by Indiana — An Indiana high school softball coach orchestrated the murder of her ex-fiancé with the help of a former teenage player, later telling a jury she believed parts of the plan were merely an innocent chemistry experiment, according to court testimony highlighted in a recent episode of 48 Hours.
The case, detailed in the episode titled “Coached to Kill,” centers on the January 2020 killing of Shea Briar, a 31-year-old father who was shot and left dying on a rural Indiana road.
Victim found clinging to life on rural roadway
Briar was discovered on January 12, 2020, gravely injured along a remote road in Jay County. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors discovered he had been shot in the back, with the bullet lodging in his heart.
“There was no exit wound,” said Ben Schartz of the Jay County Sheriff’s Office. “It was actually in his heart. He passed away.”
His death sparked an investigation that would uncover a disturbing plot involving a trusted coach and a former student.
Former fiancée and assistant coach emerge as suspects
Attention quickly turned to Briar’s former fiancée, Esther Jane Stephen, then 29, an Indiana high school softball coach. Investigators also focused on Shelby Hiestand, 19, Stephen’s assistant coach and former player.
A key break in the case came from Kristi Sibray, a former police officer and acquaintance of Stephen, who contacted authorities after learning of Briar’s death.
Sibray told investigators that in the months before the murder, Stephen frequently visited her home with Hiestand, confiding about ongoing conflicts with Briar.
Custody dispute fueled growing resentment
After the couple ended their engagement, Briar filed a court petition seeking parenting time with the daughter he shared with Stephen.
“He wanted to provide for her… and he just really wanted to have some visitation,” Briar’s mother, Tracy Hoevel, said during 48 Hours.
According to Sibray, Stephen was deeply upset by Briar’s efforts to remain involved in his child’s life.
“She didn’t want to share the baby,” Sibray said. “That was her baby. That was her child.”
Talk of poisoning dismissed — until murder occurred
Sibray testified that Stephen occasionally talked about ways to “get rid of” Briar, comments she initially dismissed as emotional venting.
“I just really thought she was venting. I did not think that was for real,” Sibray said.
At one point, Stephen and Hiestand allegedly claimed they had crushed ibuprofen pills and put them into Briar’s tea.
“He did drink the whole glass, but nothing happened,” Sibray recalled. “I’m like, ‘Are you serious?’”
Only after Briar’s death did those conversations take on chilling significance.
“I felt like I failed,” Sibray said. “How did I miss these signs?”
Defendants admit driving victim to murder scene
After speaking with Sibray, investigators questioned both Stephen and Hiestand. While they initially denied involvement, both later admitted they drove Briar to the rural road where he was killed.
Authorities said Hiestand shot Briar in the back, while Stephen was present.
Both women were arrested and charged with murder.
Coach blames former player at trial
At trial, Stephen pleaded not guilty and attempted to shift responsibility onto Hiestand. She testified that she never wanted Briar dead and claimed she believed earlier actions — including putting pills in his drink — were part of a chemistry experiment proposed by the teenager.
The jury rejected her explanation.
Read Also: Arkansas Crash Kills 23-Year-Old, Injures Basketball Coach and Two Teen Players
After a three-day trial, Stephen was convicted and sentenced to 55 years in prison, the recommended sentence for murder in Indiana.
Former player receives identical sentence
Hiestand was tried separately in 2021. Prosecutors argued she was an active participant who carried out the shooting.
She was also convicted of murder and received a 55-year prison sentence, matching Stephen’s punishment.
Case exposes abuse of trust and authority
The case has drawn national attention not only for its brutality, but for the abuse of power and trust at its core — a coach allegedly manipulating a former student into participating in a killing driven by jealousy and control.
The 48 Hours episode reignited public discussion about warning signs, coercion, and how violent intentions can hide behind everyday relationships until it is too late.
Do you think schools and athletic programs do enough to monitor inappropriate relationships between coaches and students? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation.
