Killer Relationship With Faith Jenkins season 4 opens with the harrowing 2015 murder of Samantha Dean, a victims’ services counselor who was seven months pregnant when she was found shot to death in Bastrop, Texas. The case revealed an unthinkable betrayal: Austin police officer VonTrey Clark, the father of her unborn child, orchestrated a murder-for-hire plot to eliminate her and their baby after she refused an abortion and demanded child support.
Table of Contents
Samantha Dean’s Complete Case Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 4, 2015 | Samantha Dean found shot at 2:09 AM beside her Dodge Charger in Bastrop |
| June 2015 | Aaron Williams provides breakthrough tip about the murder-for-hire plot |
| July 2015 | VonTrey Clark flees to Indonesia before capture |
| September 2019 | Kevin Watson pleads guilty, receives 35 years |
| December 2019 | Clark pleads guilty to capital murder, sentenced to life without parole |
| June 2022 | Freddie Lee Smith convicted, sentenced to life |
The Victim: A Cancer Survivor Dedicated to Helping Others
Samantha Dean graduated from John Jay College with a master’s degree in forensic psychology, demonstrating early compassion and academic excellence. During her first year at university, she fought sarcoma cancer at age 18 but graduated on schedule. Her 2014 pregnancy announcement was especially joyful since doctors warned her cancer treatments might prevent pregnancy.
Before becoming a full-time crime victims counselor at the Kyle Police Department, Dean volunteered with the Austin Police Department. The tragic irony is devastating: a woman who devoted her life to protecting crime victims was murdered by someone within the law enforcement community she trusted.
The Murder Plot Unfolds
The scene appeared staged to look like a drug deal, with marijuana placed over blood inside the car. However, investigators quickly suspected something more sinister. Dean’s journal, discovered during the investigation, contained chilling entries expressing her fear that Clark was going to kill her.
Cell forensics, burner phone histories, and travel records tied the group to a murder-for-hire plot, with payments promised to Watson and Smith. Clark had lured Dean to the location under false pretenses and used her phone to make it appear like a drug transaction.
Justice Delayed But Delivered
A fourth man, Aaron Williams, told authorities that Smith admitted being with Clark and Watson the night of the killing, reportedly saying “they killed that girl.” This testimony, combined with geolocation records showing a convoy to the parking lot, sealed the case against all three conspirators.
Clark fled to Indonesia but was later returned to Texas after an international search. The legal proceedings stretched across several years, with each defendant facing justice for their role in this calculated murder.
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Honoring Samantha and Madeline’s Legacy
In 2025, Kyle Police dedicated victim interview rooms in honor of Samantha and her unborn daughter, Madeline. Her family now advocates for domestic violence victims, using Samantha’s story to help others recognize warning signs despite her expertise in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who killed Samantha Dean and why?
Austin police officer VonTrey Clark orchestrated a murder-for-hire scheme because Dean refused to have an abortion and demanded child support for their unborn child. Clark, who had a family and another partner, hired Kevin Watson and Freddie Lee Smith for $5,000 to kill Dean and stage it as a robbery. Clark pleaded guilty in 2019 to avoid the death penalty and received life without parole.
How did investigators solve the Samantha Dean murder case?
The breakthrough came in June 2015 when Aaron Williams told authorities that Smith admitted being with Clark and Watson during the killing. Investigators used cell forensics, burner phone histories, geolocation records, and PlayStation gaming system communications to connect all three conspirators. Dean’s journal entries expressing fear of Clark also provided crucial evidence of his intent and her awareness of the danger.
