A Kansas man, who murdered his wife, bought a life-size sex doll worth $2,000 (₹1,66,805) just two days after receiving her insurance benefits.
According to a report in CBS News, Colby Trickle called 911 in 2019 and said his 26-year-old wife Kristen Trickle had shot herself in their home in Hays, Kansas.
Shortly afterwards, an officer from the Hays Police Department arrived at the scene. After speaking with Mr. Trickle, Sergeant Brandon Hauptman suspected the husband's involvement in the death.
However, the report added that Dr Lyle Noordhoek, the coroner, ruled it a suicide three days after Ms Kristen's death. While Mr. Trickle, who was in the Army Reserve, was free to go, investigators continued to work the case.
Now, years later, a report has revealed that Mr. Trickle cashed in two life insurance policies on his wife, totaling more than $120,000 ((₹1,00,08,354).
The agents said he spent nearly $2,000 on a life-size sex doll just two days after receiving the insurance payout.
Speaking to CBS News' 48 Hours, Detective Joshua “JB” Burkholder said, “There's a grieving process that I think everyone has to go through – that has to go through when a loved one dies – and having to order these types of dolls.” just months after his wife's death was worrying.”
When Delynn Rice, Kristen Trickle's aunt, heard about the doll, he said, “I was just shocked that he would use Kristen's life insurance money for a sex doll.” It was just like he was buying her a replacement with her money.
In addition, Assistant Ellis County Attorney Aaron Cunnigham revealed that Mr. Trickle spent all $120,000 of the insurance money in about eight months.
In addition to buying the life-size sex doll, Mr. Trickle also spent thousands of dollars on video games, paying off debt and buying music equipment in hopes of becoming an artist.
Approximately 21 months after Kristen Trickle's death in July 2021, Mr. Trickle was charged with first-degree murder and interfering with law enforcement. During his trial in September 2023, prosecutors told jurors about his purchase of sex dolls.
At that point, his mother Tina Kreutzer took the stand as a defense witness and said the doll was intended for warmth and comfort for Mr. Trickle, who had nightmares and had trouble sleeping after his wife's death.
More than four years after Kristen Trickle's death, a jury found Mr. Trickle guilty of murder in November 2023, and he was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 50 years.