48 Hours Tonight

“The Mansion Above Dale Hollow Lake”: 48 Hours Reports on Michael Harding Homicide October 24 2026

by · October 22, 2026

CBS’s 48 Hours investigates the murder of Tennessee businessman Michael Harding, whose body was discovered inside a vacant Kentucky home after he was lured to the property through a fictitious heating and air-conditioning service call. The investigation exposed an alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy involving his estranged wife, California Highway Patrol Captain Julie Harding, and a man from California who was convicted of killing him.

The episode, titled “The Mansion Above Dale Hollow Lake,” airs Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 10/9c on CBS, with correspondent Peter Van Sant reporting the case. The investigation examines the breakdown of the Hardings’ marriage, a financial dispute, the September 2022 shooting and the evidence that connected Thomas O’Donnell to the crime.

Michael, 53, was found shot to death on September 26, 2022, inside an unoccupied house in Burkesville, Kentucky. His death followed a service appointment arranged by someone who appeared to be a customer. Investigators determined that the appointment had been used to draw him to the property.

The case took another turn in December 2022 when O’Donnell was arrested in California and Julie Harding was arrested in Tennessee on an unrelated criminal trespassing allegation. Two days later, Julie was found dead at the couple’s Tennessee property in what authorities described as an apparent suicide.

O’Donnell stood trial in Kentucky in April 2026. A jury convicted him of murder on May 1, and he received a life sentence on May 4. Julie died before prosecutors could bring a murder-conspiracy case against her, leaving the allegations concerning her role without a criminal verdict.

Who Was Michael Harding?

Michael Harding was a 53-year-old businessman who operated Around the Clock Heating and Air, a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning company. He had lived and worked in Northern California before establishing a life in Tennessee.

His business provided the service that became the basis of the murder plot. Michael responded to what appeared to be a request for HVAC work at a vacant property in southern Kentucky, unaware that prosecutors would later identify the appointment as a trap.

Michael had children living in Northern California. Following his death, they became part of a family confronting both the loss of their father and a criminal investigation involving his estranged wife.

In October 2026, KCRA investigative journalist Lysée Mitri reported that Michael’s children had avoided public interviews during the years preceding O’Donnell’s trial because they feared that speaking out could affect the investigation. After the verdict, they discussed their father and expressed a desire for him to be remembered beyond the circumstances of his murder.

Friends who knew Michael in Tennessee also became important voices in the investigation. Their accounts described his concerns about the deterioration of his marriage and his fear that he might be in danger.

Who Was Julie Harding?

Julie Harding was a longtime California Highway Patrol officer who had risen to the rank of captain. She joined the CHP in 1999 and served as commander of its Yuba-Sutter area office from 2018.

Her career placed her in a senior law enforcement position with responsibilities involving personnel and operations. She had served for more than two decades when the investigation into her husband’s death brought scrutiny to her conduct.

Julie married Michael Harding in 2019. The couple purchased a property in Celina, Tennessee, near Dale Hollow Lake, with plans to establish a life together in the region.

Julie continued working in California while Michael developed his business and life in Tennessee. The distance between their homes became part of the background to their separation and divorce proceedings.

By 2022, their marriage had deteriorated. Julie filed for divorce in May, and the couple became involved in disputes concerning money, property and their relationships.

Julie was 49 when she died in December 2022. Her death came during the investigation into Michael’s murder and prevented her from facing trial over the alleged conspiracy.

The Hardings’ Mansion Above Dale Hollow Lake

Michael and Julie Harding purchased a large property in Celina, Tennessee, near Dale Hollow Lake, a reservoir spanning parts of Tennessee and Kentucky. The home became the setting for their plans to build a future outside California.

The property also became part of the dispute that followed the breakdown of their marriage. Their financial interests, living arrangements and ownership of assets were among the issues surrounding their separation.

The home’s location near the Tennessee-Kentucky border placed the couple within reach of the rural communities where Michael operated his HVAC business. Burkesville, Kentucky, where he was killed, lies north of the Dale Hollow Lake region.

The house later became associated with Julie’s death. Authorities found her there on December 10, 2022, less than three months after Michael was murdered.

The property provides the title for the 48 Hours investigation, connecting the couple’s plans for a life together with the deaths that followed their separation.

Why Did Michael and Julie Harding Separate?

Julie filed for divorce in May 2022, approximately three years after the couple married. Their relationship had become strained as they maintained lives in different states and disagreed over financial matters.

Prosecutors alleged that Julie withdrew approximately $220,000 from three joint bank accounts without Michael’s consent. The transactions became part of the evidence examined during the murder investigation.

The dispute over money provided investigators with a possible motive for the killing. Prosecutors argued that the financial conflict and the end of the marriage formed part of the circumstances that led Julie to arrange Michael’s murder.

Michael had also begun a relationship with another woman. That relationship became part of the conflict involving Julie, who was arrested in December 2022 following allegations that she had entered the woman’s Tennessee property without permission.

The couple’s separation was not itself evidence of murder. Investigators examined the financial dispute alongside telephone records, travel information and evidence connecting Julie to Thomas O’Donnell.

Michael Harding’s Fears Before His Murder

Michael Harding expressed concerns about his safety before his death, according to friends interviewed during subsequent reporting on the case.

One friend recalled a fishing trip during which Michael said that if something happened to him, investigators should examine his wife. The friend described the conversation in KCRA’s October 2026 documentary Hometown Tragedy: The Broken Oath.

The account became significant after Michael was found murdered in Kentucky. It suggested that he had feared the possibility of harm during the deterioration of his marriage.

KCRA also interviewed a retired California Highway Patrol sergeant who had worked under Julie. He described concerns about changes in her behaviour and recalled his reaction after learning that Michael’s body had been discovered.

The sergeant said Julie’s reaction to the news of Michael’s death had raised questions for him. His recollections provided a perspective on the investigation from someone who had known Julie through her law enforcement career.

Those accounts were distinct from the forensic and telephone evidence presented in court, but they formed part of the wider picture of the couple’s relationship before the murder.

What Happened to Michael Harding on September 19, 2022?

On September 19, 2022, Michael received a request for heating and air-conditioning work at a vacant house in Burkesville, Kentucky. The caller presented the appointment as a legitimate service job.

Michael travelled to the property expecting to inspect or repair an HVAC system. The home was vacant and listed for sale, making it a location where the absence of occupants would not appear unusual.

According to prosecutors, Thomas O’Donnell had arranged access to the property through a deception involving a real estate representative. He obtained the lockbox code needed to enter the house.

O’Donnell then contacted Michael about the fictitious service appointment, prosecutors alleged. The purpose was to bring him to the property at a time when the killer could confront him without witnesses.

Michael arrived at the house on September 19 and was shot multiple times. His body remained inside the vacant property until it was discovered one week later.

The use of a service call became a central feature of the prosecution’s case. Michael’s occupation provided the means of drawing him to an unfamiliar property without alerting him to the danger.

How Was Michael Harding’s Body Discovered?

On September 26, 2022, a real estate agent arrived at the vacant house in Burkesville to show the property to prospective buyers. Inside, the agent discovered Michael Harding’s body.

Michael had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators determined that he had been killed after arriving at the property for the purported HVAC appointment.

The discovery prompted a homicide investigation led by Kentucky State Police. The circumstances raised questions about why Michael had travelled to the house and who had arranged the service call.

Investigators examined the property’s listing, access arrangements and communications associated with the appointment. The lockbox code became important because it helped establish how someone who was not a legitimate customer had gained access.

The investigation expanded beyond Kentucky as detectives examined Michael’s relationships and traced communications to California.

How Did Investigators Identify Thomas O’Donnell?

Thomas O’Donnell was a California resident from Napa who became the principal suspect in Michael Harding’s murder. He was 64 when a Kentucky jury convicted him in May 2026.

Investigators focused on O’Donnell after examining telephone records, travel information and his connections to Julie Harding. Prosecutors alleged that he had travelled from California to Kentucky to carry out the killing.

The investigation established that a prepaid telephone had been used in connection with the fictitious HVAC appointment. Detectives traced communications involving the property and examined records linking O’Donnell to the region at the time of the murder.

Phone-location evidence also placed O’Donnell near Julie’s Sacramento-area home shortly before Michael was killed, according to reporting about the prosecution.

The combination of communications and travel records became central to the state’s case. Prosecutors argued that the evidence connected O’Donnell to the preparation of the trap and the shooting itself.

The Prepaid Phone and the Vacant House Trap

Prosecutors alleged that O’Donnell used a prepaid telephone to conceal his identity while arranging Michael Harding’s final service appointment.

The plan involved obtaining access to a vacant house listed for sale. O’Donnell posed as someone associated with the real estate transaction to secure the lockbox code, according to the prosecution.

With access to the property, he contacted Michael and requested HVAC work. The appointment provided a reason for Michael to attend the house without raising suspicion.

The vacant property offered a location where the killer could wait for Michael. Prosecutors argued that the circumstances demonstrated planning rather than a chance encounter.

Investigators examined the communications and access arrangements to reconstruct the events preceding the shooting. The prepaid phone became one of the pieces of evidence used to connect O’Donnell to the murder.

The 194 Calls Between Julie Harding and Thomas O’Donnell

Telephone records became a major component of the murder-for-hire investigation. Prosecutors identified 194 calls between Julie Harding and Thomas O’Donnell during the three months preceding Michael’s death.

The volume of communication attracted investigators’ attention because of the timing and the relationship between the two. Prosecutors argued that the calls supported the allegation that Julie and O’Donnell had coordinated the killing.

Records also placed O’Donnell near Julie’s Sacramento-area residence shortly before Michael was murdered. Investigators examined those movements alongside his travel to Kentucky.

The prosecution used the communications to connect the alleged planning in California with the killing in Kentucky. The evidence formed part of a case spanning three states.

The calls did not, on their own, establish the contents of every conversation. Their significance came from their frequency, timing and relationship to the other evidence presented by prosecutors.

Why Did Prosecutors Suspect Julie Harding?

Julie became a focus of the investigation because of her financial dispute with Michael, their divorce proceedings and her extensive contact with Thomas O’Donnell.

Prosecutors alleged that she arranged for O’Donnell to kill Michael. They pointed to the money withdrawn from the couple’s joint accounts and evidence concerning her communications with the man accused of carrying out the shooting.

The allegation placed a senior California Highway Patrol officer at the centre of a suspected murder-for-hire conspiracy. Her law enforcement background drew attention because she had spent more than two decades working within the criminal justice system.

Investigators also examined her conduct after Michael’s death, including the dispute involving his girlfriend in Tennessee.

Julie died before a trial could determine her criminal responsibility for the alleged murder plot. The allegations against her were presented as part of the prosecution’s case against O’Donnell, but she was never convicted of arranging Michael’s killing.

The Investigation Across Kentucky, Tennessee and California

Michael Harding’s murder required cooperation among agencies in several states. The killing occurred in Kentucky, the marital and property disputes involved Tennessee, and the suspected killer and alleged organiser had connections to California.

Kentucky State Police led the homicide investigation, with assistance from the FBI and authorities in Tennessee and California.

Investigators examined travel records, telephone data, financial transactions and witness accounts to reconstruct the events surrounding the murder.

The case involved a victim who had moved from California to Tennessee, a suspect who travelled from California to Kentucky and an estranged wife who continued working as a law enforcement commander in California.

The geographical spread created a complex investigation involving different jurisdictions, records and witnesses. Detectives used evidence from the three states to establish the prosecution’s account of the killing.

Thomas O’Donnell Arrested at Sacramento International Airport

On December 8, 2022, authorities arrested Thomas O’Donnell at Sacramento International Airport in California. The arrest followed an investigation into Michael Harding’s murder that had begun in September.

O’Donnell was charged with murder in Kentucky. His arrest represented a major development in a case that had involved extensive cooperation between law enforcement agencies.

Investigators alleged that he had travelled to Kentucky, lured Michael to the vacant property and shot him. The prosecution’s case relied on communications, travel information and evidence concerning the fictitious service appointment.

O’Donnell disputed the allegation that he had killed Michael. He maintained his innocence through the proceedings that followed.

The arrest occurred on the same day that Julie Harding faced an unrelated criminal allegation in Tennessee, bringing renewed attention to the couple’s separation and the circumstances surrounding Michael’s death.

Julie Harding Arrested in Tennessee on December 8, 2022

On December 8, 2022, Julie Harding was arrested in Tennessee on a criminal trespassing allegation involving the property of Michael’s girlfriend.

Authorities alleged that Julie had entered the property without permission. Reporting about the case described accusations that she had harassed the woman during the conflict surrounding her marriage.

Julie was taken into custody and later released. The arrest occurred while investigators were pursuing the separate murder case against O’Donnell.

The trespassing allegation did not establish Julie’s guilt in Michael’s murder. It formed part of the wider circumstances examined by investigators concerning the disputes that followed the Hardings’ separation.

Her arrest came two days before her death at the couple’s Tennessee property.

How Did Julie Harding Die?

On December 10, 2022, Julie Harding was found dead at the property in Celina, Tennessee, that she and Michael had purchased during their marriage.

Authorities described her death as an apparent suicide and reported no indication of foul play. She was 49 years old.

Her death came two days after O’Donnell’s arrest in California and her own arrest in Tennessee. The timing drew attention because investigators had been examining her possible role in Michael’s murder.

Julie had been on leave from the California Highway Patrol at the time of her death. The department confirmed her years of service and her role as commander of the Yuba-Sutter office.

Her death prevented prosecutors from bringing her before a jury to answer the allegations that she had arranged her husband’s murder.

As a result, the criminal proceedings focused on O’Donnell, the man accused of carrying out the killing.

What Happened to the Allegations Against Julie Harding?

Investigators suspected that Julie Harding had organised the murder of her estranged husband through Thomas O’Donnell. Prosecutors presented the alleged arrangement as part of their case against him.

However, Julie died in December 2022 before she could face trial over the suspected conspiracy. She was not convicted of arranging Michael’s murder.

The distinction is important because the evidence against Julie was never tested in a criminal trial in which she was the defendant.

The prosecution against O’Donnell nevertheless examined the relationship between the two, including their communications, travel records and the financial dispute involving Michael.

The jury’s verdict against O’Donnell established his responsibility for the murder. It did not constitute a separate criminal conviction against Julie.

Thomas O’Donnell’s Murder Trial in Kentucky

Thomas O’Donnell stood trial in Cumberland County, Kentucky, beginning in April 2026. Prosecutors accused him of luring Michael Harding to the vacant house in Burkesville and shooting him as part of a murder-for-hire arrangement.

The state presented evidence concerning the prepaid telephone, access to the property, travel records and communications between O’Donnell and Julie Harding.

Jurors heard the prosecution’s account of how the fictitious HVAC appointment had been arranged. The state argued that the evidence demonstrated planning and connected O’Donnell to the location of the murder.

The defence maintained that the prosecution had not proved O’Donnell was responsible for the shooting. His attorneys challenged the interpretation of the circumstantial evidence.

O’Donnell did not testify during the trial. The jury considered the evidence presented by both sides before beginning deliberations.

The Evidence That Led to Thomas O’Donnell’s Conviction

The prosecution’s case relied on several categories of evidence connecting O’Donnell to Michael Harding’s murder.

Telephone records established communications between O’Donnell and Julie Harding. Location data and travel evidence were used to place him in relevant areas before and during the period surrounding the shooting.

The prepaid telephone and the arrangements for access to the vacant house helped prosecutors explain how Michael had been drawn to the property.

Witness testimony and evidence concerning the couple’s divorce and financial dispute provided the alleged motive for the murder-for-hire arrangement.

The defence argued that the evidence did not establish O’Donnell’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutors maintained that the combined records and circumstances supported one conclusion: that he had arranged the service call and killed Michael.

Thomas O’Donnell Found Guilty of Murder on May 1, 2026

On May 1, 2026, a Cumberland County jury found Thomas O’Donnell guilty of murdering Michael Harding.

The jury reached its verdict after approximately two hours of deliberations. The decision followed testimony about the September 2022 shooting and the evidence connecting O’Donnell to the vacant property.

The verdict established that O’Donnell was responsible for Michael’s death. It rejected the defence’s argument that the prosecution had failed to prove the case.

The conviction came more than three and a half years after Michael’s murder, providing a legal outcome for his family following a lengthy investigation and trial process.

What Sentence Did Thomas O’Donnell Receive?

Thomas O’Donnell was sentenced to life imprisonment on May 4, 2026, following his murder conviction in Cumberland County, Kentucky.

The sentence reflected the jury’s determination that he was responsible for killing Michael Harding in September 2022.

The conviction and sentence represented the principal criminal outcome of the investigation. Julie Harding had died before she could face prosecution for her alleged involvement.

O’Donnell continued to maintain his innocence after the verdict. In a subsequent interview for KCRA’s documentary Hometown Tragedy: The Broken Oath, he acknowledged being in the area around the time of the murder but disputed the conclusion that he was responsible.

The documentary interview was his first public account following the verdict. His statements did not alter the conviction or the life sentence imposed by the Kentucky court.

Michael Harding’s Children Speak About Their Father

Michael Harding’s children, who live in Northern California, spent years waiting for the criminal case to reach trial.

According to KCRA investigative journalist Lysée Mitri, they avoided public interviews during the investigation because they feared that discussing the case could affect the proceedings.

Following O’Donnell’s conviction, they spoke about their father and the effect of his death on their family.

Their comments formed part of KCRA’s documentary Hometown Tragedy: The Broken Oath, released in October 2026. The programme examined the murder investigation and the consequences for Michael’s relatives.

The family wanted Michael to be remembered as a father and businessman rather than only as the victim in a murder-for-hire case.

The Other Documentary About Michael Harding’s Murder

Before the October 24 episode of 48 Hours, KCRA released a documentary titled Hometown Tragedy: The Broken Oath, examining the Harding murder investigation.

The programme featured reporting by investigative journalist Lysée Mitri, who had followed the case since 2022. It included interviews with Michael’s friends, his children, former colleagues of Julie Harding and Thomas O’Donnell.

The documentary examined the relationship between Michael and Julie, the alleged murder-for-hire plot and the investigation that involved agencies in Kentucky, Tennessee and California.

It also featured O’Donnell discussing the case after his conviction. He maintained his innocence and acknowledged being in the area around the time Michael was killed.

The documentary was made available through KCRA and the Very Local streaming service, providing an additional account of the case before the CBS broadcast.

How 48 Hours Investigates The Mansion Above Dale Hollow Lake

48 Hours: The Mansion Above Dale Hollow Lake examines the murder of Michael Harding and the allegations involving his estranged wife, California Highway Patrol Captain Julie Harding.

Correspondent Peter Van Sant reports the investigation, tracing the breakdown of the couple’s marriage, the dispute over their finances and the September 2022 shooting in Kentucky.

The programme explores how investigators connected Thomas O’Donnell to the vacant property through telephone records, travel information and evidence concerning the fictitious HVAC service call.

It also examines Julie’s death in December 2022 and the murder trial that resulted in O’Donnell’s conviction and life sentence in May 2026.

The case presents a complex investigation involving a senior law enforcement officer, a businessman who feared for his safety and a murder plot that crossed state lines.

When Is 48 Hours: The Mansion Above Dale Hollow Lake Airing?

“48 Hours: The Mansion Above Dale Hollow Lake” airs Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 10 p.m. Eastern and 9 p.m. Central on CBS. Peter Van Sant reports the investigation into Michael Harding’s murder and the allegations against Julie Harding and Thomas O’Donnell.

The episode examines the September 2022 shooting, the discovery of Michael’s body in Kentucky, the alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy and the court proceedings that led to O’Donnell’s conviction.

The programme will also be available through Paramount+.

Thomas O’Donnell remains convicted of Michael Harding’s murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment in May 2026. Julie Harding died in December 2022 before facing trial over the allegations against her.

The investigation concluded with a murder conviction after detectives traced the fictitious service call, examined communications between the suspects and reconstructed the events that led Michael to the vacant house where he was killed.

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Ryan Gill

Ryan is a passionate follower of true crime television programs, reporting on and providing in-depth investigations on mysteries in the criminal world.

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