In Casper, Wyoming, on the evening of March 20, 2020, the life of Dana Marie Robertson, a 42-year-old White/Caucasian female, was brought to a tragic end. What began as a domestic dispute escalated into a fatal act of violence that would leave a family shattered and a community in shock.
The situation unfolded within the couple's home on Maple Street. Tensions had been simmering between Dana and her 49-year-old husband, Edward Eugene Robertson.
Edward had been battling depression related to health issues that limited his ability to go out, which he told detectives had caused friction in their marriage. He suspected his wife of having extramarital affairs and, just two weeks prior to the shooting, had kicked her out of the house, only to reconcile a few days later.
On that Friday, Dana had reportedly told Edward that she thought it was best for them to separate, though she intended to continue helping him with his medical needs. Later that evening, she made a makeshift bed of blankets and laid down to sleep in a spare room. While she was lying there, playing on her phone, Edward made a fateful decision. He later confessed to detectives that he told himself, "I need to shoot her," before retrieving his. 380 caliber pistol from a dresser drawer. He walked into the spare room, turned on the light, raised the gun, and fired a single shot, striking Dana in the head.
Immediately after the shooting, Edward claimed he contemplated taking his own life but found that the gun had jammed. Instead, he called 911 and reported what he had done, telling the dispatcher he was angry with his wife because she was cheating on him. When police arrived at the residence, they found Dana in the bedroom with a gunshot wound to her head. Following the instructions of the dispatcher, Edward exited the home with his hands in the air and was arrested without incident.
Edward Eugene Robertson was subsequently charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife. During his initial court appearance, his bond was set at $500,000 cash only. The case was later bound over to Natrona County District Court for trial.
