It’s May 4, 2007, when 17-year-old Kara Kopetsky walks out of Belton High School, never to be seen again. Her mom and step-father, Rhonda and Jim Beckford, have no idea where their daughter has gone, and neither does anyone else. Kara had recently received an order of protection against on-and-off boyfriend Kylr Yust, and her phone records show he may have been the last person to speak with her. Podcast hosts Katelyn Brown and Hailey Godburn break down the details of Kara’s disappearance and different witness statements alleging that Kylr Yust admitted to doing something sinister. This is the first episode of “Journey for Justice: The Trial of Kylr Yust” on 41 Files by 41 Action News.

It’s 2016 and Jessica Runions goes out to a party. She never comes home. Party-goers tell police they saw her leave with Kylr Yust, the man being questioned for the disappearance of Kara Kopetsky from the same community in 2007. Kylr is eventually taken into custody for burning Jessica’s car, but it’s several months before a mushroom hunter stumbles upon her body. And not far away, a second set of remains if found: those of Kara Kopetsky. Podcast hosts Katelyn Brown and Hailey Godburn take a look at the similarities in the girls’ disappearances and talk to 41 Action News reporter Sarah Plake about what it was like the day the girls were found.

Kylr Yust was charged with the murders of Kara Kopetsky and Jessica Runions. The evidence seems to be mounting, but there are also claims of errors in the investigation. Another issue arises: The witness who turned Kylr in for burning Jessica’s car, his own stepbrother, dies suddenly in jail. Podcast hosts Katelyn Brown and Hailey Godburn are joined by 41 Action News investigator Andy Alcock to discuss the different pieces of evidence in the case and some of the discrepancies in the story.

This case spans more than a decade from the time Kara Kopetsky went missing to now, when Kylr Yust is going to trial for her and Jessica Runions’ murders. 41 Action News reporters Sarah Plake, Andres Gutierrez and Andy Alcock join podcast hosts Katelyn Brown and Hailey Godburn to discuss how they’ve each covered developments in this long journey toward resolution.

The families of Kara Kopetsky and Jessica Runions were brought together by tragedy. Through the thick and thin of this case, they’ve stuck together. 41 Action News reporters Sarah Plake and Andres Gutierrez join podcast hosts Katelyn Brown and Hailey Godburn to talk about the families’ relationship and their pursuit toward justice for their girls.

On the final episode of the “Journey for Justice: The Trial of Kylr Yust” mini-series on 41 Files, podcast hosts Katelyn Brown and Hailey Godburn bring in third-party experts to examine Yust’s defense. Clay County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Chris Johnson shares how investigators chase leads in a missing persons case, and 41 Action News anchor Caitlin Knute gives perspective from defense attorney John Picerno. Check this feed again beginning April 5 for daily trial updates.

On day one of Kylr Yust’s double murder trial, the jury was sworn in and the prosecution and defense teams made (very different) opening statements. 41 Action News’ Caitlin Knute and Andy Alcock join podcast hosts Hailey Godburn and Katelyn Brown from the Cass County Justice Center to talk about the day’s proceedings.

During the second day of Kylr Yust's double murder trial, jurors heard from 15 witnesses. 41 Action News' Caitlin Knute and Andres Gutierrez detail some key points in witness testimonies from family, friends and investigators.

The second day of witness testimony in the double murder trial of Kylr Yust was markedly different from the first. While the prosecution and defense blew threw 15 witnesses Tuesday, only four took the stand Wednesday. In this “Journey for Justice” podcast update, hear 41 Action News reporter Sarah Plake detail the compelling testimony from two of Yust’s ex-girlfriends.

Day four in the double murder trial of Kylr Yust provided insight into the details surrounding his relationship with Jessica Runions and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. 41 Action News reporter Andres Gutierrez joins podcast host Hailey Godburn to go over the latest testimony offered in Cass County court.

The fifth day of Kylr Yust’s murder trial, while more technical in nature, was no less compelling. The majority of Friday’s testimony centered on evidence in the Jessica Runions case. 41 Action News reporter Sarah Plake joins podcast host Hailey Godburn to highlight key points from the day's proceedings.

Court proceedings took no rest in the murder trial of Kylr Yust, presenting some of the most compelling evidence yet on Saturday.  Day six saw a lot of expert witness testimony to pair with the evidence presented by the prosecution, including photographs of human remains and details of forensic investigation and identification.  The jury also heard from the man who discovered remains, a mushroom hunter who admitted he was trespassing when he stumbled upon a human skull. The prosecution rested at the end of Saturday, making the way for the defense to begin presenting their case Monday morning.  41 Action News investigative reporter Andy Alcock joined podcast host Katelyn Brown to talk about the hard-to-witness evidence and what the experts had to say. 

The defense was up to bat in Day 7 of Kylr Yust’s double murder trial, and they got off to what seemed to be a rocky start, plagued with no-show witnesses and debate about the relevance or accuracy of witnesses who did show up. 41 Action News reporter joins podcast host Hailey Godburn to break down the short, yet confusing, proceedings.

The jury again spent much of the day outside the courtroom during the eighth day of Kylr Yust’s double murder trial in Cass County. 41 Action News reporter Andres Gutierrez explains why jurors heard some testimony, but were not allowed to hear testimony from others in the latest “Journey for Justice: The Trial of Kylr Yust” podcast update.

In the ninth day of his double murder trial, Kylr Yust himself took the witness stand. 41 Action News reporters Andy Alcock and Sarah Plake break down Yust’s testimony and the attorneys’ final words to the jury before deliberation.

Kylr Yust has been found guilty in the deaths of Kara Kopetsky and Jessica Runions. Journey for Justice podcast hosts Katelyn Brown and Hailey Godburn break down the verdict and possible sentencing.

The jury in the trial of Kylr Yust has recommended the maximum sentences possible for each of the crimes of which they convicted him. Journey for Justice podcast hosts Hailey Godburn and Katelyn Brown, and 41 Action News anchor Cailtlin Knute, explain the nuances of his sentence.