Spooky text exposes Leslie Reeves’ murder case after she was ‘executed’ on first date and dog found cuddled next to body

A WOMAN was horrifically shot execution-style on their first date and police hunted down her killer after finding a disturbing text message.

Leslie Reeves, 45, and her husband Chris Smith were attacked at their home in Illinois after being stalked the night before Thanksgiving 2021.

Leslie Reeves, 45, was murdered at her husband Chris Smith's Illinois home the night before Thanksgiving in 2021. — Leslie Reeves, 45, was murdered at her husband Chris Smith’s Illinois home the night before Thanksgiving in 2021.Credit: CBS News

Smith was shot in the head and left with horrific injuriesCredit: CBS News

He survived after his dog Tiki kept him warm until help arrived after 14 harrowing hoursCredit: CBS News

The horrific scene was discovered by a teenage neighbor who called 911 the next dayCredit: CBS News

The carnage was discovered the next day by EMS technician Dennis Hobson, who saw Smith’s dog Tiki clinging to his badly injured owner to keep his body warm.

The victim lay there for at least 14 hours until his teenage neighbor noticed that his body had been smashed through the back door.

“It was bad,” Hobson said on CBS’ “48 Hours.”

“Two innocent people ruined their lives on their first date. For what reason?”

The day before Thanksgiving, Reeves and Smith met in Farmersville, a tiny village about half an hour south of Springfield, for drinks at a local bar.

According to witnesses, the two were having a great time together and were having fun with Smith’s group of friends.

A JEALOUS EX

However, at the time, Reeves was trying to break up with her ex-boyfriend Robert Tarr, who was following her every move, chilling text messages have revealed.

Tarr was arrested after police found creepy evidence implicating him in the case.

During the murder trial, prosecutors said the jealous ex talked to a friend about Reeves’ plans on Nov. 24 and speculated why she was driving nearly an hour from her home in Troy, Illinois.

“I don’t feel like she would drive that far to party or go out with a girl, I think it’s for a dude,” the text read out in court said.

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Other people close to Tarr had even more damning evidence against the ex, including his own daughter, who heard him leave the house once at 6 p.m. and again at 9:15 p.m.

At about 2:45 a.m., she was woken up again by her dad, who told her he was right.

Two bullets were found at the scene that matched the gun accessories Carr’s brother, Adam, had given to detectives.

The same gun was seen by Carr’s daughter, who recalled noticing that it had a laser on top.

Robert Jay Tarr was convicted of Reeves' murder and Smith's attempted murder in April 2024 — Robert Jay Tarr was convicted of Reeves’ murder and Smith’s attempted murder in April 2024Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney

Reeves died of a single gunshot wound to the headAuthor: handout for the family

Tarr broke into Smith's house after they went on their first date — Tarr broke into Smith’s house after they went on their first dateCredit: CBS News

“LIVING HELL”

51-year-old Smith survived the shooting thanks to his beloved dog, which protected him from the unusually cold weather.

However, the horrific attack left him permanently paralyzed on his left side with a bullet lodged in his brain.

“I went from being a single parent to being a small business owner living your everyday American dream,” he told the NBC affiliate KSDK in February 2022.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t understand that.

“All I was trying to do was try to go on a date.”

Smith has no memory of the night of Reeves’ murder, and has had to return to his parents for intensive rehabilitation from his injuries.

Who is Robert Carr?

ROBERT Carr has been found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend Leslie Reeves and attempting to kill her first date Chris Smith on the eve of Thanksgiving 2021

Reeves and Smith went on their first date the night Carr broke into Smith’s home in Farmersville, Illinois.

According to friends who were with them, they visited a bar and seemed to have a fun night.

They returned to Smith’s about 1 a.m. and were warming up a frozen pizza when Carr knocked on the door.

Carr shot and killed Reeves execution-style with a single bullet to her head, then fired another shot into Smith’s head before fleeing.

He was convicted of heartless assault in April 2024 after his murder trial uncovered disturbing evidence linking him to the crime scene.

Prosecutors read a text Carr sent to a friend that gave insight into Carr’s jealous rage.

Carr discussed why she was going to Farmersville and said, “I don’t think she’s going to go that far to party or go out with a girl; I think it’s for a dude.”

Now he is serving 85 years in prison.

“I can’t move my hand. I lost a friend, a house, a business, a dog, a truck, and most importantly, I lost my independence,” he said at the time.

“I am 49 years old and I have returned to my parents. I’m thankful I survived the shooting, but it’s horrible.

“I just want my life back.”

Carr was convicted of murdering Reeves and attempting to kill Smith in April 2024.

After his arrest, he was also accused of hiring a hit man to finish the job and killing Smith and a detective working on the case.

Carr was sentenced to 85 years in prison.

A JEALOUS EX

“LIVING HELL”

Who is Robert Carr?

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