Dennis DePue: When Control Becomes Murder - Domestic Violence Psychology

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DEADLY INTENT, Season 1, Episode 6: When Control Becomes Murder

On Easter Sunday 1990, what should have been a routine custody visit in Coldwater, Michigan turned into a nightmare that would haunt multiple families forever. Dennis DePue, a seemingly ordinary property assessor, brutally murdered his ex-wife Marilynn—a beloved high school guidance counselor—in front of their three children after she dared to divorce him and escape his controlling grip.

This chilling case explores how domestic abuse escalates to deadly violence when an abuser's need for control becomes more important than human life. After beating Marilynn in their basement and shooting her execution-style on a country road, Dennis disappeared into a year-long manhunt across multiple states, sending taunting letters that revealed his complete inability to accept responsibility for his actions.

The investigation took a dramatic turn when the case was featured on "Unsolved Mysteries," leading to a high-speed chase and violent confrontation that ended with Dennis taking his own life rather than face justice. This tragic story later inspired the opening scene of the horror film "Jeepers Creepers," but the real horror lies in how an ordinary suburban marriage became a deadly obsession with control.

Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussions of domestic violence, murder, and child endangerment, including physical abuse and children witnessing violence.

Featured: Witness accounts from Ray and Marie Thornton, police interviews, and analysis of Dennis's disturbing letters written during his time as a fugitive.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233.

Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussions of domestic violence, murder, and child endangerment. The case involves physical abuse, stalking, and the traumatic witnessing of violence by children. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

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