Sneak peek: Widow's War | Forensic Files

[Music] he was strikingly handsome and his eyes were absolutely gorgeous piercing
blue and um I'm thankful enough to have those as well my dad Mike stalman was a colonel
in the Marine Corps he devoted his life to his country he was a patriot everybody says he is the poster boy for
the Marine Corps he graduated first in his class he was a backseater in an rf4 then he went to law school was a
star there and then before getting out of the Marines because of his commitment to his country knew he had to serve in a
rocket this was my soulmate he' done so much he was worldly he was kind I should have told him not to
go in 2008 my father was found with a gunshot wound to the left temple in his room while he was on tour in
Iraq authorities concluded that it was a suicide the military says that my husband committed suicide but I know it
was murder I just do not believe that he pulled that trigger all of the evidence that I
have and all of the Reconstruction I've done point to this being a homicide I see no evidence of homicide
in the materials provided to me whatsoever the evidence shows there's no way he could have done what they said he
did I think she was viewed as a frenzied unbalanced Widow unwilling to accept that her husband had taken his life it
was not a suicide there's no evidence to support anything other than a suicide if
this was a suicide I would have to accept it and move on but it's hard when you know that
that's not what it was the truth needs to come out [Music]

"48 Hours" Presents: A Marine colonel is found shot in his bunk. Authorities say it was a suicide, his wife says it was murder -- and she is determined to prove it. "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant investigates Saturday, Aug. 17 at 10/9c on CBS.

Get the latest news and best in original reporting from CBS News delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to newsletters HERE: http://cbsn.ws/1RqHw7T

Get your news on the go! Download CBS News mobile apps HERE: http://cbsn.ws/1Xb1WC8

Get new episodes of shows you love across devices the next day, stream local news live, and watch full seasons of CBS fan favorites anytime, anywhere with CBS All Access. Try it free! http://bit.ly/1OQA29B

--- "48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. For 27 seasons, "48 Hours" has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives. Check local listings for "48 Hours" broadcast times.

Brief Summary

Mike Stalman's daughter disputes the military's suicide ruling, believing his death was murder based on her evidence.

Key points

A Patriot's Legacy. Mike Stalman, a Marine Corps colonel, was a devoted patriot and family man.
A Tragic Death. In 2008, Mike was found dead in Iraq, ruled a suicide by authorities.
A Widow's Fight for Truth. His wife believes his death was murder, not suicide, despite official claims.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

He was strikingly handsome and his eyes were absolutely gorgeous.

0:09WatchMar 28, 2019

More from 48 Hours

Solve the Crime

Read a real case one clue at a time, then see how your call held up against the investigators.