The Friendship
Michele Comer (Johnson) was one of Sherry’s closest friends. They were roommates and co-workers for many years, and Michele often described Sherry as funny, warm, and deeply committed to her dream of starting a family. Their relationship, however, fractured in the months before the murder.

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The Hot Tub Incident
The breaking point came during a house party Michele hosted. That night, Sherry’s husband Don had fallen asleep on the couch while Sherry joined Michele’s husband Bob in the hot tub. From the upstairs deck, Michele saw them together and shouted down. The scene spiraled into violence,  Bob flew into a rage and choked Michele against a wall. Don awoke in the chaos, and both he and Sherry left the house immediately.

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Crossing Paths With Al
Michele recalled only one brief encounter with Al Barnett. She and Sherry were out in Springfield when Al walked into the same establishment. It was a short interaction, though Michele noted that Don and Bob spent time talking that night. Bob later accused her of being with another man, and when Michele confronted him about Sherry wanting to “come clean” about the hot tub night, Bob denied any affair with Sherry, instead claiming it was with her friend Chris, who also knew Sherry.

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After the Murder
Years after Sherry’s killing, Michele came forward with new information. She told investigators the composite sketch of the gunman resembled Bob and shared a series of violent stories about him, painting a picture of a man with a history of anger and aggression. Michele remained in contact with Sherry’s family and contributed to the investigation.

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Lingering Questions
Yet not everything Michele shared lined up cleanly. Some of her stories seemed inconsistent or partial, raising questions about what she truly remembered and what may have been blurred by time and trauma. Even so, Michele’s voice has been an enduring part of Sherry’s story, both as her best friend and as someone who witnessed firsthand some of the volatility surrounding her life.