The Disappearance That Sparked a Digital Nightmare
On November 13, 2012, Cari Farver, a 37-year-old single mother, vanished without warning after spending the night at her boyfriend’s apartment in Omaha, Nebraska. Dave Kroupa, the man she had been casually dating for just a few weeks, was the last known person to see her. When he left for work that morning, everything seemed normal. But Cari was never seen again.
Days later, her mother, Nancy Raney, became alarmed when Cari failed to pick up her son from school—a task she never missed. She reported her missing. At the same time, Dave began receiving a barrage of aggressive and disturbing texts, allegedly from Cari, filled with threats, accusations, and emotional outbursts.
But as time passed, what seemed like a digital love triangle gone wrong would evolve into one of the most disturbing cybercrime murder cases in modern American history.
From Flirty Texts to Full-Blown Harassment
Initially, Kroupa believed the strange texts were coming from Cari herself. The messages exploded in volume and intensity. Over the next three years, he received tens of thousands of messages—threats that became increasingly unhinged. He tried everything to escape the harassment, including changing phone numbers, emails, and even moving.
The threats weren’t limited to him. Another woman he dated, Shanna “Liz” Golyar, also claimed to be targeted. In a shocking escalation, Liz’s house was set on fire in August 2013, killing all her pets. The arson was followed by confessions—sent via email and signed with Cari’s name.
Even Cari’s mother received eerie Facebook messages from “Cari,” urging her to stop searching. But there were no phone calls. No in-person visits. Just digital shadows of a woman whose physical presence had completely vanished.
When the Messages Didn’t Add Up
Despite the digital chaos, no physical evidence ever placed Cari Farver anywhere after November 2012. As her online accounts continued to post photos, send messages, and issue threats, the reality behind the screens remained murky. Investigators and friends began to wonder: Was Cari really alive and orchestrating a multi-year cyberstalking campaign? Or was something more sinister at play?
It took nearly three years before investigators with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office took a deeper look. Led by Sgt. Jim Doty and digital forensics specialist Anthony “Tony” Kava, the team decided to examine the flood of digital communications through a forensic lens.
Unmasking the Digital Puppet Master
Their investigation revealed a chilling truth: Liz Golyar—not Cari—had created and controlled the dozens of fake email addresses, social media profiles, and messaging accounts.
The harassing messages traced back to IP addresses used by Golyar herself, including the one from her burned-down home. It was a breakthrough that shattered the illusion Cari was still alive. Golyar had forged thousands of messages, impersonating Cari to control Kroupa’s life and frame others for crimes she had committed herself.
But the plot thickened even further.
A Staged Shooting and One Last Lie
In December 2015, Golyar was suddenly shot in the leg. She accused Amy Flora, Kroupa’s ex-wife, of being the attacker—and the real stalker. But investigators didn’t buy her story. They played along, pretending to believe Flora was behind everything, and watched Golyar walk straight into their trap.
Soon after, emails from “Amy Flora” began confessing to the murder of Cari Farver. However, digital footprints again led back to Golyar’s device. She was cornered.
Blood in the Car and a Hidden Photo
With momentum on their side, detectives turned to physical evidence. Cari’s Ford Explorer, which had been found and sold after her disappearance, was located and searched again. Forensic teams found blood stains in the passenger seat—later confirmed to be Cari’s.
But the most damning clue came from an old tablet belonging to Dave Kroupa. Buried deep in its memory card was a deleted photo of a decomposing human foot. Tattooed on the ankle was the Chinese character for “mother”—an identical match to Cari’s tattoo.
A medical examiner confirmed the foot belonged to a deceased person. This was the smoking gun prosecutors needed.
A Conviction Without a Body
Despite never recovering Cari’s full remains, the evidence was overwhelming. In August 2017, Judge Timothy Burns found Liz Golyar guilty of first-degree murder.
“This was not a woman who simply vanished,” he said in court. “Very sadly, she was murdered.”
Golyar received a life sentence. Even after her conviction, she never disclosed where she hid Cari’s body. For Cari’s family, the verdict offered justice—but not full closure.
Digital Forensics: The Hero Behind the Scenes
This case stands as a landmark in modern criminal justice. Without digital forensics, Golyar may have continued her deadly deception for years. Tony Kava, the lead digital investigator, later remarked, “We may never see another case quite like this. The deception was so deep and the manipulation so meticulous, it stunned everyone.”
It was a case cracked not with fingerprints, but with IP addresses, deleted files, and hidden metadata. In a digital age where crime can hide behind screens, this investigation proved that truth leaves a trace—even in code.
The Real Victim, Finally Remembered
For years, Cari Farver was wrongly painted as a deranged stalker. But as the truth unraveled, so did that cruel narrative. She was not the villain. She was the victim of a deeply disturbed woman’s obsession.
Today, Cari is remembered not for the lies told in her name, but for the life she lived—a dedicated mother, a talented tech professional, and a woman whose memory finally earned the dignity it deserved.
FAQs
Who was Cari Farver?
Cari Farver was a 37-year-old single mother and tech professional from Iowa who was murdered in 2012.
Why did Liz Golyar impersonate Cari Farver?
Liz Golyar impersonated Cari to manipulate Dave Kroupa, eliminate romantic rivals, and cover up her own crimes.
How was the case solved?
Digital forensics, including tracing IP addresses and recovering deleted data, revealed Golyar’s web of deception.
Was Cari’s body ever found?
No, Cari’s full remains have never been recovered. Only a photograph of her tattooed foot was discovered.
What role did Dave Kroupa play in the case?
Dave Kroupa was a victim of the stalking and harassment, unknowingly at the center of Golyar’s obsession.
Is Liz Golyar still in prison?
Yes, she is serving a life sentence without parole for the murder of Cari Farver.