Social Media Evidence Leads to Guilty Verdict in Wisconsin Double Murder

Windsor, Wisconsin — A location-sharing feature on Snapchat helped uncover the truth in a disturbing double murder case where 23-year-old Chandler Halderson killed his parents, Bart and Krista Halderson. The investigation began on July 7, 2021, when Chandler reported them missing, claiming they had gone to a family cabin for the Fourth of July weekend.

Dane County Sheriff’s Detective Sabrina Sims noted that Chandler’s story raised suspicions, as it was uncharacteristic for the Haldersons to gamble or leave town without their cars. A search of their home revealed both vehicles parked in the garage, and investigators found no sign of activity at their cabin.

The case took a disturbing turn when a Cottage Grove resident reported seeing Chandler near a wooded area on July 5, 2021. When investigators searched the area, they discovered a male torso later identified as Bart Halderson, along with tools for dismemberment. An autopsy confirmed Bart had been shot and dismembered.

Chandler was arrested after providing false information. He and his girlfriend, Cathryn Mellender, were interviewed, but Mellender was later cleared of involvement. The investigation intensified when Mellender provided police with key digital evidence from her Snapchat account that pinpointed Chandler’s location on July 3, leading to the discovery of his mother Krista’s remains.

In January 2022, Chandler faced trial on eight charges, including two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and mutilating corpses. He pleaded not guilty, but prosecutors presented evidence of his deceptive behavior regarding his education at Madison College. Enrollment Officer Omar Jobe recalled how Bart impersonated Chandler during a call to obtain his transcript, raising further suspicions about Chandler’s claims.

Prosecutors argued that Chandler murdered his parents to prevent his lies from being exposed. “When Bart figured it out, Chandler realized he could lose everything,” said Caroline Dade, an anchor from ABC’s Wisconsin affiliate WKOW.

The jury found Chandler guilty on all counts, leading to a life sentence without parole. In April 2023, he appealed after some lesser convictions for hiding a corpse were vacated. “They would have given everything and anything to help him,” said Krista’s cousin, Barbi Townsend, reflecting on the couple’s devotion.