There’s new developments regarding the investigation into the murder of Brittany Stykes.

According to Brown County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Carl Smith, the BCSO has acquired enough information and evidence to give to the Brown County Grand Jury, who could potentially bring charges on a suspect.

“We have some information that came to us from Kentucky, in Owen and Carroll Counties, and with this information it’s looking very promising,” Smith said in a phone interview. “If everything holds together, we hope to submit it to the grand jury soon.”

Stykes was found dead in her Jeep vehicle off of US Route 68 on the evening of Aug. 28, 2013. She was just 22-years-old, and an autopsy later found that she was 17-weeks pregnant.

Stykes young daughter Aubree, then just 14-months old, who was in the car when her mother died, was found alive but had a head wound from a bullet that grazed her. Stykes was pronounced dead at the scene of the crime. Her car was found about a half a mile from the intersection of US 68 and Gooselick Road, between Ripley and Georgetown.

Smith said the latest information coming from Kentucky had been uncovered thanks to the work of BCSO staff doing the investigations themselves in those counties, as opposed to working with local law enforcement agencies.

“It’s been going on since June,” Smith said of the investigations in Kentucky. “I can’t give out any details. We have to try and protect the people that are talking to us.”

Still, despite the limited information that he is willing to divulge, Smith feels confident that they can bring charges this fall. Smith said the BCSO would wait until a new grand jury is seated in September before submitting evidence and a case against an undisclosed suspect.

Stykes husband, Daryl Shane Stykes, was interviewed in September 2013 by the BCSO but was cleared of any involvement. Another undisclosed suspect at the time was also cleared of wrongdoing.

“It’s coming together. I feel pretty confident of the information we’ve got,” Smith said. “We’ve got a lot of t’s to cross and I’s to dot before we wrap this up, but I like where it’s going so far.”

In a separate interview with Local 12, Smith said the motive behind killing Stykes was financial.

“Someone owned money. This was done to get a point across. He wanted his money,” Smith told Local 12.

A memorial vigil was held on Friday, Aug. 28, at the crash site to commemorate the two-year anniversary of Stykes death.

Candles are placed to remember Brittany Stykes, who was shot near this site along US 68 in August 2013.
https://www.ripleybee.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_StykesMemorialDedication-DanKarell-.jpgCandles are placed to remember Brittany Stykes, who was shot near this site along US 68 in August 2013.

Brittany and Aubree Stykes are shown in a photo taken shortly before the tragic event in 2013.
https://www.ripleybee.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_BrittanyAndAubreeStykes.jpgBrittany and Aubree Stykes are shown in a photo taken shortly before the tragic event in 2013.

By Daniel Karell

dkarell@civitasmedia.com

Reach Daniel Karell at 937-378-6161. Follow him on Twitter @GNDKarell