Barbara Holder

Summary

Snapped: Women Who Murder – Episode Summary: Barbara Holder

Introduction to the Holders In the serene suburban surroundings of League City, Texas, Barbara Holder and her husband, Curtis Holder, epitomized the American dream. Curtis, a dedicated employee at Xerox Corporation, enjoyed a stable career and a harmonious family life. Barbara, despite a tumultuous upbringing marked by instability and her mother's battle with alcoholism, found solace and purpose in her marriage to Curtis. Together, they built a beautiful home in the South Shore subdivision, raising their two children, Christopher and Leslie.

The Perfect Facade Shattered May 30, 1997, just before 7 PM, the tranquility of the Holders' neighborhood was violently disrupted. Barbara Holder returned home to a grisly scene: her husband Curtis was brutally murdered in their kitchen, his body mutilated beyond recognition. Detectives were called to a residence that had transformed into a war zone overnight.

Detective (04:34): "She was crying, very emotional. She had tears coming down her face."

The scene was chilling: Curtis's ring finger had been severed, and his wedding band was missing. Blood splattered the walls, and the living room bore the marks of a fierce struggle.

Initial Investigation and Unveiling Clues As detectives began piecing together the events leading to Curtis's death, several inconsistencies emerged. Barbara's initial account was fragmented, hinting at a possible robbery or an intrusion gone wrong.

Witness (13:32): "Two days before, Sylvia Yates had been burglarized... there was an actual conspiracy here."

However, the investigation soon revealed anomalies that suggested the crime was anything but random. Notably, the manner in which the house was ransacked didn’t align with typical burglary patterns—valuable items were left untouched, indicating a deliberate attempt to mislead investigators.

Barbara's Troubled Relationship with Curtis Delving deeper into the Holders' personal lives, detectives uncovered a strained relationship marred by financial disputes and emotional turmoil. A year prior to the murder, Curtis had gone away from home, citing the need for a break due to ongoing marital issues.

Family Member (19:33): "He moved out was explained to me basically that they just needed a break."

Barbara revealed to the police that she had been grappling with severe depression and suicidal thoughts, exacerbated by her suspicions that Curtis was unfaithful and possibly struggling with his sexual identity.

Narrator (21:03): "Barbara doesn't know who he had an affair with, but she gives detectives two names. Brett Wilson and Jerome Rapp."

Identifying the Conspirators: Mark Dixon and Johnny Lopez Barbara provided the names of Brett Wilson and Jerome Rapp as potential love interests of Curtis. Initial interviews with both men, however, did not yield significant leads. It was only after further probing that detectives shifted their focus to Mark Dixon, a man with ties to Barbara from a rehabilitation facility.

Detective (27:12): "They were completely eliminated. They had absolutely nothing to do with it."

Mark Dixon emerged as a pivotal figure, revealing that Barbara had manipulated him into orchestrating Curtis’s murder. Dixon admitted to collaborating with a 16-year-old, Johnny Lopez, promising him monetary gain to participate in the heinous act.

Witness (37:25): "Mark Dixon began to tell the detectives that he had solicited a 16-year-old juvenile named Johnny Lopez... to help kill Curtis Holder."

The Mastermind Revealed: Barbara Holder Investigations pointed towards Barbara as the mastermind behind the conspiracy. She strategically orchestrated events to isolate Curtis and manipulate others into committing the murder on her behalf, primarily motivated by financial gain.

Expert (42:36): "There's no question Mark was in love with Barbara and thought Barbara was in love with him. I have a much bigger question about whether Barbara was sincerely in love with him or just using him."

Barbara stood to inherit a substantial sum from Curtis's life insurance and retirement accounts, totaling between $450,000 and $750,000.

Witness (42:57): "Looking at his retirement accounts and his life insurance policy, she was the primary or sole beneficiary... she stood a financial windfall."

The Trial and Conviction Despite Barbara’s vehement proclamations of innocence, the mounting evidence against her was overwhelming. Johnny Lopez eventually accepted a plea deal, testifying against Barbara and Mark Dixon. His testimony, corroborated by physical evidence and the confessions of Dixon, left little room for doubt.

Detective (44:50): "It was an extremely strong case. I mean, she was found with the murder weapon and she was found with the stolen property out of the house. Her two compatriots both confessed and implicated her."

In March 1999, Barbara Holder stood trial. The prosecution presented a compelling case, emphasizing Barbara’s manipulative behavior and the calculated nature of the murder. The defense attempted to discredit Johnny Lopez’s testimony, painting him as an unreliable witness seeking leniency.

Despite these efforts, the jury found Barbara Holder guilty of capital murder, sentencing her to life in prison.

Witness (45:17): "She was obviously, in the eyes of the jury, guilty, orchestrating, organizing, following through with the murder of her husband."

Mark Dixon received a similar sentence, while Johnny Lopez was sentenced to 40 years under the plea agreement.

Aftermath and Reflections Barbara Holder remains incarcerated, maintaining her innocence, while her actions have left enduring scars on her family and community. The case starkly illustrates the depths of manipulation and the tragic consequences of financial desperation intertwined with personal vendettas.

Family Member (46:15): "I could definitely forgive my mother, but it would really just have to be her coming clean to me about everything and, you know, just saying that she did it."

Conclusion The Barbara Holder case serves as a profound exploration of the complexities within marital relationships, the influence of financial motives, and the profound impact of deceit. Through meticulous investigation and unwavering determination, the truth was unveiled, ensuring justice for Curtis Holder and highlighting the darker facets of human relationships.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Detective (04:34): "She was crying, very emotional. She had tears coming down her face."
• Witness (13:32): "Two days before, Sylvia Yates had been burglarized... there was an actual conspiracy here."
• Expert (42:36): "There's no question Mark was in love with Barbara and thought Barbara was in love with him. I have a much bigger question about whether Barbara was sincerely in love with him or just using him."
• Detective (44:50): "It was an extremely strong case. I mean, she was found with the murder weapon and she was found with the stolen property out of the house. Her two compatriots both confessed and implicated her."
• Witness (46:15): "I could definitely forgive my mother, but it would really just have to be her coming clean to me about everything and, you know, just saying that she did it."

Key Takeaways:

• Manipulation and Deception: Barbara Holder skillfully manipulated those around her to orchestrate her husband’s murder for financial gain.
• Financial Motives: The promise of a substantial financial windfall was a primary driver behind the conspiracy.
• Impact of Relationship Strain: The deteriorating relationship between Barbara and Curtis played a crucial role in the unfolding of events.
• Effective Investigation: Persistent and thorough investigative work was pivotal in unraveling the complex web of deceit leading to Barbara’s conviction.

This episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder delves deep into the tragic and calculated actions of Barbara Holder, offering listeners a comprehensive look into the dark motivations behind the crime and the ensuing quest for justice.

Transcript

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[Detective]

The typical American neighborhood.

[Family Member]

Like Andy Griffith, the neighbors all knew each other. I played with the neighbor's kids every day. We'd go play in the streets.

[Narrator]

But this picture of perfection is shattered by a gruesome midday discovery.

[Detective]

A woman across the street came home.

[Witness]

And found a body in their kitchen.

[Detective]

With blood all over the walls. We got hit with this mess. I mean it was a war zone.

[Narrator]

The R finger had been cut off and the wedding band was missing.

To find out who executed this brutal crime, investigators must first sift through gossip and lies.

[Witness]

Neighbors had observed some rough looking people coming and going all hours of the night.

[Neighbor]

She said that he was two different people. When you're not here, then he's this way.

[Narrator]

And when you're here, he's sweet talks and all that. In the end they uncover a cold blooded plot built on lies and motivated by.

[Witness]

He says that he had met her some weeks earlier at a rehabilitation facility.

[Expert]

She tells him this tale of woe and these two guys killed her husband and she had nothing to do with it.

[Neighbor]

What seemed to be randomness now seems to be more planned out. There was an actual conspiracy here.

[Detective]

You're in a bad situation right now.

[Narrator]

I know what took place here and I know you've been lying to me. On the outskirts of Houston, League City, Texas offers residents a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of big city life.

[Witness]

Kind of a suburban community with a lot of people residing there that worked at NASA or in Houston or in Galveston.

[Narrator]

With its swimming pool, tennis courts and children playing in the streets, the sprawling South Shore subdivision is nearly flawless.

[Detective]

It's a typical American neighborhood, like Andy Griffith.

[Narrator]

But just before 7pm on May 30, 1997, a call comes in to 911 from a South Shore resident. A call that quickly breaks the humdrum of suburban life.

[Detective]

We have an emergency.

[Witness]

A woman across the street came home.

[Detective]

And found a body in their kitchen with blood all over the walls.

[Narrator]

Found what?

[Detective]

A body.

[Advertiser]

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[Detective]

Yes. Her name is Barbara Holden Holder. H O L D E R here.

[Narrator]

A panicked 38 year old Barbara Holder gets on the line. Yeah, there's just a lot. There's a lot. You can't tell who it is.

[Expert]

There's like loose plastic bags over top.

[Advertiser]

Of the chopper's body and there's blood all over the, all over the kitchen.

[Witness]

But it's just a bunch of plastic.

[Narrator]

Bags and it's in their kitchen.

[Expert]

They're, they're blue like trash bags.

[Narrator]

Was anybody at your house today or anybody supposed to be there, like any kids or anything?

[Family Member]

My.

[Narrator]

There shouldn't be anybody else there but him.

[Expert]

She thought it might be her husband, Curtis Holder, but the man had a bag over the top of his body, so she wasn't completely identifying him.

[Narrator]

Within minutes, League City police officers arrive at Barbara's home and see several neighbors trying to come comfort her.

[Detective]

She was crying, very emotional. She had tears coming down her face.

[Narrator]

The responding officers cautiously enter the Holder residence.

[Detective]

We got hit with this mess. I mean, it was a war zone in there. The body was laying down on the floor and he had a blue plastic bag over his head and part of his chest and over his waist.

[Witness]

He was stripped from the waist down, including his underwear. The body contained multiple knife wounds. There were a number of shoe impressions on the floor, in the blood.

[Narrator]

The entire scene is shocking, but there is one act of brutality that's unlike any anything they have seen before.

[Detective]

I reached down, checked his pulse and I didn't find a pulse. And that's when we called for backup. His ring finger had been cut off and was laying over in the corner.

[Narrator]

Detectives arrive at the scene to find Barbara desperate for answers.

[Detective]

She kept saying over and over again, is that Curtis? I know it's Curtis, that Curtis.

[Neighbor]

They knew Curtis lived there. They're looking for some form of identification and they couldn't find that.

[Witness]

So they sent identification officers to the scene to assist.

[Neighbor]

It took a good hour before they actually got the information that the victim was Curtis Holder.

[Narrator]

Curtis Holder was born in 1949 to Henry and Anna Holder in Houston, Texas. Growing up, Curtis was one of five siblings. And from a young age he always stood out as one of the good guys.

[Family Member]

Curtis is the type of person that if you're a mother, you would be proud to call him your son.

[Narrator]

Curtis had clear ambitions in life. He wanted a good job and he wanted a family. At 22 years old in 1972, he secured a job at the Xerox Corporation.

[Family Member]

He worked on a copier that was actually on NASA. It was like this million dollar copy machine that nobody else could work on but him.

[Narrator]

In 1978, 29 year old Curtis met a fun loving 19 year old, Barbara Shaw.

[Neighbor]

It was a mutual friend and introduced the two of them. They seemed to hit it off right away.

[Narrator]

Despite their age difference, Barbara's upbringing forced her to grow up fast and she felt ready to settle down. When she met Curtis, her mom was.

[Neighbor]

Battling alcoholism and there was not a lot of stability within that.

[Family Member]

The only thing that I ever heard about Barbara was her mother said that they were raised in house to house and she never really had a permanent home.

[Narrator]

So at the age of 19, she meets this older man, 29 year old Curtis Holder. He's got a good job, he's a man who's going to give her that sort of all American dream life.

In June 1980, Curtis and Barbara tied the knot in a simple courthouse ceremony. In the years that followed, Barbara gave birth to two children, Christopher and Leslie.

[Family Member]

My mother did not work, so my mom wasn't the disciplinary. She would more say, you know, whenever your dad gets home, this is when we'll deal with it. And so he worked and took care of me and my brother Chris. I was Definitely a daddy's girl. My dad was definitely loving and he loved me. He loved Chris.

[Narrator]

Curtis continued to advance in his career, bringing in a paycheck that allowed the couple to purchase a beautiful home in the League City neighborhood of South Shore.

[Family Member]

The neighbors all knew each other. I played with the neighbor's kids. Chris had his friends after school every day, we'd go play in the streets.

Barbara was a fanatic when it came to that house. That was her house, and that was her pride and Joy.

[Narrator]

But on May 30, 1997, this portrait of suburban success is destroyed when homicide detectives discover a horrific scene at the Holder home.

[Witness]

The scenario is that Barbara Holder entered her home and found Curtis laying in her kitchen with some blue bags over him. And there was an amputation of the left finger. That was a very bloody area around the kitchen. His throat was cut. He had multiple stab wounds to his entire body. Blunt trauma to the head, so tremendous trauma to his body.

[Narrator]

Detectives check in with Barbara, who has taken refuge inside a neighbor's home. They break the news to Barbara that the body is in fact her husband, Curtis Holder.

[Detective]

Barbara Jean was very upset. She started crying and she says, oh, thank God, thank God, thank God my daughter didn't go in with me. She'd have seen her daddy on the floor dead like that.

[Witness]

Barbara said that she saw Curtis off to work that morning and that then she continued throughout the day to run a lot of errands.

[Detective]

While she was out running her errands, her husband calls her up and tells her to go pick up her daughter from daycare, who was five years old at the time.

[Narrator]

Barbara did as Curtis requested.

[Neighbor]

So Barbara has her daughter with her, but she said her son Chris, her eldest, is off on a camping trip.

[Detective]

At the time she comes home, daughter goes over to the neighbor's house. Instead of going in with her, she walks in, sees a dead body on the floor.

[Narrator]

Detectives give Barbara some time to process the tragic news. They turn to Sylvia Yates, a neighbor, who tells them that she saw Curtis come home that day around 4pm I.

[Witness]

Was coming home from school and I stopped at my mailbox. I looked up the street and I saw Curtis.

[Detective]

She saw him enter at about 4:10. And the call for us was, was approximately two and a half hours later.

[Narrator]

Sylvia has another bit of information to offer.

[Witness]

Two days before, Sylvia Yates had been burglarized. Wednesday when I come home and I see the light on in the master bedroom. So I walked further into the room and saw the closet door was open and there was clothes strewn about the floor and all my jewelry was gone.

[Detective]

If you have burglaries in the neighborhood, it leads you to believe that maybe this was a burglary.

[Neighbor]

And for detectives, that's also a clue. They have to determine if it was a burglar who'd been surprised or a home invasion or that type of case.

[Narrator]

Coming up, a new clue takes the investigation in a surprising direction.

[Expert]

Now they were going down that path thinking maybe the person was his burned lover.

[Narrator]

And detectives start to sort fact from fiction.

[Detective]

Were you having an affair with Curtis?

[Witness]

Absolutely not.

[Narrator]

May 30, 1997. Authorities in league City, Texas have posited identified the body found inside a quaint suburban home as 47 year old Curtis Holder.

[Expert]

I've been doing this 30 plus years and I've never seen a case where they both covered the face and exposed the bottom half of the body, which is also kind of odd. Now sometimes when a person is killed by a loved one, that person covers up the face or head to make it seem more dignified. But this was the opposite of that.

[Narrator]

After hearing from the Holder's neighbor Sylvia Yates about her recent home burglary, investigators wonder, did Curtis interrupt a robbery in progress?

[Witness]

Most of the rooms in the Holder home were ransacked, but there were no broken windows or anything else that showed forced entry into the home.

[Narrator]

But amid the mess, detectives make note of an odd pattern.

[Witness]

Not all of the drawers were pulled out. In some of the rooms, drawers seem to have been undisturbed, which was unusual.

[Expert]

There are a lot of valuables that were left. The officer's experience in working burglaries told them that's not how burglars work. That indicates that someone is working to mislead their investigation. Investigation.

[Narrator]

Investigators take their attention to the kitchen where the murder took place.

[Witness]

The general crime scene in the kitchen painted a tremendous struggle that took place. There were things knocked over in the kitchen. There were dents in some of the appliances.

[Narrator]

Detectives don't spot a murder weapon, but they do find a clue as to where it might have come from.

[Expert]

They did find a block where the family kitchen knives were. And the biggest knife in that block was missing.

[Narrator]

Curtis's body reflects the brutality of the scene.

[Expert]

Curtis had contusions around his head where he was hit with a something like a wrench.

[Detective]

He was stabbed 93 times in the face and chest.

[Witness]

His left ring finger had been amputated and thrown across the room.

[Narrator]

The medical examiner notes that after the murder, the killer continued the assault on Curtis body.

[Expert]

They had taken his clothes off. They Took his pants off and his underwear, and they took a blue bag and they put it over the top part of his head, covering his head, which is also kind of odd.

[Narrator]

Investigators have a strong hunch that this killing was personal.

It's unusual to find that level of injury and that much trauma to a face and neck exclusively. The fact that the ring finger is missing and he was stabbed to the point where he was almost decapitated really starts to speak to that. There was some intimate relationship and maybe even a romantic relationship.

Detectives and crime scene technicians find something in the master bedroom that sticks out.

[Detective]

It was a greetings card sitting on top of Curtis Holder's dresser. And it said, have a nice life. Love, Brett.

[Narrator]

The card reads in a manner and tone that might suggest it's a final goodbye from someone who is romantically involved or sexually involved with Curtis.

[Neighbor]

So detectives first have to determine who is this person.

[Narrator]

Hoping to learn more about Curtis's personal life, investigators ask Barbara to come to the station for a formal statement just after 10pm they want to try to.

[Witness]

Get anything else that is pertinent to their relationship and to any relationships that Curtis may have had.

[Narrator]

Barbara tells detectives that while her husband was a well liked guy, they faced their share of obstacles in their nearly 17 years together.

[Witness]

The picture that was painted was that it was very dysfunctional. They had financial problems that Curtis blamed on Barbara. He had actually moved away from the house a year before and separated from her.

[Family Member]

My dad moving out was explained to me basically that they just needed a break.

[Narrator]

However, after nearly a year, Curtis returned home.

[Witness]

He came back about five months before his murder back into the home. And most of the neighbors and friends attributed that to his love of his children, not his love or relationship with Barbara.

[Narrator]

Barbara talks about the relationship she had with Curtis, and she begins to paint for police a very different human being. A husband who's controlling it put her into a very deep depression. She described to the police that she was depressed and suicidal.

In fact, Barbara tells them that the stress from it all lingered. And 15 days ago, she sought help at a local mental hospital.

[Neighbor]

She was in the hospital for, as she had put it, her mental breakdown.

[Narrator]

Barbara says that much of her stress was rooted in a suspicion that Curtis was unfaithful.

When Barbara is interviewed, one of the things that she draws attention to is this belief that Curtis was actually gay and not straight and was closeted about his sexual interests.

Barbara doesn't know who he had an affair with, but she gives detectives two names. Brett Wilson and Jerome Rapp. Detectives immediately recognize One of the names from the card found at the Holder home.

[Expert]

Now, they were going down that path, thinking maybe the person was a sperm deliver.

[Narrator]

Investigators dive into this theory, and less than 12 hours after Curtis body was found, they find 42 year old Brett Wilson and bring him into the station for an interview.

[Detective]

Let me ask you this.

[Witness]

How do you know and what is.

[Detective]

Your relationship with Curtis Holder?

[Witness]

Don't even know, fellow.

[Detective]

There was a card at his residence.

[Narrator]

And we know that you know him.

[Witness]

Plus it's substantiated by his wife Barbara.

[Detective]

And I know you know Barbara.

[Narrator]

Oh, Barbara. The mention of Barbara's name seems to clarify things for Brett. Oh, yeah, I know Curtis. I know that Curtis.

[Detective]

I know that Barbara.

[Narrator]

It was actually Barbara he was friends with and that he met Curtis through Barbara.

How did you end up meeting her the first time? Through Jerome at a party at his house. And I met Curtis a couple of times.

[Witness]

Curtis is dead.

[Narrator]

Oh, my God. But Brett continues to insist that he never sent Curtis a card.

[Detective]

Were you having an affair with Curtis?

[Witness]

Absolutely not.

[Detective]

Then why do we find the card supposedly sent by you? And it's pretty explicit as to what's going on.

[Narrator]

Oh, was it forged? It's a forgery.

[Witness]

Absolutely, officer.

[Narrator]

There's no question about that. Brett is cooperative with investigators, and before they wrap up his interview, he provides an alibi.

And you have a home that looks on first glance like it's been burglarized. And yet things about how the home's been ransacked suggest it's been staged. You have a birthday card that now potentially is a forgery, which means it may also have been staged. They've now walked away from their interview with Brett with more questions.

Coming up.

[Family Member]

The rumors churns she was spending money on drugs, booze, and boyfriends.

[Narrator]

And a call comes into a neighbor that raises a red flag.

[Expert]

The neighbor noticed that the call was not coming from the police department. The call was coming from a motel.

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[Narrator]

Detectives investigating the brutal murder of Curtis Holder have just interviewed Bret Wilson, one of the men Barbara Holder named as a potential love interest of Curtis.

[Expert]

The police explored that, and the police were not able to find anything that indicated there was a homosexual relationship between Kurdis and his friend.

[Narrator]

After detectives confirm Brett's alibi checks out, they move on. And just a few hours later, they locate the other man Barbara mentioned, Jerome Rapp. He agrees to come in for an interview.

When Jerome is interviewed, what's clear to the detectives is their stories are consistent. Neither of them really knew Curtis. They knew of him, and they knew of him through Barbara. They partied with her.

He tells police that he spent the entire previous day in Galveston with a friend.

[Detective]

So you weren't In League city yesterday.

[Narrator]

Jerome says Barbara often confided in him about her marriage, claiming more than once that her seemingly mild mannered husband had a dark side.

[Neighbor]

And she said that he was two different people. When you're not here, then he's this.

[Narrator]

Way, and when you're here, he's sweet talks and all that sometimes. Barbara claimed Curtis's dark side was outright abusive.

[Detective]

Does the.

[Narrator]

He was occasionally mean to her physically.

[Neighbor]

You know, and I never saw it.

[Narrator]

Detectives find no evidence that either Brett or Jerome had a romantic relationship with Curtis.

[Detective]

They were completely eliminated. They had absolutely nothing to do with it.

[Narrator]

Investigators head back to the south shore subdivision.

[Expert]

This was the kind of place where neighbors did know each other and know what was going on.

[Narrator]

Neighbors shed more light on the couple's separation that took place less than a year ago.

[Witness]

Oh, it was, yeah, that was the talk of the neighborhood.

[Narrator]

Neighbors say the reason for the split wasn't that Curtis was having an affair.

[Neighbor]

With Curtis and Barbara, finances were always a struggle.

[Family Member]

She came to my house one day and said that she had just picked up Curtis paycheck and had all that cash in her purse. She pulled in her driveway, got out, ran in the house, and she was only in there a minute and she said, so somebody had stole all of Curtis's paycheck. Now, I didn't believe that. I think she was spending money on entertainment, on drugs, booze, and boyfriends.

I can remember, you know, my mom just was spending it on the wrong things.

[Witness]

Neighbors also had observed some rough looking people coming and going from the house all hours of the night.

[Narrator]

Neighbors say that Curtis was outraged when he got word of his estranged wife's behavior. He felt he had no choice but to return home.

[Witness]

From what we understand, we heard through the rumor mill was that his attorney told him to go back.

[Family Member]

Barbara said they weren't getting divorced, but Curtis was definitely divorcing her.

[Narrator]

While Barbara's behavior garnered plenty of attention, Curtis never raised any eyebrows.

[Family Member]

There's nobody ever going to be able to convince me that he abused her in any shape, fashion or form. And he never abused those kids. I thought Curtis was an excellent person, but his wife was a different subject.

[Narrator]

Two days after the murder, investigators get a call from neighbor Cindy Clehan. Cindy says she has just gotten off the phone with Barbara.

[Witness]

Barbara had called her and asked her to take care of Leslie because the police were calling her to go back and interview Cindy.

[Narrator]

Says that Barbara called her twice more to keep her updated, all the while claiming she was still at the police station.

[Expert]

But the neighbor noticed that the call was not coming from the police department. The caller ID indicated that the call was coming from a motel.

[Narrator]

Detectives work quickly to locate the hotel in which Barbara has taken refuge.

[Expert]

Barbara had told one of the detectives that she had very recently checked out of a mental hospital.

[Witness]

So their primary concern at the beginning was, you know, is she going to hurt herself?

[Narrator]

Around 1am on June 2, authorities gather in the parking lot of the hotel.

[Expert]

They saw her van outside and they recognized it. But there was no record of a Barbara Holder checking in. So they decided to canvass the hotel.

[Narrator]

Investigators go room to room. At one door a male voice responds but refuses to open up. Authorities draw their weapons and demand entry.

[Witness]

It was a pause for an exchange extended period. But after that pause, Barbara Holder came to the door. They could see in the background that there was looked like a male subject also in the room.

[Narrator]

Investigators ask Barbara and the unrecognizable male subject to step outside. He identifies himself as 33 year old Mark Dixon. Barbara is quick to offer up an explanation.

[Expert]

And when they first asked her who is this guy and how do you know him? She indicated that she had just met him at a bar a few hours earlier. Which is pretty weird in and of itself for someone whose husband was just killed.

[Narrator]

Barbara and Mark are transported to the League City Police Department for questioning. While detectives searched the hotel room, they.

[Witness]

Were able to find property that was reportedly stolen in the burglary of the Holder home earlier.

[Narrator]

That's not all they find. They also locate items stolen from the Holder's neighbors.

[Witness]

They were also able to locate I believe a ring that was in a pill bottle. It was the class ring of Sylvia Yates.

[Narrator]

Then they locate a final damning piece of evidence.

[Expert]

They see that there are some knives and the knives seem similar to the type knives they saw at the Holder house.

[Narrator]

They realize several of those knives could have been the murder weapons.

Coming up, detectives confront Barbara.

[Detective]

She did a really good job of playing the damsel industry.

[Narrator]

The items that you say were stolen were found in your motel room. If they were in there, I never saw them in there. And a new suspect emerges.

[Witness]

He began to tell the detectives that he had solicited a 16 year old juvenile to participate and help kill Curtis Holt.

[Narrator]

Detectives investigating the murder of Curtis Holder have just found damning evidence at the hotel room of Barbara Holder and Mark Dixon.

[Expert]

They did a protective sweep just to make sure and see that there are some knives on the floor and that could have been used to stab him.

[Narrator]

Investigators sees the hotel room evidence. Meanwhile, back at the station Barbara denies any knowledge of the stolen items or the knife. The items that you say were stolen.

[Detective]

During the time that he was murdered.

[Narrator]

Were found in your motel room.

[Witness]

If they were in there.

[Narrator]

I never saw them in there. It's clear to investigators that Barbara isn't ready to be honest. So they turn their attention to Mark.

[Neighbor]

Barbara's telling detectives, I just met this guy today. Obviously, detectives pretty quickly determined that's not true because Barbara's name is tattooed on his arm.

[Witness]

Barb says that he had met her some weeks earlier at a rehabilitation facility at Mainland Center Hospital, that there were patients there together.

[Expert]

She had been in there for depression and suicidal ideation. They meet in the hospital and they have a romance.

[Narrator]

Mark says that during their time in the hospital together, Barbara confided in him.

[Expert]

Barbara tells him this tale of woe about her husband had been abusive to her.

[Detective]

She did a really good job of playing the damsel in distress.

[Witness]

He learned more about the horrible relationship she had with Curtis and that she wanted him dead.

[Narrator]

To convince Mark to help her kill Curtis, Barbara dangled promises of marriage and money.

[Expert]

Barbara also talked to him about the fact that there was a lot of insurance money on Curtis, around $600,000.

[Detective]

Barbara Jean offered to pay him $50,000 for helping murdering her husband.

[Narrator]

But Mark had reservations.

[Expert]

He just isn't the kind of guy that does that. So she asked him if he knew anybody. He did. Well, he did know somebody.

[Witness]

Mark Dixon began to tell the detectives that he had solicited a 16 year old juvenile named Johnny Lopez who lived in the very same neighborhood to help kill Curtis Hogan.

[Narrator]

Mark tells detectives that he and Johnny formed a friendship when the burgeoning tattoo artist inked Barbara on Mark's arm.

[Witness]

Johnny was promised $50,000 to participate in the murder.

[Expert]

Mark did talk about doing the burglary next door at the AIDS house to set this up. But he indicated that Barbara was going to be luring Curtis there with a phone call and that Johnny was going to do all the killing.

[Narrator]

After speaking with Mark, authorities officially place him under arrest and take one last run at Barbara for a confession.

[Detective]

You're in a bad situation right now.

[Narrator]

I know pretty much everything there is.

[Detective]

To know about what took place here.

[Narrator]

And I know you've been lying to me.

[Advertiser]

I don't want to talk anymore.

[Narrator]

I want a lawyer and I want to know where my kids are. With Barbara lawyered up, investigators place her under arrest and set their sights on tracking down 16 year old Johnny Lopez. They locate him the next day and place him under arrest.

[Witness]

They were able to locate him with a girlfriend. Johnny was a juvenile, and he was magistrated in a very cautious and careful manner that is required when we're dealing with juveniles.

[Expert]

Well, initially, Johnny has the detectives a few different versions, but in the end, Johnny has both him and Mark attacking Curtis. He did indicate that he helped undress the body and that Barbara asked him to do that, and he believes that was to humiliate the deceased.

[Narrator]

One thing is clear to detectives. Barbara is the mastermind behind the murder.

[Witness]

There's no question that Barbara Holder was the person who was coordinating the events. She wanted, according to Dixon, Curtis killed. She helped orchestrate her children being away from the home. She helped orchestrate the other burglaries in the area.

[Narrator]

After comparing Johnny and Mark's stories, authorities piece together what they believe happened on May 30 inside the holder home.

[Expert]

She goes and she gets Mark Dixon and she gets Johnny Lopez and she brings them to the house. They spend some time in the house, making it look like it would been ransacked.

[Witness]

She was able to lure Curtis back into the house at that very time by making that page or call to him.

[Narrator]

When Curtis arrived, Barbara was waiting for him in the kitchen. While Mark and Johnny hid just out of sight.

[Witness]

And as Barbara would lure Curtis Holder into the room, they simultaneously attacked him. Mark initiated the blows to the head with the wrench, but lost the wrench and Barbara Holder picked it up and started slugging. And then shortly after that, Johnny jumped up and began to stab him with both knives replaced repeatedly in the process.

[Narrator]

Of trying to take Curtis's wedding band off his hand. It got stuck and they weren't able to remove it. And so Johnny simply cut off his finger.

After the attack, the trio then stripped Curtis and covered him with bags. In an effort to throw police off.

[Expert]

Course, Mark indicated that Johnny stabbed him. Johnny tells a similar story to Mark, except that he's got his Mark as being the person attacking Curtis. Barbara, of course, promotes these new theories where these two guys killed her husband and she had nothing to do with it, and she was just innocent victim and she had no culpability whatsoever.

[Narrator]

Investigators are concerned that having three co conspirators with conflicting accounts won't sit well with a jury.

[Detective]

All three were trying to put some of the blame off on somebody else.

[Narrator]

Coming up, more chilling information comes to light.

[Family Member]

He told her he was divorcing her. She was not going to lose that house.

[Witness]

She was the primary or sole beneficiary on all of those things.

[Narrator]

And a star witness comes under scrutiny.

[Neighbor]

They're saying you can't trust that you can't trust the word of a killer.

[Narrator]

Texas authorities have Barbara Holder, her lover mark Dixon and 16 year old Johnny Lopez in custody for the murder of Barbara's husband, Curtis Holder.

[Neighbor]

Now, what seems to be randomness now seems to be more planned out. There was an actual conspiracy here that involved Barbara and Mark and now Johnny.

[Narrator]

Investigators believe Barbara was the mastermind, promising both money and love to inspire her hitmen to act.

[Expert]

There's no question Mark was in love with Barbara and thought Barbara was in love with him. I have a much bigger question about whether Barbara was sincerely in love with him or just using him.

[Narrator]

Investigators believe that money was Barbara's main motive.

[Family Member]

He told her he was divorcing her. She killed Curtis because she was not going to lose that house.

[Witness]

Looking at his retirement accounts and his life insurance policy, she was the primary or sole beneficiary on all of those things. And that she stood a financial windfall in the area of 500 $450,000 to as much as $750,000.

[Narrator]

Despite the evidence against her, Barbara continues to claim innocence. Prosecutors are determined to hold her accountable.

[Expert]

They'd strike a plea bargain deal. Instead of being charged with capital murder, Johnny Lopez would be charged with first degree murder. But at condition of it would be that he had to testify truthfully at.

[Witness]

Both trials, we were able to get his full and truthful testimony against both Barbara Holder and mark Dixon.

[Narrator]

In August 1998, Johnny Lopez accepts the plea deal and agrees to testify against Barbara. He claims that he threw the wrench into a dumpster at the motel, but it was never recovered. In March 1999, Barbara's Day in court finally arrives.

[Witness]

The primary defensive strategy was to minimize the test testimony of Johnny Lopez.

[Neighbor]

And they're saying you can't trust that. You can't trust the word of a killer. He's just doing this to get lesser time.

[Narrator]

But prosecutors argue that the mountain of evidence against Barbara cannot be ignored.

[Detective]

It was an extremely strong case. I mean, she was found with the murder weapon and she was found with the stolen property out of the house. Her two compatriots both confessed and implicated her.

[Narrator]

The jury agrees and finds Barbara Holder guilty of capital murder. She is sentenced to life in prison.

[Witness]

She was obviously, in the eyes of the jury, guilty, orchestrating, organizing, following through with the murder of her husband.

[Narrator]

Later that summer, Mark Dixon is also found guilty.

[Witness]

The jury convicted Mark Dixon of capital murder. Under Texas law, automatic life in prison was assessed as the sentence by the.

[Narrator]

Trial judge in exchange for his cooperation, Johnny Lopez is sentenced to 40 years.

[Detective]

She was a cold hearted, manipulative woman. She used men. She was very, very good at knowing how to trip the triggers to get a man to do what she wanted him to do.

[Family Member]

I could definitely forgive my mother, but it would really just have to be her coming clean to me about everything and, you know, just saying that she did it. I just can't forgive her until she does that. What I would say to my father is just that I love him and I know he loved his kids and he did the best he could and I miss him.

[Advertiser]

Barbara Holder maintains her innocence. She is currently housed in the William P. Hobby Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Barbara Holder and Mark Dixon are eligible for parole in June 2037. Johnny Lopez is projected for release in June 2037. He will be 57 years old. Hey, I'm Cassie Depechel, the host of Wondery's podcast against the Odds. In each episode, we share thrilling true stories of survival, putting you in the shoes of the people who live to tell the tale in our next season. It's February 14, 1979. Elmo Wortman and his three children are stranded on a remote Alaskan island after a massive storm destroys their sailboat. Miles for help, miles from help. They have to face the brutal cold with barely any food, only a sail for shelter, and a leaky plastic dinghy. Desperate to survive, they build a raft and try to reach safety. But as starvation and frostbite take hold and days stretch into weeks, their endurance is pushed to the limit. Follow against the Odds. Wherever you get your podcasts, you can listen ad free on the Amazon Music or Wondery Apple.