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Austin woman charged with killing best friend, kidnapping baby makes courtroom appearance
Over a year after the incident, the Austin woman who allegedly killed her best friend and kidnapped her newborn baby saw a courtroom virtually from the Travis County Jail for the first time on Monday.
Thirty-five-year-old Magen Fieramusca's trial was reset to April 28 after her defense attorneys asked the Travis County court for another month to prepare for the case.
Fieramusca's charges include capital murder, tampering with a corpse and two counts of kidnapping after her best friend, Austinite Heidi Broussard, went missing in December 2019 and was found dead in the trunk of Fieramusca's car at a Harris County home a few weeks later. Broussard's three-week-old baby, Margo Carey, was found safely inside the home.
According to Broussard's ex-boyfriend, Fieramusca tried to pass on the baby as her own and allegedly told friends and family she had given birth to a daughter named Luna Mae. Fieramusca's ex-boyfriend said that he had noticed her belly growing and feeling "hard" in the weeks before the alleged kidnapping.
Alongside Broussard's body, evidence against Fieramusca includes several internet searches she made during the kidnapping window, including "reasons for Amber Alert," "Amber Alert issued Austin," and "bodies found in Austin Texas."
The FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit found "maternal desire" to be Fieramusca's main motive in the alleged kidnapping and murder. According to the unit, some mothers who lose their baby can have urges to take another in order to fulfill their wishes of having a child.
The case shocked the nation and was even featured on Dateline NBC's Abducted in early 2020. Broussard's Austin neighbors have said she was an "awesome mom" and friend and have held vigils in her honor.
The child, who is now over a year old, was reunited with her father two days before Christmas 2019.
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Popular
Tito's Handmade Vodka
Show your love for Tito's and for the community this year with a wide selection of not that ugly, uglyish, ugly, uglier, and ugliest holiday sweaters.
There's lots choose from, and plenty of accessories like scarves and socks, plus gear for your dog, too.
All of the items can be purchased online or at the Love, Tito’s Retail Store in Austin, TX. 100% of all net proceeds from online or in-store purchases go to one of the nonprofits we’ve teamed up with.
Click here to see the entire collection in the Tito's store.
🗓 All weekend
Check out this highly anticipated art exhibition with illuminated art along Waller Creek. Tickets are free and the event includes food vendors, dazzling lights, live music, and hands-on activities
All weekend 6 p.m - 10 p.m | 📍Waterloo Park
This iconic holiday tradition lights up for the first time this holiday season starting this weekend! Reserve your spot for an enchanting light and sound performance, delicious hot cocoa, sweet treats, and some overall fun with your friends or family. The show runs till January 6th.
6 p.m and 9 p.m | 📍Mozart's Coffee Roasters - 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
🗓 Saturday
This fitness event is free and open to the public. Get your morning started right with a "Fitness in the park" class for kickboxing! The class will be led by certified instructors and is a great way to get a cardio workout in while also honing your self-defense skills.
10 a.m - 11 a.m | 📍 Metz Park
Support local LBGTQ+ and female artists at this outdoor market with over 150 vendors. Get your holiday shopping out of the way at this event, with vendors for food trucks, handmade goods, raffles, hands on workshops and activities, and more.
Did someone say cheese?! If you're like me and always willing to get your hands on a bowl of mac and cheese, then this event is for you. Check out the Mac and Cheese festival happening this weekend to decide which vendor has. the best mac and cheese for yourself, and enjoy the bar with creative cocktails while you're at it. Tickets start at $45.
11 a.m - 3 p.m | 📍Lantana Place - 7415 Southwest Parkway
