The Murder of Bobbie Jo Stinnett

On December 16, 2004 the body of eight-months pregnant Bobbie Jo Stinnett was found at her Skidmore, Missouri home by her mother. Her unborn baby had been cut from her womb. Believing that the female fetus had survived the attack, authorities issued an Amber Alert for the baby girl.

Latest Developments

Bobbie Jo Stinnett's Murder Was Carefully Planned
Nov. 16, 2007
What was it about the murder of Bobbie Jo Stinnett that caused the jury in Lisa Montgomery's trial to vote to give her the death penalty? Why did they ignore her claim of insanity? Newly released court documents may explain some of the jurors' thinking.

Lisa Montgomery Guilty in Fetus Theft
Oct. 22, 2007
A Missouri jury deliberated four hours before finding Lisa Montgomery guilty of kidnapping resulting in death in the 2004 attack on eight-month pregnant Bobbie Jo Stinnett in which the fetus was cut from her womb. Stinnett died from her wounds, but her baby survived and is now living with her family.

Previous Developments

Bobbie Jo Was Alive During Fetus Theft
Oct. 5, 2007
Bobbie Jo Stinnett was still alive and trying to defend herself as her baby was being cut from her womb, a medical examiner testified in the murder trial of Lisa Montgomery. According to the coroner, Stinnett had eight jagged cuts across her abdomen and defensive wounds on her hands, face and elbows.

Fetus Thief to Claim Mental Illness
Mar. 22, 2007
Lisa Montgomery plans to use mental illness as her defense in her upcoming murder trial.

Jury Selection Begins in Stolen Fetus Case
Oct. 1, 2007
Jury selection has begun in the trial of Lisa Montgomery, 39, who is expected to use an insanity defense of charges of kidnapping that resulted in a death.

Fetus Kidnapping Trial Delayed
Jan. 25, 2006
Prosecutors in the case had opposed the defense request to delay the trial from its scheduled April start, but when they introduced additional DNA and computer forensics evidence, Judge Gary Fenner granted the defense request.

Prosecutors Plan to Seek Death Penalty
Jan. 21, 2005
Lisa Montgomery pleaded not guilty to charges of killing Bobbie Jo Stinnett and cutting the unborn child from her womb and had another attorney appointed to her defense team after federal prosecutors indicated they plan to seek the death penalty at her trial.

Cyber Trail Led to Fetus Kidnapper
Dec. 21, 2004
At tip from a North Carolina woman who visited a Rat Terrier message board on the Internet daily, led authorities to the Internet protocol address of the Kansas woman who confessed to strangling Bobbie Jo Stinnett and cutting the fetus from her womb.

Proud Couple Showed Off Baby Cut From Womb
Dec. 17, 2004
Friends and neighbors of a Kansas couple were excited for them when they showed of their new baby at a local cafe and at their pastor's home, but the joy turned to shock and dismay when they discovered the baby was cut from the womb of a slain Missouri woman.

Fetus Stolen From Murdered Woman
Dec. 16, 2004
An Amber Alert has been issued for the female fetus of an eight-month pregnant Missouri woman who was found strangled in her Skidmore, Missouri home with her unborn baby cut from her womb. Police were looking for a red, two-door Honda hatchback in connection with the case.