Florida Mother of 5's Cold Case Reopened After 20 Years
Sherri Malarik was a dedicated Navy air traffic controller and a mother of five. In 2001, her life was tragically cut short when she was found shot in her van near a supermarket in Pensacola, Florida. For years, her murder remained unsolved, leaving her family shattered and searching for answers. But in March 2020, a stunning confession by her husband's former lover would reignite the investigation and unveil a narrative of betrayal, suspicion, and familial conflict.
The Fateful Night
On Sept. 21, 2001, Sherri hosted a lively sleepover for her children and their cousins. Amid the bustling chaos, Sherri stepped outside to speak with her husband, Greg Malarik. She never returned. By morning, her lifeless body, shot twice in the head, was discovered inside the family van parked outside a Winn-Dixie supermarket.
Investigators found inconsistencies in Sherri's husband's story. Greg mentioned that a coworker, Jennifer Spohn — later revealed to be his lover — had visited that evening to drop off a lawn mower. This unusual detail raised eyebrows, especially as evidence hinted at a prearranged alibi between the two.
A Family Torn Apart
The years following Sherri's death were marked by grief and division. While Greg maintained his innocence, Sherri's son Jacob, from a previous relationship, grew suspicious. He vividly recalled Greg's calm demeanor on the night of the murder and questioned the plausibility of Sherri needing to run errands. Jacob shared these doubts with investigators but refrained from discussing them with his siblings, including his younger sister, Tera.
Tera, only 3 years old at the time, grew up believing in her father's innocence. Despite whispers and accusations from extended family members, she remained steadfast in her support of Greg, which eventually put her at odds with her brother and cousins.
The Game-Changing Confession
Nearly two decades later, Spohn came forward with shocking revelations. In her first media interview with "Dateline," she claimed Greg had confided in her about his desire to kill Sherri, believing divorce would be too costly, as reported by NBC News. On the night of the murder, Spohn said she followed his instructions to help create an alibi, even disposing of a bag containing the suspected murder weapon.
Spohn received immunity in exchange for her testimony, and in 2020, Greg was arrested. Prosecutors built their case around Spohn's account and the memories of Sherri's children, but it was a story without physical evidence — no murder weapon, no DNA, and no clear motive strong enough to sway a jury.
The Trials and Verdicts
Greg's first trial in 2022 ended with a hung jury. By the time the second trial began in 2023, tensions within the family had reached a boiling point. Jacob testified for the prosecution, while Tera took the stand in defense of her father, testifying that she sometimes felt uncomfortable around relatives because "everything was always centered around mom’s death," as reported by NBC News.
The defense portrayed Spohn as an unreliable witness, suggesting she had motives of her own. They emphasized the lack of concrete evidence tying Greg to the murder. Ultimately, the jury found Greg not guilty, leaving the case unresolved and the family more fractured than ever.
An Unfinished Story
For the Malarik children, the verdict brought no closure. Jacob, who firmly believes his father is guilty, has distanced himself from Tera, while she remains resolute in her belief that Greg was wrongfully accused. As reported by NBC News, Jacob stated, "I've got a lot of anger in my heart right now that I'm trying to deal with, and that's why I've put Tera off for a moment. I need to deal with my stuff." The emotional toll of the trials has left the siblings estranged, with little hope for reconciliation.
As for Sherri's murder, it remains officially unsolved. The questions surrounding her death still haunt those closest to her, a painful reminder of the complexities of justice and the fragility of family bonds.
References: Suspect's Ex-Lover Came Forward Nearly 20 Years Later in Fla. Mom of 5's Cold Case | A Decades-Old Killing and Two Murder Trials Divided Juries — and a Family
