On April 30, 2011, Brett Seacat called 911 and reported his house was on fire and that his wife Vashti Seacat — who had killed herself before the fire — was still in the house. Brett was able to get their two sons (ages 4 and 2) out but not his wife. Brett Seacat told police Vashti that she was depressed and had suicidal thoughts. Vashti’s body was found lying on the bed. The gun that caused a gun wound to her head was found under her hip, and next to a barrel of gas.
Brett Seacat was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated arson and two counts of aggravated child endangerment in 2013. When he was sentenced to life in prison, he maintained his innocence and claimed that the family of Vashti and the judge who sentenced him would benefit from Vashti’s death. Brett Seacat said in court: “With Vashti committing suicide, they get no money. With Vashti murdered, they do.” He then addressed Judge Solomon: “Go ahead and pass a sentence you think will get you the big headlines. Go ahead and pass a sentence you think will get you a spot on the Kansas Supreme Court.” Dateline NBC will airs its investigative report on March 12 at 8pm.
