Summary of "Death Of The Dog Lady - Bellevue, Iowa" Episode of Small Town Murder

Released on June 14, 2025

Introduction to the Case

In this gripping episode of Small Town Murder, hosts James Petragallo and Jimmy Whisman delve into a tragic and complex homicide that unfolded in the small town of Bellevue, Iowa. The episode meticulously uncovers the events leading up to the murder of Angela Marie Pritchard, affectionately known as the "Dog Lady," and examines the subsequent investigation that highlighted systemic issues within the local police department.

Background of Angela and Chris Pritchard

Angela Marie Pritchard, born April 14, 1967, was the owner and operator of Mississippi Ridge Kennels in Bellevue. A dedicated mother to two sons, Josh and Colton, Angela was known for her nurturing nature and unwavering commitment to her family and five energetic huskies: Mishka, Indy, Zakari, Timber, and Charlie.

Angela met Chris Eugene Pritchard, an electrician in Bellevue, in 2017. Their relationship progressed swiftly, culminating in marriage in 2019. Initially, everything seemed to be falling into place as Angela started her kennel business and Chris contributed by working odd jobs to support their family. However, cracks began to appear in their marriage around 2021.

Escalating Harassment and Police Inaction

[10:07] Jimmy Whisman: "So been yesterday?"

[10:08] James Petragallo: "Well, yeah. Same phone in your hand, same TV on your wall, same whatever the fuck."

The turning point came when Chris lost his job and was subsequently charged with first-degree theft for allegedly stealing $36,000 worth of supplies from his employer. Following his arrest and release on bail, Chris's behavior deteriorated. He began abusing methamphetamine and alcohol, leading to increased aggression and erratic actions.

By April 18, 2022, Angela reported domestic violence, stating, "he hit me," leading to a temporary no-contact order against Chris. Despite this, Chris continued his harassment, installing tracking devices and hidden cameras in Angela's car and home. His relentless stalking included sending threatening text messages and displaying derogatory signs about Angela in his storefront.

The Petragallo hosts emphasize the police department's failure to act decisively against Chris's blatant violations:

[24:14] James Petragallo: "It's public harassment. So anyway, it didn't matter, though."

Angela's sister, Wendy, expressed deep frustration:

[31:14] Wendy: "So I'm done. We're not living in the same house."

Despite numerous reports and evidence of Chris's harassment, the Bellevue Police Department displayed negligence, attributing minimal responses to repeated offenses and even revealing potential favoritism toward Chris.

The Day of the Murder

On October 8, 2022, at approximately 7:39 AM, Angela arrived at the kennel to open her business for the day. Within minutes, a tragic event unfolded:

[33:04] James Petragallo: "You hear Chris scream, gunshot. And then silence."

Angela's 911 call captured her urgent plea: "Please get out of here. I have customers coming in." Moments later, a male voice (presumably Chris) could be heard, followed by a gunshot. Surveillance footage revealed Chris leaving the scene merely two minutes after the shooting.

Investigation and Manhunt

The investigation quickly pointed to Chris as the primary suspect. Despite extensive resources deployed, including drones and canine units, Chris evaded capture by navigating the rugged wilderness surrounding Bellevue. His familiarity with the terrain made the manhunt particularly challenging.

[48:30] Jimmy Whisman: "Ex, wife, whatever. Yeah, what a dick."

Eventually, Chris was spotted at the home of Jeff Junk, a cattle farmer and long-time friend. Despite the community's support, Chris remained unremorseful and evasive. After several hours, police officers managed to apprehend him at Jeff and Kim Klein's residence.

Arrest and Trial

During his arrest, Chris exhibited belligerent behavior, demanding a bullet in his head and displaying a loaded shotgun. He later confessed to the shooting, albeit with contradictory and fabricated details professing the incident as accidental. His defense hinged on alleged gun safety negligence and intoxication, but evidence overwhelmingly pointed to premeditation.

The trial was swift, with the jury delivering a guilty verdict for first-degree murder and robbery within 20 minutes of deliberation.

Police Department Lawsuit

Following Angela's murder, Angela's family filed a lawsuit against the Bellevue Police Department, accusing them of negligence and favoritism towards Chris. The lawsuit highlighted multiple failures, including:

• Ignoring restraining orders and repeated harassment reports.
• Officers receiving favorable treatment from Angela's kennel.
• Officers failing to act upon clear evidence and testimonies of Chris's intent to harm.

The family's legal team argued that the police department's inaction and possible corruption directly contributed to the tragedy, coining the term "state-created danger."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a poignant reflection on the systemic flaws that allowed Chris's harassment to escalate unchecked, ultimately leading to Angela's untimely death. Hosts James Petragallo and Jimmy Whisman underscore the critical need for accountability within law enforcement to prevent such tragedies in small communities.

[68:57] Jimmy Whisman: "Yeah, by not doing anything. He said, they aren't gonna do anything."

[68:57] James Petragallo: "That's unfair."

Angela's sister, Wendy, shared her enduring pain and regret:

[73:33] Wendy: "I still have a lot of guilt because I think in my mind, what if I would have went with her that day, maybe I could have saved her."

The tragic case of Angela Marie Pritchard serves as a harrowing reminder of the importance of vigilant and impartial law enforcement, especially in small towns where personal relationships can cloud justice.

Notable Quotes:

• James Petragallo [00:29]: "Thank you folks so much for joining us. All aboard the Murder train pulling away from the station for some weird stuff today in Iowa."

• Jimmy Whisman [00:43]: "Some people."

• James Petragallo [08:02]: "I would advise anyone to move to this area. Oh, anyone, anyone."

• James Petragallo [37:06]: "How do you process what you're hearing?"

• Wendy [73:33]: "I still have a lot of guilt because I think in my mind, what if I would have went with her that day, maybe I could have saved her."

For more detailed analyses and in-depth discussions, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode of Small Town Murder.