‘We were hopeless’: Peyton man arrested for PA woman’s murder

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - On Thursday evening, Anthony Kistle, a Peyton man, is in custody awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania to face multiple charges in connection with the death of his wife, Karen, shared the Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI).

Karen Kistle was killed on May 22, 2024, at their shared residence in Dingman Township, Pike County, according to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).

The charges against Kistle also include theft by unlawful taking of a firearm and a motor vehicle, following an investigation that determined Karen Kistle's death was a homicide rather than a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to PSP.

It's an arrest that friends of Karen Kistle have been waiting for for years.

"A lot of us, we're pretty hopeless that anything was going to be done because nothing was being said in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, where she lived. So we just assume that the cops were investigating," said Stephanie Lenihan, a friend and former coworker of Karen's at ShopRite.

She says she has worked in criminal justice and knows it takes time to build a case against someone, but felt that when the two-year mark since her friend's death had passed, she was worried officials had given up on the case.

Lenihan said she and her friends felt as though Karen's husband, the suspect, was going to get away with this, and that her friend would die in vain.

"We really want, you know, all her friends want justice. You know, justice for Karen. Because we don't feel that she really got it, you know?" shared friend, Lenihan.

The filing of charges comes more than two years after Karen Kistle's death. Her friends expressed relief and a sense that justice was finally moving forward after learning of Anthony Kistle's arrest.

Lenihan described the initial news of Karen's death as "quite shocking."

Lenihan noted that Karen was a beloved presence at the ShopRite, known for speaking with everyone and helping those around her. She says people were drawn to her walking in, and that she built rapport with customers and clients alike.

"For a while, I couldn't even I couldn't even go in there because she wasn't there," Lenihan said, explaining it took her about six months to return to the store due to Karen's absence.

Lenihan said Karen was always smiling and willing to help those around her.

"It's unfortunate, you know, the person who was the one to help everyone else. We couldn't help her, you know?" stated Lenihan.

Many of Karen Kistle's friends doubted initial reports that her death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Gerri Malone, a long-time friend of Karen Kistle and her family for 50 years, highlighted Karen's struggles with carpal tunnel in both hands from years of working at ShopRite.

"I cannot imagine how you can take a gun and hold a gun in a position," Malone said, referring to the difficulty Karen would have had to take her own life.

Malone also noted that Karen Kistle had her own gun and questioned why she would use Anthony Kistle's gun if she intended to take her own life. She says she plans to be in court to fight for justice and see the case play out.

Friends like Stephanie Lenihan were "overjoyed" by the arrest, having waited and hoped for this outcome. They believed police were working diligently behind the scenes, but started to wonder when something would happen.

Lenihan emphasized the importance of this development for Karen's legacy and her grandchildren.

"This really does help, you know, because then she didn't die in vain, you know? And then there's justice, you know?" Lenihan said, expressing hope that Karen's grandsons would have answers later in life.

Karen Kistle leaves behind a daughter and grandchildren. Friends say her daughter, Lauren, was killed in a crash six months before Karen's death. They hope this arrest will lead to closure and answers for the family.

Friends say Anthony Kistle moved to Colorado shortly after her death.

The Pennsylvania State Police contacted officials in Colorado, who then pulled Anthony Kistle over on the highway, executing the warrant for his arrest, said CBI. The state agencies worked in tandem to apprehend him.

Anthony Kistle will be returned to Pennsylvania pending an extradition hearing to answer the charges filed in Pike County.

Stay up to date with the latest local news, sports, and investigations by downloading the KRDO13 app. Click here to download it from the Apple App Store. Android users can download it from Google Play here.