In 2019, a tragic incident unfolded in Hays, Kansas, when Colby Trickle reported to emergency services that his wife, Kristen Trickle, aged 26, had allegedly taken her own life. Despite initial declarations of suicide by the coroner, suspicions lingered among law enforcement officials, notably Sergeant Brandon Hauptman of the Hays Police Department.
Following the incident, Mr. Trickle received substantial insurance payouts, totaling over $120,000, within days of his wife’s demise. Curiously, just 48 hours after obtaining these funds, he made a purchase of a life-size doll, valued at approximately $2,000. This purchase raised eyebrows among investigators, who found it unsettling given the circumstances surrounding Kristen’s death.
Years later, during Mr. Trickle’s trial in September 2023, prosecutors highlighted this purchase as part of their case against him. They argued that his spending spree, which also included expenditures on video games, debt settlements, and musical equipment, suggested a callous attitude towards his wife’s memory.
Throughout the trial, Mr. Trickle’s defense attempted to rationalize the purchase of the doll. His mother, Tina Kreutzer, testified that it was intended to provide him with solace and alleviate his post-traumatic stress symptoms, including nightmares and sleep disturbances.
Despite these efforts, in November 2023, a jury found Colby Trickle guilty of first-degree murder and obstruction of justice. Consequently, he received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 50 years, marking the culmination of a tragic saga that began with Kristen Trickle’s untimely death.
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