In a shocking domestic incident that has gripped Minnesota, estranged couple Brock and Lee Orwig find themselves at the center of a violent altercation that left Brock hospitalized with a butcher knife lodged in his back. The details surrounding the attack are as twisted as the knife itself, with both parties presenting conflicting narratives that raise more questions than answers.
On the morning of November 6, Lee Orwig called 911, claiming she had been viciously attacked in her home by an unknown assailant. As police arrived, they discovered Lee bloodied and battered, while her ex-husband Brock lay face down in the garage, a butcher knife protruding from his back.
Lee alleges that Brock entered her home, attacked her with a 2×4, and then attempted to kill her with the knife. “If I don’t play dead, I’m going to die,” she recounted, describing a harrowing struggle for survival. Meanwhile, Brock insists that Lee was the aggressor, claiming he was merely defending himself when he was stabbed.
The police investigation quickly unraveled the couple’s stories, revealing a chaotic scene filled with evidence suggesting premeditated violence. Detectives found items that seemed to support Lee’s account, including ropes and a 2×4 matching the one she described. However, the absence of Brock’s DNA on key evidence raised eyebrows about his version of events.

As the case unfolded, a hand-drawn map and a list of items found in Brock’s jacket were described as a “murder to-do list.” This led investigators to theorize that he may have staged the scene to appear as a victim.
With over 300 pieces of evidence collected, police painted a picture of a domestic feud spiraling into violence. Both Lee and Brock had spent years in family court battling over custody and finances, with accusations flying in both directions.

In a dramatic twist, the jury ultimately found Brock not guilty of attempted murder but convicted him of second-degree assault for his role in the attack on Lee. He was sentenced to three years in prison, serving two before being released on parole.
Lee, still reeling from the trauma, expressed frustration at the outcome, feeling that Brock had escaped the full consequences of his actions. “He should have been in prison for a lot longer for what he did,” she stated, emphasizing the lasting impact of the violence on her life.
Brock, now a free man, claims he wants to move on, but the scars of that fateful morning linger for both. “I just want to be defined by who I am now, not what happened,” he said, as Lee continues to live in fear, haunted by the memories of the attack.
This case serves as a grim reminder of the complexities of domestic violence and the blurred lines between victim and aggressor. As both parties navigate the aftermath, the community is left to grapple with the chilling reality of their fractured relationship.
