Have you ever worried about someone stealing your identity? Well, buckle up crime junkies, because the Cari Farver case is about to make you change ALL your passwords (and maybe throw your phone into the nearest body of water).
When I first stumbled across this case during one of my 2AM true crime binges (you know, when you should be sleeping but instead you’re seven tabs deep into murder mysteries), I literally gasped so loud I woke up my husband Ryan. He rolled over, mumbled something about “another dead person keeping us awake,” and promptly went back to sleep. But I couldn’t—this case haunted me.
The Disappearance That Wasn’t (Until It Was)
Cari Farver vanished on November 13, 2012, after spending the night at her new boyfriend Dave Kroupa’s apartment in Omaha. But here’s the twist that makes this case as bizarre as finding fingerprints on a clean murder weapon: nobody realized she was missing.
Why? Because “Cari” kept texting. “Cari” kept emailing. “Cari” was still very much digitally alive.
Except she wasn’t. (Cue the dramatic true crime podcast music)
The Digital Ghost
For YEARS after Cari’s physical disappearance, her digital presence remained active. Her accounts sent thousands of messages—some loving, some threatening, some downright unhinged—to Dave, her family members, and even her employers.
The messages were as subtle as a bloodstain on white carpet. “Cari” would send things like “I HATE YOU” and “I’M WATCHING YOU” to Dave one minute, then “I LOVE YOU” the next. She even applied for a job online! (Because apparently, digital ghosts need employment too?)
But the real puppet master behind this digital ventriloquist act? Shanna Golyar—Dave’s ex who had dated him briefly before he met Cari.
The Jealousy-Fueled Impersonation Game
Shanna didn’t just send a few texts pretending to be Cari. She created an elaborate digital performance that would make even the most dedicated catfishers slow-clap in reluctant admiration.
The scope of her deception was staggering:
- Thousands of emails and texts over FOUR YEARS
- Multiple fake social media accounts
- Impersonating not just Cari but creating other fictional characters
- Sending messages to herself FROM “Cari” to appear as a victim
I’ve seen some elaborate crime coverups in my criminology studies, but this one takes the bloody cake. Shanna was playing 4D chess while investigators were still setting up the checkerboard.
How She Almost Got Away With It
The most chilling part? This might have worked indefinitely if not for some seriously impressive digital detective work. Investigators eventually traced IP addresses and discovered photos of Cari’s body hidden in Golyar’s online accounts.
When I read about the digital forensics that cracked this case, I immediately went down a rabbit hole of similar investigations featured on major crime news outlets. The technology that catches killers today would make Sherlock Holmes weep with jealousy.
The Legal Aftermath
In 2017, Shanna Golyar was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus an additional 18-20 years for arson (oh yeah, she also set fire to her own home as part of this twisted plot).
The legal proceedings revealed just how calculated her actions were, with the prosecution building a case that relied heavily on digital evidence—something that’s becoming increasingly common in modern courtrooms according to legal experts at FindLaw.
Could You Spot the Digital Imposter?
The terrifying reality is that most of us wouldn’t. We’re so accustomed to communicating through screens that we rarely question whether the person on the other end is who they claim to be.
Think about it: if someone had your phone and password, how long could they pretend to be you before your friends noticed something was off? (I’ve asked Ryan this question, and his answer—”probably until you missed Taco Tuesday”—was NOT reassuring.)
The Warning Signs We All Miss
The Cari Farver case has been featured in numerous true crime documentaries and shows, with entertainment sites like ScreenRant covering the various media adaptations of this bizarre story. But beyond the entertainment value, there are genuine lessons here.
Digital red flags to watch for:
- Sudden personality changes in messages
- Refusal to video chat or meet in person
- Inconsistent writing styles or response patterns
- Messages that don’t align with known facts
I’ve started paying much closer attention to how my friends text. That slight change in punctuation? That new slang term they’ve never used before? I’m watching you, potential identity thieves! (Would I have survived this crime? Absolutely—I’m paranoid enough to notice if someone starts using periods at the end of texts when they normally don’t.)
The Digital Afterlife
The most unsettling aspect of this case isn’t just the murder—it’s how Cari’s identity continued to “live” long after she was gone. Her digital ghost haunted her loved ones, causing real psychological trauma through nothing more than words on a screen.
Major news outlets like ABC News have reported on similar cases of digital impersonation, though few are as extensive or deadly as what happened to Cari Farver.
So tonight, when you’re scrolling through your phone in the dark (we all do it), maybe take a moment to change a password or two. Because in today’s world, your digital self is just as vulnerable as your physical one—and sometimes, the monsters aren’t hiding under your bed.
They’re hiding behind your screen.