Dateline NBC’s episode “The Bad Man,” hosted by Andrea Canning, returns to one of the most haunting unsolved cases in New York State: the 1982 ax murder of 29-year-old Cathy Krauseneck in Brighton. For decades, the crime remained a chilling mystery, marked by speculation, controversy, and heartbreak. Now, more than 40 years later, the program investigates how advances in forensic science and relentless detective work finally led to the trial and conviction of Cathy’s husband, James Krauseneck.
The episode outlines how the case, once considered ice-cold, found renewed life through the efforts of local investigators and the FBI. With exclusive interviews and trial coverage, “The Bad Man” highlights the journey from a brutal killing to a high-profile courtroom battle that divided a family and captivated the public.
Contents
The Morning of the Murder
On February 19, 1982, Jim Krauseneck claimed he left his Brighton, New York home around 6:30 a.m. to begin his day as an economist at Kodak. When he returned home after 5:00 p.m., he said he discovered a horrific scene: his wife Cathy was dead in bed, a wood-splitting ax embedded in her skull. Their 3-year-old daughter Sara was unharmed in her room. Jim immediately fled to a neighbor’s house, cradling Sara in his arms, and asked for help.
Police arrived to find what initially looked like a burglary. A pane of glass near the door was broken, and valuables, including a silver tea set and Cathy’s purse, were strewn about. However, nothing appeared to have been taken. Officers also discovered a maul—the type of heavy ax used in the killing—leaning next to the broken door. Investigators quickly grew suspicious that the scene had been staged.
Initial Investigation and Lingering Questions
Cathy’s autopsy revealed that she died from a single fatal blow to the head. The medical examiner placed her time of death between 4:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.—an inconvenient range that did not conclusively prove whether Jim was home or at work when the murder occurred. Police also interviewed Sara, who vaguely described seeing a “bad man” with an ax in the bed. Her statements, however, were inconsistent and likely reflected her confusion at seeing her mother’s bloodied body.
Attention turned to Jim after investigators discovered he had misrepresented his academic credentials to Kodak, claiming to hold a Ph.D. he had never earned. He had also left Rochester abruptly the day after Cathy’s murder, traveling to Michigan with his daughter and avoiding further interviews. Without forensic evidence or eyewitnesses, police lacked the confidence to bring charges. The case went cold.
The Shadow of Ed Laraby
In 2014, convicted serial rapist and career criminal Edward Laraby, dying in prison from ALS, claimed responsibility for Cathy’s murder. Laraby had a history of violent crimes against women and lived close to the Krausenecks at the time of the killing. He had previously confessed to the 1991 murder of Stephanie Kupchynsky, a young teacher who had also lived nearby.
Despite Laraby’s confession, authorities rejected his claim. His description of the victim did not match Cathy, and there were no signs of sexual assault at the scene. Investigators determined that his statement lacked factual support and did not align with known evidence. They dismissed the possibility that Laraby was responsible, choosing instead to renew focus on Jim Krauseneck.
Reopening the Case and the Role of Forensics
In 2015, Brighton detectives Mark Liberatore and Steve Hunt, with assistance from the FBI, reopened the investigation. They reexamined old evidence using modern forensic techniques and hired Dr. Michael Baden, a high-profile forensic pathologist, to reassess Cathy’s autopsy. Baden concluded that Cathy likely died around 3:30 a.m., placing Jim at home during the window of time she was killed.
This opinion proved pivotal. In November 2019, a grand jury indicted Jim Krauseneck on one count of second-degree murder. He was arrested and brought back to New York to face trial. His supporters, including his wife Sharon and daughter Sara, maintained his innocence and insisted the case relied on circumstantial evidence and outdated assumptions.
The 2022 Trial and Testimony
At trial, prosecutors argued that the burglary scene had been staged to mislead investigators. They highlighted the unusual positioning of household items and the fact that nothing was missing from the home. A shoeprint found in a trash bag near the silver tea set was also scrutinized. An expert testified it was consistent with boat shoes, similar to those Jim wore. However, the shoes were never tested for confirmation.
Defense attorneys countered that the prosecution relied heavily on Dr. Baden’s controversial opinion. Another forensic pathologist, Dr. Katherine Maloney, testified for the defense, saying the time of death could not be determined with any precision and may have occurred after Jim had gone to work. The defense also reiterated that there were no eyewitnesses, no physical evidence, and no clear motive.
The Verdict and Sentencing
After just under 10 hours of deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict on September 26, 2022. Jim Krauseneck was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. During sentencing, both Jim and Sara addressed the court, maintaining that he was innocent. Sara called the outcome a failure of justice, claiming her father had been wrongly accused and her mother’s real killer had gone free.
Cathy’s father, Bob Schlosser, expressed a different view. He told reporters that justice had finally been served. For years, he had defended Jim, but by the time of the trial, he believed his son-in-law had been the killer all along.
Aftermath and Jim Krauseneck’s Death
Jim Krauseneck died of cancer in May 2023, just six months into his prison sentence. Because his appeal was still pending at the time of his death, his conviction was vacated under New York law. Sharon and Sara Krauseneck continue to stand by him, asserting his innocence and working to clear his name posthumously.
The case remains deeply polarizing. While prosecutors believe the evidence pointed clearly to Jim as the killer, others argue that the state’s case was based on a disputed timeline and circumstantial evidence. The presence of an alternative suspect, even if discredited, continues to raise questions for many observers.
Legacy of the Case
The Brighton ax murder remains a defining cold case in American criminal history. For decades, Cathy Krauseneck’s murder was a symbol of injustice and unanswered questions. The trial, conviction, and subsequent death of Jim Krauseneck have not resolved those tensions. Dateline NBC’s “The Bad Man” explores the complexities behind the headlines—broken trust, forensic uncertainty, and a family divided by tragedy.
While some now see the case as closed, others believe the final chapter has yet to be written.