The Unsolved Murder of Nanette Krentel: Fire, Forensics, and Foul Play

The Discovery and Initial Investigation

• 🚒 First responders found the body of Nanette Krentel in her home on July 14th, 2017, after a fire destroyed it.
• 🔫 Investigators determined Nanette was shot in the head before the fire started, indicating a cover-up.
• 🏠 Nanette and her husband, Steven Krentel (a fire chief), lived on a secluded 100-acre property, equipped with nine security cameras and 30 firearms.
• ⏱️ A timeline of Nanette's last day included a breakfast drive-thru, a call to Kmart, and an unusual call to an unknown number.

The Crime Scene and Forensic Challenges

• 🔥 The fire was determined to be arson, with accelerants used to destroy evidence, including the home's DVR system.
• 🔫 A damaged gun of the same caliber as the murder weapon was found, but initial firearms testing on seized guns did not match the bullet.
• 🐶 Tragically, Nanette's dog and two cats were also found deceased in the home.
• 🔬 A third autopsy conducted by a private investigator and forensic pathologist confirmed the death was a homicide, noting the absence of soot in Nanette's airways.

Suspects and Family Concerns

• 👨‍🚒 Steven Krentel, Nanette's husband and a fire chief, was an initial suspect but was later cleared by the Sheriff's office after passing a polygraph and having an alibi.
• ⚠️ Nanette had expressed significant fear of Steve's brother, Brian, who had a history of threats, including threatening to burn down the house and kill Nanette.
• 🚫 A geo-fence system was installed to alert Brian's probation officer if he came near the home, but the tracking function on his ankle bracelet was reportedly never activated.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Police also looked into Steve's son, Justin, who was out of state at the time, and other family members.

Allegations of Police Misconduct and Case Handling

• 🗣️ The St. Tam Parish Sheriff's Office faced criticism for its handling of the case, including allegations of corruption and sloppy police work.
• 📧 An investigator, Jerry Rogers, was arrested for criminal defamation after criticizing the Sheriff's Office and allegedly leaking information, though a judge later found no probable cause for his arrest.
• 🕵️ The FBI requested an investigation into a possible criminal conspiracy at the Sheriff's Office in October 2019.
• ⚖️ A federal judge and the US Court of Appeals later ruled that deputies illegally arrested Jerry Rogers, and his lawsuit was settled.
• 📁 The St. Tam DA's office took over the lead investigator role from the Sheriff's office due to a loss of faith in their handling of the case.

The Unsolved Mystery

• ❓ The case remains unsolved over six years later, with the fire destroying crucial evidence.
• 🎯 Investigators believe the killer likely intended to destroy evidence, possibly including Nanette's body, to conceal the murder.
• 🔍 The complexities of the crime scene, coupled with alleged issues within the investigating agency, have made solving Nanette Krentel's murder exceptionally difficult.