Sentenced: Woman Who Helped Domestic Violence Victims Shot Dead By Ex-Boyfriend

[Sugar Cookie]

Leslie Reeves, 45, was found dead on Thanksgiving Day, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Police believe the shooting at the home of Christopher Smith, the man Reeves was dating, occurred the night before. Smith, 48, was shot in the head and transported to hospital in a critical condition, according to the newspaper.

Robert Tarr, Reeves' ex-boyfriend, is facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. He was arrested without incident at his home in Collinsville on Friday.

Police went to Smith's home for a wellness check after he failed to show up for a Thanksgiving lunch and Reeves' friends could not reach her.

Reeves ran a studio in Troy, Illinois, that provided a space for women to practice yoga, undergo fitness training and learn self-defense.

Reeve's friend Dawn Mushill, the executive director of the Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement paying tribute to Reeves.

"I later learned that Leslie was a domestic violence advocate who had a goal–train women and men, who were in domestic violence situations, to be able to defend themselves."

Reeves also spoke on issues about women's safety and sponsored "Girls With Guns," a course for women that taught firearms safety.

She also volunteered for Call For Help, an agency that supports victims of sexual assault, and served on the board of Good Samaritan House, a domestic violence shelter.

Mushill said: "She created and surrounded herself with a tribe—safe places, counselors, food pantries, groups, non-profit organizations—she had them all on speed dial, to help anyone who needed assistance. Many people were not aware of all that Leslie did, and, for a good reason."

Reeves also leaves behind two children, who Mushill said "were her life."

Andrew Affrunti, the Montgomery County state attorney, told a judge during the initial court appearance on Tuesday that authorities believe Reeves was "executed" by Tarr.

According to a probable cause statement, Tarr told officers he hadn't left his home and didn't know where Farmersville was, but neighbors said he came home shortly after midnight Wednesday looking upset and disheveled.

Affrunti said Tarr's text messages show he knew that Reeves was on a date with Smith in Farmersville.

Woman Who Helped Domestic Violence Victims Shot Dead By Ex-Boyfriend—Police

Tarr remains jailed on $3 million bail following his arraignment Tuesday afternoon on first-degree murder and attempted murder charges. He was arrested at his Collinsville home Friday after cops got a warrant to search his property, Affrunti said in a statement obtained by The Post.

Investigators found Reeves and Smith at his Farmersville home on Thanksgiving, although detectives believe the pair were shot the night before during their date, the Post-Dispatch reported.

Christopher J. Smith, a 48-year-old man who lived at the home, was also shot, but survived and was listed in critical condition, the Post-Dispatch reported.

Convicted burglar charged with killing ex who taught self-defense classes, gun safety

Robert J. Tarr, 48, is accused of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Leslie J. Reeves, 45, of Troy, who was gunned down last week while on a date at a home in Farmersville.

nypost.com

 

[Sevens My Charm]

 

[Symmachus]

Sad irony that this woman who advocated passionately for the protection of (abused) women ended up being killed by an angry man herself. I hope she rests in power. Her death happened well before her time.

 

[Sejanus]

He needs to be put to death.
Slowly.

She was by all accounts a decent human being that was only trying to live a good life.
Worst first date ever.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

— A judge on Monday sentenced a man to serve the rest of his life in prison for killing his ex-girlfriend and attempting to kill a man she was on a date with in 2021.

Robert Tarr, 51, was sentenced to 85 years in prison for the murder of Leslie Reeves and the attempted murder of Christopher Smith. A Montgomery County jury found Tarr guilty in April.

In total, Tarr was sentenced to 25 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for first-degree murder, plus a 25-year firearm enhancement; and 10 years for attempted first-degree murder, plus a 25-year firearm enhancement. He is required to serve the entire sentence except for one of the firearm enhancement charges, for which he must serve 85%.

On Thanksgiving Eve in 2021, Smith and Reeves went on their first date at a bar in Farmersville, Illinois, about 75 miles from St. Louis.

"I just don't get it. All I was trying to do was trying to go out on a date," Smith said in February.

Smith said Tarr tracked them down, broke into Smith's home and shot them both in the head. The kitchen door was left open and freezing cold air likely saved his life, Smith said.

Man sentenced to 85 years for killing ex-girlfriend, shooting man in 2021

Robert Tarr was also charged in 2022 with trying to hire someone to kill the surviving victim and a Montgomery County deputy investigating the case.

www.ksdk.com

Y64278 - TARR, ROBERT

 

[the cat did it]

Finally, a sentence I can live with. This Judge needs to teach A LOT of other judges about JUSTICE

 

[runninfawn]

Finally, a sentence I can live with. This Judge needs to teach A LOT of other judges about JUSTICE

and the death penalty should be brought back... the tax payers shouldn't have to pay to keep pos like him and any one that murders helpless being as long as it is proven without doubts like dna ect they are responsible for the deaths ... and no delays and re-trials etc it should be death withing months of the trial.. i am not one without compassion but they showed none for their victims they were judge and executors so same applies to them ...