Amanda Leek describes a lifelong struggle with her daughter, Jessie, whose behavior escalated from petty theft and cruelty at age three to murder. Leek's narrative details Jessie's early developmental delays, persistent stealing, and a disturbing incident where she allegedly struck her younger sister, Codie, with a rock at age three, then laughed and licked the blood.
As Jessie entered her teenage years, her behavior became increasingly unmanageable. At 15, she ran away to be with a boyfriend and reportedly called the police on her mother and aunt when they attempted to intervene. Leek hoped motherhood would change Jessie when she had her first child, Madilyn, at age 20, but found herself and her sister, Karen, providing the primary care for the child.
Escalating Tragedy
Tensions reportedly grew when Jessie became pregnant a second time and moved in with Karen, who was in her late sixties. Leek recounts an instance where Jessie made a callous remark about picking out coffins for her mother and aunt during a difficult time. Concerned about the situation, Leek asked her son, James, to stay with Karen for a few days, but he was unavailable.
A week later, Leek received devastating news from her daughter Codie: Karen was dead. Upon arriving at Karen's home, detectives noted signs of a struggle and blood splattered on the walls. Leek recalled seeing the blood and forming an immediate, chilling realization that Jessie was responsible.
Shortly after, Jessie's boyfriend came forward with a blood-stained hammer, and Jessie was arrested and charged with Karen's murder. Leek expressed shock and a profound sense of betrayal, reflecting on the extensive support she and Karen had provided to Jessie.
A Second Loss
While Jessie awaited trial, Leek and her son James, then 21, struggled with their grief and guilt. James reportedly blamed himself for not being with Karen. Tragically, James died in a car accident shortly after, which Leek believes was indirectly caused by Jessie's actions, stating, "In my mind, Jessie killed her brother, sure as she killed Karen."
In 2021, Jessie pleaded guilty to Karen's murder. During sentencing, it was revealed that Jessie had argued with Karen about childcare before attacking her with a hammer. Court documents indicated Jessie struck Karen multiple times and then placed a plastic bag over her head. She left the scene with her daughter, stopped for cigarettes and KFC, and disposed of the bloody hammer. Jessie's defense cited a difficult childhood, but Leek countered that she and Karen had made significant efforts to support her.
Jessie was convicted of murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison with a non-parole period of 13 years. Leek concluded by stating her belief that Jessie is beyond rehabilitation, comparing her present self to the three-year-old who harmed her sister, and expressed profound regret over losing her son, James, instead of her daughter.