“My Mother’s Murder Trials”: 48 Hours Reports on Dana Chandler Case September 13 2025

On Saturday, September 13, 2025, CBS’s 48 Hours concludes its season with a gripping two-hour special titled “My Mother’s Murder Trials.” This episode reexamines the harrowing murders of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness, found shot to death in their Topeka, Kansas home in 2002. But what makes this case particularly haunting is the primary suspect: Dana Chandler, Mike’s ex-wife and the mother of his children. The emotional weight of the story centers on their daughter, Hailey Seel, as she confronts the possibility that her own mother may be responsible for killing her father.

With extensive interviews and courtroom footage, correspondent Jim Axelrod guides viewers through more than two decades of investigation, litigation, and family trauma. The episode features firsthand accounts from Chandler, Seel, law enforcement officials, and prosecutors, culminating in a recent conviction that has again polarized public opinion.

A Tragic Double Homicide in Topeka

On July 7, 2002, Karen Harkness’s parents arrived at her home in southwest Topeka expecting good news. Karen and her partner Mike Sisco, who had been dating for several years, were widely expected to announce their engagement. Instead, they found both Karen and Mike shot multiple times in bed. The scene bore no signs of forced entry or robbery, suggesting a targeted, personal attack.

The crime shocked the Topeka community. Mike, a father of two and a former husband of Dana Chandler, was shot seven times. Karen was shot five times. Investigators quickly turned their attention to those closest to the victims, and suspicion soon fell on Chandler. Despite the early leads, the investigation would take nearly a decade to result in an arrest.

The Turbulent Marriage of Mike Sisco and Dana Chandler

Dana Chandler and Mike Sisco married in 1982 and shared what appeared to be a traditional family life in Topeka. They had two children, Hailey and Dustin, but the marriage deteriorated throughout the 1990s. The couple divorced in 1998 following a difficult custody battle, with Mike receiving primary custody. Dana was granted limited contact and moved to Denver, Colorado.

Tensions escalated after the divorce. Family members and friends reported that Chandler had a pattern of obsessive behavior, including breaking into Mike’s home and making repeated phone calls. Journal entries by Mike detailed incidents of harassment. These behaviors, paired with Chandler’s anger over Mike’s relationship with Karen Harkness, laid the foundation for a theory of jealousy-fueled homicide.

Circumstantial Evidence and a Delayed Arrest

Though investigators never found physical evidence tying Chandler to the crime scene, circumstantial factors raised serious concerns. Chandler claimed to have been in Colorado the weekend of the murders, but her alibi was unsupported by park entry records or credit card transactions. There was also a 27-hour period during which her whereabouts were unknown.

Detectives focused on surveillance footage, gas purchases, and witness statements that suggested Chandler may have driven from Denver to Topeka and back. One truck stop clerk claimed to recognize her, but died before she could testify. Despite these suspicions, it wasn’t until 2011—nine years after the murders—that Chandler was arrested in Oklahoma.

The Legal Odyssey: Three Trials, One Conviction

Chandler’s first trial in 2012 resulted in a conviction and life sentence. However, the verdict was overturned in 2018 after the Kansas Supreme Court found that prosecutor Jacqie Spradling had lied to the jury, including a false claim that Mike had obtained a restraining order against Dana. Spradling was later disbarred for misconduct.

A second trial in 2022 ended in a hung jury. With no clear outcome, Chandler was released on bond and awaited a third trial. That proceeding began in February 2025 in Pottawatomie County after a change of venue was granted. Acting as her own attorney, Chandler again denied involvement. In March 2025, a jury deliberated for only three hours before convicting her of two counts of first-degree murder.

Family Testimony and the Daughter’s Doubts

A central emotional thread in this case is the evolving perspective of Hailey Seel, Chandler’s daughter. Initially torn, Hailey later began recording conversations with her mother in hopes of learning the truth. The more they spoke, the more convinced she became that her mother had committed the murders.

In the trials, both Hailey and Dustin testified against their mother. Their involvement added a deeply personal dimension to the legal proceedings. Hailey’s courage in facing her mother in court became a poignant symbol of the burden children of violent crimes often carry.

The Latest Verdict and Sentencing Ahead

Dana Chandler is now in custody, awaiting sentencing scheduled for June 3, 2025. Her request for a fourth trial was recently denied after security footage revealed she missed a filing deadline for post-conviction motions. Chandler had claimed to mail the motion on time, but jail video footage proved otherwise.

While Chandler maintains her innocence, the court has ruled definitively on her guilt. As she continues to pursue appeals, the final chapter of this legal battle remains unwritten. But for the families of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness, and particularly for their daughter Hailey, the March 2025 verdict marked a long-awaited moment of clarity in a case that had spanned over twenty years.

A Season Finale That Confronts Hard Truths

48 Hours: My Mother’s Murder Trials captures the raw emotional toll of a case where the line between justice and heartbreak is painfully thin. Through meticulous journalism and compassionate storytelling, the episode offers a comprehensive look at the lives forever changed by this crime. As Dana Chandler prepares for sentencing, 48 Hours leaves viewers with profound questions about truth, family, and the pursuit of justice.