Kansas Man Allegedly Murders Wife, Utilizes Her Life Insurance Money to Purchase Sex Doll: Report

Kristen Trickle’s death in July 2021 led to the subsequent charging of Mr. Trickle with murder about 21 months later. Following her death, Mr. Trickle purchased a life-size sex doll valued at $2,000 just two days after receiving her life insurance payout.

In the aftermath, an official from the Hays Police Department, Sergeant Brandon Hauptman, suspected Mr. Trickle’s involvement in the death after speaking with him at the crime scene. Despite a coroner initially declaring it as a suicide, the investigating officers continued their work, eventually discovering that Mr. Trickle cashed in on two life insurance policies for his wife, totaling over $120,000.

Detective Joshua “JB” Burkholder expressed concern over Mr. Trickle’s purchase of the sex doll so soon after his wife’s death, emphasizing the need for a respectful mourning process. Upon learning of the doll, Kristen Trickle’s aunt, Delynn Rice, voiced her shock and disapproval, stating her opinion that Mr. Trickle had effectively replaced Kristen with the doll using her life insurance funds.

Assistant Ellis County Attorney, Aaron Cunningham, further revealed that Mr. Trickle spent the entire insurance payout in about eight months, including on video games, paying off debts, and musical equipment in pursuit of becoming a performer. Subsequently, Mr. Trickle was charged with first-degree murder and interfering with law enforcement about 21 months after Kristen’s death.

During his trial in September 2023, prosecutors highlighted his purchase of the sex doll. His mother, Tina Kreutzer, testified as a defense witness, claiming that the doll provided warmth and comfort to Mr. Trickle, who was suffering from nightmares and sleep troubles following his wife’s death.

In November 2023, more than four years after Kristen’s death, a jury found Mr. Trickle guilty of murder. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 50 years.