Unnamed Friend

Dr. Russell shared all this and more with detectives. Was she giving you insight into Doug and Ashley's relationship, about how volatile it was?

I was hearing a lot of complaints that Ashley had with Doug.

I was hearing a lot of complaints that Ashley had with Doug.

In addition to Dr. Russell's statement, police reports documented the couple's tumultuous relationship.

In addition to Dr. Russell's statement, police reports documented the couple's tumultuous relationship.

I started searching in our computer records database and noticed that there were several reports going back, I think, to 2017 in reference to domestic violence, different complaints and things like that.

I started searching in our computer records database and noticed that there were several reports going back, I think, to 2017 in reference to domestic violence, different complaints and things like that.

Given their history, investigators wondered if Doug's shooting was in fact a case of self-defense. But there was another side to this story, and it was a he said, she said for the ages.

Given their history, investigators wondered if Doug's shooting was in fact a case of self-defense. But there was another side to this story, and it was a he said, she said for the ages.

Ashley was severely abusing him emotionally and through the control of the child.

Ashley was severely abusing him emotionally and through the control of the child.

Detective Justin Warren had a growing stack of evidence suggesting Doug Benefield was a violent and abusive husband. but when he spoke with Doug's family, they painted a different picture.

Detective Justin Warren had a growing stack of evidence suggesting Doug Benefield was a violent and abusive husband. but when he spoke with Doug's family, they painted a different picture.

Growing up, he was a star athlete. He was a friend to everybody, just super kind.

Growing up, he was a star athlete. He was a friend to everybody, just super kind.

To anyone who hears about the negative side of Doug, in your eyes, this is just a snapshot, a small snapshot of a man who was so much more than that.

To anyone who hears about the negative side of Doug, in your eyes, this is just a snapshot, a small snapshot of a man who was so much more than that.

Absolutely. I don't want to make excuses for bad behavior, and I do not want to come across like I'm trying to say, You know, Doug was perfect and all this stuff. But no, but he owned his mistakes and he grew.

Absolutely. I don't want to make excuses for bad behavior, and I do not want to come across like I'm trying to say, You know, Doug was perfect and all this stuff. But no, but he owned his mistakes and he grew.

David and Tommy acknowledge that Doug had a few angry outbursts, but say he regretted them and sought counseling. And David believes if anyone was a victim in the relationship, it was Doug.