Sneak peek: Fatal First Date

Leslie Reeves and Chris Smith were shot during their first date. Tragically, only Smith managed to survive. This story delves into how he defied the odds through sheer willpower, ultimately achieving a remarkable recovery against all expectations.

The scene of the crime

On the fateful evening before Thanksgiving 2021, Chris Smith embarked on a first date with Leslie Reeves, a woman he had been looking forward to meeting. However, the following morning revealed a horrifying scene when emergency responders discovered Smith in his Farmersville, Illinois, home with a bullet lodged dangerously close to his brain. Heartbreakingly, Leslie Reeves was found dead at the scene.

Shooting victim in a coma

Upon arrival at the hospital, EMTs rushed Smith into emergency surgery, where doctors worked tirelessly to save his life. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was placed in a medically induced coma to facilitate recovery and minimize brain swelling.

A bullet lodged in his brain

In the aftermath of the surgery, X-rays revealed that fragments of the bullet had embedded themselves in Smith’s brain. His medical team warned that attempting to remove these fragments posed a significant risk of causing further damage, leaving Smith with a difficult prognosis.

Family support

During Chris’s hospitalization, the unwavering support of his family became evident. His mother, Sharon Costanza, remained a constant presence beside him, providing emotional strength during this harrowing time of uncertainty.

No memory

In January 2022, after months of being in a coma, Chris Smith awoke and was immediately disoriented, asking where he was and what had transpired. To his dismay, he had no recollection of the traumatic night of the shooting, including his date with Reeves, despite having communicated with her extensively in the weeks leading up to it.

A poor prognosis

Dr. Victor Williams, Smith’s neurosurgeon, conveyed the grim news that, given the extent of Smith’s injuries, he would likely face permanent challenges in mobility, potentially never walking again. Nevertheless, Dr. Williams and his dedicated team committed themselves to exploring every avenue to aid Chris’s rehabilitation.

A life forever changed

As a result of his injuries, Smith now faces life with his left leg partially paralyzed from the hip to the knee, while experiencing complete paralysis from the knee to his toes. After being discharged from the hospital, he found it necessary to move back in with his mother as he navigated this new reality.

Regaining his strength

Following a rigorous regimen of physical therapy, Chris has made astonishing progress. Each day, he works diligently at the gym, striving to regain the strength needed to walk independently. However, he is also coming to terms with the gaps left in his memory due to the trauma.

A survivor

Chris triumphantly states, “She’s my angel,” referring to his fiancée, Michelle Albrecht, whom he credits with being a significant source of encouragement in his recovery journey. He is resolutely determined to embrace this new lease on life.

New aspirations

With a renewed spirit, Chris is back on stage as the lead singer of his rock band, fulfilling a lifelong passion. He envisions becoming a motivational speaker, using his experiences to inspire others, and has established a website dedicated to this endeavor.

A miracle recovery

His mother, Sharon Costanza, reflects on her son’s journey, stating, “I don’t know how he did make it. I don’t understand how he did. He’s a miracle,” capturing the essence of Chris Smith’s incredible recovery story.

More from CBS News

**Interview with​ Chris Smith: A Remarkable Journey of Survival**

**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Chris. Your⁤ story has touched so many ⁣lives.​ Can you‌ take us back to that fateful evening before Thanksgiving ‍2021 when you first met Leslie Reeves?

**Chris ‌Smith:** Thank you for having me. I remember feeling excited about my date with Leslie. We had ⁤been talking for a while, and I was really looking forward to getting to​ know her better. ⁢Unfortunately, that ​night took ⁢an unimaginable turn.

**Interviewer:**⁢ It must⁢ have been ⁤an incredibly ​traumatic experience. Can you describe what ⁣happened from your perspective?

**Chris ‌Smith:** I don’t⁣ have many memories from that night. I woke​ up in the hospital several months later, confused and disoriented. I learned ⁣that I had been shot⁤ and that Leslie didn’t survive. It was devastating to process. I felt an incredible ⁤loss, not only⁢ for ​her but also for what could have been.

**Interviewer:** After⁢ the shooting, you underwent emergency surgery and were placed in‌ a medically induced coma. Can ‌you⁢ share what ⁢that experience was like for ‍you and your family?

**Chris‍ Smith:** I don’t‍ remember the ‍coma at all. For my family, I know it was a time of fear and uncertainty. My mother was there⁢ by my side every ‍step of the way,‌ offering her⁤ love‌ and support. It was her ‌strength⁢ that⁣ I leaned on, even⁣ if I​ couldn’t ⁣consciously express it.

**Interviewer:** You faced a​ severe prognosis with⁢ fragments of the bullet lodged in ‌your brain. How did you find the willpower ⁢to‌ push through such a ⁢daunting situation?

**Chris Smith:** I think a part of me just wanted to survive—there was a fight in me. The support from my family and‍ friends,​ along with the incredible medical team, fueled my determination. I had to focus on recovery, not⁤ just for myself, but for Leslie and her memory.

**Interviewer:** When you finally ‌woke up and learned ⁣the extent of your injuries, what were your initial thoughts?

**Chris Smith:** ⁤It ⁢was⁣ surreal.‌ I struggled to understand what had happened. I had ⁣no memory ‍of the night, which was both a blessing‍ and a curse. I felt ⁢immense⁤ guilt for⁣ surviving⁣ while ⁤Leslie didn’t. It took time ​to process everything, and‍ I’ve relied on therapy and support to⁣ navigate those ‌feelings.

**Interviewer:**⁤ Today, you’re here sharing your story, which is inspiring for⁣ many. What message do you hope to convey to others who may ‍find themselves facing adversity?

**Chris Smith:** I want people to know that⁢ resilience is possible, no matter how‌ tough life gets. There ‍were days when‍ I​ felt hopeless, but I‍ learned to take it one step at a time. ⁤Surround yourself with supportive people, and don’t​ be afraid to seek help—it’s a sign of strength, not weakness.

**Interviewer:** ​Thank you, Chris, for sharing your story with us. Your courage is truly inspiring, and we wish you continued strength on your path to ⁢recovery.

**Chris Smith:** Thank you. I appreciate the ⁤opportunity to share my journey.