Yahoo Autos A New Hulu true crime documentary covers Michigan teen homicide
Hulu has a new true crime documentary connecting the dots between the suspects and victims.
A new Hulu true crime documentary, “How I Caught My Killer” released in January covers the stories of homicide cases where the victims or law enforcement were able to capture killers involved in the crimes.
The sixth episode entitled, “ You can see panic,” covers the story of 14-year-old April Milsap from Armada who was walking her dog when she was brutally killed.
Who was April Milsap?
April was a 14-year-old girl walking the family dog "Penny" along the popular Macomb Orchard Trail who had just graduated from Armada Middle School and was planning for high school.
She was the only child of her mother Jennifer Milsap.
April Milsap's death in 2014
April was walking her dog along the Macomb Orchard Trail alone on July 24, 2014, in Armada. When her attacker asked for sexual advances she declined.
The last text April sent was to her boyfriend it said "I think I almost got kidnapped omfg" before she was attacked from behind with a motorcycle helmet and then dragged into the woods where she was beaten and stomped to death.
A couple who were walking along the trail found the teen's body and notified authorities.
In 2016, the Free Press reported that the teenager had 48 injuries from her attacker with the bulk of the injuries being on her face, neck and upper chest according to the autopsy.
The autopsy ruled her death as a result of blunt head trauma and asphyxia due to neck compression.
More:July trial ordered for former GOP gubernatorial candidate charged for Jan. 6 connection
More:Body cam footage shows 2019 arrest of MSU shooting suspect Anthony McRae
Who killed April Milsap?
James VanCallis, 32, of Goodells stomped and strangled Milsap and was charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, kidnapping and assault with intent to commit sexual penetration in 2016.
During the trial, VanCallis declared he was innocent but the jury decided otherwise. He told the court there were no witnesses to prove him guilty and not enough evidence.
However, there were almost three dozen prosecution witnesses ranging from April's mother to scientific experts to VanCalli's ex-girlfriend who said she saw him cleaning the shoes he wore to Armada the day he killed April. She also said that she found human hair and grass in his hoodie after the homicide.
He was found guilty because he was seen riding his motorcycle in Armada before the murder and eyewitnesses told police they saw him near the trail as well. Plus Michigan law enforcement used a tracking app to locate April's phone. VanCallis was riding along on a motorcycle with Milsap's cell phone in his pocket. Police were able to track him down because of that.
Where is James VanCallis now?
VanCallis now 41, is currently serving life in prison without parole, currently housed and Chippewa Correctional Facility in the Upper Peninsula.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Hulu documentary features Michigan homicide story of April Milsap
