Amanda Canales and Kevin Lewis were a couple whose relationship deteriorated after marriage, marked by Kevin's lack of ambition, jealousy, and domestic violence. After Amanda sought divorce and protection orders, Kevin allegedly hired his cousin Jerradon Phelps and Alexis Hale to murder Amanda's sister, Alisha Canales, who was babysitting Amanda's children. Alisha was shot and killed in an ambush-style attack at Amanda's home. Kevin was convicted of aggravated first-degree murder as the mastermind, while Jerradon and Alexis pled guilty to murder. Kevin is serving life without parole.
Country: United States
State/Province: Washington, United States
City/Region: Everett
Incident Type: Family Homicide
Relationship Status: Married
Relationship Duration: Approximately 10 years (marriage)
Incident Date: Sept. 20, 2017
Relationship Origins:
Relationship Stages:
Contributing Factors:
Red Flags:
Motives:
Relationship Outcomes:
How the relationship or connection began.
Approximately 10 years (marriage)
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2017-09-20
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
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A&E · Original language: English
A Honeymoon Red Flag Leads to a Deadly Plot (S1, E10) | Meet, Marry, Murder | Full Episode
Domestic Violence
The relationship between Amanda and Kevin deteriorated due to Kevin's lack of ambition, jealousy, and controlling behavior, culminating in domestic violence. The separation and custody disputes escalated tensions, leading Kevin to orchestrate a murder via a hired hitman to eliminate his estranged wife by targeting her sister. The pattern reflects coercive control, escalating violence, and lethal retaliation linked to relationship dissolution.
Police initially lacked evidence to charge Kevin for the murder despite suspicion. Surveillance and witness testimony placed Kevin near the scene and linked him to the hired hitman, his cousin Jerradon Phelps, and accomplice Alexis Hale. Both accomplices pled guilty; Kevin was convicted as mastermind and sentenced to life without parole. Protective orders and prior assault charges were part of the case history.
Initial confusion arose from Kevin's alibi supported by surveillance and car dew evidence, conflicting with witness sightings of him near the crime scene. The actual shooter was not Kevin but his cousin, complicating direct evidence. The involvement of a teenage hitman and accomplice required extended investigation and tip-offs to resolve.
Amanda and Kevin married after a rocky courtship; Kevin quit the Air Force and showed lack of ambition. Marital tensions grew with jealousy and domestic violence. Amanda sought divorce and protective orders. Kevin allegedly hired cousin Jerradon and Alexis Hale to kill Amanda by ambushing her home. Alisha, Amanda's sister and babysitter, was killed instead. Surveillance and witness accounts linked Kevin to the crime. Accomplices pled guilty; Kevin was convicted as mastermind.
High risk due to escalating domestic violence, threats, physical assault, and eventual lethal violence involving hired perpetrators. Protective orders and separation did not mitigate the threat, indicating severe danger to the victim and family.
Early signs of controlling behavior, jealousy, and domestic violence escalated to lethal violence. Protective orders and separation may not prevent escalation. The use of hired perpetrators complicates detection. Close monitoring of threats and behavioral changes in domestic disputes is critical.
Kevin's quitting the Air Force without plan, jealousy over Amanda's dancing and social interactions, controlling clothing choices, domestic violence assault, and death threats were key early signals.
Witness reports of Kevin near the crime scene, surveillance footage of visitors to Kevin's home, social media messages between accomplices, and the connection between Kevin and the hitman cousin were crucial clues.
Surveillance video, witness testimony, social media communications, forensic evidence from the crime scene, and confessions from Alexis Hale and Jerradon Phelps were strongest evidence types.
Witnesses reported shots fired and saw a person running from the scene. Kevin's friend Jason noted Kevin's jealousy and changed behavior. Amanda's friend Ari provided relationship context. Nanny Abigail was present during the shooting. Neighbors reported suspicious activity. Police interviews revealed inconsistencies in Kevin's alibi.
Initial reports suspected Kevin as shooter but surveillance showed he was home. Later tip-offs and confessions from accomplices clarified roles and led to convictions. Kevin's role as mastermind was confirmed after accomplices pled guilty.
Exact motivations behind Kevin's transformation from non-violent to violent remain unclear. The full extent of Kevin's planning and manipulation is partially inferred. Some emotional and psychological dynamics lack clinical diagnosis.