Where is Steven McDowell now? 'Dateline NBC' sheds light on Texas man who killed his wife Crystal McDowell
BAYTOWN, TEXAS: Steven McDowell is currently serving his sentence at the H H Coffield Unit in Tennessee Colony, Texas. He was convicted by a jury in June 2019 for the murder of Crystal McDowell and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. This decision was made after a thorough trial where evidence was presented, including Steven's own confession to the crime. As per the Texas Department of Corrections, Steven McDowell will remain incarcerated for the duration of his sentence, serving time for the tragic loss of Crystal McDowell's life.
In the sleepy town of Baytown, Texas, the disappearance of a 37-year-old mother of two sent shockwaves through the community. Crystal McDowell, a beloved real estate agent, vanished mysteriously just days before Hurricane Harvey struck in August 2017. What began as a routine missing persons case soon unraveled into a harrowing tale of betrayal and tragedy.
Crystal's life was marked by both resilience and turmoil. Raised by drug-addicted parents, she endured a traumatic childhood, including abduction and assault at a young age. Despite these challenges, Crystal found stability in adulthood, marrying Steven McDowell and building a career as a flight attendant before transitioning to real estate.
However, cracks in her marriage soon emerged, leading to divorce after a decade together. As Crystal navigated the complexities of single parenthood and a burgeoning romance with jeweler Paul Hargrave, her life took a tragic turn. Suspicion fell on both Steven and Hargrave as investigators delved into Crystal's disappearance, their behavior in the aftermath raising red flags.
Amid the chaos of Hurricane Harvey, crucial evidence emerged, ultimately leading to a shocking revelation: Steven McDowell, Crystal's ex-husband, confessed to her murder, which is explored more in the new episode of 'Dateline NBC' on Sunday, May 5, at 10 pm ET.
Who is Steven McDowell?
Steven McDowell is the ex-husband of Crystal McDowell, a 37-year-old mother of two who mysteriously vanished just before Hurricane Harvey struck Baytown, Texas, in 2017. Steven was described as someone who initially appeared to be "like a big kid." Despite an apparently promising start to their marriage, which included a decade together, the relationship encountered challenges, particularly due to Crystal's demanding job as a flight attendant that led to her being frequently away from home.
After their divorce, Crystal continued to live with Steven while waiting for renovations to be completed at her new home. During this time, she started a new relationship with a man named Paul Hargrave, a jeweler in the area. Steven's behavior after Crystal's disappearance raised suspicion among investigators, as did Hargrave's.
Steven's demeanor following the news of Crystal's disappearance struck investigators as unusual, and he still wore his wedding ring despite their divorce. Furthermore, surveillance footage showed Steven acting suspiciously around the time of Crystal's disappearance, as he became the prime suspect in her disappearance and eventual murder.
Was Crystal McDowell cheating on Steven McDowell?
Crystal McDowell's relationship with her ex-husband Steven McDowell was marred by infidelity. Despite their initial promising start and a decade-long marriage, Crystal engaged in extramarital affairs. According to Chambers County District Attorney Cheryl Lieck, Crystal had numerous lovers throughout her marriage, both men and women. Her demanding job as a flight attendant, which often took her away from home, may have contributed to the strain on their relationship.
Furthermore, Crystal's aunt, Cindy Seratte, reflected on Crystal's romantic relationships and how she approached them. She recalled that Crystal didn't prioritize material wealth or social status when it came to her partners. Seratte emphasized Crystal's genuine love for people and her desire to be a blessing to others. She mentioned, "She loved people. She didn’t care about your money. She didn’t care about your status, she just loved people and wanted to be a blessing."
After ten years of marriage, Crystal and Steven decided to divorce, but Crystal continued to live with Steven while waiting for renovations to be completed at her new home. During this time, Crystal entered the dating scene again and started a new romance with Paul Hargrave, a jeweler in the area. While Crystal's infidelity was not the direct cause of her murder, it did contribute to the strained dynamics in her relationship with Steven and potentially provided a motive for her killing.
Why did Steven McDowell kill Crystal McDowell?
Steven McDowell killed Crystal McDowell following a heated argument. The exact trigger for the argument is not explicitly mentioned, but it is suggested that it was related to Crystal's involvement with another man. During the altercation, Steven became violent and ended up pushing Crystal down and choking her to death. This tragic event occurred in the heat of the moment, indicating that it was not premeditated but rather a result of intense emotions and conflict. Steven later confessed to the crime, admitting that he didn't intend to harm Crystal and expressing remorse for his actions.
How did Steven McDowell hide Crystal McDowell’s body?
After killing Crystal McDowell, Steven McDowell hid her body by wrapping it in a blanket and placing it inside the trunk of her own Mercedes. This choice of hiding place was likely an attempt to conceal the evidence and delay the discovery of her remains. By placing her in the trunk of her own car, Steven may have hoped to create the impression that she had simply gone missing and left her vehicle behind. However, this attempt to conceal the body ultimately failed when law enforcement authorities uncovered the vehicle and discovered Crystal's remains.
Steven McDowell says ‘I loved her and didn’t want to hurt her’ after murder confession
After confessing to the murder of Crystal McDowell, Steven McDowell expressed remorse, stating, "I loved her and didn’t want to hurt her." This admission suggested a conflicted mindset, where Steven acknowledged his feelings for Crystal while also acknowledging the irreversible harm he caused her.
As for his punishment, Steven McDowell was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder of Crystal McDowell.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 airs new episodes every Friday at 8 pm ET on NBC and is available for streaming on Peacock the following day.
