A shocking case from Montana has left many people disturbed and heartbroken. A 46-year-old man will spend the rest of his life in prison after brutally killing his girlfriend and trying to hide her body. The crime, the court hearing, and the emotional details shared about the victim have deeply affected the local community and beyond.
What happened in Billings, Montana
The incident took place in Billings, Montana, where police were called to an apartment on August 24, 2024 after neighbours complained about a strong, foul smell. When officers arrived, they made a horrifying discovery. A woman’s body was found on the porch, wrapped in blankets, towels, and even a shower curtain.
Inside the apartment, police found the suspect, Shane Levi Cole Roberts, hiding in a closet with a dog. He was immediately taken into custody.
The victim was identified as 52-year-old Genna Rae LaCombe.
Details revealed by investigators
According to reports shared in court and covered by local media outlet KTVQ, the injuries were extremely violent. A coroner later confirmed that LaCombe had suffered multiple stab wounds, including one so severe that it nearly caused decapitation.
Investigators also found strong evidence at the scene and on Roberts’ phone. This included:
- Photos showing LaCombe’s bloodied body in a bathtub
- The photos were dated about nine days before the body was discovered
- Two blood-stained knives
- A hatchet
- A hammer
This evidence played a major role in building the case against him.
Confession and disturbing phone call
After Roberts was taken to the Yellowstone County Jail, he reportedly made a phone call to his mother. During that call, he admitted to killing LaCombe and said she had “pushed him too far.”
This statement was later shared in court and became part of the prosecution’s argument that the act was deliberate and violent, not accidental.
Court decision and sentencing
Roberts pleaded guilty to deliberate homicide. Prosecutors and the defence had agreed on a 70-year prison sentence. However, during sentencing, Judge Colette Davies decided that the crime deserved a harsher punishment.
She added an extra 15 years, bringing the total sentence to 85 years in prison.
While addressing Roberts in court, the judge reportedly said that even if he claimed to love the victim, what he did was not love, but something deeply horrific. Her words reflected the seriousness of the crime and the pain caused.
Remembering Genna Rae LaCombe
Beyond the crime and the court case, it is important to remember the victim as a person, not just a name in a headline. Genna Rae LaCombe was a mother of two sons. Her obituary described her as a caring and creative woman.
She enjoyed:
- Arts and crafts, especially painting and beading
- Cooking for her family
- Making dishes like chicken noodle soup and pork chop chilli
- Listening to 80s music and dancing around the house
Her family remembered her as someone who brought warmth and joy into their lives. Her loss is deeply felt by those who knew and loved her.
A painful reminder about domestic violence
This case is another painful reminder of how dangerous domestic violence can be. What should have been a safe home turned into the scene of a brutal crime. Many advocacy groups continue to stress the importance of recognising warning signs in relationships and ensuring people have access to support and safe spaces when they feel unsafe.
