Suvechha Sarkar
In late November 2000, Michelle Renee lived through a nightmare that would change her life forever. Alongside her 7-year-old daughter, Breea Renee, she was held hostage in her own home by masked intruders. The trauma of the night, followed by an emotionally exhausting trial, had thrown her into a whirlwind of fear, pain, and public scrutiny. CBS’ ’48 Hours: The Kidnapping of Michelle and Breea Renee’ focuses on the investigation and the trial of this unimaginable adversity and how Michelle and Breea chose a path of transformation over despair.
Michelle Renee’s Life Changed Forever in a Terrifying Night of Home Invasion
Michelle Renee was living a peaceful life as a single mother when her life turned upside down on November 21, 2000. She, her daughter Breea, and her roommate, Kimbra, were taken hostage by three masked men, bound and threatened at gunpoint. One of the men demanded that she rob the bank and revealed that they had been following her for months. That night, Michelle also overheard him speaking to a woman via walkie-talkie. The ringleader gave the former instructions about the robbing. By 6:00 am the next morning, the captors strapped dynamite to all Michelle, Breea, and Kimbra’s bodies and threatened them with a detonation device. At 8:50 am, Michelle was reportedly dropped off at her bank with a briefcase. While filling it with money, Michelle discreetly alerted a coworker, who contacted the authorities.
Michelle left with $360,000 and was dropped off nearby. She found her car and returned home to find Breea and Kimbra safe. When she alerted one of her neighbors, he called 911 to report the situation. The investigation revealed the ringleader was Christopher S. Butler, who was identified by a business card that he had left at Michelle’s office. Michelle’s identification also pointed toward his partner, Lisa Ramirez, as one of the accused. They were arrested during a traffic stop, and the officials found the briefcase, black gloves, ski masks, and much more as evidence. Shortly after, they arrested the other two suspects, Christopher Huggins and Robert Ortiz. While Butler, Huggins, and Robert were convicted, Lisa was acquitted on all charges related to the case.
Michelle Has an Inspiring Professional Journey as a Writer and Entrepreneur
Michelle Renee’s journey is filled with extraordinary resilience and determination. She had revealed how she ran away from home at just 15 years old. With no high school diploma and a need for survival, she turned to stripping as her profession. However, her tenacity assisted her in climbing the corporate ladder since 1988 at the Bank of America. There, she served in several roles, like Vice President, Branch Manager, and Regional Sales Manager. Her career there came to an abrupt halt in 2001 after the harrowing home invasion. Michelle chose to take a detour and retreat to Alaska with Breea. It wasn’t until 2012 that she returned to her education goals and graduated with a Mass Media Communication degree. However, her entrepreneurial spirit began taking root long before this. In 2009, Michelle founded VERB Media Group.
However, life threw another curveball when Breea was diagnosed with Tumefactive Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This forced Michelle to become her full-time caregiver. However, she used this time further to hone her video production and digital marketing skills. In 2014, she relaunched VERB Media Group as a full-fledged photo, video, and podcast production agency. Michelle has turned her trauma into art and advocacy. She authored ‘Held Hostage,’ which became a memorial about the fateful night. The book has been adapted into a movie, in which she not only served as a consultant and writer, but also as one of the producers. In 2023, Michelle released her second book, ‘Nine Days,’ chronicling her emotional road trip from San Diego to Alaska after the home invasion.
Furthermore, Michelle has been hosting her podcast ‘Soul Wide Open’ since 2024. In January 2025, she proudly shared the fact that she had achieved her certification as a Trauma Healing Practitioner, highlighting her commitment to helping others. She has also become a voice for the unheard people and often shares her insights with her followers on social media. Michelle also promotes her Amazon Storefront. In February 2025, she made another bold move by relocating to Texas and starting a new chapter. In an even braver decision, Michelle came face-to-face with Robert Ortiz in May 2025. She interviewed him, showcasing that compassion truly is a greater virtue.
Michelle Has Found Her Strength in Family, Compassion, and New Chapters
In her personal life, Michelle’s resilience has always been tested. However, she never let the hardships define her. Even when Breea was unable to walk for almost 2 years, she never considered it a defeat but as an opportunity for redirection. Through every high and low, her daughter has been the constant in her life. The bond between them is unshakeable as together, they overcame unimaginable fear. They are now each other’s fierce protectors and greatest cheerleaders. On her birthday, she penned a loving message, “The absolute love of my life. Happy birthday, my gorgeous soul of a daughter. What a ride it’s been together, and so much more joy to come.” Michelle also has her brother, Dave, beside her, who has always been a quiet pillar of strength in her life.
From the day after the home invasion to this very moment, Dave has never left Michelle’s side. She never misses a chance to celebrate him or Breea, whether it’s traveling together or creating memories during holidays. Her adorable pup, Spikey, is another of her cherished companions who has been by her side through several ups and downs. Besides this, traveling has also become her solace and joy after years of living in fear. In October 2018, Michelle set out to explore the vibrant culture of Mexico, once again followed by her memorable trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in July 2022. In April 2025, Michelle wandered through the beauty of Zurich, Switzerland. As of writing, she is not just a survivor but is living a life rich in connection, meaning, and gratitude.
Read More: Breea Renee: Where is the Kidnapping Survivor Today?
