In a recent development, a man has been convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Ariel Starcher, whose remains were discovered inside a duffel bag along a rural northwest Missouri road. The incident occurred almost two weeks after Starcher was killed at a Kansas City hotel. Marcus Brooks, the perpetrator, was found guilty on Thursday, bringing justice to the victim and her family.
Starcher, a mother of two from Independence, met a tragic end when her lifeless body was found by a Missouri Transportation Department worker in February 2020, approximately 45 miles north of Kansas City. The cause of her death was suffocation, and she also suffered a broken neck.
During the trial, key testimony against Brooks came from Taylor Stoughton, who had already pleaded guilty to second-degree murder as an accomplice to the crime. Stoughton and Brooks were arrested a year after the killing took place. It was revealed that Starcher knew Brooks and occasionally relied on him for rides. This information had previously raised concerns among her family and friends.
Jim Starcher, the victim’s grandfather, expressed his worries about Ariel’s life choices and her attempts to improve her situation. He stated, “She was trying to change her life, get her life straightened out. But it’s just one step forward and four steps back.”
The defense argued that Stoughton was the one responsible for suffocating and binding Starcher, while Brooks claimed to be in the shower at the time of the incident and only helped dispose of the body. Special Public Defender Steven Willibey questioned Stoughton’s testimony, highlighting the potential leniency of her plea agreement. However, Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Davidson presented DNA evidence that linked Brooks to the crime scene. Starcher’s torn fingernail, which indicated a struggle, further supported the prosecution’s case.
Following the conviction, Stoughton is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, while Brooks will face sentencing on December 21.
This tragic case serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and the consequences of violent crimes. The victim’s family can find some solace in knowing that the individual responsible for Ariel Starcher’s death has been held accountable.
