Dateline: The Intruder - Who is Rachel Owens and what happened to her? Disturbing details of the 2014 attempted murder, revealed

Dateline: The Intruder takes the audience through the ghastly 2014 home invasion case from Saco, Maine, which shook the country. Rachel Owens was staying with her friend Carol Chabot when a masked intruder entered the home at night and shot her. The violent crime resulted in Rachel ending up in intensive care, fighting for her life. But the shocking twist comes when her husband's secrets come to light. As people who followed the case know, Gregory Owens was charged with interstate domestic violence.

The official synopsis for the Dateline episode states,

When shots ring out at a home in Saco, Maine, Rachel Owens is found shot in the head. Police launch a complex investigation that involves three states, all holding pieces to the puzzle.

Who is Rachel Owens and what happened to her?

Rachel Owens was, at the time, a resident of Londonderry, New Hampshire. She lived with her husband, Gregory Owens. Her health started failing, and she was diagnosed with early dementia.

As per the Dateline episode, to take care of her health, on December 15, 2014, 55-year-old Rachel decided to stay with her friend Carol Chabot for a short period. Carol lived in Saco, Maine, with her husband Steve. On December 18, an intruder, who was wearing a ski mask, broke into their house. The intruder sought out Rachel and shot her. She was hit in the back of her head, arm, and leg.

Just before 3 AM, Steve made a call to 911 to alert the authorities about an armed intruder. He reported that a masked stranger shot at Rachel and him. Carol manages to escape by hiding in another room. The police on arrival found Rachel had been shot in the head. Fortunately, she was alive when the paramedics showed up.

Since the intruder got away, the police assumed that it was a case of home invasion and started looking for the shooter. The Dateline episode also takes the audience through he shocking details involving Rachel’s husband, Gregory Owens.

Gregory Owens was an Army veteran from the Iraq War and was working in counter terrorism. When the police reached out to Gregory to inform him about his wife, he appeared alarmed. He shared that he was working on his computer at home during the time of the shooting and only left to shop occasionally.

Meanwhile, Rachel miraculously started responding but had severe memory loss. She was unable to recall finer details of the night of the shooting.

Shocking details about Gregory Owens come forth in the Dateline episode

According to Dateline, the police had managed to collect the shell casings from the crime scene along with some DNA evidence, including footprints outside and a strand of hair caught between the window. They found a match with Gregory and even recovered the same bullets and the mask from his home. However, the shocking revelation that finally made Gregory the main suspect was the double life he had been living for years.

As per the Dateline episode, the authorities learn about Gregory’s affair with a woman called Betsy from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He had promised her that he would divorce Rachel, but had not seen through it. When Betsy discovered the news about Rachel, she reached out to the police. The police, meanwhile, found the perfect motive behind the shooting. Even with all the evidence, Gregory continued to plead innocence. He was charged with domestic violence.

Meanwhile, Rachel Owens was recovering slowly with the help of her loved ones, including her son, Wayne.

Gregory Owens' trial and sentencing

After a year, the 10-day trial for Gregory Owens took place. The defense alleged that Gregory had sent emails during the timeframe of the shooting, and the police had yet to find the gun. They argued that he couldn't have travelled so far in such a short time.

In the Dateline: The Intruder episode, we learn that the authorities discovered Gregory had altered the timestamp on his email to make it appear he was working during the time. Rachel had also testified at the trial. The jury found him guilty. Gregory was sentenced to life in prison.

Due to her failing health, Rachel moved to an assisted living care facility in Rhode Island. Her family stood by her through the ordeal and continued to support her.

Watch Dateline on NBC.

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