The Murder of Steven Gibson Sr.

Written By Kiley Baumgartner

For this case, I watched an episode of Til Death Do Us Part. It’s season 2 episode 1, titled ‘Behind Closed Doors.’

A husband and father of four is found dead in his garage.

Background

Steven Gibson Sr., met his future wife Michelle while they were both working at a sub shop. Steven was 16 at the time, and Michelle was 19.

Michelle had two daughters by the time she was 18. Steven stepped in as their father, and raised them from a young age. They married in 1994, and eventually had two kids together, Alysa, and Steven Jr.

Steven Sr., was described as a devoted and hardworking father. His daughter Amber, said he had a smile that stretched ear to ear.

Steven Sr., with his son Steven ‘Rosie’ Jr.

Dark Secrets

When Steven worked in railroad construction, he had an accident at work one day. He injured his back and neck, and he had to have surgery. It altered his life, and it led to an addiction to pain medication.

In 2001, Steven opened up his own car repair business called H and H (His and Hers) Automotive. Michelle helped run the business, and did the bookkeeping.

Michelle also became addicted to painkillers after she pulled something in her foot. She too had to have surgery to have a bone replaced.

Amber was the main talking head in the episode. She had she was 14 or 15 when she realized her mom was dependent on the medication.

In 2006-2007, Steven turned to harder painkillers, when he had discs in his neck removed. Steven appeared to be more angry and agitated all the time.

By 2009, Ashley and Amber, the two oldest children left home. It seemed to be the turning point for this family.

The 911 Call

On March 1, 2013, Michelle called 911 just before 2am. She said she and her kids had just returned home from shopping, and that there was blood everywhere.

The police responded to the home, where they had responded to incidents before. A few years earlier, they had responded to a call from Michelle. She told them that Steven had pulled a gun on her. Michelle later took back her statements, so there wasn’t much the police could do.

In the garage, Steven was found attached to a dolley, and covered by a blanket. His leg was sticking out from under the blanket. He had a black T-shirt covering his almost decapitated head. He had also been stabbed several times in the chest.

The Crime Scene

The police entered the home through the garage. There was a blood trail leading to the upstairs master bedroom, and into the bathroom.

In the bathroom, the police found a disturbing scene. One detective described it as looking like a scene from a Stephen King novel.

There was blood everywhere. A baseball bat, gloves and bleach were all found. Some items were so blood soaked that the police couldn’t pull fingerprints off, or do any DNA testing.

It was apparent that Steven had been killed in the bathroom, dragged down the stairs, to the garage, and attached to a dolley. A truck had been backed into the garage, suggesting that the killer’s original plan was to dump Steven somewhere.

A Confession

The police spoke to Michelle, who had been at the home with Steven Jr., (also referred to as Rosie, which was his nickname), and Alysa. Michelle said they returned home around 1:30-1:45am, and found Steven in the garage.

Just 20 minutes after the police arrived, a teenager named Erik McBee, and his friend, Karen Molina-Pompa walked up to the scene. Erik wasn’t wearing shoes, and he had blood on his hands and jeans. He told the police that he was one who had killed Steven.

At the police station, Erik said he had skipped school that day to smoke synthetic marijuana, also known as spice. He went to Steven Jr.,’s with Karen to play video games.

Erik said around 10pm, Steven Jr., left with his mom and sister to go shopping. He and Karen stayed, and were hanging out in the basement. Erik said he went upstairs for something, and ran into Steven Sr., where they had a confrontation.

Erik said Steven hit him, and he grabbed a nearby baseball bat. Erik said he hit Steven in the head once, and then blacked out. When he came to, he was in the upstairs bathroom with Steven. Steven’s head was smashed in, but he was still trying to grab him.

Erik said he went downstairs to grab a knife, and stabbed him three times in the chest. He then asked Karen to help him dispose of the body. They were going to put him in the truck, but they heard sirens, and fled the scene.

Erik said he left his shoes and phone behind, and decided to confess since he’d be caught eventually.

A Plot Twist

Erik was photographed and swabbed for DNA. His clothing was also processed. Steven’s blood was a match to the blood on Erik’s clothing and hands. The evidence seemed to match Erik’s story, but there were a few details that didn’t make sense to the police.

The knife that Erik claimed to have used was missing. Steven’s toxicology report showed that he had high levels of several opioids in his system, and could not have attacked Erik.

Two weeks after the murder, Erik requested another interview with the police. He changed his story. He said Michelle told him that she needed Steven dead, and that it was either them (her or the kids), or him that would die.

Erik said he had never met Steven Sr., in person, and that Michelle paid him $2,000, and printed off a picture of him.

Erik admitted that he attacked Steven while he was sleeping. He hit him three times in the head, but he wouldn’t die. He then called Steven Jr., who returned home to finish off his dad. Steven Jr., walked into the bathroom, wearing black gloves, and holding a machete.

Erik finished by slashing Steven’s throat after he was already dead.

The Surveillance Footage

Michelle, Alysa and Steven Jr., continued to deny that they were involved. They all said that they went to several stores together that evening, and returned home to find Steven dead.

The police obtained the surveillance footage. At 10:37pm, Michelle can be seen walking into Bashas’, a grocery store located a half a mile from their home. At 10:53pm, Steven Jr., arrived, and at 10:57pm, all three are seen at the checkout.

At 11:09pm, all three entered another grocery store called Fry’s. They didn’t purchase anything. At 11:17pm, they arrived at Circle K, where Steven Jr., purchased a chocolate milk.

At 11:35pm, Michelle and Alysa arrived at CVS. Steven Jr., isn’t seen on anymore surveillance footage.

Michelle and Steven Jr.’s cell phone records also proved that they weren’t together the entire night. Why would they be trading phone calls to each other if they were together the whole night?

The Convictions

The police also found Erik’s backpack at the Gibson home.

The photo of Steven was recovered. It had been printed off from Michelle’s password protected computer, on the day of the murder.

A month after the murder, Michelle, Alysa and Steven Jr., were all arrested. Michelle was charged with first degree murder.

Michelle went on trial in 2014. The prosecution’s case focused on Michelle wanting Steven out of their lives. Michelle later said it was because he was abusive. Michelle had also been involved in several extramarital affairs.

On November 24, 2014, Michelle was found guilty of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder. She will spend the rest of her life in prison.

Steven Jr., pleaded guilty to second degree murder. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Alysa was given a sentence of 5 years for conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and hindering the prosecution.

Erik pleaded guilty to second degree murder. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Karen Molina-Pompa received a 1 year sentence for attempted first degree murder, and abandonment of a body.

Steven ‘Rosie’ Gibson Jr.

Alysa Gibson

Michelle Gibson

Erik McBee

Karen Molina-Pompa

Other

Karen Molina-Pompa was released in 2016, was arrested in 2017 for having a sexual relationship with a minor. The victim was her ex-girlfriend, and it was reported after her parents found messages on her phone.

Kiley Baumgartner
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