How a 2005 Murder Cracked a 1996 Cold Case
The quiet suburbs of Georgia became the backdrop for a chilling tale of greed, manipulation, and murder. The deaths of three women — Carol Marlin, Margaret (Maggie) Ginn, and Kasi Peek — were unraveled over nearly a decade, exposing a story of calculated deceit and cold-blooded violence. What began as a baffling double homicide in 1996 would only find resolution after another tragic killing in 2005.
Dinner Ends in Tragedy
On the evening of June 13, 1996, Carol Marlin and Maggie Ginn met for dinner in Marietta, Georgia. Hours later, both women were found dead inside Ginn's home. Their bodies bore clear signs of a brutal attack, with fatal injuries concentrated on their heads — a deeply personal method of violence.
The crime scene was perplexing. The front door was locked, and Carol was clutching a piece of paper from Lockheed Martin, where both she and her husband John Peek worked — but the paper had another man's name hastily scrawled on it. Investigators noted that it all felt staged, an effort to misdirect suspicion. Despite their best efforts, detectives couldn't gather enough evidence to press charges. The case went cold, leaving the victims' families devastated and the community on edge.
Greed and Murder: A Sinister Pattern
Nine years later, on Oct. 2, 2005, another murder rattled the nearby town of Smyrna, Georgia. Kasi Peek was found dead in her condo, the scene eerily reminiscent of the earlier crime. Belongings were scattered, but there was no sign of forced entry or theft. Once again, the evidence seemed carefully orchestrated to obscure the truth.
Kasi's estranged husband, John Peek, reported the crime, claiming to have found her body. Police soon uncovered a damning motive: Kasi had a life insurance policy with John listed as the beneficiary, and he had been diligently making payments to keep it active. Investigators realized this wasn't an isolated incident, but part of a deadly scheme.
The Mastermind Exposed
When questioned about Kasi's murder, John Peek let slip a chilling detail: His first wife, Carol Marlin, had also been murdered. Investigators in both cases began to piece together the pattern of manipulation and greed.
Back in 1996, just weeks before Carol's death, John had been named the primary beneficiary of her $700,000 life insurance policy. Detectives also discovered that the night before Carol and Maggie were killed, John had broken into the home of a coworker, Barry Webb, claiming he was looking for his wife. John's deceitful actions painted a picture of a man willing to go to any lengths for financial gain.
A pivotal break came when a brave relative of one of the victims agreed to wear a wire, helping police collect the final pieces of evidence needed to arrest John.
Justice at Last
In April 2007, John Peek was convicted of all three murders and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is currently serving his sentence at Wilcox State Prison in Abbeville, Georgia. His heinous actions left a trail of devastation, but the tireless efforts of investigators and the courage of the victims' families ensured that justice was served.
John's crimes serve as a haunting reminder of how greed and manipulation can masquerade as normalcy. His story underscores the importance of vigilance and trusting one's instincts when something feels wrong. As the families of Carol, Maggie, and Kasi continue to grieve, their legacy lives on in the determination that brought their killer to justice.
References: Watch the Dateline episode "Deadly Omission" now | Georgia Woman's Murder Unravels Years-Old Mystery of Two Friends Who Were Also Killed: "He Was a Monster" | John Peek Was Running Scams That Ended in the Deaths of Three Women — Where Is He Now? | She 'Signed Her Death Warrant': Atlanta Husband Seeking Insurance Payouts Killed 2 Wives
