In September 2004, just a few weeks after the birth of their son, they tied the knot at a Texas courthouse. Watch the full story on "20/20" TONIGHT at 8 p.m. 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. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Part of: St. Martin's True Crime Library (63 books), Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2013. Davidson was subsequently charged with first-degree murder and two counts of tampering with evidence, according to theAssociated Press. This book was very well researched and the pace was such that i read it in one day. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. : "At the time I didn't realize there was an issue but looking back you know, like hindsight's 20/20 and everything, so looking back obviously there was a problem, that's not normal.". I just want to know that I'm reading as fair an account of the case as possible, and there's no way I can assume that when the author is basically engaging in character assassination from the get-go. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. When confronted by police, Davidson called her brother, who was a game warden at the time, and told him that she had found Severance dead in the living room and moved his body to the remote ranch but did not kill him. Wendi had a habit of either choosing the wrong men or sabotaging. When the authorities went to secure the ranch after the interview, they saw Wendi there trying to access the area before she was asked to leave. Nevertheless, the search for Michael Severance stretched for two months, and once he was considered AWOL, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations took over the case and started tracking Wendis car. Never will," but found no evidence tying her to his disappearance. She said she has not seen her kids since they were two and five-years-old. Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app. ga('ads.send', { For the work I began with THROUGH THE WINDOW, I received the "Defender of Innocence" award from the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project. 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. Diane Fanning is an accomplished TC writer! Davidson had a son from a previous relationship. While I firmly stand with the victim and the grief of his family in losing him, wouldn't we all love to know why this happened other than just "Wendi is evil". Michaels father, Leslie, wanted full custody of Shane Michael Severance, but in the end, not only did a judge grant joint custody to the two families, but they also mandated supervised visits between Shane and his mother. They seized her work computer's hard drive and sent it to a lab for analysis. In September2004, mere weeks after the birth of their son,Severanceand Davidson were married at a Texas courthouse. I did notice that every afternoon he was drinking, but then I noticed he was using caffeine pills," Davidson told "20/20." Investigators described a corpse that was weighted down with two cinder blocks, a rock, a boat anchor, and other equipment. Hes a minor, meaning hes still under the guardianship of his maternal grandparents, but both Leslie and Frank Severances Facebook accounts make it clear that he often visits them in Maine as well. Special Agent Greg McCormick contactedSeverances superiors at Dyess Air Force Base who insisted he wasnt the deserting type. These promotions will be applied to this item: Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. Wendi Davidson was placed in prison for a very long time. All the evidence pointed to Wendiand soon she would be found guilty of murder in the first degree. What's next for abortion rights in America? In 2019, Davidson was denied parole and is scheduled to be released from Gatesville Correctional Facility in 2031. . -Blames Evil Villian, West Texas and "lack of travel", Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2016. Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2015. Very interesting and heartbreaking story. Woman convicted in 2005 murder of her husband speaks from prison. 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. But I still didn't kill him," Davidson said. At the time of his disappearance, Severance had already deployed five times to the Middle East and was preparing for his sixth tour. The OSI with San Angelo PD performed a search of the couples home and Davidsons veterinary practice,retrievingthe hard drive from her computer. Additionally, I have written ten mystery novels including five in the Lucinda Pierce series from Severn House. Severance's toxicology report revealed that he had been poisoned with animal tranquilizers and then stabbed 41 times posthumously. All the evidence pointed to Wendiand soon she would be found guilty of murder in the first degree. They are fictional. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. As a practicing veterinarian for decades, the veterinary facts are exacting. So, if youre curious to find out what exactly happened in this case, weve got you covered. "He was all concerned about -- he didn't want to be deployed, because he was afraid that something bad was going to happen," Davidson told police in 2005. When asked about the pond, officers said shegot kind of defensive, according tocourt documents. "He was all concerned about -- he didn't want to be deployed, because he was afraid that something bad was going to happen," Davidson told police in 2005. 103.30.145.169 Severanceand Davidson were planning a trip backeast to Maine in early 2005. 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. I want at least one why. Tranquilized By Love delves into Michael Severances brutal slaying and how a lengthy investigation led the authorities to his wife, Wendi Mae Davidson. eventAction: 'load' The 24-year-old met Wendi in 2003, and the couple quickly had a son together. In short, the Davidsons became his primary caregivers, and the paternal clan got school vacations as well as alternate Christmas holidays with him in Maine, which they grew to accept even if it wasnt what theyd hoped for. The North Woods Mainer took to the Lone Star State. if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ He was then weighed down with car parts, tires,and cinder blocks. Furthermore, Michaels body was weighed down by tires, cinderblocks, and other vehicle parts to make sure it stayed at the bottom. An autopsy revealedSeverance's blood contained lethal levels ofanimal tranquilizers,which Davidson had easy access to at her veterinary clinic. I want people to know what did and didn't happen.". Maine Man Vanished 4 Months After Wedding. Please try your request again later. Davidson said she does not think she is a "victim. But I still didn't kill him," Davidson said. 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. Severancewas on leave at the time, however,and an official OSI inquiry couldnotbegin until he was due back on base. His wife, veterinarian Wendi Mae Davidson, was arrested and eventually found guilty of murder. ET on ABC. Greg calls me back, he saidto me, verymatter-of-factly, I think somethings up, Leslie told Snapped.. . Wendi Mae Davidson pictured at Gatesville Correctional Facility in 2021. Performance & security by Cloudflare. The next morning,Severance's body was found in the bottom of the pond. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2006. Now she said she is ready to tell her side of the story. They found that Davidson had searched about polygraph tests on the internet, as well as phrases like "decomposition of a body in water." Now she said she is ready to tell her side of the story. Despite claiming innocence, she was sentenced to 25 years in prison. , Publisher She lives in New Braunfels, Texas. Plot summary : A successful career ensued, with Michael growing up to the rank of a staff sergeant and being deployed on five tours. I love Diane Fanning. Read More: Where is Wendi Mae Davidson Now? However, Michael allegedly feared that bad things might happen to him in Canada, and Wendi insisted that she spotted him using caffeine pills. 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. 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. "I want my side of the story, what happened. Investigators described a corpse that was weighted down with two cinder blocks, a rock, a boat anchor, and other equipment. Severance, on the other hand, was a stoic military man who valued order above all else. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' Everybodywas excited and happy, Frank told Snapped., We were just waiting for the oldestboy because he had never seen snow, Leslie told Snapped.. pg.acq.push(function() { When the officer, who was initially on leave, failed to show up back to work at the base, they had little choice but to open a deserter investigation. WheninvestigatorsinterviewedJudy,she was frank about her opinion ofSeverance. Your IP: They noticed that she had been visiting a remote ranch and had stopped by a stock pond over there. S27 E9 05/10/20. 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. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. My latest true crime is BITTER REMAINS. 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. At the time of his disappearance, Severance had already deployed five times to the Middle East and was preparing for his sixth tour. Does this item contain quality or formatting issues? Severanceand Davidson were a study in contraststhe energetic and outgoing Texan,and the stoic Northeastern military manbut things moved fast for the couple. Her ex-fiance is facing a murder charge. Michael Severance was reported missing by his wife, Wendi Mae Davidson. By clicking on the above button, you agree to Amazon's, By clicking on above button, you agree to the, Broken Vows: The Shocking Murder of Rabbi Fred Neulander's Wife (St. Martin's True Crime Library), Twisted: The Secret Desires and Bizarre Double Life of Dr. Richard Sharpe (St. Martin's True Crime Library), Blood Will Tell: A Shocking True Story of Marriage, Murder, and Fatal Family Secrets (St. Martin's True Crime Library), Sleep My Little Dead: The True Story of the Zodiac Killer (St. Martin's true crime library), Angels of Death: A True Story of Murder and Innocence Lost (St. Martin's True Crime Library), Over the Edge: A True Story of Marriage, Money and a Shocking Death (St. Martin's True Crime Library), Deadly Mistress: A True Story of Marriage, Betrayal and Murder (St. Martin's True Crime Library), The Officer's Wife: A True Story of Unspeakable Betrayal and Cold-Blooded Murder (St. Martin's True Crime Library), Darker than Night: The True Story of a Brutal Double Homicide and an 18-Year Long Quest for Justice (St. Martin's True Crime Library), is the author of the Edgar Award finalist, Written in Blood: A True Story of Murder and a Deadly 16-Year-Old Secret That Tore a Family Apart, . Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. 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. Wendi Mae Davidson spoke to ABC's "20/20" in 2021. } Now she said she is ready to tell her side of the story. Wendi Mae Davidson's son Shane Michael Severance was under the joint custody of her paternal family and mother. Excuse me??? 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. Eventually Mike's body turned up in a stock pond on a private ranch. The show will air Friday, Mar. They married in September 2004 and settled into a life together in San Angelo, Texas, close to Wendi's veterinary clinic. eventAction: 'click_ads' }); 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. Chris Ingraham Murder: Where is Katrina Bridges Now. She wassentenced to 25 years in prison, according to Texas CBS affiliateKBTX-TV. Is it a mental break, fear, senseless aggression, a fight? So now, if you wish to know more about their then-toddler son, including how he was affected by the tragic ordeal and his current standing, weve got the details for you. gads_event = event; She pleaded no contest to murder and two evidence tampering charges, and was sentenced to 25. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Something went wrong. When OSI took over, they were able to operate under different constraints than local police and had been given permission to place a tracking device in Davidson's car, according to ABC. She said she has not seen her kids since they were two and five-years-old. Learn more. That evening,Davidsons brothercontacted the San Angelo Police Department. But his life back at home, in Texas, would prove a lot more dangerousIn the winter of 2005, Mike's wife, a veterinarian named Wendi Mae Davidson, reported him missing. Wendi was arrested for the murder of Mike Severance and after 32 days behind bars, her parents raised the $500,000 bond to get her released. Investigation Discoverys Tranquilized By Love delves into Michael Severances brutal slaying and how a lengthy investigation led the authorities to his wife, Wendi Mae Davidson. Michael grew up in Maine, and after high school, he joined the Air Force just like his father. Enjoy reading real crime stories, sorry for what happens but prefer reading real life stories. However, nothing tied her to Michaels disappearance, bringing the case to a halt. , Court TV and the Discovery Channel, and has been interviewed on dozens of radio stations coast to coast. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. After the ruling on the tracker, Davidson took a plea deal and pleaded no contest to her husband's murder. "I want my side of the story, what happened. Thats part of why Michael reportedly considered Wendis son from a previous connection (while she was in college) as his own as well. A break came in the case in February 2005. The next day, Severance's body, which was still in pristine condition, was found at the bottom of the pond. When her mother goes away on a trip and enlists family friend Latanya Lavallais to watch Jennifer, Jennifer sneaks several friends into the house for a party . However, sources mention that she soon called up her brother, a game warden, and revealed how she discovered her husband dead in the living room. While such an explanation seemed quite far-fetched, authorities even found animal tranquilizers in the victims system; a drug Wendi could have easily availed from her clinic. "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. ET on ABC. He was an accomplished skier and good at anything on wheels, according to hisbrother,Frank Severance. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Halfway through, Chapters 25-56, there is almost no more writing, but instead typed, rambling, verbatim conversations and letters which I assume are public record. ga('ads.send', { I question CPS and the court system for their lack of concern when it comes to the children. Why dont the Electoral College and popular vote always match up? Im not going tolieI didnt like him. When the police confronted Davidson with the information, she said she had researched it because during that time volunteer searchers were searching for Severance. Severance's toxicology report revealed that he had been poisoned with animal tranquilizers and then stabbed 41 times posthumously. During the interview, Wendi also made some unsettling statements about his behavior leading up to his disappearance. As a result, she was sentenced to 25 years in prison and has been there ever since. The 24-year-old met Wendi in 2003, and the couple quickly had a son together. ", "I think my husband was a victim, I think my children were victims," she said. Wendi had a habit of either choosing the wrong men or sabotaging her relationships. : Main Content. WENDI Mae Davidson is serving a 25-year sentence for murdering her husband in 2005. Where is Michael Severance and Wendi Mae Davidson's Son Now? 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. hitType: 'event', 20/20: Dead Man Talking takes the viewer through the gruesome murder and follows the police investigation that eventually accused Wendi of the crime. Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. During one of those visits, she stopped near a pond on the property. Eventually Mike's body turned up in a stock pond on a private ranch. ANGELO, TEXAS Dr. Wendi Mae Davidson, 28, was sentenced to 25 years in prison last month after pleading no contest to charges she murdered her husband, Dyess Air Force Base Staff Sgt. Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2020. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison. I like Diane Fanning a lot, but this book felt rushed and pointless. Davidson said that her brother said he'd call an attorney, but instead he called investigators and told them what Davidson had told him. In October 2006, Davidson pleaded no contest to first-degree murder and two counts of tampering with evidence. A break came in the case in February 2005. Severance's murder has been chronicled in the latest episode of Oxygen's 'Snapped,' which airs on Sundays at 6/5c. Wendi told police that Mike had been acting erraticallyvisiting local clubs, staying out late, sometimes not coming home at all. Please try again. 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. },false) He seems close to them all. WENDI DAVIDSON OBITUARY DAVIDSON, Wendi Rose Of North Andover, formerly Stoneham and Malden, died April 20, at age 49.