An Illinois couple’s first date ended in horror after both were shot; only one survived.

On Thanksgiving Day 2021, the tiny village of Farmersville, Illinois was rocked by a tragic event. Leslie Reeves, a divorced mother of two, was found murdered in a house where she had gone for a first date with a man named Chris Smith. Smith, who was also shot but survived, had no memory of the incident. The suspect, Bobby Tarr, was eventually convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder. The case against Tarr was built on circumstantial evidence, including phone records and lies he told investigators. Despite the lack of physical evidence tying him to the crime scene, Tarr was sentenced to 85 years in prison. The survivors, Smith and Reeves’ friends, are focused on healing and keeping their loved ones’ memories alive. Smith, who has made remarkable progress in his recovery, is writing a book about his experience and has found love in the midst of tragedy. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of seeking help if needed.