Ashley Reeves: Uncovered Real Story Behind the Crime

Within the blink of an Eye after his brutal act came in front of everyone. This content will throw light on what happened to Sam Shelton and the real Ashley’s story.Samson Shelton was an American teacher before he was arrested on the charge of attempting to murder Ashley Reeves.

He had been working as the teacher of the victim in 2001. At that time Ashley was 18 years old. They reunited in 2006 and started their love story.  A little-known American teacher Sam Shelton came into the headline like Kylie Strickland.

Who is Sam Shelton?

Currently, Samson Shelton is under police custody. So it is impossible to know about his or Ashley’s family background or other details. However, before the unfortunate incident, Sam worked as a physical education teacher in a local high school.

Samson Shelton taught Ashley in her 7th grade. The principal of the school also claimed Shelton to be a great teacher and favorite to students and other teachers.

Who is Ashley Reeves?

Ashley Reeves was born in 1983 in Belleville, Illinois. Her father is Tracy Green Koenig a musician and her mother is Michelle Reeves who is an actress. Besides Ashley, the Reeves family has another daughter and son named Madison Koenig, and Daniel Koenig. 

Ashley attended a neighborhood high school. According to Ashley’s family, she was interested in completing graduation in Millstadt, Illinois.

Ashley Got Emotionally Involved With Her Teacher 

Ashley, as a teenager, got emotionally attached to her teacher Sam Shelton at that time. The relationship between the teacher and the student grew tense. They began to fight and interesting twist came in Ashley reeves story. Samson Shelton tried to kill Ashley, but she managed to escape and should consider herself lucky.

The Real Story: Samson Shelton Attempted to Murder Ashley

After Sam’s relationship with Ashley became bitter, the teacher tried to finish the matter at once. It was reproached that Ashley wanted to get rid of Samson Shelton as he assaulted her. But Shelton did not like it when Ashley wanted to get separated from him.

The Incidents on the Day 

On the day of the incident, in April 2006, Ashley was going to a job interview and then to play basketball. At least she told her parents about that schedule. Ashley’s boyfriend Jeremy was with her at that time and it was with him that Ashley went to play basketball.

But as Ashley failed to return before curfew, Ashley’s mother became anxious when it was 10:30 pm. Ashley’s younger  sister Casey with whom she used to text frequently did not get any response from her side. After much tension, Michelle called and lodged a missing file to the St. Clair county sheriff’s office. 

As the curfew was going on, police at first thought that Ashley might have stuck there. But after investigating they found her car from a distance 15 mins from Ashley’s house. The clothes which she changed before going to the basketball stadium were still there inside the car.

As Ashley Reeves was with Jeremy according to her family, police at first found him out. The car also belonged to Jeremy as per her sister Casey. But they did not find any clue from this guy. Jeremy also got anxious after hearing about the incident.

Phone Records

After being unable to find any clue, police were trying to trace her phone records. The last number from which Ashley got a call was a strange phone number that even Ashley’s mother could not recognize. After being called, Sam Shelton was on the opposite side. But he abruptly cut the call saying that he had talked to her and ashley refused to answer any further questions. 

This strange behavior of Shelton made him the primary suspect. Later Ashley’s friends also confirmed that she was last seen with Shelton playing basketball together. The whole incident became crystal clear and police arrested Shelton.

What Happened to Sam Shelton?

Police brought Sam to their custody for further questioning. At first, Sam was very polite and cooperative but gradually his statement changed and became incoherent. At first, he claimed to have no intimate relationship with Ashley but finally, he admitted the truth that they were physically engaged.

Sam claimed that he wanted to end the relationship but other sources said that it was Ashley Reeves who wanted to finish it. In police custody, Sam finally admitted how he wanted to kill Ashley.

What happened that Day?

After choking her and dragging her out of his car, he heard Ashley’s neck pop and ashley’s body go limp. He thought he had killed her by accident.

Thinking Ashley was dead, Shelton panicked and threw her body into the bushes. But there he suddenly realized that she was still alive and strangled her again bare-handed. To finish the job more smoothly Sam wrapped a belt around Ashley’s neck and choked her once more with his foot. He pulled so hard on the belt that it snapped.

Then he left ashley’s body in the woods thinking her to be dead. But Ashley was still alive after that brutal attack for almost 30 hours and police rescued her in that condition. When Ashley was found in the citizen’s park, led by Sam Shelton, it seemed that Ashley suffered and was dead. She was found in a pathetic condition, covered in big bites. Her tongue was holding out of her mouth.

What a fighter Ashley Reeves was like Buster Mardaugh. Despite struggling with that brutal condition , that brave girl was still breathing and tried to move somehow.  Ashley was immediately taken to the hospital and admitted into a coma unit. Ashley’s neck was broken when she was thrown out of the car and she bravely survived after jeremy’s car hit and left ashley to die in the woods.

Where is Sam Shelton Now?

After attempting to Murder Ashley, Sam went to line dancing. Despite trying to murder Ashley with such brutality, police officials did not consider him the prime suspect. But later it was found that he was the last person to contact Ashley. 

Then after cross-examination, the real truth had come out. Then he pleaded for mercy to the bench of judges. But after getting the report of his mental fitness, Shelton was given a guilty verdict.

After some days Shelton was released on bail. He was taken into home arrest under observation to narrate the true Ashley’s story.

Suicide Attempt

In the meanwhile when Shelton was released on bail from the illinois department. His mother inform the police of Illinois department that Shelton had attempted suicide. Before he was about to appear in court, Shelton attempted suicide by consuming prescription drugs.

Shelton probably had lost all hope to survive and wrote “do not resuscitate” on his chest. He got furious after being revived. Seeing the whole situation af ashley reeves case, Sam is in police custody till 2024 when his 20 years retribution period going to be finished.

What Happened to her After the Incident? 

Ashley’s injuries were quite serious and she had to suffer traumatic brain injuries after the incident. Fortunately, she was not paralyzed. Her injuries were so severe that he had to learn again how to eat, speak, and use her limbs.

There was a time when the doctors were cynical that Ashley might not survive. But this tough warrior has handled all the odds with her strong mentality and confidence. Ashley’s story is an inspiration to many of us.

Left for Dead: A Real-Life Story Based on Ashley’s Incident

In 2021 a movie was made on the real-life story of Ashley named Left for Dead: The Ashley Reeves Story. It is a 1 hour 27 minutes movie that portrays very minutely these real life happenings. Everyone got awestruck to see how her teacher abused her, sexually attack her, and then left her to die after torturing her brutally.

Anwen O’Driscoll portrays the character of Ashley. This movie had got so much famous to make people aware of such a brutal incident.

What is She Doing Now?

Ashley Reeves is now married to Jeremy Smith. The couple has two children she is now busy raising a family. Recently Ashley is living in Illinois where she is working as a caregiver.

In 2017 when Ashley was giving an interview to Crime Watch Daily, she talked about her painful days of struggling. Ashley revealed how she had to fight every day not to give up. After getting back to a new life, Ashley thinks that life is a significant journey for her. 

Ashley pointed out that though she had to suffer a lot now she is living happily with Ashley’s family. So one should never give up.