Shawn Grate's Ex-Wife Reveals What It Was Like To Be Married To A Serial Killer

ASHLAND, OH — The ex-wife of convicted serial killer Shawn Grate has spoken out about their relationship — and her shock when she learned that her former husband had murdered multiple women.

Believe it or not, Amber Bowman met Grate at church — and, at the time, he was loving and kind.

As Grate’s mother, Theresa MacFarland, has famously said of her son:

“He’s good looking, but the Devil’s good looking too. He ain’t [got] no red horns and all that stuff. You find out he’s charming, and of course that charm can charm the pants off anybody — not to be nasty, but you just know how it works.”

After a whirlwind romance, the couple got married just four months later in 2011. But after a short period of time, Bowman says Grate’s mood seemed to turn “dark,” and he began to act more and more erratically.

He began to isolate her from her friends and family — and, according to Bowman, disappeared from the house during odd hours.

She recounted an incident during which they were play wrestling, but she was soon fearful when he began to choke her. “Instantly, it was scary. I have never felt fear like that before,” she revealed.

“He put his hands around my neck, and something in his eyes changed,” she told Dr. Phil. “He said, ‘If you don’t help me…’ He was going to put my family’s name in a hat, and it will be the grand finale,” she told Dr. Phil. “I could not believe it.”

Bowman and Grate had a daughter together, but divorced in 2012.

After the divorce, Bowman took out a domestic violence civil protection order against Grate, according to court documents seen by DailyMail.com. As a result of the order, Grate was prohibited from coming within 500 feet of his ex and their child.

In January 2013, according to court papers, Grate texted Bowman that he was “preparing for a grand finale.”

In March 2013, Grate allegedly told his ex-wife, “If I can’t see my daughter then no one will.”

Earlier this month, Grate was found guilty of multiple murders, kidnapping, and sexual assault.

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Read more: People.com, News.com.au

Main photo: Amber Bowman and Shawn Grate [Dr. Phil / YouTube (screenshot)]