The Defendant slandered the victims family for not publicly supporting his lies and deception and taught his daughter to hate as punishment of the same. When Detective Weaver called her nearly 20 years later and asked if she had any idea why he, an officer from Douglas County, might be calling out of the blue, Montoyas answer came quick and definitive. All of this led to the filing of murder charges last week. The Defendant feels no guilt, and, as is the case with most criminals, blames the victim, the victims family, the Good Samaritan and rescuers, the press, the investigative authorities, and the judicial system for his troubles. Then, he said, he saw nothing but a blurand Toni was no longer standing there. We ask: How could money be so important to a man, that he would kill the mother of his seven year old daughter? Although the police found a partial footprint on the Jeeps tires and Harolds statements about the tragedy kept changing, Lynns death was soon determined an accident. That wasnt really a concern for the Bertolets Tonis father, Bob, had grown wealthy by making smart bets on pieces of land that turned out to be full of oil. Tonis brother Barry Bertolet spoke at the sentencing. September 23, 2015 / 11:02 PM If Toni mentioned a stove wasnt working properly or noticed something else that needed fixing, the issue got deliberated for hours, until Toni was so exhausted by the argument that she gave up. The Bertolets have always been a close-knit family, loving, helping and protecting one another. The lead investigator made mention of a partial print on the wheel well, above the missing tire, the same one that Lynn had supposedly been trying to help change when she was killed. Not long after that he found what a lot of good detectives manage to find: a mantra. Harold Henthorn pleaded not guilty and has always maintained his innocence. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The Defendant proclaimed to be a Christian man when in fact he was an immoral man. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It wasnt until Toni came back to Mississippi to visit, for the first and only time in a decade without Harold, that Yvonne began to worry for her daughters safety. Toni was a medical doctor that had this unique perspective on life, and those moments affirmed her compassionate care and concern for others. The Defendant chose his own selfishness and greed over the needs of his family. He tossed the flat in the back, as Harold had said hed done in one version of his story. Harold Henthorn with Sandra Lynn, his first wife. Feds say Henthorn pushed his wife over a cliff at Rocky Mountain National Park. I dont think that was an accident at all, she said, sitting on a bed next to Toni. That saying served him well working sex crimes for most of a decade. Harold Henthorn, and his wife Toni. Yet every time Toni managed to sneak a look at the couples finances, she found that their bank accounts werent nearly as flush as he made them out to be. The Jeep was then salvaged. Harold Henthorn, 59, was convicted of one count of first-degree murder in the 2012 death of his second wife, Dr. Toni Henthorn. That she would take it to heart. We can only hope to learn more as the trial kicks into gear. On May 6, 1995, Harold and Sandra were driving home after a day of hiking. It appeared instead to be a terrible accident. What kind of mind thinks like that to kill based on an opportunity? Her mother, Yvonne Bertolet, says two years since her death, she still finds herself reaching for the phone to call her daughter. Harold Henthorn talked to many different members of Douglas County law enforcement on May 6th, 1995, the night his wife Lynn died after being crushed underneath their Jeep Cherokee. Henthorn shook his head when the judge polled the jury, and after the verdict was read, one of the jurors hugged Toni Henthorn's mother, Yvonne Bertolet. var scJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? Tonis family, though, did not have a high opinion of Harold and suspected foul play after her death. She was a volunteer with the West Douglas County Fire Department who arrived on scene shortly after Montoya left. The couple met online in late 1999 and got married only nine months later, both in a rush to. Even though he said he could work from anywhere, he didnt see a future in Mississippi, where Tonis family, friends and nearly everyone else who was dear to her already lived. She was killed while trying to change a flat tire when the car she was underneath fell on top of her, thousands of pounds of metal pinning her to the ground. She was a beautiful hazel-eyed blonde Southern Belle who excelled in academics, sports, music and leadership. She had fallen 128 feet, and suffered numerous severe injuries. Thus, considering all evidence and statements, the police decided they had enough to charge Harold Henthorn with Toni Henthorns murder. By Kirk Mitchell. Bertolet said he supported what the court-appointed administrators were doing since Toni Henthorn's family believes Harold Henthorn has likely spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of his dead wife's money to pay his own defense lawyers. Employee communication . But every time she broached the subject of Harolds job, the couples lack of money or his need for control over every part of her life, Toni always had the same response: If you do that, Ill suffer the consequences. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. In 2012, Harold and Dr. Toni Henthorn celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary with a hiking trip in Rocky Mountain National Park. (This was also brought up in court.) He had done a lot: Two tours in Vietnam, a return to the country to help evacuate Saigon and 20 years patrolling Air Force bases. To the young man who thought he needed a new prescription for his glasses, but was diagnosed by Toni with an aggressive brain tumor requiring immediate intervention, Tonis life mattered and was indispensable. The couple seemed quite happy initially and even gave birth to their only child, Haley, in 2005. Several of the jurors spoke with the Denver Post following the verdict, and one jurors comment summed their thinking up maybe better than any other. In fact, the Defendant has never been unlucky; only the Defendants wives have been unlucky with their untimely and obscure deaths. Incidentally, the highway was quite deserted at that time of the year and did not witness much traffic. The money was purportedly for a business investment, according to evidence presented at an earlier federal court hearing. As the little boy lay on the emergency room table, he pointed to his head and moaned hurt..hurt. Harold and Toni Henthorn Toni and Harold met online in 1999 and married just nine months later. On May 6, 1995, Harold and Lynndecided to go on a long drive along a highway in Sedalia, Colorado. Detective Weaver now had no doubts. Firstly, we wanted to be a strong voice for Toni and to seek justice in her behalf. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. According to the show, Tonis family passed a statement claiming that their daughter was quite disturbed in the days leading up to her passing. Knowing what you value will help you build the most meaningful life possible. Henthorn was able to persuade police his first wife died as the result of a tragic accident. They were out hiking when Toni lost her balance on a steep cliff in Rocky Mountain National Park on September 29th, 2012, bleeding out on the ground 130 feet below where she fell. After all, his first wife had also died under unusual circumstances, although her death was immediately ruled an accident. Reached this week, Rob Henthorn declined to discuss the half million dollars and referred questions to his attorney, Pam Mackey. "Certainly those weren't my sister's wishes," said Bertolet of Harold Henthorn spending his wife's money to fight charges that he killed her. Full disclaimer: I have not evaluated Harold Henthorn, but if he is guilty of murder, then he would fall into the range of what I call a borderline sociopath. The story behind that tragedy was revealed last November in an episode of CBS' "48 Hours" and, apparently, more details are forthcoming with the "Dateline" broadcast this month. Her greatest asset was her ability to feel what others were feeling. A medical physician of Tonis caliber doesnt just happen because one simply holds a medical degree; this type of physician evolves through extraordinary experiences and is not readily replaced.There is no unique perspective or lesson to garner from the wrongful death and loss of Toni it is what it is a devastating loss. When Dave Weaver first sat down with the file he wasnt impressed. As Warren Buffet stated, Honesty is a very expensive gift. Afterwards she would discover what it was that had hurt her so badly: a large piece of lumber that Harold said fell off the porch. He slammed the tailgate. It is often said that when a brilliant mind, talent, and heart come together as one, one should expect a Masterpiece. Harold had her body cremated, scattered the ashes on Colorados Red Mountain, and collected the $500,000 life insurance payout from the plan she had recently signed up for. My child now asks the appropriate question of how do I know. The Dateline NBC episode 'Over the Edge' tells the story of Toni Henthorn who fell to her death while hiking with her husband Harold Henthorn in Rocky Mountain National Park in 2012. A federal jury on Monday convicted a man of murder for pushing his wife off a cliff as they hiked in Colorado to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Which he always did. Can Humans Detect Text by AI Chatbot GPT? Many notorious serial killers have been sociopaths, such as Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy. A jury convicted him of murdering his second wife, Toni Bertolet, based on evidence that he murdered his first wife, Sandra 'Lynn' Henthorn. They also would have discovered that the amount was so high because Harold had changed the policy. The Bertolets said goodbye to their only daughter a few days later. To another he said it wasnt him Lynn was actually rescued by a random group of helpful strangers. Plot summary Add synopsis Genres Documentary News Certificate TV-PG Parents guide Add content advisory The Harold Henthorn-Toni Henthorn murder case will be aired on the latest episode of 48 Hours. But given the inconsistencies in Harolds story plus the inaccurate life insurance figure he shared, along with the fact that no one could explain exactly how the Jeep had fallen in the first place its existence pointed to an alternative explanation: Harold had kicked the car and killed his wife on purpose. Her husband calls 911 but she dies and, at first, it seems like an accident. All Rights reserved. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Since Harold was treated from the start as a victim, not a suspect, and since his wifes death was treated as an accident, not a deliberate murder, clues that wouldve appeared to others as red flags had no discernible hue at all. (The detective would later testify to this in court.) Of Henthorns defense, Peter Christofolo said, It didnt meet the common-sense barometer., It was supposed to be the perfect weekend #Dateline pic.twitter.com/ccPUf1sDEy, Dateline NBC (@DatelineNBC) November 23, 2016, A few weeks later, in early December, a judge handed down the official sentence: life in prison. Testimony in the Henthorn trial showed Harold Henthorn never really had steady employment, had brought in no income while married to Toni Henthorn, and had been living off his ophthalmologist wife and her family's money for years. The Douglas County Coroner had ruled Lynns death as accidental. The story went like this: Late one night, while Haley slept inside the cabin, Harold asked Toni to help him clean up some debris. From the time of Tonis death, the Defendant has made it abundantly clear that he just wanted to move on with his life. She said she believed Harold was living off of his first wifes life insurance, a death that everyone in the Bertolet family understood to be the result of a tragic car accident. He refused to allow Toni to help put Haley to bed at night, insisting that the hour or so before Haley fell asleep was his daddy-daughter time. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". To the little boy that was dying on the emergency room table that felt the healing hand of a wonderful physician, but was in need of a guiding hand to heaven from a person of tremendous faith, Tonis life mattered and was indispensable.On September 29, 2012, the Defendant murdered Toni Bertolet Henthorn. He insisted at both the verdict and the sentencing that he would appeal the decision. He pushed her.. In 2014 federal magistrate judge Kathleen Tafoya said at a hearing, "The court views these transfers as an attempt to hide $500,000 in cash assets which could be used should the defendant decide to flee the country. She had a passion to console and give advice to those who were in need of direction and comfort. Toni Bertolet Henthorns life was a masterpiece and role model to those who were fortunate to be a part of her life. Toni Henthorn fell to her death off a cliff while hiking with her husband, Harold. The preparation of the Victim Statements by Barry, Todd and myself have helped us move ahead in the journey to recovery.Prepared by Bob Bertolet, October 19, 2015Amended December 5, 2015, My name is Todd Bertolet, and I am the younger brother of Toni Bertolet Henthorn.Toni Bertolet Henthorn was blessed with the gift of intellectual brilliance, impeccable character, extraordinary talents, and a big heart. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. "); You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. He would put them on speakerphone and then do the majority of the talking, while Tonis voice came in faint and distant, as if she were standing in another room. July 26, 2017 at 11:59 a.m. Her husband's past is probed and deadly secrets are revealed. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Months later, when they got the news that she was dead, and that she had died while alone with Harold, her father Bob said what most in the family were already thinking. His bosses told him to work the case the same way he worked every other case, which meant to go where the truth led, no matter where it led. After years of trying, the two managed to have a daughter, Haley. Where Is Harold and Toni Henthorns Daughter Now. Perhaps the most difficult part to understand is that Henthorn had it made. A true parent places a childs needs above their own selfish wants. As always, Dateline NBC will use experts, law enforcement officials, and friends and family members to shape the story. In September of 2015, three years after the incident, a jury found Harold Henthorn guilty of first-degree murder in the case of Toni Henthorns death. We take solace that prayers are being answeredIn closing, I thank the Court for allowing me to present this Victim Impact Statement. Then came more subtle attempts to choke off any contact Toni might have with those who loved her. Harold planned every one of the little girls days and nights. Henthorn told authorities his wife was busy taking photographs and must have slipped, although he didn't see exactly what happened because he was using his phone at the time. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. "We are overjoyed with the verdict and relieved this won't happen to any other lady," said Barry Bertolet, Toni Henthorn's brother. Buried inside the report, Detective Weaver found a reference to a footprint. On looking back, authorities realized that they had failed to follow up on numerous leads regarding Lynns death, including the partial footprint found on the Jeeps tire. The Defendants jealousy and selfish ambition prevented any of his energies from being expended in considering the good of others, and, as such, his actions were accordingly contemptible.The Defendant mistakenly believes that he is a father and parent just because he has a child. She chose ophthalmology, because to look into ones eyes draws a dedication and commitment to the person observed. "Believe it or not I forgive him (Henthorn) for doing it. Harold Henthorn, who shoved second wife off cliff, loses appeal for a new murder trial. She had already suffered through one previous marriage, and her parents knew that her deepening faith and the fact that she and Harold now had a child of their own meant it was unlikely she would ever choose to divorce him. The basic facts of the case are these. For some reason, though it was clear she needed their help, Harold yelled at them when they dragged Lynns unconscious body out from underneath the Jeep. When Weaver finally left the Air Force and asked her where she wanted to live, she chose Denver. Reviewed by Ekua Hagan. When the friends and family of Toni Henthorn heard how she died, only one was able to put into words what so many others were thinking. ", VIDEO:Watch the CBS4 special "Inside The Investigation: Harold Henthorn. Lynn Henthorns death was a tragedy, not a crime. My name is Bob Bertolet, father of the victim, Toni Bertolet Henthorn. Her husband, Harold Henthorn, was convicted of first-degree murder in her death. To some people he said the Jeep fell when he threw the flat tire into the open hatch in the back. The Defendant even proclaimed to a group of school mothers that Tonis daughter would be fine, because the real relationship was actually between Haley and him. According to Henthorn, he said a tire felt "spongy," so he pulled off the road to change it. Even after shed fallen asleep, Harold found a way to keep his eye on his only child. The lies? To the young medical physician in need of an accomplished mentor to guide a promising medical career, Tonis life mattered and was indispensable. The Defendant claimed to be a provider, when, in fact he offered and gave nothing. Toni was not a life form on this Earth with wings and halo; she was a grounded person living an everyday life while doing remarkable deeds that touched peoples lives.Remarkable deeds didnt always shield Toni from the heartaches and losses seen in the practice of medicine, but those heartaches and losses defined and elevated her compassion and care. She had insurance policies, and Henthorn collected $496,000 from her death. At one point, Sandra ended up underneath the car looking for a lug nut and the car crushed her when it fell off the jack. Toni and Harold Henthorn were celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary the weekend when she died. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. Instead, it appears he risked it all for some insurance compensation. Then, he asked Sandra to come help him. Maybe even that she would leave Harold. The 100 Best Albums of 2022. Yet Toni remained silent. A government auditor testified at a grand jury hearing that Henthorn not only kept things from friends and family but also deceived on many occasions. We agonize over the question: Did Toni know she was being murdered and what were her thoughts as she fell 140 feet? Initially quite respected and thought of as a regular citizen, people who knew Henthorn were shocked after his conviction as a murderer. However, his first wife, Lynn . Eventually, Harold is arrested and convicted of first-degree murder. Oh it was nothing, Mrs. B! Harold had insisted on one of their phone calls afterwards. He's 38 years old, a married, religious person and he's shoplifting underwear in JCPenney." "She contributed a lot to society, and to be wiped out for no good reason, it's more devastating." I disagree with the Defendants counsel when he proclaimed that the Defendant told lies to his detriment; the truth is the Defendant told lies for his direct benefit. And that might have been the end of the storywere it not for an anonymous tip to authorities, encouraging them to look at the circumstances of Harolds first wifes death. Henthorn has sociopathic tendencies, without doubt, but what makes this so challenging is that a murderer is typically not a sociopath. By the time Detective Weaver called Roberts, she had been promoted all the way up to chief of the department, and had witnessed more deaths than she cared to count. This despite the fact that the Bertolets had been extra generous to Harold and Toni, gifting them some half-million dollars for a down payment on their house in Colorado, for cars and new appliances and for anything else the couple needed in the 10 years since theyd married. Harold Henthorn, 59, was convicted of one count of first-degree murder in the 2012 death of his second wife, Dr. Toni Henthorn. She, like Dr. Henthorn, died in a rural and deserted area. A partial footprint wasnt necessarily evidence of anything. However, Harold kept insisting on his innocence and in 2017 appealed for a retrial which was subsequently shot down. And, strangest of all from Montoyas perspective, Harold refused to hand over the coat he was wearing. The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time Harold Henthorn, convicted of killing his second wife by shoving her off a cliff, will not get a new trial according to a ruling. I know he killed her, he says. At one time she had been assertive and confident a former high school athlete with a deep commitment to God and an unwavering belief that she was put on Earth to help people heal. Then harder still. Friends and family were delighted for the pair, who seemed to be the perfect match. In the process of his own investigation, Detective Weaver discovered that no officer had called the restaurant where Harold claimed, at least in one version of his story, he and Lynn had eaten before the accident. I think of how desperately she wanted a child and now she will never see that child grow up, never see her grandchildren.There is a picture of a smiling Toni resting on an easel in our home. To one cop, Harold said that they were driving east.

Workwear Group Ramsay Health, Paul Bryant Jr Daughters, Articles H