The Bakersfield 3: A Tale of Murder and Motherhood will air tomorrow on ID and here's what we know so far 

ID (Investigation Discovery) is going to air a new true crime docuseries, The Bakersfield 3: A Tale of Murder and Motherhood, tomorrow. The Bakersfield 3: A Tale of Murder and Motherhood will air on May 11, exploring a heartbreaking and emotional case that grabbed national attention.

The three-part ID series tells the story of three young people from Bakersfield, California, whose lives changed quite suddenly, and two of them died under extremely mysterious circumstances. What connects them to each other is not just the place where they lived, but also their mothers, who came together to demand justice.

Everything we know about ID's The Bakersfield 3: A Tale of Murder and Motherhood

This ID series sheds light on the strength of three women, Diane Byrne, Jane Parrent, and Cheryl Holsonbake, who were brought together by the pain of losing their children but united by the strength to find out the truth. Each of them lost a child under mysterious and violent circumstances in 2018. Their children, James Kulstad, Baylee Despot, and Micah Holsonbake, would forever be remembered together. As their mothers searched for answers, their children came to be known as “The Bakersfield 3.”

The series is based on real events and inspired by the Marie Claire article “Of Murder and Motherhood” written by journalist Katya Cengel. The ID show follows the mothers' journey as they go through unanswered questions, connect the clues, and take on a justice system they feel has disappointed them. More than just a crime series, this is a story of courage, heartbreak, and what a mother will do to protect her child, even after death.

In the spring of 2018, the lives of the Bakersfield 3 were forever changed. Micah Holsonbake went missing in March, and parts of his remains were later found. In April, James Kulstad was shot and killed in his car. That same month, Baylee Despot disappeared and has not been seen since.

Baylee, however, in a shocking turn of events, has been charged with the murder of Micah Holsonbake. She did not act alone. The man she was living with, Matthew Queen, has been charged with murder too and has been sentenced to life in prison. While police didn’t immediately connect the three cases, the mothers believed otherwise, and they started their own investigation.

The series comprises three hour-long episodes, all airing tomorrow on ID. The first episode, titled One Mystery—or Three? airs at 8 p.m. ET. It’s followed by The Boogieman of Bakersfield at 9 p.m. and Fights Like a Mother at 10 p.m. Each episode reveals the layers of this complicated story, showing how the mothers fought for answers when they were struggling with frustration, fear, and loss.

Unfortunately, Diane Byrne passed away from cancer in 2024, but her determination and love continue to live on through her family and the movement she helped build. The remaining mothers, along with other supporters, continue to fight for justice and bring awareness to cases like theirs. The series honors their voices and tells the world why their children and their initiative matter.

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The Bakersfield 3: A Tale of Murder and Motherhood is more than just a true crime show. It’s a story about love, loss, and the strength of standing up when it matters most.

You can watch The Bakersfield 3: A Tale of Murder and Motherhood on ID & Max tomorrow, 11th May 2025, from 8 pm ET.

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