Florida Man Friday | Teen Stages Scene, Murders Mother Slaughters Mom’s Boyfriend | Julia Egler

In our Florida Man Friday true crime story, we delve into a case that revolves around Julia Grace Egler, a 16-year-old girl from Palm Bay, Florida, who allegedly murdered her mother, Kelley McCollum, and her mother’s young boyfriend, Matthew Szejnrok. The motives behind this gruesome act? A toxic blend of familial disagreements and personal conflicts.

On the night of July 7, 2024, a frantic 911 call was made by Julia, who claimed that an intruder had broken into their house. She described the intruder as a man of “normal height” who used a “house hammer” to smash a window and gain entry. Julia said she hid in her room with her two dogs, a pit bull and a chihuahua, to protect them from the supposed intruder. However, when the police arrived, they found a scene that contradicted Julia’s story. Blood was everywhere, and a handgun was discovered right outside her bedroom window. Bloody footprints led directly back to Julia’s shoes, and a bloody knife was left on the kitchen counter.

As the police questioned her, Julia’s story began to unravel. She eventually confessed to the murders, stating that she was unhappy with her mother’s lack of acceptance of her gender transition and disapproved of her mother’s relationship with the much younger Matthew. The evidence was overwhelming, including surveillance footage from cameras Julia had forgotten to disable.

Julia’s actions were premeditated. She retrieved a gun and bullets from her mother’s room and a kitchen knife, waiting for her mother and Matthew to return home. When they did, she greeted them with gunfire and stabbing, showing no mercy even as Matthew pleaded for his life. The brutality of the crime was shocking, and Julia’s attempt to stage the scene as a break-in was poorly executed, further incriminating her.

This episode goes into the  Julia’s motives, the forensic evidence that sealed her fate, and the legal proceedings that followed. She was charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder and will be tried as an adult, though she will not face the death penalty.

Want more true crime cases? Listen to this one next!

Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an episode. And if you enjoyed these stories, share them with your friends and family. After all, everyone could use a little bit of Florida craziness in their lives.

And remember, sharing the episode with a friend is a free and easy way to support the show. 

Question: Do you think she should have been charged as a juvenile or as an adult?

Catch this case while you’re here:

🔗 Get involved in the conversation: WhatsApp