The Horror Movie Murder- The Case of Randi Trimble

I watched an episode of American Monster on ID for this case, it’s season 1, episode 2 titled ‘Appalachian Horror Film.’ I like this show because it shows a lot of video footage of the people involved. This is a tragic case of an innocent wife, two sick individuals and what they would do for a little money.

Background

Brian Trimble married Randi Peck on September 9, 2000 in Central Pennsylvania. They were described as being a very happy couple in the beginning of their marriage. Brian had been diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis), and he became annoyed with Randi being controlling.

Randi

Brian and Randi on their wedding day

March 2002- 18 months after their wedding

Brian and Randi were starting to have issues in their marriage, but went to counseling because Randi really wanted to start a family. Brian’s MS kept him from doing a lot of things he wanted t0 do, but he was able to get a job as an IT.

While at work, Brian started a friendship with a man named Blaine Norris. Blaine was also married to a woman named Wendy, and they had a son named Mason. Blaine was an armature horror film director. He told Brian that he wanted to make a slasher film on the Appalachian Trail and wanted him to be his camera man.

Blaine Norris

Blaine and Brian went to the area a few times together to check it out. Blaine held auditions for it, but there was only problem, he needed $20,000 to make the movie. Brian had told Blaine that he and Randi had been saving a lot of money and that he could ask her.

When Brian returned home to ask Randi, she of course said no, and told Brian she didn’t want him to spend a week on the trail because of his MS. Brian had to quit the movie, and Blaine was upset because no he had to be the camera man and director.

August 2, 2002

Blaine began the production of his movie titled Through Hike: A Ghost Story. The plot of the movie involves five hikers being murdered by a ghost type figure. Blaine had maxed out his credit cards to buy props and equipment and was $20,000 in debt.

On the first day of filming, there were many issues, including the camera malfunctioning and the audio not working. In the episode, a few of the movie stars were seen on video complaining that they had only filmed a few pages of the script.

Blaine would confide in his stars that he was having issues with his wife, and that she would always try to fight with him. Blaine had also gambled his house for the funds for the movie.

Meanwhile, Brian was upset that he couldn’t work on the movie and his anger towards Randi worsened.

1 week after filming

Blaine Norris returned home to apartment that he and Wendy shared. Wendy had left with their son.

Blaine and Brian started to hang out again, and Blaine showed Brian his horror movie. He also confided in Brian that Wendy left, and that he maxed out his credit cards.

The Plan

Brian was so angry at Randi, that he came up with a plan to have his wife murdered. Brian came up with an alibi, he would take his friend out to dinner and have Blaine kill Randi. Brian would also pay Blaine the money to have his movie finished.

The Murder

On January 10, 2003 around 7pm, Randi came home and was brutally murdered in her garage. She was stabbed 27 times, and strangled.

At 8:29pm, Brian called 911, and said he found his wife unconscious and bleeding. He also called his mom to say “something was wrong with Randi.”

The police arrived at the Trimble home, and Brian is described as being in a state of shock. They also determine that Brian had an airtight alibi, he was seen at the restaurant by a friend and a waiter.

Investigation

When the police first looked at the crime scene, they found no fingerprints or DNA.

Detective Les Freehling went back the the home a few days later to have Brian walk him through how he found Randi.

Brian said that he found Randi laying face down in the garage, and he called out to her to ask her if she was okay. He said he nudged her with his foot, and even stepped in the blood. Detective Freehling immediately became suspicious because Brian said he didn’t touch Randi at all when he was first questioned.

Once they did more searches, they also found evidence on Brian’s computer. They found searches on a book called ‘How to Commit a Murder.’

They called Brian into the station.

The Confession

Wendy Kessey, Brian’s mom, is interviewed in this episode. She said Brian wanted her to go with him to the police station. While they were in the interrogation room, the detectives offered Brian a deal of life in prison, and would take the death penalty off the table if he confessed. Wendy said Brian asked her to leave the room.

Brian said Blaine Norris was the one who killed Randi, and that they had planned it together.

The police went to search Blaine’s apartment and car. They found a receipt for black clothing, gloves, mask and a knife. Brian had told them that Blaine was going to buy all those items. The knife matched the wounds on Randi’s body.

Brian said he felt trapped, and didn’t want to put Randi through a divorce and was going to pay Blaine to do it.

Arrests and Convictions

Blaine Norris pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. Brian Trimble also was sentenced to life in prison.

Brian and Blaine: then and now

Other

Blaine Norris apparently found God, and said that God forgave him.

Nancy Chavez, Randi’s mom, created Randi’s Race. Randi’s Race is a foundation set up to raise money for victims of domestic abuse. She also created Randi’s House of Angels, where abused children can go for help or shelter.

FINAL THOUGHTS

These men are greedy monsters. They are constantly described as being the “geekiest murderers,” but they clearly have issues too if they can kill for $20,000. It’s also reported that people think that the movies and TV shows they watched had something to do with it, but I think they had other severe issues. I watch a lot of true crime and I don’t go around murdering people, nor would I ever.

I’m happy that Randi’s family got justice, and that Nancy Chavez has created something amazing to help out others who are also in situations of domestic abuse.

I also tried looking for any part of Blaine’s movie or Brian’s interrogations, but I couldn’t find anything so I recommend watching the episode.

Sources

https://www.crimeonline.com/2018/01/20/the-horror-movie-that-led-to-real-life-murder/

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna10950068