BILLINGS, MT – The quiet of a Billings neighborhood was shattered last August when authorities made a discovery that would haunt even the most seasoned investigators—a woman’s body, carefully shrouded in blankets and left on a porch, marking the grim end to a violent and deeply disturbing crime.
Last week, 46-year-old Shane Levi Cole Roberts was sentenced to 85 years behind bars for the murder of Genna Rae LaCombe, 52. Admitting guilt to deliberate homicide, Roberts will likely spend the remainder of his life in state prison after a sentencing that unfolded over several hours in Yellowstone County court.
The chain of events began when residents complained about a foul odor emanating from a neighboring apartment. Officers responding to the call found LaCombe’s remains wrapped in linens and a shower curtain. When they entered the home, they discovered Roberts concealed in a closet, accompanied by his dog, and quickly detained him.
According to investigators, the evidence at the scene was overwhelming. Detectives uncovered photos on Roberts’ phone documenting LaCombe’s bloodied body in a tub, captured more than a week before the body was found. The search revealed two blood-covered knives, a hatchet, and a hammer, all believed to have played a role in the attack.
A coroner later determined that LaCombe had suffered several stab wounds, one of which was so severe that it nearly severed her head. The brutal nature of the crime shocked even those familiar with the city’s darkest cases.
While in custody at the Yellowstone County Jail, Roberts spoke with his mother by phone, reportedly admitting to the killing and stating that LaCombe had “pushed him too far.” This admission, along with the physical evidence, left little ambiguity about the events leading up to LaCombe’s death.
The prosecution and defense had jointly recommended a 70-year prison sentence. However, District Court Judge Colette Davies extended the punishment by another 15 years, stressing the incomprehensible violence of the act and the irreversible impact on the victim’s family.
During sentencing, the court acknowledged the loss not only of a life, but of a person deeply cherished by those who knew her. LaCombe was remembered as a talented artist and a devoted mother of two. She enjoyed creating beaded jewelry, painting, and preparing home-cooked meals for her family. Her love of 1980s music often filled her home, with her sons reluctantly joining in on the dancing.
LaCombe’s death has left family, friends, and neighbors grappling with grief and unanswered questions. The lengthy prison term brings some measure of closure, but cannot erase the pain or restore what was lost.
As Roberts begins his sentence, the Billings community continues to reckon with the scars left by a crime that reverberates far beyond the confines of an apartment porch.