Jealous Girlfriend's Fatal Rage: The Scott Dunn Case Unraveled
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Chapter 1: The Ill-Fated Relationship
Roger 'Scott' Dunn was a 24-year-old military veteran residing in Lubbock, Texas, with his girlfriend, Leisha Hamilton. The couple had been together for two years, and after returning from military service, Scott transitioned into civilian life seamlessly. He found joy in his work installing custom sound systems in vehicles and was well-regarded by friends for his sociable nature, often arriving at gatherings with a new date.
On May 13, 1991, Scott attended a party with friends, but the evening took a turn for the worse when he suddenly felt unwell. Unable to drive home, he opted to spend the night on the couch. The following day, Leisha picked him up, noticing he appeared quite ill. After a day of rest, Scott believed he was ready to return to work. He requested some water and sinus medication before she left.
However, when Scott's friend arrived for him, there was no response at the door. After waiting for several minutes without answer, he departed, leaving Leisha confused when she returned home to find Scott missing. Two days later, she reached out to Scott's father, Jim Dunn, who was unaware of her existence. Alarmed by his son's disappearance, Jim promptly reported it to the Lubbock Police.
Leisha informed the police that a substantial piece of carpet from their living room was missing. Investigators soon discovered the carpet tucked away in Scott's bedroom, along with bloodstains that hinted at foul play. A luminol test revealed a shocking scene, confirming Jim's fears that his son was gone.
Who could have harmed Scott Dunn?
Section 1.1: Unraveling the Mystery
Scott had a past arrest for narcotics, but investigators ruled out drug-related motives. Instead, they learned that Scott had been leading a double life, dating multiple women and even being engaged to another. Leisha discovered this secret engagement just a month before Scott's disappearance, which raised suspicions.
Jim recorded his conversations with Leisha, who made peculiar demands, particularly wanting Scott's yellow sports car, which she insisted was not a request but a necessity. Her demeanor during these calls was chillingly detached, leading Jim to suspect her involvement.
As the investigation continued, authorities uncovered Leisha's prior arrest for embezzlement, which added to her suspicious profile. Leisha pointed fingers at Timothy Smith, a neighbor she believed was involved in Scott's disappearance.
Section 1.2: The Search for Evidence
When police approached Timothy Smith, they found him packing to move. During a search of his apartment, they noticed something unusual—a roll of duct tape hidden behind books on a shelf. This tape was similar to that found at Scott's apartment, leading to forensic analysis.
The results confirmed a match between fibers from the duct tape and Scott's carpet, but without his body, the investigation stalled. After a year of no progress, Jim sought help from the VIDOCQ Society, a group of forensic experts. They reviewed the case and, after further analysis, concluded that Scott had likely died from blunt force trauma.
Despite the absence of a body, Jim pushed for the case to go to trial, arguing that the blood evidence was critical. They discovered strands of hair on the duct tape that belonged to Leisha and Timothy, solidifying their connection to the crime.
Chapter 2: The Aftermath of Betrayal
Leisha Hamilton and Timothy Smith were arrested five and a half years after Scott's disappearance. Prosecutors believed Leisha's motive was revenge for Scott's deception, while Timothy was driven by his obsessive love for her. They pieced together a timeline suggesting that on May 16, 1991, Leisha fatally attacked Scott while he slept.
Despite their efforts to scrub the apartment clean, evidence remained, leading to their conviction. In 199