Abandoned but saved: the tragic and revealing story of Ashley Reeves (10 photos)
It often happens that the unexpected and most painful blow comes from those whom you trust the most. How then to live with it? 
Ordinary schoolgirl Ashley Reeves lived the life of a young carefree girls in Belleville, Illinois. Relationships with parents and sister were good, 17-year-old Ashley had a favorite. Relationship with Jeremy lasted almost two years and were quite harmonious. 
Ashley
The girl's father and mother approved of their daughter's friendship with a serious boyfriend: Jeremy genuinely cared about her. But there was in all this pious idyll is a decent fly in the ointment. Simultaneously the schoolgirl was having a secret romance. And not with another boy the same age, but with a man much older: Samson Shelton taught at Ashley's school.
The couple secretly spent time together after class walking in the park, talking on various topics and playing basketball.
Where are you, Ashley? 
Ashley
At the end of April 2006, the schoolgirl told her family that she wanted to get a job and go to an interview in a neighboring town. A then play basketball with classmates. She took her car guy, as it happened more than once, and left.
Michelle's mother became worried when her daughter did not return to scheduled time to go home. The phone was silent. And the woman went to the police. Usually the police wait for the allotted time before starting the search. Tem more young people: they played, went on a walk, lost track of time and telephone.
But information was received from the attendants that the guy's SUV missing found in the parking lot. In the car, they found a clean uniform and sport shoes. That is, there was no talk of any meeting with friends. The characteristic from the school showed that the missing person was serious and adequate, and disappearance does not fall under forgetfulness or display of rebellious spirit.
They asked Jeremy. He spent the whole evening at home with his parents and only gave his girlfriend the car keys after learning about the plans.
Teacher? 
Samson Shelton
The police spoke to friends from school. The guys said that the girl often played basketball with the teacher, Mr. Shelton. And them seen not only on the school playground, but also in the city. Why, if Are the school grounds well equipped?
Parents could not wait quietly, they were killed by the unknown. Michelle took out a printout of calls from her daughter's phone, since the card was registered in her name. One number that my daughter called all the time was not familiar to her. Michelle dialed it. The same teacher answered 26-year-old Samson Shelton. When asked if he knows where Ashley is, the man briefly said "no" and hung up.
secret life 
Samson
Fortunately, the girl told about her secret romance girlfriends. The girls, realizing that the matter was serious, told everything. Shelton taught physical education at school, plus led the section on wrestling and gave driving lessons. It was on them that the relationship of a teenage girl and adult male.
Meanwhile, days have passed. There was no news, but at night the temperature dropped to zero. If Ashley is injured and needs help, then time is playing against her. Sam was interrogated. He told the police that knows the girl, but there is no relationship other than friendship between them. A he spent the evening at the bar.
There was no direct evidence against the coach, but the police decided marinate it a little in the interrogation room. And the man got nervous.
Sticky! 
interrogation
And he spoke, especially when the detectives casually mentioned relatives - the mother and grandmother with whom the guy lived. Sam said that the girl herself ran after him, pestered him, fell in love like a cat. And he, in avoiding unnecessary attention, had a secret affair with her.
And, yes, he saw Ashley on the day of the disappearance - April 27th. He I wanted to break up with a girl. But she made a scandal and began to shout that reveals everything. And then the teacher will not be happy.
Changing shoes in the air
After a quarrel, he dropped an angry girlfriend on the side of the road and left. However, he never called to find out how she was. Although Ashley I was left completely alone on the road quite far from the city.
The guy juggled the testimony, constantly changing them. Time went on, and everyone begged to tell the truth, because from this,may have depended the life of a missing person.
Terrible truth 
In a court
When the policemen mentioned the grandmother again in the conversation, which the suspect was very attached, he lost his nerve. Man shouted that he had silenced the boring, annoying girl forever.
When he forcefully pulled the schoolgirl out of the car, she awkwardly fell. It was dark, and Sam considered the crunch he heard the sound of a broken neck. He took the body to the park and threw it in a secluded place.
The group immediately left to search. But considering the area The park was no easy task. Rescuers have already begun to think that it was another invention of Sam. And they came across a body.
Unexpected denouement 
Sam today
She was alive, albeit in a very critical condition. Paramedics The victim was taken to the hospital and handed over to the doctors. Ashley had damage to the larynx and trauma to the spine, but she survived. 
Ashley today
Samson was charged, but he was released on bail and tried to take his own life by swallowing pills. His mother found him called an ambulance. Shelton was jailed for attempted murder for 20 years. IN next year he has a chance to be released on parole. Apologies he did not bring the victim and the family.
Ashley recovered, went to work after school at the Center assistance to victims of violence. Now the 34-year-old woman is married and raising two children. 
Shot from the film “Left to Die: The Ashley Reeves Story”
Based on her story, the film "Left to Die: A History of Ashley Reeves." Of course the teacher is at fault. But the fault of the girl in the situation is also definitely there, because sooner or later everything secret becomes clear.
