A woman, Martha, who had forgiven the murderer of her mother and cousin, tragically met her own demise at his hands. Martha’s mother, Sally Snowden McKay, and her cousin, Joseph “Lee” Baker, were murdered at their estate on Horseshoe Lake in Arkansas in 1996. Despite the tragedy, Martha chose to befriend the convicted murderer, Travis Lewis, while he was in prison. Martha even assisted in Lewis’ early release and offered him a job at Snowden House, a luxury bed and breakfast and wedding venue she had established at the site of her mother’s murder.
Martha’s decision to trust Lewis backfired when suspicions arose about his involvement in a theft at the property. Eventually, Martha was found brutally murdered in her house in March 2020 at the age of 63. The investigation revealed that Lewis had intended to steal valuables from the house, but it was unclear whether his initial motive was burglary or murder.
The perpetrator attempted to flee but drowned in the nearby lake during a police chase. The body recovered was identified as Lewis, who had also killed another woman from the same family 23 years after the initial murders. Toxicology reports indicated the presence of various drugs in Lewis’ system. Family members expressed shock and disbelief at the tragic events.
The community mourned the loss of Martha, a woman who was described as living life to the fullest by her loved ones. The devastating chain of events served as a stark reminder of the unpredictability and darkness that can infiltrate even the most forgiving of hearts.