigative reports from the Eau Claire Police Department, and coverage from major news outlets that followed the trial.
The case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsessive relationships and the importance of mental health awareness in preventing such tragedies.
Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.