Hey, have you heard about the case of Marie Carlson from Fort Walton Beach, Florida? She went missing back in October 2011, and it took four years for the investigation to gain momentum. It wasn’t until the TV show Cold Justice featured the case in April 2015 that things started moving. Can you believe it? The murderer turned out to be her lover, pastor James Flanders.
Now, NBC’s true-crime series Dateline is diving deep into the details of Marie Carlson’s murder mystery. You won’t want to miss it! The episode airs on Friday, July 22 at 10/9c.
Here are 5 facts about Marie Carlson murder
1) Carlson’s loved ones received a mysterious message after she went missing
So, here’s the thing: Marie Carlson was last seen on October 17, 2011, by James Flanders. And get this, around two days later, her loved ones received a text message from her. The message said she had finally gone and done what she had wanted to do for a long time. Can you believe it? Now, her ex-husband Jeff Carlson, understandably worried, filed a missing person report on October 24, 2011. But here’s where it gets even more suspicious: her car was parked at the local airport, yet there were no reports of her leaving the area. Pretty strange, right?
2) Flanders moved to Arizona three months after Carlson’s disappeance
James Flanders and his wife Tanya decided to embark on a new adventure with Carlson’s baby, just three months after Marie Carlson mysteriously vanished. They all ended up settling in sunny Arizona, adding a twist to their polygamous relationship.
While Carlson’s 8-year-old daughter was happily living with her ex-husband, Carlson’s baby with Flanders found a unique home with the three of them. Talk about a modern family!
3) A TV show turned out to be a major breakthrough
The case lay dormant for almost four years, gathering dust due to a shortage of evidence. But then, in a stroke of serendipity, fate intervened. Enter the TV show Cold Justice, shining a spotlight on the case like never before in April 2015. The producers, captivated by the mystery, couldn’t resist delving deeper, which compelled the authorities to revisit the case with renewed vigor. Let the truth unfold!
4) Flanders and Carlson had a fight the day she disappeared
Flanders’ parishioners were initially tight-lipped about the Flanders and Carlson connection. But in 2015, the gossip floodgates opened! Turns out, they had quite the knack for sparring. Rumor has it, they had a heated argument on the day Carlson vanished. Talk about a plot twist! 🕵️♂️
As the investigation deepened, it was discovered that Carlson’s phone never left Fort Walton Beach. And guess what? Flanders’ phone conveniently popped up at all the right times and places. Looks like someone forgot to switch on the “stealth mode.” 📱😉
5) Carlson was choked to death
In exchange for a reduced sentence, James Flanders confessed to the tragic incident of taking the life of his wife, Marie Carlson. In a remorseful admission, Flanders revealed that he had placed Carlson in a choke hold until her breath ceased. As a chilling act of disclosure, Flanders even led the authorities to the exact location where he had buried his wife’s lifeless body, further unraveling the harrowing details of this heartbreaking story.
Conclusion
In a shocking tale of love, deceit, and cold-blooded murder, the tragic story of Marie Carlson serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk in the most unexpected places. From Carlson’s mysterious disappearance to Flanders’ damning confession, the twists and turns of this case have left an indelible mark in the annals of true-crime history. As NBC’s Dateline prepares to delve into this haunting narrative, viewers across the globe will no doubt find themselves riveted by the terrifying reality of what transpired in those fateful days of October 2011. In the end, it’s a stark testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement and the relentless pursuit of justice that brought closure to this harrowing case.