BONUS: Father Knows Death (Accident, Suicide, or Murder)
Snapped: Women Who Murder
Deep Dive
Why did Carl Carlson leave California shortly after his wife's death?
Carl left California quickly after his wife's death, which raised suspicions and made it difficult for investigators to build a case against him.
What evidence suggested that Christina Carlson's death might not have been an accident?
Evidence included a boarded-up window in the bathroom, a heavy odor of kerosene near the scene, and burn patterns indicating the fire's origin outside the bathroom where Christina was.
How did Carl explain the boarded-up window in the bathroom?
Carl claimed that his wife had broken the window and they couldn't afford to fix it, so he boarded it up to keep the bathroom warm.
What was the official ruling on Christina Carlson's death in 1991?
Christina's death was officially ruled an accident due to insufficient hard evidence to prove otherwise.
How did the death of Levi Carlson in 2008 raise suspicions about Carl?
Levi's death, where he was pinned under a truck that fell off a jack, was initially ruled an accident but later re-examined due to inconsistencies and Carl's past behavior.
What role did Cindy Carlson play in the reopening of Levi's case?
Cindy, Carl's second wife, provided crucial information and cooperated with investigators, leading to the reopening of Levi's case and eventually Carl's confession.
What was the outcome of Carl Carlson's trial for the murder of Christina?
Carl was found guilty of first-degree murder in Christina's death and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Why did investigators initially struggle to build a case against Carl for Christina's death?
Investigators faced challenges due to Carl leaving the state quickly, limited resources, and the lack of a witness, making it hard to prove arson.
How did the reopening of Christina's case in California come about?
The reopening was prompted by new evidence and information from New York, where Carl was convicted for Levi's murder, leading to a renewed investigation in California.
What was the significance of the kerosene evidence in Christina's case?
The presence of kerosene near the scene and a second fresh pour of kerosene shortly before the fire indicated deliberate action, suggesting arson rather than an accident.
- Christina Carlson dies in a house fire while taking a bath.
- Carl Carlson saves their three children but is unable to rescue his wife.
- Suspicions arise due to a boarded-up window and kerosene spill near the bathroom.
Shownotes Transcript