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MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Tripp Brazeale

In November 2024, 15-year-old Tripp Brazeale was found hanging from a tree in the middle of the woods of Forrest City, Arkansas. His death was quickly ruled a suicide, but in the weeks and months that followed, details of the case began to emerge that led Tripp's family, friends, and a private investigator to realize things might not be as clear-cut as they were led to believe.
Duration
1h 24m
Broadcast on
08 Jun 2026
Audio Format
other

In November 2024, 15-year-old Tripp Brazeale was found hanging from a tree in the middle of the woods of Forrest City, Arkansas. His death was quickly ruled a suicide, but in the weeks and months that followed, details of the case began to emerge that led Tripp's family, friends, and a private investigator to realize things might not be as clear-cut as they were led to believe.

If you or anyone you know is thinking about suicide, please be aware that emotional support can be reached by calling or texting the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

If you want to learn more about filing public records requests, visit our FOIA 101 guide for tips, templates, and step-by-step instructions on how to get started.

Click HERE to view and sign a petition asking for the reopening of Tripp's case.

 

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(indistinct radio chatter) - It's 1240 AM on November 3rd, 2024. And St. Francis County Deputy Trey Bynum is in hot pursuit. He's on a rural road in Forest City, Arkansas, chasing someone on a four-wheeler and they are both booking it down this windy road in the dark. From the sound of it, Bynum is right on their tail. So when they come onto this raised dirt berm in the road, almost at once, both the four-wheeler and Bynum's truck go airborne before crashing back down to the road. Now both vehicles get turned around, but something happens to the four-wheeler and it stops suddenly. So Bynum slams on his brakes and calls out to the rider. - Get on the ground!
- But before he can even approach the four-wheeler, the rider is on foot. He hops a fence and darts into the woods. It's all so fast that by the time Bynum draws his service weapon and aims for the woods, the rider is gone. Now rather than jumping the fence and following him into the woods in the dark, Bynum decides to run back to his truck and call in the stop over his radio. - Are you right there, I got the four-wheeler. - There was another deputy following close behind, Sergeant David Kinney. So it only takes a minute for him to pull up. - I'm good, but we went up the ditch. I said, I'm good, but we went up that ditch right there. Both of us, me and him both. - I need the trailer 'cause I'm telling that one. And it's gonna be a white male on a camouflage hoodie and blue jeans look like he went off that way. - Did he roll it or something? - He turned it and jumped off and took off running across the field. So Sergeant Kinney goes to get the trailer so that they can tow the four-wheeler while more backup begins arriving and several deputies begin to assist in this manhunt. But they're having no luck. Not after 4.20 a.m. when Kinney comes back and calls the fire department and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to come

Transcription truncated.

In November 2024, 15-year-old Tripp Brazeale was found hanging from a tree in the middle of the woods of Forrest City, Arkansas. His death was quickly ruled a suicide, but in the weeks and months that followed, details of the case began to emerge that led Tripp's family, friends, and a private investigator to realize things might not be as clear-cut as they were led to believe.