“Down the Basement Stairs”: Dateline Reports on Annamarie Cochrane Rintala Homicide May 10 2025

This Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 9/8c, Dateline NBC will air a powerful episode titled “Down the Basement Stairs,” hosted by Dennis Murphy. The episode explores the haunting case of Cara Rintala, who was convicted in connection with the 2010 strangulation death of her wife, Annamarie Cochrane Rintala. The story, marked by multiple trials, appeals, and a controversial legal journey, centers around a murder that shocked the small town of Granby, Massachusetts.

Annamarie, a beloved paramedic and mother, was discovered dead at the bottom of her basement stairs, covered in blood and paint. Cara, also a paramedic, was initially seen as a grieving spouse, but investigators soon became suspicious. The episode takes viewers through the twists of the investigation, the legal complexities, and the emotional impact left on the families involved.

The Life of Annamarie Cochrane Rintala

Annamarie Cochrane Rintala was known for her lively spirit, her warm smile, and her dedication to helping others. As a paramedic, she thrived in high-pressure situations and enjoyed being the center of celebration among friends and family. Those close to her described her as energetic and vibrant, always ready to sing at a party or lend a hand when needed.

Annamarie’s personal life was more complicated. Her relationship with Cara Rintala, whom she met on the job, was passionate but tumultuous. The couple eventually married, joining the early wave of same-sex marriages in Massachusetts, and adopted a daughter named Brianna. While they built a family together, tensions beneath the surface would later come to light during the investigation into Annamarie’s death.

The Day of the Murder

On March 29, 2010, Cara Rintala called 911 after finding Annamarie dead at the bottom of their basement stairs. According to Cara, Annamarie had come home from an overnight shift that morning, spent time with their daughter, and then asked Cara to take their child out so she could rest before another shift. Cara told police she left the home around 3 p.m. and returned hours later to discover Annamarie’s body.

When officers arrived, they found Cara cradling Annamarie, who was covered in blood and smeared with light-colored paint. The scene was chaotic and unusual, with paint splattered across the basement. Cara’s emotional reaction seemed genuine at first, but investigators noticed inconsistencies. The paint, still wet, raised questions about the timeline. Meanwhile, rigor mortis had already begun, suggesting Annamarie had died much earlier than Cara claimed.

Investigating a Troubled Relationship

As detectives pieced together the evidence, they uncovered a troubled relationship between Cara and Annamarie. Police records showed a history of domestic disputes, including a 2008 arrest for assault and mutual restraining orders filed in 2009. Friends and family spoke of heated arguments and physical altercations that underscored the couple’s volatility.

Investigators also examined Annamarie’s love life, learning of her emotional affair with a coworker and a rekindled relationship with an ex-girlfriend during a separation from Cara. Financial entanglements with both of these individuals added further complexity. Prosecutors theorized that escalating tensions led to a fatal confrontation the day of Annamarie’s death.

The Trials and Legal Battle

Cara Rintala was arrested in 2011 and charged with murder, but her legal journey would span more than a decade. Her first two trials, held in 2013 and 2014, ended in hung juries. In 2016, a third jury convicted her of first-degree murder, resulting in a life sentence without parole. Prosecutors emphasized the violent nature of the crime and her efforts to stage the crime scene with paint to mislead authorities.

However, in 2021, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court overturned the conviction, citing unreliable testimony from a prosecution expert about the paint’s drying time. This ruling set the stage for a rare fourth trial, held in 2023. In this trial, prosecutors focused less on forensic evidence and more on the circumstantial case built from Cara’s timeline and actions.

Final Conviction and Sentencing

In the fourth trial, the jury returned a verdict of voluntary manslaughter, a lesser charge than first-degree murder. In October 2023, Judge Francis Flannery sentenced Cara Rintala to 12 to 14 years in prison, crediting her for the seven and a half years she had already served. The judge acknowledged the profound impact of Cara’s actions, stating that her choices had deprived her daughter of both parents.

Defense attorneys argued for a lighter sentence, citing Cara’s work as a paramedic, her lack of a prior criminal record, and her role as a caregiver. The prosecution, however, maintained that Cara’s deliberate actions to cover up the crime warranted accountability. Appeals and motions to reduce her sentence were denied in 2024, leaving Cara to serve several more years in prison.

Remembering Annamarie and the Impact on Family

For Annamarie’s family, the legal outcome could not undo the loss. Her uncle, Pasquale Martin, described the pain of losing his niece to such violence. Her former sister-in-law, Jen Cochrane, hoped the world would remember Annamarie for her joyful personality rather than the tragic circumstances of her death.

Cara’s conviction brought a measure of closure, but also lasting sadness for a family torn apart. Their daughter, just three years old at the time of the murder, grew up without either of her mothers. The case remains a cautionary tale of domestic violence, betrayal, and the enduring consequences of a split-second decision that changed many lives.

Dateline’s “Down the Basement Stairs” brings viewers deep into the investigation, the courtroom drama, and the personal stories left in the wake of this tragic case. It’s a detailed look at a complex journey through the criminal justice system, airing Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 9/8c on NBC.