Probe into murder uncovers intricate stalking scheme

Victim advocate Heather Aites, trained to support those enduring severe emotional distress, assisted Dan Krug after he rushed home from work on December 14, 2023, only to discover that his wife, Kristil, had been fatally attacked in their garage in Broomfield, Colorado.

Heather Aites described the experience: "Its surreal to be the one delivering the news that a loved one has died." She comforted Dan at the scene and later accompanied him to the police station, as bodycam footage captured his grief.

Dan and Kristil Krug, both 43, had been married for 16 years and shared three young children. Despite facing a previous stalking case together, Dan focused on protecting his children after learning of Kristils death. Police, led by Broomfield Chief Enea Hempelmann, launched immediate interviews and neighborhood canvassing in search of the perpetrator.

On the morning of the murder, Dan reported nothing unusual, following their routine of getting the children to school. A concerning text exchange from Kristil prompted Dan to request a welfare check. Officer John OHayre discovered Kristil deceased in the garage through a patrol car window.

Kristils parents, Lars and Linda Grimsrud, remembered her as a brilliant engineer with artistic talents, who loved working on classic cars with her father. The familys fond memories were overshadowed in fall 2023 when Kristil disclosed she was being harassed by an individual named Anthony Holland, a former boyfriend from years prior. Kristil had received threatening texts and emails, some of which included alarming photos of Dan, intensifying her fear.

Despite Kristil reporting the harassment to authorities and hiring a private investigator, progress was slow due to procedural delays. She took additional safety measures, including installing security cameras and carrying a firearm for protection. Dan also reported his own anxiety over the stalking, describing incidents that left him panicked and feeling inadequate.

After Kristils murder, Anthony Holland was quickly ruled out as a suspect, confirmed by alibi evidence placing him in Utah at the time. This led investigators to scrutinize Dan Krug, especially after digital forensics revealed threatening messages sent from the Wi-Fi at his workplace.

Dan initially maintained his innocence, insisting the real killer was still at large. However, investigators noted discrepancies in his behavior and body language. Further digital investigation exposed pre-programmed messages from Kristils phone and incriminating internet searches on Dans device related to head trauma and unconsciousness, strongly suggesting premeditation.

Dan Krug was subsequently arrested for the murder of his wife in a supermarket parking lot, later being charged with stalking, criminal impersonation, and first-degree murder. Prosecutors outlined a plan in which Dan sent disturbing messages to Kristil to manipulate her and maintain control, culminating in the fatal attack when she threatened to leave him.

The trial presented extensive digital evidence, including the threatening messages, emails, internet searches, and a photograph of Dan taken at work and sent to Kristil under the guise of the stalker. Defense arguments focused on gaps in physical forensic evidence, but the jury ultimately convicted Dan Krug of murder, stalking, and criminal impersonation. He received life imprisonment without parole, plus additional years for other offenses.

Kristils family continues to honor her memory through their children, passing down the father-daughter hobby of working on cars that Kristil cherished. Online fundraising efforts have also been initiated to support her three children.

The case underscores the dangers of stalking, the complexities of digital evidence, and the tragic consequences of domestic violence despite prior warnings.

Author: Sophia Brooks