April Holt: The Mother Who Challenged Her Daughter's Death Investigation

In July 2023, 29-year-old April Holt was found unresponsive inside her Tennessee home. Investigators initially ruled her death a suicide, but her mother, Jamie Dickerson, questioned the findings and refused to accept that the investigation was over. Determined to find answers, Jamie began examining the circumstances surrounding her daughter's death, requesting records and pushing authorities to take another look. Her efforts eventually brought attention to a 47-page police review report containing important forensic evidence involving April's husband, Donovan Holt. In September 2024, Donovan was arrested and charged with reckless homicide, tampering with evidence and making a false report. He later pleaded guilty to all three charges and was sentenced in February 2025. In this episode of True Crime Recaps, Chris examines April Holt's case, the evidence that challenged the original findings and how one mother's persistence helped bring renewed scrutiny to her daughter's death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices