She Was Found Dead in an Abandoned House — Then Her Husband Disappeared for Six Years

A young woman’s tragic death in South Carolina led to a years-long manhunt, a cross-country disappearance, and a murder conviction that continues to draw attention.

Catherine “Cati” Blauvelt, 22, was last seen alive in October 2016. When she failed to meet up with friends after work, her family reported her missing. Friends eventually searched an abandoned farmhouse in Simpsonville, South Carolina, where they discovered her body in the basement.

Investigators determined that Cati had been stabbed to death. The case quickly focused on her estranged husband, John Blauvelt, a former U.S. Army recruiter.

A marriage that had fallen apart

Cati and John had separated months before her death. According to reports, their relationship had become troubled, and Cati had previously reported a domestic violence incident and sought a restraining order.

Authorities began looking closely at John as the investigation developed. In November 2016, warrants were issued charging him with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

But before investigators could bring him to trial, John disappeared.

He left the area with Hannah Thompson, who was 17 at the time. The pair traveled across several states, making the search increasingly difficult for authorities.

Six years on the run

For years, investigators worked to track John down. The U.S. Marshals Service eventually joined the effort, following leads that ultimately pointed toward Oregon.

In July 2022, John was located and arrested in Medford, Oregon, where authorities said he had been living under an assumed identity.

The arrest brought an end to a six-year search and allowed the case to move toward trial.

Thompson later became a key witness in the investigation. She was charged in connection with actions taken after the murder and pleaded guilty in August 2025 to obstruction of justice and misprision of a felony. She received three years of probation.

A life sentence — and a family still grieving

In September 2024, John Blauvelt was convicted of murdering Cati and possessing a weapon during a violent crime. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

His conviction is being appealed, according to reports.

Cati’s loved ones remember her as a kind-hearted young woman who loved animals and Harry Potter. Her mother and friends have spoken about the lasting pain of losing her and the difficulty of moving forward after such a devastating crime.

The case has returned to public attention following an October 2026 episode of ABC’s 20/20, which revisited the investigation and the years-long search for John.

Behind the headlines, Cati’s story remains a reminder of the lasting impact violent crime can have on families, friends, and entire communities.

Sources:

• PEOPLE
• ABC News
• CBS News