Barbara Kendhammer Murder Case: Where Is ‘Todd Kendhammer’ Now?

Barbara Kendhammer Murder

Todd Kendhammer phoned the police in September 2016 to report that his wife, Barbara, had been injured in a bizarre accident.

However, as the investigation progressed, a metal pipe and its role in Barbara’s murder became a major topic of controversy.

48 Hours: Mystery on County Road M,’ a CBS News special, digs into the strange case of Barbara Kendhammer’s death and why officials suspected her husband was to blame.

So, if you’re interested in learning more about what occurred, we’ve got you covered.

Barbara Kendhammer Death

What Caused Barbara Kendhammer’s Death?

Barbara was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in March 1970. She graduated from high school in 1988 and married Todd Kendhammer three years later, eventually having two children with him, Jessica and Jordan.

The 46-year-old loved her employment at a diner near West Salem Middle School in Wisconsin. Barbara, according to her friends and family, adored animals and had a floral garden.

Todd and Barbara were driving along a road outside of La Crosse on September 16, 2016, shortly after their 25th wedding anniversary, when tragedy struck.

The Kendhammers' damaged Toyota Camry.
The Kendhammers’ damaged Toyota Camry.

Todd made a hurried 911 call, explaining that a pipe had hit their car’s windshield, injuring Barbara.

She was transported to the local hospital by first responders, but she died a day later. Barbara had blunt force injuries to her head and neck, as well as lacerations on the back of her head, according to an autopsy.

Todd Kendhammer photographed shortly after the incident.
Todd Kendhammer photographed shortly after the incident.

Who Was Barbara Kendhammer’s killer?

When Todd was initially questioned by the authorities, he stated that Barbara was in the passenger seat when a metal pipe from a truck travelling in the opposite direction collided with their car’s windshield.

Todd went on to say that he removed the pipe, dragged his wife out of the vehicle, and gave her CPR. The investigators, on the other hand, were suspicious of his account of events.

The pipe recovered after the incident.
The pipe recovered after the incident.

At roughly 7:57 a.m., surveillance video from a nearby horse farm showed what appeared to be the Kendhammers’ automobile passing by.

However, no truck matching Todd’s description ever passed by in the opposite direction. The medical examiner then determined that Barbara’s injuries were inconsistent with Todd’s statement.

She had bruising all over her body, scratches on her neck, and a broken nose, all of which could have been caused by a physical altercation.

Todd killed Barbara, according to the authorities, and the crime scene was made to look like an accident.

Must Read: Where Are Barbara and Todd Kendhammer’s Kids Now?

The fact that Todd constantly altering his narrative about where they were going further added to the theory.

He stated they were travelling to pick up a truck that needed its windshield replaced before dropping his wife off at work on the day of the incident.

Todd had a side business replacing windshields at the time, and the truck he was meant to pick up was Justin Heim’s.

Todd stated he was driving to pick up a windshield from Justin’s acquaintance a few days later. Justin and his acquaintance, on the other hand, informed the cops that they hadn’t expected him.

Todd also had scratches on his neck as well as damage to his knuckles. He explained them away by claiming that he received the scratches at work and that as the pipe flew at the automobile, he struck the windshield impulsively.

Then, a witness said that he drove by the vehicle while it was parked in a ditch off the road but didn’t see the window was shattered.

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Todd Kendhammer Trial

What happened to Todd Kendhammer & Where Is He?

Todd, aged 47, was on trial for the murder of his wife in December 2017. He took the stand and claimed that he was too upset during the police questioning, which explains the contradictory stories mentioned.

The prosecution conceded that they couldn’t pinpoint a motive because the marriage was wealthy and there were no indicators of an affair or domestic violence. The prosecution, Jessica and Jordan believed, failed to explain how their father murdered Barbara and manufactured the crime scene.

Todd Kendhammer in Prison

Despite this, Todd was found guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced to life in prison with a 30-year parole probability.

He is still detained at the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, Wisconsin, according to prison records.

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