Dateline Originals: "Something About Cari" – Ep. 4: A Shot in the Dark

Release Date: February 4, 2026
Host: Keith Morrison
Series Theme: Unraveling the disappearance of Cari Farver and the web of digital deception, shifting blame, and dangerous obsession that followed

Episode Overview

Episode 4, "A Shot in the Dark," dives deep into the events surrounding a shocking violent attack, new accusations, and the unraveling of years-long lies and manipulation. Investigators begin to see through the haze of deception in the disappearance of Cari Farver, as digital forensics and careful detective work reveal a truth more bizarre than fiction. At the episode's center is the attempted shooting of Liz Golyar and its explosive aftermath, leading to the "scales falling" from the eyes of law enforcement and Cari’s family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Shooting at Big Lake Park

• Liz Golyar’s Claim:
  On December 5, 2015, Liz tells police she was shot by a woman in Big Lake Park. She claims the shooter was Amy Flora, the ex-partner of Dave Krupa and mother of his children, not Cari Farver as previously thought.
  • Quote (Liz to Police, 03:00): “She [the assailant] stuck a gun to my back, told me to get on the ground and then shot me in the leg and then ran off.”
• Police Response & Investigation:
  Detectives, including Matthew Coleman, find Liz wounded but alive—the bullet cleanly passed through her leg. Liz is transported to the hospital, and a citywide search is launched for the shooter.

2. The Accusation Against Amy Flora

• Amy’s Account:
  Police surround Amy’s home, traumatizing her. She’s shocked at being accused and fails a polygraph test, but maintains her innocence.
  • Quote: Amy Flora (07:50): “I've never been in trouble my whole life... My first thought was, I was going to jail. I would lose my kids.”
• Alibi Check:
  Amy’s car was cold, neighbors confirmed she was home—all pointing strongly to her innocence. Her nervousness is attributed to the trauma and stress rather than guilt.

3. Doubts and Red Flags Multiply

• Host Keith Morrison’s Recap:
  Investigators and Dave Krupa express disbelief that Amy could be the shooter, and incongruities pile up. Liz’s accusation seems suspiciously timed.
  • Quote: Dave Krupa (11:50): “Amy’s afraid to even pick up a pistol, let alone handle one.”
• Todd’s Discovery:
  Todd Butterbaugh, Liz’s ex-roommate, is asked to retrieve Liz’s tablet. Instead, he finds his own "stolen" laptop under her bed—further suggesting Liz’s dishonesty.

4. Cracks in the Facade: Growing Suspicion of Liz

• Digital and Real-World Evidence:
  During visits and conversations, detectives note inconsistencies in Liz’s stories. Liz also changes her claim about her stalker—once Carrie, now Amy.
  • Detective Avis (15:20): “It is…Amy shot you with Dave’s gun, isn’t it?”
• "The Scales Fall":
  Detectives and the Farver family realize that the years-long harassment in Carrie’s name couldn't have come from her—it was too calculated, too consistent, and often failed to sound like her.

5. Technological Forensics Unravel the Lie

• Tony Kava’s Digital Dive:
  Digital forensics expert Tony Kava—who coincidentally is Todd Butterbaugh’s boss—unmasks Liz as the orchestrator of years of digital harassment (emails, social media, fake accounts, YouTube uploads) by linking the activity to her IP addresses.
  • Quote: Tony Kava (36:40): "It might take her five minutes to create a fake email account. It might take me, you know, 15 hours to prove that it’s actually her."
• Physical Evidence:
  A fingerprint of Liz’s is found in Carrie’s Ford Explorer, a vehicle Liz had no plausible reason to be inside.

6. Repercussions for Carrie’s Family

• Impact on Nancy (Carrie’s mother) & Max (her son):
  The family describe hope, confusion, and ultimately, the heartbreaking acceptance that Carrie is gone. Max suspects early on that the texts weren’t from his mother.
  • Quote: Nancy (26:30): “There was no making sense of it. Total loss.”
  • Quote: Max (29:30): “We pretty much already knew that someone was just posing as my mom…We knew she didn’t just run away.”

7. Law Enforcement’s Changing Theories

• Detectives Doty & Avis Take Over:
  These new eyes on the case question the prevailing "Carrie as villain" narrative, focusing instead on Liz as the perpetrator—likely willing to go to dangerous lengths, even self-harm, to bolster her lies.
  • Quote: Detective Avis (34:30): “She shot herself is what I thought…burn her own house down? Vandalize her own car? Wow.”
• The Hunt for Proof:
  While digital evidence now clearly points to Liz, proof of murder remains elusive—posing challenges for prosecution.

8. The Final Ruse & Liz’s Self-Interested Cooperation

• Detectives’ Strategy:
  Detectives set a trap, pretending to have found Carrie’s remains, to pressure Liz for a timeline and details—hoping for a confession or slip up.
  • Quote: Detective Doty (54:30): "We want to build a case against Amy. We want to get Amy thrown in prison, which we were hoping was music to her ears."
• Liz’s Demeanor:
  She enthusiastically agrees to help, unaware she is now the prime suspect.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Liz’s initial 911 call, wounded but calm:
  “I’ve been shot in the leg.” (02:00)
• Keith Morrison on the sudden shift in accusation:
  “Strange events and odd coincidences fell down like rain on a picnic some days, especially whenever Liz was around.” (17:40)
• Detectives’ core realization:
  “Painstakingly, arrow by arrow, Kava compiled a quiver full of evidence. His conclusion? Every single one of those threatening emails and texts and Facebook posts came from Liz Golyar. And he could prove it.” (44:10)
• Max reaching out to his mom before graduation, full of hope:
  “If this is really you, please come back. I want you to be at my graduation.” (48:00)
• Detectives’ strategy—referenced as ‘divine intervention’ in the preview for next episode.

Important Segment Timestamps

• Liz is shot & initial police response: 02:00 – 06:30
• Amy Flora’s traumatic police confrontation: 06:30 – 10:00
• Todd discovers his stolen laptop at Liz’s: 14:00 – 17:00
• Family discusses loss & suspicions: 24:00 – 30:00
• Digital forensic revelations by Kava: 36:00 – 46:00
• Physical evidence (fingerprint): 46:30 – 49:00
• Detectives plan their trap for Liz: 54:00 – End

Tone and Style

• Characteristically empathetic and suspenseful, Keith Morrison’s narration demonstrates care for victims while maintaining fascination with the unraveling mystery.
• The episode is both analytical and dramatic, often reflecting on the emotional toll of years-long deception and the perseverance involved in uncovering the truth.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode marks a seismic shift in the investigation: the prime suspect in Carrie Farver’s disappearance is no longer Carrie herself or the obvious scapegoats, but rather Liz Golyar—the very person most persistently casting blame. With a shot in the dark (literal and metaphorical), years of digital breadcrumbs, and a web of lies slowly connected by dogged detective work and IT forensics, the truth about a stalking campaign and potential murder begins to emerge—culminating in a bold move by detectives to catch Liz in her own contradictions. The tragic impact on Carrie’s family remains ever-present, as does the uncertainty about ultimate justice.

Teaser for next episode: A new shift in the investigation as police move beyond digital evidence, confronting the chilling possibility of murder, and hoping for the final proof needed for justice.