Shivangi Sinha
In October 2019, Melissa Turner dialed 911 to report that her boyfriend was lying covered in blood on their back patio at their home in Riverview, Florida. She was quickly taken in for questioning, and soon, discrepancies in her statements began to surface. She claimed they had been arguing and that she had acted in self-defense, but the evidence appeared to contradict her account. CBS’ ‘48 Hours: Melissa Turner’s Closing Act’ delves into the police investigation and the ensuing trial and highlights the minute details of the case.
Melissa Turner Had Made a Career for Herself in the Entertainment Industry
Melissa Rose Turner was born on November 25, 1992, and grew up in North Carolina. She came from a stable household and experienced a relatively trouble-free childhood. However, in a later interview, she alleged that she had been abused by a distant relative during her early years, which left lasting emotional scars. During her teenage years, Melissa battled obesity and was reportedly subjected to bullying at school. Determined to take control of her life as an adult, she worked hard to make positive changes. She earned an Associate’s Degree in Business and began vlogging to share her personal journey and experiences through online content.
Melissa embarked on a journey to lose weight and documented her progress online. Her then-boyfriend, Cameron Walega, noted that her growing audience kept her accountable, and she remained deeply committed to transforming her life and becoming a new version of herself. As her confidence grew, Melissa set her sights on a career in the entertainment industry, beginning work as an amateur model. Reports indicate that she created a separate account for adult content and became active on OnlyFans as a cosplay model. Eventually, her relationship with Cameron ended, and Melissa began looking for new opportunities, including someone to collaborate with on content. It was during this period that she connected with Matthew Trussler through an online dating site. Their bond formed quickly, and by April 2017, Matthew had moved from Massachusetts to Riverview, Florida, to live with her.
Melissa Turner’s Accounts Contradicted the Evidence Found by the Detectives
In December 2018, Melissa Turner and Matthew Trussler purchased a two-story, four-bedroom home, and by fall 2019, they were engaged. Outwardly, everything seemed normal between the couple until the morning of October 18, 2019. Around 8:45 am, Melissa called 911 in a panicked, hysterical tone, reporting that Matthew was bleeding on the back patio. Despite being instructed to perform CPR, it was too late, and by the time emergency responders arrived, Matthew had already passed away. Melissa, who was found covered in blood, was immediately taken to the police station for questioning.
During her initial statement, she told officers that their day had been uneventful and that they had spent the evening drinking. She claimed she awoke the next morning to find Matthew outside and immediately called 911. The police quickly found Melissa’s version of events difficult to believe. Two CCTV cameras, one inside the house and another above the garage, proved crucial in piecing together the timeline. The footage showed that she had been awake throughout the night, and she and Matthew were engaged in a heated argument that continued until around 4 am.
Melissa appeared visibly agitated, pacing angrily, while Matthew seemed calm and passive. When confronted with this footage, she claimed that she had gone to sleep but was awakened by Matthew, who she said was drunk, which made her angry. However, audio picked up from the footage revealed disturbing phrases allegedly uttered by her, including “Get up! Get up now,” “So f–king die,” “F–king arrogant,” “I hate you,” and later, “What have I done?” These statements contradicted her account and suggested a more violent confrontation. Additionally, Melissa had a gash on her hand that she could not explain.
Melissa Turner Remains Behind Bars Today
In October 2019, Melissa Turner was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, though she was later released on bail. Her trial did not begin until February 2022. During the proceedings, her defense team argued that she had acted in self-defense and alleged that Matthew Trussler had been aggressive that night and had pulled a knife on her. They maintained that Melissa had only tried to protect herself. However, the prosecution painted a starkly different picture. They argued that Melissa and Matthew had gotten into a heated argument, during which she stabbed him and then left him to bleed out.
Prosecutors further stated that Matthew was a victim of domestic violence and that Melissa had the opportunity to call emergency services but waited too long, ultimately causing his death. The jury found Melissa guilty of second-degree murder, and on March 18, 2022, she was sentenced to 20½ years in prison. Now 32 years old, she is currently incarcerated at the Florida Women’s Reception Center in Marion County, Florida. According to state prison records, her projected release date is July 7, 2042.
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