Dateline: Secrets In The Snow - 5 harrowing Details of Stephanie Roller-Bruner's Murder, explored

The Dateline episode titled Secrets In The Snow features the brutal murder of Stephanie Roller Briner that happened in November 2010. Stephanie was found dead three days after her disappearance. Her body was found severely injured inside the freezing Blue River in Silverthorne, Colo.

The police during the investigation found some horrific details about the case leading to the ultimate arrest of Stephanie's husband Dale in 2011. The case highlights the radical consequences of jealousy, complex relationships, and domestic violence. let's dive deep into the murder case of Stephanie Bruner and look closely into the five harrowing details.

Here are the 5 Harrowing details of Stephanie Bruner's Murder case, Dateline

Dale called the police in the morning after Stephanie disappeared and the investigation began only to find the victim's body brutally attacked and strangled in the icy river of Colorado. Here are the 5 harrowing details of the case as shown in Dateline.

Stephanie was alive when thrown into the river

During the investigation, the prosecutors found out that the victim was strangled and brutally attacked. However, she was alive when thrown into the freezing river. Therefore her death was an accumulation of the assault and hypothermia.

"She was hit over the head, which caused her skull to break … She was strangled so hard that a bone in her neck broke. And then while still alive thrown into the Blue River and left to drown and die of- hypothermia." said Prosecutor Mark Hurlbert.

Stephanie and Dale had a troubled relationship

The investigation as shown in Dateline also found out that Stephanie and Dale had a troubled relationship with the former filling a restraining order against her husband just 6 weeks before her death. An audio recording in the court cited the harsh treatment of their son.

Stephanie was even involved emotionally with some other man. This resulted in three main suspects in the case - Dale Bruner, the other man Stephanie was involved with, and his wife.

Dateline: Secrets In The Snow (Image Via Silverthorne, Colo., Police)

The Love Triangle

Stephanie didn't come home the entire night but Dale only bothered to inform the police the next day in the morning around 8:45 AM after sending the kids to school. Dale answered this by saying that they had an argument the night before Stephanie's death and the latter goes out for some fresh air and to clear her mind amidst the snowstorm. The investigation as shown in Dateline brings forth a complex web of relationships. Their marriage was strained due to emotional and financial struggles, as well as Stephanie’s growing connection with another man.

Growing suspicion over Dale

The investigation however turned completely towards Dale when the evidence ruled out the involvement of the other man Stephanie was involved with. During a memorial gathering a week after the death, the prosecutor became more suspicious of Dale's behavior.

"He would look around the room, comfortable and calm. Then when somebody would walk up to him he would break down crying. No tears. And then when that person filed away, he'd snap back into just a normal demeanor again." CBI Agent Greg Sadar

Dale's arrest

In 2011, after 11 months of investigation, prosecutors gained substantial evidence against the man and Dale was arrested charged with second-degree murder and assault, and later sentenced to 112 years in prison.