Betty Lee, a 36-year-old Navajo woman and mother of five, tragically lost her life on June 8, 2000, in Farmington, New Mexico. Her death was the result of a brutal murder committed by Robert Fry, a known serial killer, and his accomplice, Leslie Engh. Betty Lee, a nursing student at Diné College, had been enjoying an evening out with friends at a local bar called The Turnaround. Unfortunately, her friends left her stranded, and she was unable to secure a ride home.
While attempting to contact her brother from a payphone, she encountered Robert Fry, who offered her a ride.
Fry, accompanied by Engh, drove Betty Lee to a remote dirt road under the pretense of needing to stop. Once there, Fry attempted to sexually assault her. When she resisted, he stabbed her in the chest. Betty managed to flee on foot, but Fry caught up with her and ended her life by striking her with a sledgehammer. Her body was concealed in nearby bushes, and her clothing was discarded in a ravine. The perpetrators faced difficulties in leaving the scene as their vehicle became stuck in soft sand, leading to a series of events involving tow trucks.
Robert Fry, who had already committed multiple murders, was arrested three days later for Betty Lee's murder. Detectives Bob Melton and Tyler Truby played a crucial role in his apprehension. In April 2002, Fry was convicted of kidnapping, attempted rape, and murder in connection with Betty Lee's death. He received a death sentence for these crimes, along with additional life sentences for his other murders. However, the state of New Mexico abolished the death penalty in 2009, altering the course of his punishment.
Betty Lee's tragic death highlighted the dangers faced by vulnerable individuals and the devastating impact of violence on families and communities. Her story serves as a somber reminder of the importance of justice and the need to protect those at risk.
