When it first happened, the murder of Ryan Cooper did not appear to be a crime, and therefore, there was a great deal of uncertainty regarding the investigation.The case began on a farm located in Traer, Iowa, a place where there is little to no criminal activity. When the local Sheriff arrived on the scene, he was not aware that he was in the middle of a murder and had no idea of what he would soon discover.As a farmer, Ryan Cooper was dedicated to providing for his family, including being the father of three children and husband of his wife, Karina Cooper. On June 18, 2021, Ryan was found dead in his living room by his wife, Karina Cooper shot in the face while sitting in his recliner. Karina Cooper provided the first report on the death of Ryan Cooper. There were many more questions than answers surrounding this tragic event.NBC's Dateline later returned to this case in an episode called The Farmer's Wife. Reporter Andrea Canning walked viewers through how the case unfolded over several years.June 18, 2021: The day Ryan Cooper was found deadOn June 18, 2021, deputies were sent to the farmhouse in Traer, Iowa. Upon arrival, they discovered that Ryan Cooper had been murdered while sitting in his reclining chair. His death was due to having been shot twice at close range. There was no indication that anyone had tried to enter forcibly, and it was evident that nothing had been taken from the residence leading up to Cooper's death. Evidence suggested it was a very normal and peaceful environment.Karina Cooper was inside the house when police arrived. Officers later said she was sitting on or very close to her husband's body. This detail stood out to investigators, though no arrest was made at the time. Paramedics confirmed Ryan Cooper was dead at the scene.Police interviewed Karina and others. At that point, the case was still open, but investigators did not know who pulled the trigger or why. The children were taken from the home while police began their investigation.In the days that followed, detectives looked at the house, spoke with neighbours, and reviewed early evidence. There was no clear suspect, and for a while, the case seemed stuck.As weeks passed, investigators began looking into Ryan Cooper and Karina's personal lives. This included phone records and online messages. This step would later change the entire case.Police also learned that Ryan Cooper had a life insurance policy worth about $500,000. Karina Cooper was listed as the main receiver. At the time, this was noted but not made public. For nearly three years, the case remained open. No arrests were made, and detectives continued working behind the scenes.2024–2025: Arrests, trial, and final sentencesIn February 2024, the case finally reopened. Karina Cooper was arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of Ryan Cooper. Authorities said the charge meant they believed the killing was planned and intentional.Prosecutors said digital evidence played a major role. Messages found on Karina’s phone showed she had been in a secret relationship with a younger man named Huston Danker. The messages included talk about a future together, and Ryan Cooper was never a part of it. Investigators said the messages helped explain the motive. They also helped show timing. According to prosecutors, the messages connected people and actions in a clear order.Huston Danker was later charged in the case. In 2025, he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Karina Cooper’s trial followed. Jurors heard testimony from law enforcement, digital experts, and others close to the case. They saw phone data and read messages shown in court.After days of testimony, the jury reached a verdict. Karina Cooper was found guilty of first-degree murder. She was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Later that year, Huston Danker was also sentenced to life in prison without parole. With both sentences complete, the legal part of the case ended.The case remains a reminder of how long truth can stay hidden. Dateline revisited the story to show how time, patience, and records can reveal what really happened.