Benton County Sheriff’s Office
A love triangle ended in murder; but who killed Anna Repkina? Take a look at the evidence investigators used to solve the crime.
Anna Repkina, a 26-year-old Moscow native, was looking for love after a tough breakup. She joined a Russian social networking site to meet new people. She found what she was looking for when she met 26-year-old Oregonian Will Hargrove, who happened to have an affinity for all things Russian. The pair quickly formed an exciting virtual relationship.
Taking the Next Step
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Will Hargrove and Anna Repkina hit it off. They chatted online constantly, sending thousands of messages, memes and photos. They found they had a lot in common, especially their love for music. As their relationship took off, Anna decided to fly to the States to spend the holidays with Will and see if their virtual love would stand up to reality.
Whirlwind Romance
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Anna Repkina spent a whirlwind 10 days with Will Hargrove in Oregon. Will took her on trips to see the coast, she met his friends and they rang in the new year together. Will had swept Anna off her feet. At the end of her trip, Will proposed and Anna said yes.
Another Woman
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Anna Repkina’s road to romance would have an unexpected detour. It turns out Will Hargrove was dating another woman, 33-year-old Michelle Chavez. But Chavez was married. As a promise to end her failing marriage and only be with Will, she gave him her wedding ring.
The Ring
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
When Will Hargrove proposed to Anna Repkina, he used this ring, seen here on Anna’s hand. Little did Anna know, this was the same ring that Michelle Chavez gave to Will as a promise to end her marriage. When Michelle saw a Facebook post Anna had shared wearing Michelle’s ring, she was furious.
A Shocking Discovery
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Anna Rekina’s body was found by a caretaker on a remote logging road in Alsea. She has been killed by a single shotgun blast to the head. After his startling discovery, the caretaker made his way to a nearby convenience store and the clerk there called the authorities. Once on scene, law enforcement found important clues surrounding Anna’s body.
A Crucial Clue
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Cigarette cartons, candy wrappers and fast food bags were among the items Lt. Chris Duffitt found near Anna’s body. “Anna was discarded…along with the other trash,” he said. But the biggest clue was a KFC receipt found pressed up against a clear plastic bag. The receipt had a date and time, and a debit card number linked to someone named Kevin Thomas.
The Smoking Gun
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Investigators spoke to Kevin Thomas, a friend of Will Hargrove, who said they ate together at KFC every Friday. He also said that Will recently asked Kevin to borrow something that belonged to him; his shotgun. Kevin reported Will said he wanted to borrow the gun to “go up to the woods and blow off some steam.”
Shopping Spree
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
After Anna Repkina disappeared, Will Hargrove took money out of her bank accounts. With a sudden influx of cash, Will made his car insurance payment. He was also caught on surveillance video buying cigars and Legos. He told Kevin Thomas that he was, “spending money he shouldn’t” to make himself feel better.
Time Travel
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
In the days following his fiancée’s disappearance, Will Hargrove exhibited more strange behavior. He launched a deep dive online researching time travel. He messaged strangers on WhatsApp asking for advice on how to travel back in time to correct a “horrible mistake” for someone he called his “best friend.”
Where was the Trash?
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Investigators eventually question Will Hargrove. He admitted to dumping some trash from KFC on the day Anna Repkina was murdered, but said he left it at the Alsea Mercantile, not in the woods where Anna’s body was found.
Under Arrest
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Investigators are not buying Will’s story. Lt. Chris Duffitt turns up the heat on Will and says, “Your trash was found where somebody was killed.” Will acts surprised to hear this, and soon after asks for a lawyer. Investigators place Will under arrest for the murder of his fiancée, Anna Repkina.
The Trial
CBS News
In October 2019, Will Hargrove went on trial for murder. Prosecutors Amie Matusko and Ryan Joslin tell the jury about Will’s plan to murder Anna Repkina, while the defense points the finger at the other woman, Michelle Chavez, saying she had the motive to kill Anna.
Star Witness
CBS News
In a stunning 14-hour testimony, Michelle Chavez testified for the prosecution. She told the court that she did give Will Hargrove an ultimatum to choose between her and Anna, but said she never meant for Anna to be killed. “Her life was turned upside down by this case, and she showed up and she did the right thing. That’s tough. That’s super tough,” says Prosecutor Amie Matusko.
An Unbreakable Bond
Lt. Chris Duffitt
The jury deliberated for less than three hours. Will Hargrove was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 25 years.
The jurors in this case formed a unique bond during the course of the trial. After the trial, they erected a cross in Anna’s memory where she was killed.
Remembering Anna
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Anna Repkina will always be remembered as the young, vivacious Moscow native who flew to the U.S. with the promise of love. “I think you have to remember Anna as the sweet, loving, caring person who put herself out there to be loved. Because Anna was loved. She was loved alive, and she was loved after,” said Prosecutor Amie Matusko.