Where are Cindy Reese and Jeffrey Brown now? 'Dateline NBC' revisits sinister affair that led to Michael Reese's murder
MORRIS, ALABAMA: After Cindy Reese was found guilty of killing her husband Michael Reese in 2017, she was later transferred from Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women to a work-release program in Birmingham in 2019, where she currently resides.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey Brown, also convicted in the case, is currently serving his sentence at the Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore, Alabama.
The case of Michael Reese, a tragic tale of betrayal and murder, captivated the nation's attention with its web of deceit and forbidden love. At the heart of the story lies Cindy Reese, once a devoted wife and mother, whose clandestine affair with her pastor, Jeffrey David Brown, shattered the peace of their community.
The narrative unfolds with the chilling events of a fateful February night, where Michael Reese, unsuspecting and vulnerable, fell victim to a calculated plot to end his life. As investigators peeled back the layers of deception, the true extent of Cindy and Jeffrey's conspiracy emerged, revealing a shocking tale of greed, infidelity, and ultimately, cold-blooded murder.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 revisits this cold case reported by Andrea Canning, where key figures like Sgt Brian Streit, Lt Ellen Scheirer, and others involved in the case will be seen digging deeper into Micheal's murder again.
Who were Cindy Reese and Jeffrey Brown?
Cindy Reese and Jeffrey Brown were central figures in a notorious criminal case involving murder, infidelity, and betrayal. Cindy Reese was married to Michael Reese, and they lived in Jefferson County. On the other hand, Jeffrey Brown held the position of pastor at Sardis Baptist Church, where Cindy dutifully served as the minister of music. The case garnered substantial attention owing to the alarming nature of the crime.
Investigators uncovered that Cindy Reese and Jeffrey Brown were engaged in an extramarital affair, which ultimately led to a plot to kill Cindy's husband, Michael Reese. Brown allegedly became both Cindy's love interest and co-conspirator in the murder plan.
In February 2015, the fatal incident unfolded at the Reese family's residence on Banks Street in Jefferson County. Following their return from church and dinner, Cindy shot her husband Michael in the head. Subsequently, she attempted to fabricate the scene to appear as a robbery by overturning the coffee table before contacting 911.
How did Cindy Reese and Jeffrey Brown meet?
Cindy Reese and Jeffrey Brown's relationship began when Brown became the senior pastor at Sardis Baptist Church, where Cindy served as the minister of music. The nature of their interactions gradually evolved from professional to personal, leading to a clandestine affair.
According to Cindy's testimony during her trial, the affair started in 2013 after Brown assumed his role as the senior pastor. As they worked closely together within the church, their professional collaboration morphed into a deeper emotional connection. Over time, their relationship grew more intimate, eventually crossing the boundary into a romantic involvement.
Cindy further testified that the affair escalated to physical intimacy in the spring of 2014. Despite Brown's insistence that their relationship remained platonic, Cindy maintained that they engaged in sexual activities during this timeframe.
She recounted instances where they shared intimate moments, eventually leading to a sexual relationship that persisted until the fall of 2014. The affair intensified as Cindy and Brown spent increasing amounts of time together outside of their church duties.
They became increasingly entangled in each other's lives, with Cindy admitting that they communicated daily. Brown's constant attention and pursuit of Cindy during this time further fueled their illicit romance.
However, Cindy testified that their physical relationship came to an end when she and her husband Michael went on a trip to Disney World in the fall of 2014. During this vacation, Cindy reconnected with her husband, leading to a rekindling of their marital bond. Despite this, Cindy maintained regular contact with Brown.
Why did Cindy Reese and Jeffrey Brown decide to kill Michael Brown?
Cindy Reese and Jeffrey Brown conspired to kill Cindy's husband, Michael Reese, allegedly driven by a combination of factors, including their extramarital affair and financial motives.
Financial considerations likely played a significant role in their decision to eliminate Michael Reese. Cindy and Brown purportedly conspired to end Michael's life to gain access to his assets, notably a $50,000 life insurance policy with Cindy listed as the primary beneficiary. This financial incentive provided a motive for them to orchestrate Michael's murder, allowing them to benefit financially from his death.
Additionally, their affair created a motive rooted in their desire to be together without interference from Michael. Cindy and Brown's romantic involvement posed a threat to Cindy's marriage and jeopardized Brown's standing as a pastor. By eliminating Michael, they could remove the obstacle to their relationship and continue their affair without fear of exposure or consequences.
Cindy Reese and Jeffrey Brown cover up the crime scene after killing Michael Brown
After the killing of Michael Reese, Cindy Reese, and Jeffrey Brown took extensive measures to conceal the true nature of the crime and evade detection by law enforcement. Their strategy involved manipulating the crime scene to simulate a burglary, with Cindy rearranging furniture and items to fabricate a false narrative of forced entry and struggle.
Additionally, they disposed of incriminating evidence, including a gun and jewelry allegedly used and taken from the scene of the crime. Despite their efforts, investigators uncovered inconsistencies in their testimonies and gathered evidence that ultimately led to their arrest and conviction for the murder of Michael Reese.
Jeffrey Brown confirms Cindy Reese killed Michael Reese during trials
During the trials, Jeffrey Brown provided testimony that confirmed Cindy Reese's role in Michael Reese's murder. Brown stated that Cindy had solicited him to orchestrate the killing of her husband, Michael.
According to Brown's testimony, Cindy not only requested him to orchestrate Michael's murder but also disclosed her intentions to assert insanity if she were charged in connection with his death.
Moreover, Brown testified that Cindy directly admitted to shooting Michael Reese and furnished him with a gun and jewelry taken from their home after the murder. He provided detailed accounts of how Cindy instructed him to dispose of these items, further implicating her in the crime.
Brown's testimony corroborated the evidence presented by investigators and played a pivotal role in establishing Cindy Reese's culpability in the murder of her husband.
What sentence was announced to Cindy Reese and Jeffrey Brown?
Cindy Reese was found guilty of her husband's slaying and received a forty-year prison sentence in 2017. She faced charges of murder and was convicted following a trial. Despite conflicting testimonies and attempts to deny involvement, the evidence presented during the trial ultimately led to her conviction.
Jeffrey Brown, on the other hand, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. This plea was part of an agreement that involved him cooperating with the prosecution and testifying against Cindy Reese.
As a result, Brown received a twenty-year prison sentence. While not directly charged with murder, his involvement in the planning and execution of the crime led to his conviction for manslaughter.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 airs new episodes every Friday at 8 pm ET on NBC and is available for streaming on Peacock the following day.