On a quiet afternoon in mid-December 2023, a man living near Salt Lake City suddenly found himself at the center of a shocking murder investigation.
What began as a normal day quickly turned into a terrifying moment when law enforcement knocked on his door.
This incident would later uncover a tragic death, a misunderstanding involving past relationships, and a surprising alibi that helped clear an innocent man within hours.
Authorities Arrive at Anthony Holland’s Home
A Sudden Visit From Investigators
On December 14, 2023, Anthony Holland was relaxing and watching television when police unexpectedly arrived at his Utah home. Their presence immediately alarmed him.
Holland admitted he feared he might be arrested. “I thought I was going to jail,” he later shared with 48 Hours. Yet he genuinely did not know what crime he could possibly be connected to.
Investigators Mention a Familiar Name
During questioning, officers asked if he knew Kristil Krug. Holland explained that she was his first serious girlfriend, someone he had dated back in 2000. They had not spoken for years, and he had no idea why she was suddenly part of a police investigation.
The Murder of Kristil Krug
A Mother of Three Killed in Her Garage
Unknown to Holland at the time of questioning, 43-year-old Kristil Krug had been killed in the garage of her home in Broomfield, Colorado earlier that morning, around 8 a.m. The tragedy shocked her community and left three young children without their mother.
The Case Gains National Attention
Her death and the unfolding investigation are the focus of “The Setup Murder of Kristil Krug,” a new 48 Hours episode hosted by correspondent Peter Van Sant, airing Nov. 29 at 10/9c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
Why Investigators Suspected Holland
Claims of Threats Before the Murder
In the weeks leading up to her death, Kristil reportedly told police that she and her husband, Dan Krug, were receiving disturbing emails and text messages from a stalker. She believed Holland was behind the messages, even though they had not spoken in years.
Police Travel Across State Lines
Because of these claims, Colorado authorities asked police in Utah to immediately question Holland—who lived about 500 miles from the crime scene.
The Alibi That Changed Everything
A Time-Stamped Receipt Saves Him
Despite being a suspect, Holland was quickly ruled out. At 12:16 p.m. on the day of the murder, he was buying a sweatshirt at a nearby department store. The receipt, complete with a time stamp, showed he was nowhere near Colorado.
The evidence proved it was impossible for him to commit the crime. Investigators cleared him on the spot.
Holland Believes the Alibi Was “Guided”
Holland later told 48 Hours that he felt an unusual urge that morning to buy a sweatshirt, even though he didn’t really need one. He believes the feeling came from something beyond coincidence.
He said he felt the guiding presence of both his late mother and Kristil herself. “Her spirit could have traveled,” he explained. “It was like something told me: go to the store.”
Moments after returning home from the purchase, police arrived at his door.
The Arrest of Dan Krug
Two days after Kristil’s murder, authorities arrested her husband Dan Krug, charging him with stalking and murder. The investigation shifted dramatically away from Holland once the evidence aligned.
A Sweatshirt That Became a Symbol
Holland still keeps the sweatshirt he bought that day. To him, it represents more than a piece of clothing—he sees it as a sign of truth, timing, and justice for someone he once cared for deeply.
The tragic death of Kristil Krug set off a fast-moving investigation that initially pointed toward an old boyfriend living hundreds of miles away. But a simple store receipt revealed the truth within hours, clearing Anthony Holland of suspicion.
His unexpected alibi not only protected his innocence but also redirected the investigation toward the real suspect. Today, Holland considers that moment—and the urge to buy a sweatshirt—as something that helped bring justice to a woman who once held an important place in his life.
