In September 2006, 16-year-old Cassie Jo Stoddart was house-sitting for her relatives when a horrifying incident unfolded, later dubbed the 'Scream murder'. The evening began innocently as she was joined by her boyfriend Matt Beckham and later by friends Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik. The group enjoyed a quiet time watching the movie 'Kill Bill: Volume 2', but things took a dark turn as Draper and Adamcik grew restless with their friends.

As the night progressed, Draper and Adamcik - who had been fans of horror films - initiated a plan that spiraled into a real-life nightmare. They had previously discussed ideas for committing a murder, which they then attempted to execute that night. The brutal murder of Cassie, carried out by her peers, shocked the local community and earned media attention, which only heightened as it echoed themes from popular horror films, particularly the 'Scream' franchise.

Nearly 20 years later, the 'Scream murder' remains a significant case within true crime discussions. The implications of the crime highlight the dark influences of media and the capacity for violence inherent in seemingly ordinary individuals. It raises ongoing concerns about youth media consumption, the glamorization of violence, and the dire consequences that can arise when entertainment crosses the line into reality.