48 Hours: "Who Wanted To Kill Nicki Lenway?"

CBS News | November 24, 2025

Overview

This episode of "48 Hours" investigates the shocking attempted murder of forensic scientist Nicki Lenway in Minneapolis. The story explores crime, domestic abuse, obsession, and control, unraveling the twisted relationship between Nicki, her ex-boyfriend and taekwondo instructor Tim Amacher, and his devoted student Colleen Larson. Correspondent Erin Moriarty walks listeners through a harrowing crime, the ensuing investigation, and the pursuit of justice and healing.

Main Discussion Points & Key Insights

1. The Shooting and Immediate Aftermath

• Nicki Lenway describes being ambushed and shot while picking up her son:
  • "I was shot at point blank range two times." (01:54, Nicki Lenway)
  • She recalls feeling blood from her neck and being unable to speak as bystanders rush to help.
• Witness accounts and bystander heroism:
  • Emily Clancy, a passerby, describes the chaos:
    • "I saw a person run up to another person. And then I heard two bangs and that other person collapsed...It maybe looked like a robbery or something. That was so fast." (03:26, Emily Clancy)
  • Clancy calls 911 and applies pressure to Nicki’s wounds, likely saving her life.

2. Initial Suspicions and Connections

• Potential motives and suspects:

  • As a forensic scientist, Nicki wonders if her work was the motive, but she ultimately suspects a personal connection.
  • "Whoever did that knows she was coming to pick up a kid." (04:06, Interviewer)
  • Nicki does not immediately recognize the masked shooter but senses the attacker is female.

• Attention on Tim Amacher (ex-partner and father of Nicki's son):

  • Tim is found at the parenting center with their son, claims ignorance, and suggests threats could be tied to Nicki’s police work.
  • He is depicted as a charismatic yet domineering figure, well-known in the local taekwondo community.

3. Tim Amacher and Colleen Larson: Background and Red Flags

• Tim’s influence and manipulative behaviors:
  • Former friends and partners describe Tim as controlling and a serial womanizer who has a significant psychological hold on women.
  • Nicki shares chilling abuse episodes:
    • "One night he threw me up against the wall, holding my neck." (16:38, Nicki)
    • "I packed my bags and I started walking out, and he pulled me back into the house by my ponytail and dragged me into the bedroom...I am done." (17:25, Nicki)
• Colleen Larson: Tim’s protégé and roommate:
  • Colleen is introduced as having idolized Tim since childhood, effectively serving as a devoted follower.

4. Escalating Conflict and Legal Warfare

• After their breakup, Nicki and Tim enter a lengthy, bitter court battle over their son, Callahan:

  • Tim allegedly weaponizes the legal system with a barrage of false allegations and attempts at custody.
  • "He reported Nicole to child protection services multiple times, accusing her and Donovan of physical and sexual abuse." (23:48, Correspondent)
  • "I had them [child services] in and out of my home for three years." (24:01, Nicki)

• The custody trial ends with Nicki receiving sole custody; Tim is granted supervised visitation only.

5. The Investigation: Unraveling the Conspiracy

• Digital evidence leads to a break:

  • Surveillance and digital trails (phones and truck Wi-Fi) reveal that Colleen drove Tim's black Dodge Ram (disguised by removing decals and license plates) to the crime scene.
  • "With phones, with cars—whatever you have, they're going to tell you the truth. Their records always tell you the truth." (31:41, FBI Agent Richard Fenner)

• Colleen is arrested and confesses, implicating Tim as the mastermind:

  • "Whose idea was it to shoot Nicole? Tim’s. So he asked you if you felt comfortable, would you shoot Nicole for him? Yes." (34:28, Police Interrogation Transcript)

6. The Trials and Sentencing

• Prosecution relies on circumstantial evidence and a history of abuse:
  • "There’s obviously no direct evidence of Tim…He has a rock solid alibi…The truck, the lies, those are all kind of circumstantial pieces that tie back to him." (36:05, Matthew Troiano, Defense Attorney)
• Jury quickly finds Tim Amacher guilty on all counts, including premeditated attempted murder and aiding an accomplice:
  • "He was found guilty...Guilty on all counts." (38:51, Correspondent)
  • Amacher is sentenced to 18 years in prison; Colleen Larson to 16.5 years after pleading guilty and accepting full responsibility.

7. Aftermath and Reflections

• Nicki’s Reaction:

  • She expresses lingering fear and trauma:
    • "I can still feel the burning sensation and the utter fear of not being able to speak or help myself. I truly thought I was dying that day...I still live in fear." (39:36, Nicki)
  • On Tim’s final courtroom remarks:
    • "Erratic. Blaming everybody else. He was the victim and this happened to him." (40:29, Nicki)

• Insight into Manipulation:

  • Interviews highlight the devastating psychological grip Tim held over both Nicki and Colleen.
  • "I think she wanted his approval and his love so badly that she would do anything. And she was in this delusional fantasy land where she thinks, you know, if I wasn't around, that they could run off into the sunset with Callahan and be a happy little family." (41:54, Nicki)

• Resilience and Progress:

  • Nicki’s new life with Donovan Ford, their growing family, and Callahan’s surprising resilience:
    • "He’s come out amazing. That’s a miracle, too. Just him being able to deal with all the stuff he’s been through and still be the kid he is." (45:22, Donovan Ford)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nicki’s clarity despite trauma:
  • "Someone wanted me dead...Honestly, it was a normal day." (02:13, Nicki)
• On surviving:
  • "It’s a miracle she’s alive. It’s a miracle if she wasn’t killed." (02:05, First Responder)
• Legal weaponization:
  • "The black belt's new weapon of choice was the legal system." (23:37, Correspondent)
• On the psychological aftermath:
  • "Do you think you’ll ever feel truly safe again? No...I think so." (43:43, Nicki)
• Colleen’s courtroom apology (through attorney):
  • "I accept all the consequences for my actions. I understand and want to atone for what I have done. A simple apology cannot cover the long term damages that I have caused." (41:19, Colleen Larson/attorney)
• Tim’s delusions:
  • "It appears that you have been promoting this false narrative about Ms. Ford for so long that you may actually believe it at this time." (40:47, Judge Sherene Ascolani)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Nicki describes the attack – 01:54–03:39
• First suspicions & Nicki’s police work – 03:45–04:13
• Domestic abuse history emerges – 16:38–17:25
• Legal harassment and custody war – 23:04–25:15
• Surveillance & tech evidence break case – 31:04–32:37
• Colleen Larson confesses, implicates Tim – 34:11–34:50
• Trial and verdict – 35:21–39:10
• Sentencing statements (Nicki/Tim/Colleen/Judge) – 39:17–41:34
• Nicki & Donovan, family resilience – 44:21–45:22

Tone

The episode maintains a serious, suspenseful, and empathetic tone, compassionate towards survivors but unrelenting in uncovering uncomfortable truths about manipulation and abuse. The narrative is rich in first-person accounts, legal breakdowns, and forensic insights, staying true to the immersive style "48 Hours" is known for.

Conclusion

"Who Wanted To Kill Nicki Lenway?" is a sprawling narrative of survival, control, and justice, showing how manipulation and obsession can turn deadly—and how digital breadcrumbs and determined detectives can unravel the truth. The episode emphasizes not only the legal outcome but also the long-term effects on Nicki and her family, offering insight into the resilience required to survive such trauma.