Case 233: Denise Amber Lee

DESCRIPTION
When Nathan Lee arrived at his home in North Port, Florida, on January 17 2008, he immediately knew something was wrong. His two young sons were home alone, and his wife, 21-year-old Denise Amber Lee, was missing.
CREDITS
Narration - Anonymous Host
Research & writing - Erin Munro
Creative direction - Milly Raso
Production and music - Mike Migas
Music - Andrew D.B. Joslyn
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#truecrime #truecrimepodcast #casefilepodcast

[@ladyagresa]

This is so terrifying. Imagine that everyone is looking for you, you are on phone with dispatcher, you are waving to people outside the car, but you are going to die anyway... So heartbreaking.

[@carrot-love-to-watch-youtube]

The fact that she could have been saved is heartbreaking.

[@katherine9109]

I know! that's the thing about this horrible, horrible crime... poor Denise. and all who lost her.

[@Rrainebow80]

I can't sleep at night without casefile. You tube, podcast. Its a daily staple for me.

[@brandyjean7015]

Brave & strong, Denise had tried so hard. Witness Jane had tried her best: reporting to authorities & even volunteering to follow King's vehicle. And then Charlotte County personnel had a classic "what we have here is a failure to communicate" moment... for which their Sheriff wouldn't apologize: speaks volumes

[@GaiaCarney]

Brandy Jean - exactly! Also: If the Peeping Tom, Indecent Exposure & Rape crimes committed by Michael King had been deemed WORTHY of investigation there might have been the chance he’d have been convicted & incarcerated. Instead, he escalated his violent behavior toward women up until the kidnap & murder of Denise 😡 Just like the harming of animals is an indicator of violent psychopathy, Peeping Tom & Indecent Exposure Acts also indicate violent psychopathy. Violence against women is NOT normal! Law enforcement & the judiciary must take it more seriously!

[@lindc1070]

Unbelievable

[@katherine9109]

drives me MAD when cops, prosecutors, judges REFUSE to apologize - or even admit when they're wrong.

[@adamshannon]

I’m so glad Jane didn’t follow him in the end, knowing how he was armed. Jane did all she could.

[@user-mt4ku7jw1y]

Shame on her for not following

[@khijir2]

God bless that 17 year olds daughters heart. She tired her best to save Denise. I'm proud she took she incitive.

[@ulalaFrugilega]

Extremely frustrating case that left me in growing disbelieve... and horror. Without the somehow stabilizing presence of dear Anonymous Host, this would have been unbearable.

[@kellycharles9894]

This case breaks my heart. All of these cases are heartbreaking, but this is one that always sticks with me 😢

[@kellycharles9894]

@DeFCoN oh good, I am glad you understand, silly me thought people would only understand if I used an emoji… oops watch out… here it comes again ….🖕🏻

[@kellycharles9894]

@DeFCoN yes you are. I’m a stay at home mom 😉 bye Felicia

[@ulalaFrugilega]

@DeFCoN That the Royal "we"?😂

[@ulalaFrugilega]

@DeFCoN Na, I'm a writer, publishing in two languages. 🤗

[@ulalaFrugilega]

@DeFCoN Depends on the Audience I'm addressing and the type of thing I'm writing. Do you really see any point in holding a specific set of communicative symbols superior to others? Aside from the obvious advantage of feeling superior yourself as a somewhat illogical result.

[@cjenui]

Hey uhh your uncle just kidnapped a woman ...please dont call the cops

[@linziwade2529]

Man I was hoping she would have been rescued 😭😭😭😭😭😭 heartbreaking.

[@ulalaFrugilega]

Me too! I could not believe he was able to vanish away while that witness was talking to the dispatcher... That poor, brave, smart woman!

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

I hate this case. Soooo many missed opportunities, so many f*ckups. #1 is the useless dispatcher, followed by inept cops. How's many concerned citizens called in the kidnapping? *Lots* . She's could have been saved if the teletype operator hadn't been sent home early, or if dispatch has called neighboring police with three information.

[@TheTesemeau]

Saturday night just got a whole lot better, thanks Casefile!

[@JojoplusBo]

Love Casefile … head over and have a Bo-peep of Emma Kenny’s channel

[@Irunwithscissors63]

This lady was so brave. She put her kids first too. Amazing. Although I can’t stand the phrase ‘she was a daughter of one of our own’. This reeks of her being more important than any other missing/abducted person. They let her down tho. Big time. What a repulsive excuse for a human being he is. RIP Denise.

[@katherine9109]

and he's STILL alive..!!! what her father said about "him being able to think about Denise". omg.

[@jesusfreak996]

Any good mother would, put her kids first

[@dragonmoon4413]

In another video ... the actual 911 call from Denise ... the dispatcher just kept saying hello hello and didn't actually listen to Denise while she was talking to her kidnapper and trying to give the 911 operator information on what was going on. The system failed Denise.

[@sidstovell2177]

Thank you for your excellent work.

[@danrobinson572]

I thought 💭 you took a break. Now my afternoon is much better.

[@vashon100]

Starts 1:50

[@mickcooney4479]

I remember the Denise amber less like it was yesterday. This was so close to home for us and we were out that day and was wondering what was going on. Than we seen on the news or a friend called not sure what happened first. I didn’t know her but it happened in out town. Broke our hearts, such a young beautiful mommy. To me with all the calls this very well could have been prevented. You just never know how important it is to follow up.

[@angelacharlebois6567]

I'm sorry but I feel like so many people could have been saved in a lot of these horrific tragedies if they did not have dispatchers with the IQ of a podded plant🤯

[@ulalaFrugilega]

Right! Can't believe how long it took this idiot to realize what was going on and then she asks her last name?!? While dispatching no one?!? I feel bodily nauseated by this woman's fate! So unnecessary!

[@GaiaCarney]

Right?! The U.S. needs to establish standards for ALL professions. Detailing the work, it’s duties, the ethics of the work, the training required etc. This may sound elaborate, but most European countries have established these standards. It’s regarded as a professional benchmark, whether your a food server, taxi driver, teacher or cashier.

[@dylanwicklund5129]

What about harold the cousin he was so dumb he heard her yell call the cops sees his cousin shove her down and speed off then goes to his house oh not their no lawnmower and doesn't call the cops calls his daughter says what's up including giving a shovel and gas to him but don't call the cops I'm so glad she ignored her dumbass dad

[@amandasiddle6571]

Woo hoo just in time casefile thanku ❤

[@zero_bs_tolerance8646]

Thank you.

[@jesusfreak996]

This poor woman and her poor family 😢😢

[@lindc1070]

The errors are unforgivable

[@huntlife]

That 911 call while she was riding and trying to talk- didn't the dispatcher realize the danger?

[@randomfaca]

I for one cannot believe his cousin gave him a shovel and a gas tank just like that while he's acting all flustered and has a woman in the car. I know its family and he later testified against him but come on.... what did he think, they were gonna go make a large barbecue or something??

[@jenford7078]

Sad story but makes a good point about poorly trained 911/emergency response operators, if a person tracked just what we hear on YT they could start their own channel and have it successful.

[@LaserPeckford]

I didn’t research this person while watching the video like I normally would. I just hoped she would be fine. Humanity is such a disappointment.

[@danrobinson572]

Funny you say that. I do they same thing haha 😂

[@ulalaFrugilega]

I wouldn't mind if Casefile put visuals in, but I listen in podcast anyway. Come here for the comments. The need to talk, or write off the sadness, pain, and especially in this case, frustration of learning some more about the human dark side, and the sloppy one, too.

[@Huck_Fexis]

Consooomer

[@katherine9109]

he had to have known he'd be caught, but he had to do it anyway..!!! evil monster.

[@georgia673]

This one was rough. That poor lady. What a strong woman. It breaks my heart that she didn't see her babies again. I have a one year old daughter and this story just make my heart ache. RIP Denise. 💔

[@dylanwicklund5129]

Wtf is wrong with harold he needs some jail time

[@marciageorgiades6507]

To many ads cannot continue to listen after this case

[@diannebdee]

Why does the missing girl/woman have to be the daughter of a law enforcement officer to warrant immediate response? Why can't the police and authorities respond to all these types of cases as if the missing were one of theirs?

[@pdstor]

There IS a doubt in my mind as to whether she'd be here - I'd easily see her getting killed by crossfire or at the end of a badly negotiated hostage situation with these idiots - but the stunning, jaw-dropping incompetence of that Sherriff's department is worthy of a coffer-cleaning wrongful death suit. And I cannot believe that idiot cousin not calling at the first. I ask this partially in dark humor, partially in a stunned outrage from one trained professional to another: what in the Hell is up with Florida?

[@naomiledger1374]

Slipped through the cracks? More like fell in bloody great big ravines! The police work in this case was abysmal. But all the witnesses (except Harold who apparently didn't know what to do upon hearing a woman scream out "call the cops"!) acted quickly and impressively and bravely, as did Denise herself. She fought bloody hard and damn smart for her life, bless her soul. May she rest in peace. I'm not sure if I missed something along the way but why did King do this? What was his intention? I'm still baffled by that part.

[@rossdawgsbrokenspirit9038]

2 many ads

[@vmm5163]

Omg there was about 3 minutes between each one. Very unlikely I will watch again. And certainly unsubscribing, I can't waste my time like this, it was infuriating

[@HaramXL]

You both need KZbin premium, no ads. It's brilliant

[@juliette2729]

Reset in peace Denice Amber Lee. 💐

[@rmooreg]

@ Sheral Dalton How so? I mean controlling in what way? I didn't pick up on it.

[@always_b_natural703]

Kudos to the niece for calling the police immediately. Her spidey senses must have been going off like crazy. The perp's cousin is a real POS.

[@SH-to8sh]

can you please do Mona Blades

[@texastea5686]

Makes you kinda wish King had died as a kid after the sledding accident. My heart is so sad for Denise... seems whether women fight for their lives or comply, they end up murdered anyway. Sucks

[@marciageorgiades6507]

She could have been saved.

[@walkingexistentaldread3079]

of all the excuses to make up, King went with the absolutely stupidest one.

[@user-mt4ku7jw1y]

Denise had it coming, terrible mother and wife

[@ItsKrma00]

Wow, just saw this on 48 hours or Dateline and then heard the podcast on another You Tube true crime channel a week later. There must be a scarcity of crime. I know Casefile does the most thorough job so I would stay to listen except I know the story by heart.

[@soappy1720]

What?

[@ninedaysjane2466]

Rude

[@jennklein1917]

❤😮❤😮

[@barriestirk4896]

☝️