2014-10-10 Combs

Murder of Holly Elizabeth Combs

Holly Elizabeth Combs (1990 – October 11, 2014) as a 24-year-old woman from Ropesville, Texas, who was fatally stabbed by her husband, William Chet Stewart, at the 6th Street Saloon in Amarillo on October 10, 2014. Stewart pleaded guilty to murder in April 2015 and was sentenced to 50 years in prison.^[1]

Background

Holly Combs was 24

Holly Combs graduated from Frenship High School and was described by family as energetic and social. She had been living with Stewart, 35, for two years before they married shortly before her death. The couple resided in Ropesville. Combs never took Stewart's last name.

According to District Attorney records, Stewart was documented as affiliated with the Aryan Brotherhood and had multiple prior misdemeanor charges including assault and theft. He was imprisoned in 2005 for possession of a controlled substance and again in 2009 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.^[2]

Incident

In the days leading up to the stabbing, the couple had been arguing, and Stewart believed Combs was going to leave him. On the night of October 10, 2014, they drove to Amarillo to meet friends at the 6th Street Saloon, located at 609 S. Independence. Witnesses described Combs as appearing upset that evening.

At one point during the evening, Stewart stood up from his seat and stabbed Combs once in the neck with a knife. He then removed the knife, walked out of the bar, and drove away. The stab wound severed several major arteries and veins down to the spine, causing massive blood loss so severe it resulted in brain death.

Some witnesses with first aid training attempted to treat Combs until EMS arrived. She was transported by ambulance to a local hospital but died at 10:52 a.m. on October 11, 2014—approximately 12 hours after the stabbing. Justice of the Peace Nancy Bosquez ordered an autopsy to be performed in Lubbock.

Arrest and Confession

William Chet Stewart, 35 (Source: NewsChannel 10)

After leaving the bar, Stewart drove to a friend's house and confessed that he had stabbed Combs. The friend took the weapon from him, convinced him to turn himself in, and drove him to the Randall County Sheriff's Office, where he admitted his guilt. He was later transported to the Amarillo Police Department, where he again confessed to detectives.

Stewart was initially charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Following Combs' death, he was charged with murder and booked into the Potter County Correction Center. Bond was set at $1 million.

Plea and Sentencing

On April 14, 2015, Stewart pleaded guilty to murder in the 47th District Court. According to the 47th District Attorney's Office, he received an agreed punishment of 50 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He must serve 25 years day-for-day before becoming eligible for parole. Stewart also waived all appellate rights. Members of Combs' family were present in court for the plea.^[3]

Family Response

Combs' family expressed profound grief and anger following her death. Her father, Chip Combs, said he initially believed she would survive but realized the severity upon arriving in Amarillo. Her brother, Gene Combs, described the family's protectiveness of Holly and their anguish at not being there when she needed them.

Her stepmother, Alice Combs, said the family had noticed red flags in Stewart's behavior early on, including past incidents of abuse. She recalled that Holly began acting differently after becoming involved with him.

The family said they planned to use Holly's death to raise awareness about domestic violence. "If we can save one woman's life by her death, we'll have done something," Chip Combs said.

Memorials

A funeral service for Combs was held at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. A second memorial was held at West Hills Park in Amarillo. A Facebook memorial page was created in her memory, and donations were accepted to the Holly Combs Memorial Fund at Platinum Bank on South Loop and Slide.