Dixie Lee Hollier, 42, was murdered on January 16, 1996, in her Burbank, California home. The crime scene and subsequent investigation tied the killing to Hollier’s daughter, Amber Bray, and Bray’s boyfriend, Jeffrey Ayers.

Prosecutors say the couple planned the murder over several weeks with the goal of collecting Hollier’s $310,000 life insurance. Authorities reported they found love letters in which Bray and Ayers discussed their plans and how they would use the insurance money. Both were arrested the day of the murder, convicted of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, and in February 1998 were sentenced to life without parole. Bray was 20 at the time of the killing and Ayers was 23.

Some family members expressed disbelief and continued to maintain Bray’s innocence during the highly publicized trial and appeals process.