Into the Water: An Astonishing True Story of Abduction, Murder, and the Nice Guy Next Door (St. Martin's True Crime Library), Written in Blood: A True Story of Murder and a Deadly 16-Year-Old Secret that Tore a Family Apart (St. Martin's True Crime Library), Gone Forever: A True Story of Marriage, Betrayal, and Murder (True Crime (St. Martin's Paperbacks)), Under Cover of the Night: A True Story of Sex, Greed and Murder, Her Deadly Web: The True Story of a Former Nurse and the Strange and Suspicious Deaths of Her Two Husbands (St. Martin's True Crime Library), Bitter Remains: A Custody Battle, A Gruesome Crime, and the Mother Who Paid the Ultimate Price. However, at the time he went missing, Severance was on leave and an official OSI inquiry could not begin until after he was expected to be back on base. My biggest gripe is that it was injected with so much of the author's random opining (stuff like [though this is paraphrased]: "she must not have been thinking about her children as she dragged his corpse "). She was sentenced to 25 years in prison. I want at least one why. "What I did was horrible, there's no excuse. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Now she said she is ready to tell her side of the story. A few weeks later, the results from the hard drive revealed suspicious searches on the computer, including "decomposition of a body in water.". . Great job Diane Fanning. Since the OSI is an arm of the U.S. military, they operate under different constraints than local police and were able to get permission and approval to place a tracking device in Davidson's car. , Language The judge ruled in favor of the prosecution, saying the tracker was legal and the evidence gained by the tracker was admissible. The remains were located in a pond on a remote ranch on the citys outskirts. I am the author of fourteen true crime books published by St. Martin's Press and Berkley Books including the Edgar Award nominated WRITTEN IN BLOOD and the best-selling MOMMY'S LITTLE GIRL. But I still didn't kill him,"Davidson told the 20/20 host. Read More: Chris Ingraham Murder: Where is Katrina Bridges Now? Former Texas veterinarian and mother of two Wendi Mae Davidson is currently serving 25 years in prison for murdering her husband in 2005. Ironically, thats when it all went wrong. The family dynamics are bizarre and remind me a lot of the Casey Anthony family. Their reasoning for the tracking device was that if Davidson was claiming Severance may be a deserter, then there would be a possibility she would help him hide. ga('ads.send', { While Wendi claimed she had no idea where Michael was, the veterinarian indicated that he was scared about something bad happening to him. Despite what Davidson said, there was never any evidence to suggest that her husband had a problem with drugs or alcohol. Hence, without wasting time, detectives arrested Wendi and charged her with first-degree murder and two counts of tampering with evidence. "I did not kill him," Davidson told "20/20" in 2021, in her first network interview from prison. The couple subsequently moved into an apartment in the back of a San Angelo veterinary clinic that Davidson had recently purchased, where it all went wrong. "I knew air made bodies float, so I decided to make holes in the body, vent holes, like, so that air could escape.". As per reports, Michael Severance and Wendi Mae Davidson welcomed a beautiful baby boy into their lives, whom they proudly named Shane Michael Severance, just before the fall of 2004. For the work I began with THROUGH THE WINDOW, I received the "Defender of Innocence" award from the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project. Following the police interview, Davidson called her brother Marshall Davidson, who was a game warden at the time, and told him that she had found Severance dead in the living room and that she dumped his body in a pond on the Four Sevens Ranch, but she swore she hadn't killed him. He was then weighed down with car parts, tires,and cinder blocks. eventAction: 'click_ads' Furthermore, Michaels body was weighed down by tires, cinderblocks, and other vehicle parts to make sure it stayed at the bottom. While an initial search of the property found nothing, Davidson was interviewedagainto discuss her internet searches and theranch. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. ET on ABC. Davidson claimed that the pressure of family and his work was getting to him, including driving three hours round trip to Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas. ", "I think my husband was a victim, I think my children were victims," she said. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. WENDI Mae Davidson is serving a 25-year sentence for murdering her husband in 2005. She said she has not seen her kids since they were two and five-years-old. By September 2004, she was married to Severance, whom she had met the year prior, and the couple soon welcomed two children together. When he was a few weeks old, his parents Wendi Mae Davidson and Michael Severance tied the knot at a Texas courthouse and eventually moved to an apartment behind Wendi's veterinary clinic. They married in September 2004 and settled into a life together in San Angelo, Texas, close to Wendis veterinary clinic. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, Daughter of murdered couple linked to Delphi case reveals paranoia, Serena Williams stepmom's debts continue to spiral amid crumbling home battle, 'Glaring error' left 'habitual liar' Alex Murdaugh 'boxed in' during trial, Alex Murdaugh jailed for life after disgraced lawyer guilty of murder, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Wendi Mae Davidson was accused of killing her husband in 2005, Wendi was sentenced to 25 years in prison but maintains her innocence. She is next eligible for. Wendi and her mother insisted that Mike had . ASIN 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. According to reports, she had made quite a name for herself as a veterinary doctor and even started her own clinic shortly before the tragedy. She was no dummy but when you read all the transcripts of her phone call, the complete lack of consideration for anyone but herself. At the time of Michael's disappearance, Wendi resided with her husband and their son in San Angelo, Texas. A First Look at . The OSI became involved because in addition to Michael Severance being a missing person, he also didnt show up for work in the Air Force, Texas Ranger Shawn Palmer toldSnapped. It made him AWOL and ultimately a deserter investigation for them.. Woman convicted in 2005 murder of her husband speaks from prison. Do you believe that this item violates a copyright? Michael grew up in Maine, and after high school, he joined the Air Force just like his father. Where is Michael Severance and Wendi Mae Davidson's Son Now? For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions. She will be eligible to apply again in 2024. Excuse me??? Nevertheless, their relationship took off quite quickly, and a few months in, Davidson had become pregnant with their child. James Harden surprises fan paralyzed in MSU shooting with FaceTime call and donation, 2 million air fryers recalled due to fire and burn hazards, Students speak out about bullying after fellow student dies by suicide, 'GMA' Deals & Steals on women-owned businesses, MORE: Mother convicted of poisoning her family maintains her innocence, MORE: Lead prosecutor shares courtroom strategy that took down Robert Durst. Investigators learned that they had only been married for four months when she murdered him. Justa fewmonths into their relationship,Davidsonbecame pregnant. She claimedSeverancehad been drinking a lot because he was beingdeployedto Afghanistan and that he may haverun away. After denying the charges for a year, she pleaded no contest to the charges in October 2006 and was sentenced 25 years to prison, but has continued to maintain her innocence. We had a little wedding reception-type thing planned for them. All Rights Reserved. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. It just could have been presented in a more thoughtful and objective way. Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2020. . As an arm of the U.S. military, the OSIisunconstrained by the same laws as local police and put a GPS tracker on Davidsons car. Michael Severance, missing. Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2020. : Eventually Mike's body turned up in a stock pond on a private ranch. Some not identified by source--the reader must surmise that Fanning got it somewhere. Remembering George Floyd: A year of protest. Never heard about this case . : Concerningly, Davidson then called to report that her husband had gone missing. },false) Powered by WordPress.com VIP. 103.30.145.169 But I still didn't kill him," Davidson said. Michael absolutely loved Texas, Leslie told Snapped.. Never did. , File size Now she said she is ready to tell her side of the story. ABC Wendi Mae Davidson details what she did after discovering husband's body By Matt Lombardi, Cari Strassberg, Haley Yamada Share Former Texas veterinarian and mother of two Wendi Mae Davidson is currently serving 25 years in prison for murdering her husband in 2005. After Severance's body was discovered, Davidson was arrested and taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder and two counts of tampering with evidence. I did notice that every afternoon he was drinking, but then I noticed he was using caffeine pills," Davidson told "20/20." 4. Two months later, Severance's body was found in a pond on a remote ranch about 20 miles outside of San Angelo, Texas, where the couple was living at the time. The couple had given birth to their first child. Lesliethenreached out to the Air Force Office of SpecialInvestigations(OSI), which he likens to a mini-CIA. Performance & security by Cloudflare. But an autopsy report told a different story: That the cause of death was exposure to pentobarbital and phenobarbital, drugs commonly used in veterinary medicine. Prosecutors argued that since officers thought Severance was AWOL at the time, OSI gained the necessary permissions and approval to utilize tracking devices. The show will air Friday, Mar. In the force, Severance rose through the ranks quickly, becoming a crew chief on a C-130 military transport aircraft and getting promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. She all but confirmed she was behind his disappearance when, after the interview, she drove straight to the ranch. For the first time, she's speaking about the murder and her life in prison. "I want my side of the story, what happened. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Wendi Mae Davidson spoke to ABC's Matt Gutman in 2021. In October 2006, Davidson pleaded no contest to first-degree murder and two counts of tampering with evidence. The Severance family was granted temporary guardianship of Shane at one point, while Tristan was given to Wendis parents once her legal troubles began, leading to a bitter and lengthy battle for the formers custody. His body was later found in a pond on a remote ranch about 20 miles outside of San Angelo, where the family had been living. MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of When asked about the pond, officers said shegot kind of defensive, according tocourt documents. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' An autopsy then revealed his blood contained lethal levels of drugs commonly found in veterinary clinics, which resulted in authorities charging Davidson with first-degree murder and two counts of tampering with evidence. The only thing that I noticed that changed with Mike was he was having a very hard time driving back and forth to Abilene every day. Davidson is known as a San Angelo, Texas, native who was accused of murdering her husband in 2005. I worked as an Executive Director at non-profit organizations for more than a dozen years. That evening,Davidsons brothercontacted the San Angelo Police Department. Severancewas on leave at the time, however,and an official OSI inquiry couldnotbegin until he was due back on base. Despite claiming innocence, she was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. "I did what I did, I think it was horrible, I think that I made a bad choice, there were better choices to be made. They found she repeatedly visited asprawlinglivestock ranch outside town that belonged to a friend of the family. : Very interesting and heartbreaking story. Shane thus grew up with both sides of the family, from where he seemingly learned that his parents are much more than just this tragedy. hitType: 'event', People who knew Wendi described her as a helpful woman who had a high standing in society and loved participating in community events. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), He saidDavidson then confessed to dumping the body. Davidson received her Veterinariandegree from Texas A&M University, during which time she also welcomed her first child, a boy from a previous relationship, San Angelo Live reports. The same evening, her brother contacted the police and told them she had confessed to dumping the body. 2nd Impeachment Trial: What this could mean for Trump, Presidential transition of power: Examined, How Donald Trump spent his last days as president, How Joe Biden's inauguration will be different from previous years, Trump challenges the vote and takes legal action, 2020s DNC and RNC are different than any before, Power Trip: Those Who Seek Power and Those Who Chase Them, Leave No Trace: A Hidden History of the Boy Scouts, Keeper of the Ashes: The Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders, The Orphans of COVID: America's Hidden Toll, X / o n e r a t e d - The Murder of Malcolm X and 55 Years to Justice, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. They were due to arrive on Jan.16, 2005, butDavidson calledSeverances family and said hehad disappeared. Wendi Mae Davidson - killed her husband by injecting him with drugs that were normally used to euthanize animals. And we actually have government. Although Judy wasnt shy about her dislike for her son-in-law, there was no evidence tying her to his disappearance, and the trail went colduntilJan.24,whenSeverances period of leave expiredandOSIwas able totake the lead in the investigation. Watch Snapped highlight 'Wendi Mae Davidson' on NBC.com . The next day, Severance's body, which was still in pristine condition, was found at the bottom of the pond. When Severance didn't show up for work, he became AWOL, and the OSI was able to take the lead in a deserter investigation. Brandon Duran's Mother Looks Back on His Life. Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2016. Before becoming a nonfiction writer, Fanning worked in advertising, and she earned more than 70 Addy Awards. Davidson said that her brother said he'd call an attorney, but instead he called investigators and told them what Davidson had told him. Texas News Wendi Mae Davidson (Texas Department of Corrections) More than 15 years after he was given animal tranquilizers and stabbed 41 times by his wife, the motive behind the gruesome murder of Texas Air Force Sergeant Michael Severance remains a mystery. Why dont the Electoral College and popular vote always match up? Severance quicklylearned how to line dance and two-step after realizing it was a great way to meetwomen. No one got away with murder here. ga('ads.send', { Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2011. Davidson said she does not think she is a "victim. } In January 2005, Davidson reported her husband, Air Force Staff Sgt. Police in San Angelo contacted the Texas Rangers for investigative assistance,but neitherunitgenerated any significant leads. Severance ran into Davidson in 2003 after he learned how to line-dance and two-step in a bid to meet women, and the pair hit it off immediately despite them seemingly being opposites as far as personalities were concerned. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold. In the winter of 2005, Mike's wife, a veterinarian named Wendi Mae Davidson, reported him missing. For the first time, she's speaking about the murder and her life in prison. Like his father, he joined the Air Force and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a crew chief on a C-130 military transport aircraft and attaining the rank ofstaffsergeant. Later, an autopsy determined that while the victim was stabbed 41 times, he also had a lethal amount of animal tranquilizers in his system. "The record indicates the instant offense has elements of brutality, violence, assaultive behavior, or conscious selection of victims vulnerability indicating a conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others, such that the offender poses a continuing threat to public safety," the board ruled. I like Diane Fanning a lot, but this book felt rushed and pointless. Davidson denied killing him but said she moved his remains to a remote Texas pond. The North Woods Mainer took to the Lone Star State. In September2004, mere weeks after the birth of their son,Severanceand Davidson were married at a Texas courthouse. "I did what I did, I think it was horrible, I think that I made a bad choice, there were better choices to be made. In 2003, he metWendi Mae Davidson, whogrew up on a ranch in San Angelo, Texasand came from a tight-knit family. His wife, veterinarian Wendi Mae Davidson, was arrested and eventually found guilty of murder. Watch the full story on "20/20" TONIGHT at 8 p.m. WheninvestigatorsinterviewedJudy,she was frank about her opinion ofSeverance. }) Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? To the outside world, they were perceived to be a normal family until Severance went missing in 2005 and shocked the community. Now she said she is ready to tell her side of the story. She claimed to have a horse there that she took care of. Shewas denied parole in 2019, and her next eligible parole date is in May 2024. The victim is made to be a pure, faceless war hero. Wendi Mae Davidson continues to maintain her innocence. ga('ads.send', { So, tell me about crime in Virginia. } I love Diane Fanning. The main character, real life Veterinarian Wendi Davidson, is described as going from a smart, enthusiastic student, a cheerleader and more, to a 20-something sexual predator in the same brief Chapter 11. Diane Fanning is one of my best authors. Wendi Mae Davidson - Snapped (Season 27, Episode 10) | Apple TV When an airman from Lee, Maine vanishes only four months into his marriage to a country girl from West Texas, it triggers a multi-agency investigation No one should write a book EVER if you can't answer any more questions than this. Following an analysis of Davidson's work computer's hard drive, authorities also found suspicious searches on the computer, including "decomposition of a body in water.". Diane Fanning is an accomplished TC writer! At the time of Michaels disappearance, Wendi resided with her husband and their son in San Angelo, Texas. He served admirably during thewar in Afghanistan before moving to Texas and starting a family. The newlyweds moved into an apartment in the back of a San Angelo veterinary clinic that Davidson had recently purchased. https://t.co/QF6pYZcsqt ABC News (@ABC) March 25, 2022 Shane is by all accounts a cryptic individual avoiding the spotlight. After Severance's body was discovered, Davidson was arrested and taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder and two counts of tampering with evidence. Watch Snapped highlight 'Wendi Mae Davidson' on NBC.com. And this author--her recurring, imperiously arrogant attitude against the city of San Angelo, TX, saying occasionally a 'delightful people', she then interjects throughout the entire book West Texas is an obvious breeding ground for cowboys, creeps and loners--cloistered people who want power & control & restriction over others-- those who are hiding from government & corporate powers-- wanderers-- polygamists, serious criminals and murderers? Although Wendi was adamant about her innocence, she decided to plead no contest to the charges when produced in court. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. }); As a result, the judge sentenced her to a total of 25 years in prison in 2006. People who commit crimes, they have reasons.