Ep 8. Kayla Nelson

On a warm summer evening in 2018, the quiet town of Liberal, Kansas was rocked by a shocking crime. The body of local resident, Kandy Stephens, was found brutally beaten and left for dead in her own home. As police began to investigate, all clues pointed to one suspect: 25-year-old Kayla Nelson.

In episode 8 of season 27 of Snapped, viewers are taken on a journey to discover the motives and actions that led to Nelson's arrest and conviction for the murder of Kandy Stephens. Through interviews with friends, family members, and law enforcement officials, the episode pieces together the events leading up to the crime, Nelson's troubled past and psychological state, and the evidence used in court to ensure justice was served.

At the heart of the story is the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator. Stephens had taken Nelson in when she was a teenager and struggling with addiction, giving her a chance at a new life. According to friends, Nelson was grateful for Stephens' help but still struggled with the trauma of her past and had a volatile temper.

As the episode unfolds, viewers learn of a pattern of behavior on Nelson's part that should have set off warning bells. A history of drug and alcohol abuse, violent outbursts, and arrests were all indicators that something was amiss. When Stephens was found dead, Nelson became the prime suspect.

Despite initially denying any involvement, Nelson was eventually brought in for questioning, revealing a shocking confession that sent shockwaves through the community. The motive for the murder was terrifyingly mundane - Nelson wanted Stephens' car. What followed was a heinous act of violence that left Stephens' friends and family struggling to comprehend how someone they knew and trusted could have done such a thing.

The episode takes viewers through the trial, including the testimony of witnesses, medical experts, and the police. The level of detail painted a picture of a young woman whose demons had finally gotten the better of her, leading her into a spiral of destruction that ended in tragedy.

Throughout the episode, it is clear that Kayla Nelson is not a character easily reduced to black and white. The sadness and pain that filled her life led her down a path that showed no sign of redemption. But the consequences of her actions were immensely grave, and justice had to be served.

The episode ends with Nelson's sentencing, providing a poignant reminder of the human cost of crime and the need for communities to come together to support those most vulnerable. Snapped season 27 episode 8 is a profound investigation that highlights the plight of those caught up in a cycle of addiction and violence and is an important addition to the true crime genre.