Dr Phil: Jessica Died in Crash 10 Years Ago, Mother Preserves Bedroom

A Devastating Crash: Teen Dies In Head On Collision

April 14 2002 was the worst day of Leah’s life. She remembers in the days leading up to April 14 that she had a feeling something was wrong.

“That morning before we left, I just had the sickest feeling ever in my stomach not to leave,” she said. “I just pressed past that, and we went; and I have a lot of regrets—a lot.”

While driving down a winding road in Oklahoma, Leah and her family were involved in a terrible crash. Leah’s 15-year-old daughter Jessica was killed instantly and she sustained life-threatening injuries. Her oldest son, Michael, was paralyzed from the waist down, but her youngest son, Brent, walked away unscathed. Leah’s husband, Curtis, broke his foot and the entire family has suffered emotional scars.

Leah said that she is still angry with Curtis for what happened to their family. She wished she had listened to her instincts instead of listening to her husband.

 

Dr Phil: Mother Preserves Dead Daughter’s Bedroom

10 years later, Leah and Curtis have two daughters, Chloe, 9, and Victoria, 5. The girls share a bedroom and Jessica’s room sits like a time capsule. Leah doesn’t want to pack up the room because she wants to still feel Jessica in the room. Everything is as Jessica left it – the hats hang on the wall, her clothes still hang on a door and her purse sits on the floor.

Leah walks through the room just to feel her daughter’s presence. She remembers Jessica as a smart, creative girl that could light up a room. Leah wants help to move forward and feels angry that Jessica is gone. She is angry that her marriage is where it is and that her kids are affected by her anger.

Curtis doesn’t think that he has done anything to be blamed for. Leah has told Curtis that she blames him for Jessica’s death and wishes he was dead instead.