Dateline: Deadly Valentine – Who was Nathan Leuthold and what do we know about his crimes? Details of the 2013 incident, explored

Dateline showcased one of the most haunting cases ever—the murder of 39-year-old Denise Leuthold. Her husband Nathan committed this crime as a Valentine's Day gift to his 20-year-old girlfriend. The couple, who were devoted Christians, had three children and lived in Peoria, Illinois.

Valentine's Day in 2013 marked a dark day when Nathan called 911 to report a home invasion at his in-laws' house, where Denise had been staying. Later, Denise was found shot in the head with the same gun that Nathan owns, which was missing.

The investigation then unveiled some surprising mysteries as explored in Dateline. Read on to know the details.

Dateline: Deadly Valentine – Who was Nathan Leuthold

Nathan and Denise Leuthold were married in 1995. They had three children and served as Baptist missionaries, particularly in Lithuania. While overseas, they met Aina Dobilaite, a teenage girl from Lithuania whom they helped move to the U.S. for her studies by sponsoring her education.

With such 'good deeds' in their bank, Nathan did something that shocked the entire community and led to distrust. According to reports, Nathan had a close relationship with the 20-year-old Aina, which eventually resulted in her suspension from school. As the investigation unfolded, it was discovered that Nathan was responsible for killing his wife and was charged with first-degree murder, receiving a sentence of 80 years in prison.

Here are some chilling details of the crime scene as shown in Dateline

Nathan claimed his Glock .40 handgun was stolen—the same type used in the killing. Investigators quickly suspected the crime scene was staged, as the home appeared superficially ransacked. Drawers were open and cabinets ajar, yet nothing valuable was missing. Authorities later found Nathan's calm demeanor and convenient account suspicious, considering he was the victim's spouse.

The police found alarming Google searches on Nathan's computer, confirming doubts. He searched for “How to muffle a gun,” or about hitting someone over the head and knocking them out. He also searched for some lethal injections.

Now the question remains: if Nathan has killed Denise, why would he do that? The investigation further revealed that Nathan was reportedly having an affair with Aina Dobilaite, the girl they had once mentored. He visited her at spas and hotels, and reports suggest they were emotionally and possibly physically involved. Therefore, the prosecutors argued that Nathan murdered Denise to pursue a relationship with Aina freely.

In 2014, Nathan was convicted of first-degree murder following a swift 90-minute trial. He received an 80-year prison sentence and will not be eligible for parole until 2093. A jailhouse informant testified that Nathan told him the murder was a “Valentine’s Day present” for Aina, which added to the chilling nature of the crime case.

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The Dateline episode titled "Deadly Valentine" aired on January 16, 2024, on Oxygen and is now available for streaming online.

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