Dateline: Righteous Obsession — What happened to Milton Henry Sawyer? Details of the antique store owner's murder, explored 

For years, NBC's Dateline has covered chilling true-crime stories and in-depth investigations. An episode that has drawn particular interest of viewers is titled "Righteous Obsession," delving into the murder of the antique store owner Milton Henry Sawyer, who was killed in a pre-planned home invasion.

Sawyer ran an antique store named The Treasure Hunter in Elizabeth City, North Carolina and was deeply passionate about collectibles he had inherited from his father. His store, located on a serene waterfront town, was well known in the city. Milton H. Sawyer was also quite popular for his friendly nature.

His life changed when he met Angel Kesinger, a single mother of four, at his children’s school in 2011. Their shared struggle as single parents brought Milton and Angel together and the two tied the knot in 2012.

Sawyer’s half-brother David Carpenter said that Angel joined her husband in running the antique shop, adding a fresh touch to the business with her organizing skills. The Sawyer couple seemed to have a perfect life from the outside, but darkness brewed behind the closed doors.

Read on to know about the shocking murder of Milton Henry Sawyer, featured in the Dateline episode titled "Righteous Obsession."

Dateline episode Righteous Obsession focuses on Milton Henry Sawyer's brutal killing

On the morning of August 2, 2018, Angel Sawyer, visibly injured and bleeding from her head, sought help from her neighbors. As seen in the Dateline episode, Angel claimed she had been a victim of a home invasion and her husband Milton H. Sawyer had been killed.

The neighbors called 911, and the deputies found Sawyer's lifeless body in the bathroom with his hands bound. Initially, it looked like a failed robbery, as the back door was unlocked. However, a key left on a table raised suspicions.

When asked about the incident, Angel Sawyer claimed that an intruder broke into the house and asked for money. She added that the intruder attacked her and her husband Milton after breaking in. Per Oxygen True Crime, Angel claimed:

"He had a gun and he had a mask and he was just screaming. He was cussing a lot. He said, ‘Get on the effing ground,’ and ‘Give me all your effing money."

However, the autopsy reports revealed the truth that is also covered in the Dateline episode. Milton H. Sawyer, it turned out, was strangled and not killed in a chaotic struggle. The report contradicts Angel's story about an intruder.

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Suspicion falls on Angel and her love Isaac Melcher

The Dateline episode reveals Angel as a self-centered individual who demanded Milton Sawyer’s attention and gifts to keep her satisfied. Their marriage started getting affected when Sawyer found out about Angel's affair with her 38-year-old physical therapist, Isaac Melcher.

Initially, Angel denied the extra-marital affair, but investigation has confirmed she was cheating on her husband. When Isaac Melcher was questioned, he lied about the incident. He even fled to Oregon after the murder.

One of Melcher's friends spoke about the therapist confessing to killing Milton Sawyer. Later, Issac Melcher revealed being in love with Angel Sawyer, who claimed that her husband was controlling.

Angel allegedly convinced her lover Isaac Melcher about her false claims and this motivated him to kill her husband, Milton Sawyer.

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The chilling plot unfolds in the Dateline episode Righteous Obsession

The Dateline episode reveals how Angel and Melcher planned to murder Milton Sawyer. Knowing Milton and Angel would be alone on August 2, 2018, Melcher broke into their house using the key Angel had given him, and then strangled Milton Sawyer to death.

To make the attack look like a robbery, Angel faked injuries. She hit her head on the table to be injured and prove that there had been a home invasion case.

However, Melcher's friend helped the authorities by recording a conversation in which he talked about the crime. As a result, Angel Sawyer and Isacc Melcher were arrested the same year in August.

While Angel was given a life sentence without parole in 2021, her obsessive lover Isaac Melcher was sentenced to 20 years but is expected to be released in 2042. The Dateline episode highlights how a story of love and hope in blending two families ended in betrayal and tragedy.

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