Chasity Pasley, one of the two women implicated in the concealment of the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998, found herself entangled in a web of deception and later embarked on a journey of personal transformation. After serving her prison sentence, what became of her?

Early Life and Background

Born on October 4, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Chasity Pasley was the daughter of Rodney Pasley and Linda Larsen. Her path crossed with Russell Henderson’s during their time at Laramie High School in Wyoming, which led to a romantic relationship. This connection would prove pivotal in the tragic events that followed when Pasley was just 20 years old.

Role in the Matthew Shepard Case

The fateful night of October 6, 1998, saw Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney meet Matthew Shepard at a Laramie bar. Pretending to be gay, they offered Shepard a ride home, but their true intentions were malevolent. They robbed, assaulted, and subjected Shepard to torture before leaving him tied to a fence, exposed to the cold. Shepard was discovered 18 hours later by a passing cyclist, initially mistaken for a scarecrow, and transported to a hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he succumbed to his injuries six days later.

Henderson and McKinney were promptly apprehended after getting into an altercation with two Hispanic men. Incriminating evidence, including Shepard’s belongings and a bloodstained weapon, was found in their possession. Blood on their clothing and hands further linked them to the crime. During interrogations, they confessed and implicated their girlfriends, Chasity Pasley and Kristen Price.

Pasley and Price faced charges of being accessories after the fact, as they had assisted their boyfriends in attempting to evade justice. They admitted to disposing of the bloody evidence and initially providing false statements to the police, claiming ignorance regarding the motive and extent of Shepard’s injuries. In exchange for a reduced sentence, Pasley pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact, and she was sentenced to 18 months in prison, serving six months before her release in April 1999.

Life After Prison

Following her release, Pasley returned to Salt Lake City, where she resided with her mother and stepfather. She adopted the name Chasity Vera Haines as she endeavored to rebuild her life. She pursued education and earned a degree from Stevens Henager College, subsequently working in the field of education. Her role as Dean of Students at Utah Career College allowed her to make a positive impact on numerous students’ lives.

Pasley found love and happiness when she married Randy Haines, and together they welcomed their son, Ashton Lemar Nephi Haines, on August 13, 2008. She cherished her time with family and friends, known for her radiant personality and captivating smile.

Death

Sadly, Chasity Pasley Haines passed away on October 10, 2017, at the age of 39. The specific cause of her death was not publicly disclosed. She left behind her son Ashton, her mother Linda (Candy), her father Rodney (Donna), her sister Angela (Sylvester), her brother Andrew, her sister Vera Pasley, and numerous other relatives.

A memorial celebration of her life was held on October 18, 2017, at the Elm Creek Ward in West Jordan, Utah. Her obituary reflected that “heaven has gained an angel to watch over her loved ones.”

Conclusion

Chasity Pasley’s life unfolded as a tale of tragedy, redemption, and enigma. She became ensnared in one of the most infamous hate crimes in American history but later sought to make amends for her actions. She grappled with public scrutiny yet managed to find love and happiness. Her life was cut short, but her legacy lives on through the positive impact she had on others.

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