When Detective Weaver called her nearly 20 years later and asked if she had any idea why he, an officer from Douglas County, might be calling out of the blue, Montoyas answer came quick and definitive. That woman on the mountain, she said. For most of their lives, Toni and her mother Yvonne had been best friends. When that didnt work, he threw it a little harder. As an ophthalmologist, Tonis commitment was her recurring choice to make a positive difference in the lives of so many. To the young person contemplating committing suicide in need of compassion and skillful guidance, Tonis life mattered and was indispensable. The Defendant vilified and chastised each Good Samaritan and rescuer that attempted to come to the aid of his critically injured wives; aid which he never gave nor intended to give. CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass has been with the station more than 30 years uncovering waste, fraud and corruption. "Toni was either a blessing to the people that surrounded her or a lesson to those that she mentored. His job, for instance. At that time, her death was quickly deemed an accident. On Thursday, prosecutors released photos and audio used in the murder trial of Harold Henthorn, 59 Henthorn was convicted last month of first-degree murder in the 2012 death of his wife Toni,. In each case, the Defendant made arrangements to be a lucky recipient of significant benefits from those deathshis own version a post mortem lottery. The Defendant feels no guilt, and, as is the case with most criminals, blames the victim, the victims family, the Good Samaritan and rescuers, the press, the investigative authorities, and the judicial system for his troubles. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. He had arrived with grand promises, including a claim that he was so rich that Toni would never have to work again. He then let them take the lead when it came time to give her CPR. Harold Henthorn, who shoved second wife off cliff, loses appeal for a new murder trial. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Harold and Toni Henthorn (credit CBS) A federal jury convicted Henthorn of pushing his second wife, Toni, off a cliff in Rocky Mountain National Park in 2012. Something wasnt right, and Yvonne wanted to talk with Toni. DENVER - A Colorado man accused of killing his wife by pushing her off a cliff has been found guilty, CBS Denver reports. : "http://www. Haley is not fine without her mother. He was older. The Douglas County Coroner had ruled Lynns death as accidental. Create and promote branded videos, host live events and webinars, and more. Many notorious serial killers have been sociopaths, such as Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy. The Bertolets had accepted those quirks early on because thats what a good family does they worked hard at liking the person that made their daughter happy. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Toni Bertolet Henthorn died after she was pushed off a cliff during an anniversary hike in Rock Mountain National Park. We want to hear it. By Kirk Mitchell. She was an eye surgeon. It is often said that when a brilliant mind, talent, and heart come together as one, one should expect a Masterpiece. He was constantly talking, often bragging, and always had to be the center of attention. The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time She was a beautiful hazel-eyed blonde Southern Belle who excelled in academics, sports, music and leadership. "We don't have to worry anymore.". Following the death of his first wife, Harold married a second time after meeting Dr. Toni Jill Bertolet Henthorn on a dating site. Harold stopped to check and had the vehicle propped up on a jack. After Tonis death, the Defendant routinely proclaimed that Haley Henthorn was doing just fine without her mother. Bob Bertolet, Tonis father, and Todd Bertolet, her younger brother, read the following victim impact statements at Harolds sentencing. Investigators searched deeper and found that Henthorn's first wife, Sandra, died in 1995 when their Jeep Cherokee fell on her. And despite her having all the trappings of happiness a big house, a healthy child, a yearly Christmas card detailing everything thatd gone right for them that never seemed to happen. Solutions . He had no real mentor to help him, Weaver said recently, in his first public comments since his retirement in August. Even though he said he could work from anywhere, he didnt see a future in Mississippi, where Tonis family, friends and nearly everyone else who was dear to her already lived. For some reason, though it was clear she needed their help, Harold yelled at them when they dragged Lynns unconscious body out from underneath the Jeep. He would put them on speakerphone and then do the majority of the talking, while Tonis voice came in faint and distant, as if she were standing in another room. There was something else, too, buried inside the file. Now that Toni was home by herself in Mississippi, Yvonne could no longer hold her tongue. Grief is place where one never wishes to remain; yet it will be our unending passage due to the wrongful acts of the Defendant. The spring night was cold and Lynn was only wearing a t-shirt. There were other inconsistencies too. Yvonne wanted Toni to say something, anything. This case has revealed more than just the circumstances behind the wrongful death of Toni Bertolet Henthorn; it has also revealed the ugly truth of the extent of the deceitfulness of the Defendant.The Defendant is the evil that lurked in unthinkable places to manipulate his way into Tonis life as well as others of her character. At trial, the coroner testified that Tonis lipstick hadnt been mussed, meaning Harold hadnt actually performed CPR. When the friends and family of Toni Henthorn heard how she died, only one was able to put into words what so many others were thinking. Toni. A jury returned a guilty verdict Monday in its second day of deliberations. In 1995, long before Weaver ever stepped foot in Douglas County, a woman died on the side of a dark road on a cold night. Then, when she found out that Lynn had died, she asked the follow-up question, the one record of her that still remained in the case file and made it clear how she felt about Harold. We feel some of the information in the article is misrepresented or incorrect, Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock toldRolling Stone in a statement, but we still have an ongoing criminal investigation and are not at liberty to discuss the case any further.). He probably could have continued to live that lie, but if he did this, then greed got the best of him. Bertolet said he and his family believe Harold Henthorn funneled the $500,000 to his brother anticipating that he would eventually be charged criminally for Toni Henthorn's death and might not have access to the money. Maybe even that she would leave Harold. The Defendant claimed to be financially wealthy, when, in fact he had no fortune at all. The Defendant preyed on women of faith in a Christian environment because, as with Toni, Christian women move forward in life with goodness in their heart as opposed to vigilance in their eyes. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The couple met online in late 1999 and got married only nine months later, both in a rush to have a child. Harold Hentho CBS 48 Hours file photos This wasn't the only circumstance that Walsh saw as suspicious. Testimony in the Henthorn trial showed Harold Henthorn never really had steady employment, had brought in no income while married to Toni Henthorn, and had been living off his ophthalmologist wife and her family's money for years. In the text, Harold claimed that Toni had fallen off a cliff and was critically injured. But there was something else. Harold Henthorn flanked by first wife Lynn and second wife Toni. They can keep it under control most of the time, but sometimes when the opportunity arises, they strike. Toni Bertolet Henthorns life was a masterpiece and role model to those who were fortunate to be a part of her life. Even though Harold had money, he refused to travel with Toni back to the South. A Colorado jury of eight women and four men deliberated for 12 hours over two days before deciding Monday afternoon that Harold Henthorn, 59, was guilty of murdering his wife three years ago. Only then did it come crashing down. She was deeply religious-teaching Sunday school, singing in both college and church choirs. Related: Man Accused in Wife's Deadly Fall Also Killed First Wife: Prosecutor, They seized on Henthorn's inconsistent accounts of the fatal fall and said the evidence did not match his shifting stories. Phone calls and emails from CBS4 to Mackey were not returned. "statcounter.com/counter/counter.js'>"); We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. We are forced to say goodbye, forced to learn to live without our loved one, and forced to fill the emptiness that remains in our hearts. After his second wife died in an accident, authorities found that circumstances of his first wife's death were more suspicious than they realized. Henthorn had been living a lie for years. This development recalls the story of another notorious convicted Colorado killer: Harold Henthorn, who was convicted of killing his second wife, Dr. Toni Henthorn. She died on the operating room after being flown to the hospital in a helicopter. The Bertolets found it odd that long after shed ceased to be a baby, Harold kept a video monitor running in his daughters room. But in Detective Weavers mind, none of that mattered to the men investigating the case because every piece of information they gathered was viewed through the same distorting prism. She chose ophthalmology, because to look into ones eyes draws a dedication and commitment to the person observed. Follow him on Twitter @Briancbs4. Nor did the coroners office report whether the contents of Lynns stomach indicated one story was more plausible than the other. We never imagined that murder would come into our lives like a thief in the night. Harold Henthorn and Toni Henthorn tied the knot in 2000. His first wife Lynn died in 1995 after a car held up by a jack fell on her. Dateline NBC (@DatelineNBC) November 23, 2016 A few weeks later, in early December, a judge handed down the official sentence: life in prison. Henthorn was indicted on Nov. 6 in the death of his second wife, who fell to her death while hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. Here's everything to know about them. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Prosecutors said Harold. IE 11 is not supported. Henthorn told authorities his wife was busy taking photographs and must have slipped, although he didn't see exactly what happened because he was using his phone at the time. They even uncovered a startling fact: Harold was already a criminal. From the time of Tonis death, the Defendant has made it abundantly clear that he just wanted to move on with his life. Toni had a profound effect on people with her care, having been consistently described by her patients and their families as that of an Angel and a Godsend in the time of need. The couple seemed quite happy initially and even gave birth to their only child, Haley, in 2005. The Defendant claimed to be a family man, when, in fact he was a selfish man. In fact, the most endearing and only statement that has been uttered by the Defendant is that he lost his best friend, a less than committed affirmation of a supposedly loving relationship. Months later, when they got the news that she was dead, and that she had died while alone with Harold, her father Bob said what most in the family were already thinking. PostedNovember 18, 2014 The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time Toni Bertolet Henthorn died after she was pushed off a cliff during an anniversary hike in Rock Mountain National Park. Knowing what you value will help you build the most meaningful life possible. All Rights reserved. Their grandchild was now in the care of the man they believed to be her killer. Hulus Wild Crime tells the story of Harold Henthorn and how he almost got away with murder. On May 6, 1995, Harold and Lynndecided to go on a long drive along a highway in Sedalia, Colorado. The Defendant claimed to have a career and business, when, in fact he had neither. His second wife had $4.5 million in life insurance. To one cop, Harold said he and Lynn left their house to go on the drive around 1 p.m. To another he said 7. The questions from Douglas County police to Harold were perfunctory. Sandra suffered numerous severe injuries, but hung on long enough for the paramedics to arrive. His attorney, Craig Truman, said prosecutors failed to prove he killed her. My child now asks the appropriate question of how do I know. And the only reason Weaver was even looking at this thin excuse for a file was that now that same husband was a widower once more. A medical physician of Tonis caliber doesnt just happen because one simply holds a medical degree; this type of physician evolves through extraordinary experiences and is not readily replaced.There is no unique perspective or lesson to garner from the wrongful death and loss of Toni it is what it is a devastating loss. The Defendant only made withdrawals and made no deposits in the lives of his wives and their families. Harold Henthorn was a grieving widower. Every morning, she wakes up asking herself, "Did it really happen? "We are overjoyed with the verdict and relieved this won't happen to any other lady," said Barry Bertolet, Toni Henthorn's brother. Bundy was recognized for being very charming but also killed more than 30 young women. Finally, Detective Weaver took his foot and, in the same place where the original partial print was found, kicked the Jeep. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. We can forgive a child for being afraid of the dark, but we cannot forgive the darkness of selfish desolation that lies within the Defendants heart.The Defendant would have us erroneously believe that he is an unlucky man, a hard luck husband, and a person in which lightning has tragically struck twice. His wife supported him, he didnt work, and he could have continued to live that life forever. Additionally, detectives also discovered that shortly before Lynns death, Harold had doubled her life insurance in case of death by accident and subsequently had collected a lumpsum amount. Harold said Toni got a text message from the babysitter, letting her know that her daughters soccer team had won. Toni and Harold Henthorn were celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary the weekend when she died. It does not store any personal data. Toni worked long and hard in pursuing her goal of being an ophthalmologist. It turned out that Harold sent texts to friends and family telling them his wife was injured well after he knew that she was dead. Gacy was a popular Chicago contractor who entertained children in hospitals, yet also raped, tortured, and killed 33 young men. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". A portrait artist once said that it is only when the details of eyes are revealed that the observer becomes committed to the face and person before them. But I would be very careful. We grieve that we were not by her side in her dying moments. 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