Killer Relationship With Faith Jenkins is examining the murder of Cathy Lamb by her estranged husband, Jeffrey Lamb, at her home in Lake Park, Florida.
Cathy and Jeffrey had been separated for four years but appeared to have reconnected when she agreed to look after his dog. Jeffrey then moved into the house to be closer to his dog. But two weeks later, he murdered Cathy by striking her head with a tire iron.
On June 15, 2004, Jeffrey dialed 911 and told the cops Cathy had been murdered during a robbery at the house. When the police arrived, they found Cathy’s bloodied body lying on the floor, and her two dogs had been beaten.
The cops were a little suspicious of Jeffrey’s robbery claim as Cathy’s purse lay untouched near the body. Some drawers had been pulled out, but the scene looked too tidy for a robber. Also, investigators wondered why robbers would target a house with three dogs, including a pit bull and a German shepherd.
The investigators also noted that Cathy’s dogs had been beaten but not Jeffrey’s dog.
Jeffrey appeared at first to have a rock-solid alibi; he gave the cops a detailed timeline of his activities on the day and even provided receipts. The deputies had failed to notice Cathy’s blood on Jeffrey’s dark clothing.
Jeffrey Lamb’s alibi began unraveling in Cathy Lamb murder case
However, when the cops began interviewing Jeffrey’s colleagues and friends, they realized the tow truck worker had been lying about where he was on the day of the murder. A look at his cellphone records showed his phone had not pinged any of the cellphone towers where he said he had been.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelThe police also learned Jeffrey had told at least two people he didn’t want to divorce Cathy as he would rather kill her and pocket nearly $30,000 in life insurance money.
Forensic officers reexamined Jeffrey’s clothing and discovered Cathy’s blood on them. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Jeffrey Lamb convicted for killing Cathy Lamb
In September 2006, a jury convicted Jeffrey of murder.
On hearing the verdict, Cathy’s mother, Benita Rippeon, later said, “I started to bawl my eyes out. It was something we wanted so much for Cathy.” She also added that she hoped for the death penalty, “He should pay for it. I am a firm believer in the punishment fitting the crime.”
In contrast, defense attorney Richard Lubin said, “I have never been so profoundly disappointed in a verdict in 32 years of doing this. … I have always completely respected juries and their verdicts. They obviously looked at this case differently than we did.”
Jeffrey was spared the death penalty but was given a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Killer Relationship With Faith Jenkins airs Sundays at 7/6c on Oxygen.