In 1996, Travis Lewis who was just 16 years old, murdered Martha’s mother, Sally Snowden McKay, and her cousin, Lee Baker, at the family’s historic Snowden House in Horseshoe Lake, Arkansas.

Despite the tragedy, Martha, a devout Buddhist, chose to forgive Lewis.

She visited him in prison, corresponded with him, and eventually supported his parole, believing in his redemption. 

After Lewis was released on parole in 2018, Martha offered him a job and a place to live at Snowden House, which she had restored into a bed-and-breakfast.

Their relationship soured after Martha suspected Lewis of stealing $10,000 from the home.

She reportedly fired him and told him to stay away from the property.

On March 25, 2020, Lewis broke into the house and brutally killed Martha.

When police arrived at the scene, Lewis jumped from an upstairs window and fled into Horseshoe Lake, where he drowned during the pursuit.