Descriptions of Loofe's remains create emotional day in Boswell trial

LEXINGTON, Neb. — Emotions ran high on Thursday, as details about the search of Sydney Loofe's remains in rural Clay County were revealed during witness testimony from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Boswell is accused of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and improper disposal of human skeletal remains in regards to the murder of Sydney Loofe of Lincoln in 2017. Aubrey Trail was found guilty in July of 2019.

Loofe disappeared in November of 2017. After an extensive search, her remains were found dismembered in ditches and fields near Edgar, Nebraska. It was that search, and the ultimately discovery, that was the main focus of Thursday’s testimony.

Returning to the witness stand was FBI Special Agent Eli McBride, who had also spoken on the stand on Wednesday. He spent five more hours on the stand on Thursday, including his depiction of his team’s response to a call about human remains in Clay County on Dec. 4, 2017. They continued to find more body parts on Dec. 5.

The jury was shown several pictures of the remains and witnesses described the scene, prompting emotions in the courtroom, including a visibly distraught Boswell. Black trash bags, a tarp, a pink animal leash, cut up pieces of clothing, sauna suits, yellow latex gloves, and duct tape were also found at the scene, in addition to torn up pieces of Loofe’s drivers license.

McBride said an autopsy was completed on Loofe's body December 7th. A search of the Wilber apartment where Boswell and Aubrey Trail was done on December 19th in an effort to find any evidence of Loofe, according to McBride. He said they spent about nine and a half hours at the Trail and Boswell residence, where evidence of blood was found. A luminol test also revealed blood in the car driven by Boswell and Trail. A book titled The Human Body Atlas" was among the other items discovered at the residence.

In cross examination, McBride was asked about how pieces of the body were moved overnight, apparently grabbed by an animal. He stated that he thought patrol cars parked near the body would provide enough deterrence.