'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUH/8QAIRAAAAUEAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBBEABRITBiExQWH/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACBP/EABgRAQADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAiES/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDI0HVoRtFwSctnJ7mipDdQpg1yAyOQeff2paXIi6ibG+R4DIQ6kaUoNAMlPdl1n//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Dateline has covered several shocking cases over time. However, a few stories match the gripping nature of what went down in West Goshen, Pennsylvania, in June 2010.
The case involved manipulation, a murder plot, and betrayal that seemed almost impossible to believe. Kevin Mengel was a devoted father and hardworking landscaper. He was unalived in the most brutal way possible. What made this tragedy even more tragic was who planned it.
His own spouse, Morgan Mengel, planned his death with the help of her young lover. The episode, titled "Toxic," explores the dark corners of these crimes. It displayed how selfishness and greed can destroy lives. When the investigation started, nobody expected the truth to be so horrifying.
Dateline: The failing marriage
Kevin and Morgan had been married for thirteen years. They shared three kids and owned MKB Landscaping Company in Chester County. But their marriage was falling apart, and Morgan wanted her husband gone, but feared losing financial security and custody.
In spring 2010, Morgan hired Stephen Shapell at their landscaping business. He was 21 years old at that time, and Morgan was 15 years older than him. Despite the age gap, she started an affair with him. By Memorial Day weekend, Morgan started planting ideas in Stephen's head about getting rid of Kevin.
Dateline: The murder plan
Stephen and Morgan decided to poison Kevin. Stephen purchased concentrated nicotine and mixed it into Kevin's beverage in June 2010. They hoped the death would look natural, but the poison did not work fast enough.
Stephen had brought shovels that day for any possibility. Around mid-morning, Stephen sent text messages to Morgan from the workshop.
Morgan: Uh, U okay?
Babe!
Shappell: Ya, I'm fine just waiting to see if the snapple works take ur time with the spak plugs
Morgan: He drinkin it?
Shappell: Ya kinda, really just waiting for him to bend over I have a shovel in my hand haha
Morgan: Nice babe.
When Kevin bent down, Stephen hit him in the head with the shovel more than once. The force broke the shovel in two, and Kevin collapsed and died from the attack. Morgan arrived and helped clean up without displaying any emotion.
Dateline: The Cover-Up by Morgan
Morgan grabbed Kevin's cell phone and sent several messages to his family claiming he wanted to be alone. Kevin's family immediately felt something was amiss. Kevin was devoted to his kids and would never miss Father's Day.
Morgan made Kevin's kids send Father's Day messages while they were unaware of their father's murder. She continued posting through his Facebook account to maintain the appearance of normalcy. Kevin's mother sensed something was wrong and contacted the police.
Dateline: The investigation of the case
Detective David Maurer started investigating and questioned Morgan and Stephen separately. Both initially denied being romantically involved with each other. When Detective Maurer arrived at the Gold Club Apartments, he saw Stephen trying to leave in a truck.
Morgan visibly appeared stressed, and Stephe fled the scene. Morgan panicked and at last confessed that Kevin had been killed and put all the blame on Stephen. Police arrested Stephen while he fled Denver, Colorado.
Investigators found hundreds of text messages exchanged between them before and after the murder. The texts displayed Morgan's active role in planning the crime.
Dateline: Justice Served at last
Dateline's episode Toxic covered the court proceedings. Morgan wanted to trial in January 2012, but the trial ended in a mistrial. A second trial was scheduled next year. Later, Morgan pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and conspiracy. She received life in prison without parole plus twenty years of probation.
Stephen Shappell pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and received forty to eighty years in prison. He apologized during the sentencing, but to no avail. Kevin's family attended both proceedings and expressed relief that justice was served.
Dateline: The legacy moving forward
Kevin's three kids lost both parents that day, and their grandparents and aunt stepped in to raise them. The family extended their regards and thanked the community for their support, but the trauma stayed with them forever.
Trending
Dateline revisited this case many years later. The text messages provided clear evidence that made prosecution easier. Morgan's behaviour was very disturbing. She manipulated her kids and displayed zero remorse.
The Dateline episode remains one of the most tragic cases covered, displaying the devastating effects of greed and betrayal.
Reply
