The Ballerina and the Bullet: The Suspicious Self-Defense Claim of Ashley Benefield

On December 2nd, 2019 just days after celebrating Thanksgiving with family Christine Holloway and her 14 month-old daughter, Vanessa, went missing. Parked on the street outside her apartment was Christine’s new car but she was not answering the door. Despite the freezing conditions, two windows were sitting open. The door was locked but a light remained on. When officers forced entry, they made a horrific discovery. The investigation into what happened to Christine and Vanessa began...Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime--6473403/support.

In the Autumn of 2013, a young mother and her two children went missing from their home in Deltona, Florida. 28 year old Yessenia’s last contact had been a phone call around midnight the night before she vanished. Her children did not arrive for school the next day. Suspicions immediately turned to the most likely suspect: the husband, who turned up on scene claiming to have no idea what had happened to his family.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime--6473403/support.

Canadian millionaire Richard 'Dick' Oland was found dead on the floor of his office on a warm summer morning in 2011. The 69 year-old was known to be ruthless in his business dealings. He had no doubt made many enemies. But the scene suggested that his murder had been a crime of passion. The killer was likely someone Dick had known well, and maybe even loved.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime--6473403/support.

In July 2020, 18 year old Grant Solomon died in what was deemed a freak accident in the parking lot of a gym in Gallatin, Tennessee. The circumstances were as strange as they were tragic. There was only one witness to the accident: Grant’s father, Aaron Solomon, a man who had been under intense scrutiny after years of allegations of abuse and mistreatment from his ex-wife.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime--6473403/support.

In the early morning hours of October 5, 2020 a 23 year-old woman was captured leaving a popular area for bars and clubs with an unknown man.The woman, Marisela Botello-Valadez, was from out of town. She had only just met the man whose vehicle she is shown climbing into. What Marisela is about to find out is that it isn’t just this charming stranger that she needs to worry about. It is the other people at his house and the other women in his life.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime--6473403/support.

On the 27th of September 2020, 28 year old former ballet dancer, Ashley Benefield shot and killed her 58 year old husband in the Lakewood Ranch neighbourhood of Manatee County, Florida. From that moment onwards, she has claimed that she did so in self-defence. She was in fear for her life. But many - including County investigators and prosecutors - doubt the young mother’s claims ... and with good reason.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime--6473403/support.

When 28 year old Ashley Fallis was rushed to the hospital in the early morning hours of New Years Day, 2012, her family had no doubts as to who had put her there.Only Ashley's husband, Tom, had been in the room with her when she was struck by a single gunshot. Only Tom, with his temper and controlling nature would have pulled the trigger. But where Ashley's family saw no doubt, law enforcement found plenty.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime--6473403/support.

The view of the Colley family home on South Bellagio Drive in St Augustine in late August 2015 was the picture of suburban contentment … until it wasn’t. Only minutes after an officer from the St Johns County Sheriffs office left the quiet cul de sac on a routine call emergency calls would bring deputies, search teams and crime scene units back out to the neighborhood.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime--6473403/support.

In the Spring of 2020, a mother of four was found stabbed to death sitting inside her vehicle. She was parked just outside of her home.The 47 year old had not even taken off her seatbelt.Only moments before law enforcement arrived, the killer had run from the scene. As investigators moved rapidly to put the pieces together, they discovered that all signs pointed squarely at one individual: A woman that witnesses overheard screaming: “He’s mine. You can’t have him. He’s mine!”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime--6473403/support.

In early July, 2018 a late-night house fire in the town of Dundas, Ontario claimed the lives of two retirees. Alan and Carla Rutherford were known as loving parents, grandparents and good friends. The blaze had taken hold of their home quickly and it had burned intensely. Investigators at the scene had little doubt that this was no accident. But who could possibly have wished harm on the Rutherfords? Before the night was over homicide detectives would be handed their first and most crucial lead:Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime--6473403/support.