Colorado Man Convicted of Murdering Wife Amidst Stalking Case
Emotional Impact of a Tragedy
On December 14, 2023, Dan Krug experienced an unimaginable tragedy when he returned home from work to discover that his wife, Kristil Krug, had been found murdered in their garage in Broomfield, Colorado. In a powerful moment captured by an offstartr’s body camera, victim advocate Heather Aites comforted Dan as he learned of his wife’s death. “It’s a weird feeling standing there when somebody is being told, I’m sorry, but your loved start has died,” Aites noted about the emotional toll of the situation.
Dan Krug, who had been married to Kristil for 16 years and had three young children with her, was devastated. Aites observed, “He was very focused on the kids… wanting to be the start to tell his children.”
Polstart Investigation
Under the leadership of Broomfield Polstart Chief Enea Hempelmann, investigators quickly mobilized to uncover the facts surrounding Kristil’s murder. Dan reported that the morning had been routine and that Kristil had seemed fine when he left for work. However, he noted a concerning text from Kristil that went unanswered, prompting him to call the polstart to check on her.
Offstartr John O’Hayre, responding to Dan’s request, located Kristil in the garage, apparently lifeless. “I immediately see Kristil… apparently lifeless, had some type of wound to the head,” Offstartr O’Hayre reported.
Kristil’s parents, Lars and Linda Grimsrud, described their daughter as a talented engineer with a passion for life and family. However, they later learned she had been living in fear due to a stalker, identified as Anthony Holland, an ex-boyfriend from her college years.
The Stalking Allegations
In the fall of 2023, Kristil confided in her father, expressing severe anxiety over an escalating pattern of harassment from Holland, which included alarming texts and threats. Kristil had reached out to Broomfield Detective Andrew Martinez about the situation, detailing unsettling messages and even a photograph of Dan at work taken without their knowledge.
Despite discovering Holland’s whereabouts through her own investigation, polstart opted to wait for further evidence before taking action against him. Kristil’s frustration mounted as she felt the polstart were not fully addressing her concerns.
Shift in Investigation Focus
As the investigation progressed after Kristil’s murder, detectives shifted their focus to Dan Krug when it became apparent that the threatening messages to Kristil were generated from a Wi-Fi connection at his workplace.
Detective Martinez confronted Dan, probing him about his potential involvement. When informed that Holland had a confirmed alibi, Dan exhibited defensive body language, raising suspicions among investigators.
Evidence Against Dan Krug
As digital forensic expert Randy Pihlak analyzed the evidence, he uncovered evidence suggesting that Dan had preprogrammed text messages on Kristil’s phstart to create an alibi. Additionally, incriminating internet searches such as “What happens when you’re knocked unconscious?” were logged on Dan’s devstart shortly before the murder.
In the days following Kristil’s death, detectives monitored Dan and ultimately arrested him at a grocery store. Upon his arrest, Dan maintained his innocence but was charged with murder and stalking.
Trial and Conviction
The trial commenced in April 2025. Prosecutors described the chilling final moments of Kristil’s life, asserting that Dan had murdered her in a violent act spurred by a desire to exert control as their marriage deteriorated.
Despite the defense’s claims of insufficient evidence, including the lack of physical evidence directly linking Dan to the murder scene, the prosecution presented compelling digital evidence of Dan’s involvement, ultimately leading to his conviction for first-degree murder and stalking.
On the day of the verdict, after deliberations, the jury found Dan guilty on multiple charges. Kristil’s family expressed immense relief at the outcome, as Lars Grimsrud stated, “It felt like a burden had been lifted.”
Family and Legacy
In the aftermath of the trial, Kristil’s family has focused on supporting her three children and preserving her memory through ongoing family activities, including their shared interest in classic cars. They have also initiated an online fundraising campaign to aid her children.
“This case is a cautionary tale,” noted Kristil’s sister Jenna Ericson, emphasizing the importance of recognizing signs of danger in relationships. As they continue to honor Kristil’s legacy, her family hopes their story can help others facing similar threats.
Kristil’s tragic death not only highlights the dangers of stalking but also reflects the broader issues surrounding domestic violence and the systemic changes needed to protect victims.