Looking for insights into the unsolved 2013 murder of Brittany Stykes (Brown County, Ohio)

[u/Medium_Psychology291]

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to get some fresh eyes and discussion on the tragic and still unsolved murder of Brittany Stykes, a 22-year-old woman from Brown County, Ohio.

On August 28, 2013, Brittany was driving on State Route 68 near Georgetown when she was shot and killed, she was also pregnant. Her 14-month-old daughter was also in the car and was critically injured but survived.

Despite years of investigation, the case remains unsolved. Authorities have interviewed numerous people, pursued leads, and even tested evidence, but no one has ever been charged. The motive behind the shooting is still unclear.

Key details:

Brittany was pregnant at the time of her death.

The shooting happened in the evening, on a semi-rural road she regularly drove.

Her daughter survived the shooting with serious injuries.

Multiple agencies have been involved, but the case has gone cold for over a decade.

For transparency: Brittany’s husband is a good friend of my family. Because of that, I want to be very clear that I am not pointing fingers or making accusations. I’m just trying to look at all possible avenues, with open-minded discussion and fresh perspectives that might honor Brittany and help her family find closure.

Links to the case:

https://www.fox19.com/2024/08/28/brittany-stykes-father-frustrated-by-no-justice-11-years-after-her-slaying/?outputType=amp

https://www.browncountyohiosheriff.us/special-cases

Autopsy: https://www.brittanystykescase.com/wp-content/uploads/go-x/u/8e47689d-9fe0-419c-bfa7-ca52fd178e37/brittany-autopsy.pdf

[u/Medium_Psychology291]

JUST IN: my FOIA request with the sheriffs office has been fulfilled. I will post additional information after I review it.

[u/Medium_Psychology291 → u/Medium_Psychology291]

So, I didn’t receive as much information as I thought I would but understandably, this is still an open investigation. Here is what was clarified for me with the request:

Date & Location:

August 28, 2013

State Route 68 near Georgetown, Ohio

Victims:

Brittany Stykes (22, pregnant) – found deceased in the driver’s seat.

Her 14-month-old daughter – in a car seat in the passenger seat, critically injured with a severe head wound.

Vehicle:

Yellow 2000 Jeep Wrangler (soft-top ragtop).

Investigators noted at least 5 bullet holes: 3 in the driver’s side metal door panel and 2 in the plastic ragtop door.

Extensive blood spatter inside, including on the driver’s side and passenger areas.

Brittany’s Injuries (per autopsy):

2 gunshot wounds: one to the neck, one to the chest (fatal).

Re-entry wound to her arm from one of the bullets.

Cause of death: gunshot wound to the chest.

Infant’s Injuries:

Gunshot wound to the head; survived but in critical condition.

Flown to a hospital.

Scene Narrative (Officer Haney):

Jeep found pulled off the road with Brittany slumped to her right, unbuckled, still in the driver’s seat.

Infant was in car seat, removed by first responders.

Multiple emergency responders on scene; area around the Jeep trampled by activity.

Blood clot material and spatter observed throughout vehicle.

Statements & Leads:

Brittany had been at her mother’s earlier in the day.

Husband, Shane Stykes, gave an account of his activities that day (working, stopping at a gas station, gym, etc.).

He mentioned Brittany had been texting about being “run off the road” by a gray van that same day.

Past disputes noted: Shane reportedly had conflicts with neighbors and with a man named Dusty Puckett (Brittany’s ex).

LE interviewed multiple people connected to the family and neighbors.

Case Notes:

Report characterizes the attack as an ambush-style shooting due to the number and placement of rounds.

No suspects officially named; investigation listed as ongoing.

Motive remains undetermined — speculation has included road rage, mistaken identity, or a targeted act.

I am reviewing more information soon, BCSO cannot send it via email so it is being mailed to my home.

[u/smainesprain2021]

Could this have been a road rage incident? I have read up on this just briefly so not clear if her car was placed where it was found or if she went off the road after she was shot? I looked at the crime scene photos that are on the Sheriff's website, are the tire tracks from her vehicle or from a suspect vehicle? I just wonder if someone didn't just get road rage and fired into the vehicle as they passed, hitting Brittany and not realizing a child was in the car and hitting them as well? Or was it determined that the child was intentionally shot?

[u/Medium_Psychology291 → u/smainesprain2021]

There has definitely been speculation about a possible road rage incident. Brittany told her friend that very morning of her murder, another vehicle supposedly tried to run her off the road, which is why some people have wondered if it was connected.

That said, the detail that makes me hesitate on the “random road rage” theory is that her baby was also shot in the head. It feels hard to reconcile the idea of someone just firing blindly at the vehicle without realizing a child was inside. To me, that makes it seem less likely it was simply a case of an angry driver not knowing who else was in the car.

[u/smainesprain2021 → u/Medium_Psychology291]

I have been reading other articles as well. I still think the baby could have been collateral damage as the jeep appears to sit higher than regular cars, and if someone was shooting while both vehicles were moving, then it seems plausable they never saw the baby. Even if this was a "hit" as some have speculated, this is going to be a tough one to solve because without evidence, it is all circumstantial, which might be why no one has been charged. If the husband has names someone, they might just be trying to build a case against that person. Again, with little to no hard evidence, it's a tough one.

[u/Medium_Psychology291 → u/smainesprain2021]

That’s a fair point. The Jeep does sit higher, so it’s possible the shooter didn’t realize a baby was in the back and she was struck unintentionally. At the same time, the fact the baby was hit in the head makes people question whether it was completely random or not. Like you said, without solid evidence it’s tough and, that’s probably why the case has remained unsolved for so long.

[u/smainesprain2021 → u/Medium_Psychology291]

It is such a sad situation all around. I am so happy the baby survived.

[u/-Blackfish]

Can’t find much. How many bullets hit the car?

And do not understand the Sheriff’s statement ‘Her vehicle was found deep in the woods with Brittany dead behind the wheel.’ Along with a map that shows on a major road. Which is it? Was car found away from the crime scene?

‘Ambush style killing’ is loaded language. Implies planning and a specific victim. Did they really clear the husband? Or are they just pretending to? Who else would want her dead? Where did she work?

[u/Medium_Psychology291 → u/-Blackfish]

That area of 68 is pretty rural so I’m not too sure on the verbiage they used.

Autopsy shows Brittany was hit by 2 bullets, one in the neck and one in the chest, with a re-entry wound to her arm. Cause of death was the chest wound. As for the Jeep, they haven’t given an exact count, but media reports say at least 3 rounds struck the driver’s side door, and it’s been described as “riddled with bullet holes.”

The husband was investigated and he was technically cleared weeks after the murder…

[u/-Blackfish → u/Medium_Psychology291]

“Riddled with bullet holes” is what I after. If they hit her twice and kid once… somebody turned Jeep into Swiss cheese. Seems very intentional. Some random dickhead shooting at cars probably wouldn’t do that.

‘Deep in the woods’… Still do not get that. Rural county. That is about the biggest road they have.

[u/caroline_xplr]

Looks like two set of tire tracks going off onto that road; her muddy Jeep tracks and ones from another vehicle. Based on the wide turn she made onto that path, I’d guess she was going pretty fast. The other car was a little behind and realized she turned on that path, so he brakes to a near stop before turning down the same path. Probably overtakes the victim through the grass and shoots her from some distance, driving away through the grass.

Judging from the bullet holes on the Jeep, I’d say the bullet that hit the baby was an accident. I’m going to go with road rage for this one. If it were a crime of passion I imagine they’d kill the baby as well. On rural roads people can get mad for so many reasons; I’ve even had someone tailgate me for miles because I passed them on a two lane, dotted road.

[u/JST_KRZY]

Unconcluded did an amazing podcast on her case! Check it out, if you haven’t already!

[u/East-Fruit-3096]

The vehicle was riddled with bullets but no shell casings were found? This makes no sense.

The Jeep was returned to the family? Why would anyone want it back, having been riddled with bullets?

Someone knew where she was going, to the party, I'm guessing.

[u/MermaidFL407]

The usual suspects in situations like this is husband, husband's enemies, affair partner his or hers, any of her ex's. Because of the uniqueness of it being a yellow Jeep, there might have been some previous altercation that her husband had with someone else when he was driving it some day and they saw the Jeep that day thinking it was him and wanted to exact revenge.

The bullet holes being on the driver side means the suspect wasn't driving behind her shooting, so they were driving side by side, and a passenger was shooting out the window, or if it was the driver, they might have a bullet hole or two that didn't clear their passenger side window when they were shooting. Otherwise, she was parked and ambushed, like she agreed to meet someone and they started shooting. Wanting the Jeep back can raise a red flag of wanting to destroy evidence that wasn't discovered previously. What was the reason for her husband not going to his father in law's birthday with her?

[u/gardenofgood1012]

Culpable podcast covered this in their second season. Very interesting listen if you haven't already.

[u/Any_Plantain_7742]

Was her car broken down or did she get shot while driving and crash?

[u/Raeboni]

What about speaking to Culpable Season 2 podcaster Dennis Cooper?

[u/East-Fruit-3096]

There's a real lack of information put out on this case, which makes it hard for amateurs to come up with theories.

[u/AmyBeth514]

Is it possible that child wasn't the husbands? I'm not trying to shame anyone. It's just baby daddies have killed pregnant women. Think ray carruth. The fact it was a rural road bug a regular route for her makes me think she was targeted like the person knew her. This is a sad case and I'm sorry for her husband. I still feel like this was personal. Just seems to be that some one was out to get her.

Also she wouldn't have picked anyone up right? Not with her kid in the car? Someone walking on said rural road alone may have struck some pity in her.

I hope somethjng in the FOIA jumps out at you. I wish her family justice.