Age is usually just a number, but when it comes to the legal system and a high-profile murder sentence, it’s a ticking clock. Wendi Mae Davidson, the former San Angelo veterinarian whose name became synonymous with a grisly 2005 murder case, has spent nearly two decades behind bars.
Born on July 28, 1978, Wendi Mae Davidson is currently 47 years old as of early 2026.
When the world first heard her name, she was a 26-year-old rising professional with her own clinic. Now, she is middle-aged, having spent the bulk of her adult life inside the Lane Murray Unit in Gatesville, Texas. For those who followed the trial of the "Killer Doctor," her age represents the long stretch of time that has passed since the death of her husband, Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Severance.
The San Angelo Vet: Where is Wendi Mae Davidson Now?
If you're looking for her today, you won't find her in a clinic. She’s inmate #01407817.
Honestly, the timeline of this case is pretty wild. Wendi was just 28 when she was sentenced in 2006. She had a 25-year sentence handed down after pleading "no contest" to the murder of her husband. She also got 10-year sentences for two counts of tampering with evidence, though those run concurrently.
Basically, she’s been eligible for parole for a while now. Her first shot was back in 2019 when she was 40. The board said no. They looked at the "brutality" of the crime and decided she wasn't ready to walk. Her most recent parole denial happened in May 2024. According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, her next review isn't scheduled until May 2027. By the time she even gets another chance to argue for her freedom, she’ll be nearly 49 years old.
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What Really Happened with Wendi Mae Davidson?
The story sounds like a bad movie script, but it was very real for the people in San Angelo.
In January 2005, Michael Severance went missing. Wendi, his wife of only four months, told everyone he just up and left. She even suggested he might have deserted the military. But the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) wasn't buying it. They put a tracker on her car.
That tracker led them to a remote ranch.
Investigators eventually found Michael’s body at the bottom of a stock pond. It was weighted down with 140 pounds of car parts and a boat anchor. The details are honestly stomach-turning: he had been poisoned with animal euthanasia drugs (pentobarbital and phenobarbital) and then stabbed 41 times after he was already dead.
Why the stabbing? Wendi later claimed in a 20/20 interview that she did it to keep the body from floating. She told her brother she found him dead and panicked, fearing her family would be blamed. Prosecutors, however, argued she was a cold-blooded killer who used her veterinary knowledge to commit the perfect crime.
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A Timeline of the Case
- 1978: Wendi is born in Texas.
- 2002: Graduates from Texas A&M University's veterinary college.
- 2004: Marries Michael Severance.
- January 2005: Michael is murdered at age 24.
- March 2005: Michael’s body is recovered; Wendi is arrested.
- October 2006: Wendi (age 28) is sentenced to 25 years.
- 2019: First parole denial at age 40.
- 2024: Latest parole denial.
- 2031: Her projected release date if she never gets parole.
The Controversy Over the Children
One of the saddest parts of the Wendi Mae Davidson saga isn't just the murder—it’s the aftermath for the kids.
Wendi had two children. One was with Michael, and one was from a previous relationship. For years, there has been a massive legal tug-of-war. Michael’s family in Maine desperately wanted custody of his son, Shane. They felt the boy shouldn't be raised by the family of the woman who killed his father.
But Texas courts didn't see it that way.
The kids ended up with Wendi’s parents, Judy and Robert Davidson. Wendi even tried to sue for more access to them from behind bars. In 2014, she filed a pro se appeal to modify the parent-child relationship. The court shot her down. The judges noted that she murdered the child's father and tried to cover it up—factors that generally don't help your case in family court.
Why Wendi Mae Davidson Still Matters in 2026
People are still searching for "Wendi Mae Davidson age" because the case remains a touchstone for true crime fans and legal scholars. It touches on so many things: the use of GPS tracking by the military, the ethics of "no contest" pleas, and the complexities of "vet-on-vet" crime (since Michael was a vet tech in the Air Force).
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There’s also the E-E-A-T factor—Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. When we look at the facts of this case, we see a woman who used her professional expertise (veterinary medicine) to facilitate a crime. That's why the parole board is so hesitant. They see a "conscious selection of victim's vulnerability."
She’s currently held at the Lane Murray Unit. It’s a maximum-security prison. If she serves her full sentence without parole, she’ll be 53 when she tastes freedom.
Actionable Takeaways from the Davidson Case
If you’re following this case or similar true crime stories, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding how the Texas justice system works:
- Parole isn't a guarantee: Even with "good behavior," the nature of the crime (especially if labeled "brutal") can lead to repeated denials.
- Concurrent vs. Consecutive: Wendi’s 10-year and 25-year sentences run at the same time. If they were consecutive, she’d likely never leave prison.
- Victim Advocacy: The Severance family has been incredibly vocal. Their presence at parole hearings is a huge reason why the board continues to deny her release.
- Public Records: You can track her status yourself. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has an online offender search where you can see her latest photos and parole status by searching for her name or SID.
Wendi Mae Davidson’s story is a grim reminder of how a promising life can be dismantled by a single, horrific choice. At 47, she remains a figure of intense public interest, a woman whose middle age is being defined by the walls of a prison cell rather than the halls of a veterinary clinic.