‘Dateline NBC’: Who killed Meg Purk? Ohio husband plots pregnant wife’s murder only to be unveiled 24 years later
CALIFORNIA, OHIO: Scott Purk, the husband of Margaret or 'Meg' Purk, was convicted of her murder. He was found guilty of strangling her to death and staging the scene to make it appear as though she had committed suicide.
Meg Purk's case is a chilling tale of betrayal, deception, and the relentless pursuit of justice. In March 1985, the streets of Akron, Ohio, were shattered by the tragic death of 24-year-old Meg Purk, who was nine months pregnant at the time. Initially deemed a suicide, Meg's death took a sinister turn as suspicions arose about the circumstances surrounding her death.
Decades later, an investigation and the unveiling of shocking new evidence would reveal a web of lies woven by her husband, Scott Purk. From arson to murder, the case of Meg Purk captivated the nation's attention as authorities unraveled the truth behind her untimely demise, which will be explored in the coming episode of 'Dateline NBC.'
Who was Meg Purk?
Margaret 'Meg' Purk, a vibrant 24-year-old woman residing in Akron, Ohio, during the 1980s, eagerly anticipated the birth of her first child. Married to Scott Purk for three years, they both eagerly awaited the arrival of their child.
Meg's family fondly remembers her as joyful and eagerly anticipating motherhood. In letters to her grandmother, she expressed excitement about the prospect of becoming a mother and shared her happiness about the upcoming arrival of her baby.
Tragically, on March 19, 1985, Meg's life was cut short in a devastating event. Her husband, Scott Purk, reported finding her unconscious, allegedly attempting suicide by hanging in their Akron apartment. Despite efforts to save her, both Meg and her unborn child tragically did not survive.
Initially, authorities accepted Scott's account of the events, and Meg's death was ruled as suicide. However, suspicions arose years later when Scott became entangled in legal trouble related to arson cases. Investigators revisited Meg's case, leading to the discovery of inconsistencies in the evidence.
Further examination, including the exhumation of Meg's body, revealed that her death was not a suicide as initially believed. Instead, evidence pointed to homicide by strangulation.
Scott Purk claims pregnant Meg Purk committed suicide because of depression
In the tragic case of Meg Purk's death, her husband, Scott Purk, claimed that she had committed suicide due to depression. According to Scott's account, Meg, who was nine months pregnant at the time, had been struggling with her mental health in the final months of her pregnancy. He described her as increasingly depressed, which he believed led her to take her own life.
On the morning of March 19, 1985, Scott reported to authorities that he found Meg hanging from a rope in their Akron apartment. He claimed to have found her while he was in the bathtub, and upon discovering her, he attempted to save her life by cutting her down and performing CPR until paramedics arrived. Despite his efforts, Meg and her unborn child did not survive.
Scott maintained that Meg's depression had driven her to attempt suicide, citing her emotional struggles during her pregnancy as evidence. He claimed that her mental state had deteriorated in the weeks leading up to her death, ultimately leading her to make the tragic decision to end her own life.
This narrative formed the basis of the initial investigation into Meg's death, with authorities initially accepting Scott's account and ruling her death as suicide. However, years later, suspicions arose surrounding the circumstances of Meg's death, prompting a reexamination of the evidence.
Police exhume Meg Purk’s body 24 years after her death
The decision to exhume Meg Purk's body 24 years after her death came as a shock, especially considering her death had been ruled as suicide based on the account provided by her husband, Scott Purk.
However, suspicions arose years later when Scott became a suspect in an arson case. This development prompted authorities to reexamine the circumstances surrounding Meg's passing and conduct a thorough investigation.
The investigation took a turn when he made statements that raised questions about Meg's death. Concerned about the possibility of foul play, authorities decided to revisit the case and conduct a thorough reexamination of the evidence.
In 2011, Meg's body was exhumed, a pivotal step that allowed forensic experts to conduct a second autopsy. This decision proved to be crucial, as the new examination revealed evidence inconsistent with the original ruling of suicide. Marks on Meg's body suggested that she had not died by hanging, as initially believed, but rather by strangulation.
The findings of the second autopsy prompted authorities to reconsider the circumstances of Meg's death. It became clear that her passing was not a suicide, as previously thought, but a homicide. The revelation opened up a new chapter in the investigation, leading to the eventual arrest and conviction of Scott Purk for the murder of his wife and unborn child.
Scott Purk’s ex-girlfriend claims he killed Meg Purk
Scott Purk's ex-girlfriend played a significant role in shedding light on the truth behind Meg Purk's death. According to her testimony, she revealed chilling details about Scott's involvement in Meg's murder.
In her statement to the police, Scott's ex-girlfriend described him as "crazy, crazy, horrible," emphasizing the severity of his character. She recounted how Scott had confessed to her that he had killed his wife, Meg. This revelation provided a crucial piece of evidence linking Scott directly to Meg's death.
Scott Purk killed Meg Purk considering he was ‘too young to be a dad’
Scott Purk's motive for killing Meg Purk was believed to stem from his belief that he was "too young to be a dad" and possibly his involvement in an affair. Furthermore, evidence suggested that he strangled her to death rather than her death being a result of suicide, as initially claimed. The forensic examination of Meg's body revealed marks inconsistent with hanging and indicative of strangulation.
Additionally, the presence of bruises and abrasions on her neck and other parts of her body suggested a violent struggle. This indicated that Scott's decision to kill Meg was premeditated, possibly motivated by his desire to escape the responsibilities of fatherhood or to eliminate a perceived obstacle in his life.
Scott Purk was sentenced to 28 years in prison in 2013
In 2013, Scott Purk faced a series of serious charges related to his criminal activities, ultimately leading to a significant prison sentence. The charges against him included attempted murder, aggravated arson, and insurance fraud, stemming from two separate arson incidents.
The evidence presented during the trial showcased Purk's direct involvement in setting fire to his residence and another nearby property. The suspected motive behind the fires was Purk's alleged intent to collect insurance money. Purk's actions not only endangered the lives of individuals within the residences but also posed a threat to the broader community.
