Ep 6. Valerie Pape

Valerie Pape was a single mother living in rural Iowa when her life took a deadly turn. On December 11th, 2012, Pape shot and killed 37-year-old Jeremy Meyer, her on-again, off-again boyfriend, in his home outside of Cedar Rapids.

The relationship between Pape and Meyer was tumultuous, to say the least. Meyer had a long history of drug abuse and criminal activity, which often put a strain on their relationship. In the weeks leading up to the shooting, Meyer had been dealing drugs out of Pape's home, causing tension between the two.

According to Pape's testimony, on the night of the shooting, she went to Meyer's home to pick up her 4-year-old son, who had been spending time with his father. She claims that Meyer became aggressive and threatened her with a shotgun. In self-defense, Pape says she shot Meyer with a handgun she had brought with her.

However, investigators quickly began to poke holes in Pape's story. For one, the .38 caliber handgun she used to shoot Meyer was not registered to her and was found in a neighbor's yard several days later. Additionally, the shotgun Meyer allegedly used to threaten Pape was found unloaded in a closet, leading prosecutors to argue that Pape had fabricated the story to justify her actions.

As the investigation progressed, more damning evidence against Pape began to emerge. Cell phone records showed that Pape had been in contact with Meyer leading up to the shooting, even though she claimed to have had no plans to see him that night. Additionally, Pape's brother testified that she had confided in him that she was considering killing Meyer just weeks before the shooting.

Despite these inconsistencies, Pape maintained her innocence and proceeded to trial. In 2014, a jury found her guilty of first-degree murder and she was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The case of Valerie Pape is a tragic example of how a volatile relationship can turn deadly. Despite the evidence against her, Pape's family and friends continue to maintain her innocence, arguing that she was a loving mother who was pushed to her breaking point.