The Obsession That Killed: 5 Shocking Facts About The Mike And Karen Dateline Case And Dana Chandler's Triple-Trial Saga

The decades-long quest for justice in the brutal 2002 double murder of Kansas couple Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness has finally reached a definitive conclusion. As of today, December 12, 2025, the case, famously chronicled on *Dateline NBC*'s "Deadly Obsession," remains a chilling example of how a former spouse's fixation can spiral into deadly violence, culminating in a rare third murder trial and a life sentence for the killer.

The tragic story of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness is not just a cold case solved; it is a complex legal saga that required two decades and three separate jury proceedings to secure a final conviction. This exhaustive process brought to light the shocking evidence of stalking, obsession, and a calculated crime of passion, permanently cementing the names Mike Sisco, Karen Harkness, and Dana Chandler in true crime history.

Mike Sisco, Karen Harkness, and Dana Chandler: A Biographical Profile

To fully understand the intensity and motive behind the crime, it is essential to know the key players involved in this Topeka, Kansas, tragedy.

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• Mike Sisco (Victim):
  • Age at Death: 47 years old.
  • Personal Life: Ex-husband of Dana Chandler and father to their two children.
  • Relationship Status: Engaged to Karen Harkness.
  • Character: Described as a devoted father who was attempting to move on with his life after a difficult divorce.
• Karen Harkness (Victim):
  • Age at Death: 53 years old.
  • Personal Life: Single mother of two children.
  • Relationship Status: Fiancée of Mike Sisco.
  • Circumstances of Death: Found shot multiple times alongside Mike in her basement bedroom in Topeka, Kansas.
• Dana Chandler (Convicted Killer):
  • Age at Sentencing: 65 years old.
  • Personal Life: Mike Sisco’s ex-wife. She was the primary suspect almost immediately due to her history of obsessive behavior and stalking.
  • Current Status: Serving two consecutive life sentences in prison following her third trial conviction.

1. The 2002 Homicide and the Initial ‘Murder-Suicide’ Theory

The horrific crime took place in July 2002 at Karen Harkness's home in Topeka, Kansas. Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness were found dead in the basement bedroom, having been shot multiple times.

The bodies were discovered by their parents, who had come over for a planned family fish fry. The initial appearance of the scene, particularly the positioning of the victims, led some investigators to briefly consider a murder-suicide scenario.

However, Detective Richard Volley and other authorities quickly dismissed this theory, noting key details at the crime scene that suggested an outside perpetrator. The lack of forced entry, combined with the nature of the gunshot wounds, pointed toward someone known to the victims who harbored a "deadly obsession."

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The investigation soon focused on Dana Chandler, Mike Sisco's ex-wife, whose actions in the months leading up to the murder painted a clear picture of escalating obsession and jealousy over Mike’s new relationship with Karen Harkness.

2. Dana Chandler’s Obsession and the Stalking Evidence

The prosecution's core argument across all three trials centered on Dana Chandler’s intense, years-long obsession with her ex-husband, Mike Sisco, and her inability to accept his new life with Karen.

Witness testimony revealed that Chandler had been actively stalking Mike and Karen. Friends, including Mark Boots, testified that Mike and Karen had expressed fear for their lives due to Dana's behavior.

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The motive was presented as a classic crime of passion—a jealous ex-spouse unable to cope with the finality of her divorce and the sight of her former husband finding happiness with another woman. The evidence suggested that Chandler's emotional turmoil transitioned into a calculated plan to eliminate the couple.

Key pieces of circumstantial evidence, though not always enough to secure a conviction in earlier trials, included Dana Chandler’s lack of a credible alibi for the night of the murders and a documented pattern of harassment against the couple.

3. The Unprecedented Three-Trial Legal Saga

The legal battle to convict Dana Chandler for the 2002 murders was one of the most drawn-out and complex in Kansas history, requiring an unprecedented three separate trials over two decades. This legal complexity is why the case gained so much national attention on *Dateline*.

• First Trial (2012): Dana Chandler was initially convicted of two counts of first-degree murder. She was sentenced to two consecutive life terms.
• Conviction Overturned: The 2012 conviction was later overturned by the Kansas Supreme Court due to prosecutorial misconduct, specifically the improper introduction of evidence, leading to her release on bond with GPS monitoring while she awaited a new trial.
• Second Trial (2020): The retrial resulted in a hung jury, meaning the jury could not reach a unanimous decision, leading to a mistrial. This was a major setback for the families seeking closure.

4. The Third and Final Guilty Verdict and Sentencing

The third trial, held in Pottawatomie County, finally brought the legal saga to a close. A jury found Dana Chandler guilty of the double homicide of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness.

The prosecution, led by Deputy DA Charles Kitt, presented a compelling case built on circumstantial evidence, motive, and a powerful narrative of obsession. A pivotal moment in the legal proceedings involved the introduction of a jailhouse sting operation, which, while not a direct confession, provided crucial context to Chandler’s character and relationship with the truth.

In a recent court proceeding, Judge Cheryl Rios handed down the final sentence to Dana Chandler.

She was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison, with no eligibility for parole for 25 years. This sentence ensures that Chandler, now in her mid-sixties, will likely spend the remainder of her life incarcerated for the 2002 murders.

5. Where is Dana Chandler Now? The Finality of Justice

The conviction and sentencing of Dana Chandler represent the final chapter in the true crime case of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness. After two decades of legal battles, appeals, and retrials, the families of the victims finally received a measure of closure.

Dana Chandler is currently serving her sentence in a Kansas correctional facility. The finality of the sentence—two consecutive life terms—means her legal options for appeal are significantly limited, and the guilty verdict from the Pottawatomie County jury stands.

The case of Mike and Karen, as detailed on *Dateline NBC*, serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked obsession and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement and the victims' families, who waited over twenty years for this resolution. The story is a testament to the persistence required to solve cold cases, even those involving complex family dynamics and multiple trials.