Sheriff releases new details on Nanette Krentel homicide probe

LACOMBE, LA (WVUE) - Stephen Krentel and members of Nanette Krentel’s family met Wednesday with Sheriff Randy Smith and his detectives to get an update on the investigation into the death of Nanette Krentel.

Nanette Krentel’s badly burned body was found inside the remains of her Lacombe-area home after fire burned the residence to the ground on July 14, 2017. An autopsy conducted by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office in the days following the fire confirmed her cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head, and the death was officially ruled a homicide.

During Wednesday's meetings, Sheriff Smith shared with family members some previously unreleased details about the case, including the whereabouts of Stephen and Bryan Krentel on the night Nanette died, as well as video footage of a woman believed to be Nanette at a Slidell-area business that morning.

Family members and Stephen Krentel, Nanette's husband, were allowed to view the surveillance video, which was taken at a McDonalds on Northshore Boulevard. Nanette Krentel’s cellphone was traced, and those findings were consistent with her traveling to that location that morning. Detectives have used this information to develop a timeline of Nanette Krentel’s actions in the hours prior to her death.

It was also disclosed that the initial 911 call to the Krentel residence on the afternoon of July 14 was made by a neighbor’s child, who noticed smoke coming from the home while she was riding her bike. The home was fully engulfed in flames when the first units arrived, and Nanette Krentel’s body was located inside the residence after fire personnel extinguished the flames.

During Wednesday’s meetings, family members were provided with information concerning the caliber of weapon used in her death. A gun matching that caliber was located near her body inside the badly burned home. It has also been confirmed that the gun locker inside the Krentel residence was found locked prior to being forced open by investigators.

Since Nanette Krentel’s death, STPSO detectives have executed more than 20 search warrants, interviewed more than 30 individuals and reviewed surveillance videos from multiple locations in an effort to develop information and/or leads in this case, Sheriff Smith said.

Smith said he will continue to provide information to Nanette Krentel’s family and the public as long as that information does not hamper the investigation. The investigation remains active and ongoing, and Smith said no additional details will be released at this time.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact Detective Buckner at 985-726-7835, the Sheriff’s Office at 985-898-2338, or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward through Crimestoppers.