Amber Waterman, a 44-year-old woman from Pineville, Missouri, has recently been sentenced to two life terms in prison for the murder of a pregnant woman from Arkansas. This incident took place on October 31, 2022, when Waterman contacted Ashley Bush, a 33-year-old pregnant woman, on Facebook under a false name. They agreed to meet at an Arkansas convenience store, where Waterman lured Bush to her home in Pineville. Unfortunately, Bush and her unborn child, named Valkyrie Willis, did not survive the encounter.
Initially, Waterman claimed that she had given birth to the baby in a truck while on the way to the hospital. However, she later confessed to the authorities that the baby belonged to Bush. The autopsy revealed that Bush died from penetrating trauma to the torso, while Valkyrie died in utero. Waterman’s husband, Jamie Waterman, also pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to the kidnapping resulting in death. He could face up to 15 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole.
During the sentencing hearing, the judge expressed his shock at the gruesome nature of the crime and stated that no sentence could truly reflect the severity of Waterman’s actions. Prosecutors emphasized the long-lasting pain caused by Waterman’s actions, which would affect generations to come. On the other hand, Waterman’s defense attorneys chose not to speak, citing a pending case against her in Arkansas.
Family members of Ashley Bush also spoke during the hearing, expressing their deep pain and anger towards Waterman. One family member prayed for Waterman to suffer tenfold for her crimes, while another described her as the “face of Satan” with a “black soul.” The emotional impact of this tragic incident has left a scar on the community and serves as a reminder of the heinous acts that some individuals are capable of committing.
The sentencing of Amber Waterman and the guilty plea of her husband bring a sense of closure to this devastating case. However, the scars left by their actions will continue to haunt the families of the victims for years to come. It serves as a grim reminder of the importance of vigilance and caution when interacting with strangers, especially in this digital age where deceit and manipulation can have fatal consequences. Let this case be a lesson to all, urging everyone to stay safe and alert in their daily lives.
