Dateline: Unforgettable is re-investigating the murder of Johanna Hove-Becker, who was pushed out a high window by her estranged husband, US Navy officer Craig Becker, at their former apartment in Mons, Belgium.
In October 2015, Johanna and her husband, Craig, a Lieutenant in the Navy stationed at NATO Command near Mons, were going through a separation. Johanna planned to stay in Belgium so both parents could be involved in caring for their daughter.
Johanna had just signed a new lease on her own apartment in Mons and had begun seeing another man. On October 8, 2015, Johanna went for dinner with her ex at their old apartment.
At about 9 in the evening, neighbors heard a scream, and 32-year-old Johanna fell from a seventh-floor window. She survived the initial impact but died a few days later in the hospital.
Becker told the local police that his wife had consumed a large amount of wine. He claimed she was an alcoholic and was struggling with depression and that she had jumped.
The Belgian cops initially put her death down as a suicide.
Belgian cops concluded Craig Becker had killed Johanna Hove-Becker
However, the autopsy changed everything. The coroner found no traces of alcohol in Johanna’s remains, but they did find a morphine-based pain reliever and a high level of a sedative. The local cops concluded she’d been poisoned.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelThe crime actually fell under the jurisdiction of the US Navy, but for reasons that remain unclear, the Navy initially refused to take on the case. It took nearly four years and much legal wrangling before Becker was finally arraigned at Naval Base San Diego in February 2019.
Investigators learned that Becker had been incredibly controlling of Johanna’s life. He monitored her communications and prevented her from contacting friends and family. He even told her how to dress.
In 2013, Johnanna had accused Becker of trying to strangle her in a Belgium hotel room. She told the cops then that he had assumed control of her bank accounts and credit cards, leaving her isolated and trapped.
The pair reconciled a short time later, and Johanna dropped the charges against Becker, but she later told family and friends that the allegations were true.
Craig Becker convicted of Johanna Hove-Becker murder
In 2022, Becker was finally convicted of premeditated murder. He was also found guilty of assault consummated by a battery and two counts of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
The killer was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. He was also dismissed from the Navy.
Dateline: Unforgettable airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Oxygen.