On the morning of November 9, 2005, the quiet town of Robinson, Texas, just south of Waco, was shaken by a chilling emergency call that would expose a tragic story of love, betrayal, and murder.

The call came from Darlene Gentry, whose panicked report of her husband Keith lying wounded and bleeding in their home marked the beginning of an investigation that would captivate the community and ultimately reveal a dark secret behind a seemingly perfect family.

Darlene Doskasile was born on November 2, 1974, the middle daughter in a devoted family. From a young age, she was known for her radiant smile, blonde hair, and warm personality.

Growing up in central Texas, Darlene was admired by peers and teachers alike, earning the nickname “Texas Beauty Queen” despite never holding an official title.

She was active in school events, voted prom queen, and participated in the flag corps.

Ambitious and disciplined, she graduated from Yo High School in Cameron in 1993 and enrolled at Texas State Technical College in Waco, initially pursuing dental assisting with plans to become a nurse.

 

Keith Gentry, born September 2, 1974, in Waco, grew up in Robinson with a strong sense of family and community. Known for his quiet strength and reliability, Keith was not flashy but earned respect for his dependability.

He attended Robinson High School and later Texas State Technical College, studying drafting and welding.

Keith secured a stable job as an engineering assistant at a local utility company and was viewed by friends and family as a dedicated family man.

 

Keith and Darlene met during their college years, and their connection was immediate and intense.

Their families quickly embraced their relationship, anticipating marriage. However, by 1997, after graduation, their paths diverged.

Darlene quietly hoped for a proposal, but Keith was not ready for marriage or cohabitation.

This mismatch led to a painful breakup that left both deeply hurt.

Darlene moved to Dallas, returning to dental work, but urban life proved difficult. After about a year, she returned home, and fate brought the couple back together.

In 1999, Keith proposed, and soon after, they married, purchasing their first home and beginning the life they had once dreamed of.

 

Despite the happy reunion, Darlene realized her true passion was nursing and returned to school to pursue her degree.

Keith supported her ambitions, and by the early 2000s, the couple seemed settled in Robinson, living next door to Keith’s parents.

They enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle with two stable incomes, raising three sons: Chase (born 2001), Cody (2004), and Cade (2005).

 

Though appearing to be the ideal family, challenges simmered beneath the surface. Keith’s job frequently required travel, leaving Darlene to manage the household and children largely on her own.

Even when Keith was home, exhaustion from work limited his participation in parenting.

Eventually, Keith switched to a lower-paying desk job to be closer to home, a sacrifice that strained their finances and left him feeling trapped and unfulfilled.

Meanwhile, Darlene maintained a pristine home and social life, continuing to spend beyond their means, which fueled frequent arguments over money.

Friends and relatives noticed growing tension and emotional distance between the couple, though neither appeared to consider divorce.

At 6:11 a.m.on November 9, 2005, Darlene called 911 with a disturbing report.

She said the back door of their home was wide open, and Keith was lying in bed, covered in blood and barely breathing, with pink foam bubbling from his mouth—a sign of severe trauma.

She claimed she had not slept beside Keith that night, instead taking their youngest son into another room to help him settle.

She said she awoke around 6 a.m., discovered the open door, and found her husband gravely wounded.

 

Paramedics arrived quickly and rushed Keith to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco, where he was placed on life support.

Despite medical efforts, Keith never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead two days later.

A homicide investigation began immediately, focusing on the only other adult present that night—Darlene.

 

Darlene told police that the night had started uneventfully. She had gone out for dinner and drinks with friends, returning home around 8:30 p.m.

She described an argument with Keith over a restaurant receipt she believed reflected reckless spending amid financial difficulties.

After leaving the house to cool off, she returned, apologized, and attempted to move past the disagreement.

She said she stayed with the children to settle their youngest son, woke briefly to hear the dog bark, and then found Keith shot and unresponsive.

 

Her account described a chilling home invasion: someone had broken in, shot Keith, and stolen guns from a locked cabinet. However, investigators found troubling inconsistencies.

Forensic evidence indicated the shooting occurred earlier than 6 a.m., making it unlikely Darlene could have slept through it.

 

Several guns allegedly stolen were found neatly placed outside the house, suggesting staging rather than a hurried theft.

Only Keith and Darlene had access to the gun cabinet, raising questions about the supposed intruder.

Furthermore, Darlene, a trained nurse, made no attempt to administer aid or check for signs of life before paramedics arrived.

Her 911 call was calm and composed, lacking the panic expected in such a crisis. During police questioning, she invoked her Fifth Amendment right and requested a lawyer, halting the interview.

Despite claiming innocence and love for her husband, the gaps in her story deepened suspicion.

 

A search of the Gentry home revealed no forced entry, contradicting the home invasion narrative.

Investigators found latex gloves in the kitchen trash containing gunshot residue and DNA linked only to Keith and Darlene.

A motive emerged: Keith had a life insurance policy worth up to $750,000, a tempting sum for a couple under financial strain.

 

On November 28, 2005, Darlene was arrested and charged with murder. Despite the arrest, Keith’s parents posted bail, standing by her as the mother of their grandchildren.

 

Shortly after her release, Darlene contacted a local landowner, Robert Pavevela, expressing interest in a rural property with a pond she said reminded her of Keith’s dream to take their sons fishing.

Weeks later, she asked him to fill in the pond, a sudden and suspicious change of heart.

Pavevela alerted authorities, who searched the pond and found a .222 caliber revolver—the murder weapon.

Authorities enlisted Pavevela’s help to set a trap. Pretending to prepare to drain the pond, he informed Darlene, who remained calm and agreed.

The next day, surveillance caught her entering the pond and probing the area where the gun had been hidden, providing damning evidence.

 

Darlene’s trial in February 2007 lasted five days. The prosecution’s case centered on the surveillance video, the gloves with residue, the staged burglary, and conflicting timelines.

The defense called no witnesses during the guilt phase, relying on cross-examinations and procedural arguments. The evidence was overwhelming.

 

On February 8, 2007, Darlene Gentry was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 60 years in prison.

Prosecutors argued her motive was both emotional and financial: a desire to escape her marriage and secure the life insurance payout.

 

Darlene has maintained her innocence but remains incarcerated at the Lane Murray Unit in Gatesville, Texas.

Her request for a new trial was denied in 2017. She will be eligible for parole in 2037 but could serve until 2067 if denied.

 

In 2010, custody of the three Gentry boys was permanently granted to Keith’s parents, with a restraining order preventing Darlene from contacting her sons. She has not spoken to them since.

 

Keith Gentry is remembered not for the tragic way his life ended but for the devoted father, loyal husband, and hardworking provider he was.

His legacy endures in the hearts of family and friends and in the lives of his sons.

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