In the quiet community of Campbellsburg, Kentucky, the life of 33-year-old Gary Wayne Bentley was brought to an abrupt and tragic end on December 10, 2017. A man known for his love of the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing, Gary was an electrician who was described by those who knew him as a laid-back and pleasant person, always with a smile on his face.
He and his wife, Tasha Bentley, had built a life together in Henry County, raising their young son in what appeared to be a comfortable home.
The series of events leading to the discovery of Gary's death began when his wife, Tasha, contacted his father, concerned that she could not reach her husband. Upon arriving at their home on Troutman Hill Road, Gary's father found his son deceased in his bed. He had been shot once in the back of the head, likely while he was asleep. The scene was initially staged to look like a burglary, with more than 20 of Gary's firearms missing from a safe in the home. However, investigators found no signs of forced entry.
Suspicion soon fell upon Tasha Bentley. During the investigation, it was revealed that just four days before his murder, a $1 million life insurance policy on Gary had become active, a policy Tasha had taken out. After initially denying any involvement, she was arrested and charged with his murder. Tasha's story shifted during questioning, and she eventually admitted to shooting her husband. She claimed that he had attacked their four-year-old son and kicked her. However, authorities could find no evidence to support her claim of abuse.
In a turn of events, Tasha Bentley pleaded guilty to the murder of her husband in July 2021. The investigation also led to additional charges against her for trafficking in marijuana after several jars of the substance were found in their home, and for tampering with physical evidence in her attempt to stage the crime scene. Tasha Bentley was sentenced to 55 years in prison for the murder of her husband and is currently incarcerated at the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women.
