JUNEAU, Wis. (Court TV) — A Wisconsin man was convicted of killing his wife and burning her body on their property, despite his claims that the victim took her own life.

Zachariah Rasch testifies at his murder trial. (Court TV)

Zachariah Rasch, 44, was found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse in the death of his wife, Crystal Rasch, 37.

Prosecutors said Crystal Rasch was last seen alive on June 11, 2024, going out to eat and running errands with her husband. During opening statements, prosecutor Shawn Woller showed surveillance video of the defendant and victim together before she disappeared. “Crystal was a dead woman walking,” Woller said.

In June 2024, Zachariah Rasch and Crystal Rasch were going through a divorce. The couple also had children, but the state had removed the kids from their custody and was in the process of terminating their parental rights. Despite that, Woller said that Crystal Rasch was optimistic about her future. “She was not a woman phasing out of her own life, but a woman still trying to hold onto the parts that mattered most,” the prosecutor said.

Crystal Rasch was reported missing by her stepmother on June 23. When officers arrived at the Rasch home to investigate, they said Zachariah Rasch was in the area of a burn pit. After talking to the defendant, they moved on to talk to a friend of Crystal Rasch’s, who began receiving strange messages purporting to be from the victim while speaking with deputies. “These messages did not sound like Crystal,” Woller said. “The wording is wrong, the styling was wrong, and whoever was sending these messages wouldn’t do the one thing that would have proved it was Crystal: which is get on the phone, get on video and show themselves.”

Detectives soon determined that while Crystal Rasch hadn’t been seen, there had been continued activity on her debit card. Surveillance video obtained by detectives allegedly shows Zachariah Rasch using his wife’s debt card on multiple days and locations, buying cleaning products that included eight 32-ounce bottles of drain cleaner. They also noted several cash withdrawals.

When officers searched the couple’s property, they found multiple burn areas. In one of those burn pits, they found a tooth and fragment of skull known as the “Petrus Pyramid.” The tooth matched Crystal Rasch’s dental records and the skull fragment matched her DNA.

A Mitsubishi Eclipse belonging to the defendant was found at his family’s property. Detectives who searched the vehicle said a seatbelt, the front passenger seat and front passenger door were saturated with blood and it “looked like someone had tried to clean, but not nearly well enough.” The DNA was a match to Crystal Rasch’s profile.

Woller said that a dump of Zachariah Rasch’s phone records revealed he had been making a number of disturbing searches, beginning weeks before the victim disappeared. Those searches included, “Do you die instantly from a gunshot to the head,” “How long can you get widow’s benefits if taxes were never filed,” and “Do raccoons at bones?”

“The evidence will show a progression,” Woller said. “Evidence will show that before Crystal disappears, the defendant is searching about fatal headshots and widow’s benefits. After Crystal is gone, he’s searching about cleaning, bones, replacing parts of a vehicle, sulfuric acid, how quickly police can get a warrant and about missing persons alerts.”

Zaki Zehawi, one of Zachariah Rasch’s defense attorneys, told the jury that prosecutors had the case all wrong and that Crystal Rasch had “tragically killed herself” while handling a gun in front of the defendant. “Mr. Rasch believed that he would be blamed for the death, as it was his firearm and the divorce that was pending,” Zehawi said in his opening statement. “He panicked and made a series of incredibly poor decisions. He lied to his friends and family, he raised suspicions, he was targeted by law enforcement and eventually he was prosecuted for her death.”

Zehawi told the jury that his client doesn’t know exactly what happened to the victim, only that “he did have a 9 mm in his vehicle and then as he was driving, the gun discharged.”

Zachariah Rasch faces a potential life sentence; no hearing date for his sentencing hearing was immediately set.

DAILY TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 7 – 6/9/26

• LIVESTREAM: WI v. Zachariah Rasch – Day | The Tooth in the Ashes Trial
• Zachariah Rasch, Defendant
  • Denied killing his wife, Crystal Rasch.
  • Admits his wife was more active in their children’s lives.
  • On the last day she was seen alive, Crystal Rasch had wanted to visit lawyers, but didn’t have an appointment. She grew frustrated when no attorneys would speak to her.
  • Crystal killed herself while playing with the gun in his car.
  • He panicked and took her to his parents’ house, where he took her body out of the car and burned it because he was afraid he would get in trouble.
  • MORE: ‘I burned her’: Zachariah Rasch admits setting fire to estranged wife’s body
• The defense rested its case.
• The prosecution delivered closing statements.
• The defense delivered closing statements.
• The jury began its deliberations and rendered its verdict.

DAY 6 – 6/8/26

• LIVESTREAM: WI v. Zachariah Rasch – Day 6 | The Tooth in the Ashes Trial
• Detective Justin Kontny returned to the stand.
  • The jury saw more of his interview with defendant Zachariah Rasch; he denied knowing his wife’s whereabouts, despite evidence of transactions on her credit card.
  • Crystal Rasch canceled an appointment to see her kids for visitation.
• The prosecution rested its case.

DAY 5 – 6/5/26

• LIVESTREAM: WI v. Zachariah Rasch – Day 5 | The Tooth in the Ashes Trial
• Matthew Anderson, digital forensics analyst
  • Detailed Zachariah Rasch’s phone movements by analyzing data from the defendant’s phone, showing it traveled from the Wood Road address to the Ionia work location and back.
• Jordan Karsten, consultant, Wisconsin State Crime Lab
  • Used ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to help find possible remains.
  • Excavated a surface burn at Wood Road address to try to find remains; he located human remains during the search.
  • A fragment of charred human bone was shown. It was the temporal bone, which makes up the side and base of the head and includes a hole for the ear.
• Detective Justin Kontny (recalled)
  • When he questioned the defendant about inconsistencies in his story, Zachariah Rasch admitted he should have told the truth.
  • The defendant is asked about another vehicle, which he claimed he didn’t know where it was.
  • Kontny asked the defendant about his reasoning for buying Drano. The defendant said he used it to deal with squirrels.

DAY 4 – 6/4/26

• LIVESTREAM: WI v. Zachariah Rasch – Day 4 | The Tooth in the Ashes Trial
• Trevor Naleid, forensic scientist
  • Photographed, documented and inventoried each vehicle, including collecting potential evidence and testing items.
  • In the Mitsubishi, he observed significant reddish-brown staining throughout the front passenger area, including the seat, seatbelt and console.
  • Recovered multiple items with suspected staining, including a stuffed frog, an ice scraper, a vape and a beverage bottle.
• Dr. Gabriel Legros, forensic dentist
  • Examined a tooth recovered as part of a death investigation.
  • Tooth was found in a burn pit near a residence; he examined the tooth at the Dodge County Medical Examiner’s Office.
  • Compared the tooth with the dental records for Crystal Rasch and concluded that tooth #15 matched the records.
  • Examined a second tooth (#2) and explained it was a “mirror tooth” on the opposite side of the mouth.
  • Concluded both teeth belonged to Crystal Rasch, though #2 had less structure (no roots).
• Benetta George, DNA analyst
  • The lab took a small portion of bone and processed it to isolate DNA.
  • The DNA was then quantified, amplified and analyzed to produce a DNA profile.
  • The result was a partial profile, which was then compiled into a report and sent back to the Dodge County Medical Examiner’s Office.
• Kimberly Wroblewski, forensic scientist
  • Created and confirmed Crystal Rasch’s DNA profile using her toothbrush.
  • DNA from the toothbrush matched DNA recovered from the bone fragments.
  • Bloodstains found inside Zachariah Rasch’s Mitsubishi contained Crystal Rasch’s DNA.
  • Additional evidence linked Crystal Rasch’s DNA to cleaning items and a vape pen; her DNA was found on parts of a Hoover carpet cleaner, which suggested blood had been present.
• Detective Justin Kontny
  • Zachariah Rasch’s behavior during an earlier welfare check raised suspicions because he emerged from a wooded area near smoke, avoided approaching the deputy at first, and closed the hatch of a vehicle before speaking with law enforcement.
  • Crystal Rasch’s mother said she had not heard from her daughter and feared she was either with family in Michigan or being held against her will on property connected to Zachariah Rasch’s family.
  • Interviewed Zachariah Rasch for approximately 11 hours after executing a search warrant. During the interview, the defendant said that his wife had disappeared for long periods before amd said she sometimes left without telling anybody.
  • Zachariah Rasch claimed that Crystal Rasch had recently sent him a Facebook message saying she was fine and he did not need to know where she was.

DAY 3 – 6/3/26

• LIVESTREAM: WI v. Zachariah Rasch – Day 3 | The Tooth in the Ashes Trial
• Detective Kasey Young
  • Walked the jury through photos taken during the serving of two search warrants at Zachariah Rasch’s home.
  • The house was extremely cluttered, with only narrow walking paths throughout the residence. One room was so packed with belongings that investigators initially could not access it.
  • Jurors saw photos of Zachariah Rasch’s bedroom, including windows that investigators later used to remove items from the room so they could conduct a more thorough search.
  • Investigators located a handgun in the bedroom in a holster on a dresser beneath a television. The firearm was loaded with a magazine inserted and a live round in the chamber.
  • Investigators found multiple items belonging to Crystal Rasch inside Zachariah Rasch’s bedroom, including her medical records, credit card and receipts.
  • Jurors saw messages Zachariah Rasch sent after his wife’s disappearance, including an exchange with his son where he blamed her for signing away his parental rights.
  • A Facebook account appearing to belong to Crystal Rasch was newly created on June 23, 2024, and sent messages claiming she was fine and that she would return when she was ready. The account had almost no activity and only one friend.
  • Highlighted extensive Google searches recovered from Zachariah Rasch’s phone related to his divorce, and later searches involving 9mm suppressors/silencers, concealed-carry classes, disguising a voice on phone calls, fingerprints and tracking cellphone location.
• Detective Kelsey Becker
  • On June 20, 2024, Zachariah Rasch messaged Arlene Bowman, saying he was “single” and claiming that Crystal Rasch had cheated on him.
  • In messages with his daughter, Zachariah Rasch repeatedly sent photos of his Taurus 9mm handgun and asked whether she had heard from Crystal.
• Detective Andrew Rolfs
  • Detectives investigating Crystal Rasch’s disappearance became concerned after finding that her apartment appeared unusually abandoned; her calendar had not been updated and her medications had not been taken.
  • Detectives interviewed Zachariah Rasch for more than 11 hours.
  • When officers returned to the Rasch property on June 27, they noticed a trail of Monster Energy drink cans and cigarette butts leading to a burned area.
• Detective Michael Lake
  • Reviewed surveillance footage and transactions connected to Crystal Rasch’s debit card.
  • Zachariah Rasch purchased a Taurus G2C 9mm handgun from Fleet Farm on Feb. 20, 2024.

DAY 2 – 6/2/26

• LIVESTREAM: WI v. Zachariah Rasch – Day 2 | The Tooth in the Ashes Trial
• Robin Reals, Crystal Rasch’s friend
  • Testified that she was a close friend of Crystal Rasch for 24 years and spoke to her daily.
  • On June 23, 2024, while speaking with investigators about Crystal Rasch’s disappearance, she received Facebook messages from a new account. The messages seemed suspicious because tehy came from an unfamiliar account, lacked the victim’s usual communication style and the person refused to respond to requests for a photo or video.
  • On cross-examination, the defense said Crystal Rasch did not share everything about her life with her friend.
  • WATCH: Suspicious Facebook Messages Threw Murdered Wife’s Friend Off
• Katie Gordon, social worker
  • Worked directly with Crystal and Zachariah Rasch after their children were removed from their care. Crystal remained actively involved in her kids’ lives in the weeks before her disappearance.
  • Crystal Rasch was working toward becoming more independent by seeking housing and appeared hopeful about the future.
  • The victim was normally very responsive but stopped communicating suddenly in June 2024.
• Deputy Zach Kuckkahn, Dodge County Sheriff’s Office
  • On duty on June 23, 2024, he received a missing person’s report.
  • Met with Zachariah Rasch at his residence.
  • The jury saw bodycamera video of his interactions with Zachariah Rasch.
  • MORE: Suspect tells police searching for missing wife ‘She’s done this before’
  • WATCH: Accused Killer Husband is Questioned By Cops
• Taylor Nehls, Dodge County Sheriff’s Office
  • Oversees the criminal investigation division of the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office.
  • Dept. received a referral on June 25, 2024, about Crystal Rasch being reported missing.
  • Escalated the case internally and directed a full investigation.
  • Authorized emergency “phone pings” on two of Crystal Rasch’s phone numbers. The records showed limited activity in June 2024.
  • Reviewed bank records for Crystal’s accounts.
• David Lang, divorce attorney
  • Testified that Crystal Rasch was eager to finalize her divorce and was optimistic about starting a new chapter in her life.
  • Crystal Rasch was actively working to secure affordable housing through county assistance and was excited to move into a new apartment.
  • The victim maintained frequent contact with him regarding her divorce, her efforts to maintain a relationship with her children and a vehicle accident case, but all communication suddenly stopped after June 5, 2024.
  • An email from June 12, 2024, purported to be from Crystal Rasch and said she wanted to fire Lang as her attorney; the message was sent to the wrong email address. Lang said Crystal Rasch never gave any indication she wanted to end his representation.
• Sgt. Bradley Konkel
  • Used license plate readers to track vehicles tied to Zachariah Rasch and his family after Crystal Rasch was reported missing.
  • Crystal Rasch’s vehicle showed little to no movement in June 2024; vehicles connected to Zachariah Rasch and his family were frequently captured by cameras throughout Wisconsin.
  • Silver Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross registered to Zachariah Rasch was repeatedly detected as traveling between Dodge County, the Wisconsin Dells area, Lake Delton and Adams County properties owned by Zachariah Rasch’s family.

DAY 1 – 6/1/26

• LIVESTREAM: WI v. Zachariah Rasch – Day 1 | The Tooth in the Ashes Trial
• Prosecutor Shawn Woller delivered opening statements.
  • Crystal Rasch was last seen alive on June 11, 2024, with her estranged husband, Zachariah Rasch.
  • Crystal Rasch was not planning to disappear.
  • After the victim was reported missing, suspicious Facebook messages were sent from an unfamiliar account.
  • Zachariah Rasch continued using the victim’s debit card after she disappeared, purchasing items that included drain cleaner, stain remover, air fresheners and seat covers. He also withdrew cash using her debit card.
  • The victim’s blood was found inside a Mitsubishi Eclipse the defendant was driving when Crystal Rasch was last seen alive.
  • Internet searches on Zachariah Rasch’s phone included questions about 9mm guns, widow’s benefits and carpet cleaner. Prosecutors said the searches show a progression from planning a killing to attempting to cover it up.
  • Zachariah Rasch gave inconsistent statements to investigators.
• Zaki Zehawi delivered opening statements for the defense.
  • Crystal Rasch accidentally shot herself with a gun, and Zachariah Rasch panicked.
  • Conceded that the defendant lied to family, friends and law enforcement but said it was evidence of a cover-up driven by panic, not proof of murder.
• Jason Boeck, Operations Captain
  • Missing persons report for Crystal Rasch was filed on June 23, 2024; the report said she had last been seen on June 11.
  • An online tip claiming Crystal Rasch was ‘fine’ was received, but officials questioned its authenticity.
  • Case was escalated within days to the Dodge County detective bureau.
  • A search warrant was served on June 26, 2024, at a property on Wood Road.
  • Investigators found a Mitsubishi Eclipse and blood inside the vehicle that matched Crystal Rasch’s DNA.
  • On June 30, 2024, skeletal remains and a tooth were discovered in a burn pit.
• Diana Free, Crystal Rasch’s stepmother
  • Crystal and Zachariah Rausch got married in 2016. Free was initially unhappy about the relationship.
  • Crystal and Zachariah had four children together; Crystal Rasch had a child from a previous relationship.
  • At times, Crystal Rasch was estranged from her family, but they later reconciled.
  • During a 2023 holiday gathering, Crystal Rausch said she was filing for divorce and planning a major life transition.
  • Crystal Rasch’s four children had been in foster care for about five years.
  • Crystal Rasch had been fearful of firearms since childhood and never owned or used a gun as an adult.
  • WATCH: Murdered Wife Was Preparing to Leave Husband: Stepmother
• Heather Doherty, foster parent of Zachariah and Crystal Rasch’s children
  • Served as a foster parent for the children for approximately five years and had regular contact with Crystal Rasch.
  • Crystal Rasch maintained weekly supervised visits, phone calls and was actively involved in reunification.
  • On June 10, 2024, Crystal Rasch canceled a scheduled visit due to illness and then stopped responding to texts and messages.