ID’s new show, “Does Murder Sleep?”, is premiered on August 2, 2023, featuring the shocking case of Ben Oxley’s death, which sent shockwaves through the small town of Minden, Nevada back in 2008. The case became notorious for its complex and twisting clues, leading the investigation in multiple directions simultaneously.
The episode, titled “Deadly Awakening,” delve into the brutal murder of Ben Oxley, who was shot at point-blank range while asleep in his bed. The police initially focused their investigation on his wife, Melissa Oxley, but it took over two years for them to bring the actual killer, James Matlean, to justice.
Ben Oxley was a sports enthusiast, particularly passionate about football and watersports like surfing and jet skiing. He worked hard as an air-conditioning repairman after graduating. At the time of his death, he was 36 years old and happily married to Melissa, his second wife. He had a daughter, Alyssa, from his previous marriage with Dawn, who lived with him and Melissa.
Ben Oxley and Melissa Oxley (image via oxygen)
The night of February 21, 2008, changed everything when Melissa woke up to find her husband shot in their bedroom, covered in blood. Naturally, suspicion initially fell on Melissa, considering her potential gains from the murder. However, further investigation shifted suspicion towards Ben’s ex-wife, Dawn, and her boyfriend, James Matlean.
Dawn eventually confessed to discussing the idea of getting rid of Ben with James, though she claimed she did not want him to harm her ex-husband. Dawn’s son also testified that he overheard conversations between Dawn and James about killing Ben.
In the end, James Matlean pleaded guilty to the murder, implicating Dawn in the process. Although Dawn was never charged, James remains incarcerated at High Desert State Prison in Indian Springs, Nevada.
The case of Ben Oxley’s murder was a long and complex journey, but justice was eventually served for the tragic loss of a man who was loved and cherished by his family. The episode of “Does Murder Sleep?” shed light on the events that unfolded during this heartbreaking and perplexing investigation.
