She Woke Up Covered in Her Husband’s Blood

[@LawAndCrime]

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[@thetruthwillsetyoufree9209]

I'm surprises people thought Melissa was guilty. To me her emotions and behaviour was genenuine. She was distraught in the interview. Felt bad for her, grieving, traumatized and under suspicion.

[@Michelle_Mack]

I am already a sub of crimetastic, but I just wanted to say that I think it’s awesome that ya’ll share other creators videos.

[@isabelpark7650]

​@@thetruthwillsetyoufree9209I thought for a short time it was Melissa when things didn't add up with the police. But when others were interviewed I quickly changed my mind. Dawn should of been charged with murder. But I guess karma has its own ideas with her passing away at only 50. I am so glad everyone is doing well now.

[@rosaliefinamore1377]

³1q33³³³³³33³3³e÷÷³ę9i​@@thetruthwillsetyoufree9209

[@ag6907]

Awesome but shady. I'm not sure sometimes. Does it matter? YES. He did link the original? YES

[@mdep19]

When Melissa was being interrogated and the cops were obviously suspecting her but she didn’t seem mad about it and just kept coming up with explanations….i thought for sure she was guilty. And then she ended up being a saint and lucky to be alive. I feel like this goes against everything behavioral specialists think they know about interrogations.

[@snudder.s.m.l.5026]

I think she was in chok, and that is why she wasn't mad at them. Survivel 😊

[@mischr13]

I think it shows how little "body language" matters as an actual factor. people behave so differently that it's ridiculous to generalize. like, I'm autistic and I would probably answer everything (well, not NOW, cuz I know not to talk to cops, but before I knew that) bc I take things people say at face value. sometimes I don't pick up on the subtext of what someone is saying bc their implying is too subtle

[@nicolestewart]

Dawn should have gone to prison for real. Bless Melissa and her family ❤😢

[@ereder1476]

Ks​@@snudder.s.m.l.5026

[@9babyblu]

​@@snudder.s.m.l.5026 Chok... I think you meant, shock*

[@kellyjean7182]

Gotta admit I really thought Melissa was guilty at first, hearing how calm she was on the police call and then her story didn’t seem right. Goes to show everyone does handle these situations differently. I’m glad she was given custody of Alyssa.

[@djLagwayEnjoyer]

@@kellyjean7182 to be fair to her she was breaking down every 30 seconds on the police call and she became “calm” because she said she was trying not to freak out her daughter (and by calm you could tell it was a very very obvious form of call because it sounded nothing like how she normally talks)

[@gaildavison5180]

Me too

[@ChayaHampton]

That’s how I the police knew she didn’t do it When my son passed I didn’t no what to think

[@rabbitss11]

@@ChayaHampton 'didn't know'

[@Murdoc2080]

​@user-hy3vu6sq1i Sorry to hear this. Hope you found some peace

[@aimeekova]

To know you’re innocent but know that the facts make you look guilty, terrifying.

[@jannasmith3275]

Yeah. Thats exactly what I was thinking. That is really scary.

[@RockyTop85]

Everyone is guilty until proven innocent

[@kandieskew2268]

​@@RockyTop85bull crap

[@ShecalledmeKING]

That has thee most sinking feeling

[@KinjiUrba]

@@kandieskew2268 nope. it's very true. Just think about public opinion with media and social media these days.

[@AllenMacCannell]

Melissa turned out to be the angel of the story. I'm glad Alyssa grew up happy with Melissa as her mom

[@catherineturley]

this case is a great example of a witness being left unharmed as well as faulty blood spatter and trajectory interpretation.

[@Scent_Library]

There is absolute honesty in the pain in Melissa’s voice. When she said she was terrified of being blamed for her husbands death. Hearing her pain made me cry. I hope she’s doing better in life today

[@luarietate1619]

For real I didn't feel for her at all.She's a murderer.

[@PneumaNoose]

@@luarietate1619that’s not at all what the OP is saying. And she’s 100% innocent. What a horrific comment.

[@kimberlymoss683]

@@Scent_Library This has nothing to do with the case or video. I just wanted to pop in and say hi to a fellow Kimberly Rose 😉

[@marsharoark5407]

@luarietate1619 his wife wasn't a murder. His ex-wife was. Should really get your story straight

[@K2.OffDaRecord]

🙏🕊️❤️

[@DeezLouize]

Dmn.. imagine waking up with your significant other dead next to you then getting accused of killing them.

[@brittanydiane214]

There are several true crime stories that start off like this. This is the first story where it was the truth. The 911 call was confusing too! Crying then talking normal… Then the brother was odd looking and sounding!

[@highjinx6519]

@@brittanydiane214yeah I thought for sure it was him as soon as they showed his picture.

[@honeybee1852]

@@highjinx6519people like you that judge someone just based off looks scare me, I really hope you’re never called for jury duty. I’ve heard a lot of people online say the opposite thing about attractive or wealthy people, that they couldn’t possibly have murdered someone, bc they have $ or are too attractive to possibly murder. It’s crazy scary how many people think the same thing & judge criminal acts esp murder on how attractive or wealthy or poor or strange/unattractive looking someone is

[@crystallc8871]

@@brittanydiane214I thought the same thing. Was convinced she was guilty.

[@crystallc8871]

@@honeybee1852Probably because he had that strung out look. 🤷‍♀️

[@Jarvitalize]

Did I read it right that Melissa adopted Brandi too? What a beautiful heart if true

[@costaricandoll4278]

This is so sad. I feel sorry for the wife and the little girl.

[@olivelillies]

this

[@twincherry4958]

Was she guilty?

[@mscookie3613]

And the little brother! Poor kid was also being accused and he was just in high school!

[@Bluemoonbeach]

​@@twincherry4958no

[@vivianvargas5732]

​@@twincherry4958who? If you mean the wife ( Melissa) no it was James the alcoholic bf of the ex-wife (Dawn) with her help she got off easy though imo she sld be rooting in prison along with her bf 7 yrs is all she got and if that wasn't a travesty itself she only served 3 😐

[@autumngray7293]

I 1000 percent thought Melissa did it initially ...to be so calm for the little girl and to have an answer for everything...even the way she was answering and the way the cops were asking ....turns out she was just truly an honest and caring MOTHER to ALYSSA ❤ maintaining her demeanour and pushing her own. Heartache down to protect this babygirl

[@CollistoJupiter]

I’m reading thru the comments and seeing similar answers and I’m trying to figure out how on earth yall are thinking she was guilty😂😂 it’s beyond me

[@danielhague43]

@@CollistoJupiter first 10 minutes of the video made her look slightly guilty. She was in shock and was acting sus. You didn’t see that?

[@JanaeJ-vy2xn]

@@CollistoJupiterexactly 😂 like they finna get on my nerves all because she was calm for her child ? Like come on now

[@jogould1045]

No, She behaved in the same way that i would try to behave if i had a young 6 year old whose dad was dead in the next room. I would try to control myself for her and frankly the shock would help. I always wait until the crisis is over before i lose it, losing it during a crisis is just not a survival trait.

[@SetsunaMeiou-SailorPluto]

​@@danielhague43it really didn't. That is normal behavior for some people dealing with shock and trauma. Not everyone processes things the same and this is just as normal a reaction as screaming your head off is. This is exactly why you don't take things at face value. This is also why I believe body language BS and things like it shouldn't be used to try to prove someone's guilt. Not everyone acts the same.

[@taylorinvancouver2017]

The way she sounded on the phone and in person, to me it looked very real and honest! I’m so glad they got the real person!

[@Xcuvon]

Lies

[@eris1979]

Right! I've had to stay calm for my babies in face of tragedy, listening to her trying to stay calm for her baby girl makes my heart hurt 💔

[@Katrina-qs2rl]

What a fantastic 911 operator. She gets a ton of information from the caller.

[@MAArch-ec7se]

Agree. Excellent operator!

[@Beastiboo]

Why do they need to interrogate on the call? I‘m not sure what the list of questions are that they are required to ask.

[@erikamccarthy1457]

@@Beastiboo 8/5/24 I’m not sure either, but we all know those calls are used against you, if charged (or say something different that doesn’t match 911 call, ppl go into Shock!) now I know why ppl give address & hang up, or ask neighbor to call!

[@erikamccarthy1457]

@@Katrina-qs2rl 8/5/24 I think they over step boundaries sometimes, some questions I think they have No business asking. Unless it pertains to safety of person or responders. Use against you, if answer differs and court if charged. She was in Shock! Many ppl are.

[@QuinnieMae]

​@@MAArch-ec7seI'm always amazed by how many people don't understand what a 911 operator does and how much pressure they're under.

[@justme-cr2zc]

I thought Melissa was innocent the minute I heard her talk about Alyssa and not losing her.

[@memefirst8151]

Me too

[@MrRobertX70]

same here

[@dawnellafreeman4860]

That detail about how she thought her husband was being sick... her grief... all totally genuine

[@leafyfeatherz6975]

Yeah at first I was on the fence but her thinking she could be losing that little changed my mind. She sounds like a true mother

[@mmmteeth]

​@@dawnellafreeman4860That part rly got to me, that sort of innocent reasoning followed by gut-wrenching realization are what nightmares are made of...

[@janie9468]

It’s disgusting that Dawn manipulated a young man to do her dirty work and she gets to walk free

[@HellenaHanbasquet]

She died at 50 and lived her last years a distraught mess. I think Karma did what prison never could have.

[@unabashedlyluckynerd7148]

​@@HellenaHanbasquetelaborate?

[@rachaelthompson1390]

​@@HellenaHanbasquettrue

[@SeanShimamoto]

Well karma did catch up with her in another way…she did serve 5 years in prison for: “The key witness in the murder of her ex-husband was sentenced Tuesday to 90 months in Nevada State Prison for using her 15-year-old daughter in multiple drug transactions.”

[@Enig_Mata]

@@HellenaHanbasquet I think if she were in prison, she would be alive today because she would have had to clean up her act.

[@Lucy-ym8ch]

The despair when she says " i know she's the mom" makes my blood run cold. I knew then she didn't do it. Even if she had a motive to harm him, she wouldn't risk Alyssa returning to her bio mom.

[@autumngray7293]

That part! You could hear her whole heart . That's when I knew too...bc before that... It was sounded iffy

[@Lucy-ym8ch]

@@autumngray7293 oh yes, moms recognise that catch in her voice. I mean, I'm autistic and I still heard it.

[@JM90Gurl]

Exactly! She didn’t even demonize the mom at first she didn’t take sides in who cheated or anything. But that cry I KNEW she was innocent she loved that little girl like she was her own and was terrified for her safety more than anything else.

[@kerwynbrat5771]

Rule one. Never talk to the police without a lawyer present. Period.

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

But she had to talk to the 911 operator.

[@joni8090]

​@@Woozlewuzzleable Reporting a Crime has No Similarity to Interrogation WITHOUT A LAWYER PRESENT !

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

@@joni8090 Can't they use what she says in the phone call against her in the court of law?

[@joni8090]

@@Woozlewuzzleable Yes , but ... An Official Interview is an Official process , Signed dated & recognized by All present , a Telephone call 'Could be' a Staged event with a Gun to someone's Head etc take your pick of dramatic story lines ! An Official Interview Signs the Deal , but as the Above initial Comment state's , that should Never be done without Legal Representation under Any Circumstances ! 🙂

[@DaveandDebe]

That's "Rule one" when you're Guilty!

[@ComaKidShop]

This is the most tragic case to listen to! What a strong and beautiful hearted women she is!!

[@tjmurphy3081]

I’ve watched this three times and the way she is treated compared to the actual person who did this in the interrogation is sickening

[@WRDend]

She was laying next to the victim, it was the night of, they thought she was guilty 🤷 the GSR cleared her so they moved on.

[@PrayerPartnerExtraordinaire]

I heard about her, and this is terrifying

[@erikamccarthy1457]

@@tjmurphy3081 8/5/24 Exactly, and went on to press brother in law, her brother. Sick, but nice as pie to the unfit drunk, mad 😡 she had to pay child support (she lost custody)

[@David-cb3wj]

@@erikamccarthy1457almost as if someone was murdered and peoples feelings were secondary to finding the truth for the “victim”…. Why is everyone so sensitive

[@TraditionallyTexan]

​@@David-cb3wjtotally agree. I watched another video where they detained a guy who matched the description, turned out not to be him and everyone freaked out. The guy they were looking for robbed someone. So are we supposed to spare the feelings of someone who MAY be innocent by denying justice to the victim who IS innocent? I asked what if it was them who got robbed, they'd probably be totally ok detaining any and everyone then. You either want the cops to do their job, or you don't. You can't have it both ways, or even halfway. Sometimes investigations are uncomfortable to people, get over it. If you get sent away as an innocent person, ok, definitely have something to complain about but otherwise..? Honestly though, it wouldn't matter if they had been pleasant as punch to the wife here.. there's always that obligatory group of people who hate ALL cops for no reason. If they use appropriate force at all, they're too rough. If they de-escalate the situation, they're too soft. If you're a cop whatsoever, it's ultimately a lose lose situation either way. It's easy to sit in your comfy house watching KZbin and scrutinizing every move of a job that 99% of commenters probably couldn't even do. Sad reality.

[@sickof36]

Thankfully they didn't wrongfully send her away. Like they do so often

[@dpowers1185]

How often does it happen?

[@DawnRoache-y9n]

She's YT she was going to get fair trial

[@giigity]

So true!

[@harryparsons2750]

And Kamala keeps them there knowing they are innocent

[@harryparsons2750]

@@DawnRoache-y9nyt?

[@TheRealdal]

Melissa talks and her emotions seem so genuine. Especially when she talks about her ear ringing. She probably doesn’t realize she temporarily lost her hearing lying so close to her husband when he was shot. She had a blanket covering her and not him so it protected her from spray.

[@sharonsmutts]

Brilliant mum. Staying so calm so as not to upset the daughter.....I wish them well. X

[@Claire-cw5kb]

When she said “it’s the worst feeling thinking you could be blamed for your husbands death” I knew she was innocent by what she said and how she said it.

[@hazeleyesgreengrey8438]

Dawn is so bitter in this interview that she stood out like a sore thumb.

[@nicoleselsky7273]

Thats what I thought, the way she speaks so ill of him and he’s deceased is so disrespectful

[@skenni00]

I’m not agreeing with her AT ALL. but some people deserve hate. If she was innocent and he was just making her out to be awful, then a lot of us would think he was horrific. These cases are so hard because without the kid admitting what happened they may never had found out.

[@LawTalk-]

After the Karen read case, the safest thing for anyone is not speak without a lawyer

[@shannonminnig4674]

Oh after that case I trust NOBODY in the "justice system". What a damn joke.

[@AidaShawJ.D.]

Long before the Karen Read case! Ask for a lawyer right away! Even if it means YT runs out of interrogation videos.

[@samiazidane5041]

@@AidaShawJ.D.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@taylordevore2563]

Absolutely!! Scary thing, I’ve watched cases where the cops said they focused in on a person BECAUSE they asked for a lawyer! Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

[@Richgng]

Way before Karen read but yes

[@nicoljane3083]

What an angel Melissa is...

[@doygazgar]

So obvious Dawn was behind all this but was NEVER charged with murder?that's really poor detective work 😮absolutely appalling 😮

[@kirsti1822]

she got immunity for giving up her boyfriend, its not poor detective work

[@doygazgar]

@@kirsti1822 exactly my point? They could've had both of them doing life ? POOR DETECTIVE WORK?

[@kirsti1822]

@@doygazgar that’s not how it works though. They wouldn’t have had her help without it. You don’t know the point you’re trying to make if that’s “exactly your point”

[@doygazgar]

@kirsti1822 they didn't need her help 😂 🤣 😅 😜

[@daisysfield5456]

​@@kirsti1822 but part of her immunity deal was she had to tell the 100% truth and if she didn't the immunity deal would be thrown out. She lied!! So yeah they could have thrown out that immunity deal but they didn't. So yes bad police work.

[@jasonwynnart]

This story was wild. One of the rare occasions where the wife was actually telling the truth.

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

Spoiler alert! JK

[@Kittymay98]

Who did it? The brother? I don’t have 1:51.40 to listen and watch this whole video lol

[@heatherbukowski2102]

@@Kittymay98 ex-wife's boyfriend

[@MonkeyDLuffy-gd6se]

@@heatherbukowski2102 and ex-wife who got scot free because women.

[@suestone6156]

​@MonkeyDLuffyýuùùū😢y-gd6se

[@cn7andr]

That girl was in SHOCK on that phone… she wasn’t calm. Her mind just shut down and she was just answering questions. How devastating!

[@BettyDuguid]

And trying to stay calm for the 6 year old

[@Dave-sd7us]

17:31 get. a. lawyer. guilty? get a lawyer. innocent? get a lawyer.

[@deescott8312]

That’s right

[@deescott8312]

Always

[@limiwa]

YES

[@debbievalentine6810]

If you're not guilty why do you need a lawyer........ because I'm here!

[@beberexx5352]

@debbievalentine6810 police themselves tell their own family to get a lawyer and never speak to the police. If they tell this to their own families y wouldn't we do the same thing. If they know what they do to people during these interrogations are that horrible that their own families should never speak to the police without an attorney present than I'm not speaking to them without an attorney present either. Listen to the advice police give to their own loved ones. They want us to do differently for some reason but tell their loved ones to do the opposite of what they expect from us.

[@vivianvargas5732]

The fact that Donna wasn't even charged because they supposedly had very little evidence against her all while completely missing the map of Ben's house that SHE made for her bf that had never been inside the house, during there search of her house is an entire travesty itself BUT losing a bunch of evidence that cld have been used against her but wasn't because they were too busy wasting time trying to blame Melissa and her brother is unfukinforgivable😐

[@cherylsabol387]

UNBELIEVABLE when DA’d make deals with the person that made the decision to Kill someone! Her ex would be alive if it wasn’t for her!

[@gamingbutter5768]

??????

[@AliceA333]

Agreed, he was the one who felt guilty enough to talk & who refused to kill Melissa, she wanted them both dead & he wouldn't do it. She should be in jail over him.

[@mariyamniyaz]

Yes. Very bad judgement. Letting a young man under her influence take it all when she planned everything

[@UnreasonableArticulo]

It's upsetting that the mastermind behind it never had to face justice for this.

[@TrollynnWithTheHomies]

i read the comments before finishing her 911 call..and no way would i have predicted she WASNT guilty

[@pauline-glitterbugcrafts]

Me too, but it goes to show that you can't always tell by a person's reaction.

[@mrsANGRYh]

Yeah same..

[@nancifyme]

Same here. There is a reason why “behavior experts” aren’t recognized in court.

[@LinDa-vx3ly]

I absolutely would have. She came across as very genuine.

[@lassebauer]

IMO Dawn beat the system, seemingly because the cops/DA were too hasty with that immunity agreement

[@alisong2328]

I know we don't see everything here, but what did Dawn really give them that they couldn't have gotten from James?

[@lassebauer]

@@alisong2328 My thoughts exactly. Seems like they bet on the wrong horse

[@jenerin905]

​​@@alisong2328And James was 21! I'm sure James had a rap sheet on his own, but no one goes from theft to a hit-like murder without someone else's involvement. Dawn orchestrated it all and the cops should have known that.

[@Knightly7611]

Agree, she more culpable than the 21 yr old ​@@jenerin905 And why was his mother ok with this relationship

[@BettyDuguid]

Woe betide the next person to get on the wrong side of her, could be one of her children next, who knows

[@Ohyou8one2]

When Dawn asked the detectives what they think and tell her if she’s a suspect.. immediate red flag!

[@J00Ls]

To b fair, I had someone in my home and NO idea how they got in while me and my children slept! Fortunately he turned and ran when he heard my daughter screaming when she saw him heading for my bedroom.

[@nunyah8705]

How they got in? They opened an unlocked door. Lol

[@brittanyclark9867]

That is freaking terrifying!! I’m so glad you and your children are ok

[@J00Ls]

@@brittanyclark9867 They're still trying! But, it is what it is! It's a mans world and we're all female.

[@michelleb7399]

@@nunyah8705I don’t know about that person, but this also happened to me. He woke me out of a dead sleep to SA me. Came through my living room window.

[@TharaLetzISLANDER]

I need to lock my doors

[@carlalloyd8892]

What a horrible woman…. Dawn… for someone who ‘can’t remember cause she was drunk’ has a remarkable recall of all that happened that night!!!😡

[@tinamarie1948]

that part!

[@rescuerhonda0164]

I live in Douglas County, and I never heard of this murder until now. Very surprising, since it's a small, somewhat rural area. I am so glad to hear Alissa is doing well. Melissa is the best mom for her 💓

[@kellshorn]

Y'all!!!!! I feel BAD!!! Had I been on a jury with the wife on trial SHE WOULD BE IN PRISON!!! THIS IS CRAZY!!! But it goes to show that blood evidence isn't always cut and dried!!! I feel bad for misjudging her. What's real REAL crazy, I saw this one before and I didn't remember anything at all!!

[@CJR-bs7eu]

But you believed Donna, the ex wife & James?

[@elllekelly2215]

The ex wife knew damn well that it was done.. What an Actress! Oscar Worthy Drunk × gets into her vehicle × drives ...how many times she did this? The reason you lost custody of your daughter is because your alcohol is more important than her?? You are an Alcoholic ...be Responsible and get it together... This case is Unbelievable...

[@kevinadams7830]

Think about all the people wasting their lives in Prison because they were wrongly accused and convicted of a murder. Probably quite a few

[@ClareCosullivan]

Police not trained proper omg happens so much

[@laurariley7071]

Yes it is

[@ななころび]

Ben's life was considered in my book a mission accomplished, he found a real mom for his daughter who protected her at a time when her blood mom put her in the most danger ever

[@Ninergal91-w3y]

She sounds guilty but she's not. Lesson on considering people react in all sorts of ways.

[@wordswritteninred7171]

He asks the wife why she didn't see something or hear a car drive away. I know, first hand, what it's like to be awakened by gun shot. I was asleep. My adult son was awake in his bedroom. I woke up. I had zero knowledge of why I woke up. I knew something woke me up. But had no clue what it was. My son came to me and told me there was a gun shot just outside our patio doors. About that time, someone knocked real low, on the patio door. And asked for help. Someone was being chased down and shot. And they were shot on our patio. Had my son not been awake, we w look old not have known what was happening. Isn't this common sense? Doesn't everyone understand this? They should.

[@myunknownland9272]

Electric car

[@heatherwolmarans8287]

And if a gun goes off in the room you're in, you can't hear properly for a while afterwards.

[@tandylynnennis9639]

That plea deal should never have been made. This is bs

[@jen10272001]

Exactly! I would have gone to James and said Dawn is pinning the murder on you and seen what he had to say. That made no sense. She's the mastermind.

[@ArthurWigger]

I agree. She got away with murder

[@homedecordiyflips]

her cry was heartbreaking, my gut tells me she is innocent🥹

[@lasvegasbeet]

which “her”? just watch the video

[@ROYAL12366]

????

[@justme-cr2zc]

She (Melissa) is innocent

[@mischr13]

I mean, the video also tells you she's innocent

[@homedecordiyflips]

I wrote the comment after I watching her being interviewed. Maybe I lite premature comment ☺️ as I watched on I saw that she really was innocent 😇

[@denisemezynski8014]

Ive seen many bizare cases where people seemed guilty but were totally Innocent!! Detectives need to stop bullying some victims, cant count number of times this sweet lady was interrogated. When the evidence didnt point to Her at all....Seems many detectives want easy confession. Instead of doing the hard work.....its not Her JOB to figure out what happened!! As he implied ....

[@apachedevil44]

I thought the detectives were excellent. They explained why they had to ask the questions they did every step of the way and they never lied to her. I’ve seen so many POS detectives in these shows lie to the suspects and lock onto a suspect without exploring other options. I wish all detectives were like the ones in this case.

[@mz1860]

They had a Walmart video of both of them buying the stuff and gave her immunity??? And missed the diagram left behind 😅suckish investigators

[@Stretchlessbeauty]

Yeah, they had all this information connecting about her involvement in the murder and they gave her immunity.

[@Nagaeem]

@@Stretchlessbeautyyeah that's wild.... how about just do your job and convict them in court. You don't NEED a confession

[@m.ccheddarbox874]

I know some people would get upset about a date bringing their child, but I think it's absolutely adorable.

[@michelleb7399]

The way her voice would break at times, on the 911 call but then normalize to try to be calm for the little girl… the thumbnail had me thinking she was guilty but the emotion in her voice really got to me. I’ve been in similar situations and could totally relate to how she sounded on the phone and as well as her body language in the video. Poor woman.

[@beezab8569]

This is pretty normal. I've been there. The dispatcher was on the phone with me for 45 minutes until help arrived. I remember moments of calm that washed over me, then I'd fall apart, then I'd get calm, over and over. It's weird. I think our mind does this to try to distance ourself from the horror of what we witness.

[@cherylsabol387]

The ex wife was absolutely involved.. Innocent people don’t have conversations about killing someone!

[@danis4054]

Thank you for all the hard work you put into this video. Top tier! ❤ So sad for everyone involved. I hope Melissa has many grandchildren from her daughters.

[@shellbacksclub]

Immunity agreement was ridiculous!

[@cdes1776]

They very often are.

[@jaylatheunicorn9573]

I’m the same age as the six year old girlll that’s crazyyy and traumatic, I hope she is okay! She 23 years old now.

[@blue8493]

Her pain is heart wrenching to watch. The first time I have ever cried watching an interview on a crime channel.

[@nadia-jy9eb]

how strong and calm she was for her daughter.. astonishing omg

[@FunkyMunky-w2m]

Some ppl get calm in an emergency

[@marianateodorian1141]

"And he's never gonna breath again..?!?" Like, how nice is that...?

[@btstakescareofmewhenimsick4892]

She threw James under the bus faster than Eminem raps 😂

[@skd.officiall]

Once Melissa cried out like that in her interview, I knew she didn’t do it. That cry was from her soul 😢 she was really hurting and trying to be strong at the same time while answering all those accusations…smh poor girl.

[@stevehawkins4301]

I will never understand why people use murder as an option to solve a problem.😢

[@Joie991]

Cop asks what you didn’t hear or see anything???? Well she’s deaf from the gunshot and it’s dark??? Definitely lawyer time!!!

[@lesare6509]

So agree! Just seeing this on 8/26/24

[@ruqiaaraji558]

Melissa’s agonizing crying broke my heart 🥺poor souls! Alyssa got an amazing mama

[@nicoduplessis398]

The first interview with Melissa was brutal and insensitive. Clearly prejudiced. Does not try to build rapport. He owes her an apology. Treating her like that when she is in such distress is disgusting. He has got to be taught tact. Melissa is an angel and I am glad the court gave her custody over the kid.

[@AllegedlyMaybe]

That poor little girl..... and her beautiful caring mother who chose to be her mother and who Alyssa chose to be her mama......so incredibly sad!

[@eris1979]

Listening to her trying to stay calm for her daughter is breaking my heart 💔💔💔

[@laurariley7071]

Poor Melissa and her step daughter

[@beezab8569]

I absolutely believe her story. Her baseline eye position and real emotional response indicated to me that she was innocent. And she didn't try to fill in the voids with BS. She knew what she knew and didn't try to make up anything else.

[@markvinylgenie2920]

Likewise. Her behaviour seemed natural given the situation

[@drofnats1962]

That's what I call a Roller Coaster Ride, who would of guessed, not me.

[@ashleywright8686]

“would have” or would’ve” but not “would of” 😅

[@tracy5975]

​@asohhh r u a school teacher smh who cares hleywright8686

[@chp4822]

@@ashleywright8686to be fair that is a helpful grammar correction. Could help the OP look more professional in the future. The emoji was not very nice though. Maybe try for an 🍎 over a laugh.

[@BettyDuguid]

​@@ashleywright8686. That ' of' bugs me to, along with people calling the ground the floor. But hey, grammar doesn't seem to get much respect now.

[@kathyklarfeld2971]

Your coverage on this was fantastic! Thank you. This murder is such a HORRIBLE thing.

[@cherylsabol387]

When you have a crazy ex never leave your door unlocked!

[@nihilismistheonlyway4680]

Amen! Especially baby daddy or mama drama lol

[@highjinx6519]

Don’t leave it unlocked period! There’s plenty of random crazies out there.

[@offwitmelkychrms]

Our neighbors sleep with their back door open, so I always worry about them😩

[@BettyDuguid]

Her other ex husband had better lock his doors and windows

[@cherylsabol387]

Funny how she wasn’t concerned about her daughter when planning her ex husbands death

[@spinozareader]

I know. And how about when she involes her older child, Devin, into discussion about "Who, of all people, would I want to be gone?" Devin answered "Ben," immediately. She pulled her own children into her sinister, evil ideas.

[@nihilismistheonlyway4680]

Yikes. That ex looks ROUGH. Drinking too much, smoking too much and generally choosing dr*gs over your baby girl will do that to ya.

[@shellbacksclub]

Maybe James' mother could've came forward with this information BEFORE HIS TRIAL!? SMH...

[@jenerin905]

Right?! Maybe then Dawn wouldn't have gotten that deal then...

[@kpopdisco2330]

For real she was absolutely useless as a mother it seems.

[@appalachiabrauchfrau]

@@kpopdisco2330 he was dating a much older woman which screams mommy issues, ya think? lol

[@scottaznavourian3720]

If she came forward when dawn tried to hire her husband to kill ben none of this would have happened..

[@djstalker5438]

These dispatchers don't listen at all.. It's so frustrating to listen to most of these 911 calls

[@jamiecampbell7446]

100% they should be tested I’m surprised there is not a company what calls with out them knowing it’s just a test, at least that way they would think any one of there calls could be a test , it’s so frustrating listening to some of them especially when it’s life or death

[@msannthrope1863]

I love how the cops lie and say “I’m not gonna lie to you.” as they proceed to lie their faces off.

[@stephanied6451]

Cannot even believe the amount of withheld info by the other witnesses!! Could have helped the case way earlier on. Terrible

[@kittykeight24]

You'd be surprised how many people have the mentality of "stay out of it, not out business". The small town I live in... Thats how EVERYONE thinks. Even if they see bad stuff happening, "not our business". I hate it and the community labels me a "karen" "troublemaker" because I speak up and voice my concerns.

[@PotentialofHydrogenClean]

I remember the first time I heard that 911 call, my gut was telling me she was involved with her husband's murder. Even knowing the story, I still get ick vibes listening to it now. She knew someone shot her husband without seeing the person. Very weird indeed. The cops are going to try to pin it on the spouse almost every time. Never talk to them without an attorney, even if you are innocent. This case could have turned out very differently without the one minor break toward the real killer. Lots of guilty people are walking free and innocent people rotting in jail because the cops will try whoever they think is guilty with no real evidence if the DA allows it.

[@orionxtc1119]

she goes from weepy to matter-of-fact very quickly on the phone....that made me think she is involved with this murder

[@yestotea]

@@orionxtc1119 yeah i think she was trying to sound 'normal' for the daughter

[@christinablair1978]

​@@orionxtc1119 That is what bothered me also. I definitely understand trying to stay calm for the little one, though.

[@alisong2328]

That's how grief works, though. It comes in waves.

[@IndianOutlaw1870]

She was not involved.

[@somebody701]

I saw this recently and at first I thought for sure she was guilty. Wrong!

[@Kittymay98]

Who did it? Was it her brother?

[@somebody701]

@@Kittymay98His ex-wife and I think her boyfriend

[@lasvegasbeet]

@@Kittymay98the victims ex-wifes BOYFRIEND

[@lasvegasbeet]

@@somebody701you didn't watch the video, just guessing wtf did it, wow

[@HOTSHOTNYC]

😮me too! I am cueless

[@wordplay6665]

An immunity agreement!! That’s insane

[@jcny11]

Sounds like she lost it perhaps? Towards the end of the last interrogation they discuss it. Oh, she only served 3 years.

[@ridingtheroad185]

The person who speaks first usually gets it which is why people who get others to do this crap usually get little to nothing.

[@MAXIMUMintheHORMONE]

Poor Alyssa ... my heart hurts for her :(

[@carrieanncancino5118]

She was told what to say and helped her mother the murderer. She is no innocent teen

[@MAXIMUMintheHORMONE]

@@carrieanncancino5118 I'm talking about the 6 year old ... WTF are you on about?

[@valu1827]

@carrieanncancino5118 Since when is a six year old a teen? You’re a real genius. Smh..

[@margaretr5701]

@@carrieanncancino5118 Which teen?

[@theresaterry164]

She made a mistake could be age

[@Jarvitalize]

My best friend’s 21 y/o son watches my kids and sleeps in my bed… RED FLAG RED FLAG

[@FasterFaster196]

That's weird.

[@dwaynesmith9482]

@@FasterFaster196she’s getting a younger dicken. Not suprised

[@718to404]

Very weird indeed

[@theresaterry164]

Creepy weird

[@candacehandyside903]

Why wouldn’t she ask for a lawyer. Clearly these detectives are accusing her of doing this

[@DaRkHoRsE-_-]

Her voice in 911 is heartfelt and real pain. Very telling in 911 calls the tones of voices.

[@MiQi-0208]

Imagine if she had gone to jail for it 😢

[@wandarose9285]

There was plenty to charge her or take her to a Grand Jury. Ppl have been put away for far less. Makes no sense whatsoever.

[@lasvegasbeet]

her who? Dawn?

[@wandarose9285]

​@@lasvegasbeetwho else?

[@Gabriel-hf1yy]

​@@wandarose9285u didn't make it clear who...

[@wandarose9285]

​@@Gabriel-hf1yythought it was self-evident 🤷‍♀️

[@Gabriel-hf1yy]

@@wandarose9285 it was a murder

[@seecklara3893]

She sounds guilty from the 911 call to the end.... And then she is proven innocent. Thats why INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY should be always the case.

[@jasontrent3450]

“I know you’re upset, but you gotta listen a little bit, too.” I know this dude has a job to do, but damn. That’s brutal.

[@tracy5975]

Lawyer, Lawyer Lawyer... I dont know why on earth people think they HAVE to talk to the cops...

[@jessicaavery1080]

Because they think asking for one makes them look guilty, sadly

[@TheNinnyfee]

You usually get raised with the lore that police are serving and protecting you, that's why you don't think they will frame you. We need to teach children differently. The lore of men being the knight in shining armour also has to go.

[@Keepgrinding3173]

Two years since they last interviewed Dawn. The investigation was at a standstill and went cold. She went in there and spilled her guts to try and save herself.

[@kevinamundsen6983]

These are my favorite LawAndCrime videos- this narrator, without all the dramatic music and extra jazz.

[@rskandari]

🎉

[@apachedevil44]

100%

[@mariaguglielmo1532]

With everything behavior specialists claim. The 911 call would be so damning against her if she was guilty. Now that we know she's not, it's so strange to see how she responded to all of it. She tried to stay calm for her daughter.

[@moontan_]

Not even half way.. reading the comments. 😳 She is not guilty? Holy catwoman. This makes you rethink some things you think you know.

[@shewolf2584]

I'm happy that Melissa got custody of the daughter because it gave her love and a chance in life! ❤

[@AmyAndThePup]

A bit over 38 minutes in. This Dawn girl is scary. Really bitter.

[@carrieanncancino5118]

And so is her daughter the liar covering for her murdering mother Dawn. She should be in prison the or the rest of her life. Without her there would be NO MURDER OF BEN OXLEY!!!!!

[@nihilismistheonlyway4680]

I was multitasking and when I looked at the screen I literally thought that was Melissa's MOM or something because she looked so old and beat up by life! Omg

[@mamarobyn]

She's out of prison which is mind boggling...

[@Plutonium.2]

@@mamarobyndawn? Dawns dead.

[@margaretr5701]

@@mamarobyn She died at age 50.

[@tinkercooper1332]

She needs to stop this interview and obtain a lawyer hes already saying its her or her brother so he's not gonna investigate any further... This is horrible ... Bad police work

[@scottaznavourian3720]

Wrong...if she got a lawyer they would have stopped investigating

[@j-diver]

Poor Melissa, she did all the right things except not getting a lawyer right away. She stayed calm for her kids but it backfired into making the cops think she was cold hearted or something. Her immediate concern was for Alyssa even though shes not her biological mom, I think that may have shown the detectives that she didn't do this because people who take revenge by taking the life of the other parent of their child don't actually care for their child.

[@heatherrussell5323]

Her story never wavered not once.. thats how i could tell she was innocent

[@pamelamorgan7354]

Even the innocent need to ask for a lawyer!!

[@shellbacksclub]

How did they miss what was in the fireplace during a search warrant search? That should be one of the top places you'd look

[@jenerin905]

They didn't seem like great investigators. The gun was destroyed and thrown away in their dumpster! If Dawn hadn't talked then they never would've closed the case, but they failed to hold Dawn accountable for orchestrating Ben's murder and planning/requesting Melissa's murder.

[@scottaznavourian3720]

As far as I know, they never got a warrant to search....not that night anyways... they were focused on melissa