In the quiet town of Driggs, Idaho, the life of 39-year-old Jennifer S. Nalley, a beloved teacher and a vibrant member of the roller derby community, came to a tragic end on July 5, 2016. A family member discovered her body in front of her cabin, the victim of multiple gunshot wounds. At the time of her death, Nalley was pregnant with her first child.
She had relocated to Driggs in November of the previous year, having previously worked as a physics and math teacher in Austin, Texas.
The investigation into her death quickly focused on her 39-year-old boyfriend, Erik Martin Ohlson of Jackson, Wyoming. In the early hours of the same day Nalley's body was found, Ohlson was involved in a single-vehicle crash, driving his truck into a power pole just a few miles from her home. Deputies from the Teton County Sheriff's Office arrested him for driving under the influence. During his arrest, Ohlson tellingly remarked to a deputy that he had "bigger problems than a DUI and crash" to worry about. It was while he was in custody for the DUI that authorities were alerted to the grim discovery at Nalley's residence.
During questioning by investigators, Ohlson admitted to his relationship with Nalley and acknowledged that he was aware of her pregnancy. He confessed to going to her cabin with the intention of scaring her, armed with a loaded handgun. According to his account, when Nalley came to the door, he shot her repeatedly until the gun was empty. After leaving the scene, he claimed he contemplated taking his own life but was unable to go through with it. He then discarded the weapon on the side of the road before driving away and intentionally crashing his truck in a suicide attempt. A Glock handgun of the same caliber used in the shooting was later recovered by law enforcement near Nalley's home.
Text messages retrieved as evidence revealed a turbulent and emotionally destructive relationship between Ohlson and Nalley, particularly after she became pregnant. In messages sent to a mutual friend just the day before the murder, Ohlson expressed his intent to kill Nalley, writing, "I was literally tying my shoelaces when you texted. I was heading to Driggs to commit a murder, Glock loaded with hollow points, plans of killing her and killing myself." In May 2016, he had also sent texts expressing a desire to kill her and wishing for the death of their unborn child. In the days leading up to her murder, Nalley had expressed fear and was preparing to obtain a restraining order against him.
Erik Ohlson was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Jennifer Nalley and her unborn child. After a series of legal proceedings, which included his confession being thrown out due to an investigative misstep, Ohlson entered into a plea agreement. In exchange for pleading guilty, the prosecution agreed not to seek the death penalty. In May 2019, he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. At his sentencing, Ohlson offered a brief apology for his actions. He will not be eligible for parole until 2041.
