On December 3, 2015, a tragic discovery was made in a home in Fife, Washington, near Tacoma. Inside, 22-year-old Charissa Dobbins and her 23-year-old fiancé, Daniel Miller, were found deceased by a friend who had grown worried when they didn't answer the door. The friend climbed through a window to find a grim scene: Dobbins was on the couch and Miller was by the fireplace, both having suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the head.
Pierce County Sheriff's deputies who responded to the subsequent 911 call determined that both had been shot at close range.
The investigation into the double homicide quickly centered on a 22-year-old acquaintance, Brett Ashdon Dollens. Detectives learned that the killings appeared to be drug-related. Miller, who was known to be a heroin dealer, had recently accused Dollens of stealing Percocet pills from him, leading to a feud between the two men. Another witness came forward, telling detectives that Dollens had spoken of a plan to rob Miller and had specifically mentioned using a revolver so that no shell casings would be left behind at the scene. Dollens was located and arrested later that same night.
During questioning, Dollens told investigators that he had gone to the couple’s home to apologize and settle their dispute. He claimed that Miller pulled a gun on him, and during a physical struggle, the weapon discharged, accidentally killing both Miller and Dobbins. However, this account was contradicted by the medical examiner's findings, which showed no signs of a struggle or defensive wounds on either victim.
Brett Ashdon Dollens was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Charissa Dobbins and Daniel Miller. He initially pleaded not guilty, and his bail was set at $2 million. Later, as part of a plea negotiation, he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. In November 2016, a judge sentenced Dollens to 32 years in prison. The violent deaths cut short the lives of the newly engaged couple, leaving behind Dobbins' young son.
