Recruiter On The Run: The 5 Most Shocking Facts About The John Blauvelt And Hannah Thompson Case

The tragic and sensational murder case involving former U.S. Army recruiter John Blauvelt and his teenage girlfriend, Hannah Thompson, continues to captivate true crime audiences, even years after the initial crime. The case, which unfolded in late 2016, centered on the brutal stabbing death of Blauvelt's estranged wife, Catherine “Cati” Blauvelt, and the subsequent cross-country manhunt for the couple. The details of a secret affair, a military deserter, and a teenage runaway created a narrative that was quickly picked up by national news outlets and remains a subject of intense scrutiny today, with the latest updates confirming the severity of the legal consequences for those involved.

As of December 2025, the legal chapter for the main perpetrator, John Blauvelt, is closed, but the lingering questions surrounding the fate of Hannah Thompson—the accessory after the fact—remain a critical focus. This article dives deep into the shocking timeline, the profiles of the people involved, the conviction of the killer, and the most current information regarding Thompson’s ongoing legal battle in the wake of the military wife murder case.

The Shocking Timeline: Key Biography & Case Profile

The story of John Blauvelt and Hannah Thompson is inextricably linked to the victim, Catherine "Cati" Blauvelt, a young woman whose life was tragically cut short in a crime of passion and betrayal. Understanding the background of each central figure is essential to grasping the gravity of the events that transpired in Simpsonville, South Carolina, in 2016.

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• Catherine "Cati" Blauvelt (The Victim): Cati was a 22-year-old military wife and mother of a young son. She was estranged from her husband, John, at the time of her death. She had reportedly been trying to move on with her life and was living in the couple's home in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Her body was discovered in an abandoned farmhouse in October 2016.
• John Tufton Blauvelt (The Killer): Blauvelt was a U.S. Army recruiter stationed in Greenville County, South Carolina. He was married to Cati but was allegedly developing an inappropriate relationship with a much younger woman. He was classified as a deserter by the Army after he failed to report for duty following Cati’s death, leading to a nationwide manhunt.
• Hannah Elizabeth Thompson (The Accessory): Thompson was a teenage runaway from Fountain Inn, South Carolina, who was 17 years old at the time of the murder. She had moved in with John Blauvelt as his marriage to Cati unraveled. She accompanied Blauvelt on the run and later faced serious felony charges related to aiding him after the crime.

The relationship between John Blauvelt and Hannah Thompson began as his marriage to Cati deteriorated. Cati was reportedly aware of the inappropriate relationship with the young girl. Just as Cati was preparing to begin a new life, her estranged husband allegedly murdered her in a vicious attack, immediately fleeing the state with Thompson in tow.

The Secret Relationship and The Desperate Escape

The foundation of this true crime saga was the secret relationship that John Blauvelt, a man in a position of authority as an Army recruiter, cultivated with Hannah Thompson, a vulnerable teenage runaway. This dynamic dramatically escalated after Cati Blauvelt’s disappearance and the subsequent discovery of her body, which had been stabbed to death.

Authorities quickly focused on John Blauvelt as the prime suspect. On October 26, 2016, just two days after Cati was last seen using her cell phone, Blauvelt went AWOL, deserting his post and fleeing South Carolina.

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Traveling with him was Hannah Thompson. The couple’s flight led them across multiple states, fueling a massive search effort involving the U.S. Marshals Service. The pair was tracked to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where Blauvelt was eventually apprehended. Thompson was also located, though she was not present at the time of Blauvelt’s arrest.

During the intense police investigation and interrogation, Thompson provided conflicting details about her knowledge of the murder and Blauvelt's actions. She initially lied to police about his whereabouts, a decision that would later result in serious legal repercussions.

John Blauvelt's Final Verdict and Life Behind Bars

The case against John Blauvelt was built on a foundation of circumstantial evidence, motive, and his desperate flight from justice. Prosecutors argued that Blauvelt killed his wife to be with his teenage girlfriend, a motive that painted a picture of calculated, cold-blooded murder. The trial brought forth testimony detailing the volatile nature of the Blauvelts' marriage and John’s escalating obsession with Thompson.

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The jury ultimately convicted John Blauvelt of the murder of Catherine “Cati” Blauvelt. Following the guilty verdict, a judge immediately sentenced him to the maximum penalty.

• Conviction: Murder
• Sentence: Life in prison without parole.
• Current Status: Serving his life sentence.

The sentencing brought a measure of closure to Cati’s family, who endured years of uncertainty and a painful trial. The judge emphasized that no one had suffered more than the victim's family, highlighting the devastating impact of Blauvelt's betrayal and violence. Blauvelt’s conviction cemented the legal reality that his life was now confined to prison walls, a consequence of his choice to commit domestic violence and desert his military duties.

Where is Hannah Thompson Now? The Lingering Legal Battle

While John Blauvelt's fate is sealed, the legal status of Hannah Thompson remains the most current and complex aspect of the case. Although authorities do not believe Thompson was present when Cati Blauvelt was murdered, she was arrested and accused of assisting Blauvelt after the fact and lying to investigators.

The charges against Hannah Thompson are severe, reflecting her role in aiding a fugitive and obstructing the investigation into a capital crime. As of the latest reports, Thompson is facing multiple felony charges, including:

• Accessory After the Fact to Murder
• Two Counts of Misprision or Concealment of a Felony
• Two Counts of Obstruction of Justice

Thompson pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on bond. Due to the nature of the offenses, she faces a significant potential prison sentence, with some reports indicating a maximum exposure of up to 55 years if convicted on all felony counts.

The case against Thompson is distinct from Blauvelt’s, focusing on her actions—or lack thereof—after the crime. Her testimony was initially considered vital to the prosecution’s case against Blauvelt, which may have complicated the timeline of her own prosecution. However, recent legal recaps from September 2024 confirm that she is still formally charged and awaiting the final disposition of her case, meaning the legal battle for the former teenage runaway is far from over.

The Topical Authority: The Broader Impact of Military Wife Murder Cases

The John Blauvelt and Hannah Thompson case is a stark example of a military domestic crime that drew national attention, similar to other high-profile cases involving service members and their families. The term "military wife murder" often highlights the unique vulnerabilities and pressures within military marriages, where issues like infidelity, demotion, and the stress of deployment can tragically intersect with domestic violence.

Entities involved in the pursuit of justice, such as the U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement in South Carolina, demonstrated the coordination required to track and apprehend a military deserter. The case serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the consequences of betrayal, not only for the victims but also for those who choose to assist a killer, regardless of their age or relationship dynamic.

For Hannah Thompson, the former teenage runaway, the legal system must weigh her youth and potential manipulation by an older man against the gravity of the felony charges she faces for obstruction of justice and concealment. The final outcome of her case will be the last major legal development in a true crime story that has haunted the communities of Greenville County and Simpsonville since 2016, providing the final piece of the legal puzzle in the murder of Cati Blauvelt.