On 17 January 2008, Denise Amber Lee, a 21-year-old mother was abducted by Michael King in North Port, Florida. She managed to call 911 during her captivity, providing crucial details. Despite her efforts, dispatch errors delayed the response. Two days later, her body was found in a shallow grave with signs of assault and a gunshot wound.
Early Life
Denise Amber Lee was born on 6 August 1986, in Englewood, Florida. She was the daughter of Sue and Rick Goff. Her father, Rick, served as a Sergeant in the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office for 25 years.
Denise was known for being shy and introverted yet intelligent and hardworking. She performed well in school and maintained a quiet demeanor.
During her high school years, Denise met Nathan Lee. He was athletic and popular among his peers. Despite her reserved personality, Denise asked Nathan out on their first date which marked the beginning of their relationship.
On their first Valentine’s Day together, Nathan gifted her a heart-shaped ring that cost $40. Denise cherished the ring and never took it off, the Macabre Daily reports.
Denise and Nathan married in 2005 and started a family soon after. They welcomed two sons, Noah and Adam.
Nathan Lee: “Denise is my soul mate and my best friend and I will never, ever forget her”, per Herald Tribune.
As young parents, they faced financial challenges. Nathan took on multiple jobs to provide for the family while Denise stayed home to care for their children.
To manage expenses, the couple relocated to a more affordable rental home in Northport, Florida. Despite the struggles, their focus remained on their children and building a stable life.
The Day Denise Went Missing
On 17 January 2008, Nathan left home early for work. Around 11:00 a.m., he called Denise during his lunch break. In their conversation, he suggested opening the windows to let in fresh air and Denise confirmed that she had already done so.
Later that day, around 3:00 p.m., Nathan attempted to call Denise again as he headed home. He made multiple attempts but could not reach her.
When Nathan arrived home, he noticed the windows were closed contrary to what Denise had told him. Inside the house, he found both of their sons together in a crib but Denise was not there, according to NBC News.
Her keys and phone were left behind and the windows, which had been previously opened were locked. Nathan immediately sensed something was wrong and contacted the police.
Nathan Lee: “When I came home that day, I just knew something was wrong. Denise would have never left our boys alone like that.”
Nathan also reached out to his father-in-law, Rick Goff, to inform him of Denise’s disappearance. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Rick used his law enforcement experience and network to ensure the case received immediate attention. Authorities began canvassing the neighborhood for leads.
A neighbor named Jennifer Eckert reported seeing a man in a green Camaro circling the neighborhood several times earlier that day, the CNN reports.
She approached the vehicle which was parked in Denise’s driveway but assumed the driver had simply taken a wrong turn. Later, the vehicle was gone.
This sighting became a critical lead in the investigation.
Denise’s 911 Call
At 6:14 p.m., Denise managed to call 911 from her abductor’s phone. She pretended to speak with him while secretly providing the dispatcher with key details. She identified herself by name, gave her address and described the car.
Denise Amber Lee’s Plea During the 911 Call: “I’m sorry, I just want to see my family please let me go”, per Tamba Bay Times.
This call was abruptly disconnected when the kidnapper realized she was contacting emergency services. Her actions during that call provided authorities with vital clues.
The phone used to make the call was registered to a man named Michael King. Due to it being a prepaid phone, it lacked GPS capability, preventing authorities from tracing its exact location. Denise’s voice on the 911 call was confirmed by both Nathan and Rick.
Denise’s father, Rick Goff: “The dispatch is asking questions and she’s like making it sound like she’s talking to him … but she’s really answering dispatch questions. ‘Where do you live’ and things like that”, per ABC News.
Michael King
Michael King, 36, was a plumber originally from Michigan. He had recently moved to Northport and lived not far from the Lee family. The Lees had no previous connection to King.
At the time, King was facing personal hardships including unemployment, financial instability and a recent divorce. Medical experts later noted that he had suffered a childhood head injury, resulting in a brain abnormality and lower-than-average IQ, Murderpedia reports.
Shortly after Denise’s 911 call, police received information from Sabrina Muxlow. She stated that King had borrowed tools such as a shovel, gas can and flashlight from her father, Harold Muxlow.
Sabrina also relayed that her father had seen a woman trying to escape from King’s vehicle, only to be forced back inside, according to The Ledger.
At 6:30 p.m., a woman named Jane Kowalski also called 911. While stopped at a traffic light, she heard disturbing screams from a nearby car. She saw a hand hitting the window from the inside and reported what appeared to be an abduction.
Jane Kowalski: “It was very loud. It was completely horrific, terrified, panicky. I can’t think of enough words, it was terrible”, as reported by CNN.
Unfortunately, her call was routed to the Charlotte County call center instead of the Northport Police Department. The operator failed to log the call and no officers were dispatched.
Search and Arrest
Law enforcement acted swiftly and began searching for Michael King. Later that evening, King’s cousin, Harold Muxlow, anonymously contacted 911 from a payphone. He reported seeing a woman being taken against her will.
When questioned, Harold admitted to making the call and said he initially thought King was having a disagreement with a girlfriend but decided to report it due to his growing concern.
At approximately 9:16 p.m., police spotted a green Camaro matching the description provided earlier. When the vehicle was stopped, King was ordered to exit. Officers noted he was wet from the waist down and his shoes were covered in mud, according to court documents.
Inside the car, police found his cell phone with the SIM card and battery removed, a muddy shovel and Denise’s cherished heart-shaped ring.
King was immediately arrested. During questioning, he claimed that both he and Denise had been victims, but authorities found no evidence supporting his claim.
Michael King: “I got hijacked. I told you that. I couldn’t, I tried to put 911 on the phone and everything”, as quoted by NBC News.
Discovery of Evidence and Denise’s Body
A search of King’s home uncovered duct tape containing strands of Denise’s hair along with evidence of sexual assault including the presence of saliva, semen and blood. Despite King’s denial, investigators continued to search for Denise.
On 19 January, Denise’s body was found in a shallow grave. She had suffered a gunshot wound to the head, per The Ledger.
The autopsy confirmed multiple sexual assaults and revealed defensive wounds, indicating she had fought back. It also showed blood in her lungs, suggesting she was still alive for a short time after being shot.
Trial and Legal Proceedings
Michael King’s trial began on 28 August 2009. The prosecution presented overwhelming evidence linking him to the crimes. He was convicted of kidnapping, sexual assault and first-degree murder. The court sentenced him to death, the Herald-Tribune reports.
Nathan Lee later filed a lawsuit against the Charlotte County 911 center which resulted in a $1.25 million settlement. In the aftermath of his wife’s murder, he established the Denise Amber Lee Foundation to advocate for better training for 911 operators and to promote improvements in emergency response systems.
Nathan Lee: “She was just a super happy, the thing I remember most especially as her being a young mom was just how selfless she was. She would do anything for anybody, the kids were always 100 percent her priority”, per ABC News.
