Suvechha Sarkar
Ryan Roy Cooper had never expected that his life would come to an abrupt halt in the early hours of June 18, 2021. The 42-year-old was shot dead in his home in Traer, Iowa, which shocked the entire community and his family members. What followed was an intensive investigation that spanned almost three years. It was soon revealed that his wife, Karina Sue Cooper, and her lover, Huston William Danker, were responsible for his death. NBC’s ‘Dateline: The Farmer’s Wife’ shed a spotlight on the investigation and the toll the case took on Ryan’s loved ones. Through their emotional interviews, court records, and firsthand accounts, the episode pieces together the circumstances leading up to the murder.
Huston Danker and Karina Cooper Were Arrested on the Basis of Digital Clues
Huston William Danker was born sometime in 1997 to David and Denise Danker. He was a former resident of Traer, Iowa, before eventually moving to Cedar Falls, Iowa. After completing his education, Huston was working at Nolan Farms. He became a person of interest during an investigation after his contact came into light following the murder of the farmer, Ryan Roy Cooper, on June 18, 2021. Although initial reports did not mention him as a suspect, he came to the officials’ attention as the investigation stretched nearly three years. According to official records, they discovered that there were Snapchat message exchanges between Huston and Ryan’s wife, Karina Sue Cooper, which suggested that they were in a relationship. The digital forensic experts reportedly recovered a vast amount of deleted texts exchanged between them.
During the initial questioning in 2021, both Ryan and Karina had denied having an affair. Reports state that Karina later claimed that she had ended her relationship with Huston. However, according to police reports, Karina’s statement contradicted the Snapchat messages since she and Huston expressed their love for each other a few hours before the murder. Court records indicate that on June 18, around 3:30 am, Huston had texted Karina, stating, “Remember those casings.” Furthermore, it was revealed that she had consequently replied, “Absolutely. 100 percent.” Several other reports indicate that around that same time, he had texted her that he had to put his phone down, which was followed by another reply from Karina, reading, “Go.” Their exchanges reportedly suggested the planning of Ryan’s murder.
Court records state that one of Huston’s co-workers, Bradley, reported that Huston had asked him to keep three of his long guns in September 2022. It included a Ruger 10/22. The authorities reportedly believed that the rifle was used during the murder. In his testimonies, Bradley stated that when Huston refused to take those firearms back, he turned them in to the investigators in the spring of 2024. The reports suggest that law enforcement considered Ryan’s insurance payout of approximately $515,000 as the possible motive behind the murder. Investigative reports state that during his questioning in 2024, Huston admitted that he helped plan and assisted Karina in shooting Ryan. Karina was arrested on February 19, 2024, on the charge of first-degree murder. Huston was also taken into custody in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on April 29, 2024, and charged with first-degree murder for acting in concert.
Huston Danker is Currently Serving His Sentence at an Iowa Prison Facility
After his arrest, Huston was held in custody on a $1,000,000 bond. He had initially pleaded not guilty to his charge. He reportedly planned on using the alibi that he was at his parents’ home during the time of the murder as his defense. However, Karina was the first one to go on a jury trial in July 2025. During the trial, she testified that her relationship with Huston began when she met him at her barber shop. According to court documents, Karina claimed that after they became intimate in February 2021, she ended the relationship since she allegedly became upset about losing her family.
Karina alleged that Huston had acted alone and claimed that he had threatened to harm her and her children if she said anything to the authorities. During her trial, Huston had received a court order to testify. However, he reportedly told the court through his attorney that in that instance, he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right (the right to remain silent). Ultimately, Karina was found guilty of first-degree murder on July 11, 2025, and received a life term without the possibility of parole on September 19, 2025.
In Huston’s case, the prosecution claimed that he and Karina had planned Ryan’s murder because they wanted to be together. They reportedly alleged that his and Karina’s motive was to take Ryan’s life insurance payout. The jury selection for Huston’s trial was set to begin on August 12, 2025. However, just a few moments before the commencement, Huston pleaded guilty to first-degree murder (acting in concert). On October 3, 2025, he was finally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. As of writing, Huston is incarcerated at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville, Iowa.
