Christopher Milke, 53, of Nebraska will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of first‑degree murder and other charges in the fatal shooting of his longtime partner, 52‑year‑old Tammy Leslie, in September 2024.
How the shooting and hostage‑taking unfolded
Milke shot Leslie multiple times in the head and chest in the early hours of September 8, 2024, at their home in Gage County. Police responded after the couple’s then‑19‑year‑old daughter returned home around 1:30 a.m. and her father told her, “I killed your mother.”
Their 11‑year‑old son, who was in his bedroom, heard four shots and was ordered by Milke to give up his phone and go to the living room; the older daughter later retrieved her own phone after Milke fell asleep and discovered the home’s exits were sealed shut. Milke had been screwing exterior doors shut nightly for about a month, apparently trying to keep Leslie from leaving, amid suspicions of infidelity.
Arrest, trial, and sentencing
Authorities agreed to wait until after 6 a.m. to breach the home; by 6:20 a.m. they entered, rescued the two children unharmed, and arrested Milke, who had a 9 mm pistol on him. Leslie was found dead in the bedroom.
At trial in February, Milke was found guilty of first‑degree murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, committing a felony with a firearm, and tampering with physical evidence. Judge Rick Schreiner sentenced him to two life sentences plus additional decades; during the hearing, Milke shouted that the trial was unfair and claimed, “It wasn’t murder,” while the judge replied that this was a “you‑dunnit” case and cited Milke’s own words: “I finally killed somebody.”
