Digest

This episode of Cold Case Files delves into the chilling story of Dennis Larson, a man with a pattern of marrying women, taking out life insurance policies with double indemnity clauses, and then their deaths occurring under suspicious circumstances. The episode begins with the disappearance of Leslie Larson in Montana in 1975. Her husband, Dennis, claimed she drowned in a creek, but a local patrolman, Dan LaFran Boise, found inconsistencies in his story and suspected foul play. Despite extensive searches, Leslie's body was never found, and the case went cold. Years later, Dennis Larson moved to Maine and married Kathy Frost. Within weeks of their marriage, he took out a life insurance policy on her, again with a double indemnity clause. Tragically, Kathy died after falling from a cliff in Acadia National Park. Her mother, Audrey Pomeroy, was suspicious of Dennis from the start, citing her daughter's fear of heights and the life insurance policy. The police investigation revealed a disturbing pattern: Dennis had a history of collecting insurance money after his wives died under suspicious circumstances. The detectives confronted Dennis, who initially denied any wrongdoing but eventually confessed to pushing Kathy off the cliff. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 50 years in prison. The conviction in Maine prompted Leslie Larson's mother, Lois Reynolds, to contact authorities in Montana, leading to a renewed investigation. After years of searching, Lois's persistence and the evidence of Dennis's pattern of behavior led to a confession from Dennis, who admitted to pushing Leslie into a creek, where she drowned. While justice was served for Lois, the mystery of Leslie's body remains unsolved. The episode highlights the importance of persistence and the power of a mother's love in seeking justice for her lost daughter.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Disappearance of Leslie Larson

This Chapter begins with the disappearance of Leslie Larson in Montana in 1975. Her husband, Dennis, claimed she drowned in a creek, but a local patrolman, Dan LaFran Boise, found inconsistencies in his story and suspected foul play. Despite extensive searches, Leslie's body was never found, and the case went cold.

00:07:35

The Death of Kathy Frost

This Chapter introduces Kathy Frost, Dennis Larson's second wife. Within weeks of their marriage, Dennis took out a life insurance policy on Kathy, again with a double indemnity clause. Tragically, Kathy died after falling from a cliff in Acadia National Park. Her mother, Audrey Pomeroy, was suspicious of Dennis from the start, citing her daughter's fear of heights and the life insurance policy.

00:14:52

The Investigation and Confession

This Chapter details the investigation into Kathy's death, which revealed Dennis's pattern of collecting insurance money after his wives died under suspicious circumstances. The detectives confronted Dennis, who initially denied any wrongdoing but eventually confessed to pushing Kathy off the cliff. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 50 years in prison.

00:19:42

Justice for Leslie

This Chapter focuses on the reopening of Leslie Larson's case in Montana. Lois Reynolds, Leslie's mother, contacted authorities after Dennis's conviction in Maine, leading to a renewed investigation. After years of searching, Lois's persistence and the evidence of Dennis's pattern of behavior led to a confession from Dennis, who admitted to pushing Leslie into a creek, where she drowned. While justice was served for Lois, the mystery of Leslie's body remains unsolved.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was the pattern of behavior that Dennis Larson exhibited in both of his marriages?

  Dennis Larson married women, took out life insurance policies on them with double indemnity clauses, and then their deaths occurred under suspicious circumstances. He collected insurance money after both of his wives died.

• What evidence led investigators to suspect Dennis Larson in the death of his second wife, Kathy Frost?

  Kathy's mother, Audrey Pomeroy, was suspicious from the start, citing her daughter's fear of heights and the life insurance policy. The police investigation revealed a disturbing pattern: Dennis had a history of collecting insurance money after his wives died under suspicious circumstances.

• How did Dennis Larson's confession to the murder of Leslie Larson come about?

  After Dennis was convicted of murdering his second wife in Maine, Leslie's mother, Lois Reynolds, contacted authorities in Montana, leading to a renewed investigation. After years of searching, Lois's persistence and the evidence of Dennis's pattern of behavior led to a confession from Dennis, who admitted to pushing Leslie into a creek, where she drowned.

• What remains a mystery in the case of Leslie Larson?

  Despite Dennis's confession, Leslie Larson's body has never been found. This leaves a poignant question mark for her mother, Lois Reynolds, who continues to search for her daughter's remains.

• What is the significance of the word "cheronimo" found on the tape wrapped around Dennis Larson's mouth when his body was found?

  The word "cheronimo" was scrawled across the tape wrapped around Dennis Larson's mouth when his body was found. The official cause of death was listed as suicide, but the meaning of the word and its connection to Dennis's death remain unclear.

Show Notes