The Oxley Murder: How a 6-Year-Old's Testimony Overturned the Investigation
In the early hours of February 21, 2008, a seemingly perfect family life shattered when Ben Oxley was found murdered in his bed with a shotgun wound to his head. His wife Melissa, who had been sleeping beside him, woke up covered in blood but physically unharmed. The tragedy struck just hours after what had been an ordinary day for the couple and their 6-year-old daughter Alyssa.
The Oxley family had built their life together with love and commitment. Ben, a devoted father, had married Melissa in September 2006, creating a blended family that included Melissa's teenage brother Craig. On their wedding day, Melissa had given Alyssa a special bracelet, promising to always love her as her own daughter. The family seemed to have everything going for them until that fateful night when police responded to Melissa's frantic 911 call and found Ben dead in their bedroom.
Key Takeaways
Ben Oxley was found murdered with a shotgun wound to his head while his wife Melissa slept beside him, immediately raising suspicions about her involvement.
Despite initial focus on Melissa and her teenage brother Craig as suspects, investigators struggled to find conclusive evidence connecting either to the crime.
Six-year-old Alyssa, Ben's daughter, witnessed something crucial on the night of the murder that could potentially reveal the truth about what happened.
The Murder of Ben Oxley
On February 21, 2008, at approximately 3:30 AM, a horrific crime shattered the peaceful life of the Oxley family in Minden, Nevada. Ben Oxley, a devoted father to 6-year-old Alyssa, was found dead in his bed with a fatal shotgun wound to the head. His wife Melissa, who claimed to have been sleeping beside him during the attack, woke up covered in her husband's blood but physically unharmed.
The circumstances immediately raised suspicions. Melissa called 911 in a state of shock, reporting that she'd awakened to find Ben unresponsive and blood everywhere. While on the phone with emergency services, she prevented young Alyssa from entering the bedroom to see her father, despite the child's desperate pleas.
Police arrived to find the front door wide open, with the house in complete darkness. The responding officers methodically cleared the residence, first encountering 17-year-old Craig, Melissa's brother who lived with the family. He appeared to have been sleeping when police found him. Melissa stood in the hallway, visibly shocked, with blood on her clothing and holding Alyssa.
The crime scene investigation revealed troubling details:
No signs of forced entry or break-in
Ben appeared to have been killed while sleeping
Two shotgun shells were discovered on Craig's nightstand
Initially, suspicion fell on Craig, who was known to be a hunter familiar with firearms. However, forensic testing showed no gunpowder residue on his hands, eliminating him as a suspect. This shifted investigators' focus firmly to Melissa.
The couple had built what seemed to be a perfect blended family. Ben and Melissa married in September 2006, with Melissa formally adopting Alyssa during their wedding ceremony. She had presented the child with a bracelet, promising to always love her as her own daughter. After the wedding, they gained full custody of Alyssa, no longer sharing parenting responsibilities with Ben's ex-wife.
Before meeting Melissa, Ben had been a single father deeply dedicated to raising Alyssa following his divorce. The two shared an exceptionally close bond, with Ben making his daughter the absolute center of his world. When he began dating again and met Melissa, he even brought Alyssa along on their first date, valuing her opinion above all else.
Police were convinced Melissa was responsible for Ben's murder. The proximity of the crime and her claim of sleeping through a violent shotgun blast directly beside her strained credibility. Yet despite their suspicions, investigators lacked concrete evidence to make an arrest.
What they didn't yet realize was that 6-year-old Alyssa hadn't been asleep that night. The child had witnessed something crucial that could potentially reveal the truth about her father's murder and determine her stepmother's fate.
Suspicions and Immediate Aftermath
When police arrived at the Oxley residence in the early morning hours of February 21, 2008, they encountered a disturbing scene. The front door stood wide open, and the house was eerily silent and dark. Officers moved cautiously through the home, weapons drawn, uncertain whether they might face an armed intruder.
In the first bedroom they checked, officers found 17-year-old Craig, Melissa's brother, who emerged from under the covers with his hands raised. Meanwhile, Melissa stood in the hallway in a state of shock, blood covering her clothes, holding both her phone and 6-year-old Alyssa. The officers quickly secured the scene and discovered Ben Oxley's body in the master bedroom with a fatal shotgun wound to the back of his skull.
Investigators immediately noted suspicious elements about the crime scene. There were no signs of forced entry anywhere in the home—no broken windows or damaged doors. This suggested the killer wasn't a stranger but possibly someone who lived in the house. Two prime suspects emerged: Melissa and her teenage brother Craig.
The investigation initially focused heavily on Craig when police discovered two shotgun shells on his nightstand. As an avid duck hunter and the only family member with firearms experience, this discovery raised immediate red flags. However, forensic tests revealed no gunpowder residue on his hands, supporting his claim that he had been asleep until police arrived.
Attention then shifted to Melissa, whose story seemed implausible to investigators. How could she have been sleeping directly beside her husband when he was shot without noticing anything? Despite being covered in her husband's blood, she had no physical injuries. This contradiction made detectives highly suspicious of her account.
The police faced a challenging situation—strong suspicion but insufficient evidence for an arrest. Melissa maintained her innocence throughout questioning, insisting she had no knowledge of how her husband was killed. Meanwhile, 6-year-old Alyssa was separated from her stepmother for safety reasons, unable to comprehend that she would never see her beloved father again.
What investigators didn't realize was that little Alyssa hadn't been asleep during the incident. Unlike everyone else in the household, she had witnessed something crucial that night—information that could potentially solve the mystery of Ben Oxley's murder.
Ben and Melissa's Journey Before the Tragedy
A Father Starting Anew
In 2004, Ben Oxley found himself navigating life as a newly single father in Minden, Nevada. At 32 years old, he focused entirely on rebuilding his life after a difficult divorce. With shared custody of his 3-year-old daughter Alyssa, Ben dedicated himself completely to fatherhood.
Their relationship was extraordinarily close. Ben took Alyssa everywhere, even to a Valentine's Day dance where they shared special moments dancing to "Butterfly Kisses." This devotion was evident to everyone around them.
Alyssa became the center of Ben's world. He strived to be the best father possible, making her wellbeing his absolute priority.
Finding New Love
In 2005, Ben cautiously began searching for companionship again. He met Melissa, and their connection was immediate. Their conversations sparked genuine interest, prompting them to arrange an in-person meeting.
Recognizing Alyssa's importance, Ben included his daughter on their first date. The young child's initial reaction was territorial—telling Melissa not to talk to her father. Rather than being offended, Melissa found Alyssa's protective nature endearing.
As Ben and Melissa's relationship developed, they gradually formed a blended family unit. Melissa's warmth and understanding approach with Alyssa demonstrated her genuine care for both father and daughter.
Creating a Complete Family
On September 17, 2006, after dating for nearly a year, Ben and Melissa married. The ceremony included a special moment for 4-year-old Alyssa, who served as flower girl. During the wedding, Melissa presented Alyssa with an engraved bracelet, symbolizing her commitment to love her as her own child.
Shortly after their marriage, the court granted Ben and Melissa full custody of Alyssa, ending the shared arrangement with Ben's ex-wife Dawn. This development united the entire family under one roof, including Melissa's teenage brother Craig.
The newly formed household seemed ideal—Ben had found love again, Alyssa had gained a devoted stepmother, and Melissa had officially adopted her stepdaughter. Their future appeared bright and full of promise, with no indication of the unimaginable tragedy that would strike on February 21, 2008.
The Night of the Tragedy
February 21, 2008 began as any ordinary night in the Oxley household, but ended in devastating circumstances that would change their lives forever. At approximately 3:30 AM, the Nevada police received a frantic 911 call from Melissa Oxley. Her voice trembling, she reported waking up beside her husband Ben covered in blood.
Police rushed to the scene with sirens blaring, arriving to find the front door wide open and the house eerily silent. As officers cautiously moved through the darkened home, they discovered Ben Oxley in the master bedroom with a fatal shotgun wound to the back of his head. The evidence suggested he had been asleep when killed.
Melissa stood in the hallway, blood-stained and visibly shaken, holding both her phone and her 6-year-old stepdaughter Alyssa. The young girl repeatedly begged to see her father, but Melissa refused, knowing the traumatic scene would be too much for a child to witness. Throughout this chaos, Melissa had also alerted the dispatcher to possible noises in the house, fearing an intruder might still be present.
During their search, officers found Melissa's 17-year-old brother Craig asleep in another bedroom. The teen appeared startled when awakened by police commands. Investigators initially considered Craig a prime suspect when they discovered two shotgun shells on his nightstand. As an avid hunter, he was the only family member known to have experience with firearms.
However, forensic tests revealed no gunpowder residue on Craig's hands, supporting his claim that he had been asleep during the shooting. With this development, investigators' suspicion shifted toward Melissa. The absence of any signs of forced entry suggested the perpetrator wasn't a stranger.
The circumstances seemed highly suspicious to authorities. How could Melissa have been sleeping directly beside her husband during such a violent act without being awakened or injured herself? Despite her insistence of innocence, detectives struggled to believe someone could remain unaware while lying next to a murder victim.
With no concrete evidence pointing to either Melissa or Craig, the investigation reached a standstill. What investigators didn't yet realize was that young Alyssa had been awake during the tragedy. The 6-year-old had witnessed something crucial that night—information that could potentially solve the mystery of who killed Ben Oxley.
The Murder Investigation
First Response to the Crime
On February 21, 2008, at approximately 3:30 AM, Nevada police received a distressing 911 call from Melissa Oxley. She reported waking up beside her husband Ben covered in blood, though she herself was physically unharmed. Officers immediately dispatched to the scene with lights and sirens, responding to the Code Three emergency. Upon arrival, they found the front door wide open and the house completely dark.
Police entered cautiously, weapons drawn, uncertain whether they might encounter an armed intruder. The first bedroom they checked contained Melissa's 17-year-old brother Craig, who appeared to be waking from sleep. In the hallway stood Melissa, visibly in shock, with blood on her clothing, holding both a phone and her 6-year-old stepdaughter Alyssa.
The little girl repeatedly begged to see her father, but Melissa refused to let her enter the bedroom. Authorities quickly secured the premises, finding no one else in the home except Ben Oxley's body in the master bedroom.
Analyzing the Murder Scene
The initial examination revealed Ben had died from a shotgun wound to the back of his skull. Based on the body position, investigators determined he was likely asleep when killed. There were no signs of forced entry anywhere in the house—no broken windows or damaged doors—suggesting the killer wasn't an outsider.
Two shotgun shells discovered on Craig's nightstand immediately drew suspicion. Being an avid duck hunter, he was the only family member known to have experience with firearms. However, forensic tests later revealed no gunpowder residue on his hands, indicating he hadn't recently fired a weapon.
Investigators found themselves at a perplexing crossroads. How could Melissa have been sleeping directly beside her husband during such a violent attack without being involved? This question led detectives to consider her their primary suspect, despite her insistence of innocence.
The case presented a challenging puzzle—no conclusive evidence pointed to either suspect. What authorities didn't realize was that young Alyssa hadn't been asleep that night. Unlike the adults in the home, she had witnessed something crucial that could potentially solve the mystery of who killed her father.
Persons of Interest and Police Questioning
Melissa's Statement
After the shocking discovery of Ben Oxley's body, investigators immediately focused on Melissa, who was found covered in blood yet physically unharmed. During her initial interview, Melissa appeared visibly distressed and maintained she had been asleep beside her husband when the shooting occurred.
"I was sleeping right next to him but saw nothing," she told detectives, her voice trembling as she recounted waking up covered in her husband's blood.
Detectives found her story difficult to believe. How could someone sleep through a shotgun blast that occurred inches away? The blood evidence on her clothing seemed damning, yet she insisted on her innocence throughout questioning.
Craig's Interrogation
Investigators quickly identified Melissa's 17-year-old brother Craig as another person of interest. When police first entered the home, they discovered Craig in his bedroom, emerging from beneath his covers.
Several concerning factors drew police attention to the teenager:
Two shotgun shells found on his nightstand
His known experience with firearms
His status as an avid hunter
Access to shotguns for duck hunting
During questioning, Craig maintained he had been asleep until police arrived at the house. "I didn't hear anything until the officers woke me up," he claimed repeatedly.
Investigators initially doubted his story, but forensic testing revealed no gunpowder residue on his hands. This critical piece of evidence supported his claim that he hadn't fired a weapon that night, forcing detectives to shift their focus back to Melissa despite her continued protests of innocence.
Uncovering the Real Story
The Case Against Craig
Police initially suspected 17-year-old Craig, Melissa's younger brother, as the potential killer in Ben Oxley's murder. Two shotgun shells discovered on his nightstand raised immediate red flags. As an avid duck hunter, Craig was the only family member with firearms knowledge and experience.
The evidence seemed compelling:
Craig owned hunting equipment
He possessed knowledge of firearms
Shotgun shells were found in his room
The murder weapon was a shotgun
However, forensic testing quickly dismantled this theory. The gunpowder residue tests on Craig's hands came back negative, providing strong evidence that he hadn't fired a weapon that night. His claim of being asleep until police arrived gained credibility with this scientific finding, forcing investigators to shift their focus elsewhere.
Melissa Becomes the Main Focus
With Craig's involvement seemingly ruled out, investigators turned their attention to Melissa Oxley. The circumstances surrounding her discovery of the murder appeared highly suspicious to law enforcement officials.
Key elements that raised concerns:
She was covered in her husband's blood
She claimed to have been sleeping beside him during the shooting
She reported waking up next to his body
She physically prevented 6-year-old Alyssa from seeing her father
Police found it difficult to believe someone could sleep through their spouse being shot with a shotgun right next to them. The close proximity to the violent death without any awareness struck investigators as implausible. "How could you be in close proximity to somebody that gets killed and not be involved?" questioned one detective.
Despite these suspicions, investigators faced a significant challenge - they lacked concrete evidence to make an arrest. No murder weapon had been located, and there were no witnesses who could place Melissa as the shooter. The case seemed to be at a standstill.
What investigators didn't realize was that little Alyssa hadn't been sleeping that night. The six-year-old had witnessed something crucial that could potentially solve the entire case and reveal what truly happened to her father.
Alyssa's Key Witness Account
Six-year-old Alyssa Oxley became the central figure in solving her father's murder case. Despite her young age, she witnessed critical events on the night of February 21st, 2008, when Ben Oxley was fatally shot in his bed.
The young girl maintained a special bond with her father since her early years. Following her parents' divorce when she was just three, Ben devoted himself entirely to raising Alyssa, creating memories like dancing together to "Butterfly Kisses" at a Valentine's Day event.
When Ben began dating Melissa, Alyssa initially showed resistance, telling her directly, "Don't talk to my dad." This protective stance gradually softened as Melissa demonstrated genuine care for both Ben and his daughter.
The Wedding Promise
During their September 2006 wedding ceremony, Melissa presented Alyssa with a bracelet symbolizing their commitment as a new family. The engraving contained a heartfelt promise: they would always love each other and remain together as family.
The newly formed household included:
Ben Oxley (father)
Melissa Oxley (stepmother)
Alyssa Oxley (daughter, age 6 at time of murder)
Craig (Melissa's teenage brother)
The Night of the Murder
On that fateful night, Alyssa was not asleep as everyone assumed. While police initially suspected Melissa or her brother Craig, they lacked conclusive evidence. The absence of gunpowder residue on Craig's hands contradicted the presence of shotgun shells on his nightstand.
Investigators struggled to understand how Melissa could have been sleeping beside Ben without noticing anything. The case hinged on finding someone who witnessed crucial details - and that person was Alyssa.
The six-year-old had observed something significant that night, something that would eventually help unravel the mystery behind her father's death. Her testimony would become vital evidence in determining who was responsible for Ben Oxley's murder.
