The Jealous Wife, Bitter Husband, & Evil Murder Plan - The Devastating Case of Annie Hester

Annie Hester, a loving mother and devoted wife, met a tragic end in a case that shocked the community. The story involves a jealous wife, a bitter husband, and an evil murder plan that left Annie dead and her family shattered. This article delves into the details of the investigation, the evidence, and the crime that led to this devastating outcome.

Early Life and Marriage

Anastasia Holmes, known as Annie to her family and friends, was born in 1981 in Gresham, Oregon. Raised by her mother and stepfather after her biological father's death during her teenage years, Annie had a normal childhood and stayed out of trouble. She loved playing tabletop role-playing games, such as Dungeons and Dragons, and frequently visited local game shops to indulge in her hobby.

It was at one of these game shops that Annie met Matthew Hester. They instantly connected over their shared interests and began dating. The couple married in 2008 and welcomed a daughter in 2011. Friends and family noted Annie's deep love for her husband and daughter, and she planned to stay with Matthew for life. However, their marriage soon faced significant challenges.

The Strain of an Open Marriage

As their marriage deteriorated, Annie desperately tried to salvage their relationship. She agreed to an open marriage on the condition that they be honest about their extramarital relationships. Unfortunately, this arrangement only made things worse. Annie discovered that Matthew had been seeing someone else and had lied about it, breaking the only rule they had set.

By 2012, Annie decided that she had tried everything and filed for divorce. She was awarded full custody of their daughter, while Matthew had visitation rights on weekends. Annie moved into a one-bedroom apartment, took a job at a call center, and worked hard to provide for her daughter.

Matthew's New Relationship

Despite Annie's efforts to co-parent, Matthew was inconsistent with child support due to frequent job losses. To cope with his financial situation, Matthew found a roommate, Angela McCraw, a single mother of three. Within a month of living together, Matthew and Angela began a romantic relationship and married in 2014.

After marrying Angela, Matthew wanted to spend more time with his daughter. However, Annie found it increasingly difficult to maintain a good co-parenting relationship with him. Neighbors and Annie's sister described her as non-confrontational, always trying to make those around her happy.

The Night of the Murder

In the early hours of June 10, 2016, Annie made a frantic 911 call, reporting that she had been attacked in her apartment. First responders arrived within minutes, but despite their efforts, Annie was pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy revealed that she had been struck with a blunt force object over 60 times, with wounds ranging from half an inch to eight inches deep.

The crime scene indicated that the attacker had entered through a window, using a cinder block to climb in. Blood evidence suggested that Annie had been attacked in her bed and tried to escape. Her apartment showed signs of a brutal struggle, with several bloody knives and a footprint in the blood.

The Investigation

Detectives quickly began interviewing neighbors, who reported hearing screams and thuds around 11:00 PM but saw nothing suspicious. Initially, they feared that Annie's daughter, who was not in the apartment, had been abducted. However, they soon discovered that she was with her father, Matthew, for the weekend.

Matthew willingly went in for questioning, claiming he had picked up his daughter from Annie and had no reason to want her gone. However, security footage from Annie's apartment complex showed a car resembling Matthew and Angela's vehicle. When questioned, Angela denied their car was at the scene and claimed she had been sick at home, with Matthew helping her clean up—a detail Matthew had omitted.

The Motive Uncovered

Court records revealed that Matthew was in a bitter custody battle with Annie, who had been awarded full custody. He was ordered to pay over $13,000 in back child support and $29,000 in legal fees. Additionally, Annie had a $100,000 life insurance policy with her parents as beneficiaries. Just days after her death, Matthew contacted the insurance company to inquire about the payout, raising suspicions.

Detectives obtained GPS records for Angela's phone, showing that three days after Annie's murder, she had visited a wooded area for seven and a half minutes and never returned. Investigators searched the area and found a plastic bin with bloody clothes, including a pajama top matching pants found in Matthew and Angela's home. They also found a boot matching the bloody footprint at the crime scene.

Arrests and Convictions

In October 2017, Angela was arrested and charged with aggravated murder and first-degree burglary. When questioned again, Matthew admitted to having conversations with Angela about killing Annie and even contacting Angela's ex-husband to hire him for the job, though he couldn't afford it.

In the summer of 2019, Matthew was arrested and charged with solicitation to commit murder, criminal conspiracy, and hindering prosecution. Angela pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in November 2020 and was sentenced to life in prison, eligible for parole after 25 years. Matthew pleaded guilty to solicitation to commit murder and hindering prosecution in August 2021, receiving a 56-month sentence.

Aftermath

Angela's children were placed in foster care, while Annie and Matthew's daughter was raised by Annie's parents. The detectives noted that they could potentially charge Matthew with murder in the future if more evidence emerged.

The devastating case of Annie Hester serves as a chilling reminder of how jealousy and bitterness can lead to unthinkable violence. Annie's attempts to maintain peace and provide for her daughter were tragically cut short by a brutal and calculated act. As her family and community continue to heal, the story underscores the importance of vigilance and justice in the face of domestic strife.