‘Dateline NBC’: Who killed Crystal McDowell? Texas man plots ex-wife’s murder ahead of 2017 hurricane
BAYTOWN, TEXAS: Steven McDowell killed ex-wife, Crystal McDowell. The case of Crystal McDowell, a real estate agent and mother of two, captivated the nation's attention due to its mysterious and tragic nature. Just two days before Hurricane Harvey struck Baytown, Texas, Crystal vanished without a trace on August 25, 2017.
Crystal's last known movements were captured on grainy surveillance footage, showing her leaving the home of her new boyfriend, Paul Hargrave, at 7:35 a.m. that fateful morning. Despite efforts to locate her, the hurricane's devastation hampered the initial search efforts, leaving the investigation at a standstill.
However, amidst the chaos of the storm, a critical piece of evidence emerged. Crystal's car, a black Mercedes, was discovered parked haphazardly in the flooded parking lot of a local Motel 6. This discovery reignited the investigation, as authorities believed it was left as bait by the perpetrator.
Subsequent surveillance footage revealed suspicious behavior by Crystal's ex-husband, Steven McDowell. He was seen checking on the abandoned car and was later captured purchasing a bike, which he used to approach the motel where Crystal's car was found. Despite initially denying involvement, Steven eventually confessed to authorities. He admitted to choking Crystal to death during a heated argument and disposing of her body in a remote wooded area. His confession led to the recovery of Crystal's remains and his subsequent arrest and conviction.
The case highlighted the intersection of domestic turmoil, betrayal, and tragedy, which will be revisited by 'Dateline NBC' this Sunday, May 5 at 10 PM ET.
Who was Crystal McDowell?
Crystal McDowell was a 37-year-old mother of two living in Baytown, Texas. She worked as a real estate agent and was known for her love of people and her success in her career. Crystal had a difficult childhood, growing up with parents who struggled with drug addiction, and she endured a traumatic experience of abduction and assault as a teenager.
Despite her challenging past, Crystal found stability in adulthood. She married Steve McDowell, but their relationship had its ups and downs, leading to their divorce after 10 years. Crystal continued to live with Steve temporarily while waiting for renovations on her new home. She then started a new relationship with a man named Paul Hargrave, a jeweler in the area.
Tragically, Crystal disappeared under mysterious circumstances on August 25, 2017, just days before Hurricane Harvey hit the Houston area. The storm temporarily halted the investigation into her disappearance but ultimately played a critical role in preserving evidence crucial to solving the case.
Investigators focused on both Steve McDowell and Paul Hargrave as potential suspects. Despite their cooperation, both men raised suspicions due to their behavior and failed polygraph tests. The investigation took a significant turn when Crystal's car was found abandoned at a motel parking lot during the hurricane. Surveillance footage and other evidence implicated Steve McDowell in Crystal's disappearance and murder.
Why did Crystal McDowell and Steven McDowell split?
Crystal McDowell and Steven McDowell split after 10 years of marriage due to a variety of reasons. While they initially seemed like a happy couple, their relationship began to face challenges over time. One significant factor was Crystal's demanding job as a flight attendant, which often kept her away from home for extended periods. This separation likely put strain on their marriage and may have contributed to feelings of disconnect between them.
Additionally, Crystal's aunt mentioned that Crystal had numerous lovers throughout her marriage, suggesting that there may have been infidelity on Crystal's part. This infidelity could have eroded trust and caused conflict between Crystal and Steven.
Despite their decision to divorce, Crystal continued to live with Steven temporarily while waiting for renovations to be completed on her new home. This arrangement likely added further tension to their relationship, as they were effectively separated but still sharing living space.
When did Crystal McDowell go missing?
Crystal McDowell went missing on August 25, 2017, just two days before Hurricane Harvey struck Baytown, Texas. She was last seen leaving the home of her new boyfriend, Paul Hargrave, at 7:35 a.m. that morning, captured by surveillance cameras.
When Crystal failed to return home or contact her family, her loved ones became concerned and reported her missing. Investigators immediately launched a search to find her. However, their efforts were complicated by the impending hurricane, which brought torrential winds and rain, causing widespread devastation in the Houston area.
Despite the challenges posed by the storm, Crystal's cousin received a text message informing her that Crystal's car had been spotted in the parking lot of a local Motel 6.
Detectives, utilizing available resources, commandeered an airboat to reach the location and retrieve the vehicle. They discovered Crystal's car parked haphazardly with the keys left inside, suggesting foul play. This discovery was a crucial breakthrough in the investigation. Authorities believed that the car had been left as bait, but due to the rising floodwaters from the hurricane, no one had been able to steal it. The car provided valuable evidence that helped piece together the events leading to Crystal's disappearance.
Why did Steven McDowell kill Crystal McDowell?
Steven McDowell killed Crystal McDowell during a heated argument that escalated into violence. The exact motive for the murder may not be entirely clear, but it appears that tensions between the couple, possibly related to their divorce and Crystal's new relationship with Paul Hargrave, played a significant role. On the day of Crystal's disappearance, she had been with her new boyfriend, Paul Hargrave, and was captured on surveillance cameras leaving his home. However, Steve McDowell's behavior raised suspicions. Surveillance footage showed him backing Crystal's car into a motel parking lot and later checking on it. This suggested premeditation or intent to harm her.
When investigators questioned Steve, he initially denied involvement but later confessed to choking Crystal to death during an argument. The argument may have been fueled by jealousy or anger over Crystal's new relationship, as well as unresolved issues from their divorce.
Steven McDowell confesses ‘he killed’ Crystal McDowell
In his confession, Steven McDowell admitted to authorities that he was responsible for the death of Crystal McDowell. "I did it," Steven told investigators during questioning. "I killed her."
He explained that the incident occurred during a heated argument with Crystal. "We were arguing, and things got out of control," he confessed. Steven acknowledged that he used physical force against Crystal, saying, "I choked her." Despite expressing remorse, he also tried to justify his actions, stating, "I didn't mean to hurt her. I love her."
This confession played a crucial role in the investigation, leading to the discovery of Crystal's remains and ultimately resulting in Steven's conviction for her murder. Despite attempts by Steve's defense to argue for a reduced sentence based on a sudden passion defense, the jury rejected this claim. Steve was ultimately sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder of Crystal McDowell.
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