Kind Mum Stabbed To Death In Her Bed After Selfless Act Of Compassion

Renee Pagel, 41, was recovering from surgery when she was ambushed by her ex

- Gail Shortland

It didn’t matter whether they were a loved one or a stranger, Renee Pagel would always help anyone who was struggling. It was one of the many reasons why everyone wanted to be friends with the compassionate mum-of-three who was “out to save the world”.

In 2006, Renee, 41, was working as a nurse practitioner at a local hospital and also taught as a health instructor at an education centre. Before starting a family, Renee had travelled abroad on medical missions, so no one was surprised she had followed a career that called for compassion. It was also what made her an attentive mum to her children – seven-year-old twins (a girl and a boy) and a threeyear-old daughter. They were her world.

Renee had split from her husband Michael and was in the middle of a difficult divorce. Michael wanted full custody of their children, which Renee would never agree to. She also told friends he had his sights set on getting their house in Courtland Township, Michigan, and alimony payments from her too. It had been playing on her mind as it was being argued out in court, and she confided in her loved ones that Michael’s increasing anger was worrying her.

The former couple were very different in their personalities. While popular Renee was outgoing and full of wit and conversation, Michael was known to be more reserved.

SELFLESS MUM

Despite everything she had going on, Renee still prioritised others. When she found out the dad of one of her students was suffering from kidney failure and needed a new organ, she offered to donate hers. Renee had lost her mum to the disease and knew how damaging it could be. The man was a virtual stranger, but that was typical of Renee.