Judy Yoder Belc, 49, was shot to death on March 23, 2018, in Blountstown, Florida. She had left Germany and moved to Blountstown with her children to escape an estranged, verbally and emotionally abusive husband, Dan Belc, and was pursuing a divorce after 25 years of marriage. Dan followed her to the United States and on the night of her death the couple were arguing about the pending divorce at Judy’s brother Robert Yoder’s house. The dispute escalated, Robert heard gunshots and saw Dan holding a handgun. Dan then left the scene with Judy’s body in the trunk of his car and later surrendered to authorities, confessing to the killing.

Dan Belc was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. At trial he said he snapped after being told that two of their children were fathered by another man; the prosecution argued the killing was premeditated and that Dan refused to accept the divorce. A jury convicted him of first-degree murder and aggravated assault, and he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Family testimony described Judy as a devoted mother and a woman of deep faith; some relatives expressed forgiveness, citing her forgiving nature and religious beliefs.

Did anyone who knew Judy or the family in Blountstown have information about the months leading up to the shooting?