WI Man Found Hanging in Car With 16 Stab Wounds

In spring 2018, a rural woodlot in Wisconsin became the scene of a murder that reads like the darkest of thrillers. Ezra McCandless, then 20, fatally stabbed her ex‑boyfriend Alex Woodworth 16 times — actions that went far beyond mere self‑defense, prosecutors concluded.

A Tangle of Love, Jealousy, and Identity

Born Monica Karlen, Ezra chose her name in homage to Chris McCandless from "Into the Wild." By 2017, she was embroiled in a complex romantic web involving two men: Alex Woodworth, a 24‑year‑old barista and aspiring philosophy professor, and Jason Mengel, a 33‑year‑old Army Reserve medic.

Initially, McCandless and Mengel were deeply involved — enough to even use pet names — before she secretly began dating Woodworth. When both relationships dissolved, the tension became explosive.

The Deadly Woodland Meeting

On March 22, 2018, McCandless claimed she intended to speak to Woodworth about their past. Mengel, sensing something disturbing, followed her to the scene and witnessed her car parked at the woodlot, according to Oxygen.

What happened next would horrify the authorities. McCandless later appeared covered in mud and blood, and she reported Woodworth had attacked and tried to sexually assault her.

Investigation Unveils a Gruesome Truth

When police discovered Woodworth's body partially hanging from the back seat, they noted the 16 stab wounds — some inflicted after death. McCandless also bore the word "boy" carved into her arm, according to Oxygen. She claimed Woodworth had done it, but investigators concluded she self‑inflicted it to support her false narrative.

Evidence contradicted her claims: most blood was found outside the vehicle and there were no defensive wounds on Woodworth — suggesting a surprise and sustained assault.

The Self‑Defense Story Falls Apart

At trial, McCandless testified she had defended against an attack after Woodworth pulled a knife. But forensic experts said her superficial wounds suggested she staged defensive injuries. DNA, knife ownership — it was traced to her father — and the brutality of the scene all pointed to premeditation.

She admitted the carving was her own doing, and evidence showed she lured Woodworth to the woods hoping he'd apologize to Mengel — only to blame her actions on him, according to All That's Interesting.

Love, Texts, and Obsession

The day before the murder, McCandless reportedly sent over 600 text messages to Mengel, pleading for reconciliation and painting herself as a victim. Officer Ryan Prock testified, "She was saying anything she could to make herself look like a victim. She thought Jason would maybe look at getting back together with her if she was a victim," All That's Interesting reported.

Guilty Verdict and Life Sentence

On November 1, 2019, the jury found McCandless guilty of first‑degree intentional homicide. She was later sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 50 years and is currently incarcerated in Wisconsin.

The Dangers of Obsession

This isn't just a tale of heartbreak — it's an unsettling portrait of obsession, violence, and deceit. McCandless' layers of lies — from self‑defense claims to staged wounds — peel back a disturbing psyche ready to kill for love. Each detail reveals more — 16 stabs, a self‑inflicted carving, hundreds of desperate texts. It's a story that serves as a grim reminder: emotions can spiral out of control, and obsession can consume reason itself.

References: The Chilling Story Of Ezra McCandless, The Wisconsin Woman Who Kept Stabbing Her Ex‑Boyfriend Even After She Killed Him | Woman Lied About Self‑Defense in 'Bizarre' Murder: 'Would Do Whatever Needed to Be Done'