BROOMFIELD, Colo. — In the final stages of Kristil Krug’s life, she received menacing and inappropriate texts and emails from someone she believed to be her former boyfriend. These communications made her feel as though she was constantly under surveillance. Investigators noted that this individual knew specific details about her life, such as the fact that her car registration had expired and that she had recently visited the dentist.
However, around the time Kristil Krug was discovered beaten and stabbed in her suburban Denver residence, her marriage was unraveling. Prosecutors argued that Kristil suspected her husband, Daniel Krug, could potentially be behind the threatening messages. During the opening statements of his trial, it was suggested that she was piecing things together, putting Daniel under increasing pressure.
According to Senior Deputy District Attorney Kate Armstrong, on December 14, 2023, Daniel Krug allegedly lay in wait for Kristil in their garage, attacking her after she returned from dropping off their children at school. Armstrong stated that after the attack, Daniel reportedly used Kristil’s phone to send misleading texts, including those implying she was involved in an extramarital affair, before leaving for his job at the state health department.
Conversely, defense attorney Joe Morales highlighted the absence of physical evidence tying Daniel Krug to the murder. He pointed out that there was no trace of blood on Daniel’s car or clothing, which his daughter confirmed he wore when taking her to the bus stop that same morning. Additionally, none of Daniel’s DNA was identified at the crime scene, though partial DNA belonging to an unknown individual was discovered on Kristil’s neck.
Morales criticized what he viewed as inadequate police work that both failed to ensure Kristil’s safety and mishandled the investigation into her demise. He condemned the detective on the case of neglecting critical details and not testing Kristil’s phone for fingerprints after claiming Daniel sent texts from it. Morales implored the jury to acquit Daniel of first-degree murder, stalking, and criminal impersonation, stressing their role in preventing a wrongful conviction.
Investigators revealed that the emails sent to Kristil originated from the computer system at Daniel’s work. A burner phone linked to some of the communications, procured with a gift card registered in Daniel’s name, was frequently located near his regular phone. Moreover, three surveillance cameras Kristil’s mother had installed due to the stalking threat were inactive when Kristil was found. The one in the garage had tape over it, which also bore DNA traces from an unknown source.
Prosecutors stated that Daniel initially blamed Kristil’s former boyfriend for her death. However, after confirming the ex-boyfriend’s alibi from Utah, Daniel shifted the narrative to suggest Kristil may have been unfaithful. Armstrong noted Daniel’s dismissive reaction to police inquiries, quoting him dismissively referencing the perception that “it’s always the husband.”
The trial continues, with Kristil’s ex-boyfriend scheduled to provide testimony. It is expected to last an additional two weeks.