South Carolina soldier flees after estranged wife's murder | Forensic Files

all right this week 48 Hours investigating the murder of a 22-year-old woman in South Carolina back
in 2016 and the yearslong hunt for the prime suspect correspondent Peter Van Sant looks into that search and shows us
the surprising twists and turns in this case on October 26 2016 the body of 22-year-old Katie Blauvelt was found at
an abandoned farmhouse in Simpsonville South Carolina there was a rectangle concrete box we found Katie's body
inside of that box investigators Keith morecraft and Cheryl scoffield were dispatched to the
scene how had she died she' been stabbed in the neck Katie's friend Ally Somerville instantly had a suspect in
mind I immediately thought John John Blauvelt Katie's a stranged husband a once respected Army
recruiter a very honorable outstanding man is what he appeared to be but blav and Katie had a short disastrous
marriage Katie moved out and filed a report of domestic violence Jon's career was on the line he was very vocal on the
fact that he wanted Katie dead he was brought in for questioning I'm just going to ask you point blank did you K
Katie no up next Hannah Thompson a 17-year-old who had moved in with John as his marriage fell apart tell us
exactly what happened to Katie I really don't know convinced Hannah knew more than she was telling they showed her a
picture of Katie's body look at her she's right here look at her who's your friend I don't want to do this
anymore don't want to do what don't want to help us find out who killed her can I please leave can I please
leave Hannah this is a friend of your trying to I want to help I with no hard evidence police hands were tied we had
to let him go and shortly after that interview is when he flood the state lelt believed to be armed and dangerous
took to the open road with him Hannah Thompson How concerned were you about Hannah's safety
if he was willing to kill his own wife there's no telling what kind of danger Hannah Thompson would have been in by
fleeing with him I was like oh my God you're never going to find him Peter vanand joins us now Peter good
morning wow okay uh so John and his 17-year-old girlfriend run off to where well they head out west in his pickup
truck they make it to the West Coast and then up to the Pacific Northwest along the way you know they have those license
plate readers there law enforcement is alerted several times uh as to the location of his pickup truck but they're
never able to find him how was how old was he again he was 26 26 you said they never found Hannah and John no Hannah
does surface in about a month into their into their flight uh in Eugene Oregon suddenly she calls her parents she says
John Blauvelt abandoned her just walked away so she goes back to South Carolina but she doesn't really help
investigators she does she acts as if she doesn't know much almost six years past then she reveals that she's been in
contact with John blel the information that she has eventually lead to authorities to a house in Medford Oregon
US Marshals surveil it they see a man out front and he has a pirate tattoo on his arm and they knew that blav had this
tattoo he's arrested and sent back to South Carolina for trial wow sounds like he needs to be in police custody sounds
like based on what I'm from you it's a sorted story he was an Army recruiter and he would party with these kids and
that's how we ended up hanging out with 17year olds Peter V thank you very much appreciate it you can watch Peter 48
Hours report Katie Blauvelt death of a soldier's wife Saturday 910 109 Central right here on CBS and streaming on
Paramount Plus

Shortly after former Army recruiter John Blauvelt was questioned about the fatal stabbing of his estranged wife in South Carolina, he went on the run with his then-17-year-old girlfriend. Correspondent Peter Van Sant reports on the 2016 murder case for "48 Hours."

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Brief Summary

The episode covers the murder of Katie Blauvelt and the search for her estranged husband John, leading to his eventual arrest in Oregon.

Key points

The Murder of Katie Blauvelt. Investigators delve into the shocking murder of 22-year-old Katie Blauvelt in South Carolina.
John Blauvelt's Flight. After being questioned, John Blauvelt flees with his 17-year-old girlfriend, raising alarms.
Hannah's Revelation. Years later, Hannah reveals she had contact with John, leading to his arrest.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

Look at her, she's right here!

Police showing Hannah a picture of Katie's body.

1:40WatchMar 6, 2025

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