2 Women Were Forced at Gunpoint to Dig Their Own Graves Before Being Shot: How 1 Victim Survived

Mar. 15, 2025

Sarah Pasco.Photo:Sarah Pasco/Facebook

Sarah Pasco/Facebook

TheSpringfield Daily Citizenreportedthis week that Melissa Pugh testified against Steven Chase Calverley, who was one of nine people charged in the August 2020 kidnapping that killed her friend Sarah Pasco and nearly ended her own life, as well. Calverley was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder and other charges.

Pasco, 27, was shot in the head and killed after her kidnapper Gary Hunter Jr. and eight accomplices forced her into a well in Lawrence County, Missouri, that was located in the middle of the woods. Pasco died instantly, according to the outlet, and Pugh made the life-saving decision to lay still underneath her friend’s body and wait until her attackers left them behind in the well, believing both to be dead.

Hunter Jr. was sentenced to 40 years in prison in 2022 after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping charges, according toThe Associated Press. Local KY3 reported that Hunter Jr. took a plea deal to avoid facing a possible death sentence after being the ringleader and initiating the kidnapping, which eventually enveloped eight other members of what authorities believe to be a local gang.

After a week-long investigation, according to KY3, authorities arrested all nine people involved in the haphazard kidnapping and murder plot.

Gary Hunter Jr.Lawrence Coumty Sheriff’s Office

Lawrence Coumty Sheriff’s Office

Calverley, 33, was the only defendant whose case went to trial, according to theDaily Citizen, and Pugh told a jury she “forgave” him for his involvement in her kidnapping and friend’s murder. However, she still questioned why Calverley, a former Purple Heart-winning U.S. Marine, did not intervene and stop Hunter Jr. during the kidnapping.“I know God spared my life for a reason,” Pugh told the courtroom, according to theDaily Citizen. “But I don’t understand why none of them tried to help us. … Especially with Mr. Calverley being a war hero.”

Steven Chase Calverley.Christian County Sheriff’s Office

Christian County Sheriff’s Office

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Once Hunter Jr., Calverley, Knapp, and the others left the scene believing both women to be dead, Pugh escaped the well and called 911.

“I’m not asking you to forgive me. But I want you to know I am sorry,” Calverley said after his conviction, reading from a letter he wrote to the families of Pasco and Pugh, according to theDaily Citizen. “I’m sorry I was a coward and didn’t try harder to stop him. I’m sorry I didn’t call 911 and report it. I’m sorry I didn’t try to put myself between him and you guys.”

source: people.com