48 Hours “The Snapchat Clue” August 17 2024 Recap & Preview
On August 17, 2024, “48 Hours” will revisit the chilling case of the Halderson family with an encore presentation of “The Snapchat Clue.” The episode airs at 10/9c on CBS and will be available for streaming on Paramount+.
In July 2021, Bart and Krista Halderson, a couple from Windsor, Wisconsin, disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Their son, Chandler Halderson, reported them missing, claiming they had gone to their family cabin for the Fourth of July weekend but never returned. The case initially shocked the community, as the Haldersons appeared to be a happy, well-off family.
The investigation took a significant turn when Chandler’s girlfriend, Cathryn “Cat” Mellender, provided crucial information. She had used Snapchat to track Chandler’s location and noticed he was at a remote site near the Wisconsin River on July 3. This lead prompted investigators to search the area, resulting in the discovery of Krista Halderson’s remains. Bart Halderson’s remains were found at a farm about 20 miles from their home, where the farm owner had seen Chandler on the property.
Chandler Halderson was charged with the murder of his parents, dismembering their bodies, and lying to the police. Prosecutors argued that Chandler had killed his parents after they uncovered his deception: he had flunked out of college and fabricated a job offer with SpaceX. Evidence, including a neighbor’s security camera footage showing a flickering light from the Halderson home and bone fragments found in their fireplace, supported the prosecution’s case.
Despite Chandler’s defense team’s claims of insufficient evidence, the jury found him guilty on all charges. Chandler was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, in April 2023, two convictions related to hiding his parents’ remains were vacated on procedural grounds, though he remains incarcerated for the murders.
Tune in to “48 Hours” for an in-depth look at the investigation and trial that followed this tragic case.
