Matthew Queen Sentenced 30 Years Life Bakersfield 3 Murders

The Bakersfield 3 case involves the disappearance and murder of three young adults—Micah Holsonbake, Baylee Despot, and James Kulstad—in Bakersfield, California, during spring 2018. Holsonbake and Despot went missing within a month of each other, while Kulstad was shot dead, initially considered unrelated incidents until the victims' mothers united to uncover connections. Their persistent efforts led to the arrest and conviction of Matthew Queen, Baylee Despot's ex-boyfriend, who was charged with second-degree murder and torture related to Holsonbake's death. The case is featured in a three-part true crime docuseries titled "The Bakersfield 3: A Tale of Murder and Motherhood," premiering on Investigation Discovery in May 2025, and a podcast released in November 2023 that includes detailed police and trial audio. Investigations revealed a web of drugs, criminal activity, kidnapping, and conspiracy, with partial remains of Holsonbake found in the Kern River and nearby areas. The mothers' tenacity and collaboration brought critical breakthroughs in an initially baffling and tragic case.