On November 9th, 2005, the peaceful community of Robinson, Texas, was shaken by a chilling 911 call that would change everything. On the other end of the line was a frantic woman named Darlene Gentry, reporting that her husband had been shot inside their home. Her trembling voice conveyed panic and desperation, and police immediately rushed to the scene.
When authorities arrived, they found Keith Gentry, Darlene’s husband, clinging to life in their bed. There were no signs of forced entry—only an open back door, and a scene that looked disturbingly deliberate. What first appeared to be a home invasion soon began to unravel into something far darker.
Darlene and Keith Gentry’s story had started like a small-town fairy tale. Both born in 1974, they grew up in Texas and shared similar dreams of a simple, happy life. Darlene Doskasile was known for her charm and ambition, often described as radiant and disciplined—a young woman with big dreams. After high school, she attended Texas State Technical College, training as a dental assistant but hoping one day to become a nurse.
Keith Gentry, also from Robinson, was known for his quiet strength and steady personality. After studying drafting and welding at the same college, he built a career as an engineering assistant. When the two met, their connection was instant. Families from both sides admired their relationship, and soon, love blossomed into something serious.
However, things weren’t always perfect. The couple separated in 1997 over disagreements about marriage and the future, a decision that left both heartbroken. Darlene tried to start anew in Dallas but eventually returned home a year later, realizing what she truly wanted. When she and Keith reconnected, their love reignited, leading to their marriage in 1999.
Together, they built a comfortable life. Darlene pursued nursing while Keith worked hard to provide stability. The couple bought a home in Robinson and welcomed three sons—Chase, Cody, and Cade—between 2001 and 2005. To outsiders, they looked like the perfect family. But beneath the surface, cracks had begun to form.
Keith’s work often required him to travel, leaving Darlene to manage the home and their children alone. When Keith was home, he was exhausted, creating an imbalance in their relationship. To be more present, Keith accepted a lower-paying desk job, but this decision placed new financial strain on the family. Darlene’s spending habits didn’t change, and tension began to grow between them. Arguments became frequent, and although there was no talk of divorce, resentment was building.
Then came that fateful night. On November 9th, 2005, Darlene claimed she and Keith had argued about money. She said she chose to sleep in another room with their children, leaving Keith alone in their bedroom. Early that morning, she allegedly found him shot and the back door open. When detectives arrived, she told them guns were missing from the cabinet and that she suspected an intruder.
But as investigators pieced together the evidence, her story began to fall apart. There were no signs of forced entry, and the “missing” guns were later found hidden outside the house—something that appeared staged. Detectives also noticed that Darlene’s calm demeanor during the 911 call didn’t align with her claims of panic. Most disturbingly, despite being a trained nurse, she had made no attempt to help her wounded husband.
As suspicion grew, Darlene invoked her Fifth Amendment right during questioning. But the evidence kept stacking up. In a second search of the Gentry home, police found latex gloves containing a .222 caliber shell casing, traces of gunshot residue, and DNA from both Keith and Darlene. Investigators also discovered that Keith had a life insurance policy valued between $500,000 and $750,000, which raised a critical question—was this murder motivated by money?
Darlene was arrested for Keith’s murder but released on bond, posted by Keith’s own parents. Soon after, she approached a local landowner named Robert Pavevela, expressing interest in buying a property with a pond. Shortly after visiting, she oddly requested that the pond be filled. Pavevela found her behavior suspicious and alerted the authorities.
Police conducted a search of the pond and uncovered the murder weapon—a .222 caliber revolver. To confirm their suspicions, investigators set a trap. Working with Pavevela, they told Darlene the pond would be drained. She fell for it. Surveillance footage later captured her returning to the scene, attempting to retrieve the gun before authorities could find it. That footage sealed her fate.
During her five-day trial, prosecutors presented the evidence and surveillance video, which dismantled her defense entirely. On February 8th, 2007, the jury found Darlene Gentry guilty of first-degree murder, and she was sentenced to 60 years in prison. Prosecutors argued that her motive was both emotional and financial—an attempt to escape marital tension and gain from Keith’s insurance.
In 2017, Darlene’s request for a new trial was denied. She will be eligible for parole in 2037, but if denied, she will remain in prison until 2067. Meanwhile, her three sons were placed in the custody of Keith’s parents in 2010, with a restraining order preventing Darlene from contacting them.
Today, Keith Gentry is remembered not for the brutal way he died, but for the kind of man he was—a devoted husband, loving father, and loyal friend. His quiet strength, integrity, and love left a lasting mark on those who knew him. Though his life ended far too soon, his memory continues to live on in the hearts of his family and community, as a symbol of love and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
