In a chilling turn of events, a routine morning at Mississippi Ridge Kennels in Bellevue, Iowa, transformed into a nightmare when Angela Prichard encountered her estranged husband, Christopher Prichard, armed with a shotgun. This tragic incident unfolded on October 8, 2022, leading to a shocking murder that has since captured national attention.
Special Agent Dustin Henningsen from the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation has been pivotal in piecing together the timeline of that fateful day. “You can hear the dogs barking in the middle of the night,” he revealed during an interview for CBS’s “48 Hours.” “We determined that was likely when he arrived at the kennels.” The early morning hours, close to 4 a.m., set the stage for a confrontation that would end in tragedy.
Just a day before the incident, Christopher Prichard reportedly entered a nearby barn and navigated through the woods to reach the kennel. Angela’s sister, Wendy Budde, disclosed that he was familiar with the combination to access the facility. When Angela arrived for work, she was met with a horrifying sight—her estranged husband waiting with a shotgun.
In a desperate attempt to seek help, Angela called 911, her voice filled with fear as she pleaded, “please get out,” followed by a frantic “Chris!” The call captured the harrowing moment, including the sound of a gunshot, as Angela identified her attacker.
Only weeks prior, Angela had taken steps to protect herself, securing a restraining order against Christopher due to ongoing harassment and threats. After leaving their shared home and moving in with her sister, she hoped to find safety. Tragically, just nine days before her death, an arrest warrant was issued for Christopher for violating that restraining order. Angela’s family believes that local authorities could have done more to apprehend him, especially in a small town like Bellevue.
Following a lengthy manhunt, Christopher Prichard was apprehended and charged with first-degree murder and robbery. He was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in March 2024, bringing a measure of closure to a heart-wrenching case.
In a further twist, Angela’s family has filed a lawsuit against the City of Bellevue and three police officers, alleging negligence in their duty to protect her. However, a federal judge dismissed the case in January 2025, and the family is currently appealing the decision.
As this tragic story continues to unfold, many are left wondering: what changes can be made to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future?
