The chilling 911 call on March 22, 2018, from a Wisconsin farmer named Don Sipple, reported a young woman, distraught and injured, seeking refuge at his doorstep. This woman, 20-year-old Ezra McCandless, claimed to have been attacked by her ex-boyfriend, Alex Woodworth. Little did authorities know, this call would unravel a complex web of deceit, manipulation, and ultimately, murder.
The Initial Investigation: A Distraught Victim
Upon arrival at Don Sipple’s farm, officers found Ezra covered in mud, blood, and bruises. Her story was fragmented; she remembered only glimpses of Alex attacking her. While being transported to the hospital, she repeatedly requested contact with another ex-boyfriend, Jason Mangle. Meanwhile, police searched for Alex, checking his residence and contacting his parents, but he was nowhere to be found.
A Grisly Discovery: The Narrative Shifts
The next morning, while revisiting the area around Don Sipple’s property, officers discovered a gated property with footprints leading down a dirt path. At the end of that path, they found Alex Woodworth’s body, partially hanging out of Ezra’s car, covered in blood and stab wounds. The seemingly straightforward case of assault had taken a dark and disturbing turn.
The Backstory: A Tangled Web of Relationships
To understand the events leading up to Alex’s death, we must rewind ten months. In early 2017, Ezra met Jason Mangle, a military medic thirteen years her senior. They quickly moved in together, frequenting Racy’s Coffee Shop in downtown Eau Claire. It was there they met Alex Woodworth, a chatty, nerdy philosophy enthusiast and coffee shop employee. A complicated triangle emerged: Jason and Alex became close friends, while Ezra secretly engaged in a relationship with Alex, escalating from casual encounters to experimental BDSM. This entanglement eventually unravelled, leading to Ezra breaking up with both men but continuing to live with Jason.
Ezra McCandless and Alex Woodworth
Accusations and Doubt: A Prior Assault Claim
Three weeks before Alex’s death, Jason returned from military training to find a distraught Ezra, claiming she had been assaulted by one of his friends while he was away. She claimed to have confided in Alex, who then made unwanted advances towards her. Jason, furious, took Ezra to the police. However, an investigation, including a review of Ezra’s text messages and interviews with Jason and Alex, cast doubt on her claims. The case was dropped, straining Ezra’s relationship with both men, ultimately leading to Jason evicting her.
The Day of the Murder: A Chance Encounter and Growing Suspicion
On March 22nd, Ezra appeared at Racy’s, telling Jason she was there to see Alex. Jason, concerned by Ezra’s demeanor, followed her to Alex’s house on his bike. A janitor, finding Jason’s behavior suspicious, called 911. Bodycam footage captures the interaction between Jason, Alex, and the responding officers. The officers, finding no cause for concern, left. This footage tragically documents the last known moments of Alex Woodworth’s life.
Bodycam footage of Jason Mangle talking to police outside of Alex Woodworth's apartment
A Changing Story: Self-Defense or Premeditated Murder?
Confronted with the discovery of Alex’s body, Ezra’s memory conveniently began to return. She claimed Alex had carved the word “boy” into her arm, a reference to her past gender identity. Inconsistencies in her story, including the orientation of the wound and the lack of defensive wounds on Alex, led police to suspect a cover-up. Ezra’s narrative shifted again, now claiming self-defense during a sexual assault in the back of the car.
The Trial: A Chilling Lack of Remorse
Eighteen months later, Ezra stood trial. Gone was the distraught victim; in her place was a seemingly callous and even proud defendant. Jason testified, bewildered by Ezra’s behavior, including her changing attire during his testimony. Ezra took the stand, displaying no remorse or grief, recounting her version of events.
Ezra McCandless in court
Conflicting Narratives: The Prosecution and Defense
The prosecution argued that a heartbroken and vengeful Ezra had murdered Alex in cold blood, meticulously staging the scene to appear as the victim. The defense maintained Ezra’s claim of self-defense, portraying Alex as the aggressor and attributing the extent of his injuries to Ezra’s adrenaline-fueled fight-or-flight response.
The Verdict and Sentencing: A Life Altered
After just three hours of deliberation, the jury found Ezra McCandless guilty of first-degree intentional homicide. In February 2020, she was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 50 years. During sentencing, Ezra expressed remorse, but the damage was done.
The Aftermath: A Request for a New Trial
In a recent development, Ezra’s attorneys have filed a motion for a new trial, citing ineffective counsel and errors in the original trial. A hearing has been requested but not yet scheduled.
FAQs: Unanswered Questions and Lingering Doubts
- What was the true motive behind Alex Woodworth’s murder? While the prosecution presented a case of premeditated murder driven by heartbreak and revenge, the defense argued self-defense. The jury ultimately sided with the prosecution, but questions about Ezra’s true motivations remain.
- Did Ezra McCandless’s manipulation and inconsistent stories influence the jury’s decision? Ezra’s changing narratives and apparent lack of remorse likely played a role in the jury’s perception of her credibility.
- What impact did the bodycam footage of Jason Mangle’s interaction with police have on the case? While not directly implicating Jason, the footage provided a chilling glimpse into the hours leading up to Alex’s death and highlighted the complex relationships between the individuals involved.
- What are the grounds for Ezra McCandless’s request for a new trial? Her attorneys cite ineffective counsel and errors in the original trial, though the specifics of these claims are yet to be fully revealed.
We encourage readers to share their thoughts and questions about this complex and tragic case. As the legal proceedings continue, we hope for further clarity and justice for Alex Woodworth.
