Description

21-year-old Denise Amber Lee was a happily married stay-at-home mom when her life was abruptly snatched away from her. On January 17, 2008, she was abducted from her home. Her two young sons were left sleeping in a crib together. An hour later, Denise’s husband Nate returned home and immediately reported her missing and then called his father-in-law, who was a local police sergeant. He made sure Denise’s case was a top priority. Over the next seven hours, a massive search ensued. Over 300 police officers, multiple helicopters, several K-9 units, and more would comb North Port, Florida, in search of Denise. Several 911 phone calls were made about Denise’s abduction—including one from Denise herself. But, due to a miscommunication, important information about Denise’s attacker’s location was lost. And a minor bureaucratic mishap might have cost Denise her life.

Listen to "189: The Murder of Denise Lee" on Spreaker.

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Show Notes

Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley

Researched and written by Andrea Marshbank

Additional writing by Erica Kelly

Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner

Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio

Edited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder of Southern Gothic & Erica Kelley

Recommended by Sandra, April, and others.

Transcript of Denise Amber Lee’s 911 phone call:

DISPATCHER: 911.

LEE: I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I just want to go—

DISPATCHER: Hello?

LEE: I’m sorry. I just want to see my family.

MALE VOICE: Why did you do that?

LEE: I’m sorry. I just want to see my family.

DISPATCHER: Hello?

LEE: I just want to see my family again. Please.

DISPATCHER: Hello? Hello?

LEE: I just want to see my family again. Let me go.

DISPATCHER: Hello?

MALE VOICE: (Inaudible) the f**king phone.

LEE: Please let me go. Please let me go. Please let me see my family again.

MALE VOICE: No f**king problem.

LEE: Okay. DISPATCHER: Hello? (Inaudible).

LEE: I’m sorry.

MALE VOICE: I was gonna let you go and then you go f**k around.

LEE: I’m sorry. Please let me go.

MALE VOICE: Where’s my phone?

DISPATCHER: Hello?

MALE VOICE: Now I’ve got to go to the next street because of him.

LEE: I’m sorry. Please let me go.

MALE VOICE: What are you doing? (Inaudible).

LEE: Please let me go, please. Oh, God, please.

MALE VOICE: (inaudible) in front of my cousin Harold.

DISPATCHER: Hello?

LEE: Please let me go, God please.

MALE VOICE: I told you I would.

DISPATCHER: Hello?

LEE: Help me.

DISPATCHER: What’s the address?

LEE: Please help me.

DISPATCHER: What’s the address that you’re at? (to supervisor): Coming off the North Port Tower.

LEE: Please.

MALE VOICE: I’m not (inaudible).

DISPATCHER: Hello?

LEE: Please let me go.

DISPATCHER: What is the address that you’re at? Hello, ma’am?

LEE: Where are we going?

MALE VOICE: I’ve got to go up and around now because of what you did.

LEE: Up and around where?

MALE VOICE: Didn’t you see (inaudible). Exactly four streets— well, five streets over from your house.

LEE: I couldn’t tell (inaudible).

DISPATCHER: What’s your name, ma’am? Hello? What’s your name?

LEE: Please. My name is Denise. I’m married to a beautiful husband, and I just want to see my kids again.

DISPATCHER: Your name’s Denise?

LEE: I’m sorry.

DISPATCHER (to supervisor): I’m thinking too, that he doesn’t know.

LEE: Please, God. Please protect me.

DISPATCHER: Are you on I-75?

LEE: Where are we?

MALE VOICE: What did you do with my cell phone?

LEE: I don’t know. Please. Protect me, please.

DISPATCHER: Where are you at? Can you tell if you’re on I-75?

LEE: I don’t know where your phone is. I’m sorry.

MALE VOICE: You be honest with me.

LEE: Can’t you just tell me where we are?

DISPATCHER: Are you blindfolded? If you are, press the button.

LEE: I don’t have your phone. Please, God. (Inaudible).

LEE: I don’t have it. I’m sorry.

DISPATCHER: Denise? Do you know this guy?

MALE VOICE: Be honest.

LEE: I don’t—I don’t have it. I’m sorry.

DISPATCHER: Denise, do you know this guy? (to supervisor: She might have the phone laid down and not hear a thing I’m saying too. He keeps saying a phone.)

LEE: I don’t know where it is. Maybe if I could see I could help you find it. (Inaudible).

LEE: No, sir.

DISPATCHER: Denise?

LEE: I’m looking for it. Uh-huh?

DISPATCHER: How long have you been gone from your house?

LEE: I don’t know.

DISPATCHER: How long?

LEE: I don’t know.

DISPATCHER: Do you know how long you’ve been gone from your house? (Inaudible).

DISPATCHER: What’s your last name?

LEE: Lee.

DISPATCHER: Lee?

LEE: Yeah.

DISPATCHER: Do you know–

LEE: I don’t know where your phone is.

DISPATCHER: Your name is Denise Lee?

LEE: Uh-huh.

DISPATCHER: Can you tell at all what street you’re on?

LEE: No.

DISPATCHER: Do you know this guy that’s with you?

LEE: No.

DISPATCHER: You don’t know him from anywhere?

LEE: No. Please. Oh, God, help me.

DISPATCHER: What’s your address? What’s your home address; do you know? (Inaudible).

LEE: I don’t know. Please just take me to my house. Can you take me home, on Latour, please?

DISPATCHER: Can you see or do you have a blindfold on?

LEE: I can’t see. Where are we? (Inaudible).

DISPATCHER: Can they turn off the radio or turn it down?

LEE: I can’t hear you. It’s too loud. Where are we? (Inaudible).

LEE: Are you going to hurt me?

MALE VOICE: Give me the phone.

LEE: Are you going to let me out now?

MALE VOICE: As soon as I get the phone.

LEE: Help me.

Description

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Show Notes

Transcript of Denise Amber Lee’s 911 phone call:

Sources: