'Worst Roommate Ever' Season 2: Michael Lee Dudley and the grisly aftermath of fatal shooting
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: 'Worst Roommate Ever' Season 2 explored a horrifying Seattle double murder of couple Austin Wenner and Jessica Lewis by their landlord, Michael Lee Dudley in an episode titled 'The Lethal Landlord'. Michael had disposed of the couple's body and a bunch of TikTok users discovered the body in 2020.
The TikTokers were randomly exploring the beach when they found a suitcase filled with the remains of Austin and Jessica. The whole discovery was notably recorded on camera. The video soon went viral on social media and the police launched an investigation immediately.
Michael was arrested on August 19, 2020, more than two months after the double homicide. He was charged with two counts of second-degree murder. He was found guilty and convicted of the charges against him on December 8, 2020. However, Michael notably maintained his innocence throughout the trial. He claimed that he mistakenly fired the gunshot that was not aimed at anybody.
Despite his claims, Michael received a 46-year imprisonment sentence on April 7, 2023. The investigation revealed that he shot Austin and Jessica because of unpaid rent but Michael didn't admit to the crime. Michael is currently serving his sentence at Washington State Penitentiary. He won't be eligible for parole until age 104.
Who is Michael Lee Dudley?
Michael Lee Dudley originally hails from Ashland, Oregon but was living in Seattle at the time of his arrest. He studied undergraduate in Computer Science at the University of Oregon. Mickel later pursued a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Minors in Computer Science and Economic History from Southern Oregon University.
Michael moved to California and completed a course on Telecommunications Management from Golden Gate University. He kicked off his professional career as a Unix Administrator at Weyerhaeuser Company in September 1996. Michael earned his life-changing opportunity in 2007 when he was offered a Consultant job at AT&T.
Michael also owned SANexpert and ran the company from 2002 to December 2019. He returned to AT&T as a part-time Data Center Engineer. Before his double murder case, Michael was convicted of other felonies including VUCSA, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, taking a vehicle for temporary use, vehicle theft, and DUI in Oregon.
What happened to Austin Wenner and Jessica Lewis?
'Worst Roommate Ever' Season 2 victims Austin Wenner and Jessica Lewis had been in a relationship for years and living together. They were struggling with drugs and homeless. Austin's aunt introduced the couple to Michael Lee Dudley and helped them get the rented place.
Michael had an Airbnb and Austin's aunt was living with him on his trailer. Austin and Jessica moved to Michael's place around October 2019. The couple used to steal for Michael to have a permanent shelter. However, Austin and Jessica suddenly went missing soon after they saw Michael killing a dog. Austin's mother called Michael and she got to know that they had moved out from the house leaving a huge mess.
However, the police received a 911 call from Michael's neighbors who claimed to have someone screaming for help. Michael reportedly got into a heated argument with Austin and Jessica over unpaid rent on June 9, 2020. The investigation exposed that Michael fired gunshots at the couple while Austin begged for his life.
Michael later dismembered Austin and Jessica's bodies and stuffed them into suitcases before throwing them into different water bodies, including on Alki Beach and off of Duwamish River. Jessica's body parts were recovered in the suitcase, meanwhile, Austin's half of the remains were found in a remote forested area east of Seattle in August 2023.
Austin Wenner's mom wants Michael Lee Dudley to live in prison forever
Austin Wenner's mother Charleen Kriens broke down in tears after her son Austin Wenner and his partner Jessica Lewis finally got justice. She was joyful after the jury served 46 years of imprisonment to 63-year-old Michael and claimed that he had messed with the wrong family.
Austin's mother was not ready to forgive Michael and said during the sentencing hearing, "On June 9th, Michael Dudley made the choice to kill, dismember, and dispose of my son and Jessica’s bodies, changing our lives forever." Charleen said Michael deserved to be punished to the fullest extent of the law without the possibility of parole and deserved to spend the rest of his life without freedom, without free will.
'Worst Roommate Ever' Season 2 is available to stream on Netflix now