Larry and Lori Isenberg

July 23, 2024

In the serene setting of Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, a series of crimes unfolded, committed by a woman who appeared to be an upstanding member of the community. The case of Lori Isenberg is a perplexing tale of deception, financial misconduct, and ultimately, murder. We first heard of this case on the Dateline episode, “Kill Switch” (https://podcasts.musixmatch.com/podcast/dateline-nbc-01gtf92be0fz4vdzkbc8g9h3dr/episode/kill-switch-01gyh2xy40f0m4vqy1z4e8m71x) and it was one we “put a pin in” due to the mention of the Apple Live Photo and its associated audio. Although the photo itself is a very small detail of the case, it was a memorable detail and we knew this was a case we wanted to highlight here.

Lori stated that she and Larry had planned to go for a Valentine’s Day boat ride to a local resort. They set out early that cold morning, and at 6:40 AM, Larry sent a text message to his kids, featuring a serene photo of the sunrise over Lake Coeur d’Alene. The message expressed how lovely the sunrise was, suggesting that Larry was enjoying a peaceful moment on the water. This photo would later become a pivotal piece of evidence.

After that message was sent, events took a dramatic turn. According to Lori, while they were out on their boat, Larry suddenly looked at her with a strange expression on his face before falling overboard. In a frantic state, at 10:25 AM, Lori called 911 to report the incident, describing how Larry had disappeared into the cold waters of the lake. 

Immediately following the event, Lori played the part of a grieving wife well. Investigators believed a tragic accident had occurred. But, when Larry’s body was found on March 1, things began to change. The autopsy revealed that Larry had no water in his lungs, meaning drowning was not the cause of death. Toxicology revealed high levels of diphenhydramine (Benadryl) in his system, indicating he had been drugged before his death. This evidence contradicted the idea of an accidental fall overboard and pointed towards premeditated murder.  The investigation began to focus more on the details surrounding Larry’s disappearance. The serene sunrise photo, sent just before the reported accident, stood in stark contrast to the chaotic scene Lori described. A breakthrough came when digital forensics experts examined the sunrise photo.

The investigation revealed that the photo had not been taken by Larry but had been airdropped to his phone from Lori’s phone; this was further backed up since the Live Photo feature, which captures 3 seconds, including audio of Larry speaking. Lori had confidently stated in an interview that Larry had taken the photo. This suggested that Lori possibly staged the photo and text message to create a false alibi, casting doubt on all the details of her story. While this is a minor detail, it led investigators to wonder – if Lori lied about this, what else had she lied about?

As investigators delved deeper, a darker picture of Lori’s motives began to emerge. A forensic audit of her finances revealed that Lori had embezzled nearly $600,000 from the local housing nonprofit where she worked. A newspaper article detailing her actions was due to be released the morning of Larry’s accident; of interest is that in the weeks leading up to Larry’s death, Lori had canceled their subscription to the paper. We believe the article that was to be published is available here: https://cdapress.com/news/2018/feb/13/housing-nonprofit-leader-part-ways-5/. This financial desperation provided a strong motive for her actions as Larry would’ve been furious with the situation.

In 2019, Lori Isenberg was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. The lies around the sunrise photo, combined with the financial audit and toxicology report, presented a compelling case against her. Facing overwhelming evidence, Lori entered an Alford plea in 2021. An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution’s evidence is likely to result in a guilty verdict. This plea resulted in Lori being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Lori Isenberg case is a stark reminder of the power of digital evidence in modern investigations. The detailed analysis of a seemingly innocent photo helped turn the tables and played a role in uncovering the truth behind Larry Isenberg’s death. It underscores how even the smallest digital traces can provide critical insights and help bring justice to light.

Here in Coco’s Corner, we continue to explore the intricate web of human nature, one story at a time. The Lori Isenberg case serves as a sobering reminder of the lengths to which some will go to cover their tracks, and the vital role of forensic science in bringing such dark deeds to light. Stay tuned for more intriguing true crime stories as we delve into the mysteries that surround us.

Sip and Sleuth!