Podcast Summary: Murder With My Husband

Episode 300: The Man Who Ruined Christmas – The Murder of Kristine Larson
Release Date: December 22, 2025
Hosts: Peyton Moreland & Garrett Moreland

Overview

In episode 300, Peyton and Garrett delve into the shocking and heartbreaking case of Kristine Larson, a 19-year-old mother from St. Paul Park, Minnesota, whose murder just days before Christmas 2007 shattered a family and shocked a close-knit community. Framed as a cautionary holiday tale, the episode explores themes of trust, the dangers that can lurk within seemingly close relationships, and the ripple effects of domestic violence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene: Kristine’s Life and Community

• Kristine Larson was described as an "angel on earth"—the youngest in a big family, a devoted young mother, and a beloved member of her Minnesota suburb, St. Paul Park (04:52).
• After becoming pregnant at 17, she put her education on hold, determined to provide for her son with support from her mother Deb, stepfather Dan, and sometimes the child’s father, Zachary Matthews.

The Holiday Tragedy Unfolds

• December 19, 2007: Kristine’s day was meticulously planned—helping a friend, job search, co-parenting duties, and a cherished cookie-making tradition with her mother (11:22).
• She leaves home at 1:20pm, seen last around 2:15pm after a job interview at a convenience store. After that, she goes radio silent.

Discovery and Investigation

• That evening: A burning car, registered to Kristine’s mother, is found abandoned in an upscale Minneapolis neighborhood (14:44).

  • Police discover Kristine’s body, partially burned and showing signs of strangulation, in the backseat—no jacket or shoes, and a chillingly empty car seat (15:08, 19:56).

• Family Reaction: The news is delivered to Christine's devastated parents early the next morning. Zachary, the ex-boyfriend and father of Kristine's son, reacts with apparent genuine distress—collapsing in grief at their home (23:25).

  • Notable quote:

    "Can you just imagine getting a call like that? ... That is life changing, life altering, life shattering news for real people." — Peyton (21:01)

Reconstructing Kristine’s Final Day

• Friends and Alibis:
  • Friend Marcella corroborates Kristine's movements (24:33).
  • Zachary and Kristine's split had been amicable on the surface, but Marcella nervously suggests to police that Zachary be considered a suspect (26:19).
  • Zachary provides an alibi: claims he was at a toy drive with their son, backed up by a social worker and time-stamped evidence (27:05–30:36).

Love, Jealousy, and Motive

• A New Relationship:
  • Kristine had recently started seeing another man, Derek. He claims heartbreak, and his alibi holds—cell phone data clears him (31:03, 33:44).
  • The investigation circles back to Zachary when discrepancies in his story and disturbing details about his possessiveness and prior violence surface (41:13–41:48).

The Break in the Case

• Clues Mount Against Zachary:
  • Phone records and security footage place him near the crime scene, contradicting his original account (37:52–39:03).
  • Peyton:

    "He wasn't at home with his son, if you are going off his cell phone." (39:03)

  • A search of his apartment (on Christmas Eve) yields phone books matching those used to light the fire, blood stains, a shoe missing a lace (the likely murder weapon), and an angry letter to Kristine (42:09–44:36).

Confession and Conviction

• Under pressure, Zachary admits to moving Kristine’s body and staging the scene, though he denies the murder itself and shockingly confesses to leaving his two-year-old son home alone during this act (45:20–46:30).

  • Garrett:

    "The amount of people that do this, it's just... so disrespectful." (45:40)

  • He is charged with first-degree murder and ultimately convicted, receiving life without parole.

• The probable sequence: An argument turns violent after Kristine’s late arrival; Zachary pushes her, inflicts a head wound, strangles her with a shoelace, and later, in panic, attempts to destroy evidence by setting the car alight.

Aftermath

• Kristine’s family receives full custody of her son, left to grapple with trauma and holiday sorrow.
  • Peyton shares:

    "That one magical time of the year... will never be the same for the Tilson family... But the Tilsons are doing their best to make sure their grandson can find some joy in it all." (49:15)

• The episode closes with reminders about the unseen victims—children—of domestic violence and encouragement for those suffering abuse to seek help.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the impact of tragedy:

  "When somebody is killed, it's not just one person that is affected. Now a kid has to grow up without both parents. It's just a chain of people that it affects. And it's just so... It's just horrific." — Garrett (49:59)

• On family trust:

  "I'm scared for the baby. ... you might be living with your daughter's killer." — Peyton (42:06–42:12)

• On behavior after trauma:

  "He was hysterical on the floor of the Tilson's home..." — Peyton, discussing Zachary's initial display of grief (30:36)

• On investigating loved ones:

  "It's easy when you're not the one in the situation." — Peyton (26:51)

Timeline and Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment / Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:41 | Introduction to Kristine’s background and family life | | 09:59 | Kristine and Zachary’s on-off relationship overview | | 11:22 | The plan for Kristine’s final day | | 14:36 | Discovery of the burning car and Kristine’s body | | 19:56 | The car seat detail and initial police concern | | 21:01 | Family notified, emotional impact | | 24:33 | Autopsy confirms homicide | | 26:19 | Friend Marcella's suspicions about Zachary | | 27:05–30:36| Police investigate Zachary and check his alibi | | 31:03 | Introduction of new boyfriend, Derek | | 33:44 | Derek’s alibi and dead end | | 37:52 | Surveillance footage points back to Zachary | | 39:03 | Cell phone pings contradict Zachary’s story | | 41:13–41:48| Details of Zachary’s troubling past and violent behavior | | 42:09 | Police search Zachary’s apartment | | 44:36 | The confrontation and partial confession | | 46:30 | The shocking admission: leaving his child alone | | 48:20 | Charge, conviction, and sentencing | | 49:15 | Kristine’s family, the holidays, and the lasting trauma | | 50:49 | Broader discussion on domestic violence and children |

Tone & Language

• The hosts’ signature style balances empathetic storytelling (mostly Peyton) with irreverent commentary (mostly Garrett)—the “wife who loves true crime” and “husband who hates it.”
• Jokes and lighthearted banter occasionally punctuate the heavy content, giving listeners moments to breathe.
• The episode maintains deep sympathy for the victim and the surviving family, with a steady undercurrent of horror at the senselessness and impact of domestic violence.

Final Reflections

The murder of Kristine Larson is presented both as a deeply personal family tragedy and a community warning about the dangers that can exist even among those we trust most, especially during what should be the happiest time of year. The episode closes reinforcing support for abuse survivors, a reminder of the show's ongoing advocacy:

“If you are in a relationship where you are experiencing domestic abuse, domestic violence, please reach out for help.” — Peyton (50:49)

For listeners seeking detailed resources or help, the hosts note that links are included in the episode’s description.