A sudden marriage creates tension, leading to a murder. Complex family relationships and religious beliefs shape the story. Investigation reveals unanswered questions and inconsistencies. A devastating disappearance implicates the father. The trial ends with a guilty verdict and a determination for answers.
The sudden marriage between Shannon's mother and Aaron's father created a complex family dynamic that strained Shannon and Aaron's relationship, ultimately leading to their divorce.
Inconsistencies in Ralph Candelario's retelling of events, along with physical evidence and motive, contributed to his conviction for the murder of Shannon's mother.
Deep dives
A Teen Romance with a Dark Twist
It started as a teen romance when Shannon met Aaron, a fellow Jehovah's Witness and homeschooled like her. They fell in love and planned a wedding. However, shortly before the wedding, Shannon's mother and Aaron's father surprised them by announcing their own marriage, making Shannon and Aaron step-siblings. This unusual family dynamic took a toll on their relationship, leading to their divorce.
A Deadly Attack and a Mysterious Murder
Tragedy struck when Shannon's mother was found dead, and her father was injured in what seemed to be a home invasion. However, doubts emerged, and investigators suspected foul play. The presence of missing items, the location of the murder weapon, and inconsistencies in Ralph Candelario's retelling of events raised suspicions about his involvement in the crime.
Inconsistencies and Lies Surface
As the investigation progressed, Ralph's changing stories and inconsistencies with physical evidence cast doubt on his claims of being a victim. These inconsistencies included the timing of the attack, missing items, and false statements about unknown suspects. Additionally, the discovery of blood on rugs hidden by Ralph further undermined his credibility.
Ralph Candelario's Conviction and Final Remarks
After a trial, Ralph Candelario was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Throughout the legal proceedings, Ralph maintained his innocence but was unable to convince the jury. Despite his claims, the physical evidence, inconsistencies, and motive presented during the trial contributed to his conviction.
In this Dateline classic, a sudden marriage sows tension in two families in a small-town in Colorado. Then a murder uncovers secrets, lies, and a mystery that had been buried for years. Keith Morrison reports. Originally aired on NBC on April 15, 2016.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode