Introducing Serial Killers & Murderous Minds: Liz Golyar: Obsession, Stalking, and Murder

Hannah Maguire (0:01)

Hi, RedHanded listeners. It's Hannah and Saruti here.

Suruthi Bala (0:04)

And we're excited to share an episode with you of the True Crime Podcast, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds.

Hannah Maguire (0:10)

Hosts Vanessa Richardson and forensic psychologist, Dr. Tristin Engels, take you deep into the psychology of history's most chilling murderers.

Suruthi Bala (0:18)

From infamous serial killers to ruthless cult leaders, Vanessa and Dr. Engels blend gripping true crime storytelling with expert analysis to undercover what drives people to kill.

Hannah Maguire (0:27)

In this episode, Vanessa and Dr. Engels untangle a murder case that began in 2012, when Dave Kroupa met a woman named Liz Golyar on a dating app.

Months later, Dave started seeing someone else, a woman named Cari Farver. Cari vanished overnight, and a flood of threatening messages began arriving in her name. And as the harassment escalated from digital terror to arson, investigators began to realize the truth was far darker than a jealous ex.

Suruthi Bala (0:57)

What you're about to hear is part one of the story.

For part two and more cases like this, follow Serial Killers & Murderous Minds on your favorite podcast app. Here's the episode.

Hannah Maguire (1:17)

This is Crime House.

Vanessa Richardson (1:24)

Dating can feel like a gamble. Maybe you'll click with the other person right away, or maybe you'll regret meeting them before the appetizers even arrive. In the 2010s, a man named Dave Kroupa took that gamble and landed the worst possible outcome. Because Dave's date wasn't just a liar or cheater, she was a cold-blooded killer.

Unfortunately, Dave had no way of knowing that, not until the woman he became involved with chipped away at the life he knew, until there was nothing left but heartbreak and tragedy.

The human mind is powerful. It shapes how we think, feel, love and hate. But sometimes it drives people to commit the unthinkable. This is Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, a Crime House original. I'm Vanessa Richardson.

Tristin Engels (2:32)

And I'm Forensic Psychologist Dr. Tristin Engels. Every Monday and Thursday, we uncover the darkest minds in history, analyzing what makes a killer.

Vanessa Richardson (2:42)

Crime House exists because of listeners like you. Want even more? Join Crime House Plus and get both parts of every story dropped on the same Monday, completely ad-free. No waiting three days for part two, plus Crime House bonus episodes every month. To join, go to crimehouseplus.com.

Or, if you listen on Apple Podcasts, tap Try Free at the top of the Serial Killers & Murderous Minds page. Before we get started, be advised that this episode contains discussion of sex, animal cruelty and murder. So please listen with care.

Today we begin our deep dive into Liz Golyar, a jealous ex-lover whose vengeful fury knew no bounds. In the 2010s, Liz met a man who set her heart on fire. But when she realized their romance wouldn't last, her intentions turned deadly. For years, Liz masterminded a web of fear and lies, until eventually, investigators started tracing each thread right back to her.

Tristin Engels (3:44)

As Vanessa goes through the story, I'll be talking about things like how some violent offenders are fueled by jealousy and romantic obsession, how they use cyber-stalking to create a state of chronic paranoia, and how a stalker can manipulate victims into dismantling their own support system.

Vanessa Richardson (4:02)

And as always, we'll be asking the question, what makes a killer?

In the summer of 2012, 35-year-old Dave Kroupa was ready for a fresh start. He and the mother of his children, Amy Flora, had just ended their 12-year relationship. After the split, Dave moved to an apartment complex in Omaha, Nebraska, near the auto body shop he managed. Although he had partial custody of their two kids, Dave was living the bachelor lifestyle for the first time since his 20s. That meant a lot of microwave meals and time spent alone. When his kids were away, he was ready to start dating again.

This was the golden age of online dating, and Dave's preferred site was Plenty of Fish, which he used to scroll through thousands of photos of single women in his area. Dave was a healthy guy and a former member of the National Guard, so he wasn't worried about meeting strangers on the internet. He could take care of himself. Plus, after a decade-long relationship, he just wanted to have a little fun.

One night, he came across a woman's profile that caught his eye. Her name was Shanna Elizabeth Golyar, and she went by Liz. She was an attractive 37-year-old brunette, and she looked like a lot of fun. Plus, she drove motorcycles, just like him.

Dave sent Liz a message. They got to talking. And when she said she was also looking for something casual, they agreed to meet for a date. The two of them hit it off. Liz told Dave about the housekeeping business she owned, her two kids and their four pets. Dave felt like they had a lot in common. They kept meeting for coffee, and on their fifth date, they started sleeping together. Almost from the beginning, Liz started developing deeper feelings for Dave, but he was still only interested in something casual. Over time, he'd realized Liz wasn't as well read as he would have liked. Plus, he was seeing and sleeping with multiple women. He was playing the field, not ready to settle down.