Accused killer's voice on a 911 call in Michigan. A hike in paradise gone terribly wrong. And Karen Read's retrial begins.

Dateline NBC

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Published: Thu Apr 03 2025

Listen to this week's episode of the Dateline: True Crime Weekly with Andrea Canning. In Michigan, the prosecution plays the 911 call from the crime scene — but does it help the defense? In Hawaii, a doctor is charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to push his wife off a popular trail. What she's told investigators. Jury selection is underway in Karen Read's retrial and finished early in Lori Vallow Daybell's Arizona trial. Plus, best practices for law enforcement on how to interact with people with autism. Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com. Domestic violence resources: Call 1-800-799-SAFE, text START to 88788, or visit https://www.thehotline.org/

Summary

Dateline NBC: Accused Killer's Voice on a 911 Call in Michigan, A Hike in Paradise Gone Terribly Wrong, and Karen Read's Retrial Begins Release Date: April 3, 2025

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Dateline NBC, host Andrea Canning delves into a series of compelling true-crime stories that span from heart-wrenching retrials to a chilling attempted murder in paradise. The episode intricately weaves through multiple high-stakes cases, offering listeners a deep dive into the complexities of each situation, backed by firsthand accounts and expert insights.

1. Retrial of Linda K. Sturmer: A Michigan Case Reopened

The episode opens with a detailed examination of the retrial of Linda K. Sturmer, a woman accused of murdering her husband, Todd Sturmer, fifteen years after the initial incident. Originally convicted for setting their home on fire while Todd was asleep and subsequently running him over with the family van, Linda was released after serving eight years of a life sentence. A federal appeals court now mandates her retrial due to allegations of ineffective counsel and prosecutorial misconduct.

Key Testimonies and Evidence:

Neighbor Testimonies: Multiple neighbors provided crucial insights. Dr. Richard Moussali, a dentist, and his sons arrived at the scene to find Todd suffering from severe burns. Dr. Moussali attempted CPR, stating, “[04:11] One of the neighbors, Dr. Richard Moussali, he's a dentist. He and his sons went over and when they got there, they saw Todd. He was unconscious, laying on his back. All hair was gone, his skin was burned. He was not responsive. So Dr. Moussali did mouth to mouth on Todd Sturmer, trying to resuscitate him.”
911 Call: A neighbor's 911 call captured Linda's distressed voice. As Sergey Evonen notes, “[05:04] It was kind of bone chilling to hear that almost unnatural sound of Linda wailing. It sounded like almost a fire truck. It sounds so primal.”
Medical Examiner's Testimony: The prosecution presented the medical examiner who confirmed detecting an accelerant, a claim the defense contested, questioning the reliability after fifteen years. “[07:25] The medical examiner took the stand, and she testified that she smelled an accelerant.”

Defense Challenges:

Linda's attorney aggressively cross-examined the pathologist, challenging the connection between the accelerant and the burn injuries, ultimately labeling the manner of death as undetermined.

Jury's Perspective:

Sergey highlighted the jury's skepticism during the trial, “[08:32] The jury asked a lot of questions about toxicology testing... The doctor's testimony did not confirm all of it.”

2. Attempted Murder in Paradise: The Gerhard Koenig Case in Hawaii

Shifting scenes to the picturesque trails of Hawaii, Andrea Canning narrates the harrowing account of Gerhard Koenig, a 46-year-old medical doctor accused of attempting to murder his wife, Ariel Koenig, on the Palipuka Trail in Oahu.

Incident Details:

Attack Description: Ariel detailed the brutal attack, stating, “[11:25] He struck her with a rock ten times on the head, grabbed her hair and smashed her face into the ground.”
Rescue and Arrest: Two hikers intervened, with one capturing the struggle on their phone. Gerhard was apprehended after a manhunt and now faces charges of attempted second-degree murder, held without bail.

Relationship Dynamics:

Mahealani Richardson from KHNL provides context on the Koenigs' relationship, noting that they appeared to be a loving couple with careers in engineering and medicine. However, court documents reveal underlying tensions, including accusations of Ariel having an affair and Gerhard's extreme jealousy.

Expert Insights:

Domestic violence experts express shock over the case, emphasizing the betrayal of trust given Gerhard's professional standing as a doctor. “[16:53] What makes this so shocking is that this is involving a doctor, and doctors take this oath to protect people.”

Legal Proceedings:

Gerhard is set for an arraignment and plea shortly, with ongoing hearings planned for the temporary restraining order. Ariel has sought legal protection following the incident, highlighting a pattern of alleged abuse.

3. Dateline Roundup: High-Profile Trials and Legal Battles

In the Dateline Roundup, Andrea Canning touches upon several other significant cases:

Karen Reed's Retrial in Massachusetts: Karen Reed faces her second trial for the alleged murder of her police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe. With heightened security and a challenging jury selection process—where three-quarters of prospective jurors had preconceived notions about the case—the trial is poised to be lengthy and contentious.
Lori Valo Daybell's Trial in Arizona: Lori Valo Daybell, also known as Mommy Doomsday, is on trial for conspiracy to murder. The prosecution alleges her involvement in the death of her brother, Alex Cox, who killed her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, citing self-defense. Lori's decision to represent herself has led to intense courtroom exchanges, particularly regarding her defense strategies.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Lawsuit Dismissal: A lawsuit against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging sexual assault was dismissed when the plaintiff failed to come forward, despite initial permissions to remain anonymous. This dismissal raises questions about the viability of future anonymous claims against Combs.

4. Advocacy and Awareness: Training Law Enforcement on Autism Interactions

A poignant segment features former New Jersey Police Captain Jerry Turning, who has dedicated his post-retirement life to training first responders on interacting with individuals on the autism spectrum. Inspired by his son, Eric, who has autism, Jerry addresses the gaps in police training regarding neurodiverse individuals.

Training Insights:

Understanding Behavior: Jerry emphasizes that behaviors exhibited by individuals with autism are often misinterpreted as signs of intoxication or evasiveness. “[28:35] Understanding that this stuff is hard. A lot of these behaviors... will directly mimic things that we've been taught in a police academy to show.”
Communication Strategies: He advises caretakers to inform law enforcement about the individual's condition proactively, whether through verbal communication or identification technologies like ID bracelets.
Real-Life Applications: Anna Turning shares the case of Sebastian Rogers, a 15-year-old autistic boy who went missing. The search teams played his favorite song, “Eye of the Tiger,” to soothe and guide him, exemplifying effective strategies taught by Jerry.

Personal Impact:

Jerry reflects on his dual role as a police officer and a father, stating, “[27:10] He has been an amazing eye-opening experience for us.”

Conclusion

This episode of Dateline NBC masterfully navigates through intricate true-crime narratives, blending courtroom drama with personal advocacy. From the reopened trials in Michigan and Massachusetts to the harrowing attempted murder in Hawaii, each story underscores the profound human emotions and legal complexities involved. Additionally, the discussion on autism awareness and law enforcement training highlights the show's commitment to addressing broader societal issues beyond individual cases.

For listeners seeking a deep and nuanced exploration of true-crime stories, this episode serves as a compelling testament to Dateline NBC's enduring dedication to uncovering and understanding the multifaceted nature of crime and its impact on communities.

Notable Quotes:

Sergey Evonen on the 911 Call: “[05:05] It was kind of bone chilling to hear that almost unnatural sound of Linda wailing. It sounded like almost a fire truck.”
Karen Reed's Attorney on Self-Representation: “[23:22] I've done everything in my power with the limitations that I am an incarcerated person at this maximum security prison jail.”
Jerry Turning on Law Enforcement Training: “[28:35] Understanding that this stuff is hard. A lot of these behaviors... will directly mimic things that we've been taught in a police academy to show.”

Resources:

If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship abuse, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE, text START to 88788, or go to thehotline.org.

Upcoming on Dateline NBC:

Tune in next Friday for a two-hour special episode, "Deadly Obsession," where a grieving daughter takes matters into her own hands to uncover the truth behind her parents' mysterious deaths.

Dateline True Crime Weekly is produced by Franny Kelly and Katie Ferguson, with contributions from Carson Cummins, Caroline Casey, Liz Brown Kurloff, Veronica Mazeca, Rick Kwan, and original music by Jesse McGinty.