A WOMAN was horrifically shot to death execution-style on a first date and cops tracked down her killer after finding a haunting text message.
Leslie Reeves, 45, and her date, Chris Smith, were attacked inside his Illinois home after they were stalked the night before Thanksgiving 2021.
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The carnage was found the following day by emergency medical technician Dennis Hobson, who saw Smith’s dog Tiki cuddled up beside her critically wounded owner to keep his body warm.
The victim had been lying there for at least 14 hours until his teenage neighbor noticed his body had been smashed through a back door.
“This one was bad,” Hobson said in an incoming episode of CBS’ 48 Hours.
“Two innocent people on their first date had their lives destroyed. For what reason?”
The day before Thanksgiving, Reeves and Smith met up in Farmersville, a tiny village about half an hour south of Springfield, for a drink at a local bar.
According to witnesses, the two appeared to have a great time together and happily chatted with Smith’s group of friends.
JEALOUS EX
However, at the time, Reeves was trying to sever ties with her ex-boyfriend Robert Tarr, who was keeping track of her every move, horrifying text messages revealed.
Tarr was arrested after cops uncovered eerie evidence tying him to the case.
During his murder trial, prosecutors said the jealous ex spoke with a friend about Reeves’ plans on November 24 and speculated why she would drive nearly an hour from her home in Troy, Illinois.
“I don’t feel like she would drive that far for a party or go out with a girlfriend, I think it’s for a dude,” the text read in court stated.
Others close to Tarr had even more damning evidence against the ex, including his own daughter, who heard him leave their home once at 6 pm and again at 9:15 pm.
At about 2:45 am, she was woken up again by her dad, who told her that he was doing laundry.
Two bullets were found at the scene that matched accessories in a gun given to detectives by Carr’s brother, Adam.
That same gun was seen by Carr’s daughter who remembered noticing there was a laser on top of it.
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‘A LIVING HELL’
Smith, 51, survived the shooting thanks to his beloved dog, who kept him safe from the unseasonably cold weather.
However, the horror attack left him permanently paralyzed on his left side with a bullet lodged in his brain.
“I went from being a single dad, small business owner living your everyday American dream,” he told NBC affiliate KSDK in February 2022.
“I did nothing wrong. I don’t get it.
“All I was trying to do was trying to go out on a date.”
Smith doesn’t remember anything from the night of Reeves’ murder, and had to move back in with his parents for intense rehabilitation for his injuries.
Who is Robert Carr?
ROBERT Carr was convicted of killing his ex girlfriend Leslie Reeves and trying to kill her first date Chris Smith on the eve of Thanksgiving 2021
Reeves and Smith had gone out on a first date the night that Carr busted into Smith’s home in Farmersville, Illinois.
They went bar hopping and appeared to have a fun night, according to friends who were with them.
They were back at Smith’s place by around 1 am and were warming up a frozen pizza when Carr smashed through a door.
Carr shot and killed Reeves execution style with one bullet to her head and fired another shot into Smith’s head before escaping.
He was convicted of the heartless attack in April 2024 after his murder trial uncovered disturbing evidence linking him to the scene.
Prosecutors read out a text sent by Carr to a friend that gave an insight look at Carr’s jealous rage.
Carr was discussing why she was driving to Farmersville and said, “I don’t feel like she would drive that far for a party or go out with a girlfriend; I think it’s for a dude.”
He’s now serving 85 years in prison.
“I cannot really move my hand. I lost my friend, my house, my business, my dog, my truck, and most of all, I lost my independence,” he said at the time.
“I’m 49 years old and now I’m back living with my parents. I’m grateful that I survived the shooting, but this is horrible.
“I just want my life back.”
Carr was found guilty of murdering Reeves and trying to kill Smith in April 2024.
After his arrest, he was also charged with hiring a hitman to finish the job and murder Smith, as well as a detective who was working the case.
Carr was sentenced to 85 years in prison.
Because of his condition, Smith was left unable to care for Tiki, but she lives nearby, and they’re able to see each other often.
Reeves’ case will be highlighted in Saturday’s episode of 48 Hours, which airs at 10 pm EST.