Photo Courtesy of Tom Green County Sherriff’s Dept.
Wendi Mae Davidson seemed to have it all—she was a successful veterinarian in San Angelo, Texas, with a family and a career. But behind closed doors, her life took a dark turn. In 2005, she was arrested for the shocking murder of her husband, Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Severance. What started as a missing person case soon unraveled into a chilling crime that left investigators stunned.
The Disappearance of Michael Severance
In January 2005, Wendi Davidson reported her husband missing. Severance, a decorated Air Force staff sergeant, had recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan. His sudden disappearance raised immediate concerns, but Davidson insisted he had left voluntarily. However, his family and friends didn’t believe it. They knew Michael wouldn’t just walk away from his responsibilities, especially not from his infant son.
As the weeks passed, authorities grew suspicious. Davidson’s behavior raised red flags, and her explanations didn’t add up. The investigation soon took a shocking turn when her own brother came forward with a disturbing confession.
A Brother’s Tip Leads to a Grisly Discovery
Davidson’s brother told police that Wendi had admitted to finding Michael dead in their home. Instead of calling 911, she claimed she panicked and decided to dispose of his body. According to her, she feared a family member might have been involved in his death. But investigators weren’t buying her story.
In March 2005, police searched a stock tank (a small pond) on a ranch belonging to one of Davidson’s family friends. There, they found Michael Severance’s body weighted down with over 140 pounds of items, including a boat anchor. He had been stabbed 41 times post-mortem—likely in an effort to make sure his body sank and stayed hidden.
A Veterinarian’s Deadly Prescription
The autopsy revealed Severance had been poisoned with a mix of phenobarbital and pentobarbital—both drugs commonly used in veterinary medicine. This pointed directly to Davidson, who had easy access to the lethal substances through her small animal clinic.
When police searched Davidson’s clinic, they found records indicating she had used phenobarbital on a dog. However, the dog’s owner denied that the animal had ever received the drug. This piece of evidence further tied her to the poisoning.
Arrest, Trial, and Sentencing
Davidson was arrested and charged with murder and two counts of tampering with evidence. Her defense team tried to suppress key evidence, arguing that investigators had illegally placed a tracking device on her car. However, the judge ruled against the motion, allowing the evidence to stand.
Faced with overwhelming proof, Davidson eventually pleaded no contest to the charges. In October 2006, she was sentenced to 25 years for murder and 10 years for each count of evidence tampering. The sentences would run concurrently, making her eligible for parole in 2019.
More True Crime: Zachary Holly: From Babysitter to Convicted Killer
Why Did She Do It?
The motive behind the murder remains a topic of debate. Some believe Davidson feared losing custody of their son in a divorce. Others speculate she was involved with someone else and saw Michael as an obstacle. Whatever her reasoning, her actions left a child without a father and shattered both families.
Conclusion
Wendi Mae Davidson’s case is a haunting reminder that even those who appear successful and put-together can have dark secrets. Her knowledge of veterinary drugs and her calculated attempts to hide Michael’s body show a disturbing level of premeditation.
Despite her sentencing, many still wonder: Was 25 years enough for such a brutal crime? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.
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