Deborah Roberts

You Left Me for Dead is a story of absolute horror and homicide in a small town near Bozeman, Montana. Two women are at home, and this is a nightmare for any of us thinking about being at home on a quiet night, when an intruder breaks in and shoots them. Lauren DeWise dies, and Ashley Van Hamer miraculously survives.

You Left Me for Dead is a story of absolute horror and homicide in a small town near Bozeman, Montana. Two women are at home, and this is a nightmare for any of us thinking about being at home on a quiet night, when an intruder breaks in and shoots them. Lauren DeWise dies, and Ashley Van Hamer miraculously survives.

What follows is a dogged investigation by a pair of local police officers, telltale boot prints in the snow, an ice fisher who actually finds evidence, The search leads to Paul DeWise, Lauren's estranged husband. If you follow our shows, you know that wouldn't be a big surprise. But how it all happens is and his 15 year old son, Joe, his son from his first marriage.

What follows is a dogged investigation by a pair of local police officers, telltale boot prints in the snow, an ice fisher who actually finds evidence, The search leads to Paul DeWise, Lauren's estranged husband. If you follow our shows, you know that wouldn't be a big surprise. But how it all happens is and his 15 year old son, Joe, his son from his first marriage.

So here's a clip from the show from Joe's interrogation.

So here's a clip from the show from Joe's interrogation.

Now, this poor kid is a teenager. John, there are so many elements to this story. I just, what was it about this one initially that you really felt so compelled to jump into?

Now, this poor kid is a teenager. John, there are so many elements to this story. I just, what was it about this one initially that you really felt so compelled to jump into?

Well, that's what I wanted to ask you because it was a long time in the making. How did that change the reporting, though? Because when you wait five years, other things happen. People change their minds. Stories sort of change, maybe.

Well, that's what I wanted to ask you because it was a long time in the making. How did that change the reporting, though? Because when you wait five years, other things happen. People change their minds. Stories sort of change, maybe.

Yeah, yeah. Sometimes people close up. Sometimes people are ready to talk right away. But the idea, this woman survives this tragic shooting, loses her friend. And why do you think finally, I mean, obviously she had healed a little bit from her wounds, I guess, but psychologically, I mean, why did she feel ready to process and talk about it on camera?

Yeah, yeah. Sometimes people close up. Sometimes people are ready to talk right away. But the idea, this woman survives this tragic shooting, loses her friend. And why do you think finally, I mean, obviously she had healed a little bit from her wounds, I guess, but psychologically, I mean, why did she feel ready to process and talk about it on camera?

Gosh, just so heartbreaking.

Gosh, just so heartbreaking.

Yeah. How is she doing after all of that?

Yeah. How is she doing after all of that?

Well, if you're in Montana, of course, you probably do love the outdoors. It always strikes me when you interview and when we all go out there and we talk to these people who have gone through such an ordeal. Does she talk a lot about Lauren and just having had that loss?

Well, if you're in Montana, of course, you probably do love the outdoors. It always strikes me when you interview and when we all go out there and we talk to these people who have gone through such an ordeal. Does she talk a lot about Lauren and just having had that loss?

And this is the small town where nobody thinks anything happens there, you know, just doesn't happen in our community. And of course, it did happen there. Well, we're going to take a break. But after the break, we're going to hear about the surprising place that the murder weapon turned up and something, John, you did out in the field. You shared with me a little bit later. OK, so stay tuned.

And this is the small town where nobody thinks anything happens there, you know, just doesn't happen in our community. And of course, it did happen there. Well, we're going to take a break. But after the break, we're going to hear about the surprising place that the murder weapon turned up and something, John, you did out in the field. You shared with me a little bit later. OK, so stay tuned.