Cheating lovers lured hero husband to his death

Chacey Poynter knew time was running out on her marriage and she had to act fast in order to get what she wanted

- GAIL SHORTLAND

Gentle giant Robert Poynter was regarded as a hero. The veteran firefighter was retired, but he'd saved so many lives and everyone still turned to him for help.

Robert, 47, had spent 19 years fighting blazes while based at the University Park firehouse near Dallas and eventually became a captain. He'd earned the respect of his crew with his physical strength, but also with his gentle ability for comforting traumatised children at the scenes. Robert had been active in the community and had gone to Louisiana in 2005 to help search for survivors in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Robert had been happily married to his first wife and had two daughters, but then he met Chacey Morman. At the time, Chacey was 20- 18 years his junior - and he was captivated by the assistant nurse, who pursued Robert until he eventually left his wife for her. The couple married in 2009 and settled in Royce City, Texas, with their daughter. Chacey, now Poynter, worked at a dental office and ran a cake business.

By 2016, Robert was retired, and his seven-year marriage to Poynter was in trouble. Robert confided in friends that he had considered divorce and that Poynter, then 29, had been unfaithful with multiple men. He'd even installed a security camera at one point and had caught Poynter with one of her lovers

When friends and family suggested that Robert leave his wife, he seemed reluctant. With one divorce already behind him and a potential custody battle ahead for his six-year-old daughter, Robert wanted to make it work. The couple even went on a holiday to Mexico that August.

STRANGER IN THE SHADOWS

On September 9, around 10.40pm, Poynter called 911 in distress from a remote country road. She said a tall, darkly dressed man had come out of nowhere and had shot her husband as he sat in her jeep.