True Crime with Kendall Rae

Episode: Killed by Her Ex-Lover After Confrontation With New Boyfriend?! The Case of Alex Pennig

Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Kendall Rae

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode explores the mysterious and tragic death of Alexandra "Alex" Pennig in St. Paul, Minnesota in December 2022. The case is marked by conflicting narratives, complex relationships, and forensic inconsistencies. Central to the story is the question: Did Alex take her own life, or was she killed by her ex-lover and former coworker, Matthew Ecker? Kendall Rae breaks down the tangled web of relationships, examines the evidence in depth, and provides her own empathetic but critical take on the investigation and trial.

CASE BACKGROUND & ALEX'S LIFE (01:37 – 05:48)

• Who Was Alex Pennig (01:37)

  • Born December 22, 1989, to Mary Jo and Jim.
  • Known as empathetic, vibrant, and nurturing. Loved animals, often fostered stray cats.
  • Worked as a nurse, inspired by surviving a suicide attempt as a young adult.

    “She has always had a place in her heart for the underdogs in our society.” —Kendall Rae (02:10)

  • Overcame depression and addiction to prescription pills.

• Turning Point (04:00)

  • Survived an overdose, then decided to go into nursing to help others.
  • Highly qualified: BS in public health, LPN, and RN degrees.

• Events Leading to the Incident (05:12)

  • December 15, 2022: Normal evening, texting with her mom.
  • Early morning, December 16: 911 call received—reported Alex had shot herself.

    “Everything seemed completely fine. Nothing out of the ordinary. But in the early morning hours... everything changed.” —Kendall Rae (04:50)

INCIDENT NIGHT & IMMEDIATE REACTIONS (05:48 – 10:21)

• The 911 Call & Discovery (05:48)

  • Matthew Ecker, Alex’s “friend,” calls police, claims Alex shot herself.
  • Police arrive to find Alex face up, left hand on a gun by her left shoulder, gunshot to left temple.
  • Matthew leads police to the body; neighbors heard nothing.

• Matthew's Initial Statement (10:20)

  • Reveals affair: “She is a girlfriend of mine. Oh, my God. I'm married...I was just for like two years.” —Matthew (10:22)
  • Claims Alex was fearful of her current boyfriend, Shane, prompting him to drive 3 hours to her.
  • Recounts altercation at a bar, where Shane punches Matthew.
  • States Alex took his gun, walked into the bathroom, and threatened to shoot if approached.
  • Says he broke down the door after the shot.

KEY RELATIONSHIP CONTEXT & BAR ALTERCATION (11:21 – 15:23)

• Dynamic With Matthew

  • Met in 2020 as coworkers; relationship continued despite his marriage and four children.
  • Both are nurses; some claim they were simply friends post-breakup.

• Bar Incident (13:21)

  • Security footage shows:
    • Alex and Matthew arrive together.
    • Shane (current boyfriend) sitting with another woman.
    • Shane punches Matthew after brief confrontation; Shane is ejected.
  • Matthew and Alex stay at the bar 45 minutes after the fight.

FORENSIC INCONSISTENCIES & INVESTIGATION (16:14 – 24:00)

• Scene Observations

  • Matthew claims to have rendered first aid and washed his hands (16:14).
  • Police note: Matthew had no blood on his hands or clothes; sink was bone dry.
  • Gun found clean, free of blood spatter.
  • Blood around body already drying—indicating time lag.

• Body & Weapon Positioning

  • Body position inconsistent with Matthew's story: “Her legs were straddling either side of the door.” —Kendall Rae (20:53)
  • Suggests door was opened with Alex standing.

INTERROGATIONS AND RELATIONSHIP HISTORY (24:00 – 31:50)

• Police Interview Shane (24:00)

  • Shocked and heartbroken at news of Alex’s death.
  • Denies abuse, admits to punching a wall and Matthew out of jealousy.
  • Shane described as not present at time of death (confirmed by footage).

• Prescription Conflict

  • Matthew had been (unethically) prescribing Alex medication despite her history of addiction.
  • Texts reveal Alex had recently expressed depression and hopelessness.

• Gunshot Details

  • Left temple wound, left hand on gun—though Alex was right-handed.
  • Matthew even acknowledges the incongruity: “I thought it was strange that she used her left hand.” —Matthew (31:48)

INTERROGATION FALLOUT & STORY CHANGES (32:03 – 39:41)

• Matthew’s Story Unravels (32:03)

  • No blood on her hand/gun despite wound location: “Her hair is completely dry clean...all this evidence does not add up.” —Detective (32:15)
  • Blood already dried by police arrival, contradicts Matthew’s timeline.

• Admits to Moving the Gun (34:01)

  • After two hours, admits to moving gun to suitcase, then returning it to Alex’s body.

    “I freaked out. I took the gun, I put it in my case, I brought it back. I, I put it on her chest.” —Matthew (39:29)

  • Recants claim of performing CPR—now says he didn’t touch her.

VITAL EVIDENCE AND THEORIES (39:41 – 47:14)

• Security Footage Timeline (41:10)

  • Alex and Matthew seen leaving and re-entering the building after the bar.
  • Alex is visibly upset—body language suggests argument.

• Forensic Missed Opportunities

  • Investigators never forensically examined Alex’s phone or summoned her phone records.
  • Shane’s phone reportedly lost.

• Vital Evidence: Door Lock Plate

  • Investigators find a metal ring (part of door lock) under Alex’s body.
  • Implies she was standing when door forced open, contradicting Matthew’s account.

• Prosecution Theory

  • Proposed that a fight escalated, Alex ran to bathroom to get away.
  • Matthew broke open door, shot her, staged scene.

TRIAL, VERDICT & CONTROVERSY (47:14 – END)

• Defense Strategy

  • Highlighted Alex’s mental health struggles, prior suicide attempt.
  • Suggested inconsistencies could be explained by panic and shock.
  • Questioned forensic certainty (e.g., lack of gunshot residue on Matthew).

• Prosecution Case

  • Focused on inconsistencies, unethical prescription history, scene staging.
  • The door lock plate and body/gun positioning supported homicide.

• Jury's Decision

  • Verdict: Guilty of second-degree murder (April 2024).
  • Sentence: 30 years in prison.
  • Appeals filed and denied; Matthew’s family maintains his innocence.

• Lingering Questions

  • Motive unclear: Could involve affair’s exposure, medical ethics, intoxicated argument.
  • Medical examiners ruled manner of death undetermined—not clearly suicide or homicide.

MEMORABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS

• Kendall Rae on the confusion of the case:

  “It all kind of depends on, you know, which version of events you believe and if the evidence is compelling enough to you.” (01:55)

• Police questioning Matthew about forensic inconsistencies:

  “Even if she did do it to herself, there would be blood on her hand, right?” —Detective (32:03)

  “So you're telling me that she just picked up a gun when she had never used a gun before with her left hand, her non dominant hand?” —Kendall Rae (30:48)

• Matthew recounting his actions:

  “I freaked out. I took the gun, I put it in my case, I brought it back. I, I put it on her chest.” —Matthew (39:29)

• Kendall on the family memorializing Alex:

  “Her parents also built a chicken coop in their yard, and they call it Alex's coop...I think she would have loved that.” (50:32)

TIMELINE OF IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• Alex’s background and life: 01:37 – 05:48
• 911 Call and scene walkthrough: 05:48 – 10:21
• Matthew’s initial account & relationship: 10:20 – 13:19
• Bar incident and security footage analysis: 13:21 – 15:23
• Police forensic observations & inconsistencies: 16:14 – 24:00
• Interrogating Shane, contextual facts: 24:00 – 31:50
• Interrogation breakdown, story changes: 32:03 – 39:41
• Security footage, forensic errors, final evidence: 39:41 – 47:14
• Trial, verdict, and aftermath: 47:14 – End

FINAL REFLECTION

Kendall Rae closes by reflecting on the complexity of the case, the struggles in finding a clear motive, and her sympathy for Alex’s family. While the jury found Matthew guilty, uncertainties remain due to forensic ambiguities and possible investigative lapses. The story is a chilling reminder of how complicated and muddled real-life cases can be—even for those seeking justice.

“She should absolutely still be here today and it makes me sick thinking of all that her family and friends have had to go through.” —Kendall Rae (50:44)

For video and more resources, visit Kendall Rae’s YouTube channel.