From the outset of the investigation, the police almost certainly suspected that the murder was committed by someone familiar with the victim’s family. When Gary Bentley was shot dead on his own bed inside his elegant home in December 2017, the police almost immediately identified a suspect as they delved into his private life.
A Happy Family
Gary Bentley was born on August 31, 1984, in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, into a close-knit family with two siblings, all deeply bonded and affectionate towards each other.
Growing up, Gary became a fairly successful electrician. He enjoyed outdoor activities, loved wild cats, and was passionate about fishing, hunting, and gun collecting.
In 2006, at the age of 23, Gary met his future wife, a nurse one year his senior named Tasha Bentley. The couple dated for a long time.
After 6 years of courtship, they got married in September 2012. Their son was born about three months later.
Family members described Gary as easygoing, and laid-back, while Tasha was somewhat assertive. They had a comfortable life in their elegant home. Those around them noted that the Bentley family seemed very happy. Gary adored his son immensely. Everything he did was focused on his son’s future.
But on December 10, 2017, tragedy struck the small family. Tasha called her father-in-law, Gerald Bentley, expressing concern about Gary not answering many of her calls. Upon returning home, Tasha found the garage door open and told her father-in-law that she felt scared to go inside.
Gerald hurried to his son’s house, calling his son but getting no answer.
Murder on the Bed
Gerald entered the house through the garage, where the dogs ran out joyfully. He passed through the kitchen and into Gary’s bedroom. There, he found his son lying on the bed. As he approached, Gerald was horrified to see that Gary was dead with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. He quickly called the Kentucky state police. It was 7:56 p.m.
At the crime scene, police found Gary lying facing the door, covered with a blanket. They also retrieved a single shell casing next to the body on the bed.
The gun cabinet was open, and some firearms were missing. Additionally, everything else was left intact. There were no signs of forced entry or a struggle in the house. The police suspected that the victim may have been shot while sleeping.
Right from the start of the investigation, the police almost certainly suspected that the murder was committed by someone familiar with the victim’s family. Neighbors reported not hearing any noise or unusual sounds. Furthermore, Gary had a few dogs, and it was clear that they knew the attacker because otherwise, their barking would have awakened Gary before he was shot.
After scrutinizing the situation, detectives became suspicious and began looking into Gary’s wife. They quickly discovered that the marriage between Gary and his wife was not as perfect as many had observed.
Unstable trip
Tasha, a nurse, had a more assertive personality than her husband. However, she faced difficulties at work, leading to tension and arguments at home.
In September 2016, the couple went on vacation to Jamaica with their friends – Kevin and Amy Day. At this time, Gary learned that his wife was at risk of being fired. They argued a lot during that vacation. This also led to a confrontation between Gary and Kevin.
Things became more tense when Tasha lost her job officially as soon as the couple returned from their vacation. Although she found a new job afterward, she was often irritable and difficult to approach.
Tasha once called her father-in-law – Gerald, saying that her car broke down and needed to be towed. The car was set on fire, but this was not the first time this had happened. Tasha had three cars, all of which had been similarly damaged. It seemed that Tasha’s aim was the insurance money, and she knew how to obtain it.
Suspected Infidelity
In 2017, family and friends began to notice that something was amiss when Tasha frequently went on weekend getaways and worked late. She also frequently used her phone and claimed it was due to work. Gary’s relatives suspected Tasha of having an affair.
Gerald tried to talk to his son about this strange feeling. However, Gary consistently dismissed his father’s concerns. He assured him that everything between them was fine and did not want to discuss their marital issues.
On Thanksgiving Day in 2017, Tasha was present at the evening party at her in-laws’ house as usual but quickly left. She said she had to buy some items. However, when she returned at midnight, Tasha did not bring anything. A week later, Tasha told her mother-in-law that she was worried someone would harm Gary.
During a police interview after her husband’s death from being shot while asleep, Tasha claimed to have met Gary that morning before he went deer hunting. She stated that she called and texted her husband several times that day, but he did not respond.
Tasha recounted the altercation between Gary and their friend Kevin during their vacation in Jamaica. Both were drinking at the time, and Gary threw a drink at Kevin’s face. However, Kevin was quickly cleared of any involvement, as his alibi was verified, and he was removed from the list of suspects.
Soon after, Gerald contacted the police, saying that Tasha’s friend, Amy Day, had information for them.
Revelations from a Close Friend
The police investigation then took a new turn when they received a call providing information from Tasha’s closest friend, Amy Day. Amy was also the wife of Kevin, Gary’s closest friend. Both couples had traveled together to Jamaica last year.
Amy told investigators that she called Tasha on the day Gary passed away. Initially, Tasha didn’t answer. Amy thought it was because Tasha was deeply saddened by her husband’s death and didn’t want to talk to anyone. Later, Tasha called Amy back. During their discussion about the funeral, Tasha unexpectedly said she didn’t want to attend. Amy noted an immediate sense that something was not right.
Furthermore, Amy disclosed crucial details to the police. According to her, Tasha had indeed been having an affair, confirming the suspicions of Gary’s family. The affair was with a male coworker named Anthony, whom Tasha met at work. Tasha had planned to leave Gary and move in with Anthony on January 14, 2018, over a month after Gary was murdered.
$1 Million Life Insurance Policy
Both Amy and the victim’s father stated that Tasha and Gary were considering life insurance. Tasha wanted to purchase a $1 million policy for Gary. Gary was said to be very upset and opposed to this.
The detectives contacted the insurance company and found that Tasha had authorized the contract using Gary’s electronic signature. This contract became effective just four days before the murder.
Believing they had enough evidence related to the crime, the police detained Tasha for questioning.
When asked about Anthony, Tasha insisted they were friends both at work and outside. However, under further questioning by investigators, Tasha finally admitted to having an affair with Anthony and intending to move in with him.
Tasha also had to confront the life insurance policy. The nurse denied any involvement in her husband’s death. However, the police believed Tasha was not innocent. She might have shot Gary herself or hired someone to do it.
When investigators informed her that she might lose custody of her son, Tasha finally broke down and confessed to killing her husband.
Cold-Blooded Wife
However, during the interrogation with the police, Tasha claimed that she shot Gary because he abused and physically mistreated their 4-year-old son.
According to Tasha’s testimony, a physical altercation had occurred earlier, with Gary throwing the boy onto the bed, slamming him against the wall, and repeatedly hitting him. Tasha allegedly tried to intervene and was kicked by her husband. A few hours later, while Gary was asleep, Tasha took out her personal Ruger handgun, coldly aimed it at the back of her husband’s head, and pulled the trigger.
According to court records, investigators found no evidence that Gary had ever abused their son. Family and friends also affirmed that Gary was a wonderful father, deeply loving towards his son.
Tasha admitted that after shooting her husband, she took all the guns from the safe to make the murder look like the result of a failed robbery, to mislead law enforcement.
Consequences
Tasha admitted to giving the gun to Anthony – her lover – to hold onto. The murder weapon was a short-barreled handgun with a purple grip, which was later found at Anthony’s sister’s house.
Working with the police, Anthony admitted to having a romantic relationship with Tasha. However, both Anthony and his sister were removed from the list of suspects after providing solid alibis showing they had no knowledge of Tasha’s heinous crime.
Tasha Bentley was charged with murder and tampering with evidence. Upon hearing this news, the couple’s neighbors were shocked. They described Gary as very amiable, friendly, always smiling at everyone. Meanwhile, Tasha was also very affable.
The prosecutor alleged that Tasha killed her husband while he was sleeping, then staged the scene by taking about 20 guns from the safe.
At 6:54 p.m. on December 10, 2017, Tasha called her father-in-law, saying something was wrong in her house. However, at that time, Tasha was not at home but was with her lover.
In July 2021, Tasha pleaded guilty to killing her husband and was sentenced to 55 years in prison. According to court records, this woman is serving her sentence at the Kentucky Women’s Correctional Institution. Tasha may be eligible for parole as early as 2037.
