The Netflix documentary Lover, Stalker, Killer, which debuted on 9 February 2024, is based on the true story of a disturbing love triangle filled with ghastly elements of stalking, harassment, arson and murder.
The docuseries recounts the terrifying ordeal of auto mechanic Dave Kroupa, whose entry into online dating turned into a never-ending nightmare.
Under the direction of Sam Hobkinson, who is popular for Fear City: New York vs The Mafia, the true crime documentary hunts deeply into the horrifying case. It features interviews with key individuals connected to the case, including members of law enforcement, providing a comprehensive and insightful perspective on the intricate details surrounding the shocking events.
LOVER, STALKER, KILLER is a mind-bending true tale of harassment, digital deception, and murder in America’s heartland.
Now streaming, only on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/tRR7wqr8Z1
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) February 9, 2024
So, for those who are wondering what exactly went down in Lover, Stalker, Killer, here is the complete true story of the love triangle that went wrong between Dave Kroupa, Cari Farver and Liz Golyar.
Here’s what went down in the Netflix series ‘Lover, Stalker, Killer’
After a long-term relationship, Dave Kroupa entered the casual dating scene in 2012. He established a profile on the Plenty of Fish dating website and connected with Shanna Golyar, who went by the name Liz. Their connection was immediate, but Dave emphasised his desire for a non-committal arrangement, and Liz appeared to accept this.
Subsequently, Dave also matched with another woman, Cari Farver, and started a relationship with her. Dave and Cari became close, and she frequently stayed at his apartment due to its proximity to her workplace. During one instance when Liz came to pick up her belongings from Dave’s apartment, she unexpectedly encountered Cari.
Initially, the encounter seemed innocent but awkward, with the two women making brief eye contact. However, in hindsight, this meeting marked a significant turning point that would impact the lives of all parties involved.
Several hours later, Dave received a text from Cari suggesting they should live together. When he reminded her of their agreement to keep things low-key, he was met with multiple messages expressing her hatred towards him and claiming he had ruined her life. Upon returning home, it became apparent that Cari had gathered all her belongings and left his place.
The situation intensifies as Cari Farver goes rogue
Days after Cari left Dave’s place, he began receiving progressively threatening texts, including messages such as “I’m going to destroy the things you care about” and “Your life will be ruined.” Soon, the situation took a turn for the worse.
Over the next four years, Dave and his friends as well as Liz received a continuous string of threatening messages originating from over 40 different phone numbers and numerous email aliases.
On top of that, on various occasions, Liz encountered instances of vandalism on her car and at one distressing moment, someone set her residence on fire. Apart from her home, the fire caused the tragic loss of all her pets. Well, it seemed obvious that Cari was orchestrating all of this madness but the truth left everyone shocked!
The narrative takes a full U-turn
Shortly after the harassment commenced, Dave took help from the Omaha Police Department. However, there came a twist in the investigation: no one had seen Cari since that November 2012 morning when Dave last saw her at his apartment. In January 2013, he came across Cari’s car in a nearby parking lot, but the police search caught a single fingerprint that did not match the suspect or anyone in the FBI’s national database.
After Cari disappeared, her mother Nancy Raney, also began receiving strange messages. In one of those messages, she claimed to be relocating to Kansas for a new job and assured that she would be in touch regarding the arrangements for picking up her 15-year-old son, Max.
However, in 2015, the police started to look into another angle, and their focus intensified on Liz. In Lover, Stalker, Killer, it was revealed that the very day Dave began receiving bizarre messages from Cari’s phone number, she had been murdered. Shockingly, the perpetrator turned out to be none other than Liz.
Detectives soon discovered that Liz had used an application allowing her to generate multiple fake phone numbers and email addresses, with the ability to schedule their dispatch even while she was socialising with friends.
As the pieces of the case started falling into place, Liz tried to frame Dave for the entirety of the incidents. She even shot herself in the leg and falsely accused Dave, unaware of his solid alibi for that night. Her fabricated stories began to unravel. The final blow happened when the police obtained access to Liz’s tablet, which revealed a photograph of Cari’s lifeless body.
In December 2016, Liz was arrested, with law enforcement asserting that she stabbed Cari to death in her car before disposing of her body.
So, what happened to Liz Golyar?
Liz was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. Additionally, the judge imposed an extra sentence of 18 to 20 years for her attempt to frame Dave for burning down her home. At the moment, she is serving her sentence at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women.
Dave, on the other hand, went on to live a normal life, recovering from the horrors of the incident and is at the centre of the Netflix docuseries.
Speaking about Cari’s gruesome murder, Dave explains in Lover, Stalker, Killer: “I don’t feel blameless in all of this. A lot of bad things happened to good people, all because of a series of events that I’m at the centre of. The woman that I dated had goals and was smiley and wanted to do something. She was just trying to make her way in this world.”
He continues, “If I hadn’t met Cari, she wouldn’t have met Liz and this all wouldn’t have happened. If I’d have known the choice was this craziness or tell Cari I’m not interested, I would’ve told Cari I’m not interested. But you don’t get that choice.”
(Hero and feature image credit: Netflix)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Is Netflix’s Lover, Stalker, Killer based on a true story?
Yes, the true crime documentary Lover, Stalker, Killer is based on the heinous murder of Cari Farver.
– Where is Liz Golyar now?
Liz Golyar was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole and is serving her sentence at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women.
– Is Lover, Stalker, Killer a documentary?
Lover, Stalker, Killer is a Netflix documentary released on 9 February 2024.