Mothers of Bakersfield 3 Seek Answers in New Documentary

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — In the scorching summer heat, Cheryl Holsonbake drove two hours from her home to Kern County, California, searching for answers about her missing son. Joined by two other mothers of missing individuals, Holsonbake combed the land for signs, hoping to find anything that could lead her to her child.

“We took shovels and looked for my son there,” Holsonbake recalled. “If I could just search with my own hands and find him, I could bring him home to his family.” The mothers, who have united under the name “Bakersfield 3,” are featured in a new docuseries titled “The Bakersfield 3: A Tale of Murder and Motherhood,” premiering Sunday on Investigation Discovery.

Holsonbake’s son, Micah, disappeared in March 2018, the same month as 20-year-old Baylee Despot, who was known to him. A month later, 38-year-old James Kulstad, another friend, was murdered. Holsonbake believes the cases may be intertwined. “It was Byrne, who realized the connections between our children’s cases,” Holsonbake shared, referring to Diane “Di” Byrne, who passed away in 2024.

All three children struggled with personal issues. Micah became addicted to prescription drugs after a surgery in 2003. Baylee battled bipolar disorder and even survived an overdose. Kulstad, an avid surfer, developed a drug addiction after a car accident.

Baylee’s mother, Jane Parrent, vividly remembers the last hug she gave her daughter before she vanished. “I just wish that hug was tighter,” she said tearfully. “You never know what’s going to happen. I saw her, touched her, smelled her, heard her voice that day.”

The mothers grew frustrated with the lack of progress in their cases. They took the initiative to follow tips from social media and investigate leads themselves. “I have nowhere to look and everywhere to look,” Parrent expressed, highlighting their relentless search for answers.

In 2018, parts of a dismembered body were found, prompting Holsonbake to pursue new technological methods for DNA testing. In a heartbreaking conclusion, she learned that one body part belonged to her son, Micah.

In 2022, Matthew Queen was convicted of murder in Micah’s case and sentenced to 30 years to life. However, the whereabouts of Baylee remain unknown, and James’s murder is still unsolved.

The documentary aims to raise awareness about the cases and encourage anyone with information to step forward. “Just come to us. We’ll take it from there,” Holsonbake urged. “I’ll always be searching.” The docuseries airs May 11 at 8 p.m. on Investigation Discovery.