Of Mice & Men & Murder - Sidney, Montana

The episode details the abduction and murder of Sherry Arnold, a beloved teacher in Sidney, Montana. On January 7, 2012, Sherry went out for her morning run and was approached by two men, Michael Spell and Lester Waters Jr., who had recently arrived in the area during the oil boom. They planned to kidnap someone, and after initially missing a target at a laundromat, they targeted Sherry.

Spell tackled Sherry, and despite her attempts to escape, she was ultimately killed. They disposed of her body in a hastily dug grave and returned to Walmart to return the shovel used for the burial. The investigation led to the apprehension of both men after an anonymous tip linked them to the crime.

Both Spell and Waters faced serious charges, including homicide and kidnapping. Waters pled guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence, while Spell's trial centered around his cognitive abilities and whether or not he truly comprehended his situation. Ultimately, Spell was found competent to stand trial and received a significant prison sentence. Sherry Arnold's legacy continues in Sidney, where the community remembers her through tributes and a running trail named in her honor.