Fake Love and Flying Monkeys

When the Officer Is the Abuser: Bruce Bieber on the Murder of His Daughter, Deputy Abigail Bieber

Nova Gibson/Bruce Beiber Season 2 Episode 60

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of domestic violence, murder-suicide, and police-perpetrated abuse. Please take care while listening.

In this powerful and heartbreaking episode, Bruce Bieber joins us to share the story no parent should ever have to tell — the murder of his daughter, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Deputy Abigail Rose Bieber, by her boyfriend and fellow deputy, Daniel Leyden, in an officer-involved domestic violence (OIDV) murder-suicide in January 2022.

Abby had planned to end the relationship during a weekend away in St. Augustine. What neither she nor her family knew was that Leyden had a prior domestic violence history — one that was known to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office but never acted upon meaningfully. When Bruce and his family began asking questions, they were met with silence, deflection, and eventually complete shutdown by HCSO.

Bruce shares the gut-wrenching journey from grief to advocacy — his fight to uncover the truth, the betrayal by law enforcement leadership, and his mission to push for mandatory OIDV policies and accountability nationwide.

This conversation is not just about Abby. It’s about the wider, deeply hidden epidemic of domestic violence committed by those sworn to protect — and the systemic failures that allow it to continue.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the abuser wears a badge — this is the episode you need to hear.


📞 If you or someone you love needs help, please reach out to one of the following services:

🇺🇸 United States
National Domestic Violence Hotline
📱 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
🌐 www.thehotline.org
(24/7 confidential support via phone, chat, or text)

🇦🇺 Australia
1800RESPECT – National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service
📱 1800 737 732
🌐 www.1800respect.org.au
(24/7 support and information)

🇬🇧 United Kingdom
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge)
📱 0808 2000 247
🌐 www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
(Free and confidential, 24/7 support)

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Please remember the information in this episode is not intended to substitute for therapy is general and strictly the opinions of the host.

Nova xx

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