Bedtime is often seen as a comforting ritual that signifies the end of a long day. It's a time to unwind and let go of any stress or worries from the day. As we settle into our comfortable bed, we expect to wake up feeling rested and rejuvenated with the promise of a new day to come. But what if this peaceful moment was shattered by a sudden, unexpected tragedy? Such was the case in the early morning hours of July 18, 2018, in Dublin, Ohio. What was meant to be a restful night's sleep turned into a nightmare for one individual. As they closed their eyes it would be for the final time, and the events that transpired would leave a community in shock and investigators searching for answers. Let's dive into the case of Mr. and Mrs. Osborn. Holli Osborn is a 47 year old Ohio resident born in April 1976. She spent most of her life in Ohio and sometime in New Mexico. Before the events that we are about to discuss, Holli worked as a registered nurse at Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine, Ohio. She chose nursing as a career because she wanted to make a positive difference in people's lives by providing care, comfort and support to patients and their families. Holli was married once before and had one child with her former spouse. Her father resided in the Quincy area at the time of the incident, and it was to him that she would reach out for help. 50 year old Dr. Christopher Osborn was born on March 17, 1968, in Victorville, California. He graduated from Parkway High School in Rockford, Ohio, in 1986 before obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1991 from Ohio Northern University. He became a doctor of osteopathy through Ohio University Heritage College in 1996 and practiced medicine for 21 years in Springfield, Tennessee, and Dublin, Ohio. From the time he was young, Chris had a passion for medicine and helping other people. He once stated, My philosophy is to put the patient first, provide physical and emotional comfort and strive for the best care possible. Chris was a highly respected member of the community, holding a position of prestige as an ER physician at Mary Rutan Hospital. He was involved with several other area hospitals and was widely admired for his work in the medical field. Outside of work, Chris had a diverse set of interests that included cooking, playing golf, riding his motorcycle and cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was also a devoted father to his three children from his previous marriage and spending time with them was a top priority. However, Chris had another interest that sometimes got him into trouble. His eye for a pretty lady. He was a charismatic individual who could strike up a conversation with anyone anywhere, and his charm was obvious to those who came across him. Holli and Chris met while working at Mary Rutan Hospital. After a period of dating, they got engaged and married relatively quickly in 2016. Their union would mark the second marriage for both. They moved into a four bedroom, three and a half bath, nearly 5000 square foot home that they rented in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. Unfortunately for the newlyweds, it didn't take long for adversity to strike. Within months of their wedding vows, Chris admitted to having an affair. This helped set the tone for what would become a highly volatile marriage. Despite his confession, the couple decided they would attempt to work through it. But in the slightly less than two years they were married, Chris's infidelity would become an ongoing issue. Holli tried her best to cope with the loss of trust and her growing fear and insecurity, as well as a developing alcohol problem. During the spring of 2018, the couple exchanged text messages that showed a pattern of separating and then making up several times. In one series of messages, Holli said, I'll never choose to leave you. Never, never being in all caps. Chris replied, I just don't want to see the hate in your eyes towards me when you get like that. To which Holli responded, Sorry if I humiliated you. I knew I drank too much and was mad at myself. You didn't do anything wrong. Chris replied, Do you even want to be with me? Holli then stated, Yes, but should I? Chris closes out the thread by stating I want to be with you so much. It's ridiculous. I want you to stay sober. The text messages provide a glimpse into the emotional turmoil that the couple was experiencing and the difficulties they faced in resolving their issues. The situation was undoubtedly complex and it's clear that tensions were running high in the weeks leading up to the horrific incident on July 13, 2018. Chris enjoyed dinner with friends at a local restaurant after arriving home. Holli was in a suspicious frame of mind. She went through Chris's phone and found text messages he had sent to a waitress he had met that night. Her fears had been realized and she had had enough. Three days later, Holli decided to move out of the house and temporarily stayed with her parents who live nearby. The next evening, July 17th, Chris had dinner at home with two of his adult children, but they noticed he seemed upset and confused. Later that evening, Holli unexpectedly showed up at the house to talk to Chris, and the couple ended up leaving together. They drove to a nearby park and spent hours talking. When they returned to the house, Chris's daughters had already left. Holli decided to stay the night as she had been drinking, but Chris went to bed while she remained awake. Sometime between 11 to 11:30 that night, one of Chris's daughters checked her Instagram and noticed a cryptic post by Holli that read, "If I die tomorrow, what would be the one thing you will always remember about me?" Filled with concern and uncertainty, Chris's daughter immediately texted the cryptic message to her father. However, despite her desperate plea for answers, Chris never responded, and the unsettling feeling lingered. What could it all mean? Then, in the early morning hours of July, 18, neighbors reported hearing a series of loud bangs. What happened next would uncover a twisted tale of mystery and tragedy. According to Holli's account, she had been drinking on the evening of July 17 and eventually blacked out. She does not remember much of what happened next, except that when she woke up, she found her husband, Christopher, shot to death in their bed. In a panic, she searched for her cell phone to call 911 but couldn't find it. So, she used an Alexa device to contact her father, Ed Cole. Holli told him what happened and explained that she was too drunk to call the police herself. So her father made the call shortly after 7:30 AM. Dublin police officers responded promptly to the 911 call and were met at the door by Holli. While they did not detect a strong smell of alcohol, they did observe that Holli appeared disheveled and lethargic in demeanor. The officers found her to be so impaired that they were unable to conduct a proper interview until hours later. One officer stated, As officers searched the home, they discovered Chris lying in the couple's bed with three gunshot wounds to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Washington Township medics. Two firearms were discovered near the couple's bed and investigators immediately began conducting interviews. At 3:30 PM, the Dublin police publicly announced that Christopher's death was the result of a homicide. In response to the seriousness of the crime, the homicide division and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation were also called in to assist. While Holli Osborn was considered the prime suspect from the start, she was not immediately arrested as police work to gather evidence and build their case. Holli was interrogated by detectives as part of the investigation and was subsequently released. Nine months after Chris was found dead in his Dublin home, Franklin County prosecutors charged Holli Osborn with two counts of felony murder. Prosecutors allege she shot and killed her husband at point blank range after she had discovered Chris's latest infidelity. Investigators explained the delay in arresting Holli was due to a backlog of forensic evidence cases to be tested. Holli was arraigned on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Thank you, your Honor. Amy Littlefield on behalf of the state of Ohio. First case in the State of Ohio vs Holli M. Osborn Case no. 1901789 Two counts of murder with use of firearm specification. Good afternoon your Honor. Tim Merkle on behalf of Mrs. Osborn. We enter a plea of not guilty, waive reading of the indictment, time for service. Acknowledge an arrest date of April 12, 2018. [JUDGE to prosecutor] - Do you have anything you want to ask before we begin? Yes your Honor, would you like that first or the facts first? [JUDGE] You can give me the facts first. [Prosecutor] - Thank you your Honor. On Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at approximately 7:45 a.m., Dublin police received a call from Logan County Sheriff's Office. The dispatcher advised that someone named Ed Hall was on the line. He calls record his son in law, Chris Osborn, was dead in the city of Dublin. Double police officers were dispatched by 709 Indiana place and upon arrival were led in the home by Holli Osborn. Officers observed that she appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and or drugs officers and moved into the first floor master and observed Holli Osborn's husband, Chris Osborn, was dead on the bed with a gunshot wound to the head, which was located behind and above his right here. They also observed two handguns lying on the floor next to the bed. It was later learned that one belonged to Chris and one belonged to Holli. When his body was moved, two more gunshot wounds were observed, one to the right job and one to the base of the nose. Nothing was missing, missing from the home, and there were no signs of forced entry. After interviews revealed that Holli and Chris having a child relationship or the process of separating the intent to divorce was that Holli had a significant problem. Alcohol use, as well as a history of lack of memory loss and suicide threats. Text messages and voicemails indicate that Holli was depressed and possibly suicidal the night before this happened. Falling into the detectives that she had consumed alcohol that evening and also took a number of prescription medications. BCI advised that sample taken Holli Osborn's hands and eyebrows, tested positive for gunshot residue nearby, that her DNA and only her DNA was on the trigger and grip of the revolver found lying next to the bed. Revolver had three special casings in the cylinder, which left the three gunshot wounds to Chris Osborn's head. We were asking for a bond that's appropriate for the charge and the potential penalty associated with this charge. We also asked that no alcohol and no, she's not going to have non prescribe any sort of medications. We have two drug alcohol screens. We also asked to know her passport and if she does make bond, we would ask that she'd be placed under house arrest and have no contact with the victim's family. Thank you. What have asked the court to send a $10,000 750,000 surety initiative bond. You need to select through your passport no alcohol or any prescription drugs. Was there anything else you think you'd know you are interested? Two months later, Holli was released on house arrest after posting a reduced bond of $500,000. This is a case of jealousy and insecurity and how the defendant has Holli Osborn's jealousy and insecurity caused her to kill her husband, Dr. Christopher Osborn. In the coming days, you will get to know more about their relationship and how Holli Osborn and Dr. Osborn loved each other, but how infidelity was the point, the point of contention in their marriage. During the trial, prosecutors presented a case that painted Holli as a jealous wife struggling with alcohol issues fed up with her husband's infidelity and consumed by her insecurities. Senior Assistant prosecuting Attorney Daniel Leonard described the crime in graphic detail, alleging that Holli approached her husband as he slept in their bedroom and shot him three times in the head at close range. Forensic experts testified to finding Holli's DNA on the grip and trigger of the gun used in the murder. Moreover, gunshot residue was detected on her hands and eyebrows and ballistics evidence supported the prosecution's theory of Holli's involvement. The prosecutor, since the case was compelling, leaving the defense with a difficult task. Holli Osborn is not guilty of killing Dr. Allison. She is not guilty. And I think it's important for us to get out and say that. I understand that the judge told you at the beginning of this case that a trial begins with somebody entering in a not guilty plea. And I understand Mr. Gall got up and talked to you about what that means. But it's important for us to tell you either. I did face to face, she is not guilty. The court will talk about the burden of proof here, and they will tell you the state has that the state has told you. We accept that we have to prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt. They have told you hold them to that burden. Ladies and gentlemen, all we're going to ask of each and every one of you is to do that, to follow your admonitions, to follow your oath and follow the law. In this case. At the outset of the trial, Holli's legal team sought to have the gunshot residue test and statements made to police on the day of the murder deemed inadmissible, citing Holli's alleged intoxication during the police interview. However, the court ultimately rejected this argument, upholding the admissibility of this evidence. During cross-examination, the defense continued its efforts to challenge the prosecution's case by attempting to discredit the gunshot residue testing, questioning whether the death was a homicide or suicide, and even scrutinizing police interviews of Dr. Osborn's former employees. So explain that definition of the finding that it's at the bottom of your report, right? Yes, it is. Okay. So what is that finding? You've you've identified a particle that's consistent with gunshot residue. What does that mean or I'm sorry, characteristic of gunshot residue. A positive sign and this is explained on the floor, means that that individual either discharging a firearm, they may have just been in close proximity to a firearm when it was discharged. Or the other possibility is they handled or came into contact with some other surface that had gunshot residue on it. Okay. That is the finding that is made. Any time that you manually identify the combination of lead antimony and barium in one of those samples. Yes. Okay. So it's impossible to tell how that GSR got on that sample. It's one of those three ways, though, correct? The test cannot determine the relative likelihood of which of those happened. Okay. So think it's pretty self-explanatory. Either discharge the firearm. You were the one who fired it. Yes. In the vicinity of a firearm. Meaning you're near it when it's fired? Yes. Do you know, like, how how close do you need to be to someone firing a weapon in order to be positive for gunshot residue? Every shooting situation is unique. There's numerous variables. It depends on the type of weapon, type of ammunition, the condition of the weapon, how many shots were fired. If it's outside, weather conditions can play a factor. That being said, one study did show that people standing within three feet to the side of a shooter typically did gunshot residue on their hands or people standing ten feet away did not look at. I think they were pretty clear that there's all sorts of factors that can go into that. And then so the last one or handled an item with gunshot primer residue on it, that transfer GSR. Yes. Ultimately, after reviewing all of the all of the you know, all the materials that you testified that you did review, what is your opinion as to the cause of death and the manner of death in this case? So after reviewing all the documents and the photographs, my opinion was that Mr. Osborn died of gunshot wounds of head and neck and manner of death is homicide. And in agreeing with Dr. Clements report. Yes, that opinion based on the horror, may with a reasonable degree of medical certainty. Yes. Okay. Why? Homicide and not suicide? Because the wounds they were first of all, they were three wounds. Then secondly, there was it was not close contact. It was not touching the skin. There was intermediate range and they were two, two different lengths, very high of fatal kind of injuries in terms of high cervical neck was pain that would cause the person to be paralyzed. The top of the head was head that can cause a person to die also. So between the both of them, they were fatal injuries. Okay. And so although we can't determine the order in which these gunshot wounds were received, a combination of any of these, you're not going to get to that third gunshot wound that you can't get to that. And then the combination of these guys, the fact that they were these three and where they were located and what the injured, it's difficult to do self infliction of those wounds. Is there a preference for how soon GSR samples supposed to be taken? As soon as possible. Okay. And is that just generally because over the passage of time, you're going to risk potentially getting a strong sample and GSR evidence is known to be very easily destroyed? So the the it's something that's important to try and get there quickly before it is destroyed. You know, test your clothing for GSR, Correct. And prior to your testing of your hands for gunshot residue, for hands were not bagged or in any way. No. And she consented to being tested for GSR? Yes. So why are you asking or going to speak to all these ex-employees again to see if there's anything else that we need to know. Okay. And some of these employees or people that had actually been essentially fired by Dr. Osborn whenever the practice the transition is correct. In the end, the defense hoped they had poked enough holes in the prosecution's case by highlighting inconsistencies and flaws in the evidence presented to the jury. After a one week trial, the jury retreated to begin deliberations. We, the jury, be duly impanel and sworn in this case, find the defendant, Holli and Osborn, guilty of murder as charged in count one of the indictment. We, the jury, do further find that the defendant did have a firearm on or about her person or under her control while committing that offense. And the defendant displayed and or brandished and or indicated that they possess the firearm and or used the firearm to facilitate the offense. Signed a six day of October 20, 20 to by each and every juror. We, the jury be duly impanel and sworn in this case, find the defendant, Holli and Osborn, guilty of murder as charged in count two of the indictment. We, the jury, do further find that the defendant did have a firearm on or about her person or under her control while committing set offense. And the defendant displayed and or brandished and or indicated that they possessed a firearm. Andrew used the firearm to facilitate the offense. Signed the sixth day of October 2020 to buy each and every June counts on behalf of the state. Would you like to poll the jurors? Negron Counsel On behalf of Ms.. Osborn. Would you like to poll the jurors? No, Your Honor. You can be seated briefly. Ms.. When you can be seated. In the end, Holli Osborn was convicted of the murder of her husband, Dr. Christopher Osborn, while he slept in their Dublin home in 2018. A Franklin County judge subsequently sentenced her to 18 years to life in prison. Holli's public defenders indicated that she plans to appeal the case and requested that she be granted a bond while the appeal process takes place. However, the judge denied the request for bond, meaning that Holli would remain behind bars while the appeal process moves forward. The case of Holli and Christopher Osborn is undoubtedly a tragedy, and our thoughts go out to all those affected by this devastating loss of life. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of prioritizing mental and emotional health and seeking help when needed to prevent feelings of jealousy, anger and resentment from escalating to dangerous levels. At the same time, this case also highlights the tireless efforts of law enforcement officials and forensic experts who worked diligently to bring justice to Chris and his family. Through their careful and meticulous investigation, they were able to gather the evidence needed to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Looking back on this case, it's natural to wonder if there was anything that could have been done differently to prevent such a tragic outcome. While we may never know for sure, it's important to continue the conversation around mental and emotional health and to work together as a community to support those in need only through increased awareness, education and compassion. Can we hope to reduce the prevalence of incidents like this. What are your thoughts on this case? Do you believe there are steps that could have been taken to prevent this needless loss of life as usual? Feel free to share your thoughts below.