Dateline: Secrets Uncovered is reexamining the death of Ashley Fallis, a mother-of-three, who died from a gunshot to the head shortly after she hosted a New Year party at her home in Evans, Colorado.
Ashley’s husband, Tom Fallis, stood trial on a charge of second-degree murder but was ultimately acquitted. Ashley’s family and friends had contested a ruling that suggested she committed suicide.
On the evening of December 31, 2011, Ashley and Tom Fallis hosted a party with family and friends. Witnesses say that the couple appeared normal at first and were happily dancing together. However, the mood between the couple reportedly changed at some point in the night, and Tom seemed to become angry.
Ashley’s family says they left the party shortly after midnight and that Tom appeared angry with them and Ashley. They said they were the last to leave the party.
A short time later, Tom dialed 911, claiming his wife had shot herself. She was still alive when the paramedics arrived, and they found Tom cradling her head.
The cops questioned Tom, asking him about scratches found on his chest, which he claimed occurred from shaving his chest hair. The investigators thought Tom seemed more angry than upset; he shouted at them, “I didn’t kill my wife.”
Police initially ruled Ashley Fallis death a suicide
No less than five separate law enforcement agencies ruled Ashley’s death a suicide. Tom went back to his family and moved himself and the three kids to Indiana.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelAshley’s family continued to argue that Tom had murdered her, and in 2014, new evidence came to light. Nick Glover, a neighbor who lived next door to the couple, said on the night of the shooting, he overheard Tom say, “Oh my God, what have I done? Oh my God, what have I done? I shot my wife.”
Tom was allegedly speaking to his parents, Jim and Anna Fallis, who denied this exchange took place. The parents say Tom called them after the suicide, and they went to comfort him, but they claim he never confessed to them.
It also came to light that another witness, a second neighbor, had claimed to hear Ashley screaming, “Get off me! Get off me!”
Tom was arrested in Indiana and sent back to Evans, where he was put on trial for second-degree murder.
Prosecution claimed Tom Fallis killed Ashley Fallis with gunshot to the head
The prosecution claimed that the blood splatter in the room and on Tom didn’t indicate a suicide. They also portrayed Tom as a controlling and abusive husband.
Nick Glover testified at the trial, claiming he was 100% sure he heard Tom confess to his parents. The second neighbor did not testify.
Ultimately, on March 31, 2016, a jury acquitted Tom Fallis of any charges.
Dateline: Secrets Uncovered airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on Oxygen.