Lynn Ann (Armstrong) Reister

On May 24 2001, the body of Lynn, a Captain in the United States Army, was found in her home by her husband, Roger (also in the US Army - a Sergeant). Lynn was 6 months pregnant and they also had a 4 yr old son. Lynn and Roger had been married for 5 years but the marriage was "troubled", with each accusing the other of having had multiple affairs. Other people had heard Roger complaining that if they obtained a divorce, Lynn might get custody of their son. He was also concerned that he would have to pay child support. When Roger returned after working on the base all day and in the company of their 4 year old son, they found Lynn. who had been stabbed 6 times around the head and neck and had six "defense wounds" on her hands. The defense wounds lead investigators to conclude that she has fought for her life. Previous to her murder, Lynn had consented to Roger's brother, Rodney, moving into their home so that Rodney could get his life together. Rodney had been in trouble with the law, not for violent acts but for minor crimes. Eventually, Rodney was convicted of murdering Lynn. He appealed the conviction but his appeal was denied. In the appeal, the Court summarized Lynn's murder this way: "On May 24, 2001, the thirty-year-old deceased, Lynn Reister, was found with her throat slashed in a bedroom of her home in El Paso, Texas. She was about six months pregnant and she had defensive wounds on her hands. The ensuing investigation centered upon her husband, Roger Reister, and her brother-in-law, the Appellant, Rodney Reister. The investigation revealed that Roger Reister was a sergeant in the Army and his wife, Lynn, was a captain. Their marriage was in difficulty, and when Lynn Reister was deployed to Saudi Arabia in March, 2000, Roger stayed behind and engaged in partying activity at their house. He also had sexual relations with several woman. The evidence adduced at trial revealed that Roger Reister became concerned that if his wife found out about his activities, the military would take action against him and he would lose custody of the couple s son, and he would have to pay child support. He began soliciting various people to kill his wife. Appellant was one of those people. The killer was to be paid from life insurance proceeds and from other property. Roger Reister recruited one individual to kill his wife, but the attempt failed when that individual was scared off by a neighbor. Roger Reister became concerned as his wife was soon to be transferred to Minnesota to teach ROTC. Appellant agreed to kill his sister-in-law. Roger Reister arranged for Appellant {Rodney} to enter the home. He surprised Lynn Reister in bed and killed her with a knife. The police investigation revealed a bloody palm print on her body made by Appellant. A warrant issued for Appellant. After his arrest, Appellant confessed during questioning to having killed Lynn Reister at the behest of his brother." There are so many disturbing aspects of what was truly a brutal murder, not the least of which is that her husband pretended to find her body and involved their 4-year-old son in the sham. There were so many twists and turns during the investigation that at least 2 shows - Dateline and ID's "Shadow of Doubt" - highlighted the crime on their shows. While both Roger and Rodney were convicted of murdering Lynn, Roger still blames his brother and proclaims his innocence. Read more details about the murder at Pregnant Army Commander Found With Throat Slit After Missing Her Own Goodbye Party