Aasha Davis is best known for her role as Waverly Grady on Friday Night Lights and starring opposite Adepero Oduye in the critically acclaimed indie film Pariah. However on tonight’s episode of NBC’s Dateline, the actress shares a very personal story, that concludes with the conviction of her brother-in-law, for her sister’s murder.
Four years ago Davis was on the rise in Hollywood with roles in Gilmore Girls, Grey’s Anatomy and ER… then tragedy stuck. Davis’ 46-year-old sister, Lesley Herring, went missing after a fight with her husband Lyle Herring. Davis reported her sister missing after she failed to show up for work, as her husband neglected to do so.
Davis continued to search for her missing sister on her own and then with the help of the LAPD. In 2010 Herring was arrested, for murdering his wife, nearly 15-months after her disappearance. April 8, Herring was convicted of second-degree murder.
“I’m telling you my darkest secrets because I think it’s gonna help someone,” Davis says on Dateline. “I think someone’s gonna say, ‘You know, she’s an actress. And they supposedly have it all.’ But everyone has a hard time. Everyone’s life can be difficult. And it’s okay to talk about it.”
Lesley Herring’s body has never been found, but Davis’ family now has a sense of closure, and plans to proceed in celebrating Lesley’s life in a private memorial service.
To hear Davis’ heart-wrenching story tune into Dateline at 8/7C tonight on NBC.