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The case of war veteran Jack Irwin's murder and the involvement of his new friends, Marcia Johnson and Judy Gellert, remains one of Upland's most disturbing mysteries, which still has some loose threads. The case dates back to 1999 but remains just as intriguing today as it was then.
Jack Irwin's murder is also the subject of Investigation Discovery's Cabin in the Woods, its latest true-crime series. The show will cover this case in its second episode, titled Murder on Mt. Baldy, which is set to premiere on September 16, 2024, at 10.00 PM EST. The synopsis for the episode reads:
"Tragedy strikes a mountain community when a beloved resident, 71-year-old Jack Irwin, disappears without a trace; strange crimes plague the old cabin where Jack used to live, and a compelling wiretap operation."
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While the investigation seemed to be going nowhere at first, police were able to zero down on Marcia Johnson and Judy Gellert, who met and befriended Irwin months before his death. After a tough interrogation, Marcia ultimately confessed to killing Jack Irwin. She was sentenced to life in prison for this. She continues to remain in a correctional facility in California.
Judy Gellert, meanwhile, testified against Marcia and received a short sentence in exchange. She was handed a 180-day imprisonment sentence, five years probation, and a fine of $150,000. Judy is out of prison and is leading a private life now.
How were Marcia Johnson and Judy Gellert involved in Jack Irwin's murder?
In 1999, Jack Irwin finally decided to move out of his solitary life in the cabin and purchased a house in the town of Upland. Around this time, he also put his cabin up for sale, which led him to Marcia Johnson and Judy Gellert, who wanted to purchase the cabin on Mount Baldy.
They got in touch with Irwin but claimed that they did not have the funds right then. Irwin, being a helpful person, allowed them to stay at the cabin and pay a mortgage.
However, Judy and Marcia continued to get closer to the elderly war veteran and had him sign over his financial assets to them. They also got access to his bank accounts and had him sign an agreement that would give them possession of the cabin when Jack died.
A few months after Jack allowed them to take the cabin without paying the full price, Judy and Marcia reportedly stopped paying him the monthly mortgage, which he expressed to his friends.
On October 3, 1999, Marcia Johnson reported Jack Irwin missing. As Jack's friends were already apprehensive about the duo and told the police the same, they soon started digging into Judy Gellert and Marcia Johnson.
They discovered that the two had practically emptied Jack's bank account, burnt his cabin down for the insurance money, and sold his place at Upland to buy themselves a home in San Diego. All this gave authorities a solid "motive."
Soon, police brought in Marcia to interrogate. After rigorous interrogation, Marcia confessed to shooting Jack Irwin in the back of his head before dismembering him with a chainsaw. She claimed that she murdered the elderly man because he criticized Judy and had exposed himself to her.
Where are Judy Gellert and Marcia Johnson now?
Marica was arrested immediately after the confession and charged with multiple offenses. Judy, meanwhile, pleaded guilty to one count of receiving stolen property and testified against Marcia in exchange for dropping other charges against her. Judy received a 180-day imprisonment sentence, five years probation, and a fine of $150,000 in restitution.
Marcia was convicted of 26 counts, including the first-degree murder of Jack Irwin. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Currently, Marcia is incarcerated at the California Institution for Women in the city of Chino, California. Judy, meanwhile, got out soon after and has stayed out of the limelight.
The upcoming episode of Cabin in the Woods will cover this case in more detail.
