Kathryn Sinkevitch

Summary

Snapped: Women Who Murder — Episode Summary: Kathryn Sinkevitch

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder, hosted by Oxygen, listeners are taken through the harrowing true crime story of Catherine Sinkovich and the tragic murder of her ex-boyfriend, Michael Agiter. Released on March 30, 2025, the episode delves deep into the complexities of their relationship, the unraveling events leading to Michael's death, and the subsequent investigation that ultimately led to Catherine's conviction.

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Background on Michael Agiter

Michael Agiter was born on July 26, 1985, in Valparaiso, Indiana, and was the eldest of four siblings. Known for his caring nature and passion, Michael moved with his family to Urbana, Ohio, in 2002. His love for sports, particularly football, led him to secure jobs at First Ohio Mortgage Company and later at Chase Bank in Columbus.

In 2010, seeking better opportunities and favorable weather, Michael relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, where he joined Wells Fargo. Less than a year later, his friend Chris Grindy followed suit, and the two became roommates, forging a strong bond as they settled into their new lives in the desert.

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Relationship with Catherine Sinkovich

In 2013, Michael decided to explore online dating, which led him to Catherine Sinkovich, a 28-year-old working at a local call center in Maricopa. Their immediate chemistry culminated in adventurous dates, including skydiving ([09:33] Narrator). Catherine, originally from Southern California with Russian ancestry and the youngest of eight children, had a tragic past marked by the loss of her parents and a tumultuous upbringing. Despite her painful history, she maintained a private demeanor, keeping personal details largely to herself ([10:31] Lawyer).

The couple quickly became inseparable, with Catherine moving into Michael's home in Tempe along with Chris and their dog, Darwin, in 2013 ([11:15] Narrator). By fall 2015, their relationship seemed to be flourishing as they moved into their own apartment and welcomed news of Catherine's pregnancy in spring 2016 ([12:13] Narrator).

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Deterioration of the Relationship

As Catherine's pregnancy progressed, underlying tensions surfaced. Michael was outgoing and gregarious, while Catherine became increasingly reserved and accusatory, alleging infidelity on Michael's part. Friends and family noted a significant shift in Catherine's behavior, describing her as controlling and passive-aggressive ([27:34] Investigator).

Physical abuse ensued, with Catherine reportedly knocking Michael out and headbutting him on multiple occasions ([29:07] Family Member). Despite these challenges, Michael remained committed, even taking parental classes and preparing for the arrival of their child. However, the relationship continued to deteriorate, leading Michael to seek legal protection against Catherine in April 2016 ([30:57] Lawyer).

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The Murder Event

On December 16, 2016, at approximately 2:30 PM, Michael Agiter was found dead in his garage in Maricopa, Arizona. He had been executed-style, with three bullets fired: one to the head and another through the car's door and seat, embedding into his back ([14:14] Narrator, [14:55] Detective).

Neighbors reported hearing the gunshots and observing a white minivan parked near Michael's house shortly before the incident ([16:11] Narrator). Initial investigations revealed no signs of a robbery or struggle inside the house, but a surveillance system was present, which became crucial evidence later in the case ([15:40] Narrator).

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Investigation Process

The Maricopa Police Department quickly initiated a thorough investigation. Detective teams canvassed the neighborhood, interviewed witnesses, and began piecing together the timeline of events ([04:03] Detective).

Michael's friend, Chris Grindy, was among the first to learn of the tragedy. He confirmed that Michael was not involved in any criminal activities and stood as a character witness ([06:22] Lawyer). However, the lack of an immediate suspect led investigators to focus on Catherine Sinkovich, Michael's ex-girlfriend.

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Evidence Collected

1. Surveillance Footage:

   • Initial neighbor testimonies provided conflicting descriptions of the suspect's vehicle. Later, footage from Michael's home security cameras showed a white minivan parked across the street. A figure in a hoodie was seen approaching Michael's car and fleeing swiftly just seconds before Michael was killed ([17:06] Detective).

2. Vehicle Analysis:

   • The minivan observed was later linked to Bridget Hopkins, Catherine's coworker, through license plate identification. Interior footage revealed that Catherine had used Bridget's key card to access the building on the day of the murder, contradicting Bridget's earlier statements ([35:21] Expert).

3. Cell Phone Records:

   • Catherine's phone pings indicated she was at work around the time of the murder and then back shortly after, suggesting she may have turned off her phone to avoid tracking ([36:30] Detective). Additionally, her computer showed research on disabling phone tracking ([36:48] Detective).

4. Gunshot Residue (GSR) Tests:

   • Tests on Bridget's van returned positive for significant gunshot residue, strengthening the case against Catherine as the perpetrator ([44:02] Detective).

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Arrest and Trial

After mounting evidence, including the surveillance footage, cell phone records, key card usage, and GSR results, authorities obtained an arrest warrant for Catherine Sinkovich. Catherine fled upon the issuance of the warrant, leading the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force to apprehend her in Avondale. During her arrest, Catherine remained silent, refusing to provide a statement ([40:39] Narrator).

Her newborn son was found safe, and paternity tests confirmed Michael Agiter as the father, adding emotional weight to the case ([43:06] Witness).

The trial commenced in May 2019. Despite the prosecution lacking a physical murder weapon and relying heavily on circumstantial evidence, the presence of GSR in Bridget's van, coupled with Catherine's suspicious behavior and flight, led to her conviction. On May 7, 2019, the jury found Catherine guilty, and she was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole ([44:26] Narrator, [45:10] Narrator).

Catherine appealed her conviction, but in October 2020, the court upheld the original ruling, confirming her life sentence at Perryville Prison ([46:34] Witness).

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Conclusion

The tragic story of Michael Agiter and Catherine Sinkovich serves as a poignant reminder of how complex and destructive abusive relationships can become. Despite Michael's efforts to support and protect his loved ones, the relationship's dark turn led to his untimely death. The diligent work of law enforcement, combined with the perseverance of Michael's family and friends, brought justice, albeit delayed, to a heartbreaking situation.

Michael’s family continues to cope with his loss, finding strength in the memory of his generosity and love. Catherine’s conviction closes a painful chapter, but the lingering grief and the impact on Michael’s newborn son remain enduring legacies of this tragic event.

Notable Quotes:

• Detective (04:24): "They don't know. Is this somebody who committed suicide? Is there an active shooter on the loose?"
• Lawyer (13:35): "Three bullets were fired. One of the bullets struck the b pillar. Two of the other three that were fired struck Michael."
• Family Member (18:21): "He had asked me to hold on, to switch over to the phone instead of the car. And the next thing was, he had said, holy. And I had heard three gunshots."
• Detective (35:32): "It's not Bridget that's leaving the building. It's Catherine who's leaving the building. And she's using Bridget's key card."
• Friend (45:23): "I absolutely think she got what she deserved. But I still think that's getting off a little easier."

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key moments, discussions, and insights from the "Kathryn Sinkevitch" episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder, providing an engaging and informative overview for both listeners and those unfamiliar with the case.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[Detective]

She's just a little girl.

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[Witness]

There are signs of puberty.

[Narrator]

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[Family Member]

I don't know what's going on.

[Narrator]

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[Friend]

He packed everything up that he could in his little car and set out to Arizona.

[Narrator]

There he met a blonde beauty who stole his heart.

[Co-worker]

She was a little bit daring. One of their first dates, they went skydiving.

[Family Member]

She seemed like she could be a good person for him. And she was pregnant. I was excited because I was gonna have a niece or a nephew.

[Narrator]

But after almost four years, their desert dreams end in a flash of violence.

[Family Member]

He had said, holy. And I had heard gunshots and then I didn't hear anything.

[Investigator]

613, we got a subject shot in this vehicle.

[Narrator]

Investigators unearth an unexpected, unexpected betrayal.

[Expert]

She wanted him to have nothing to do with the baby if he wasn't going to be with her.

[Narrator]

The more they dig, the darker the truth becomes.

[Investigator]

He tells me that she just bit me and I had to get stitches. He's like, I I gotta leave her. Can you help me?

[Narrator]

You got the camera slipping up here, guys.

[Detective]

We're looking at the security video, but you don't see who the driver is.

[Expert]

During the time that her key card was being scanned, she is still sitting there eating her lunch.

[Lawyer]

The phone pings near her apartment at 1:16 and then it shuts off.

[Family Member]

We didn't know where she was, if she was on the run, if she was going to come after any of us.

[Narrator]

December 16, 2016. The bedroom community of Maricopa, Arizona sits at the edge of Phoenix's sprawling suburbs and the vast Sonoran Desert.

[Expert]

It's a little enclave that like a lot of the suburbs of the Phoenix area, has become defined when it used to just be really in the middle of nowhere.

[Narrator]

It's just before 2:30pm in one of Maricopa's many subdivisions when out of nowhere, an unusual sound shatters the midday quiet.

[Detective]

We started receiving phone calls of shots fired.

[Expert]

The sound of gunshots ringing out startle a lot of the neighbors. They immediately get on their phones and call 911.

[Narrator]

Within minutes, two Maricopa police officers cautiously approach the location.

[Expert]

They don't know. Is this somebody who committed suicide? Is there an active shooter on the loose?

[Detective]

Where was Asante?

[Narrator]

Right over here.

[Detective]

Who lives here?

[Witness]

I don't know.

[Co-worker]

So I never see them.

[Detective]

When the first units got on scene, they observed the house with an open garage door and a Lexus sedan that was running.

[Narrator]

The officers slowly advance. 613. We got a subject shot in the vehicle.

[Detective]

One of the officers could see wounds on the head where there was blood coming out and shattered glass on the left side, the driver's side of the car.

[Narrator]

Hey man, you with me?

[Detective]

The officer opened the door and hey man, stay with me, buddy. Tried to see if the individual was able to make any kind of response.

[Lawyer]

It was clear that the victim was, was deceased.

[Investigator]

I've got, I've got his wallet here in the car.

[Detective]

And they found his wallet in the driver's license said Michael Agiter, and the picture on the driver's license matched the driver.

[Narrator]

Moments later, as Maricopa homicide detectives arrive on scene, a man shows up identifying himself as Chris Grindy, Michael's longtime friend and former roommate.

[Investigator]

I got the call from Mike's sister saying, Chris, Chris, Chris, something's wrong. He won't answer his phone. Can you go down and take a look at what's going on there? And I'm like, sure. As soon as I turn the corner and see the tape up, I'm like, I need to talk to somebody.

[Narrator]

Chris is shocked to learn that Michael has been murdered.

[Lawyer]

Michael wasn't involved in criminal activity. He was certainly not the kind of person that had had enemies after him.

[Narrator]

Chris tells police that Michael lived alone. His sister and most of his family live 28 hours away in Urbana, Ohio. However, his ex girlfriend and their newborn son live nearby.

[Investigator]

The only thing, only information I have on her is her name is Katherine Sinkovich. I remember thinking, I can't believe he's gone. He was only in my life for about five or six years and then gone.

[Narrator]

Michael Agiter was born on July 26, 1985 in Valparaiso, Indiana. The oldest of four, Michael set an example for his younger siblings.

[Family Member]

Mike was always caring and really passionate.

[Co-worker]

He was my role model and I.

[Family Member]

Think that rubbed off on me.

[Narrator]

In 2002, the tight knit Agater family moved to Urbana, Ohio, where Michael's love of sports took hold.

[Co-worker]

I spent half my life throwing a football to people, so I started throwing it around to him and he picked up on things quickly. He was part of the football team and I coached.

[Narrator]

After a year of college, Michael decided he was ready to enter the workforce.

[Co-worker]

He got a job at First Ohio Mortgage company and then he ended up for the Chase bank people in Columbus.

[Narrator]

In 2010, 25 year old Michael got an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

[Co-worker]

He liked Phoenix and he liked the weather. So he interviewed with Wells Fargo.

[Friend]

He accepted the job, packed everything up that he could in his little car and set out to Arizona. As a parent, that's your job to help them succeed. But it was difficult having him that far away.

[Narrator]

Less than a year later, Michael's friend Chris Grindy also made the move from Ohio to Arizona and the two became roommates.

[Investigator]

I got divorced and my brother's like, move on down and Mike's already out there. So one of my other calls was to him next saying, hey man, I'm moving out there. You want to become roommates?

[Narrator]

By 2013, Michael's future looked bright and he wanted someone to share it with.

[Investigator]

He told me, I'm going to start doing online dating. And I'm like, go for it dude. I believe the very first date that he ever had on that online was with Katherine.

[Narrator]

28 year old Catherine Sinkovich was working at a local call center in Maricopa when she met Michael online. Eventually, they met in person and their chemistry was undeniable.

[Co-worker]

I think one of the things about Catherine was that she was a little bit daring to try things. So one of their first dates, they went skydiving.

[Narrator]

However, Michael learned that Catherine's carefree exterior masked a tragic past.

[Co-worker]

Catherine's ancestry is Russian. Her family's Russian. She grew up Southern California. And I believe that she was the youngest of eight children. Her parents were both deceased. She found her mother dead on the kitchen floor. She was 13.

[Friend]

I believe her. One sister took her in and raised her.

[Narrator]

When it came to her painful childhood, Catherine preferred to keep the details to herself.

[Lawyer]

She kept people at arm's length. She was definitely a private person.

[Narrator]

After dating for several months, Michael took Catherine to Ohio to meet his family.

[Family Member]

I was excited because Mike was coming home and I hadn't seen him. She seemed like she could be a good person for Mike.

[Narrator]

Once back in Arizona, the couple took another big step when Catherine presented Michael with a gift. A dog they named Darwin.

[Expert]

He had pictures of the dog and.

[Co-worker]

Him with the dog in his cube, like the way that you would have.

[Expert]

Your pictures of your child.

[Narrator]

In 2013, Catherine moved into the Tempe home with Michael, Chris, and Darwin.

[Investigator]

Her personality was energetic. It was bubbly. She was a can do person. She definitely wanted to take initiative.

[Narrator]

By the fall of 2015, after two and a half years together, Michael and Katherine moved into their own apartment.

[Friend]

Mike helped her get her job at Movement Mortgage, and he kind of coached her as far as getting the job.

[Narrator]

In the spring of 2016, Michael called his family back home in Ohio to deliver some exciting news.

[Family Member]

My mom told me that Katherine was pregnant. I was excited because I was going to have a niece or a nephew, and I begged Mike for that all the time.

[Narrator]

But during her pregnancy, Michael and Catherine's relationship took a turn for the worse.

[Friend]

Mike's very gregarious and outgoing, and she was more kind of reserved. She accused him of cheating on her. Mike tried to make her happy, but there ended up being problems. He decided he couldn't raise a child in that environment and decided that it was time to leave. He had taken a couple parental classes, and he was looking into buying a crib. He thought after the baby was born, they'd find some even ground.

[Narrator]

But just months later, this new father is found dead from a gunshot in his own garage. Authorities begin a sweep of the crime scene while investigators track down Michael's family and exactly Katherine Sinkovich.

[Lawyer]

They obtain an emergency cell phone ping to figure out where Ms. Sinkovich is located. There was no murder weapon. There was no gun found at the scene. The investigator could see the wound to the left side of his temple was obvious.

[Narrator]

But there's evidence that wasn't the only shot fired.

[Lawyer]

They noticed that there were three casings on the. On the garage floor.

[Narrator]

Detectives take a closer look to find where the other two shots landed. They find that Michael was hit not once, but twice.

[Lawyer]

It turns out that he was also shot once in the back. The third shot apparently missed Michael. This was a shocking Event to a fairly peaceful suburb. So something like this to have someone, you know, shot and killed inside the garage was highly unusual and startling. From everyone.

[Narrator]

Coming up, the investigation uncovers shocking footage.

[Witness]

There's a figure dressed all in black that runs very quickly up the driveway.

[Narrator]

And authorities learn the details of a harrowing phone call.

[Family Member]

I was talking to Mike. I had heard three booms. I knew there was something wrong.

[Narrator]

On December 16, 2016, authorities in Maricopa, Arizona, discover the body of 31 year old Michael Agiter in his garage.

[Detective]

Three bullets were fired. One of the bullets struck the b pillar. Two of the other three that were fired struck Michael. One in the left side of the head and then one that had gone through a lower part of the door and seat and was wedged in the body in the back. Once they had the scene somewhat contained, they did a safety sweep of the house.

[Co-worker]

Police department.

[Narrator]

Anyone inside the house, do unlock your hands up.

[Detective]

They made sure there was no other victims inside the house or anyone who was hiding in the house.

[Lawyer]

It didn't appear that there was anything missing. Nothing inside the house looked like it had been ransacked, like it was an attempted robbery.

[Narrator]

But officers do find something inside that gets their attention.

[Family Member]

You got the camera system up here, guys.

[Lawyer]

They noticed there was a home surveillance system in Michael's house.

[Narrator]

In order to view the footage, investigators will need permission from a judge. While waiting on the warrant, investigators talk with Michael's neighbors who have gathered outside. All I know is I was sitting.

[Lawyer]

In the living room with my aunt.

[Narrator]

And all I heard was pop, pop, pop. Most report that they don't know Michael, who only recently moved in. However, several do report seeing a vehicle parked in front of his house moments before the shots rang out. I didn't wait. Van. He went down there and then went out. But the accounts of who was driving the van are inconsistent at best.

[Detective]

We had quite a few different descriptors of the driver. We had a black male, we had a black female, we had a hispanic female, we had a white female.

[Narrator]

With minimal details on the driver from neighbors, investigators switch gears and take a look at the footage from Michael's security cameras.

[Detective]

You could see a white minivan parked across the street just to the west.

[Lawyer]

The van waiting across the street for a number of minutes.

[Detective]

Then you see a subject get out of the car wearing a hoodie.

[Lawyer]

They see footage of Michael's lexus pulling into the garage.

[Witness]

There's a figure dressed all in black that runs very quickly up the driveway.

[Detective]

And then approximately 11 seconds later, this subject is seen Running away. In that 11 seconds, Michael was executed.

[Narrator]

Between the hoodie and the angle of the cameras, investigators can't get a look at the person's face. Authorities are still talking to potential witnesses when they finally get in touch with Michael's family in Ohio. His sister Marley reveals horrible, horrifying details about her last conversation with Mike.

[Family Member]

I was talking to Mike through the Bluetooth in his car. He had asked me to hold on, to switch over to the phone instead of the car. And the next thing was, he had said, holy. And I had heard three gunshots. And then I didn't hear hear anything. I knew there was something wrong.

[Narrator]

Marley tried calling Michael again to no avail.

[Family Member]

It was very hard for me because I'm all the way here in Ohio, and I had no way to help him. So I had called my parents and my dad answered. And at the time, I told him that I had heard three booms. I was worried that if I told him that I had heard gunshots, he would think I was being dramatic. So we had called Chris Grundy to go make sure that he's okay. Later, we found out that the police were at his house within minutes of when I heard gunshots. The detectives couldn't tell us anything over the phone, so we hopped in the car, went to my mom's house, and my mom said that they were sending a sheriff to our house. And so I knew at that point that he was gone.

[Narrator]

Meanwhile, detectives switch their focus back to locating Michael's ex, Catherine, and look up the make and model of her vehicle.

[Expert]

They discover that it's not a white minivan. They discover it's a blue car that doesn't even come close to meeting that description.

[Narrator]

Even so, investigators are still eager to speak with her. That same day, authorities track Catherine to a home in mesa, just a 40 minute drive from where Michael was shot.

[Detective]

When the initial officers arrived, they observed Catherine's vehicle, and they observed a white minivan.

[Expert]

Lo and behold, right beside her vehicle is a white van that meets the exact description of the van that was used by the killer.

[Detective]

So we ran that license plate, and that came back to the registered owner as a Bridget Hopkins in Mesa. When we were making contact with Katherine Sinkovich at Bridget Hopkins house, it was a pretty tense situation.

[Narrator]

Detectives request that everyone in the house come outside.

[Lawyer]

Officers have to pull everyone out for safety reasons, including Bridget, her husband, their children, as well as Catherine and her newborn.

[Narrator]

When detectives inform Catherine of Michael's murder, her reaction takes them by surprise.

[Detective]

One thing that struck me, she was very stoic. We asked that she and Bridget be willing to come down and speak to us at the city of Maricopa, our police department. And they consented? Catherine said absolutely.

[Narrator]

When asked about her whereabouts earlier, Catherine tells investigators that she was at the mortgage company where she and Bridget both work all day.

[Detective]

Catherine said that she got up, got ready to go to work, dropped her baby off at the babysitter's house, got to work right around 8 o'clock, was there all day, I left at 5, picked my child up and then goes over to Bridget's house.

[Expert]

Law enforcement continued to ask additional questions. Tried to get more details, and she invokes and says I'm not answering any further questions without an attorney present.

[Narrator]

Investigators move on to Bridget, who explains that she is Catherine's co worker at the mortgage company and they have known each other for about a year. Bridget corroborates Catherine's alibi.

[Detective]

We explained that there had been a homicide with Michael Agater, who had been in a relationship with Katherine. So we were trying to establish all the different nexuses. She was very shocked to think that we would even consider Catherine as the suspect in the murder of Michael Agador.

[Lawyer]

She insists that she went to work. She didn't leave.

[Detective]

When was asked what her day was like, she said that she went to work, got to work around 8 o'clock, she left to go get a lunch, she came back, ate her lunch, and then went back to her desk and worked there until she got off of work at approximately 5:00.

[Narrator]

Even though they have no proof Bridget's van is the one in the surveillance footage, investigators aren't taking any chances.

[Lawyer]

The police had reason to suspect that that vehicle might have been involved, so they seized Bridget's van.

[Narrator]

But they can't hold on to Bridget or Catherine.

[Expert]

So after getting nowhere with their initial interview with Katherine, but still believing that something wasn't quite right, they went back to the family. And what they discovered really started to concern Maricopa Pedia and the detectives.

[Narrator]

Coming up, investigators learn disturbing details about Michael's love life.

[Investigator]

She grabbed his dog and took off with him. It was devastating.

[Friend]

When it happened, he got permission from the owner of the house to install video cameras so that he would have proof.

[Witness]

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[Narrator]

Quince.comsnapt Investigators in Maricopa, Arizona are looking into the execution style murder of 31 year old Michael Agiter. While Michael's ex Catherine is unwilling to talk about their relationship with investigators, they find that his loved ones have plenty to say.

[Family Member]

When Mike and Katherine first got together, he said that they could have fun together. Mike was highly intelligent and Catherine's Pretty intelligent too. So they could have conversations on that same level.

[Investigator]

When I first met met her, she really was a very nice, kind person.

[Narrator]

But just months into her relationship with Michael, Catherine's behavior took a sharp turn.

[Co-worker]

She would just go off and break dishes, do crazy things, throw things around.

[Family Member]

Katherine was a very jealous person. Once she accused him of cheating on her with me, his sister. And then I think she realized how ridiculous that sounded. And then the accusation turned into, I helped him cheat on her.

[Narrator]

Michael's friend and former roommate, Chris Grindy, had a front row seat to Katherine's erratic behavior.

[Investigator]

I saw that she really wasn't this nice person, that she really was a controlling person and she started to control his actions when I wanted to do something with him. She was a very passive aggressive person. She would just make, you know, snide comments at that point. Said, I'm done, I'm not going to live with her. And I put in my notice to the landlord.

[Narrator]

Friends and family say Mike held on even as things started to deteriorate.

[Investigator]

He always was generous about everything. So in his mind, he wants to be the savior financially. She was struggling. He stayed because he truly felt like he wanted to help her in her situation, no matter what.

[Narrator]

Michael's loved ones say that the verbal abuse eventually turned. Turned physical.

[Family Member]

She had knocked him out two or three different times. She had headbutted him.

[Friend]

He'd tell me that they had a fight and he didn't know if he wanted to stay in the relationship. And I'm like, you don't have to stay like that. Subject yourself to that kind of abuse.

[Narrator]

In March of 2016, their relationship was hanging on by a thread when Catherine revealed that she was pregnant.

[Investigator]

I remember saying, I hope you're not going to marry her. He's like, yeah, no, that won't happen. But I definitely want to support my child.

[Narrator]

Friends and family say that not long after getting the news of Catherine's pregnancy, Michael was finally ready to break it off. Four months after moving out, Chris got a call from Michael.

[Investigator]

He tells me that she just bit me. I had to get stitches. And I'm like, wow. And he's like, I gotta leave her. Can you help me? And I'm like, sure.

[Co-worker]

He just said, this relationship can't go on. This craziness can't go on.

[Narrator]

Around eight months before he was found dead, Michael took the dog Darwin and moved into a home in Maricopa. Catherine was furious.

[Investigator]

She hired a private investigator, found where he lived. She had to pick a time when he was gone. The Dog door was open, so all she had to do was call him. She grabbed Darwin and took off with him. It was devastating when it happened.

[Narrator]

Investigators learn that Michael had tried to take legal action of his own against Catherine.

[Lawyer]

They discovered that there was an order of protection that Michael had filed in April of 2016 against his ex girlfriend, Catherine.

[Friend]

He got permission from the owner of the house to install video cameras so that if any other incidents would happen, that he would have proof.

[Narrator]

However, Catherine refused to let up. Following the birth of their son in October 2016, she launched a vicious and hurtful campaign.

[Friend]

He was just in the process of starting to get visitations and, you know, establish his parental rights. In court, she announced that, well, Mike wasn't the father of the baby.

[Co-worker]

I never believed that. He never believed that.

[Detective]

The family court judge determined that there would be DNA testing.

[Narrator]

In fact, Marley says when she was on the phone with Michael at the time of the murder, he was returning home from taking the test.

[Family Member]

He was going to prove that his son was his so that hopefully he could see him soon.

[Narrator]

In light of the new information about Catherine, investigators head to the mortgage company where she works with her friend Bridget. They check in with building security and ask to see surveillance footage from the day of the murder. And they spot a white van.

[Detective]

We're looking at the. The security video of the building. We see the white minivan pulling into the parking lot.

[Narrator]

But a few hours later, the van leaves.

[Lawyer]

They see Bridget's white minivan shortly thereafter leaving the parking lot at 12:34. They see Bridget's van returning at 3:19 in the afternoon. So, you know, a little short of three hours, it was gone.

[Witness]

The murder happened at 2:30, and they realized that that fit into the timeline of when the van was gone, when the murder happened, and when the van returned to the workplace.

[Detective]

Our confidence was really high that this was the same van used in the homicide.

[Narrator]

But who was driving the van.

[Detective]

You can see the van, but with the angle and the way it's driving, you don't see who the driver is. We were wondering if Bridget was involved in this homicide. Movement Mortgage uses a key card to log their people in and out of the building. We have Bridget's key card again, leaving at 12:33 and then returning at 3:20. That is in the time, time frame that Michael was murdered.

[Expert]

Bridget told them she never left that day. Suddenly, their suspicion was focused directly on Bridget.

[Narrator]

Coming up, investigators uncover the identity of the mysterious driver.

[Expert]

They decided they should look at any interior cameras. They're absolutely shocked at what they find.

[Narrator]

And more evidence surfaces from the mortgage office.

[Detective]

This she had done research about how to turn her phone off or hide it so that you could not be tracked.

[Narrator]

December 19, 2016. Three days after the murder of Michael Agiter, authorities visit the workplace of Michael's ex girlfriend, Catherine Sinkovich. Investigators are honing in on Catherine's co worker and close friend Bridget, whose key card shows her leaving work shortly before Michael's murder. Contrary to what she told police, they.

[Expert]

Decided they should look at any interior cameras. That way they could actually establish that Bridget did in fact leave that it was her key card in her hand when she left.

[Co-worker]

Left.

[Narrator]

Investigators view the interior footage of the cubicles.

[Expert]

They're absolutely shocked at what they find. During the time that her key card was being scanned, Bridget is still sitting there eating her lunch.

[Witness]

When they look at the footage. It's not Bridget that's leaving the building. It's Catherine who's leaving the building. And she's using Bridget's key card.

[Lawyer]

Michael was killed around 2:30 in the afternoon. And then Catherine is seen walking right back into movement mortgage at 3:20. They're obviously piecing that together that it was Catherine driving Bridget's van.

[Narrator]

Over the next 24 hours, investigators work to find more evidence connecting Catherine to the murder. Detectives obtain a warrant for her cell phone records by tracking the pings.

[Witness]

They know that she left work shortly after 12:30.

[Lawyer]

The phone pings near her apartment at 1:16 and then it shuts off. The next time the phone pings is at 3:22 when she's back at Movement Mortgage.

[Detective]

Her phone went dark during the time of Michael's murder.

[Narrator]

It appears that Catherine powered her phone off during the time the murder was committed. A suspicion that is bolstered by a search of her work computer.

[Detective]

It showed that she had done research about how to turn her phone off or hide it so that you could not be tracked.

[Narrator]

Four days after the murder, detectives return to the mortgage company. They learn Catherine didn't show up for work, but Bridget is there.

[Expert]

Law enforcement has a suspect, Catherine. What they don't know is Bridget's involvement. So what they decide to do is to press Bridget. And they start confronting her with the fact that Catherine used her ID card. Catherine used her vehicle, used her key.

[Detective]

Keys to drive, and she started breaking down and crying.

[Lawyer]

She didn't know that Katherine had taken her van and her card to go in and out.

[Narrator]

Bridget admits that she and Catherine bonded over their troubled relationships. She says Catherine was determined to keep Michael away from the baby.

[Expert]

Catherine wanted him to have nothing to do with the baby if he wasn't going to be with her.

[Detective]

She tried to show herself as being a victim of the relationship, saying that Michael was at fault and she was the victim. Bridget disclosed to me that Katherine had told her that we're going to leave these guys and we're going to raise our kids together.

[Narrator]

But now that she sees Katherine's promises were empty, she feels betrayed.

[Detective]

Katherine was only using Bridget as a means to an end.

[Lawyer]

So the detectives ask her whether she'll participate in the confrontation call.

[Expert]

A confrontation call is when a friend calls the suspect. While law enforcement is sitting there recording the entire conversation.

[Narrator]

Detectives listen in as Bridget makes the call.

[Witness]

During the confrontation call, Bridget expresses her great concern about the fact that the police think that she may have been in on this. And Katherine doesn't seem too concerned.

[Detective]

All Sinkovich would sit there and say was, they can't prove that if I did or did not do this. Then she finally disconnected from the call from Bridget.

[Lawyer]

Ultimately because she was willing to participate in the call. You know, they eventually believed Bridget that she didn't know about what Catherine has done.

[Narrator]

After the call, Bridget is released and is not charged with any crime. But Catherine's statements during the call add to the mounting evidence against her with.

[Lawyer]

The surveillance video, the cell phone evidence, and then the confrontation call. We've got Catherine in Bridget's van. We know we've got motive. They had enough for an arrest warrant for Catherine.

[Expert]

After being released on the 17th, Catherine was not heard from. Police got a warrant to search her residence.

[Detective]

Police.

[Narrator]

Search warrant.

[Detective]

Open the door.

[Narrator]

Armed with the warrant, Maricopa police set out to arrest Catherine.

[Witness]

Please.

[Narrator]

Search warrant. Anybody inside? Shut the door now.

[Witness]

He was here. She's not there. The baby's not there. Okay.

[Detective]

We are looking for Catherine and she's trying to run from us. The US Marshals fugitive task force were tracking the movement. They were developing a plan.

[Narrator]

Coming up, investigators receive a lead on Catherine's whereabouts.

[Lawyer]

Police receive a call from a friend of hers. They said that she is on her way to his house, but will it be too late?

[Expert]

She had license plates that she could have swapped out.

[Narrator]

After a five day investigation into the murder of Michael Agater, authorities are poised to arrest his ex, Catherine Sinkovich. Only Catherine has disappeared into thin air, leaving everyone on edge.

[Family Member]

We all knew that she did it, but, but we didn't know where she was, if she was on the run, if she was going to come after any of us.

[Narrator]

One day after the warrant is issued, investigators get a break.

[Lawyer]

Police receive a Call from a friend and former co worker of Katherine says that he's been in contact with her on the phone.

[Detective]

He had just received a phone call from Katherine asking him if he would allow her to stay at his place. But she said don't look into Michael's death, which then caused him to want to know why.

[Lawyer]

So he's concerned that she might come there and kill him as well.

[Narrator]

Law enforcement rushes to the home in Avondale.

[Detective]

The fugitive task force team rushed in and arrested her.

[Expert]

The police seized her vehicle and she had license plates that she could have swapped out to put on her vehicle was clearly indicia that she was fleeing.

[Narrator]

Authorities also find Catherine's newborn son safe and unharmed.

[Witness]

Police called into the Arizona Department of Child Safety. They took custody of the little baby.

[Detective]

At no time did she ever express any concern for the child. She was very cold.

[Narrator]

Back at the station, Catherine maintains her silence and refuses to give a statement. Catherine's arrest is good news for Michael's family, but nothing compares to what comes next.

[Witness]

The paternity result came back that Michael, in fact, was the baby's father.

[Detective]

Two days after the arrest, Michael's mom, Leslie, was able to take custody of the child.

[Co-worker]

There were some crazy feelings that get bounced around. That was Michael's son, but you know, it's also Katherine Sinkovich's son. You know, dealing with the whole situation of losing his dad. We need Michael's son as much as he needs us. No doubt about that.

[Narrator]

In May 2019, Catherine's trial begins. Prosecutors are aware of the obstacles they face.

[Expert]

Obviously, we wish we had the murder weapon.

[Lawyer]

We don't have a confession. Almost all evidence is circumstantial.

[Narrator]

New lab results from Bridget's minivan bolster the prosecution's case.

[Detective]

It did come back and show that there was significant gunshot residue in the minivan.

[Expert]

We have her taking a vehicle that was not hers. We have her driving to her residence during the middle of a workday when she said she was working, turned her phone off. We have GSR results, gunshot residue results.

[Narrator]

Prosecutors allege that on December 16, 2016, Catherine stole Bridget's ID card and van keys, snuck away from work, waited for Michael to return home, and then fired three shots into his car.

[Lawyer]

The final straw for her violence was him pushing for paternity.

[Witness]

The defense pretty much put up their argument that beyond reasonable doubt was not met because there was no murder weapon and there was no real eyewitness to the killing.

[Narrator]

On May 7, 2019, the jury delivers its verdict. Guilty. She was sentenced to natural life in prison. Without parole.

[Friend]

I absolutely think she got what she deserved. But I still think that's getting off a little easier. You know, she can have her family visit her, call and talk to her, but at least she's not able to do it to someone else.

[Narrator]

The trial brings an end to a painful chapter for the agiter family, but their grief and their love for Michael live on.

[Co-worker]

There's never closure. There is figuring out what you have to do, how you have to be to be able to move on and live.

[Friend]

We felt that if Mike had a choice, you know, he probably would have willingly given his life to save his son. But by killing Mike, she gave Mike his wish. You know, he wanted her. Wanted the baby away from her, wanted the baby to be safe. He's been with us since the day he was eight weeks old.

[Witness]

Following the trial, Katherine appealed her conviction. In October 2020, the court upheld it, ruling she is currently serving a life sentence in Arizona at Perryville prison. Abuse is never okay. If you are someone you love is in an abusive relationship, there is help available, call the domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE what's up, guys?

[Family Member]

It's your girl, Keke. And my podcast is back with a new season. And let me tell you, it's too good. And I'm diving into the brains of entertainment's best and brightest. Okay? Every episode, I bring on a friend and have a real conversation. And I don't mean just friends. I mean the likes of Amy poehler, Kel Mitchell, Vivica fox. The list goes on. And now I have my own YouTube channel. So follow, watch and listen to baby this is keke palmer on the wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch full episodes on YouTube and you can listen to baby this is keke palmer early and ad free right now by joining wondery and where are my headphones? Cause it's time to get into it. Holla at your girl.