Naman Shrestha
The episode titled ‘Two Nurses, One Affair’ of Investigation Discovery’s ‘Fatal Vows: Lethal Love Triangles’ delves deep into the tragic murder of 48-year-old Lara Muscolino in her home in Fallston, Maryland, in August 2016. The swift investigation uncovered the motives and a troubling familial history that ultimately led to the killing, with the help of a nanny cam recording. The documentary features exclusive, insightful interviews with Lara’s loved ones and the officials who worked hard to get to the bottom of the case.
Lara Muscolino Was Found Dead in Her Bedroom
Born on March 14, 1968, Lara Michele Crockett Muscolino was the beloved daughter of Darryl and Evchen Crockett and the sister of Tanya Crockett. Growing up, she developed a passion for ghost hunting and the paranormal. She also went on ghost-hunting trips with other enthusiasts. Later, while working as a nurse professionally, Lara founded Maryland Ghost Trackers, through which she connected with others who shared her passion. On the personal front, she tied the knot with Ricardo Muscolino in 1999 and gave birth to three daughters — Vivian, Shelby, and Kylie — in the years that followed. The family of five lived in the 2300 block of Windswept Court in Fallston, Maryland, which became a gruesome crime scene on the fateful night of August 31, 2016.
Around 11:38 pm, the authorities responded to a shooting report at Lara’s home. When they arrived at the scene, they found Lara Muscolino in a critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds on her upper body. Paramedics took life-saving measures before rushing her into Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Unfortunately, 48-year-old Lara succumbed to the fatal wounds at the hospital eight hours after the shooting. The medical examiner confirmed that the cause of her death was multiple gunshot wounds. The detectives concluded that a total of five shots were fired towards Lara, out of which four struck her. They found the 9mm handgun hidden in the laundry basket in the bedroom, along with five casings and more unused ammunition. Lara’s three children were also at home and unharmed.
Lara Muscolino’s Killer Turned Himself in After Shooting Her to Death
While the authorities were inspecting the crime scene, trying to make sense of the gruesome murder, Lara Muscolino’s husband, Ricardo Muscolino, turned himself in to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Northern Precinct Duty Officer, taking the responsibility for the crime. He was taken into custody while the detectives conducted further investigation to gather evidence against him. All signs pointed towards a domestic incident that escalated into homicide. Thus, while investigating the motive for the crime, the detectives dug deeper into Lara and Ricardo’s marriage.
They learned that tension had been brewing between the couple for several years as they reportedly separated in 2012 because of Lara’s alleged infidelity. It turned out that on the afternoon of August 31, 2016, Ricardo found out about his wife’s other alleged infidelity from his daughters, Vivian and Shelby, as they allegedly found Facebook messages between Lara and another man. According to investigative reports, around 11 pm, Ricardo let the dog out and turned off the lights before heading to the upstairs bedroom, where he confronted Lara about her alleged affair.
As the confrontation turned into a heated argument, Ricardo shot her multiple times with his 9mm Glock and called 911 to report the shooting. About a week later, one of the Muscolini daughters told her foster father, Matthew Kreager, about a nanny camera that potentially recorded the entire crime. After the daughter accessed the recording online by logging into her mother’s account, the police also reviewed the footage and found incriminating evidence against Ricardo. Thus, he was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. About six months after Lara’s murder, her mother also tragically passed away.
Ricardo Muscolino is Currently Incarcerated at a Maryland Prison Facility
More than a year after Ricardo Muscolino’s arrest, his trial began on October 25, 2017. The prosecution told the jury that “…the defendant knew exactly what he was doing when he pulled the trigger not once, not twice, but five times. He left his three daughters without a mother and now without a father, and is not deserving of any leniency from the court.” The medical examiner also took the stand and testified that Lara was in a defensive position when Ricardo shot her multiple times. On the other hand, the defense argued the jury should have a reasonable doubt about the defendant’s guilt. They highlighted the contaminated crime scene, the lack of a violent history, poor investigation, and a missing handgun.
The defense also claimed that Ricardo had been fearful in the relationship “because in 1999, she pulled a handgun on him.” After nine days of testimonies, the jury deliberated and found Ricardo guilty of the charges against him on November 2, 2017. Three months later, on February 9, 2018, his sentencing hearing took place. During the hearing, Lara’s father, Darryl Crockett, gave a victim impact statement, saying, “No father should have to bury their child. This wound will never scar over; it remains an open wound and will for as long as I live.” Ultimately, Ricardo was sentenced to a total of 50 years in prison — 30 years for the second-degree murder conviction and 20 years for using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime. The 64-year-old killer is serving his sentence at Roxbury Correctional Institution in Hagerstown, Maryland.
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