The Mystery of Kristen Trickle's Death

On the cold morning of Halloween 2019, the quiet town of Hayes, Kansas, was rocked by a mystery that would baffle investigators and leave the community in shock. It was around 5:37 AM when a call came into the local dispatch from Colby Trickle, reporting a disturbing scene at his home. His wife, Kristen Trickle, was found critically injured in their bedroom, with a gunshot wound to the head. The circumstances surrounding her death quickly spiraled into a case that would have more twists and turns than anyone could have imagined.

Sergeant Brandon Halman of the Hayes Police Department vividly remembers the scene: snow on the ground, the chill of the morning air, and a sense that something wasn’t right. Kristen was found nearly lifeless, with a large revolver lying across her abdomen. Her condition was dire, yet there were signs that she might still be alive—her jaw was moving. It was a desperate moment, one that would quickly turn into a troubling investigation.

Was It a Suicide or Homicide?

At first glance, Kristen’s death appeared to be a suicide. The coroner, Lyall Nordhook, examined the scene and initially concluded that the gunshot wound to her head, just beneath the chin, was consistent with a self-inflicted injury. But even with this finding, something didn’t sit right with the investigators, including Detective JB Burkholder. "It’s unusual for a woman to take her life in this manner," he said. And it wasn’t just the gunshot that raised questions—it was the entire scene.

Kristen’s family couldn’t fathom that she would take her own life. They knew her as a joyful person, a woman who loved her family and her dogs, and had big dreams for the future. Her aunt, Delin, and uncle, Brandt, remembered her as someone who would never leave loose ends, never hurt herself without ensuring her loved ones were taken care of first. Kristen had plans for that Halloween—candy was set out in the kitchen, and she had set an alarm to wake up for work. None of this seemed to align with the idea of suicide.

The Husband’s Story: A Closer Look

The key figure in this tragedy was Colby Trickle, Kristen’s husband. Colby, a former military man, had called 911 after finding his wife injured. He described how he tried to revive her and even thought about taking his own life. However, his actions and behavior immediately raised suspicions. Why, for example, did he place the gun back on Kristen’s body after finding her? Why was he so calm during the 911 call when his wife was in such a critical state? These inconsistencies would form the basis for the investigation.

As the days passed, more troubling details came to light. Colby claimed there was no life insurance on Kristen, but investigators found evidence to the contrary. He had Googled her life insurance policy in the days leading up to her death. Moreover, a closer examination of Colby’s cell phone revealed flirtatious exchanges with another woman, even after Kristen’s death. Colby’s story was crumbling, and the investigation only deepened.

The Psychological Autopsy: A Glimpse Into Kristen's Life

One of the most fascinating aspects of this case was the psychological autopsy that followed Kristen’s death. For the first time in Kansas, a professional was brought in to examine Kristen’s life in detail, trying to determine her state of mind before her death. This was a crucial step, as it was not just about the physical evidence but understanding who Kristen truly was and whether she would have taken her own life.

Her family, of course, believed otherwise. They knew Kristen was scared of guns, and the thought of her ending her life with one seemed unimaginable. They also revealed that Kristen had been under the emotional thumb of Colby, whom they felt had been controlling and manipulative throughout their marriage. Kristen had moved to Kansas City to escape the tight grip of Colby, but life in Hayes hadn’t been any better, according to her family.

The Final Push: A New Investigation and Charges

Months passed, and the investigation seemed to stall. Colby went on with his life, collecting insurance payouts and playing music in town. It wasn’t until a new county attorney took office in 2021 that the case took a dramatic turn. County Attorney Robert Anderson, after reviewing the case, agreed with Detective Burkholder’s assessment that this wasn’t a suicide—it was a homicide.

By July 2021, Colby Trickle was arrested for the murder of his wife, Kristen. The evidence was mounting, from Colby’s suspicious behavior to the inconsistencies in his statements. The life insurance search, the online affair, and the strange way he handled the gun after discovering Kristen’s body pointed toward a motive. It all seemed too deliberate to be anything other than murder.

The Trial: A Battle of Narratives

As the case went to trial, Colby’s defense team tried to paint a different picture, arguing that Kristen’s past struggles with depression made it plausible that she could have taken her own life. They leaned on the coroner’s initial finding that Kristen’s death was a suicide. But the prosecution had a strong case: the evidence, the motive, and the inconsistencies in Colby’s story all pointed toward him as the perpetrator.

Colby denied killing Kristen, but the mounting evidence eventually proved too much. In the end, the case was not just about a tragic death but about a twisted web of lies, deceit, and manipulation.

Conclusion: The Truth Unraveled

Kristen Trickle’s death left an indelible mark on her family, friends, and the community. What began as a seemingly straightforward case of suicide soon evolved into a complex story of betrayal and murder. As Colby Trickle was finally held accountable for his actions, the truth came to light: this was not a case of a woman ending her own life, but of a man who had everything to gain from her death.

The case serves as a stark reminder of how the truth can often be hidden beneath layers of lies, and how important it is to dig deeper when something doesn’t seem right. For Kristen’s family, justice for their beloved daughter and niece was long overdue. And for Colby, the truth caught up with him—two years after his wife’s death, he was finally arrested and charged with her murder.