Dale Bruner

·1 hr 4 min·5 clips

Dale Bruner's attorney reveals he confessed to strangling Stephanie and dumping her body in the river.

This episode of True Crime All The Time details the 2010 murder of Stephanie Bruner in Silverthorne, Colorado. Hosts Mike Ferguson and Mike "Gibbs" Gibson narrate the case, which centers on her husband, Dale Bruner. The story explores the couple's seemingly idyllic life, their marital breakdown, and the investigation into her death. Stephanie and Dale met in 1993, married, and had three children while living near Breckenridge. In 2010, Stephanie participated in a local dance program called Dancing with the Mountain Stars with physical therapist Ron Holthaus, leading to an emotional affair. Stephanie and Ron maintained a secret blog called "Souls Seeking" where they expressed their feelings. Stephanie was laid off from her job in October 2010 and filed for divorce from Dale on November 1st. She had previously obtained, then rescinded, a restraining order against Dale, citing past violence and his harsh discipline of their children. Stephanie told her friend Jennifer Bozakis that if anything happened to her, Dale would be responsible. Stephanie was last seen alive on November 22nd, 2010; Dale reported her missing the next morning, saying she left for a walk with only her phone and computer. Her frozen body was found in the Blue River on November 26th; the autopsy revealed blunt force trauma, strangulation, and drowning. Police learned of the affair and marital strife, making both Dale and Ron suspects, though Ron and his wife Cynthia had an alibi and claimed they were home together. Investigators found Dale's behavior suspicious, noting he was calm, gave inconsistent statements, and did not join search efforts. A grand jury indicted Dale for second-degree murder in August 2011, and his trial began in July 2012. The hosts find the detail of Stephanie's unsent email to Ron, auto-saved at 11 p.m. on the night she vanished, particularly significant as a potential trigger. They discuss the strangulation evidence, noting testimony from Dale's ex-girlfriend about prior choking incidents matched the cause of death. The hosts analyze Dale's actions after reporting Stephanie missing, including canceling his Match.com account and working on his computer, as unusual behavior. They consider the prosecution's theory that Dale saw the unsent email and snapped, using the computer as the possible murder weapon. The hosts also examine the complexities of domestic violence, noting Stephanie's fear and the danger of leaving an abusive relationship. They reflect on the role of circumstantial evidence, as the case lacked direct forensic proof like fingerprints or footprints. The tone is conversational and analytical, with the hosts frequently interjecting personal reflections and hypothetical questions. Their style is educational but informal, breaking down the timeline and evidence while engaging in a dialogue about human behavior and investigative procedures. Listeners who enjoy detailed reconstructions of domestic homicide cases and courtroom trials will appreciate this episode. Those who prefer fast-paced narratives with clear, immediate resolutions might find the methodical examination of circumstantial evidence less engaging.

As heard by us

A measured look at Stephanie's disappearance, the affair around it, and the people trying to make sense of both.

This episode tracks Stephanie's disappearance by tightening in on the marriage, the affair, and the people left trying to explain themselves. It keeps the focus on the basic questions that matter: who knew what, when they knew it, and why a failed polygraph still draws attention…

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Why you'd press play

You want a slow-burn disappearance case with messy personal fallout.

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