She Wanted to Feel Pretty
(In Memory of Amber LeAnn Hess, 17-years-old, who had her life stolen from her on 6-25-2007)

He was her best friend
They played video games together
She trusted him
She wanted him to find her pretty
That's what made her a budding young woman

So she happily got ready
in her room
Her room...
....all soft purple and pink
and growing up with her
stuffed animals in a box
replaced with lip gloss
and cute sayings on stickers
as she dreamed of her date
and of being a woman

She was happy
looking forward to seeing,
to being,
with him

Taking hours
to straighten her hair
that's what's 'in' now, you know
and picking out just the right shoes
Will he think she is pretty?

Be back later, Mom
going with friends
to a movie

She wanted to feel pretty
and so she smiled
when she met up with him

Am I pretty?
She wanted to know...
Do you like me?

It was unspeakable
the evil
that he forced upon her
the horror of her last moments

Today, June 25, she wanted to feel pretty
but instead she felt frightened
and sad
and alone;
this can't be happening!

Goodbye, Mom, I'm sorry
I love you
Please, Mom, I don't want to be pretty anymore...
....I just want to be a little girl
once more
But I can't ever be that
again

Today she wanted to feel pretty

As for me?
I hope that he never sees
anything 'pretty' again

Amber LeAnn Hess. What a beautiful, beautiful smile!

Leave your thoughts and prayers for Amber LeAnn Hess here

Trial Updates: Sentencing & Sentencing

Her murderers:

Todd Hoke; inmate number 003128613 - Find him here and

Nicholas Castillo, inmate number 003137466 - Find him here

Glass Sipper Publications