In the early morning hours of November 17, 2018, the quiet community of Cove, Oregon, was shattered by a violent act that ended the life of 62-year-old Loretta "Retta" Ann Williams. A beautician and cosmetologist by trade, Loretta was a beloved mother, grandmother, and sister who had a deep affection for animals, especially her dogs and horses. She was looking forward to a new chapter in her life, one that was tragically cut short.
The circumstances of her death began to unfold around 1:40 a.m. when a frightened Loretta called 911 to report a man in her backyard. During the call, dispatchers heard her confront the intruder, whom she identified as her estranged husband, Ron Lee, before a loud noise echoed and the line went silent. Deputies and State Troopers arrived within minutes to find a shattered sliding glass door and Loretta inside her home, deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. An autopsy would later confirm she had been shot three times in the head and once in the chest.
The investigation into Loretta's murder, a complex and taxing endeavor that consumed hundreds of hours, quickly focused on her soon-to-be ex-husband, 71-year-old Ronald D. Lee. The couple had separated in April 2018, and Loretta had filed for divorce in July, citing irreconcilable differences. Their separation was contentious, marked by a dispute over their home and a restraining order Loretta had temporarily obtained against Lee. Investigators learned that Lee's behavior had become increasingly erratic and he had reportedly made statements about wanting to kill his wife and believing he could get away with it. Evidence collected included a glove found at the scene that was linked to a purchase Lee had made, and photographs he had taken of the Cove property in the months leading up to the murder.
In February 2019, following an indictment by a Union County Grand Jury, Ronald D. Lee was arrested and charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The investigation also led to the arrest of a second man, Steve E. Hamilton, who was charged with murder and conspiracy as well. Hamilton later admitted to driving Lee to Loretta's home on the night of the murder, claiming he was forced at gunpoint and feared for his and his family's lives. He testified that he witnessed Lee with two guns that night and heard him admit to the killing as they drove away from the scene. In August 2022, Ronald Lee was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. For his cooperation, the murder and conspiracy charges against Steve Hamilton were dismissed, and he was sentenced to 90 months in prison on two counts of hindering prosecution.
