On July 5, 2019, in the small lakeside community of Lake Bridgeport, Texas, Chasen and Helen Capehart woke up to the smell of burning plastic.

What they didn’t know was that their neighbor, Lauren Whitener, had been stabbed 18 times inside the adjoining duplex — and her home was set on fire.

In this gripping interview, the Capeharts recount what they heard on the night of July 4th… the arguments between duplexes… the moment they called the volunteer fire department… and what unfolded in their front yard as investigators worked the scene.

They describe:

• The strange behavior of nearby neighbors Eric Maxwell and Ashley Hill • Bruises that weren’t there the day before • Conversations about suicide that raised red flags • The alleged romantic entanglement between neighbors • The controversial “single blade of grass” DNA evidence • Charges that were later dismissed • And the questions that still remain

Despite arrests and indictments, Lauren Whitener’s murder in Wise County remains unsolved.

This episode of Signal 51 Chronicles gives you firsthand testimony from the people who were there — sitting just feet away as one of Texas’ most unsettling small-town murder investigations began.

If you’re following the Lake Bridgeport case, this is essential listening.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Introduction 04:10 – July 4th: Arguing Between Duplexes 10:19 – The Smell of Smoke 18:49 – Firefighters Make Entry 25:36 – The Crime Scene in Daylight 34:09 – The Maxwells’ Reaction 44:14 – Suspicion & Early Investigation 56:32 – The Funeral Confrontation 1:02:53 – The DNA Evidence 1:13:45 – Dismissed Charges & An Unsolved Case

📍 Case: Lauren Whitener 📍 Location: Lake Bridgeport, Wise County, Texas 📍 Date: July 5, 2019

Follow Signal 51 Chronicles for in-depth investigations, firsthand interviews, and real cases that still demand answers.

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