Hannah Thompson, a 17-year-old girl, fled Simpsonville, South Carolina with her boyfriend, U.S. Army soldier John Blauvelt. On October 26, 2016, John’s wife, Cati Blauvelt, was discovered dead in an abandoned farmhouse, stabbed to death and left in a concrete box with a broken knife blade in her neck. The case is featured in “Cati Blauvelt: Death of A Soldier’s Wife,” available for streaming on Paramount+.
Upon informing John Blauvelt of the news, investigators named him as their prime suspect. Investigator Keith Morecraft noticed John’s lack of surprise and failure to ask typical questions, raising suspicions. Investigator Cheryl Schofield expressed concern for Hannah’s safety, fearing that if John was capable of killing his own wife, Hannah might be in danger by fleeing with him.
Cati Blauvelt, a 22-year-old who loved animals and had a wide circle of friends, was described by her mother as a “free spirit” and a petite woman at 5’1″. She had met John when she was 20, and he was 26. John, a well-known U.S. Army recruiter in the small city of 20,000, was respected by many. Their relationship started positively but took a dark turn after their honeymoon when John turned their home into a party spot for minors to engage in illicit activities.
Hannah Thompson, infatuated with John, lived with them and was willing to do anything for him, even expressing hatred towards Cati. The situation escalated when the police intervened in February 26, 2016, resulting in John’s arrest for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Cati also reported that he had threatened her with a gun, leading to a domestic violence charge.
Blaming Cati for his downfall in the Army, John sought revenge, ultimately leading to Cati’s murder. Before authorities could act, John fled with Hannah, traveling towards the Pacific Northwest. After a month on the run, Hannah returned home, eventually cooperating with authorities to track down John’s whereabouts.
In Medford, Oregon, a residence was the site of a significant event on July 20, 2022. Six years following the tragic murder of Cati Blauvelt, law enforcement, including U.S. Marshals, apprehended John Blauvelt. He was extradited to South Carolina where he faced trial with Thompson as a crucial witness. John Blauvelt was ultimately found guilty and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole, with Thompson’s testimony being pivotal to the prosecution’s case. He has since appealed his conviction.
Thompson, charged with five felony offenses such as obstruction of justice and being an “accessory after-the-fact,” maintains her innocence. It is believed by authorities that Thompson was not present during the murder of Cati Blauvelt by John Blauvelt. She is currently facing a potential 55-year prison term but has been granted bail pending a decision by the court.
Cati Blauvelt’s mother continues to grapple with the daily anguish of her daughter’s violent demise, emphasizing that the pain does not diminish over time. Describing Cati as a beacon of light, she shared her memories with the jury during the trial.
In other news, Russia has declined a ceasefire proposal, U.S. Army soldiers are under investigation for allegedly selling classified information to China, and Canadian citizens express their discontent with President Trump.
