A CKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am thankful to those who made it possible to shed light on a horrific tragedya story that needed to be told to warn potential victims about the killers in our midst and the digital tricks they use to deceive us. Thank you for your willingness to reveal often personal and painful things so that readers can truly understand what happened, how it happened, and can recognize danger if they see it headed their way: Nancy and Mark Raney, Maxwell Farver, Dave Kroupa, Trish Kroupa, Amy Flora, Cherokee Montoya, Tim Verbeek, Ray Strahan, Amber Jones, Holly Drummond, Brandie Bates, Tayandy Braver, and Heather. Im equally grateful to those using the pseudonyms: Garret Sloan, Melissa Strom, Gloria Munson, Camila, Victoria, Christie, and Jean.
I am forever grateful to the professionals who worked tirelessly to solve this case and seek justice for Cari Farver. Thank you for sitting down with me to share your insights, Detective Jim Doty, Detective Ryan Avis, Detective Dave Schneider, and Prosecutors Brenda Beadle and Jim Masteller. Special Deputy Anthony Kava, Im in awe of your genius and so appreciate the fact you shared your materials with me!
Thank you to James Martin Davis and Cheyann Forester Parr for the enlightening lunch at The Omaha Press Club. Thank you, Barbara Bisbee Pedersen, Adam Farver, LuAnn Smith, Cynthia Weisz, August Siefken, Stefan Stroebel, Shawn Flanigan, Alison Clark, Ann C. Miller, Matt Wilber and Tayandy Braver for your help with the photos. The following demonstrated excellence in transcribing trial testimony: Leslie B. Anderson, Joyce Kelly, Roana Smith, and Theresa Stevens. Thank you to Dhebi Siconolfi for flawlessly transcribing interviews. Kathy Lavato, I appreciate your insights about Omaha and Council Bluffs.
Im grateful to my editor, Michaela Hamilton, for her wisdom, encouragement, and enthusiasm. Im grateful, also, to production editor Arthur Maisel for his sharp eye and patience. And to my agent, Sheree Bykofsky, for always believing in me.
I couldnt have completed this book without the encouragement of my husband, Glenn Scott, who nourished me with the worlds best Garden Burgers, so I would have the energy to write through the night!
Thank you, Cari Farver, for being the wonderful person your family and friends loved so dearly. I wish I could have met you.
Also by L ESLIE R ULE
NOVELS
Whispers from the Grave
Kill Me Again
NONFICTION
Coast to Coast Ghosts: True Stories of Hauntings Across America
Ghosts Among Us: True Stories of Spirit Encounters
When the Ghost Screams: True Stories of Victims Who Haunt
Ghost in the Mirror: Real Cases of Spirit Encounters
Where Angels Tread: Real Stories of Miracles and Angelic Intervention
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
L ESLIE R ULE is a Seattle-area artist and photographer, and the bestselling author of two suspense novels, five nonfiction books, and dozens of articles in national magazines, including Readers Digest . At seventeen, she began to assist her mother, author Ann Rule, as a research assistant and trial photographer. Many of Leslies courtroom photos appear in her mothers books. For tips on how to stay safe on the Internet, visit Leslies website, authorleslierule.com.
A FTERWORD
M AXWELL F ARVER IS ENGAGED to be married and has followed in his mothers footsteps, studying computer programing and coding at a university. He recently added Data Science to his major. Nancy and Mark Raney have remained close to the investigators who helped them, and think of them as sons.
Deputy Anthony Kava, Detectives Jim Doty, Ryan Avis, and Dave Schneider are frequently invited to speak to law enforcement groups about cyber-crimes and their involvement with the Golyar case.
James Masteller is now a district court judge in Nebraskas Fourth Judicial District, appointed by Governor Pete Ricketts in the autumn of 2018. Brenda Beadle is still winning cases for Douglas County. JMD was once again voted Omahas best defense attorney.
While Garret has not dated since he broke up with Liz and is somewhat wary when it comes to meeting women, he insists hes content with his life and grateful for his family, friends, and pets. Im not depressed, lonely or desperate to make a love connectionnot that Im not open to it. Its not a high priority right now. He refuses to let his experience with Liz have power over me, and I have forgiven not to be confused with forgotten her trespasses against me.
Amy Flora and Dave Kroupa continue to co-parent their kids and have no desire to reunite. Both participated in an autumn 2017 Dateline episode about the case. Dave plans to cooperate with every TV program Caris mother chooses to participate in. I got her daughter killed, he says sadly, explaining that the least he can do is support Nancys decision to tell Caris story. Hes still overwhelmed with guilt over what happened to Cari. Nancy Raney doesnt blame Dave. He was pretty much at the wrong place at the wrong time like Cari was, she insists, adding that she hopes his feelings of guilt wont hinder him. Cari wouldnt want that.
Dave admits that while he has cried, hes not allowed himself to fully grieve for Cari. He cant let his mind go there because I cant bear it.
Melissa Strom earned a degree in the medical field, has a great job, and met and married a wonderful man.
Liz Golyars children were understandably devastated by their mothers conviction, but reports say they are doing well. Trina lives with a supportive foster aunt, and Peter lives with his father.
Liz Golyar still insists she is innocent.
A UTHORS N OTE
While most of those interviewed for A Tangled Web allowed their real names to be used, some requested pseudonyms to protect their privacy. Some professionals were also given pseudonyms to spare them possible embarrassment over being tricked by the killer.
A few of those quoted in this story were not actually interviewed by this author, but their quotes were pulled directly from trial transcripts. The transcripts were also the source of all emails and texts, each one written verbatimthough most punctuation and spelling errors were corrected to reduce confusion for readers.
My publishers are not fans of the cumbersome asterisk, often used to indicate a name change, but you can visit my website to see a complete list of the pseudonyms used. (The subjects real names, however, will not be revealed without their permission.)
Please visit Deputy Anthony Kavas website for tips on staying safe in the cyberworld. Links to donate to The Cari Farver Scholarship Fund can be found on both of our websites.
Anthony Kavas website is https:/forensic.coffee.
Leslie Rules website is www.authorLeslieRule.com .
Questions for Readers to Explore
Despite horror stories about predators on the Internet, it is very common for couples to meet online. What precautions should be taken to insure safety?
Did the killer in A Tangled Web use electronic ruses unfamiliar to you? If so, which devices had you never heard of?
Dave Kroupa was unable to see the truth because he suffered from confirmation bias. Have you ever experienced something like this in your life? If so, how did you finally manage to see the truth?
