A woman who forgave her mother and cousin’s killer, offering him a job, tragically fell victim to the same man. Sally Snowden McKay and her cousin, Joseph “Lee” Baker, were murdered at their Arkansas estate in 1996. Despite the loss, Sally’s daughter befriended the convicted murderer, Travis Lewis, during his time in prison. Martha, seeking to understand Lewis, supported his release and employed him at Snowden House, a bed and breakfast she had transformed from the crime scene.
Lewis, maintaining his innocence, worked at the property until suspicions arose regarding a theft. Martha, suspecting him of stealing money from the house, confronted the situation. Sadly, Martha was later found murdered in her home in 2020, with evidence suggesting a robbery attempt. The perpetrator, identified as Lewis, fled the scene, jumping into a lake where he drowned while trying to escape authorities.
Authorities confirmed the identity of the assailant as Lewis, who had also killed another woman from the same family years later. Toxicology results revealed drug intoxication in Lewis at the time of the crimes. Family members expressed shock and disbelief at the tragic events. Katie Hutton, McKay’s sister, remembered Martha fondly, saying she embraced life to the fullest.