Suvechha Sarkar
Cari Lea Farver had built a perfect life for herself with a new job and her family by her side. That changed in November 2012, when she suddenly vanished and only communicated with her loved ones through texts and emails. It wasn’t until a few days later that her mother realized she was missing. ABC’s ’20/20: A Tangled Web’ sheds light on how she disappeared from Omaha, Nebraska, and a trail of digital messages that ultimately led to the truth. What unfolded next was a troubling tale of deception, obsession, and three years of unanswered questions. It also features interviews with her boyfriend of two weeks, her loved ones, and the officials who helped solve the mystery.
Cari Farver Was a Proud Single Mother and Skilled Computer Programmer
Born on November 30, 1974, Cari Lea Farver brought immeasurable happiness to the lives of her parents, Dennis Farver and Nancy Raney. Sadly, the relationship between her parents didn’t work out, and they parted ways. Shortly after, Dennis tied the knot with Diane. It is important to note that Cari had always fostered a special relationship with her brothers, Adam, John, and Jarod. She was the kind of person who lit up any room she entered. Her friends stated that she was always good with computers, which eventually helped her pursue a career in the same field. Cari began working as a Computer Programmer at West Corporation in Omaha, Nebraska. At some point in adulthood, she got into a relationship, which led to the birth of her son, Max.
Although that connection gradually faded, Cari decided to become a single mother. In 2012, she met Dave Kroupa through a dating website, and they soon became closer. According to Dave, they decided to keep their relationship casual. He stated that about a week into seeing each other, Cari stayed over a few nights because his home was closer to her office. On November 13, 2012, Dave left for work around 6:30 am and saw Cari doing her work. Within a few hours, she surprisingly texted him that she wanted to move in with him. However, when he refused, he received multiple texts allegedly from Cari, which contained profanities. Dave reportedly began getting texts and emails with threats like, “I will destroy your life and take your happiness.”
Cari Farver’s Death Was Officially Confirmed, But Her Remains Have Never Been Discovered
On November 13, 2012, Cari texted Nancy that she had taken a job in Kansas and was moving there. However, her mother grew worried as time passed, since she only received texts from Cari and no calls. According to her, Cari was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and was off medications, but she was allegedly doing well. Moreover, Cari didn’t attend family functions, and even her father’s funeral. That was when Nancy reported Cari missing to the authorities in Macedonia, Iowa. On the other hand, in Omaha, Dave presumed that Cari was allegedly stalking him because he got the text, “My favorite thing to do is stand outside and stare at you,” from her. In January 2013, he reportedly discovered Cari’s Ford Explorer in the parking lot of his apartment complex.
When officials searched the vehicle, they only found a fingerprint from a mint box inside. However, it didn’t yield any match to her or any other individuals. The case gradually went cold, but during that time, Dave, Nancy, Max, and Cari’s friends reportedly continued to receive texts and emails from multiple accounts purporting to be from Cari. It created confusion about whether she’d vanished voluntarily or was being impersonated. In Spring 2015, Iowa officials reopened the case. During the investigation, they discovered an SD card that contained a picture of a bloody human foot with a distinctive tattoo.
The tattoo was identified as Cari’s, and the forensic experts reportedly concluded that it was the picture of a deceased person. When Cari’s car was again searched, officials discovered a large blood stain under the cover of the passenger side seat. Forensic testing indicated that Cari suffered a significant injury inside her vehicle. Supported by digital and forensic evidence, Investigators developed a theory that Cari may have been stabbed and that her remains were later dismembered and burned. They reportedly began looking at the case as a possible homicide rather than a missing person. As per the evidence, the court accepted the indication that Cari was killed within 24 hours after she was last seen. As her remains were never found, the exact manner of death could not be conclusively determined.
Mounting Red Flags and Staged Threats Pointed Officials Toward a New Suspect
During the initial missing person investigation, officials discovered that Dave was allegedly being stalked and threatened by Cari. According to reports, six months before he began dating her, he was with a woman named Shanna Elizabeth Golyar, AKA Liz. Cari and Liz had reportedly met for only a few seconds when the latter came to pick up some of her things from Dave’s apartment. According to police reports, after Cari went missing, Liz also allegedly received threatening emails and texts from Cari. Things escalated as law enforcement received reports that Liz’s garage had been vandalized. As per investigative reports, in 2013, Dave received an email allegedly from Cari, containing a picture of Liz being tied up and mouth taped shut in the trunk of a car. However, he stated that when he called Liz, she was okay.
In August 2013, Liz’s house was set on fire, and she alleged before the officials that Cari might’ve done it. When Cari’s missing persons case was reopened in the spring of 2015, investigators discovered that there had been no activity on Cari’s credit account since she was last seen. Back in 2012, Liz had given her cellphone to law enforcement for a search. According to official records, when it was rechecked in 2015, a picture of Cari’s car was found, taken one month before its discovery. Additionally, they discovered that the photo of Liz, which was sent to Dave, was taken on Liz’s phone. Police records indicate that Liz’s call records showed she called Cari’s home six times. Furthermore, Nancy informed the detectives that in May 2015, she received a picture of a signed check from Cari, which was allegedly for the sale of Cari’s furniture.
Related
An Elaborate Digital Footprint Led the Investigators to the Killer
Shockingly, the check was signed by Shanna Golyar, AKA Liz. Moreover, the fingerprint found in Cari’s car turned out to be a match for Liz. When officials questioned Liz, she alleged that the mother of Dave’s children, Amy Flora, was the stalker and the possible killer. According to court records, investigators set up a ruse and asked Liz to try to obtain a confession from Amy to killing Cari. Within a few days, a confession to the killing arrived in an email to Liz. In the meantime, forensics uncovered that the emails and texts sent to the others were reportedly traced back to devices owned by Liz. When she was confronted at the station on February 25, 2016, she denied having any involvement.
However, detectives discovered Cari’s camera and camcorder while executing a search warrant at Liz’s home. The evidence presented at court revealed that Liz was behind all the threatening text messages and emails. According to reports, Dave provided them with another tablet, which had an SD card used by Liz that contained a picture of Cari’s foot. Ultimately, she was arrested on December 22, 2016, and charged with first-degree murder and second-degree arson. Liz opted for a bench trial and was convicted of both charges on May 24, 2017. On August 15, 2017, she was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for murder and an additional 18 to 20 years for arson.
