Ryan and Karina Cooper presented as a typical Midwestern family. Married since September 2009 and raising three kids. Ryan worked long hours as a farmer, Karina ran her own barberhop salon and had big plans. She was preparing to expand into multiple locations. On the surface, it was a picture of stability. A hardworking husband, an ambitious wife, a blended family in smalltown Iowa. But behind closed doors, it was slowly unraveling. And on a mild summer morning in June 2021, it all came crashing down. >> 911. [Music] What's going on? >> Baby, >> ma'am, >> June 18th, 2021, 4:35 a.m. A 911 call is received by the TMA County Sheriff's Office in Iowa. The caller reported someone had been shot in a home on the 1800 block of K Avenue in Trrey. The first deputy arrived on scene just under 7 minutes after the call. Inside the home, he found a man slumped in a recliner, bleeding from the front of the face. Karina Cooper was on top of him screaming and according to later court testimony, not attempting CPR. The victim was later identified as Ryan Cooper, her husband. At the time of the deputy's arrival, the individuals inside the residence were Karina, her three children, and Ryan's brother, Aaron, who had just arrived after Karina called him, seeking help. All were immediately removed from the home for safety. Paramedics responded shortly after and officially pronounced Ryan dead at the scene. Further investigation of the crime scene raised red flags. Deputies observed what appeared to be two gunshot wounds to Ryan's head, one near the front of the face. The autopsy later confirmed he had been shot twice at close range. The manner of death, homicide. A single 22 caliber shell casing was found, but no firearm matching that type was immediately recovered. Deputies also noted there were no signs of forced entry or visible struggle elsewhere, and no property was missing. When asked, Karina told officers she'd been asleep in the bedroom and woke up to find her husband had been shot. Once the scene was secured, she was taken to the Treyer police station for questioning. By the time Karina's interview began around 10:00 a.m., she had already signed a voluntary consent form allowing officers to search her phone. And as she sat across from the detectives, she had no idea they were already steps ahead. They had her phone, tips were pouring in in real time, and the crime scene didn't back up her story. So, you said you thought that maybe somebody was in the house. >> That's what I thought. >> Did Did you hear any other sounds or commotions or anything other than the one that woke you up? >> No. Nothing. >> Like >> cars go by all time of the night, but I didn't see I I looked out the kitchen window. I didn't see anything. >> Okay. No sounds of like the front door slamming shut or >> No running down your deck or down your steps or anything like that? >> No, not me. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, after trying to wake him up or get his attention, you said you you called Aaron. >> I called Aaron before. Well, I touched him or whatever and then I just remember I started screaming and screaming and Kate came down. It's when I told him to get in my room with the other two kids and I called Aaron from in there. >> Inside the room? >> Yeah. I think I locked the bedroom. I was in and out. I went in and locked it and then I thought I had to go Brian. I didn't know he was there. I tried to get my stupid gun that I don't even know how to work and have never shot out of the safe that he said we had to have. And I couldn't even get the thing open. It's in our bedroom closet. >> Okay. And how big of a safe is it? Just just a little >> Just a one security type handgun spade >> that I don't even want to open. >> Okay. You could so >> you couldn't get it open? >> I don't I don't think so. >> Did you Did you ever actually get the gun out of the safe? >> No. >> Okay. >> I touched the safe, I think, cuz it's some stupid fingerprint thing, I think, and I put my finger on it and nothing happened and I was screaming and >> Okay. I called her and he said he was on his way and I went back out. Okay. >> Don't want the kids to stay in the room, but they wouldn't. So, I kept going back in there to take them in cuz I didn't want them to see. >> Yeah. And I was scared. I didn't know if somebody was there. >> Okay. At around this time in the interview, detectives were questioning Karina's brother-in-law, Aaron, in a separate room. Aaron had been the first person Karina called after the shooting, and he arrived at the house just minutes before deputies. During his interview, he told investigators that Ryan had recently seen a Snapchat message pop up on Karina's phone from a man named Houston Danker, one that appeared to reference intimate content. Detectives immediately directed forensic technicians to extract and review Karina's Snapchat data. The interview with Karina continues as they wait results. >> Um, again, not to be personal, okay, but again, these are things we need to ask just try to figure this thing out. Is has there been any marital issues between the two of you? We had a rough patch shortly after his mom passed away where we just weren't we weren't getting along. There wasn't any real issue. We were just both sad and mad and not communicating and >> and isn't it something how the ones you love the most, those are the ones sometimes you treat the worst. I'm a talker and he's not and I was always pushing to, you know, breathe whatever talk and >> yeah, >> he shuts down and >> Okay. >> Nothing where there was ever any doubt about our marriage. >> Okay. So, no affairs of any kind? >> No. >> By him or by you or And the only reason I ask is if if someone went in and did something to him. And again, we don't know. Could be that could be could be medical. We we don't know. I'm just thinking about like u the scorn lover type of thing or anything like that. >> No. >> Okay. So, there's no concern. >> We don't go anywhere. We don't do anything. He might go to the bar after work with his friend Riley and he's never home past 8. That's how exciting we are. It's >> like I said, we had >> we weren't talking and getting along, but we finally talked it out and there was never never >> never any issues like that. >> Never. >> Okay. >> I don't think I know. I never worried about it. I don't think either one. It's just like I said, he's been divorced. We got married in our 30s. We didn't >> We got to kind of regroup here. We're going to try our best to get to the bottom of this, okay? You know, and again, we don't know. It could very well be, like I said, a medical thing because we've seen that before. And he is how old? 30 >> 42. >> 42. Um, or something else could happen. That's what we're here to try to find out, figure out. But basically to to rehash things just to make sure you hear this noise. You get up. You think at the time it sounded very simil similar to the like the wire rack that had fallen in the shower a couple days earlier. But you went around it. Didn't see anything hear anything unusual. Didn't hear any cars speeding away. Didn't hear any talking or communicating that was going on inside the house at all. Nothing. >> Is it a onetory, twotory home? >> Story and a half. >> Story and a half. And you didn't see anybody flee or anything like that? Nothing that gave you concern that at least someone was still in the home. Or did you think at the time someone was in there? >> I don't know. I was just nervous, just scared. >> Okay. >> I don't really feel like I thought anybody was in the house until I saw him. >> Okay. >> And I saw blood. >> Yeah. >> I don't know. I just started to scrap. >> Okay. All right. Well, let's uh let let's give this a couple minutes here and we'll be back. Okay. You sure you don't need anything? >> Investigators have now become aware of a crucial piece of digital evidence. A Snapchat message from Houston Tanker sent at 3:31 a.m. roughly an hour before Ryan was shot. It read, "Remember those casings?" Karina had replied, "Absolutely 100%." For detectives, that changed everything. They were already questioning her story, but now they had a message that looked a lot like coordination, and detectives were ready to confront her. Who was Houston Danker? And what was the true nature of their relationship? >> As Rick said earlier, um, we we don't know what happened. Like he said, we don't know if this is a medical thing. We don't know if something something bad happened or if something did something to Ryan. And that's obviously what we're trying to figure out. Um, one of the questions I have is, do you know anyone that would have any reason to hurt him? >> No. >> Has he had any issues with anybody? >> No. Nobody. He doesn't hurt anybody. >> Okay. I know you said that he is usually home by 8:00, but sometimes goes to the bar with Riley >> once in a while. Has he talked about maybe somebody he ran into at the bar that maybe there would I guess I'm just trying to wrap my head around it. You know, if anyone >> is going to come into your house and do something to him. >> No way. >> Can't think of anybody. >> Everybody loves him. >> Okay. Um >> he just works all the time and comes home. What can you tell me about your relationship with Houston? >> Danker. >> Yeah. >> My friend. >> Okay. And I'll I'm going to be blunt with you and be forward with you. The only reason we ask is um Aaron made mention about uh maybe Ryan seeing something on your Snapchat. Not that that was Houston, but there maybe there was a something with your Snapchat. Last fall, there was a Snapchat that wasn't even meant for me. >> Okay, tell me about that. >> Supposedly, Ryan saw it, not me. And he told me about it. It was something about a married woman and naked, seeing her naked or something like that. >> Okay. >> And Ryan saw it and confronted me and I confronted Houston, who were friends on Snapchat. And that's it. So what? >> And he swore up and down in front of us that it wasn't intended for me and that was the end of it. >> So Houston sent us I guess I'm I'm not familiar with Snapchat. I I don't use it. >> Like a not a picture like a Ryan took a picture of the like message that he sent through Snapchat about something about being a married woman or something. I barely even saw it cuz I didn't know what the hell it was. >> Okay. and he swore up and down. It wasn't meant for me. >> And I had snapped, we had snapped each other earlier in the day that day because he got some product from my salon. >> Okay. >> So, he said that he sent it to the wrong person. So, >> I guess >> this is dumb. >> Well, that's we're trying to get to the bottom of dumb. >> Oh my god. >> We're just making sure that all the questions are answered. So I and correct me if I'm wrong. Is it a situation where Houston sends a snap to you that's not supposed to go to you >> supposedly >> that >> he did send a snap to me? Yes. >> That is about you being a married woman or naked with a married woman? >> I don't know. >> You don't Well, what does Ryan say about that? >> He's We've talked about it since then. And we've talked about it with friends. That's how non-issue it became after we've talked about it. It said something about remember I've seen you naked and something about a married woman. >> Has Houston seen you naked? >> No. God no. >> Okay. >> He's 22 years old. >> Oh, I >> No. >> To each their own. I just >> stupid town and their rumors. No. >> Okay. >> I cut his hair. >> Okay. >> I watched his kids a couple times when his babysitter flaked. >> Okay. Oh my god. We don't know unless we ask, right? Unbelievable. >> So, and I'm not trying to put words in your mouth, but it's safe to say that nothing is going on between you and you. >> Absolutely not. After that Snapchat, I don't even talk. I don't cut his hair anymore. I told Ryan I would just keep a distance from everybody. from him, from his brother, from anybody related in that age group. >> Okay. >> To make him feel better and it's been a non-issue since then. >> And this was you said last fall. Get got a better time frame on that. >> This snap was not last fall. It was more like this spring or late winter. >> Okay. Okay. >> Last fall is when I was supposedly horsing around with him because I babysat his kids and his truck was at my house because I babysat his kids. That's what all that stupid Houston danker stuff started with. >> Okay, >> we're friends. Brian didn't like him. They don't fundamentally get along. So, as his wife, I said, I'm not his friend anymore. Or cutting his hair, just keep a distance. And it was over. It was done. >> Okay. When's the last time you socially interacted with Houston or cut his hair or anything like that? >> Last fall. >> Okay. Okay. Don't talk to him. He asked me to watch his kids one time. Might have I don't know if it was last fall or this spring cuz it was fieldwork. And I said no that Ryan wasn't comfortable with it, but Amber, my friend Amber would be more than willing to. and he called her and she became his babysitter. >> Okay, >> that's the last I've spoke with him. >> And what's Amber's last name? >> Monet. >> Monet. >> M O N A T. >> Okay. Like I said, we get information and sometimes we have to ask stupid questions. >> Okay. Just hours after interviewing Karina, detectives brought in Houston Danker, the man behind the late night Snapchat messages. He wasn't just a barberh shop client or some casual friend. He was a potential co-conspirator. And investigators wanted to know if he was the one who pulled the trigger. >> Open the floor on just grab a seat where Yeah, actually you can grab a seat here. That' be great. It's easier for me to write. Um Okay. Uh what I'm going to do is I'm going really cut to the chase because uh social media I I started law enforcement like 25 years ago. We have social media and have Facebook and like god sense and now that we do every time something happens everybody's on the internet. Oh yeah, you know, you should look at this, should look at that. >> Right. >> Anyway, why your name came up is um Ryan Ryan Cooper died. >> See, and I Okay, so Ryan Cooper died and one of the first I don't know in the first hour someone said, "Hey, we heard that uh Karina was having an affair with Houston. That's why you're here." Okay. >> Yeah. So, all I got to do is I got to sort out a few things with you about that. I'm gonna get you out of here and then we may have to follow up with you again some other time. Okay. >> But the rumors out there, so we have to talk to you, right? >> Yep. >> Is it H U S T O N? >> H U S T O N. Yep. >> And I have your phone number. You just give me a 31. >> Yeah. Like I said, you just kind of called me at the perfect time. I was going >> Oh, yeah. That was awesome. >> And where do you work at now? >> Nolan Farms in Van Horn. >> Nolan Farms. >> Rick Nolan or whatever. Yeah. >> Whatever you want to put. >> What do you do there? >> I'm a farm hand. >> Okay. >> A little bit of everything. We have excavating lunch. >> And that's like fulltime. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Monday through Friday or depending on >> Well, seasonal. >> It seems like we have so much going. So, I mean, it seems more 7 days. You know, I have my kids every weekend. So I >> I grew up in Bell Plain, so I'm aware of farm stuff. That's how I'm >> Oh, so you probably know the no ones in a little bit. >> I know a lot of dankers. I'm trying to think of >> Yeah, there's a Dave Danker in Bell. >> Oh, >> everybody asked me if I'm related. >> I'm quite a bit older than you are, so I don't know. A lot older than you actually. So, >> but yeah, I would just say [ __ ] average would be six days a week. >> Okay. All right. Um, all right. So, um, the rumor that's going around is Ryan or you and Karina were Snapchatting. Did that actually happen at some point? Yeah. Okay. When When did that happen? >> Yeah. I mean, I if it's once a week, twice a, you know, I mean, it's >> Is it still going on >> with me and Karina? >> No. I mean it's it like I said it it's random Snapchat [ __ ] you know I mean it's >> it's uh you know maybe K R I N A [Applause] >> K R >> randomly. Yeah. >> And how long has that been going on for? Oh [ __ ] I don't know. Probably November, October. Just Yeah, probably October, November time frame. And you think you said what? Once or twice a week? Yeah, I mean it's not it's not anything spec, you know, just your typical snap, like I said, Snapchat random, you know. >> Okay, so let's rewind then to how I said I'm a lot older than you. >> Yeah. >> Uh I I have kids. I'm aware of Snapchat. Actually, my daughter is three years younger than you. So, uh what does Snapchat then entail? It's uh is it like uh almost like texting some something? >> Ju just like Oh, you don't have Snapchat? No. >> Oh, just like random picture, you know, like you like let's say you're sitting on the deck, you know, after a long day of work, take a picture of your beer and well, you know, long day. You see what I'm saying? You know, okay. >> Like if I'm Yeah. Let's say you're planting corn. You take a Snapchat, send it to all your buddies because you want to get them worked up that you're planting corn, you Right. So then you used to get your haircut there, right? >> Yep. >> Do you still get your haircut there or No. >> Well, I did when I worked at Liquid Grove just cuz it was convenient. Um and then now with me working down in Van Horn, I a I don't have much time to really get my haircut and b, you know, it's not right down the road. So the what I was told and keep in mind this is sometimes second and third hand through people. >> Yep. >> Is that Ryan found out that you were Snapchatting and didn't and she then refused to cut your hair. Did anything like that happen? >> No. I mean it just like I said it was a more or less a convenience deal of Yeah. >> You know, >> did did Ryan never know about you two Snapchatting? >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. Did Did she say something to you about it? >> No. I mean, it all kind of like >> Well, keep in mind. Okay. So, let me let me explain things a little bit more. >> Yeah. >> So, we have her phone. Okay. We have Ryan's phone. Yep. >> And what we are able to do is we basically are able to clone everything off the phone. >> Gotcha. um in order to so any conversations that she's had with you, even if she deleted it, we can still get it. It's like FBI technology stuff. So, we'll still be able to get that. We'll be able to get locations. We'll be able to get >> all that kind of data. I mean, the the stuff that we can do now as opposed to what we could do back in the 90s with cell phones, it's like um >> it's unbelievable really, right? So, >> um >> there's no point. you kind of dance if you were screwing around with her or what doesn't make you a killer or anything like that, right? >> Um, guess what? People have affairs all the time, >> right? But >> there's not a perfect marriage out there, at least that I'm aware of. Yeah. Where people don't sometimes do things that they don't regret. Whether it's, you know, have a argument that they said something they shouldn't have or they have an affair or they, you know, use too many drugs or drink too much alcohol or gamble too much. Everybody's got weird [ __ ] going on in their lives, right? Okay. >> So, >> I don't want you to get too nervous about it cuz if you had an affair with Karina, doesn't make you guilty of anything other than you had an affair with her, >> right? Well, and that that I'll put it this way. I'll I'll completely dumb it down. So, like with me and Karina, the hard thing with all that rumor being spread >> is I was literally sitting there like a I would say a gay best friend. >> I was having, you know, I me and my baby mama split up. Okay. >> I was getting my haircut by Karina and I have two kids. You know, she loves kids, whatever. And she she always told me, you know, if you're ever in a pinch, hey, you know, I don't have a problem watching your kids, whatever. And so we were all, you know, everybody was friends, whatever, you know. Well, then, you know, she watched my kids a couple times when I was in a pinch. Well, then it [ __ ] >> you know, how small towns talk, you know. >> Houston's kids are over at Karina's. He's [ __ ] nailing her, you know, and then Yeah. And I guess >> that's probably where Ryan probably got upset, you know? I mean, if >> you kind of Hey, again, keep in mind I don't know you. I I've known you for what 10 minutes now. >> Yeah. >> But you you kind of got a reputation where you're pretty successful with the ladies, right? >> I one >> better luck than some or not as bad as others >> years ago. Years ago. >> Yeah. I mean, it's bad to say, but I'm young with two kids, you know. >> Right. >> But um >> So are the two kids from two different moms? Is that >> No, same mom. Same. Same mom. Yeah. >> But you guys aren't married? >> No. Nope. >> All right. And how old are your kids? >> Uh, he'll be two. I suck at doing the whole month deal. >> He'll be two in October and then she'll be one. >> Oh jeez. >> Yeah, they're pretty [ __ ] close together. >> That's pretty close. >> Yeah. Yep. >> All right. So, your kids are staying over or would Karina would watch them every now and then. >> Yeah. I think she watched them a total of [ __ ] three times just because, you know, >> right? I got him on the week or during the week and then obviously I don't have a place to go, you know, cuz I don't have daycare. >> Mhm. >> So, is it normally then baby's mama that watches them? >> Yeah, she's she's got primary custody. I just got every other week, you know, every other weekend. But, see, that was a that was a weird time because none of that was set in stone. So, my baby mom at the time would call me [ __ ] randomly and say, "Hey, you got the kids today?" Well, >> no way. Like I said, relationships are complicated, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. So, um, and then you kind of met just Did you meet Karina then just from the hair shop? >> Yeah. I mean, well, that that's Yeah, I've always known Karina. You know, everybody's always known Karina and Ryan because obviously I grew up in Tre, but that's where, you know, she started cutting my hair and [ __ ] You know, they're lifers from two. >> Uh Ryan and Karina. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Actually grew up, so I graduated from Bell Plane. I grew up just north of town in Toledo from 76 to 86. I lived out there. >> Oh yeah, it's changed a little but not a whole lot since I lived here. >> It's not like Cedar Rapids or Water or >> No, it's not. But I still like feel like it's home here for me. So Yep. >> So you always knew her. Uh how long then? How long were you getting your haircut there? I got to think back if you know I think it's it it was probably when I started working at Liquid Grow. So, [ __ ] I don't know if it two years out there. Year and a half. >> Yeah. Okay. And then the Snapchatting, did that kind of coincide with watching the kids or how that? >> That's that's where that's where that picked up was, you know, there for a while. Karina, she was just my, you know, cut my hair, whatever. >> And then, you know, I started having kids and she, you know, I honestly needed help is what, you know, and I wasn't I wasn't telling her. I wasn't telling her I needed help, but I was kind of, you know, and then she offered and yeah, that's where the I would say that's where the chatting started, you know, the the friendship, you know. >> Mhm. >> And then you described it as what you're her gay friend or how do you describe it? >> I the best way I could put it is, yeah, just a gay best friend, you know. >> Yeah. So, >> um, >> like when everybody everybody around Trey was saying, "Oh, you know, Houston's nailing or whatever." I'm sitting there like, "Nope." I >> Mhm. So, are we going to I mean, uh, and I don't know. I mean, if you drink a lot or she drinks a lot, is there I think back to college, you know, when we would get a little out of hand, like we'd send like a like a dickpick to somebody or something just Oh, is there going to be anything like that between you and Karina or anything that you're like, well, >> look, we were friends, but maybe there might be something that the police might think is inappropriate, but you're not we're not find anything like that. Okay. I actually got a because this is a state phone and the numbers always switch and when I first got this phone I would have a I don't know who this number belonged to and I'd get guys from Ford Dodge calling me all trying time trying to sell me stolen stuff. >> Oh. >> And I'm just like >> uh dude you're let me let me uh meet you and then I'd call the police and let them know where they're going to be. Okay. So, what was your day like yesterday? And then >> Oh, got to work typically. Yesterday I got to work about 6:45. >> Okay. >> Mode day until Oh, >> I can't remember what time we got done. About I would say 6:30 7:00 last night is when we finished up. >> Where'd you go after that? Well, I left Van Horn and naturally, you know, I needed gas, so I ran into Trey. >> Mhm. >> Got gas and Trey and then went home and hung out. And who was home with you last night? >> Just I live by myself. >> Okay. Did you go on about any last night or >> after I got gas? >> Early morning. >> Yeah. Uh, after I got gas, I just went and looked at a couple farms down by Clier. We have a farm down by Clier. >> What time do you think you went to bed? >> Last night? Oh, probably 11, 11:30. >> So, after >> Yeah, yeah, I'd say 10:30, 11. >> Okay. So, we do a thing. It's called a geo fence. And what the geoence does it, it's a tech technology thing that I'm not capable of explaining, but say this is this is Ryan's house and Karina's house. >> Yep. >> We do what we do is a geoence. So, we'll take the map or whatever and draw like a big box. >> Oh. um around it and every phone that travels through that box at a certain time frame >> y >> um gets picked up and there's this it's scary if you knew how easily our phone our phones are literally being tracked whether we wanted or not. So >> um at any point say like after midnight or would we are we going to find your phone in the in our box? >> No. >> No. Okay. And then we also um are collecting obviously you've been out there. So it's like a uh incredibly isolated area. I always call it God's country, right? Because it's great properties out there, all the open space and all that. But what we'll do is we'll go to all the different farms and uh because a lot of farmers get whatever farm, you know, like farm equipment stolen, that sort of thing. Cameras up. >> We're not going to find any of your vehic vehicles or anything on camera from last night other than where you should be. >> Yep. Did Karina ever confide in you in anything? Like her and Ryan aren't doing so hot or she ever complain about anything regarding Ryan since you might if you're the gay friend sometimes that's who people talk to. Right. >> See, and it was never like really that, you know, like the gay best friend part pretty much just comes from me and my kids, you know, I mean, >> not anything. You're the helpless single dad that needs helping right now. >> That's pretty well kind of the way. Yeah. Okay. >> You know, >> but hey, you know, I appreciate you coming down as quickly as you did. >> Yeah. >> What time is it? >> It's time for you to go. >> About 4. >> Oh, it's perfect. Yeah. >> Yep. >> Any questions for me? >> No. >> So, it's a long process for us. We had, like I said, we had to collect all the phone data and all that stuff. So, >> yeah. Um, we got a several rumors that we got to track down right now. >> Yeah. >> So, you're just one of them. >> I get that. >> Don't Don't feel too special. >> So, >> yeah. >> If you don't any questions for me, let's get you out of here. >> No. >> Investigators later obtained a digital warrant for Danker's phone and online accounts. Forensic analysis revealed that about an hour after his interview, he Googled, "Can old open Snapchats be found again?" Days later, he searched, "Where do murderers go to prison?" among a host of other questionable searches. Incriminating? Absolutely. But at that stage, it still wasn't enough. Neither Karina nor Danker was arrested that day. The murder weapon was missing. There was no confession, and ballistics were inconclusive. But the case had shifted. This was no longer suspicion. It was a targeted homicide investigation. For nearly 3 years, investigators quietly built their case, analyzing digital records, securing witness statements and confirming the scene had been staged. In 2023, a combination of second interviews, digital forensic analysis, and corroborating witness statements helped push the case forward. Several new witnesses stepped up and Karina herself revealed more details under questioning, including her ongoing affair with Danker and prior comments about wanting Ryan dead and that she could shoot him in the face. Additionally, in the spring of 2024, detectives learned that Houston Danker had given a rifle to a coworker and asked him to hold on to it. The coworker stored it in a closet at his home for 6 to 8 months. That firearm, a 22 caliber Ruger, matched the caliber used in the murder, but the recovered bullet was too damaged to definitively link it to the shooting. With that, the case was ready. On February 19th, 2024, Karina Cooper was arrested for first-degree murder. 2 months later, Houston Danker was charged as a co-conspirator. Both remained in custody on $1 million bonds pending their separate trials. The trial of Iowa versus Karina Cooper focused on the state's claim of a calculated murder driven by greed and exposed through digital evidence. Prosecutors argued she and Houston Danker conspired to kill Ryan Cooper for his $500,000 life insurance policy in order to build a life together. With no eyewitnesses, the state relied on the digital trail. They reminded the jury of the Snapchat messages just before the murder. Cell data placed Danker near the home before and after the shooting. And although the recovered firearm was never definitively linked to the crime, prosecutors argued it fit their theory that Danker pulled the trigger. The prosecution's message was clear. This wasn't a random act of violence. It was a coordinated plot. Karina was the co-conspirator. Danker pulled the trigger. Meanwhile, the defense's strategy was to shift the blame onto Karina's former lover, Houston Danker. They contended she was innocent, that she had been manipulated by Danker, claiming the intimate messages were simply fantasy, not evidence of a conspiracy. They said the insurance payout was held in trust for the children and not for personal gain. While the policy proceeds were eventually directed into a trust for the kids, Karina was listed as the original beneficiary according to court filings. Then, in a calculated gamble, the jury would hear from the defendant herself. With everything on the line, Karina Cooper took the stand. >> You state you loved Ryan Cooper? >> Yes. >> You loved him. >> Yes. >> Very much. >> Yes. You had a lover. >> That's what you call him. Yes. >> What do you call him? >> I called him an online inappropriate relationship. When I hear lover, I assume sexual partners. It's just the way I perceive it. Okay. >> Are you able to read that, Miss Cooper? >> I am. >> You have a screen next to you. >> Okay. I can see it. I'm afraid to move it. You don't deny. You don't deny you sent that first text on March 8th of 2021. >> Deny that. No. >> Pardon? >> I did send that. Yes. >> Can you read it? >> Read it. I just read this 10 times. I swear >> hard emojis. I'm sorry. What? >> You left You left out a love emoji. >> I just read this 10 times. Heart emoji. >> Okay. >> I swear heart emoji. and just felt even harder for you, which I don't think I could have been any more crazy over you than I already was. That book, That book is everything I've ever wanted to hear. You can do anything you want with those boys. You're their daddy. Don't need mom's permission. Wants to get back to wrestling. He loves it. He just got his kicked at a tournament and is scared to compete now. Just wants to go to practice. Doesn't want to lose. And you know what the sperm donor said to him after he got his handed to him? Not a [ __ ] word other than it happens. Not let's go home and I'll show you how to get out of that move. Just it happens. They need you so badly is your football and baseball kid. Kid can throw a ball. The person you just referred to as a sperm donor, that's your husband, Ryan Cooper, >> who you tell this jury you loved so dearly. That's how you showed your love to Ryan Cooper. Correct. >> I think we all call the people that we love names at times. >> I asked you is it a yes or no question. >> Yes. >> Okay. And you're sending this to Houston Dinker, the man you now call your online lover. >> Yes. >> Your husband is a sperm donor. >> That's what I referred to him as. Yes. >> You also told him the kids are yours. All part of the fantasy. >> Is that a yes or no? >> It's hard to say yes or no. I feel like that's black or white and there's a gray area. >> Miss Koopa, did you hear my question? >> I did. So, yes. If that's If it must be yes or no, then yes. I clearly said it. Can you read the next message on the March 8th at 7:03 a.m.? >> You want me to read it? >> Yeah. >> Good morning, baby. You would have woke up to your horny wife's hand wrapped around your this morning, just so you know. >> And who are you sending this to? >> I'm sorry. What? >> Who are you sending this to? >> To Houston Danker. the man you're just telling this jury that you're terrified of. >> I wasn't terrified of him at this time. No. >> When did you start being terrified of him? >> After he killed my husband. >> Oh, so this time you're not terrified of him in March. >> No. And so Houston Dena would have woken up to your your hand your horny hands around his correct. >> That's what I wrote. >> That's what you wrote to him. >> Correct. >> You are the one who initiates that conversation. >> What's that? >> You're the one who sense that conversation. >> Yes. A minute later, you write to him expressing thoughts of death to the man that you claim you love called Ryan Cooper. Correct. >> I wrote, "Here's hoping for a rogue semi today. Big accident, no survivors." >> Big accident, no survivors. That's what I wrote. >> Your mind and you should say your mind is pretty dark and twisted. Correct. >> That's what I wrote in the next message. Yes. >> More than one occasion you told Ryan Cooper that you hated him. >> Yes. front of friends. You told Ryan Cooper that you'd shoot him in the face. >> I deny ever saying that. >> Was that when you're Karen when you said I'd shoot you in the face? >> I never said that. >> Karen did. >> Karen did not say it either. It was not said. the 17th of June, 10:19 a.m. A day later, Ryan Cooper will be dead. You're talking to Houston Danker. Correct. >> Correct. What is the next text message? And who sends it >> that he sends? >> Yeah. >> Going to sleep with my hand on very soon. >> Going to sleep with my hand on your P word very soon. Correct. >> Correct. >> And what's your response? >> Soaked. Just thinking of you will be downright embarrassing when I have you in person. Excuse me. When I actually have you in person. That's hours before your husband will be lying dead in his house. >> It's at 11:19 a.m. on June 17th. >> So in the next coming hours, your husband will be killed in your house. He was >> with you present in the house. >> Yes. >> You send a text message to your lover saying I will be your wife and he tells you very soon he will have his hands on your most private of parts and that same night your husband is dead. >> That and many others. Yes. After both sides delivered their closing arguments, one calling it a calculated execution, the other insisting it was all Houston Dankers doing, the case was finally in the jury's hands. It didn't take long. Just under 4 hours later, they had a verdict. Right. Go ahead and be seated, everyone. We are back on the record uh with uh the jurors, council, and parties present. Um I've been informed that the jury has reached a verdict. Has the jury in fact reached a verdict? >> All right, Miss Davis, if you could hand the verdict form to Miss Davis. Would council and parties please stand. All right. I have a form of verdict for form of verdict two. We the jury find the defendant Karina Cooper guilty of the offense of murder in the first degree dated this 11th day of July 2025. And juror number one is that the jury's verdict? >> Yes, it is your honor. >> Would you like the jury pled, Miss Watt? All right, ladies and gentlemen, the jury, at this point, I'm going to ask that you return to the jury room. Um, with >> Karina Cooper's sentencing is scheduled for September 5th, 2025 at the Tama County Courthouse. She is set to receive the mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole under Iowa law. Houston Danker remains in custody while awaiting his trial, now scheduled for August 12th, 2025 in Johnson County. If convicted, he faces the same fate, life behind bars with no chance of release.