Livye Lewis Murder: How Did She Die and Who Killed Her?

Livye Lewis Murder

The tragic death of Livye Lewis, a young woman from Hemphill, Texas, shocked her family and community. The Livye Lewis Murder case was featured on CBS’s “48 Hours,” offering a closer look at the investigation and details surrounding her death. The episode, “The Blackout Murder of Livye Lewis” aired on January 4, 2022 and followed the chilling events that unfolded on October 31, 2020.

Livye’s untimely demise raised questions about the truth behind her death, especially with her ex-boyfriend Matthew Edgar’s involvement. The murder was mysterious at first, but as investigators retraced the night of the crime, the dark truth began to emerge. This article explores the details of the murder, the investigation and what happened to the killer.

Who Was Livye Lewis and How Did She Die

Who Was Livye Lewis? How Did She Die?

Livye Lewis was a 22-year-old woman from Hemphill, Texas, a small town where everyone knew each other. Livye was known for being lively, outgoing and close to her family and friends. Growing up, she was well-loved by those around her and she had always been a person who made meaningful connections with the people she met. She had dreams like any young woman, hoping for a bright future and was in the process of figuring out her next steps in life. Livye’s personal life involved a recent breakup with her ex-boyfriend, Matthew Edgar, who she had known for years. Though their relationship had ended, Edgar’s presence in her life continued to loom large and it would ultimately have tragic consequences.

Livye had a warm and friendly personality that made her easy to get along with. She had a tight-knit group of friends and was well-liked by many. She enjoyed spending time with her close circle of friends and loved to attend social gatherings and parties. On October 31, 2020, she was attending a small Halloween party hosted by a friend. It was meant to be an evening of fun, but what seemed like a normal night quickly spiraled into a nightmare.

According to those present at the party, Livye seemed to be enjoying herself until her ex-boyfriend, Matthew Edgar, arrived. Edgar had a troubled history with Livye and their breakup had left him struggling to cope with the end of the relationship. On the night of the murder, Edgar was reportedly very upset and jealous after seeing Livye with another friend, Bobby Ozan, at the party. He became increasingly agitated and began to lash out in anger. Witnesses described Edgar causing a scene and attempting to damage Ozan’s car in a fit of rage.

After the confrontation, things began to escalate. Livye, likely trying to de-escalate the situation, decided to leave the party and drive away. However, Edgar was not done and he followed her, eventually stopping her on a remote road. It is believed that Livye may have stopped her car to speak with Edgar, as there were no signs of a struggle. Unfortunately, this decision led to her tragic fate. Edgar, in a fit of rage, shot Livye from close range, killing her instantly.

Livye’s body was found later that night in her car by a passerby and police were called to the scene. They quickly began an investigation and evidence soon pointed to Matthew Edgar as the prime suspect. The murder weapon was later identified as a rifle that belonged to Edgar and DNA evidence found on his clothing further confirmed his involvement. Despite claiming to have no memory of the events, Edgar’s actions and the evidence, painted a grim picture of the night that Livye’s life was cruelly taken.

Her death sent shockwaves through her community and left her family devastated. Livye’s mother, Darci Bass, described the loss as incomprehensible, stating, “I never thought something like this could happen to my daughter. She was loved by so many and she had her whole life ahead of her.” Livye’s death marked the beginning of a difficult and emotional journey for her family as they sought justice for the young woman who had been taken from them far too soon.

Investigation and Arrest in Livye Lewis Murder Case

Investigation and Arrest in Livye Lewis Murder Case

The investigation into Livye Lewis’s tragic death began immediately after her body was discovered on the night of October 31, 2020. Hemphill Police Department quickly responded to the scene where Livye was found in her car, lifeless and with a gunshot wound. The crime scene was secured and investigators began their work. They knew this wasn’t just a case of a random shooting—it was personal.

At first, there were no immediate suspects, but investigators quickly began piecing together the events that led to Livye’s death. Interviews with witnesses from the party revealed that Livye had an altercation earlier that night with her ex-boyfriend, Matthew Edgar, who had shown up uninvited. Several attendees mentioned that Edgar had been angry and acted in an aggressive manner toward Livye’s friends, especially Bobby Ozan. This raised the first red flag about Edgar’s potential involvement in the case.

Detectives began to look into Edgar’s background. They found out that Livye and Edgar had broken up recently, but Edgar had not taken it well. According to friends and family members, Edgar had been obsessive and volatile following the breakup. He had also been known to act possessively and had reportedly been spotted near Livye’s house in the days leading up to the murder. The investigation team found that Edgar had also been sending threatening messages to Livye, which further added to their suspicions.

As the case continued to unfold, a critical breakthrough came when surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses revealed that Edgar’s vehicle had been seen following Livye’s car after the party. This key evidence suggested that Edgar had followed her after she left the party, which led investigators to believe that her murder was premeditated. Furthermore, police learned that Livye had stopped her car on a remote road, likely to speak with Edgar and that he had been in close proximity to her at the time of the shooting.

Matthew Edgar’s rifle that killed Livye Lewis.

A search warrant was executed at Edgar’s home and investigators found crucial evidence that tied him to the murder. In his garage, they discovered a rifle that matched the caliber of the bullet that killed Livye. Additionally, traces of Livye’s DNA were found on Edgar’s clothing, which further corroborated the evidence against him. Despite this overwhelming evidence, Edgar initially denied any involvement in the murder, claiming that he had no memory of the events that took place that night.

Detectives were not convinced by his story. They gathered more evidence, including phone records, which showed that Edgar had been in contact with Livye on the day of her death. They also obtained statements from those who had been present at the party and it became clear that Edgar had been the only one with both the motive and the opportunity to commit the crime.

On November 2, 2020, just a few days after Livye’s death, Matthew Edgar was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Hemphill Police Chief Jason Davis spoke to the press, stating, “We have gathered substantial evidence linking Matthew Edgar to this crime. While we understand the emotional impact this case has on Livye’s family and the community, we are committed to bringing justice for her.”

In the days that followed, Edgar was taken into custody and his bail was set at $1 million. He was transported to the Sabine County Jail, where he awaited trial. The investigation had taken a toll on everyone involved, but the arrest marked an important step in ensuring that Livye’s family would have the opportunity to see justice done.

Livye’s mother, Darci Bass, publicly thanked the investigators for their hard work, saying, “It won’t bring Livye back, but I’m grateful that he is being held accountable for what he did.”

The arrest of Matthew Edgar brought a small sense of closure to those who had loved Livye, but the road to justice was far from over. The community was left to grapple with the aftermath of the senseless murder and the trial ahead would reveal even more about the motive behind the killing and the deep-seated anger that led to Livye’s untimely death.

What Happened to Killer Matthew Edgar and Where is He Now
Matthew Edgar was sentenced to 99 years in prison.

What Happened to Killer Matthew Edgar and Where is He Now?

Matthew Edgar’s motives for murdering Livye Lewis stemmed from his jealousy and anger after their breakup. He couldn’t accept the idea that Livye had moved on with her life, especially when he saw her interacting with her friend Bobby Ozan. His violent outburst that night led to Livye’s tragic death and his subsequent actions to evade justice only added to the cruelty of the situation.

After his arrest, Edgar was initially free on bail, but things took a dramatic turn during his trial. On January 4, 2022, Edgar’s murder trial began, but on the third day of testimony, he disappeared. His ankle monitor had been disabled and he was nowhere to be found. His mother, Cindy Hogan, confirmed that Edgar had fled, prompting a nationwide manhunt. Livye’s mother, Darci Bass, said, “I thought he was going to get away. I was posting wanted posters and handing them out everywhere.” Fortunately, after nearly a year on the run, Edgar was captured by U.S. Marshals in December 2022, hiding in a family friend’s home just yards from his grandparents’ house.

On January 3, 2023, Matthew Edgar was formally sentenced to 99 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after 30 years. The sentence brought a sense of justice to Livye’s family, though the pain of losing her remained. “No amount of time can bring Livye back,” said her mother, Darci. The legal system had ensured that Edgar would face the consequences of his actions, but for Livye’s family, the loss would never fully heal.

Read Also: Where is Livye Lewis’ Killer Matthew Edgar Now?