Ex-Army recruiter blamed wife for his demotion. Did he kill her for revenge?
February 22, 2026 at 02:56 AM
By CBS NewsCati Blauvelt was discovered in an abandoned South Carolina farmhouse in 2016 — a broken knife blade inside her body. Almost immediately, her friends had one suspect in mind: John Blauvelt, her estranged husband, a once-respected Army recruiter.
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Cati Blauvelt was discovered in an abandoned South Carolina farmhouse in 2016 — a broken knife blade inside her body Cati Blauvelt was discovered in an abandoned South Carolina farmhouse in 2016 — a broken knife blade inside her body. Almost immediately, her friends Monitor developments in Ex-Army for further updates.
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Cati Blauvelt was discovered in an abandoned South Carolina farmhouse in 2016 — a broken knife blade
Cati Blauvelt was discovered in an abandoned South Carolina farmhouse in 2016 — a broken knife blade inside her body. Almost immediately, her friends had one suspect in mind: John Blauvelt, her estranged husband, a once-respected Army recruiter.
48 Hours Ex-Army recruiter blamed wife Cati Blauvelt for his demotion. Did he kill her for revenge? By Peter Van Sant, Peter Van Sant Correspondent, "48 Hours" Peter Van Sant is an award-winning correspondent for "48 Hours, where his true crime and justice reporting is featured across multiple CBS News broadcasts and platforms. During a career that spans nearly five decades, Van Sant has covered many of the most significant events of our lifetime. Additionally, Van Sant hosts the "Trained to Kill" and "Blood is Thicker" podcasts. Read Full Bio Peter Van Sant, James Stolz Updated on: February 21, 2026 / 9:56 PM EST / CBS News Add CBS News on Google This story originally aired on March 8, 2025. It was updated on Feb. 21, 2026.In the soft South Carolina night, in the city of Simpsonville, Cati Blauvelt was missing. It had been two fearful days for her mom, Patti Piver.Patti Piver: I just was terrified that something was gonna happen to her.Then, past midnight on Oct. 26 2016, investigators Cheryl Schofield and Keith Morecraft were dispatched to the scene. Cati's mangled body had been found in an abandoned farmhouse. She was 22 years old. A knife blade left in her body.Investigator Keith Morecraft: There was a rectangular concrete box kind of in the center of the basement. … We found Cati's body inside that box.Capt. Cheryl Schofield: Her body had basically been folded into this box. It was a picture of what you would see in a horror movie. "Cati was 5'1". She was a teeny, little thing," Patti Piver said of her daughter, Cati Boyter Blauvelt. "She was just a free spirit. She made friends so easily." Jennifer Piver Cati's mom was overwhelmed. Patti Piver: I was totally empty inside. … She did not deserve to be murdered.Jennifer Piver is Cati's stepsister.Jennifer Piver: I just prayed and cried and … Just sick. Just sick.Morecraft and another investigator went to tell John Blauvelt his wife's body had been found. Investigator Keith Morecraft: We went to make the death notification.INVESTIGATOR (death notification visit): I'm so sorry for your loss, sir.At first, Blauvelt appeared distressed. But as the conversation progressed his demeanor changed.Investigator Keith Morecraft: Didn't ask normal questions … such as … where did you find her? How did she die?Peter Van Sant: He wasn't shocked by the news? Investigator Keith Morecraft: He didn't seem to be at all.Peter Van Sant: What did that suggest to you? Investigator Keith Morecraft: That he knew how she died. He knew where her body was.John Blauvelt did have one question. But it wasn't about Cati.JOHN BLAUVELT (death notification visit): Am I being charged with a crime? Because he's recording me. And I'm not comfortable with that. INVESTIGATOR MORECRAFT: You're not being charged —JOHN BLAUVELT: OK.INVESTIGATOR MORECRAFT: — with a crime right now.Peter Van Sant: Right away you sensed this could be our guy. Investigator Keith Morecraft: I was pretty confident at the time.But they couldn't arrest him on a feeling. First Morecraft and Schofield had evidence to gather and a case to build. But just as they got started, John Blauvelt took to the road. Traveling with him was Hannah Thompson, his new girlfriend, all of 17.Peter Van Sant: How concerned were you about Hannah's safety?Capt. Cheryl Schofield: If he was willing to kill his own wife, there's no telling what kind of danger Hannah Thompson would've been in by fleeing with him.When Cati met John BlauveltBut John Blauvelt hadn't always been considered threatening. Back in 2014, in the quiet city of some 20,000, he was a welcome part of the community — the larger than life, public face of the U.S. Army.Peter Van Sant: A person of principle, someone willing to sacrifice.Patti Piver: Yes. Peter Van Sant: For his country.Patti Piver: That's what I think. Peter Van Sant: These are all admirable traits, right?Patti Piver: Yeah exactly. "Somebody's in the military, you can rely on 'em. And I think she wanted that. Somebody stable and … dependable, Patti Piver said of her daughter Cati meeting soldier John Blauvelt. Jennifer Piver It was then that John Blauvelt met Cati, just yards from his recruiting office at a sub shop where she worked. Cati turned 20 and Blauvelt was 26. They started dating.Capt. Cheryl Schofield: And they just hit it off.Patti Piver: She's lovable, caring, funny. Who wouldn't fall in love with her? In the summer of 2015, recruiter Blauvelt convinced Cati to enlist. But after just two months, a health issue prevented her from finishing her training.Patti Piver: They found a problem with her spine. … She got a medical discharge out of the Army.While Cati's military hopes were dashed, Blauvelt told friends he had found his calling. Staff Sergeant John Blauvelt was working at the Armed Forces Center as a recruiter for the military. He was a role model to local teens. Instagram With his war stories about his deployments in Iraq and his sharp
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