It was a bright, ordinary day in North Port, Florida, the kind of day filled with the sounds of children’s laughter and the warmth of family life.

On January 17, 2008, 21-year-old Denise Amber Lee was doing what she loved most, caring for her two young sons. As she trimmed her 2-year-old son Noah’s hair on the back porch, she had no way of knowing that a predator was driving through her neighborhood, searching for a victim.

That day would change countless lives forever.

Denise was a devoted wife and mother, full of love, light, and promise. Her husband, Nathan, worked three jobs so Denise could stay home and raise their boys. But that afternoon, everything was stolen from them. Denise was abducted from her home in broad daylight. Somehow, her attacker gained entry and control, but through her courage, Denise most likely saved her children’s lives by keeping them safe inside.

Denise’s father, Detective Rick Goff, immediately called upon state, county, and municipal law enforcement, sparking one of the largest and most cooperative search efforts the region had ever seen.

In the hours that followed, Denise fought with unimaginable strength and courage. In her desperate struggle, she managed to use her captor’s phone to call 9-1-1, doing exactly what we are all taught to do as children when we need help. She wasn’t alone. At least four other 9-1-1 calls were made that day — one from Nathan, and three from witnesses who saw pieces of the crime unfolding.

One brave witness even stayed on the phone for more than nine minutes, following the car, naming cross streets, and providing an exact location. Yet, despite her efforts and the proximity of several patrol cars within a mile of where Denise was being held, inefficiencies and communication failures within the 9-1-1 system prevented help from ever being sent.

On the morning of January 19, 2008, two heartbreaking days later, Denise’s body was found.

From that unimaginable pain came purpose. Out of tragedy, a movement began.

The Denise Amber Lee Foundation was created by her husband, Nathan Lee, to ensure that no other person, family, or community would ever have to endure such a preventable loss. The Foundation stands for hope, change, and accountability — working every day to make sure no call for help ever goes unanswered.

We envision a time when every emergency call is answered by a fully equipped, highly trained, and compassionate professional, a time when 9-1-1 will fail no one.

Since Denise’s passing, Nathan has dedicated his life to sharing her story and advocating for reform across the country. The Foundation partners with agencies, educators, and policymakers nationwide to transform heartbreak into progress, and to turn Denise’s legacy into lasting change.

Denise’s story has been featured on Dateline NBC, The Today Show, ABC’s 20/20, The Dr. Phil Show, Investigation Discovery, and in countless podcasts and YouTube documentaries. The Florida State Legislature, deeply moved by Denise’s story and her father’s testimony, passed a bill in her honor, unanimously.

Today, the Denise Amber Lee Foundation continues its mission with unwavering determination. From training and advocacy to reform and education, every effort honors Denise’s bravery and the light she left behind.

Her story reminds us that even through tragedy, hope can rise. 

Through her legacy, we work for a future where every voice calling for help is heard, every call is answered, and every life matters.