Rachel Ream, 47, was found dead in her Ignacio, Colorado, home on January 1, 2021. Her death followed a pattern of domestic violence attributed to her husband, Damon Lamont Mathews, then 44. A prior incident on November 24, 2020 led to Mathews’ arrest for third-degree assault and domestic violence; a judge set bond at $1,500 and issued a protection order. Mathews posted bail and was released from La Plata County Jail on December 25, 2020. Two days later he began living in a studio apartment behind Rachel’s house, in violation of the protection order.

On the evening of December 31, 2020 an argument between Rachel and Mathews escalated. Mathews later told investigators he strangled Rachel in the studio apartment, then entered the main house, retrieved a 9mm handgun belonging to Rachel, returned and shot her once in the head. He fled in Rachel’s car toward the Denver area and, after a traffic incident on January 1, 2021, was arrested and admitted to killing her. First-degree murder charges were filed.

Does anyone have information about Rachel’s life in Ignacio or the period between Mathews’ release and the fatal attack?