Kathleen Schroll's Story And What Happened To Pete Coones After Arrest

Many cases featured on NBC's Dateline leave viewers with lingering questions, and the story of Kathleen Schroll and Pete Coones is no exception. This gripping case, which involved mysterious deaths and arrests, captivated audiences with twists and uncertainties. What really happened to Kathleen Schroll, and how did Pete Coones become entangled in this tragic story?

The story of Carl and Kathleen Schroll on Dateline has been one of the most talked-about cases featured on this NBC's hit show. In the spring of 2008, Kathleen Schroll called her mother late at night, her voice filled with fear. This call marked the start of a complex and ongoing mystery. This article examines the circumstances that led to Kathleen's distress, the following investigations, and the legal challenges that ensued.

What happened to Kathleen Schroll?

On April 7, 2008, Kathleen and Carl Schroll, a couple living in Kansas City, were tragically killed in their home. This marked the beginning of a perplexing and prolonged investigation. Kathleen was found with a gunshot wound to the back of her head, while her husband, Carl, had sustained two bullets to the chest. 

The discovery of their bodies at around 2:30 a.m. was made even more unsettling by the discovery of Kathleen's last call to her mother. During the call, she reported that Olin Pete Coones had entered their home with the intent to kill them. This alarming disclosure positioned Coones as a prime suspect in the case, setting the stage for a complex investigation that would unfold over the following years.

The investigation

Upon arriving at the crime scene, police observed that the door was wide open and the lights were on. There were no indications of forced entry into the couple's home. This led the investigators to deduce that the perpetrator was familiar to the couple.

Court documents revealed that a cordless phone was found next to Kathleen, along with a silver revolver in the room. Both of their personal phones were present, but Kathleen's purse was open. During the investigation, Blair Hadley, the daughter, reported that she had previously seen the gun inside her mother's purse.

Closer examination made them focus on Pete Coones as a suspect. This shift in suspicion arose after reviewing Kathleen's phone call to her mother. The police also uncovered an ongoing legal dispute between Kathleen and Coones. 

Additionally, Blair, Kathleen's daughter, reported that Coones had threatened Kathleen a few days before the incident. Authorities later found Kathleen's DNA on the pistol involved in the case.

The conviction

Pete Coones was identified as the prime suspect in the investigations concerning the deaths. Despite his claims of innocence, Coones stood trial in January 2009. In a surprising development, he was found guilty of Kathleen's murder but was acquitted of Carl's. 

As a result, he received a 50-year prison sentence without the possibility of parole. He appealed the case, but the court still upheld its initial verdict. However, years later, according to the story of Kathleen and Pete Coones on Dateline, new doubts arose about the events of that night and whether Coones was involved at all.

What happened to Pete Coones after conviction?

For over a decade, Pete languished in prison, struggling with despair and contemplating taking his own life. His situation began to change in the fall of 2018 when Dupree, who had recently taken office, established a unit dedicated to investigating wrongful convictions.

Pete sent a letter from prison, maintaining his innocence and highlighting discrepancies in his case.

The truth comes to light

In collaboration with the Midwest Innocence Project and Pete's defence team, Dupree's new unit took on Pete's case after finding it quite compelling. After taking a second look at the crime scene pictures, Defense attorney Branden Bell discovered a dark mark on a bedroom pillow.

After retrieving the pillow from the evidence room, they found an intact bullet. This new evidence pointed to Kathleen's gun being the sole weapon involved in the crime. Bell later criticised the state's theory in imprisoning Pete, questioning why they believed that Kathleen would call her elderly mother instead of 911.

Additionally, forensic testing of swabs from Kathleen's hands, which had been overlooked, showed gunshot residue. The gun recovered from the scene contained only Kathleen's DNA and no evidence connected Pete to the crime.

At the time of Kathleen's death, Pete had previously reported Kathleen for elder abuse after discovering severe neglect in his father's care. Kathleen was also accused of stealing about $11,000 from her workplace credit union.

Further complicating the case, the jailhouse informant, who had initially told the police that Pete had admitted to the crimes while in prison, later admitted to fabricating his testimony against Pete in hopes of securing a better deal for himself.

All these discrepancies led authorities to consider the possibility that Kathleen, in a desperate attempt to frame Pete, may have killed Carl and then staged the scene to implicate him through a misleading phone call to her mother.

Overturning the verdict

In November 2020, a judge overturned Pete's conviction following a review of the evidence presented by his legal team, resulting in his release from prison. 

Kathleen's daughter expressed her confusion regarding the case, uncertain about the new theory suggesting her mother might have been responsible for the shooting. Hadley sympathised with Pete's family if the new theory proved true.

Where is Pete Coones now?

Pete was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away at 64 in February 2021. His death came only 108 days after he was released from prison, leaving him little time to be with his family.

How old was Carl when he died?

Carl Schroll was 64 years old when he passed away at his Kansas City home.

How old was Kathleen Schroll when she died?

At the time of her death, Kathleen Schroll was 45 years old. 

Which Dateline Episode featured Pete Coone's story?

The story was highlighted in the "The Phone Call" episode of Dateline: Secrets Uncovered.

What were Kathleen and Carl Schroll occupations at the time of their death?

Carl had retired following a successful career at a race track, while Kathleen continued to work at a local credit union.

Final word

The tragic deaths of Kathleen Schroll and Carl Schroll sparked a legal saga that lasted over a decade. The case captivated audiences with its twists and turned tragic when Pete Coones was wrongfully convicted of Kathleen's murder. After years of suffering behind bars and persistent claims of innocence, Coones' conviction was overturned in 2020 due to compelling new evidence and revelations. The case remains a sombre reminder of the potential for judicial errors and the enduring quest for truth.

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Pete Coones after his release (L). Kathleen and Carl Schroll (R).

Pete Coones (L). Kathleen and Carl's daughter, Blair (R)

Pete Coones with his family after being exonorated.