“She’s the female Charles Manson”: Disturbing True Crime Documentary Is Now Free To Stream
Tyler Doupe'
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I’ve profiled some profoundly disturbing documentaries here at Dread Central. But Goodnight, Sugar Babe: The Killing of Vera Jo Reigle may just be the most distressing I have covered to date. The details revealed in this doc are so dark I hesitate to recommend it. But Vera Jo’s story should be shared. And those who wronged her should be exposed. To that end, the doc does a commendable job of piecing together the details of this sordid case and calling out those responsible.
Goodnight, Sugar Babe recalls the death of Vera Jo Reigle in 2011. The film examines the pattern of abuse that ultimately led to Vera’s death and also points to the culpability of the Brooks family in her murder. Vera was taken in by the Brooks family in her late teen years. But rather than care for her as their own, members of the Brooks household used and abused Vera. Multiple family members were involved in plotting Vera’s murder. Yet, only two people were actually held accountable for her untimely death.
Though the central focus of this doc is the murder of Vera Jo Reigle, the picture’s secondary storyline is dedicated to profiling the Brooks family matriarch, Cheri Brooks. Cheri is believed by many to be the true mastermind behind Vera’s death. But she has yet to be charged in the murder.
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Vera became a regular fixture in the Brooks household when she started dating Cheri’s son, Zachary. Vera was 19 and Zachary was 13 when they got together. Vera was developmentally disabled and reportedly functioned at the capacity of an eight to twelve-year-old child. Being a woman on a mission, Cheri saw Zachary and Vera’s relationship as an opportunity to get what she wanted most in life.
Early childhood trauma saw Cheri developing a fixation with infant girls. And from a young age, her sole quest in life became having a baby girl of her own. Cherie had several of her biological children taken away for a variety of reasons. Reports suggest she molested several of her kids, as well as neglected their basic needs. Of those whose custody she maintained, she encouraged each of them to procreate early and often. As such, Vera and Zachary gave birth to a child they called Willadean. With her sights set on having Willadean to herself, Cheri began plotting and scheming to get Vera out of the way.
You may not be able to tell from looking at her, but Cheri is a criminal mastermind. Those close to her describe her as having an unhealthy influence over others. They liken Cheri to a female Charles Manson. She utilizes that influence to get what she wants. And that’s precisely what most believe led to Vera’s untimely demise. Cheri saw Vera as an obstacle to overcome and used manipulation and misinformation to remove Vera from the equation.
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The abuse Vera endured began long before her murder. She was a prisoner in her own home. She was constantly brutalized by both Zachary and Cheri. But Vera was forced to keep quiet and told to explain away the bruises and marks. Leading up to her death, she was sodomized with a plunger, forced to eat dog waste, made to sleep in a closet with the family pet (a pig), beaten repeatedly, and denied basic human necessities.
Not only was Vera Jo failed by the family that took her in, but she was also failed by the system. Police were familiar with the pattern of violence and didn’t do nearly enough to protect the vulnerable young woman. In fact, local law enforcement received a call saying Vera was being abused and held in captivity by the Brooks family. However, the documentary reports that the police didn’t even file a report about the complaint.
I wish I could say that there’s a happy ending to this true crime doc. But there isn’t. Two people have been charged and convicted in Vera’s murder. But Cheri remains a free woman. One gets the impression she was able to manipulate the legal system just like she manipulates those she claims to love.
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Surprisingly, Cheri agreed to be interviewed for this doc. And listening to what she has to say isn’t easy. Watching her smugly recount what happened and spin more lies nearly did me in. If there is justice in this world, Cheri will be held accountable for her role in Vera’s murder one day.
All things considered, Goodnight, Sugar Babe: The Killing of Vera Jo Reigle is a distressing viewing experience that I would only suggest checking out if you have the stomach for it. If you’re interested in viewing the doc, you can find it streaming for free (with ads) on Plex, as of the publication of this post.
If you opt to check the film out, please keep in mind that I have only really scratched the surface of the depravity that went on in the Brooks home. I had a really difficult time making it through the film. But I am glad I stuck it out. It’s a compelling portrait that needs to be seen by anyone who can stomach it.
Categorized:Editorials
