A runner was out for a morning jog in Madison, Wisconsin on the early hours of March 31, 2020. While passing through the University of Wisconsin – Madison Arboretum, a vast woodland area used for education and community enjoyment, the runner made a horrific discovery. Two individuals, a man and a woman, were found shot in the head and covered in blood near a ditch. The man was deceased, dressed only in underwear, while the woman, wearing pajamas and socks, was barely alive with a critically low body temperature. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she tragically did not survive.
The victims were identified as a married couple from the local area. Dr. Beth Potter, a physician at the university clinic, and her husband Robin Carre, an education consultant and stay-at-home father to their three children, were well-known and respected in the community.
The brutal murders sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, with law enforcement describing the killings as premeditated, cold-blooded, and senseless. The police suspected that the couple had been abducted from their home and then shot at close range in the ditch. The community was left questioning who could have committed such a heinous crime.
Beth, aged 52, and Robin, aged 57, were beloved for their kindness and contributions to various causes. Robin, a soccer coach and mentor, and Beth, a fundraiser and environmental advocate, were deeply involved in community activities.
As investigations unfolded, a troubling narrative emerged surrounding the couple’s adopted teenage daughter and her boyfriend, Khari Sanford. The tension escalated when the couple, concerned about COVID-19 safety measures, asked the teenagers to move out. This decision ultimately led to a tragic turn of events, resulting in the arrest and charge of Sanford and another teenager, Ali’jah Larrue, for the murders of Beth and Robin.
The prosecution revealed that greed and resentment played a role in the killings, with Sanford orchestrating the crime and Larrue assisting. Sanford was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Larrue, branded as a follower in the crime, received an eight-year prison sentence with eligibility for extended supervision after serving 5 ½ years.
The heartbreaking case underscored the devastating consequences of the pandemic, revealing a dark side of human behavior amidst challenging times.
