Kentucky Man Learns His Fate After He Fatally Shot Girlfriend, 20, in the Face with a ‘Special’ Bullet

A Lewis County jury has convicted 23-year-old Damien Hebbeler for the 2023 murder of his girlfriend, Kylie Weitz, following a trial that revealed the defendant used a “special bullet” he reportedly carried at all times to commit the crime.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced the verdict Tuesday, noting that the jury has recommended a 50-year prison sentence for Hebbeler. The conviction concludes a case that began on August 9, 2023, at a residence in Garrison, Kentucky, where the 20-year-old victim was shot at close range.

The case initially drew scrutiny when a 911 caller reported that Weitz had accidentally shot herself. However, Kentucky State Police (KSP) investigators quickly identified inconsistencies in the story. Hebbeler was arrested within hours of the shooting.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Hebbeler intentionally pointed a loaded pistol at Weitz’s face and pulled the trigger. Chilling testimony revealed that Hebbeler carried a specific round of ammunition—which he referred to as his “special bullet”—that he eventually used to kill the victim.

KSP investigators uncovered further evidence of intent during the proceedings. Records indicated that less than a year before the fatal encounter, Hebbeler made multiple statements expressing a desire to kill Weitz.

Attorney General Coleman emphasized the calculated nature of the crime in a post-verdict statement. “Today’s jury verdict delivers hard-won justice and affirms that Kylie Marie Weitz’s life mattered,” Coleman said. “In Kentucky, we take domestic violence crimes seriously, and we will continue to hold offenders accountable.”

Kylie Marie Weitz was a lifeguard and waitress known in her community for her passion for sports and cheerleading. Family members and friends remembered her in her obituary as a “loving sister” and a young woman with a “heart bigger than anyone.”

Hebbeler remains in custody pending his formal sentencing, which is scheduled for June 5. The recommended 50-year term reflects the jury’s determination of the severity of the intentional murder.