Ryan Cooper was fatally shot twice in the face while in his recliner at his Traer, Iowa, home on June 18, 2021; his wife Karina called 911 claiming she slept through it.
Investigation Breakthrough
Snapchat messages exposed Karina’s affair with Huston Danker, her salon client, revealing plots to kill Ryan for his $500,000 life insurance, including reminders to clean bullet casings and desires for marriage/IVF. She allegedly told others she wanted him dead and could shoot him; their son noted her urging him away from downstairs nights before.
Trial and Convictions
Prosecutors portrayed Karina as planner and co-conspirator; defense claimed Danker manipulated her. Convicted of first-degree murder in July 2025, she received life. Danker pleaded guilty in August 2025, sentenced to life without parole in October, admitting he aided her blindly.
Current Status
Karina serves life in an Iowa prison. Witnesses noted her oddly calm demeanor post-shooting, like sitting on his body per his brother. The case, unsolved for nearly three years until February 2024 arrests, was featured on Dateline.
