Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com
[This story originally aired on October 31, 2020.]
In April 2017, Anna Repkina, a 27-year-old from Moscow, was discovered murdered on a secluded logging road in Oregon. Her death puzzled investigators, who wondered what brought her such a considerable distance from home and who could have wanted her dead. It was revealed that Anna had engaged in a romantic relationship with American Will Hargrove, leading to an engagement that ultimately uncovered a complex love triangle.
LOOKING FOR LOVE
On April 17, 2017, deputy district attorneys Ryan Joslin and Amie Matusko received urgent news: a body had been found off a remote logging road near Corvallis, Oregon.
Ryan Joslin: We were called to a remote area in Alsea where the body was found.
Amie Matusko: We both felt it was crucial to see the scene ourselves rather than just through photographs.
Ryan Joslin: The quick discovery of the body was remarkable given the area’s sparse population.
Detective Lieutenant Chris Duffitt explained that a local caretaker stumbled upon the body while out walking his dog, a fortunate event that might have otherwise delayed the investigation.
Lt. Chris Duffitt: The discovery was serendipitous. Had he not been there at that moment, we might not have found her at all.
Anna Repkina was recognized as the murder victim, and authorities quickly noted that she had been shot.
Amie Matusko: Anna was a strong and intelligent woman. She worked for Ikea and was passionate about travel and cats.
So, how did this vibrant woman end up on a secluded logging road so far from home? Prosecutors revealed that Anna had recently ended a long-term relationship and turned to online dating to find a connection. This search led her to Will Hargrove, a 26-year-old from Oregon.
Amie Matusko: They quickly established a strong bond, leading to frequent conversations and videoconferences.
The couple discovered they shared many interests, particularly a love for music. Their connection quickly blossomed, filled with humorous exchanges and dreams of a future together.
WILL HARGROVE [via Facebook]: You are absolutely amazing.
ANNA REPKINA: It’s wonderful to imagine our future.
This romantic correspondence inspired Anna to visit Oregon for the holidays in December 2016. However, her arrival was complicated when she confused Portland, Oregon with Portland, Maine, resulting in a mixed-up travel situation.
ANNA REPKINA [via Facebook]: Who knew there were two Portlands?
After resolving her travel issues, Anna finally arrived in Oregon, where her relationship with Will moved swiftly. A couple of weeks into her stay, Anna returned to Russia with an engagement ring from Will and plans to relocate permanently.
Amie Matusko: Anna was eagerly discussing wedding plans and the styles of dresses she envisioned for her big day.
Yet, unbeknownst to Anna, Will was still entangled with Michelle Chavez, a woman he had been seeing prior to meeting Anna.
A LOVE TRIANGLE
Michelle Chavez, who was in an unhappy marriage with two children, met Will while working as a cab driver. Their friendship quickly developed into something more as she sought affection absent from her home life.
Michelle Chavez: He made me feel seen and beautiful, like I mattered.
Their relationship evolved further when Will moved into her home as a roommate. Despite the unconventional living arrangement, Michelle was uncertain about her husband’s awareness of the developing romance.
As Will and Anna’s relationship intensified, he continued to juggle both women without revealing the full truth to either of them. Despite living in the same house, Michelle remained unaware that Anna had come to stay with Will.
Michelle Chavez: I was initially taken aback when I was introduced to Anna, but I didn’t realize the extent of their relationship at that point.
When Anna returned to Oregon in March 2017, she and Will were planning to start their lives together, with Anna determined to integrate into Will’s life.
However, tensions mounted when Michelle confronted Will, leading to a confrontation that would change everything.
Michelle Chavez: I wanted him to choose, and he told me he would.
AN ULTIMATUM
As tensions reached a boiling point, Michelle demanded that Will make a choice—her or Anna. On April 19, 2017, he assured Michelle he would address the situation with Anna.
Throughout the day, Communication between Will and Michelle suggested he was eliminating his involvement with Anna. However, as pressure mounted, Will began to isolate himself.
On Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, after a series of conflicts, Anna was found dead, shot in the back of the head, her body left in a forlorn state among debris.
Following this tragic discovery, Will attempted to convey concern while also researching strange topics online, signaling a potential disconnect from reality.
WILL HARGROVE [WhatsApp message]: I need to learn about time travel. I need to correct a horrible mistake.
Investigators soon linked Will to the crime through a fast-food receipt found next to Anna’s body.
His relationship with Anna, coupled with the suspicious nature of his actions on the night of her death, pointed to his involvement. As police began to piece together the timeline, they noticed several discrepancies in Will’s statements.
Eventually, the evidence led them to arrest Will Hargrove for Anna Repkina’s murder and theft of her bank funds.
As the investigation continued, authorities probed Michelle Chavez to ascertain her knowledge about the events surrounding Anna’s murder—a question left unanswered even as the trial commenced.
AN ALTERNATE THEORY
As investigations progressed, prosecutors began to examine Michelle’s connection to Will and Anna. Michelle’s conflicting testimony and implications raised suspicions regarding her involvement.
Ultimately, evidence including phone records linked Will to the murder scene, while forensic analysis ruled out Michelle’s presence at the crime scene.
Despite some circumstantial evidence pointing toward Michelle, the primary evidence suggested Will alone was responsible for Anna’s death.
After an extensive trial that reviewed numerous witnesses and evidence, Will Hargrove was convicted of first-degree murder in 2019 and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Even as life moved forward, Michelle Chavez grappled with the fallout from the tragedy and the emotional toll it took on her own life.
Amie Matusko: Anna Repkina was a person who sought love and ultimately lost her life. She was remembered not just as a victim but as a vibrant individual who was truly loved.
In 2023, however, Will Hargrove’s murder conviction was overturned on appeal due to issues surrounding evidence procurement, with a new trial scheduled for April 2025.
Source
www.cbsnews.com