John Blauvelt Convicted in Cati Blauvelt Murder Case

ABC's 20/20 revisited the murder of 22-year-old Cati Blauvelt in Simpsonville, South Carolina, after she was found stabbed in an abandoned house basement in 2016, leading investigators to pursue her estranged husband John Blauvelt and a years-long manhunt.

According to ABC News, Blauvelt's friends found her body on Oct. 26, 2016, after searching a location they knew she frequented. Investigators determined she died from a stab wound and later focused on her estranged husband.

Police initially questioned two friends who discovered the body, but they were cleared after cooperating with investigators. Security footage showing Blauvelt's car arriving after her death became part of the investigation.

Blauvelt's family and friends described her as a caring person who loved animals. Her friend and co-worker Maggie Jones recalled her personality.

"She had the biggest heart I think I've ever known," said Maggie Jones, Blauvelt's friend and co-worker.

Jones also described Blauvelt's kindness and interests while speaking about her relationship with animals and the people around her.

"Never met anybody that she was unkind to. Absolutely obsessed with animals. Loved Harry Potter." said Maggie Jones, Blauvelt's friend and co-worker.

Investigators later examined John Blauvelt's actions after the killing, including his appearance at Cati's funeral with 17-year-old Hannah Thompson, whom police identified as his girlfriend.

John Blauvelt told police the couple had been deeply troubled before her death.

"The worst couple ever" said John Blauvelt, describing his relationship with Cati Blauvelt.

After leaving the area with Thompson, John Blauvelt remained missing for years. According to Whatsondisneyplus.com, authorities eventually found him in Medford, Oregon, where he had been living under an alias.

Thompson later returned to South Carolina and testified against John Blauvelt, whose conviction was supported by video evidence and other investigative findings. A jury found him guilty, and he received life in prison without the possibility of parole while appealing the conviction.

Before investigators located her, Cati Blauvelt's niece Chyanne Paxton Davenport recalled their final phone conversation, during which Cati sounded unusual.

"I don't really know." said Cati Blauvelt, according to her niece's account of their final phone call.

ABC's episode "Born to Kill" aired on Oct. 9, 2026, and examined the case as part of the long-running 20/20 investigative series.