A First Date Turns Into a Nightmare When an Ex Shows Up
A divorced mother of two, Leslie Reeves hoped for a fresh start when she agreed to a Thanksgiving Eve date with Chris Smith, a kind-hearted father from Farmersville, Illinois. But what began as a chance for new beginnings turned into a night of unimaginable terror — one that would end in bloodshed, heartbreak, and a desperate search for answers.
A Date With Tragedy
On the night before Thanksgiving 2021, Leslie Reeves and Chris Smith enjoyed dinner together, their first date offering a glimmer of hope for both. Reeves, a devoted mother and self-defense instructor, believed in new beginnings, and Smith, known for his generosity and green thumb, was ready to move forward. After dinner, they returned to Smith's cozy home in the small town of Farmersville, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows.
The next morning, Thanksgiving Day, brought unimaginable horror. Smith's friend grew worried after not hearing from him and called for a welfare check. First responders arrived to a chilling scene — Reeves lay lifeless in the living room, a single gunshot wound to her head, while Smith lay barely conscious in the kitchen, a bullet lodged in his brain. Blood stained the walls and floors, and the signs of a violent struggle were everywhere.
An Obsession Unveiled
Investigators quickly zeroed in on Robert "Bobby" Tarr, Reeves' ex-boyfriend, whose jealousy and obsession had reached a boiling point. Friends recalled Reeves' fear of Tarr — she had even told one friend she needed to block him from her life completely. According to CBS News, Reeves texted, "I could be killed by him someday if I don't cut all contact." Despite Tarr's claims of innocence, surveillance footage captured his car near the crime scene, and his own daughter revealed he left their house twice that night, once returning home in tears.
The Hunt for Justice
As investigators pieced together the events, they discovered the murder weapon buried in Tarr's yard — a firearm linked to the killing through Reeves' DNA. Though Tarr insisted he was framed, his fingerprint on the bag containing the gun, coupled with mounting evidence, told a different story.
Chris Smith's Fight for Survival
While Reeves' loved ones grieved, Smith faced an uphill battle for recovery. Surgeons removed part of his skull, and he spent weeks in a medically induced coma. Against the odds, he survived, but life would never be the same. Smith lost his home and his independence, yet found strength in his community and a renewed sense of purpose.
Verdict and Reflection
In April 2024, a jury found Bobby Tarr guilty of first-degree murder and attempted murder. Prosecutors argued that his jealousy drove him to kill Reeves, rather than let her move on. During sentencing, Smith — too emotional to attend the trial — shared the devastating impact of the shooting on his life. Reeves' friends and family remember her as a beacon of courage and compassion, while Smith continues to rebuild, step by step, with a focus on gratitude and resilience.
A Lasting Impact
Leslie Reeves' tragic death serves as a chilling reminder of the perils that domestic violence can bring, while Chris Smith's implausible survival embodies resilience in the face of unspeakable loss.
For those affected by domestic violence, help is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline or at 1-800-799-7233.
References: Woman shot, killed by Collinsville man subject of Saturday's '48 Hours' on CBS | An Illinois couple's first date ended in horror after both were shot; only one survived.
