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Haunted

October 24, 2009 7:45 PM

In Full: A daughter thinks she knows who killed her father. Seven years later, can she prove it? Harold Dow reports.

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by November 11, 2009 7:06 PM EST
Well said! To destroy evidence that might have led to the killer or to overlook bagging something really vital compromised the whole investigation. There are four kids and many family members that need to have some resolution. I remember them saying chewing gum was taken in. I wonder if a saliva test can be done and they must have picked up cigarette butts around the area. If they can place Dana at that house-she'll be hard pressed to fight the DNA results.
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by ra8erette November 10, 2009 12:03 PM EST
Did the police dept. give her a polygraph? I bet she woul've failed if they had!!! My heart goes out to the families of this horrible tragedy.
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by supergoddess34 November 7, 2009 1:40 AM EST
This is one of the saddest and heartbreaking stories. These kids lose their father and their mother. The mother who is accused has never even shown one shred of emotion for their murders! She is a horrible person who knows exactly what happened that night and I hope for the sake of the family that justice is found.
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by burlman November 6, 2009 9:55 PM EST
just a thought has any one checked danas car chip it dose record all car movements time travel speed an dates this is not impossible to do it would show if she made the trip to topica even if she has sold the car find the car find the truth da my most heartfelt feeling for all the kids, parents crimes of passion so sad

burlman
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by ichabod3344 November 3, 2009 11:26 PM EST
I think the Topeka Police Department needs to permanently hire the CBS staff! I have grown up in Topeka and heard repeated stories of how the Topeka Police have done a poor job in one way or another. It's assuring to know that the new DA is looking at case again, but it's just sad that it required the assistance of CBS to cause this kind of action! A BIG Thanks should be sent to CBS for even giving this heart-broken family a second chance at bringing justice to "most likely" suspect who received the least amount of questioning. Tnx CBS!
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by godsfiddler November 3, 2009 3:55 PM EST
Dana is psycho.
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by Cherish-you October 30, 2009 5:24 AM EDT
i can't believe this.
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by stuart-johns2 October 29, 2009 6:11 PM EDT
Dana Chandler is guilty. The police just botched the investigation much the same way they botched the O.J. Simpson investigation. But you'll find very few who believe he was innocent.

There is just to much compelling evidence, and not from family members with an axe to grind, but from Dana Chandler's testimony and the confusing alibi. She had the motive, the means, and the opportunity. If it's circumstantial, it's certainly strong evidence never-the-less.

Her own children feel she was a highly unstable person. The harrasing phonecalls, the trampoline, the wine bottles, ect ect...oh no, Dana Chandler is guilty of this crime. No doubt in my mind. But her biggest mistake was her pathetic alibi. I would have arrested her on suspicion of murder on that alone. And hopefully, during intensive interrogation, would have tricked her into confessing or pressured into confessing what I know she is guily of.
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by littlewingmel October 28, 2009 12:30 PM EDT
Does anybody else think it's odd that Dana got gas twice in one weekend in Denver? I mean, the police should be able to pull receipts to figure out how many gallons of gas Dana purchased. It doesn't take THAT much gas to go up to the mountains from Denver.
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by poorerobin October 27, 2009 2:56 PM EDT
I would be hard pressed to convict Dana. Where was her car when she supposedly committed the murders? It looked like a residential neighborhood, someone would have seen a suspicious car--a getaway car! This seems like a crime of opportunity. Maybe a random act! According to the brother, Mike was scared to tell Dana that he was going to marry Karen. Did he ever tell her? As far as the gas cans supposedly used so she would not have to stop get gas, wouldn't someone see her, a random passerby, put gas in her car? What about her filling up these cans with gas? Is there not video at the gas station she used to fill her car up with gas? This would be an additional gas purchase so you can see the dollar amount to fill up her car and then the addtional amount to fill both cans up. Did she use a credit card or cash? Even though she stalked and harassed these two people, and may very well be their killer, there has to be evidence somewhere to prove her guilt. I think she had the motive, and opportunity considering her alibi is not rock solid because no one obviously saw her at any time Saturday night or Sunday, and maybe the means because her stalking of someone 500 miles from her home. The police are going to have to put her in Kansas that weekend, and yet they haven't been able to. Did she threaten Karen on those harassing phone calls? Did Karen tape them? Did Dana leave threatening messages on an answering machine(if Karen owned one) when Karen quit answering her phone? There are so many questions that have no answers. Are there police reports that show her stalking and harassing behavior? Dana is a likely suspect, and I think if she is truly innocent like she claims, then she would cooperate with the police! An innocent person has nothing to hide! This case needs a thorough investigation, with someone who does not have tunnel vision. I hope they find the person responsible, and have the evidence to put the guilty party away.
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by lucanvillage October 27, 2009 12:46 PM EDT
I am wondering. How did Dana get in the house to wait for them to come home? I think the evidence points to Dana but if I were on the jury I would need some sort of link to the crime scene in order to convict Dana. I would never want to find someone guilty just because the family says she is guilty. Seems there is not a lot of love lost towards Dana coming from the ex husbands family nor ever was. I just don't see how she can be convicted unless she actually admits to it unless the police come up with some evidence linking her.
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by Ilove48hours October 27, 2009 2:37 AM EDT
Great episode!!! In a way, I get how it's not good to point a finger and accuse someone of committing a murder..but when Dana really hasn't done much to clear her name, that just smells guilt. If I were in her shoes, and if i were accused to commiting a crime, I would visit the police station everyday, tell them they can search my house at any hour of the night, would do extensive interviews, take whatever tests, volunteer my free time into trying to find out real killer...pretty much anything and everything to clear my name. But it seems like this Dana person really isn't going the distance....even if she didn't pull the trigger...i have a feeling that was in some way responsible for two's people's deaths.

O and btw...ATTENTION ANYONE INVOLVED IN FORENSIC POLICE DETECTIVE WORK....DO WHAT YOUR JOB ENTAILS AND COLLECT ALL EVIDENCE AND STAY AN EXTRA 60 MINUTES AFTER WORK IF IT MEANS U HAVE TO IN ORDER TO METICULOUSLY GATHER ALL EVIDENCE FOR CRIME SCENE. IF YOU CAN'T DO THAT, THEN GO WORK SOMEWHERE ELSE. THE EXTRA 60 MINUTES THAT YOU SAVE SO YOU CAN GO HOME AND WATCH DAVID LETTERMAN MAY BE 60 MINUTES OF LIVING HELL FOR THE FAMILIES OF VICTIMS, LIKE IT PROBABLY IS WITH THE FAMILIES INVOLVED WITH THIS CASE FROM YOUR INCOMPETENCE/ LAZINESS. IF IT IS A MATTER OF NOT HAVING THE PROPER TOOLS/ EQUIPMENT, THEN CALL IN FOR SOME HELP FROM PLACES THAT HAVE BETTER FACILITIES, AND PRESERVE THE CRIME SCENE UNTIL YOU GET THE NECESSARY TOOLS TO PROVIDE A PROPER INVESTIGATION.

I AM SICK AND TIRED OF READING AND SEEING THESE TYPE OF REPORTS WITH "BOTCHED" POLICE WORK, A LOT OF TIMES DO TO LAZINESS OR SHEER IGNORANCE. AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO FULLY PROPERLY CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, THEN GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND TAKE BETTER NOTES.
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by Oskaman October 26, 2009 11:48 PM EDT
My synpathy goes out to all of the parties involved in this tragedy. However, after saying that, based on what was broadcast in this episode, I would never vote to convict Dana. Where is the evidence? She was a stalker, so what? There are probably thousands of stalkers out there everyday, but they don't necessarily commit murder. Gas cans? Come on, I have two gas cans, but that doesn't make me homicidal. Her inability or unwillingness to explain her whereabouts on the weekend in question? She doesn't have to prove where she was, the state has to. All that I heard on this broadcast was speculation by everyone interviewed, the relatives, the children and the PI's. I don't know, maybe Dana did it, but maybe she didn't. This broadcast did nothing to clear the muddy waters, at least in my eyes.
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by hallie14 October 26, 2009 4:59 PM EDT
I think this is a horrible situation and that the person who is predicted of killing those wonderful people is clear. And I am shocked that its been 7 YEARS and they still havent filed charges or put her in jail:( I also think that Dana should be more coroportive with the police and help everyone out in this crime.
As the for the kids I wish them much luck and hope they are able to pursue their lives more happily in the future!
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by fieldandstream October 26, 2009 1:16 PM EDT
I am sorry to the family of the two that were murdered. However, as someone in the law enforcement business I can tell you that your speculation about Dana Chandler is just that, mere speculation.

Interesting journalism as well. At one point in the show it claims she bought the gas cans a week before the murders, and in the end as they show attempts to climax it reports the cans were bought "just hours before the murder." If that's true, where are the receipts? Hours before the murder would put her somewhere in Kansas of it's surrounding states... not true was it?

Here was my first thought, if Dana Chandler was so careful in planning this murder as to take a route to throw a gun in a river north of Kansas, avoid toll boths, and fill up two cans of gas... why would she keep the gas cans? Why keep the two things (gas cans) that she used as her means to get to the crime scene. One would think that if she was that clever to keep herself from getting caught, she would have destroyed or thrown out the cans after using them. Not brought them home with her and placed them in her garage. Guess what, find me a home without a gas can or two in the garage, but you cannot do it in 5 out of 5 tries. Also, where on earth did she get the gun? Ammo?

I am afraid, after watching this, that the Cisco family has extreme tunnel vision. This, tunnel vision, allows real murders to walk free. Open up your suspect list to those other than family. Murders are difficult to investigate, and even more so with closed minds.

Good luck, I hope that they really do catch the murder(s) in this case. Whomever it might be.
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by Virgil-1 October 26, 2009 11:07 AM EDT
Very rare that people kill people without a reason.There was an enemy lurking somewhere for this couple.
He/she didn't have an enemy in the world.How
many times have we heard this superficial statement?As long as there are people there will be enemies.Most of the time a killing starts way down the road.Hate,jealousy,love of money,power,the motive is in the heart of your enemy.Yes,you whoever you are,you
have an enemy somewhere.Count on it!
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by alind6 October 26, 2009 1:57 AM EDT
Haliey and Dustin, You twe are remarkable people. Your strength amazes me! It would have been extremely hard to do this episode and talk about this nationally, however you did it because of the love you have for your family and your hope for justice for your father and Karen! I sincerly hope that justice is served, as I know everyone else is as well!! You two are wonderful people and I just think that you should know that! You are amazing and you will be in alot of peoples thoughts and prayers as this case continues! Thank you for your continued strength!!!
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by aznuggetbob October 26, 2009 1:50 AM EDT
I agree with you chester, The last post does sound like the EX. She stalked him for years, All he tried to do is straiten out his life. Everything is pointing to the EX. How many Ex wife's do have jumping on your trampling in your backyard late at night?
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by Chester_Copperpot October 26, 2009 1:05 AM EDT
To weeselkie - It is clear to me that you may be Dana herself and that is why your comment is so angry! Or you a very sheltered person. How could you call the children "Losers" and the part about the 2 people living together, gambling, etc. Who Are You To JUDGE!

You should be ashamed of your shallow and inconsiderate remarks!
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by desilopez36 October 25, 2009 11:31 PM EDT
come on how naive are these police. the new prosecutor better do something or nothing will get done.there is plenty of circmstanial evidence to convict dana. come on people saw her stalking him. plus he said he had caught her in his house and called police where are those reports she shold have been charged with something before she had the chance to kill someone. plus who was that stupid freind who found those bottles of alchohol in the closet thought it was weird and still threw them away. good job smart guy could have had fingerprints on them.
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