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

Karina Cooper was convicted last month of murdering her husband, Ryan Cooper. Now, his estate is moving to reclaim the nearly $515,000 life insurance payout she collected before the investigation into his death had even concluded.

Ryan, 42, was discovered on June 18, 2021, shot twice in the face inside the couple’s home in Traer, Iowa, according to Times-Republican, KCRG, and KCCI. Despite the case still being under investigation, Karina received a payout of $514,882.21 from his life insurance policy.

Almost three years later, in February 2024, Karina was arrested. On July 11, 2025, a Linn County jury found her guilty of first-degree murder, which in Iowa carries a mandatory life sentence.

With Karina convicted — and her lover, Huston Danker, also pleading guilty — Ryan’s siblings, Aaron Cooper and Michelle Wilson, who manage his estate, have filed a request to freeze any remaining funds and recover the payout, according to Times-Republican, KCRG, and CBS2 Iowa.

In a filing reviewed by PEOPLE, the estate petitioned for a temporary injunction to secure and reclaim the proceeds. The motion highlights the December 2021 payment and names potential custodians — including Karina, her attorney Chris Wilson, investment broker Jay Devries, and Chelsea Savings Bank — to ensure the funds are preserved until the court rules on who is entitled to them.

Under Iowa’s “slayer statute,” anyone who intentionally and unlawfully causes another person’s death is barred from receiving life insurance benefits connected to that death.

Investigators used digital forensics and crime scene analysis to build the case. Evidence included Snapchat messages — such as a “remember those casings” reminder shortly before the 911 call — as well as phone activity, location records, the lack of forced entry, a recovered .22-caliber casing, and bloodstain analysis suggesting Ryan was shot while reclined, according to The Gazette, KCRG, and Court TV.

Jurors also reviewed messages prosecutors said revealed Karina’s hostility toward Ryan, including “I f—ing hate him” and “I’m wishing for a rogue semi accident, no survivors,” according to Court TV.

On August 12, Danker pleaded guilty to first-degree murder just before jury selection began. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 3 in Tama County, according to Times-Republican, KCRG, and CBS2 Iowa. Karina’s sentencing is set for Sept. 19 in Tama County, Times-Republican reports.

A hearing on the estate’s request to freeze and reclaim the life insurance proceeds is scheduled for Sept. 12 at the Tama County Courthouse, according to Times-Republican, KCRG, and CBS2 Iowa.