When first responders entered Katlyn Lyon Montgomery’s apartment, they initially thought she had overdosed. Her roommate, Jacob Piercy, called 911 after Katlyn’s daughter, Milani, said something was wrong. However, it turned out to be a murder, as reported in “The Sneak Attack on Katlyn Lyon,” which aired on January 31, 2022.
At the hospital, doctors noticed injuries on Katlyn’s head and neck. Investigators found something crucial in her apartment: a charging cord wrapped in her comforter, which may have been used to harm her.
With no signs of a break-in, Jacob became a prime suspect due to being the only adult present. However, after cooperating fully with police, including handing over his phone and performing CPR, he was cleared of any wrongdoing.
The investigation led police to Trenton Frye, Katlyn’s recent ex-boyfriend. At first, her family believed Frye had it all together. Katlyn’s brother, Jake, said everyone thought he was successful. “Definitely, we were all under that impression,” Jake recalled. But that image fell apart. In September 2022, Katlyn found out Frye had lied about his job and living situation, leading to a dramatic confrontation.
“She realized he was a con artist,” said Jake. After cutting off ties, phone records placed Frye near her apartment on the night she was attacked, giving police a motive.
Police believe Frye used a bench to climb to Katlyn’s second-floor balcony. Commonwealth attorney Wes Nance suggested this as a way for Frye to enter without waking anyone, including the three dogs in the apartment. Despite this theory, proving it in court was tough.
Frye’s attorney argued that no evidence linked him to being inside the apartment. “Only Tom Cruise can do that,” Sanzone commented on Frye’s alleged ninja-like abilities. Yet, during the trial, Frye called himself a “ninja,” which Nance highlighted as odd.
This tragic story raises questions about victims’ relationships and the red flags that can happen behind closed doors. Social media has lit up with users sharing insights on spotting controlling partners and the importance of support networks.
In a recent survey by the National Domestic Violence Hotline, over 70% of respondents noted that understanding unhealthy relationship traits helped them escape toxic situations. Awareness and education are key to preventing such tragedies through discussions in community forums and online platforms.
For more in-depth reporting on this story, you can read about it on CBS News.
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