Digest

This episode of True Crime All the Time delves into the case of Wendy May Davidson, a veterinarian who was convicted of murdering her husband, Michael Leslie Severus. The episode begins with the hosts, Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson, discussing their recent experience at Crime Con and then transitioning into the case. Michael, a former Air Force staff sergeant, was deployed to Afghanistan five times and had a strained relationship with his mother-in-law, Judy Davidson. In early 2005, Michael went missing while on leave, and Wendy reported him missing to his family. She claimed he was drinking heavily and had disappeared for hours at a time, possibly fleeing to Canada to avoid deployment. However, Michael's family and superiors at the Air Force base said this was uncharacteristic of him. The investigation led to the discovery of Michael's body in a pond on a ranch owned by a family friend, Terrell Sheen. Wendy was arrested and charged with evidence tampering, and later confessed to disposing of Michael's body after finding him dead in their home. She claimed she feared a family member had killed him. However, evidence from Michael's autopsy revealed he had been stabbed 41 times after death and had lethal doses of pentobarbital, a drug used to euthanize animals, in his system. Wendy was eventually convicted of murder and evidence tampering and sentenced to 25 years in prison. The episode concludes with a discussion of Wendy's ongoing attempts to regain contact with her son, Shane, and her continued denial of killing her husband. The hosts also discuss the lack of a clear motive in the case and the tragic impact on Michael's family.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Crime Con Recap

This Chapter begins with the hosts, Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson, introducing the episode and briefly recapping their recent experience at Crime Con. They mention the fun they had and the toll it took on them physically, particularly the amount of walking involved. They also share a funny anecdote about Mike Gibson's daughter enjoying herself at the event.

00:01:47

Patreon Shoutouts and Case Introduction

This Chapter features the hosts giving shoutouts to their Patreon supporters and then introducing the case of Wendy May Davidson, a veterinarian who was convicted of murdering her husband, Michael Leslie Severus. They provide some initial details about Michael's background, including his service in the Air Force and his deployment to Afghanistan. They also mention the unusual circumstances surrounding Michael's disappearance and the suspicion that fell upon Wendy.

00:04:09

Michael's Disappearance and Wendy's Actions

This Chapter delves into the details of Michael's disappearance. Wendy reported him missing to his family and claimed he was drinking heavily and had disappeared for hours at a time, possibly fleeing to Canada to avoid deployment. However, Michael's family and superiors at the Air Force base said this was uncharacteristic of him. The investigation led to the discovery of Michael's body in a pond on a ranch owned by a family friend, Terrell Sheen. Wendy was arrested and charged with evidence tampering, and later confessed to disposing of Michael's body after finding him dead in their home.

00:49:26

Autopsy Results and Wendy's Trial

This Chapter focuses on the autopsy results and Wendy's trial. Michael's autopsy revealed he had been stabbed 41 times after death and had lethal doses of pentobarbital, a drug used to euthanize animals, in his system. Wendy was eventually convicted of murder and evidence tampering and sentenced to 25 years in prison. The episode also discusses Wendy's attempts to regain contact with her son, Shane, and her continued denial of killing her husband.

01:07:55

Wendy's Parole and the Lack of Motive

This Chapter concludes the episode with a discussion of Wendy's ongoing attempts to regain contact with her son, Shane, and her continued denial of killing her husband. The hosts also discuss the lack of a clear motive in the case and the tragic impact on Michael's family.

01:10:55

Voicemails and Closing

This Chapter features the hosts playing voicemails from listeners and then closing out the episode. They thank their listeners for their support and encourage them to stay safe.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the unusual circumstances surrounding Michael's disappearance?

  Wendy reported Michael missing to his family, claiming he was drinking heavily and had disappeared for hours at a time, possibly fleeing to Canada to avoid deployment. However, Michael's family and superiors at the Air Force base said this was uncharacteristic of him. The investigation led to the discovery of Michael's body in a pond on a ranch owned by a family friend, Terrell Sheen.

• What evidence led to Wendy's conviction for murder?

  Evidence from Michael's autopsy revealed he had been stabbed 41 times after death and had lethal doses of pentobarbital, a drug used to euthanize animals, in his system. Wendy's confession to disposing of Michael's body and the discovery of torn vet records at her clinic further strengthened the case against her.

• What was the motive for Michael's murder?

  The motive for Michael's murder was never definitively established. Wendy initially claimed she feared a family member had killed him, but there was no evidence to support this theory. The hosts of the podcast speculate that Wendy's motive may have been related to her strained relationship with Michael or her desire to protect someone else.

• What is Wendy's current status?

  Wendy is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for murder and evidence tampering. She has been denied parole several times and is projected to be released in 2031. She continues to maintain her innocence, claiming she only disposed of Michael's body and did not kill him.

• What is the impact of this case on Michael's family?

  The case has had a devastating impact on Michael's family. They lost their son and loved one at a young age, and the circumstances surrounding his death have been difficult to process. The hosts of the podcast express sympathy for Michael's family and highlight the pain they have endured.

Show Notes