48 Hours: Manhunts for Suspected Criminals | Full Episodes

The Murder of Katie Blauvelt

• 💔 Katie Blauvelt, a young woman described as a free spirit, was found murdered in an abandoned farmhouse, stabbed in the neck with a knife blade left in her body.
• 💔 Her mother, Patty Pyiver, was devastated, stating Katie did not deserve to be murdered.
• 💔 Investigators noted John Blauvelt, Katie's husband, showed a lack of shock and asked about his own charges rather than the details of his wife's death, raising suspicions.

John Blauvelt on the Run

• 🏃‍♂️ Shortly after Katie's body was found, John Blauvelt fled the state with his 17-year-old girlfriend, Hannah Thompson.
• 🏃‍♂️ The United States Marshals Service was contacted to assist in the manhunt for John, who was described as a trained fugitive.
• 🏃‍♂️ Blauvelt's military background and training were noted as factors that could make him a unique and dangerous fugitive.

Investigation and Evidence

• 🔍 Investigators found Katie's body in a concrete box in the basement of the abandoned farmhouse, suggesting a deliberate attempt to conceal the crime.
• 🔍 John Blauvelt had a history of domestic violence, including an incident where he allegedly pointed a gun at Katie and threatened to kill her and her family.
• 🔍 A restraining order was issued against Blauvelt, but he and Katie still had contact, primarily related to her dog.
• 🔍 Blauvelt's military career was in jeopardy due to the domestic violence charges, and he allegedly expressed a desire for revenge against Katie for ruining his career.

Hannah Thompson's Involvement and Testimony

• 🤝 Hannah Thompson, who was 17 at the time, was with John Blauvelt when he fled.
• 🤝 Investigators expressed concern for Hannah's safety, given John's alleged willingness to kill his wife.
• 🤝 Hannah initially provided conflicting stories and was reluctant to cooperate, but eventually admitted to lying to police and helping John hide Katie's car.
• 🤝 Years later, Hannah revealed she had been in regular contact with Blauvelt, providing crucial leads that eventually led to his capture.

Capture and Trial

• 🎯 After nearly six years on the run, John Blauvelt was apprehended in Medford, Oregon, identified by a distinctive pirate tattoo.
• 🎯 Blauvelt was arrested and charged with murder, initially claiming to be someone else.
• 🎯 A journal found with Blauvelt contained a damning entry: "I did it," which prosecutors used as evidence.
• 🎯 John Blauvelt was found guilty of the murder of Katie Blauvelt and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
• ⚖️ Hannah Thompson was later charged with obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact, pleading not guilty.

The Peter Chadwick Case

• ⚖️ The episode also features the case of Peter Chadwick, accused of murdering his wife, QC, and fleeing the country.
• ⚖️ Chadwick made a bizarre 911 call claiming he was kidnapped and his wife was murdered by someone else, a story investigators found implausible.
• ⚖️ After a nearly five-year international manhunt, Chadwick was apprehended in Mexico and extradited to Los Angeles.
• ⚖️ He was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.