DeepSummary
On Christmas Day 2006, 18-year-old Ryan Waller missed a family dinner, worrying his father Don who called the police for a welfare check. When police arrived at Ryan's apartment, he answered the door with a severely bruised and swollen eye, but was incoherent when questioned. A dead woman, later identified as Ryan's girlfriend Heather Quan, was found on the couch. Despite his injuries, Ryan was handcuffed and interrogated for an hour, giving nonsensical answers about being shot by intruders.
After realizing Ryan's head injuries were severe, potentially caused by a gunshot wound, police called paramedics. It was then discovered that Ryan had been shot twice in the head, with a bullet lodged in his eye. He had spent two days in this gravely injured state with his girlfriend's body, unable to properly recount what happened due to his brain trauma. The shooters were eventually identified as Ryan's former roommate Richie Carver and Richie's father Larry, who had broken in seeking revenge.
Though Ryan initially survived the shooting, he was permanently blinded and suffered seizures from his injuries. Tragically, he passed away at age 28 in 2016 due to complications from the shooting. Despite the Waller family filing a lawsuit against the Phoenix Police Department for negligence in Ryan's treatment, the case was dismissed. Heather's loved ones were able to get "Heather's Law" passed, revoking marital privilege to allow Larry's conviction.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Ryan Waller was interrogated for hours by police while critically injured from being shot in the head, leading to permanent blindness and eventual death.
- Police failed to promptly provide medical care to Ryan despite his obvious injuries, assuming he was a suspect in his girlfriend Heather Quan's murder.
- The shooters were identified as Ryan's former roommate Richie Carver and Richie's father Larry Carver, who broke in seeking revenge.
- Though Richie received a life sentence, Larry initially went free until 'Heather's Law' was passed revoking marital privilege that excluded his wife's testimony.
- The Waller family's lawsuit against Phoenix PD for negligence in Ryan's treatment was controversially dismissed despite expert testimony.
- The tragedy highlights issues of police bias toward domestic victims and lack of training in recognizing brain trauma.
- Heather Quan was remembered as a kind, strong-willed volunteer who dreamed of becoming a defense attorney before her senseless murder.
- Ryan Waller exhibited immense resilience in identifying his attackers despite his horrific injuries and mental state.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “They shot us both.“ by Ryan Waller
- “I just want to go to sleep, man. I just want to go to sleep.“ by Ryan Waller
- “You're not going to believe this one.“ by Detective
- “I paid an expert witness, brain surgeon, a $10,000 retainer and he would have testified something a whole lot different.“ by Waller Family
- “She gave friendship to those who needed it most, and she was strong willed.“ by Legacy.com Tribute
Entities
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Episode Information
Murder With My Husband
OH NO MEDIA
7/1/24