Breann and Kayli Lasley On September 23, 2015, a man entered the window of a Salt Lake City home where sisters Breann and Kayli Lasley were living. Breann was texting a message and listening to music at midnight, when she heard a man say, “Hey, girl, I’m coming in. Cooperate with me.” Breann told him, “You’re not going to get what you want.” She ran to the window and tried pushing him back out. It was too late. Breann realized he was going to rape her. He told her, “Shut up and cooperate or I’m going to go rape your little sister.” Breann realized he’d been stalking their home and proceeded to fight the man. Kayli later reported, “I knew from her screams it was something terrible.” Kaylie ran upstairs, rushed the man, and hit him. The attacker, Robert Berger, threw Kayli down the stairs. He attempted to throw Breann down the stairs, but she clung to his shirt, and they tumbled down the stairs together. As the fight continues, Breann yells, “Siri call 911.” Siri responds, “I don’t understand.” Berger draws a knife and begins stabbing Breann. Robert Berger had walked away from the Fortitude Treatment Center the day before. The Treatment Center was supposed to have “tight restrictions” for checking people in and out. It turns out the system was leaving a post-it note. Berger had an extensive criminal history, including arrests for aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping. Berger had served 14 years in prison and had violated probation numerous times. Kayli called 911, three times, each connecting with an operator. Kayli is heard desperately pleading “Help us please! Help us, he’s going to kill us. Help us, please!” No officer was dispatched to the home. Priority Dispatch, the company who took the 911 calls, would say later the dispatcher was waiting for them to confirm their address. In one of the recordings of the calls, Kayli can be heard saying, “I’ll give you anything you want! What do you want?” The dispatcher responds, “Hello?” Kayli screams, “He’s stabbing my sister! He’s stabbing her!” Kayli and Breann Realizing they are both about to be murdered, Breann tells Kayli to leave. Kayli runs into the street and starts yelling, “Help!” Patrol Officer Ben Hone had been attending to a break-in down the street. He hears Kayli and responds. Kayli tells the officer her sister is being stabbed to death in their basement. Ben Hone rushes to her aid. Breann Lasley Berger held Breann in front of him and stabbed her. Breann said she realized that there was no way the officer could shoot the man without shooting her. When Berger raised his arm to stab her hard, Officer Ben Hone fired a shot from 12 feet away in the dark. He hit Berger in the face, immediately killing him. Breann had to peel his dead body off of her. Bre Lasley, right, and Kayli Lasley, left, with police officer Ben Hone, who saved them from an attempted murder on Sept. 23, 2015. Doctors were amazed that every stab wound missed Breann’s vital organs. Breann had been on blood thinners for 3 years. Four weeks before this incident, her doctor took her off blood thinners. “If we didn’t fight back, we’d be dead.” Breann Lasley Following the incident Breann slept on her parents’ couch during the day and her father or brother would stay up with her at night. She was further traumatized to learn no officer was ever dispatched in response to the 911 calls while she fought for her life. In 2019, Breann Lasley sued the Priority Dispatch company. Breann asked for $300,000 to compensate for physical and emotional pain, medical costs, diminished job earnings and quality of life. Breann stated, “I’m still here. I’m standing. It’s a little empowering, but it’s terrifying too.” Breean with Kayli resting at her side at the hospital. Bre stated about the Officer Hone, “I never loved anyone more.” Bre Lasley started Fight Like Girls to help raise awareness that self-defense is just as much a mental, emotional and spiritual mindset as it is physical preparation. Thank you, Breean and Kayli Lasley for truly being warriors and for being a great example of love for family. Thank you, Ben Hone for being a great officer; for putting your life on the line and being willing to take a risk, to save another. And thanks for listening. Frank Monday, March 28, 2022, Forensic Psychologist, Frank Weber will be interviewed by Mark Anthony and Patty Wicken from 9:30 to 9:45 on KXRA 1490 A.M. regarding his forensic work and writing of True Crime. On Tuesday, March 3, Frank will be speaking, and demonstrating a lie detector test, at the Broadway Ballroom in Alexandria, at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This is the Kiwanis 100 year celebration in Alexandria. The event is free and open to the public. Tuesday, March 29, 2022, Frank will be speaking at the Kiwanis 100-year celebration 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Broadway Ballroom at 115 30th Avenue East, Alexandria, Minnesota, 56308. Frank will sign and sell books both prior to speaking and after speaking. He will demonstrate a lie detector test (volunteer a friend), and share what they get right and wrong in shows and movies. This is a free event and the public is invited! Author and forensic psychologist Frank Weber will be the presenting author for a virtual “Brown Bag” author visit on Monday, April 4, 2022, 12 noon to 1 pm. Frank will present on his latest book, Burning Bridges, an incredible true crime mystery centered around a Bemidji State College student’s search for her biological father which leads to the examination of the life and demise of a psychopath in central Minnesota. Frank will also speak about new forensic techniques and the writing of True Crime as a genre, and what they get wrong on crime shows and movies. This will be a virtual event, presented live from the Friends of the Brainerd Public Library Facebook page.
2 Comments
10/13/2022 12:08:33 pm
Breann said she realized that there was no way the officer could shoot the man without shooting her. Thank you, amazing post!
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10/13/2022 01:46:32 pm
Bre Lasley is an amazing person! Thank you for your response.
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AuthorFrank F. Weber is a forensic psychologist specializing in homicide and sexual and physical assault cases. He uses his unique understanding of how predator’s think, knowledge of victim trauma, actual court cases, and passion for writing true crime thrillers. His Award Winning books include "Murder Book" (2017) "The I-94 Murders" (2018) "Last Call" (2019) and "Lying Close" (September 2020). Archives
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