Kansas Man Uses Life Insurance Payout to Purchase Sex Doll After Killing Wife: Report

Kristen Trickle’s death in July 2021 was followed by the arrest of her husband, who was charged with her murder around 21 months later. Shortly after her death, he purchased a life-size sex doll worth $2,000 just two days after receiving the insurance payout. Despite the initial conclusion of suicide by the coroner, suspicions arose regarding the circumstances of Kristen’s death when investigating officers interacted with her husband, who was in the Army Reserve.

Subsequently, it was revealed that he had cashed in on two life insurance policies, amounting to over $120,000, following his wife’s death. Shockingly, he spent a significant portion of the insurance money on the sex doll, a fact highlighted during the trial by Assistant Ellis County Attorney Aaron Cunningham. This expenditure, along with purchases of video games, paying off debts, and music equipment, all drew attention during the proceedings.

Upon learning about the purchase of the doll, Kristen Trickle’s aunt expressed her disapproval and disbelief, stating that it felt like her niece was being replaced with her own life insurance money. The trial also shed light on the defendant’s mother’s assertion that the doll was intended to provide warmth and comfort to her son, who had been struggling with nightmares and insomnia following his wife’s death. Finally, in November 2023, more than four years after Kristen’s passing, the jury found the defendant guilty of murder, and he was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 50 years.

This case serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and repercussions that surround tragic events and the subsequent legal processes.