48 Hours “The Brighton Ax Murder” October 19 2024 Recap & Preview
On Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 9:30 PM ET/PT, 48 Hours presents an encore of “The Brighton Ax Murder,” reported by Erin Moriarty. This episode revisits the haunting case of Cathy Krauseneck, whose murder remained unsolved for over four decades. On February 19, 1982, Jim Krauseneck claimed he discovered his wife dead in their bed, an ax embedded in her skull. The case, known as the Brighton Ax Murder, became one of the oldest cold cases in America, but recent developments have brought new attention to the investigation.
Investigators found inconsistencies at the crime scene, leading them to suspect that the scene was staged to resemble a burglary, masking the true nature of the crime: intentional murder. Notably, a shoe print was found at the scene, which matched the type of boat shoes Krauseneck was known to wear, though these shoes were never tested.
The case sat dormant until 2019 when Monroe County authorities enlisted forensic pathologist Michael Baden to reexamine the evidence. Baden concluded that Cathy was likely murdered around 3:30 AM, which suggested Jim Krauseneck was home during the time of the murder. This finding led to him being charged with his wife’s murder, a claim he and his current wife, Sharon, vehemently deny.
In her exclusive interview, Sharon Krauseneck defends her husband, asserting, “Jim … is a decent, loving human being. There is no way, absolutely no way Jim would ever, ever have done anything like that.” She shares her confidence in her husband’s innocence, stating, “When you’re married to a man, you know his heart, and you know his soul. Jim could never, Erin, never in this world do something so horrific.”
48 Hours: The Brighton Ax Murder is produced by Josh Yager and James Stolz, with a team dedicated to unraveling the complexities of this long-standing case. The episode promises a deep dive into the investigation, the evidence, and the emotional narratives surrounding this tragic story, making it a compelling watch for true crime enthusiasts.
