Survivor’s Journey: Woman Describes Life After Her Roommate’s Murder

BELGRADE, Montana — Five years after a traumatic incident that left her critically injured, Ashley Van Hemert reflects on her harrowing ordeal and miraculous recovery in an upcoming episode of ABC’s “20/20.” On January 6, 2018, Van Hemert, then 32, and her roommate Lauren DeWise, 35, were shot multiple times by an intruder in their shared home.

Van Hemert was shot in the head, back, and shoulder, while DeWise succumbed to her injuries that night. Van Hemert, however, defied the odds and survived after being found by the police, covered in blood on her bedroom floor.

“It was a miracle I woke up at all. I remember opening my eyes and signaling to my family I could see them,” Van Hemert told ABC News Correspondent John Quiñones. “I was thankful to be alive, despite the circumstances.” She awoke in a hospital nearly a week later, unable to speak or move, using only her fingers to communicate.

Belgrade Police Chief Dustin Lensing revealed the severity of her injuries, stating, “She had been shot point-blank in the back of the head. We weren’t even sure if she would survive.” After initial treatment at local hospitals, Van Hemert was flown more than 700 miles to the University of Colorado Medical Center due to the gravity of her condition.

“God is good, and I’m still here. The Lord literally saved my life that night,” Van Hemert expressed, crediting her family’s support and her strong faith for her resilience.

On the fateful night, Van Hemert had returned from a movie with her boyfriend, locking the door behind her. Earlier, DeWise had moved in only two months prior, escaping personal challenges in her marriage to Paul DeWise, which involved their young daughter and Paul’s teenage children.

When Audria Butler, the homeowner, returned on January 7, she was shocked to find her roommates shot and immediately called 911. Investigators discovered signs of a break-in, including two sets of boot prints leading to the backdoor.

Detectives linked one set of prints to Paul DeWise, who was later charged with deliberate homicide and attempted homicide. His son corroborated the crime, telling police he had been forced to accompany his father. Though no charges were brought against him, the investigation led to the recovery of a Ruger .22 caliber pistol, which matched the shell casings found at the scene.

In December 2019, Paul DeWise was convicted and sentenced to 220 years in prison. At his sentencing, Van Hemert confronted him, expressing forgiveness even amidst her own trauma. “I don’t know why God fully chose to save my life yet, Paul… but you might have tried to kill me, but you don’t have the final say on when someone’s life is over,” she told him.

Demonstrating remarkable strength, she concluded her address to him with a poem that highlighted her journey of forgiveness. “If God can forgive me an unlimited amount of times, then how could I withhold forgiveness from you, Paul?”

Van Hemert, described by her attorney as a miracle, underwent extensive rehabilitation over the years. Now living back in Bozeman, she is learning to enjoy her passions, such as spending time outdoors and snowboarding again, all while honoring her late roommate’s memory.

Today, she focuses on advocacy against domestic violence and uses her experience to inspire others facing similar challenges. “If I see myself as a victim, then he still wins… I have to see myself as a victor,” Van Hemert stated. “I want to make sure my soul wasn’t taken with my body that night.” The poignant story will air in the “20/20” episode titled “You Left Me For Dead,” on March 14 at 9 p.m. ET.