The Murder of Peter Theriault: How Judy Valot's Jealousy Turned Deadly
In 1998, Peter Theriault vanished. His girlfriend, Judy Valot, wove a web of lies that took three trials to untangle, leading to a murder conviction without a body. This is the full story of her obsessive jealousy and the crime that baffled investigators.
January 11, 2026
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On December 2, 1998, a 51-year-old man named Peter Theriault disappeared from his home in Irvine, California. He was a man of routine and responsibility, a man who had not missed a day of work in 28 years. His sudden absence was not just unusual; it was unthinkable. The investigation into his disappearance would uncover a toxic relationship poisoned by obsessive jealousy and a web of lies spun by his live-in girlfriend, Judy Valot. It would take three separate trials and a mountain of circumstantial evidence to convict her of murder, all without the discovery of Peter's body, which remains missing to this day.
This is the story of how Judy Valot's paranoia led to the murder of a beloved man and how a determined police investigation brought her to justice, even without the one piece of evidence they wanted most.
A Man of Routine and Honor: Who Was Peter Theriault?
To understand why Peter Theriault's disappearance set off immediate alarm bells, you have to understand the man he was. Born on July 7, 1947, Peter was a Vietnam veteran who carried his sense of duty and honor into his civilian life. After serving in the Army, he became a machinist at a Ford Motor Co. parts distribution plant in Commerce, California, where he was a loyal and dependable employee for 28 years. He was the kind of man who called his mother every Sunday, meticulously cared for his prized Ford Mustang, and loved his chocolate Labrador, Boss, like a child.
Peter was known for his kindness and his willingness to help others. He formed lifelong bonds with his Army comrades and spent his free time counseling fellow veterans suffering from PTSD. He was, by all accounts, a thoughtful friend and a gentle soul with no known enemies. He was planning to retire in two years and had his eye on a five-acre plot of land in Kelso, Washington, where he could be closer to his mother and two sisters. Peter Theriault was not the kind of man who would simply walk away from his life.The Disappearance
On April 27, 2006, Ashley told her mother she had a job interview and borrowed the family car. Instead, she went to meet Samson Shelton at the park. She was supposed to be home by 10:00 PM to babysit her younger sister, but she never returned.
When Ashley missed her curfew and wasn't answering her phone, her mother, Michelle, grew frantic. A call to Ashley's best friend confirmed her fears—no one had heard from her. It was then that Michelle and Ashley's sister, Casey, discovered a frequently called number on the phone bill. That number belonged to Samson Shelton.
A Relationship Soured by Jealousy
In 1997, Peter met Judy Diane Valot at the Ford plant where they both worked. Judy, a forklift driver born in 1958, shared Peter's love for motorcycles and golf. After dating for just six months, she and her teenage daughter moved into Peter's Irvine home. To outsiders, they were a couple enjoying their shared hobbies, often escaping to Judy's mobile home in Blythe, California, to ride ATVs and shoot guns in the desert.
But beneath the surface, the relationship was deteriorating. Friends and family reported that the couple argued frequently over what they described as Judy's unfounded jealousy and paranoia. She became convinced that Peter was cheating on her, a belief that would curdle into a deadly obsession. Peter confided in a friend, Mindy Franklin, that the relationship was failing and that he wanted out.A Miraculous Discovery
After his confession, Samson Shelton led police to the heavily wooded area where he had left Ashley. It was 2:00 AM, nearly 48 hours after the attack. As officers searched the pitch-black woods, they made a shocking discovery: Ashley Reeves was alive.
She was found lying on her back, covered in insect bites, and exposed to the elements for two days. She was awake but unresponsive, her neck appearing broken. The journey to get her to a hospital was a race against time, with paramedics fearing she wouldn't survive.
The Disappearance and a Web of Lies
On the evening of December 2, 1998, Peter Theriault vanished. Judy Valot initially told police that they had a small argument about her 13-year-old daughter and that Peter had become agitated and left for his night shift at the plant. When his supervisor called to report that he never arrived, Judy began a charade of a concerned girlfriend, calling friends and family. She waited a full 48 hours before reporting him missing.
The investigation quickly began to unravel Judy's story. Key developments painted a damning picture:
•The Car is Found: Peter's prized Mustang was found abandoned at an apartment complex three miles from their home. When police brought in a canine unit, a bloodhound tracked a scent from the car directly back to Judy's house and alerted on Judy herself, indicating she was the last person to have driven it.
•The Ruse: Detectives, sensing deception, employed a legal ruse. They told Judy that a neighbor's security camera had captured video of the person who parked Peter's car. The pressure worked. Judy cracked, but she didn't confess to murder. Instead, she changed her story, claiming that after their fight, she had driven Peter's car to the complex and abandoned it, hoping it would be stolen as a way to punish him.
•The Blood Evidence: This new story prompted police to obtain a search warrant for the home. This time, they found what they had missed before: a trail of blood drops leading from the bedroom to the garage. More blood was found on the tailgate and in the bed of Peter's truck, which was parked in the garage. The theory was now clear: Judy had killed Peter in the house and used his own truck to transport his body.
•The Blythe Trailer: Acting on a tip from Peter's friend, Mindy Franklin, investigators searched Judy's trailer in Blythe. They found all of Peter's guns, but one—a Sig Sauer—was missing two rounds and had a bullet in the chamber, a way Peter, a meticulous gun owner, would never have stored it. In a shed, they found a military-style shovel with fresh dirt on its edge. A neighbor reported seeing Judy pulling a trailer full of what looked like "garbage" on the back of her ATV around the time of the disappearance.Justice for Ashley
Samson Shelton pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. While out on bail awaiting trial, he attempted to take his own life.
The community was divided, with some defending the "popular teacher" while Ashley and her family faced victim-blaming. But in the end, the evidence was undeniable, and a monster was put behind bars.
Three Trials to a Conviction
Despite the mounting circumstantial evidence, the case against Judy Valot was complicated by one major missing piece: Peter Theriault's body. Prosecuting a murder without a body is notoriously difficult, and Judy's case was no exception. It would take three separate trials to finally secure a conviction.
•First Trial (2000): A jury found Judy guilty of second-degree murder, and she was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. However, the verdict was overturned on appeal because a juror who was opposed to the verdict had been improperly replaced during deliberations.
•Second Trial (2004): The second trial ended with a hung jury, unable to reach a unanimous decision.
•Third Trial (2005): Finally, in June 2005, a third jury found Judy Valot guilty of second-degree murder. Jurors later said they were shocked to learn it was the third trial. They stated that the lack of a body did not trip them up; rather, it was Judy's "web of lies" and the powerful circumstantial evidence—the conflicting stories, the blood in the garage, and the loaded guns—that led them to their decision.
On July 22, 2005, Judy Valot was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. During the emotional hearing, Peter's sister, Betsy Schlect, pleaded with her: "Give up, Judy. You're guilty. Tell us where Pete is."
Judy, maintaining her innocence to the end, tearfully replied, "I never did anything to Pete... Look somewhere else. Look for Pete."
Three Trials to a Conviction
To hear the full story and our discussion of this tragic case, listen to our episode on the murder of Peter Theriault.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
References
[1] Woman Gets Life for 1998 Murder, Los Angeles Times
[2] Woman Guilty of Murdering Her Boyfriend, Los Angeles Times
[4] Moms and Mysteries, "The Murder of Peter Theriault" Podcast Transcript
Related Cases:
Ashley Reeves: Strangled and Left for Dead for 30 Hours
In April 2006, 17-year-old Ashley Reeves went missing after telling her mother she had a job interview. What her family didn't know was that she had gone to meet 26-year-old Samson Shelton, a popular high school teacher and coach who had been secretly communicating with the teenager for months.
January 9, 2026
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
In April 2006, the small town of Millstadt, Illinois, was shaken when 17-year-old Ashley Reeves vanished without a trace. What began as a missing person case quickly unraveled a story of secrets, manipulation, and a brutal attack that left a young woman fighting for her life in the cold woods. This is the story of Ashley Reeves and her incredible will to survive.
A Secret Relationship
Ashley Reeves was a responsible and well-liked teenager. She had a serious boyfriend and was a typical high school student who enjoyed playing basketball and hanging out with friends. In early 2006, she struck up a friendship with 26-year-old Samson Shelton, a popular teacher and coach from a neighboring high school.
The two would meet at a local park to play basketball, often alone. While Ashley saw it as a close friendship, her mother suspected a schoolgirl crush. The reality was much more complicated. The friendship escalated to text messages and phone calls, a secret relationship that crossed a dangerous line.
The Disappearance
On April 27, 2006, Ashley told her mother she had a job interview and borrowed the family car. Instead, she went to meet Samson Shelton at the park. She was supposed to be home by 10:00 PM to babysit her younger sister, but she never returned.
When Ashley missed her curfew and wasn't answering her phone, her mother, Michelle, grew frantic. A call to Ashley's best friend confirmed her fears—no one had heard from her. It was then that Michelle and Ashley's sister, Casey, discovered a frequently called number on the phone bill. That number belonged to Samson Shelton.
The Investigation & Confession
When police located Ashley's abandoned car at the park, their investigation immediately focused on Samson Shelton. During an 11-hour interrogation, Samson's story began to crumble. He initially denied any involvement but eventually admitted to a secret sexual relationship with the 17-year-old.
He claimed he had tried to end the relationship that day, which led to an argument. According to Samson, Ashley became hysterical, and in a fit of rage, he pulled the car over, dragged her out, and put her in a chokehold. He told detectives he heard a "pop" and her body went limp.
In a panic, thinking she was dead, he dragged her into the woods, strangled her with his own belt to stage the scene, and left her for dead.
A Miraculous Discovery
After his confession, Samson Shelton led police to the heavily wooded area where he had left Ashley. It was 2:00 AM, nearly 48 hours after the attack. As officers searched the pitch-black woods, they made a shocking discovery: Ashley Reeves was alive.
She was found lying on her back, covered in insect bites, and exposed to the elements for two days. She was awake but unresponsive, her neck appearing broken. The journey to get her to a hospital was a race against time, with paramedics fearing she wouldn't survive.
The Road to Recovery
Ashley had suffered a severe brain injury, and doctors gave her a statistically low chance of survival. She spent months in the hospital, slowly relearning how to walk, talk, and perform basic functions. Her memory of the attack and the days surrounding it was completely gone.
Despite the horrific trauma, Ashley's determination shone through. She not only survived but has gone on to build a life for herself. Today, Ashley Reeves is a mother of two and continues to inspire others with her story of resilience.
Justice for Ashley
Samson Shelton pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. While out on bail awaiting trial, he attempted to take his own life.
The community was divided, with some defending the "popular teacher" while Ashley and her family faced victim-blaming. But in the end, the evidence was undeniable, and a monster was put behind bars.