In Dateline: Secrets Uncovered, the murder of Doug Carlile has been highlighted. But this case does not follow a straight path. In such cases, we often end up losing track of the timelines, and several times, the timelines overlap. Yet, Carlile’s case remains relevant as it proves how money and control can drive extreme choices and consequences.
It started as a quiet Sunday night shooting in Spokane, but gradually took a turn into a full murder-for-hire scheme. Coming to the timeline, it stretches across various places, including North Dakota, several players, and three years of investigation.
Dateline: Doug Carlile’s murder
It all started on December 15, 2013: The night Doug Carlile was killed
Doug Carlile, 63, returned home with his wife, Elberta, after church on Spokane’s South Hill. So, Elberta went upstairs while Doug walked into the kitchen.
Dateline revealed that from the stairs, she heard her husband talking to someone he did not know, and moments later, she saw a masked man pointing a gun at Doug. Now, Doug told his wife to leave and tried to calm the intruder. Elberta ran upstairs, heard four to five gunshots, and hid in a closet. She called 911 while Doug Carlile lay dead in the kitchen.
Early clues that pushed the case forward
Neighbors reported seeing a white van near the home around the time of the shooting, and surveillance footage backed up those sightings…