“Road Map to Murder”: 20/20 Reports on Bart & Krista Halderson Homicide May 30 2025

On Friday, May 30, 2025, at 9:01 PM EDT, 20/20 airs a harrowing new episode that examines one of the most disturbing family murders in recent Wisconsin history. The episode delves into the disappearance and brutal killing of Bart and Krista Halderson, a seemingly ordinary suburban couple from Windsor, Wisconsin. The case shocked the nation when it was revealed that their son, Chandler Halderson, was not only at the center of the mystery but ultimately convicted of murdering and dismembering both parents. ESPN analyst and ABC News contributor Ryan Smith leads viewers through the disturbing investigation, courtroom drama, and the lies that unraveled a family.

The Disappearance of Bart and Krista Halderson

Bart and Krista Halderson were reported missing on July 7, 2021, by their youngest son, Chandler. According to Chandler, the couple had left for their cabin in northern Wisconsin over the Fourth of July weekend with another couple. But when Bart and Krista failed to return and could not be contacted, concern quickly spread among their friends and family.

The Haldersons were known as dedicated and loving parents. Their older son Mitchell worked in the tech industry, while Chandler was believed to be a student at Madison College with a promising job at SpaceX lined up. As investigators dug deeper, they found no evidence that the Haldersons had ever left for the cabin. Their son Mitchell even drove three hours to the property to search for them, only to find it untouched and empty.

Cracks in the Story and a Grim Discovery

As detectives interviewed neighbors and friends, inconsistencies in Chandler’s statements began to surface. Investigators quickly turned their attention to Chandler himself, whose alibi and timeline raised red flags. A major breakthrough came from Chandler’s girlfriend, Cathryn “Cat” Mellender, who gave authorities access to her phone. She had been using the Snapchat location feature to keep track of Chandler and had saved a screenshot showing him near the Wisconsin River on July 3.

This digital breadcrumb led authorities to a remote area near the river, where they found human remains later identified as Krista Halderson. Just days earlier, a farm owner had contacted police after spotting Chandler emerging from the woods on her property. There, deputies discovered a torso belonging to Bart Halderson. Chandler was arrested shortly after and initially charged with providing false information. Those charges escalated quickly as evidence mounted.

The Double Life of Chandler Halderson

Investigators uncovered a tangled web of deception. Chandler had not only dropped out of college but had also fabricated a job offer from SpaceX. He created fake email accounts to mislead his parents into thinking he was still enrolled in school and moving forward in his career. It was a fragile house of cards that began collapsing when Bart scheduled a meeting with school officials to confirm Chandler’s enrollment.

Faced with the likely exposure of his lies, prosecutors argued that Chandler acted to prevent his parents from discovering the truth. He reportedly shot his father in the back with a rifle at their family home and later killed his mother when she returned. Evidence suggested that Chandler attempted to incinerate parts of their bodies in the fireplace and scattered other remains in various locations throughout Dane County.

Evidence Presented in Trial

The trial of Chandler Halderson began in January 2022. Prosecutors presented a mountain of forensic and circumstantial evidence. A neighbor’s security camera showed flickering light from the fireplace on the day prosecutors believe the murders took place. A forensic expert later testified that over 200 human bone fragments were found in that fireplace.

Tools with traces of Bart and Krista’s blood were recovered from a barrel on the farm property. A rifle believed to be the murder weapon was discovered in a nearby barn. Bloodstains were found in the basement of the Halderson home, and luminol testing indicated a cleanup attempt. Surveillance footage, receipts for items like tarps and ice, and Chandler’s digital activity painted a damning picture of premeditation and cover-up.

The defense argued that the prosecution’s case was circumstantial and lacked direct proof of what occurred inside the home. Chandler did not testify in his own defense. After just two hours of deliberation, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts, including two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, dismembering a corpse, and obstruction.

Sentencing, Appeals, and Life Without Parole

In March 2022, Chandler Halderson was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He expressed a desire to appeal the verdict and asked for new legal representation. In April 2023, two of his convictions related to hiding human remains were vacated on procedural grounds, but the murder convictions and life sentence remained intact.

Now incarcerated at Dodge Correctional Institution, Chandler continues to appeal his case. Despite the legal maneuvers, his conviction has stood as a chilling reminder of how deep lies can fester, even within a family that appeared from the outside to be thriving.

The Legacy of the Case

The murders of Bart and Krista Halderson left their community in mourning and disbelief. Investigators and family friends described them as kind, hardworking people who had no idea their youngest son was leading a secret life built entirely on deception. The case has been studied by criminal justice experts for its striking combination of digital evidence, forensic investigation, and the psychological unraveling of a young man under the weight of his own fabrications.

ABC’s 20/20 episode provides a comprehensive and unflinching look at the Halderson case, offering exclusive interviews and insights from those closest to the investigation. The episode stands as a sobering portrait of a crime that began with a lie and ended in tragedy.