Iowa Woman Murdered Her Husband, Then Collected Life Insurance Payout. Now His Estate Wants It Returned

Killer Wife Ordered to Return $514,000 Insurance Payout

Karina Cooper is facing a legal battle to return a $514,000 life insurance payout she received after her husband, Ryan Cooper, was found dead. Ryan’s estate is seeking to recover the sum as Karina was convicted of his murder. The case, which unfolded in Traer, Iowa, involved startling revelations and a web of deceit that ultimately led to Karina’s conviction.

In December 2021, Ryan Cooper was tragically discovered shot twice in the face at the couple’s home. While investigators were still piecing together the details of the crime, Karina Cooper swiftly collected over half a million dollars from Ryan’s life insurance policy. It later emerged that Karina and her alleged lover, Huston Danker, had orchestrated Ryan’s murder in a bid to cash in on the insurance policy.

After a lengthy legal process, Karina was found guilty of first-degree murder in July 2025, a conviction that carries a mandatory life sentence. Following her conviction and Danker’s guilty plea, Ryan’s siblings, Aaron Cooper and Michelle Wilson, who manage his estate, are now pursuing a legal route to freeze any remaining funds and reclaim the insurance payout. A court hearing is scheduled to determine the fate of the disputed money.

The estate’s filing for a temporary injunction aims to preserve the funds and identify potential custodians until a final decision is reached. The legal proceedings hinge on Iowa’s “slayer statute,” which prohibits individuals involved in causing another person’s death from benefiting from life insurance policies related to the deceased. The court case relied heavily on digital evidence, such as Snapchat exchanges and phone activity records, as well as forensic analysis of the crime scene.

Huston Danker, who was implicated in the murder plot, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder just before his trial was due to commence. His sentencing is set for October 3rd in Tama County. Meanwhile, Karina is awaiting sentencing, scheduled for September 19th. The estate’s motion to recover the insurance proceeds is expected to be deliberated in a court hearing on September 12th at the Tama County Courthouse.

The chilling details of the case have captivated the local community and shed light on the lengths individuals may go to for financial gain. The legal battle over the insurance payout serves as a reminder of the complexities and intricacies of criminal investigations and the pursuit of justice in cases of heinous crimes.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the fate of the disputed funds hangs in the balance, with Ryan Cooper’s estate determined to ensure that justice is served and that Karina Cooper is held accountable for her actions. This harrowing tale of greed, betrayal, and murder highlights the importance of upholding the law and seeking justice for the victims of such heinous crimes.