Snapped: Women Who Murder

BONUS: Brenda Dixon & Elbert Holder (Snapped: Killer Couples)

Release Date: December 17, 2025
Podcast by: Oxygen

Episode Overview

This gripping episode from Oxygen’s Killer Couples series explores the tangled, tragic murder of Carla Knowlton in Helena, Arkansas in 2001. When a supposed roadside robbery ends with Carla dead and her fiancé, Elbert Holder, wounded, investigators unravel a web of deceit, jealousy, and greed. The episode traces Carla’s life, her relationships, the investigation’s twists, and the shocking revelation of a murder plot involving Elbert, his longtime lover Brenda Dixon, and a hired gunman. Through interviews with law enforcement, family, and legal experts, the episode delves into small-town dynamics, the vulnerability of trust, and the complexities of justice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Carla Knowlton’s Background and Relationships (01:20–10:16)

• Carla was a beloved “mother hen” figure in her family, responsible, loving, and driven.
• Family Member/Friend: “She was a happy, playful, loving kid in school. … She was president of her senior class.” (05:15)
• Carla’s commitment to her nursing career and her children was evident to all, especially after her divorce.
• After ending her marriage in 1998, she sought happiness and stability, which she thought she’d found with Elbert Holder.

2. The Night of the Murder – Initial Accounts (03:23–12:03)

• On June 23, 2001, Elbert Holder calls 911, frantic, reporting a robbery where Carla is shot dead and he is injured.
• Investigator/Reporter: “He said they shot him and then they shot his girlfriend.” (03:37)
• Initial investigation presumes a violent roadside robbery by two unidentified men in a black Cadillac with Tennessee plates.

3. Early Investigation & Doubts Surface (14:12–19:39)

• Physical evidence and eyewitness accounts begin to contradict Elbert’s story—there are no rapid getaway tire tracks, the wound on his arm is superficial, and forensic analysis of his hat is inconsistent with his account.
• Crime Analyst/Commentator: “It didn’t make sense that Elbert was shot in the hat, but the bullet missed his head.” (19:05)
• Police find Elbert’s wallet nearby, but the situation raises more questions about his involvement.

4. Elbert Holder’s Background & Motive (21:18–25:30)

• Elbert’s criminal record reveals a history of scams and insurance fraud, making him immediately suspicious.
• Carla’s family reveals she may have been asked to testify against Elbert in an insurance fraud case, providing a strong motive.
• Legal Expert/Prosecutor: “That could be a huge motive to get rid of her.” (25:33)

5. The Brenda Dixon Connection & New Evidence (27:13–28:45)

• A tip leads police to Brenda Dixon, Elbert’s ex-girlfriend and mother of his son, after a shotgun is found in a car she’d borrowed on the night of the murder.
• Brenda had allegedly never fully ended her romantic relationship with Elbert, who was living a double life.
• Family Member/Friend: “He was going from her house to Carla's house.” (29:52)

6. The Plot Unravels – Brenda Confesses (32:19–36:53)

• After their arrest, Brenda confesses, claiming Elbert was the mastermind and she agreed to help out of jealousy.
• Brenda describes a failed attempt to use a car bomb before settling on the staged robbery plot.
• Hired gunman Greg Jenkins is brought into the plan to shoot Carla on a secluded stretch of Highway 85.
• Crime Analyst/Commentator: “Brenda tells police that Elbert actually put a bullet in his own hat…” (35:11)

7. Trials & Justice (38:24–44:12)

• Brenda’s confession becomes central in Elbert’s trial, but as a co-defendant her motives are questioned.
• Forensic and circumstantial evidence (distinctive gunshot residue, no genuine car trouble) further undermine Elbert’s story.
• The gunman, Greg Jenkins, is acquitted due to lack of physical evidence; Brenda is sentenced to 10 years, Elbert to life without parole (later reduced to 40 years on appeal).
• Investigator/Reporter: “I don’t think justice was served in his being found not guilty.” (44:21)

8. Aftermath & Reflection (45:17–End)

• Carla’s family reflects on their pain, regret, and hard-learned lessons about trust and “red flags.”
• Carla's Sister: “Sometimes you can be sleeping with a snake and don't even know it. So just be careful and if you see any red flags, don't ignore them because they're there for a reason.” (45:17)
• Brenda served half her sentence, released on parole in 2007; Elbert died in prison in March 2023.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carla’s Sister shares the shock:
  “Sometimes people can mislead you, misguide you. Sometimes you can be sleeping with a snake and don't even know it.” (02:44)

• On Elbert’s duplicity:
  “So it was like he was living a double life, but he did it so well.” (29:58)

• On the heartbreak of trust broken:
  “She was planning a wedding, he was planning a funeral.” – Carla’s Daughter (33:21)

• On the ultimate tragedy:
  “I don't know that you could find a case more tragic than this because everybody lost. Nobody should have to lose their life, but for simple greed it's even worse.” – Investigator/Reporter (45:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Carla's Early Life & Personality: 01:20–06:54
• Her Relationship with Elbert Holder: 08:16–10:09
• Night of the Murder – Elbert’s 911 Call: 03:23–12:03
• Early Red Flags in Investigation: 14:12–21:18
• Elbert’s Scams & Motive: 21:18–25:13
• Discovery of Brenda Dixon’s Involvement: 27:13–32:07
• Brenda's Confession: 32:27–36:53
• Trial Outcomes: 38:24–44:12
• Family Reflections & Epilogue: 45:17–End

Episode Tone

The episode is somber, tense, and analytical, blending forensic detail with heartfelt family loss. Emotions range from shock and rage to resignation and sorrow, as experts and loved ones recount how Carla’s search for happiness led to a trust fatally betrayed.

This episode offers a meticulous, moving account of small-town betrayal and the devastating consequences of unchecked manipulation and envy. Even if you missed the original broadcast, these details capture the case’s complexity and emotional weight.