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DENVER (AP) — A Colorado man received a life sentence without the possibility of parole on Friday for stalking and ultimately murdering his wife, an act described by the victim’s father as “pure selfish evil,” which has left their three children without parents.
The sentence was mandated following a jury’s verdict which found Daniel Krug, 44, guilty of first-degree murder for the killing of Kristil Krug, just days before Christmas in 2023. The jury also convicted him of criminal impersonation and stalking that had instilled fear in the victim.
In the aftermath, Kristil Krug’s brother and his wife are now raising their three children, supported by extended family including their grandfather, Lars Grimsrud.
“Our entire family will never be the same again,” Grimsrud expressed to Judge Priscilla Loew during the sentencing hearing.
Prosecution painted a disturbing picture of Krug’s behavior leading up to the murder. As his marriage deteriorated, he allegedly engaged in a form of psychological manipulation by posing as Kristil’s ex-boyfriend, spying on her, and creating a false narrative of danger purportedly to win her back.
Kristil maintained a detailed log of the threatening communications she received, which led to increased police involvement. As evidence mounted against him, it became apparent that Daniel was contemplating drastic measures to eliminate potential consequences, including murder.
On December 14, 2023, after dropping two of their children off at school, Daniel Krug attacked Kristil in their suburban Denver home, assaulting her from behind and fatally stabbing her.
Investigators confirmed that the ex-boyfriend was in Utah, eight hours away, when the crime occurred, suggesting a broader scope of deception orchestrated by Krug.
The defense team argued the absence of physical evidence linking Krug to the crime scene, highlighting that no blood or DNA was found on his clothing or in his vehicle.
Described by friends and family as a highly intelligent and creative individual, Kristil Krug was not only a biochemical engineer but also a talented dancer. Her cousin, Becky Ivanoff, said that Daniel Krug had caused immense sorrow to everyone who loved her, creating “a gaping hole” in their lives.
“The manipulation and terror he inflicted on Kristil and their children is unfathomable,” Ivanoff added, characterizing Krug’s actions as devoid of humanity.
In a significant remark, Judge Loew ruled that Krug’s actions constituted domestic violence. Alongside the life sentence for murder, she imposed an additional 9½ years for the stalking and impersonation charges.
District Attorney Brian Mason stated that the underlying motive for Krug’s actions was a desire for control, labeling the case an example of profound moral failing.
Daniel Krug opted not to make a statement before his sentencing. His brother, Jeremy Krug, expressed a lingering hope that an outside party might be responsible for the tragedy, revealing that the family had only come to understand the full extent of the evidence against Daniel during the trial. He conveyed sorrow for the children’s future, wishing for them to maintain familial connections.
“We love him and God forgive him what he’s done,” Jeremy remarked, highlighting the family’s complex emotions surrounding the case.
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