When Lindsay Haugen crossed paths with Robby Mast at a house party in August 2015, she felt an instant connection to the carefree and charismatic individual she described as sitting amidst a pile of beer cans, shirtless with dreadlocks. However, less than four weeks later, tragedy struck as Haugen confessed to strangling Mast to death while parked in her car at a Walmart in Billings, Montana.
The motivation behind Haugen's drastic actions, at the age of 32, begs a profound question: what led her to take the life of her newfound love interest? This pivotal inquiry lies at the heart of Season 2, Episode 1 of "I Am a Killer," which debuted on Netflix on January 20, 2020.
The series, initially launched in 2018, delves into the minds of convicted murderers through candid interviews with investigators, victims' families, and the perpetrators themselves.
Before encountering Mast, Haugen had endured a harrowing ordeal in a violent relationship, marked by repeated rape, physical abuse resulting in a broken hand, and near-fatal strangulation, ultimately leading to her partner's incarceration for abuse just two months prior to her meeting Mast. Mast, a nomad, traversed the country by freight trains and hitchhiking.
In contrast, Haugen found herself deeply enamored, agreeing to join him on his journey shortly after their encounter in Washington state. Haugen recounted Mast's revelation of deep suicidal tendencies during their travels, with him pleading for her to end his life. Eventually, Haugen, driven by love and empathy, succumbed to his persistent requests.
In her own words, Haugen described the pivotal moment: "One day he looked at me and said, ‘Lindsay, I’m tired… I just want to die.' So I said, ‘I know of a way to do it, and it won’t hurt. You’ll just go unconscious and then you won’t wake up.’ And he looked at me, and his eyes sparkled, and he said, ‘You would do that for me?’ I said, ‘Robby, I love you. I would do anything for you.'"
Following a period of deliberation, Haugen ultimately carried out the fatal act using a "rear naked choke," a disturbing conclusion to a tragic love story gone horribly awry. Lindsay Haugen vividly recalls the chilling moment when she wrapped her arms around Robby Mast's neck, initially hesitant, unsure if she could follow through with the horrific act.
As she applied pressure, she sensed his resistance, a fleeting hope that he might awaken and halt her deadly embrace. Yet, his stillness signaled the irreversible outcome. With Mast's lifeless body seated beside her, Haugen embarked on a fateful drive, only to be intercepted by local law enforcement. Without hesitation, she confessed to the killing, citing her purported motive.
Detective Steve Hallam of the Billings Police Department, however, casts doubt on Haugen's narrative. Skeptical of her claim that Mast had begged for death, Hallam questions the validity of her account, citing inconsistencies in her statements during interrogation. Particularly, he refutes her assertion that Mast had directed her hands onto his throat, deeming it logistically implausible.
In a recorded interrogation, Hallam challenges Haugen's professed motive, expressing disbelief in Mast's alleged desire for death. Haugen, undeterred, admits to a darker impulse lurking beneath the surface: "I kind of just wanted to kill someone with my bare hands, honestly."
Haugen's admission of guilt led to her conviction for deliberate homicide, resulting in a 60-year prison sentence in Yellowstone County, Montana. Despite the gravity of her crime, Haugen finds an unexpected source of support in Dori and Gene Greeson, Mast's mother and stepfather.
Guided by their deep-rooted Christian faith, the Greesons embarked on a journey of forgiveness, extending compassion to Haugen and forging an unlikely bond. Their regular visits to Montana State Women’s Prison and ongoing communication with Haugen via video chat serve as a testament to their unwavering commitment to grace and redemption, amidst the aftermath of tragedy.
Dori Greeson's unwavering forgiveness towards Lindsay stems from her deep-rooted faith and personal understanding of divine absolution. In her view, extending forgiveness to Haugen mirrors her own relationship with God, where she finds solace in the knowledge of her own forgiven sins.
Despite potential criticism from others who may perceive her compassion as misguided, Dori remains resolute in her belief that forgiveness is a testament to her faith rather than a betrayal of her son's memory.
Acknowledging the skepticism surrounding her forgiveness, Dori confronts the judgment of those who question her ability to forgive her son's killer. She understands that her actions may be perceived as unconventional, yet she remains steadfast in her conviction that forgiveness is a powerful act of grace and compassion.
For Haugen, maintaining a connection with the Greesons holds significant implications for her future. With her first parole hearing scheduled for 2030, the parole board's consideration of the victim's family's stance underscores the importance of their ongoing relationship.
Despite Detective Hallam's skepticism regarding Haugen's account of events, Gene Greeson emphasizes the profound impact of forgiveness, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the murder. For him, the details of the crime pale in comparison to the transformative power of forgiveness. Even if Haugen's actions were premeditated or fueled by malice, Gene maintains that forgiveness is paramount, emphasizing the importance of compassion and grace in the face of tragedy.
See Also: