The Murders of Joshua Niles and Amber Washburn

In October of 2018, Josh Niles and Amber Washburn were going through their day as they normally did. Amber had been out of the house, and when she returned to their home found Josh talking to a man in their driveway … Suddenly, the man pulled out a gun and opened fire, tragically killing both of them. As news spread quickly through their small upstate NY town, family and friends were heartbroken as they found out that Josh and Amber were victims in the shooting. The investigation that followed took many twists and turns before detectives finally found the shooter, and the person who set the wheels in motion in this murder plot.

This is a brief summary of this case. For a full breakdown and in depth look, watch the video above!

Josh Niles, born in 1990, grew up in a large, tight-knit family in Sodus, NY. Protective and hardworking, Josh started dating Charlene Albert in high school. They had two children, Gabby and Bentley, but their relationship ended in 2012 due to strain from parenting young. Charlene moved to Texas, remarried, and had another child, while Josh met Amber Washburn in New York in 2013. Amber and Josh fell in love and blended their families seamlessly, with Amber caring for Gabby and Bentley as her own. In 2014, Josh and Amber had a son, Josh Jr., and began building a life together.

By 2018, Josh gained custody of Gabby and Bentley due to allegations of abuse against Charlene’s new husband, Tim Dean, a former police chief. This enraged Charlene, who fought to regain custody.

On October 22, 2018, Josh and Amber were murdered outside their home in Sodus. A neighbor witnessed the attack: Josh was shot multiple times, and Amber was fatally shot while trying to flee. Their 4-year-old son, Josh Jr., survived in the car.

Investigators suspected Tim Dean, given his custody battle with Josh and violent past. Tim had driven from Texas to New York, heavily armed, shortly before the murders. Evidence linked him to the crime scene, including witness statements, surveillance footage, and car rental records. Tim’s friend and accomplice, Bron Bohlar, confessed to renting a car for him under false pretenses. Charlene was also questioned, as she helped Tim rent a second car and was suspected of knowing about the murder plan.

Tim Dean was arrested and later convicted of the murders. The case highlighted the devastating consequences of custody disputes and domestic turmoil.