The Bloody Love Triangle: The Murder of Sherri Dally
By Richard Senate
On the afternoon of May 6, 1996, 35-year-old Sherri Dally went to the Target store on Main Street, Ventura, to buy a Mother’s Day gift. As she left the store, she was confronted by a woman in a tan pantsuit, wearing a blonde wig, who posed as a security guard. After falsely accusing Sherri of theft, the woman handcuffed her and forced her into a Nissan Altima. That was the last time Sherri was seen alive.
When Sherri didn’t return home, her husband, Michael Dally, filed a missing person’s report and appeared to be a devastated spouse. He was a successful supermarket manager, but those close to him found his display of concern suspicious. As weeks passed with no leads, Michael distanced himself from the search, even selling off his wife’s belongings, as if he knew she wouldn’t come back.
Nearly a month later, Sherri’s body was discovered in a ravine off Canada Larga Road, north of Ventura. Her remains, ravaged by wildlife, were almost skeletal. Forensic evidence revealed she had been murdered just hours after her abduction, her skull fractured by blunt force, and her ribs punctured by six or seven stab wounds.
The investigation soon revealed that Michael was involved in an affair with Diana Haun, a deli clerk at the supermarket he managed. The two had vacationed together in Mexico and shared an apartment. Diana had purchased a tan pantsuit and blonde wig around the time of the kidnapping, and she rented a Nissan Altima. When she returned the car, bloodstains were found on the seat.
Further digging into Michael’s past revealed a history of infidelity, drug use, and a fondness for prostitutes. Sherri had tried to save their marriage, but Michael was relentless in his pursuit of a divorce, even taking out a $50,000 life insurance policy on her.
Both Michael and Diana were arrested for Sherri’s murder. During the trial, Diana claimed she was manipulated by Michael, driven by her love for him and a twisted desire to please. A self-proclaimed witch, she had even bragged to coworkers about offering him a “human sacrifice” for his birthday. Michael, in turn, denied involvement, blaming Diana’s delusions for the crime.
Both were found guilty. With the death penalty under review, they were sentenced to life in prison without parole. Sherri’s remains were cremated, and she now rests at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park.
In 2018, Michael appealed his conviction to then-Governor Jerry Brown, but his appeal was denied. Diana’s attempt to overturn her conviction, citing jury bias due to her witchcraft, was rejected in 2000. She is currently serving her sentence at the California Institute for Women in Chino, while Michael is incarcerated at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton.
The case shook Ventura County, a tragic reminder of how a love triangle can spiral into a horrific crime. Perhaps a memorial cross should be placed at the site where Sherri’s remains were found, ensuring her memory is never forgotten.
