Heather

Heather Holm was a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent and behavioral analyst, her last assignment was with the Los Angeles Violent Crime Unit, at the time of her death she was assigned to the Los Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on Violent Gangs.

## Early Life

Heather Mae Holm was born on February 10 1989 to Rachel and Michael, both members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). Michael was born in 1938 and had 3 wives (at the time) and 35 children, Heather was his 29th child overall and second of 8 children to Rachel. Despite Michael being the father of Rachel's 8 children, he forced her to list his business partner Jake Holm as their father to avoid legal scrutiny, as such despite having two parents who are Barlow's, Heather and her siblings were listed with the surname Holm. Heather had a moderately privileged childhood due to her father's status and familial connections, her mother was generally a loving and caring mother who rarely physically disciplined her children, and her father though often absent was always an involved father who generally seemed to care for his wives and children. Heather along with her older sister Leah (b 1977) were very close and were both their father's favorite children due to their generally good behavior and seemingly devout beliefs in the family's religion. Heather was also close to her older brother, Thomas (b 1984) who would often look out for her and encourage her to do things she enjoyed such as exploring in town and climbing on things, Rachel generally didn't approve of Heather's behavior, but Michael tolerated it, and to an extent even appreciated Heather's spirited and independent nature.

Heather and Leah were virtually inseparable and Heather often assisted Leah in babysitting her younger siblings, a task both of them excelled at due to their caring and attentive nature, Heather always assumed she'd get married and be a mother someday but was never really sure she wanted to and dreamed of being an explorer but kept her feelings to herself. Heather did well in school and enjoyed learning, she also spent hours talking to mothers Lisa and Ruth about the family's history and their ancestry which dated back to pioneer times, both Lisa and Ruth appreciated Heather's interest in family and traditions and believed she was a true believer in their practices. Despite being Heather's birth mother, Rachel never really got along well with Heather, Heather did however get along well with Lisa. However later on as Heather got older, Rachel came to rely on her to help her with her younger children when she couldn't cope and appreciated how despite her earlier mistreatment of Heather, that Heather genuinely cared about her and never held it against her, Heather had understood her mother's psychological issues and knew that her mistreatment wasn't intentional. In later years Heather became the only one of her kids that Rachel really had a connection without outside of that of a caregiver.

Heather had a sheltered and strict, but mostly happy childhood though she was never really close with a majority of her siblings, some of which she never even met. The first of two major disruptions in Heather's life came in 1993 when 16 year old Leah was married off, Heather took Leah's departure very poorly and became withdrawn, having given up most of her former interests. The second major event was in 1999 when 15 year old Thomas was excommunicated from his community and religion, in retaliation for questioning and criticizing his father. Michael lied to his family and said Thomas had run away to live in the city, Heather became even more withdrawn and heartbroken, believing Thomas broke his promise to always look out for her and for having left without telling her or anyone else, especially their mother. Heather became depressed but never showed it to anyone else, as she had no one left to confide in Heather kept her emotions to herself and continued trying to be the perfect child Michael believed her to be, though secretly Heather was more and more conflicted with her beliefs and her feelings for her family, and life in general. Around 2000, Leah and her husband came to visit several times, Heather was ecstatic at the prospect of seeing Leah again and cherished the times when Leah would visit. Leah told her stories about married life and how wonderful her husband was, Heather didn't realize at the time that Leah's Husband' had taken a liking to Heather and wanted to take her as a wife as well. Rachel during this time also began trying to drop hints to Heather that when the time came, Leah's Husband' was the correct name to pick for her future husband, however Heather being naive and sheltered didn't realize what they were doing and didn't understand the situation.

Heather's life changed dramatically in around 1999 when the 10 year old Heather innocently mentioned to Rachel that she had a crush on a female school friend of hers, Heather hadn't realized this would be frowned upon and had only mentioned it innocently in passing. Rachel reported this to Michael who was incensed, and this caused the loss of their once special bond. During this time Michael's minor prominence begun to grow as he became more and more connected to other influential people, around this time Michael first learned that 'G' also had his eye on Heather, however unlike Leah's Husband', 'G' was significantly more prominent in the churches unofficial hierarchy, Michael not only encouraged this but reasoned would bring her stability, and him even more prestige, when the time was right. In 2000 Heather accompanied her mother and her baby brother, Matthew, to visit her father who was working away, Rachel went through a bad time and left Heather to care for Matthew most of the time during their stay, instead of calling Rachel on her behavior, Michael instead considered it good practice for Heather on her future role as a wife and mother.

In March 2001 when Heather's turn came to be married, it was unsurprisingly to 'G', Michael and Rachel were ecstatic for Heather to be chosen to be with 'G', Heather was incredibly conflicted, and Lisa as vehemently against the idea. Heather questioned the church's choice, something more disobedient than she'd ever done before, this led to a fight with Rachel where she explained how they'd tried to get her to pick Leah's husband', but reasoned Heather had been too stupid to take the hint, during this argument Rachel also alluded to the fact that the reason this was happening younger than usual was due to Heather's 'transgression' back in 1999. Lisa tried unsuccessfully to stop or at least temporarily halt the union, but when it became obvious she couldn't, she gave Heather the name and address of her aunt, Grace, in St. George and suggested Heather leave, however Heather was still much too conflicted and scared to go through with actually leaving her family. Heather tried to see the best in the situation, but due to the tensions between her parents, her last few hours with her family were mostly silent and scary for Heather. Heather's 14 year old sister Anna found out at the same time that she was to be married off as well, Heather and Anna tried to comfort each other, though they'd never been close before they spent the 12 hours before their wedding day, consoling and supporting each other. Heather briefly met 'G' the day before, 'G' presented himself as a nice and respectful man and promised Michael he'd take care of Heather and teach her well, Heather despite being conflicted believed in her naivety that ''G' would be a good husband and would take care of her. On Saturday March 10 2001 Heather was married to 49 year old 'G', and became his fifth wife, Heather said a final emotional farewell to her family, including Anna, before being forced to embark on her 'adult' life. Unfortunately for Heather after the ceremony they headed off on a joint 'honeymoon' with another couple, Heather genuinely enjoyed leaving the creek for the first time, but during the trip she came to realize perhaps 'Abuser' wasn't the kind and loving man and husband she'd imagined him to be. The 'honeymoon' was really an excuse for 'G' to go on a business trip to Texas, and during most of the trip he behaved distant and uninterested in Heather, even in spite of her attempts to connect with him, 'G' even ended up talking about her and criticizing her as if she wasn't there. On the second night, 'G' demanded they consummate their marriage, Heather having no knowledge of what was going on or what 'G' expected her to do tried to rebuff his advances but it led to him getting increasingly angry at her, ending up with him threatening her physically and with the concept of hell if she didn't submit to him. 'G' further showed his coldness by chastising Heather for crying afterwards, and again for her crying and throwing up in the bathroom the following morning, Heather spent most of the trip home in a daze, losing herself several times in vivid daydreams of freedom, and other childish fantasies, including one of a family that actually loved her, Heather's relationship with her sister wives was a mix between tolerating her, to ignoring her, to hating her and treating her much the same as 'G' did. Heather's only two friends during this time were Amber Beagley (b 1973), who was 'G' fourth wife and closest to Heather in age, and 'S', 'G's son who had developmental difficulties but who seemed to bond almost immediately with Heather.

Despite her relationship with the rest of the family, Heather got along well with several of 'G' kids, many of whom were older than her, Heather continued to be a mothering figure to 'S', who'd never experienced much attention before. Heather and Amber also looked out for each other, although Amber tried to appear as antagonistic as everyone else to keep up appearances. Heather was constantly chastised for being useless in her role, mostly due to having no real experience outside of helping her family with domestic chores, Heather tried her best and was often able to fly under the radar with 'G' having other people he favored and others he disliked more than Heather, leaving her somewhat forgotten, much to her relief somewhere in the middle. Heather went on to have two daughters; Raelyn born June 19 2003 when Heather was 14 and 5 months old, and Shaunna born February 6 2005, 4 days before Heather's 16th birthday. Heather found herself unprepared for being an actual mother and found her duties much harder than simply being expected to help care for 'G's other children, however Heather proved herself as a loving and dutiful mother to Raelyn and Shaunna. After Shaunna's birth Heather changed and realized that she couldn't let her daughters grow up around their father, and end up becoming like Heather herself did, Heather remembered what Lisa had told her about her sister and how she could go there if ever she escaped, Heather finally came to the realization that no one was going to help her, and if she was going to be free and if Raelyn and Shaunna were to stand a chance at a normal life, she'd have to save herself.

## Escape and Aftermath

On Saturday March 12 2005, Heather took her daughters, aged 21 months and 5 weeks respectively, and fled her home and her community. 'G' was away and everyone else was either busy shopping or doing various things, and Heather decided it was her chance, Heather offered to bring Amber but she refused as she had no way to realistically get her 5 kids out as well, but Amber wished Heather well and helped distract others while she left. Heather in her childlike mind concocted a plan of driving to New England and living in the woods, far away from anyone who might come after them. Heather left in one of the families cars and despite having no license or proper driver training, managed to drive to her aunt's home in St. George, Heather had met her aunt once before when she was around 8 but barely knew her, her aunt, Grace Lowell, had left in 1985 at the age of 16 with two of her older brothers, she eventually met and married Tim Lowell. When Heather and her daughters showed up on her doorstep at 9pm, Grace was obviously surprised but immediately took her in. Tim was hesitant at not only helping someone she wasn't actually related to, but also the sister in law of 'name redacted' (religious office holder), however when Grace explained she had no one else, Tim agreed to help, Heather had planned to stay briefly and then keep driving to New England. Grace immediately knew Heather's plan would never work and she'd never get anywhere near New England before she was pulled over and sent home, she broke the news to Heather as gently as she possibly could and offered for them to help keep her, Raelyn and Shaunna safe instead, Heather tentatively agreed. Heather spent a sleepless night while Grace and Tim went to dispose of the car Heather had taken and warned Heather to stay quiet in the house until they returned. Upon their return they begun brainstorming possible ideas of what to do, they moved to a few safehouses friends provided but realized they had to get out of town, Grace eventually got in contact with a man who had helped others escape and who helped several of those that'd left get college degrees, he organized for them to use a friends holiday home in Hudson, Maine. Against all odds, Heather and her kids would actually be going to New England to live in safety, the next day they begun their 2800 mile trip to Hudson, Heather enjoyed the trip and got to see many sights she'd never even imagined or dreamed of, things she'd never even known had existed.

## College and Early Career

In August 2007 despite all odds and challenges she faced, Heather became a student at Virginia Commonwealth University studying computer science with a minor in psychology. On her first day Heather met and became fast friends with Stephanie Walsh, a quiet but stylish and fashion-conscious girl from Gary, IN, and Monica Jensen, an outgoing and party girl from Waycross, GA. Stephanie was Heather's roommate and they fast become best friends, Heather threw herself into her studies and quickly found she was just as adept at her college studies as she was at her GED, Heather caught the attention of professors, including Wade Landry, who immediately came to appreciate her dedication, work ethic and her ability to use unorthodox methods and think outside the box, something a lot of traditionally trained students couldn't seem to get the hang of. Landry, who was a former behavioral analyst, contacted former colleague and friend Michael Calloway to learn more about Heather, after discovering her background he came to respect her more and also become a counselor of sorts with whom Heather confided her feelings, Landry and Calloway promised to keep her and her family safe, during this time Heather also became friends with Monica Farrell, a colleague of Landry and Calloway's who ran BAU3. Heather confided in Landry her plans to go into law enforcement to help people like she used to be, and Landry promised to call in favors to get her in when the time was right, in the meantime he also arranged for her to get a trial position at a company owned by a friend of his.

Around the same time as her college career was starting Heather took and passed the Virginia Private Investigators test and finished top of her class, she also completed her concealed carry permit. Heather got a job at Kouf & Associates, a company specializing in private investigations and security owned by Landry's friend and former colleague Vincent Kouf. Heather spent every spare minute when not in class or studying dedicating herself to proving her worth in the investigative field and to gaining experience to one day make it into law enforcement, Heather worked her first 3 months for free to prove herself to Kouf after which he hired her on the spot. Due to Heather's age and nonprofessional demeanor, she was able to blend in better than almost anyone else on Kouf's investigative team, she also became known for her surveillance skills and her ability to always get the perfect shot to prove someone's guilt or innocence. As her skill and reputation grew Kouf began using her for more and more important cases, eventually clients begun to request her specifically and many eventually came to only allow her to work on their cases due to her discretion. During Heather's time working as a private investigator she worked several high-profile cases involving celebrities and politicians, despite these individuals not appreciating her investigations, they did respect her professionalism and the fact she treated everyone, even guilty parties, with the same respect and discretion as everyone else, several people she investigated even became future employers of hers when they launched their own investigations later on down the line. Heather even became a minor celebrity when during a surveillance operation she noticed a child in trouble by his drugged-out father and managed to talk the man down and get him to hand over the child before police arrived, this event led to her becoming a minor local celebrity.

While at college Heather also worked on her personal life, including learning new social skills, developing her own fashion sense, Heather and Stephanie also began dating in 2009 and continued their relationship in person until 2012 and long distance until 2013 when they decided to end things amicably but still remained lifelong best friends. During her sophomore year Heather was accepted to the accelerated program to earn her BS and MS back to back in 5 years, despite working full time Heather excelled at the accelerated program and graduated with a Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) in May 2012, Heather applied to the FBI, HSI, ATF, US Marshals Service and the Border Patrol, while she was turned down for the Marshals, Heather was easily accepted to the FBI due to almost 9000 hours of investigative experience, a Master's in computer science with an SAA and due to her connections with Landry, Farrell and Calloway. Prior to heading off to her new career, Heather visited her family in Hudson and at her insistence, Grace and Tim adopted Raelyn and Shaunna. Heather was happy that her daughters would have a proper stable family, and Grace and Tim were happy to have kids, something they'd been unable to due to infertility problems. Grace and Tim promised to look after them and to let them know who their real mother was when they were old enough to understand.

## Career

### 2013 to 2016

Heather applied to the FBI in May 2012 and was accepted in November 2012. Heather attended the FBI Academy in January 2013 as part of class 13-8, despite initially finding the experience a bit overwhelming, Heather quickly got into the swing of things and excelled at her training, proving herself someone who never gave up until she got it right. Heather went on to graduate in June and was assigned to Behavioral Analysis Unit 3 as a Cyber Forensics Specialist, during this time she was also trained as and eventually became a behavioral analyst, during her training Heather was mentored by Monica Farrell. In mid 2014 after Farrell's retirement, Heather transferred to the Violent Crimes Against Children Squad at the Los Angeles Field Office as a computer forensics specialist and behavioral analyst. Heather quickly proved adept at her new career and worked on several high-profile cases including a few with Michael Calloway and the Behavioral Analysis Response Team, Heather eventually went on to serve as part of the Southern California Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and a member of the Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team assigned to the Los Angeles Division, however after a few years in VCACS Heather realized it wasn't really for her and transferred to the Los Angeles Violent Crime Unit in 2016 shortly after completing TRP to become a SWAT Operator. After working with VCU Heather was eventually picked to work on the Los Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on Violent Gangs along with Task Force Commander Ray Larkin, and fellow FBI Agents Thomas Jordan and Lewis Fuller. Heather quickly proved herself a skilled gang squad investigator by being firm but fair with everyone she met and by treating everyone equally. Heather along with Sean Marks, Kate Ellis, David Croft, and Damon Garris were eventually dubbed The Dream Team, LAMTFVG is a dynamic and aggressive task force dedicated to investigating any and all gang related crime in the Los Angeles area.

In 2016 Heather joined the FBI SWAT team at the Los Angeles Field Office. Heather and LAMTFVG served in a support role in both Operation Anaphrodisiac and Operation Scooter Trash. Despite having left VCACS, due to her previous experience and behavioral sciences training Heather remains a member of the Los Angeles CARD Team.

In August 2016 Heather and other FBI SWAT and HSI SRT operators were sent along with members of the Southern California Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force (SC-CEHTTF) to dismantle a sweatshop in Los Angeles' Industrial District. SRT and task force members arrived at the facility around 6am and eventually made entry just before 7am. Inside the team found 21 women and girls who'd been forced to provide slave labor, among them was 15 year old Maya Gutierrez who'd been abducted 19 months earlier from her neighborhood in San Benito, Texas. Maya immediately bonded with Heather and task force member Jim Gamble, after it became clear Maya's family had been neglectful, she asked Heather to adopt her but since Heather's living arrangements and work schedule weren't practical for that, she instead suggested Jim and his wife Sarah Jane adopt Maya. In 2017 Jim and Sarah Jane adopted Maya, with Heather serving as her 'adoptive aunt'. Maya and Heather have remained best friends since then with Heather serving as a mentor and big sister figure to Maya.

In n October 2016 a joint operation between the Los Angeles Violent Crime Unit, as well elements of the LAPD's Major Crimes Division and the Special Investigation Section of the Robbery-Homicide Division was tasked with apprehending several members of the 'Ghost Crew' who were wanted for several violent armed robberies throughout the Los Angeles area. Several units were dispatched to locations known to be owned or frequented by members of the Ghost Crew street gang, eventually one unit consisting of VCU/SWAT operators Heather and Stephen Novak, and SIS detective "T.K." located one of the Ghost Crew lieutenants in an alleyway behind a home in South Central Los Angeles. After a brief exchange of words members of the Ghost Crew opened fire on the team and in the ensuing firefight SIS detective "T.K" was hit and severely injured, Heather provided cover fire from an uncovered position to give the Novak time to drag "T.K." to safety. Shortly afterwards two other units of SIS and MCD detectives along with LAPD SWAT arrived on scene and were able to take two members of the Ghost Crew into custody, with several others having died or fled during the shootout. "T.K. went on to make a full recovery and gifted Heather a Kimber SIS Pro handgun from his personal collection as a gift for risking her life to save his.

### 2016 to 2020

Heather spent part of 2017 on desk duties due to her pregnancy, during this time she consulted in various cases and delivered psychological profiles to various units, including LAMTFVG, she also served as a Cyber Forensics Specialist. Her daughter, Emmalisa, was born in October and she returned to normal duties on January 23rd 2018.

In August 2018 Heather worked with BART on the case of a unidentified serial killer and rapist, later identified as Mitchell Beck, who was stalking people in national parks and forests. Heather and Andrew Ericksen eventually apprehended Beck after an altercation which led to both Heather and Ericksen being injured, Heather was quickly back at work within a week but Ericksen suffered more severe injuries and spent two months on medical leave before being cleared to return. Both were decorated for apprehending him despite being injured.

In mid 2018 Heather was selected to attend the FBI Hazardous Devices School and was qualified as a Hazardous Devices (Bomb Squad) Technician. Heather serves as the FBI Los Angeles SWAT team's bomb technician.

In 2019 Heather made history when she became one of only two active female Enhanced SWAT/SOG operators.

### 2020 and Beyond

In May 2022 Heather along with members of the Los Angeles Violent Crime Unit and the Southern California Drug Task Force took part in Operation Party Crasher.

## The Freeman Incident

In 2019 freelance journalist Owen Freeman used his connections to get access to the FBI's Violent Crime Unit in Los Angeles for 3 months for an article on violent crime he was writing. While ADIC Voight and Shrager were against the idea, they were overruled by management, especially Public Affairs, who thought it would reflect favorably on the Bureau and improve its public image, no one was happy about this, especially VCU-2 supervisor Martin Howell who went so far as to take extended leave until Freeman had gone. Monday July 17th was Freeman's first day with the unit and despite the situation, he initially presented himself as friendly, talkative and even funny, Freeman's first few weeks were mostly uneventful and Freeman even begun endearing himself to a few of the team members including Ryan Cahill. Things began to change in his second month of his assignment, Freeman began overstepping his boundaries and getting in the way, even interviewing a witness before anyone on the team had a chance to, Shrager went to ADIC Voight and tried to have Freeman's access to the team revoked but Voight's superiors had left him unable to terminate Freeman's access, Voight did however tell Freeman to pull his head in, Freeman promised to behave more professionally. Freeman's behavior improved slightly for a few weeks but eventually returned to normal again with Freeman causing several conflicts, the final straw came when Freeman incited a fight between himself and the father of a victim with his callous comments. Shrager called Freeman out in front of the entire squad for his appalling behavior, following this ADIC Voight reported the behavior, forcing his superiors to remove Freeman's access to the team in the field but let him continue to shadow them in the office, the same day Ryan Cahill pulled Freeman aside and told him that if any case ever got thrown out because of his behavior, that he'd hold Freeman personally responsible, Freeman tried to report Ryan's 'threat' to Shrager, but he and Heather called him pathetic and a parasite.

Following his public shaming, Freeman went about trying to have Cahill and the team discredited, Freeman used his various confidential contacts to try digging up dirt on Cahill but when he found none, he begun making false accusations against him, triggering an OPR investigation for corruption and coercion, during the investigation Cahill was suspended with pay. After making a joke about it in a tense squadroom briefing, Heather called out Freeman on his current behavior, triggering laughs and agreement from everyone else, following this Freeman set his sights on her but her personnel file was restricted far beyond any friends he had in the Bureau. During this time several street gangs made accusations of threats and excessive force against Cahill which only deepened the OPR investigation, despite being ordered not to Shrager, Heather and Reese looked into the allegations and eventually found one elderly gang member who confided in them that LAPD detective Jay Reed had told them to make the accusations. Eventually several of the gangs called a meeting with Shrager and Heather in attendance, Heather appealed to their code of honor and explained that even if they did what he said, Reed would still keep extorting them every time he needed something, they all agreed to tell the truth if the FBI could protect them from Reed which Shrager agreed. Hearing news about Reed's impending arrest from informants, Freeman was finally able to breach the team's personnel files and leaked their contents to the media, including Heather's past as a child bride, Shrager's checkered love life involving several subordinates, and Adam Reese's one time involvement with a teenage gang. In the following days Shrager was suspended from command of the VCU and the team was ordered to work different cases, Heather called BART supervisor Michael Calloway to be reassigned so she could keep working things, Heather again went to the gangs for their help in locating Reed and eventually she was able to locate him in Fresno. Heather used the CHP, an agency Freeman had no contacts in, to arrest Reed and hold him temporarily, the media during this time took Heather's background and run with it, however despite Freeman intending it to discredit her, it actually had the opposite effect of making her look like a tragic figure who Freeman was persecuting, this made several news agencies drop Freeman and no longer work with any of his content. Freeman sensing time closing in went on the run.

A few days after going on the run, Heather and the CHP brought Jay Reed into the field office admit a media spectacle, Heather had carefully orchestrated it so that Freeman, who was still in regular phone contact with Shrager in a taunting manner, would be thrown off guard when he saw Reed in custody. It proved successful and Freeman stayed on the line with Shrager long enough to trace his location to central Nevada, with an APB out Freeman was located two days later by Nevada State Police at a gas station near Elko, in a mirroring of Reed's public shaming, the Bureau brought Freeman in in the midst of an even larger media presence, Freeman professed his innocence and alleged that Cahill's friends had framed him to protect him however it was ultimately successful. Freeman's contacts eventually revealed several more informants of his including FBI Special Agent Brian Singer from the Los Angeles Division, and Assistant Director John Page, who was eventually discovered to have been the one who breached and then leaked the personnel files, and even several gang leaders and businessmen throughout the west coast. In the end Freeman was charged preparing false evidence, obstruction of justice and witness tampering and was sentenced to the maximum of 7 years, Singer and Page were both fired and sentenced to lesser sentences of 2 and 4 years respectively for obstruction, leaking classified documents and conspiracy to several of Freeman's illegal acts. While in prison Freeman tried to sue everyone involved but was unsuccessful, he tried to have his sentence overturned but was similarly unsuccessful, in the end he released a tell all book but it was panned by everyone and eventually dropped by the publisher.

In the aftermath the Bureau was forced to publicly apologize to everyone involved, including Heather, Shrager, Reese and Cahill, the OPR initially refused to drop their investigation but when Shrager threatened to take them to the media for having a vendetta against Cahill they relented and dropped the charges, Cahill initially considered retirement but after the team 'insisted' he stay, he eventually agreed. Despite being 'outed' by the media, Heather actually felt it as a weight lifted off her shoulders and finally letting her secret go, all of the media coverage of her was positive and eventually disappeared entirely, letting her slip back into anonymity. The team was reinstated, and new rules were put in place restricting access to media from any operational/field teams in the future, several internal security policies were also strengthened, requiring more oversight before anyone could access information of a certain level, they also gave ADIC's and SAC's absolute authority on who would have access to teams during investigations.

## The Raid and Death

Heather was killed and two other SWAT operators injured during the service of a high risk warrant in South Los Angeles. SWAT Assault Team 2 we’re serving a warrant on a suspect in a crimes against children case at around 10pm on Friday November 4 2022. After entering the house at approximately 10:31pm, the team located the suspect who fled into a bedroom at the rear of the home, while preparing to breach the door the suspect opened fire on the team striking three of them. Heather was shot in the neck, while two other operators were hit in the chest and arms, the suspect was killed in the ensuing gunfight. Heather was treated by the SWAT team’s medic however she was pronounced dead at 10:47pm, shortly after the EMT’s arrival on scene. The other two SWAT operators received non life threatening injuries and were treated at a local hospital before being released.

Heather was 33 years old and is survived by her wife, three daughters and stepson. Heather was posthumously awarded the FBI Medal of Valor, along with the other two SWAT operators. Heather’s family chose to have a private ceremony, her ashes were subsequently spread on her family’s farm in Maine.

## Personal Life

Heather met counselor Nicola Crawford in 2015 at a support group, Heather had accompanied a survivor she met at work to the group as support. While there Heather met Nicola and the two immediately hit it off, the two soon began dating and have been together ever since. Heather and Nicola eventually moved in together, Nicola has a son, Josh (b 2010). Heather and Nicola were married on Tuesday June 30 2017 at a civil ceremony in San Francisco, CA, following their marriage, Heather moved in with Nicola and Josh in Pasadena.

In May 2018, Heather tentatively went to a historic reunion in Hildale, where she met several family members and old friends, she saw her older sister Leah for the first time over 20 years, and despite her situation seemed to be both genuinely happy in general, and happy to see Heather again, she also reconnected with her little brother Matthew who by that time was 19. Heather, Leah and Matthew maintained their newfound connection, and Matthew even invited both of them to his wedding in 2019 and various family functions since. In the mid 2010's Heather also reconnected with her half-sister Anna, who's marriage had turned out happy and who was now living in Idaho.

On March 12 2022 Heather celebrated a significant milestone, 17 years of freedom and deconstruction. Since Heather left at age 16, her 17th anniversary was the first one in which she had been out for longer than she'd been in.

Heather carries a Glock 19M MOS with a Trijicon RMR RM06 optic, a SLR magwell and a TLR-7A as her duty weapon, and a Glock 43X MOS as her off duty/backup. Heather also owns a Springfield Armory Professional Model, a Glock 27 and a SIG-Sauer P239, Heather was previously issued a Glock 23 Gen4 between 2013 and 2016.

Heather drives a 2014 BMW M5 Coupe, Heather previously lived in Westwood when she first arrived in Los Angeles, before eventually moving in with Nicola and Josh in Pasadena in 2017. Heather enjoys hiking, reading, traveling on occasion, and occasionally playing baseball with colleagues. In her spare time Heather also dabbles in freelance software design with friend Briana Noble.

Heather has been in three relationships; she dated Stephanie Walsh from 2009 to 2013, from December 2014 to October 2015 Heather was part of a throuple with Dana Mercer and her husband Scott. She began dating Nicola Crawford in December 2015 (12/14/2015) and eventually they were married in June 2017 (06/30/2017) in a civil ceremony in San Francisco, in attendance were Amber Turner and Esmee Henderson-Turner, and Geneva Winters and Lauren Cox, and Miriam Avila.

Heather's circle of close friends includes HSI agent Sean Marks, DEA agent Damon Garris, ATF agent Kate Ellis and her husband LAPD detective Steven, FBI agent Dana Mercer and her husband AUSA Scott Mercer. Best friend and former partner Stephanie Walsh and her husband KSP Trooper Eric Ison, college friend Monica Jensen, and longtime friend ATF agent Lindsey Dawson. Heather's LGBTQIA+ circle of close friends includes DDA Amber Turner and her wife Esmee Henderson-Turner, and Geneva Winters and her girlfriend Lauren Cox. Heather is also the unofficial 'adoptive aunt' of Maya Gutierrez, along with former task force colleague Jim Gamble and his wife Sarah Jane. Heather is also friends with software developer Briana Noble and middle school teacher Emilie Howe, Heather and Briana often develop random software in their spare time, and all three enjoy shopping and dabbling in a mutual Star Trek rpg they created.

## Family

* Nicola Crawford: Wife
* Emmalisa Holm: Daughter
* Josh Crawford: Stepson
* Raelyn Lowell: Daughter (adopted by Grace and Tim Lowell in 2011)
* Shaunna Lowell: Daughter (adopted by Grace and Tim Lowell in 2011)
* Grace Lowell: Aunt
* Tim Lowell: Uncle
* Rachel Barlow: Mother
* Michael Barlow: Father (deceased)

## Service History

### Private Investigator

* Years of Service: August 2007 to December 2012
* Kouf & Associates: Richmond, VA

### FBI Service History

* Years of Service: January 2013 to Present
* Grades: GS-10 2013 to 2015, GS-11 2015 to 2016, GS-12 2016 to 2018, GS-13 2018 to Present (GS-13, Step 4)
* FBI Academy: January to June 2013 (Class 13-8)
* Behavioral Analysis Unit 3: 2013 to 2014 (Cyber forensics specialist, and behavioral analyst training)
* Los Angeles Violent Crimes Against Children Squad I: 2014 to 2015
* Southern California Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force: 2015 to 2016
* Los Angeles Violent Crime Unit: 2016 to Present
* Los Angeles Metro Task Force on Violent Gangs: 2016 to Present

### Qualifications

* Cyber Forensics Specialist: 2013 (due to graduate degree in computer science/cyber security)
* Behavioral Analyst: 2014 (trained at BAU3)
* SWAT Operator: 2016 (Tactical Recruitment Program)
* SOG Operator: 2019 (Tactical Recruitment Program)
* Hazardous Devices Technician: 2018 (FBI Hazardous Devices School)

### Issued Sidearms

* Glock 23 Gen4: 2013 to 2016 (Streamlight TLR-1)
* Springfield Armory Professional Model: 2016 to 2018
* Glock 19M MOS: 2018 to Present (Trijicon RMR RM06 optic, SLR magwell, Streamlight TLR-7A light)

### Personally Owned

* Glock 27 Gen4
* SIG-Sauer P239 DAO
* Springfield Armory Professional Model (previously issued SWAT sidearm)
* Glock 43X MOS

## Education

* Virginia Commonwealth University: August 2007 to May 2012 (B.S./M.S. in Computer Science, concentration in Cyber Security)

## Interests

* Reading: Especially Stephen King, biographies/autobiographies, true crime, sci-fi, Warhammer 40K etc.
* Hiking: Long or short, near or far
* Travel: When time permits, both road trips and flying
* Nature, outdoors and animals
* Cheesecake and Oreos: Only on occasion of course
* Baseball: When her colleagues can be bothered

## Trivia

### Family Zodiacs

* Heather Holm: Aquarius (Chinese: Earth Snake)
* Nicola Crawford: Aquarius (Chinese: Wood Ox)
* Raelyn Lowell: Gemini (Chinese: Water Sheep)
* Shaunna Lowell: Aquarius (Chinese: Wood Rooster)
* Josh Crawford: Aries (Chinese: Metal Tiger)
* Emmalisa Holm: Scorpio (Chinese: Fire Rooster)
* Grace Lowell: Virgo (Chinese: Metal Pig)
* Tim Lowell: Aquarius (Chinese: Fire Sheep)
* Anna: Libra (Chinese: Fire Rabbit)
* Rachel: Unknown (Earth Rooster)
* Amber: Unknown (Water Ox)

### Family Trivia

* Heather, Nicola, Shaunna and Tim Lowell are all Aquarians with all their birthdays falling between January 22 and February 16.
* Heather was one of few daughters in her family to get a middle name, most were not given one due to it not being considered necessary in her family's religion. Heather only receiving one due to her sister Anna Mae, being named after a fundamentalist leader's mother and Michael liking the middle name Mae.
* Despite being one of 35 children, Heather never met a lot of her older siblings due to her being born late in her family's lives and the majority of other kids having moved on before she was born.
* Due to the nature of placement marriage, Heather was actually younger than several of her stepchildren, one even being 18 years her senior.

## Gallery

Federal Bureau of InvestigationFBI Los Angeles DivisionLos Angeles Violent Crime UnitLos Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on Violent GangsFBI Special Weapons and Tactics TeamsFBI Special Operations GroupNational Center for the Analysis of Violent CrimeHazardous Devices Technician
## See Also

* Heather Holm: Heather's professional profile
* Relationships: A detailed list of Heather's romantic relationships
* Family: Heather's family