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In 2006, Renee Pagel, a recently divorced mother-of-three, was found fatally stabbed more than 50 times in her Michigan home while bedridden following a surgery. The horrific incident occured weeks after a judge sided with her over contentinous divorce with her former husband Michael Pagel who sought custody of their children, property, and alimony from her.
After a few potential suspects, the case went cold for 13 years until Michael's brother Charles claimed to know key information regarding the slaying. The latter alleged that this brother showed him the murder weapon before throwing it in the river, from where the knife was later recovered. In 2020, Michael pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, receiving a minimum of 25 years in prison.
This Sunday, May 21, NBC Dateline will take a look at Renee Pagel's stabbing death in an episode titled Window of Opportunity. The upcoming episode airs on the channel at 7:00 pm ET.
Here's a look at the synopsis:
"A Michigan community is shocked when a local mother is found stabbed to death. After the case goes cold for more than a decade, a bombshell reignites the investigation. Andrea Canning reports."
Disclaimer: This article contains detailed and graphic mentions of a very sensitive incident, reader discretion is advised.
Renee Pagel's slaying: Four quick facts to know about the stabbing death of the Michigan mother-of-three
1) The victim died of more than 50 stab wounds, which included multiple defensive ones
On August 5, 2006, Renee Pagel's father and step-mother found her stabbed to death in the bedroom of her Courtland Township, Michigan home. Upon making the discovery, they called 911. First responder found a grisly crime scene with blood splatters all over the room and the victim's body still in bed.
Reports state that Renee sustained more than 50 stab wounds to her face, head, and torso, which caused her death. Further defensive wounds, including a slit across her palm, indicated that she fought her attacker valiantly regardless of being bedridden, recovering from her surgery after donating a key to one of her student's father which had taken place only days ago.
2) Renee Pagel's contentious legal battle with former husband Michael over custody and other disputes
While investigating the Renee's killing, authorities soon learned about her recent divorce from her husband of 10 years and father of her three children Michael Pagel, who wanted full custody of the children, the house, and alimony from the victim. However, a judge ruled in her favor and ordered Michael to pay her alimony seven weeks before the murder.
The victim's father claimed that he last saw her on the evening of August 4 when he picked up the former couple's kids to take them to Michael's house, located about 15 minutes from her house. Later that night, he claimed that they briefly spoke on the phone.
3) Michael Pagel's brother divulged key information that led to an arrest years later
During the initial stages of Renee Pagel's murder investigation, detectives suspected her former husband Michael and his brother Charles' involvement int he killing. However, at the time, both provided solid alibis. Charles reportedly had a strained relationship with the victim. But, because of a lack of evidence and leads, the case went cold.
A major breakthrough came in the case more than 13 years later in November 2019 after Charles told Renee's close friend Chris Crandle that Michael was "losing it" and that he might be his next victim.
Charles later confessed that Michael was behind the 2006 stabbing death of the mother-of-three. He further revealed that in 2011, the alleged killer showed him the murder weapon before throwing it in the river. Authorities later found the murder weapon in the exact spot Charles told them about.
4) Nearly 14 years later, Michael Pagel was brought to justice in ex-wife's killing
Michael was arrested in on February 6, 2020 after substantial evidence, including his own brother's statement about having seen the murder weapon in his possession, implicated him in ex-wife Renee Pagel's stabbing death from nearly fourteen years ago. He accepted a plea deal not long after his arrest and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison after pleading to second-degree murder as part of the deal with prosecutors.
Renee Pagel's case is set to air on NBC Dateline's upcoming episode this Sunday at 7:00 pm ET.
