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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The latest public updates located here, published in 2025, said Jane Parrent was still searching for her daughter Baylee Despot and Cheryl Holsonbake remained active in sharing information about missing-person cases. Diane “Di” Byrne, the mother of James Kulstad, died on April 23, 2024. Those reports describe public activity at the time; they do not establish the women’s private circumstances or provide a live update on the cases.
Who were the mothers of the Bakersfield 3?
The name “Bakersfield 3” refers to three friends from Bakersfield whose cases brought their families together: Baylee Despot disappeared, Micah Holsonbake went missing and was later confirmed murdered, and James Kulstad was shot to death. The label describes the cluster of cases and the families’ joint efforts; it is not evidence that the three cases were part of one proven conspiracy.
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- Jane Parrent is Baylee Despot’s mother. Baylee was 20 when she disappeared in April 2018.
- Cheryl Holsonbake is Micah Holsonbake’s mother.
- Diane “Di” Byrne was James Kulstad’s mother. She died in 2024.
What is publicly known about each mother now?
| Mother | Latest public update cited here | What the update does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Parrent | People reported in May 2025 that she continued searching for Baylee and that a public Bakersfield 3 page was receiving updates. (People, May 2025) | Her private circumstances or a later official resolution of Baylee’s disappearance. |
| Cheryl Holsonbake | People reported in May 2025 that she remained involved in sharing information about missing-person cases. In a 2025 interview, she discussed speaking up and asking local representatives questions. (People, May 2025; Marie Claire, 2025) | Her private circumstances or the current operational status of any organization. |
| Diane “Di” Byrne | People reported that she died on April 23, 2024, after ovarian cancer. The report said she did not know who killed James before her death. (People, May 2025) | Any present-day activity: Byrne died in 2024. |
The dates matter: the updates above are published accounts, not live status checks. They do not support claims about where Parrent or Holsonbake live, their health, employment, family lives, or current emotional state.
How did the mothers support other families?
People reported that the mothers founded Bakersfield 3 Charity in April 2019. The outlet described its purpose as helping families search for missing children and supporting crime-solving efforts in Kern County, with proceeds benefiting the Kern Secret Witness Program. The sources cited here do not verify whether the charity is still operating, who leads it now, or how donations are currently handled.
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Holsonbake described her approach to advocacy in a 2025 Marie Claire interview: “I think the thing I’m proudest of is we taught people that you can show up and you can talk to your local representatives, and you can ask questions about the information you’re seeing on the news or the data that you’re seeing in a a press release about crime levels, and that you can band together with other people and you can make a difference.”
What has been resolved in the cases—and what has not?
Matthew Queen was convicted of second-degree murder in 2022 in connection with Micah Holsonbake’s death. That conviction does not resolve James Kulstad’s killing or Baylee Despot’s disappearance. The reporting cited here continued to describe Baylee as missing, but it does not establish a later official outcome. A lack of a reported development in these accounts is not proof that investigators have taken no action.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can viewers find the Bakersfield 3 documentary?
The three-part Investigation Discovery series The Bakersfield 3: A Tale of Murder and Motherhood debuted in 2025 and draws on the reporting and family story. A Prime Video listing describes the series and lists discovery+ or HBO Max as other viewing routes. Streaming catalogs vary by country and date, so check the current listing in your region rather than treating those routes as guaranteed availability. (Prime Video listing)
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