The Crime and Initial Investigation

• 💔 Patrick Deleserta was found murdered on the stairs of his home on February 27th, 2018, after his fiancée, Jessica, couldn't reach him.
• 🚨 The crime scene revealed four gunshot wounds and two shell casings, suggesting the use of an assault rifle like an AR-15.
• 🚫 Crucially, the security camera hardware was removed from the property, indicating the perpetrator knew the house and intended to conceal evidence.

Patrick's Life and Relationships

• 🌱 Patrick and his brother Bryce had a close childhood, sharing interests in nature and mechanics, though they were separated during their parents' divorce.
• 💖 Patrick met Jessica in June 2017, and they quickly fell in love, described as soulmates who were engaged after only five months.
• 🌟 Patrick was characterized as a charismatic, fun-loving individual, with a strong personality that shone through even in voicemails.

The Ex-Boyfriend's Obsession

• 🚩 Jessica's ex-boyfriend, Gregory Bender, a much older man she dated for eight years, exhibited extreme obsession and stalking behavior after their breakup.
• 💍 Bender was engaged to Jessica while secretly being married to another woman, whom he claimed he married for financial reasons.
• ⚠️ Bender made persistent threats against Jessica, including threats of violence against her and himself, leading Jessica to obtain a restraining order against him.

Gregory Bender's Arrest and the Evidence

• 📞 On the day of Patrick's murder, Bender violated the restraining order by calling Jessica multiple times, providing police with probable cause for his arrest.
• 📝 Investigators discovered detailed notebooks kept by Bender, containing stalking notes, maps, and a meticulously planned murder plot for Patrick.
• 🔫 A search of Bender's house revealed an arsenal of firearms, ammunition, and body armor, and a single shell casing matching the crime scene caliber was found in a junk drawer.

Trial and Sentencing

• ⚖️ The prosecution's case heavily relied on Bender's handwritten murder plan, cell phone records, the restraining order, and evidence of stalking.
• 👨‍👦 The defense controversially accused Patrick's father of the murder, a claim that deeply distressed the father and was seen as a cruel tactic.
• 🔒 On May 28th, 2021, Gregory Bender was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.