BILLINGS, MT – Genna Rae LaCombe, a mother and artist known for filling her home with music and laughter, lost her life to a brutal act of violence in late August 2024. The 52-year-old’s legacy is now being mourned by her family and community, as the man responsible for her death faces decades behind bars.
Authorities discovered LaCombe’s body on the porch of a Billings residence after neighbors reported a persistent foul odor. Wrapped in blankets, towels, and a shower curtain, the grim scene that awaited police on August 24 shocked even the most seasoned investigators. Inside, they found Shane Levi Cole Roberts, LaCombe’s boyfriend, hiding in a closet with a dog nearby. He was taken into custody without incident.
An autopsy revealed the extent of LaCombe’s suffering. Medical examiners determined she endured multiple stab wounds, including a fatal injury that nearly severed her neck. Evidence at the scene, combined with photos found on Roberts’ phone, painted a harrowing timeline suggesting LaCombe’s body had gone unattended in the apartment for more than a week before its discovery.
Roberts, 46, pleaded guilty to deliberate homicide and was sentenced Friday to 85 years in prison, following an extensive four-hour hearing. Investigators recovered two bloodstained knives, a hatchet, and a hammer from the apartment. Photographs on Roberts’ phone, dated roughly nine days prior to the police response, depicted LaCombe in a bathtub, her body already showing signs of fatal wounds.
During the investigation, audio captured from a jail phone call linked Roberts directly to the homicide. Speaking to his mother from inside the Yellowstone County Jail, Roberts admitted to killing LaCombe, rationalizing his actions by claiming that she “pushed him too far.” The circumstances of the case led prosecutors and the defense to propose a 70-year sentence, but Judge Colette Davies increased the term by 15 years, emphasizing the gravity of the crime.
In court, the judge addressed Roberts directly, challenging his stated affections for LaCombe and reminding him that such violence was irreconcilable with genuine love.
LaCombe is remembered by her two sons and extended family as a devoted mother and a talented creator. According to her obituary, she had a passion for arts and crafts, with particular skills in painting and beading. LaCombe’s culinary talents were a source of comfort for those around her, and her homemade chicken noodle soup and pork chop chili became cherished family dishes.
Music, especially classic tunes from the 1980s, filled her home and sparked impromptu dance sessions, even if her sons occasionally protested. Loved ones have reflected on her warmth, sense of humor, and her desire to bring joy to everyday life.
The sentencing brings some measure of closure for LaCombe’s family. However, her absence has left a void in the lives of those who relied on her guidance, creativity, and love. Law enforcement and community members alike have expressed their condolences and support for her family as they navigate the aftermath of the tragedy.
Roberts will not be eligible for parole until serving a significant portion of his sentence, ensuring he will spend most—if not all—of his remaining life incarcerated for the murder of Genna Rae LaCombe.