American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals Season 11 Episode 1 Deadly Gold Digger

American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals is an investigative series that examines some of the most outrageous and disturbing cases of corporate fraud, financial crime, and Ponzi schemes that have been uncovered in the United States. The show employs a blend of interviews, news footage, and dramatic recreations to tell the stories of the individuals who perpetrated these schemes, as well as the law enforcement agents and victims who brought them to justice.

Season 11 of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals kicks off with an episode titled "Deadly Gold Digger." The episode examines the case of a woman named Nanette Krentel, who was found dead in the burned-out ruins of her Louisiana home in July of 2017. Krentel was the wife of a local fire chief named Steve Krentel, and her death was initially believed to have been the result of foul play. However, as investigators delved deeper into the case, they uncovered a web of greed, lies, and deceit that would reveal the truth about what had really happened to Nanette Krentel.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to Nanette Krentel, a vivacious and ambitious woman who had worked as a fitness instructor, a dental hygienist, and a real estate agent before marrying Steve Krentel and settling down in Louisiana. Nanette was known in her community for her beauty, her charisma, and her love of expensive cars, jewelry, and vacations. However, she was also rumored to have a darker side, with some people suggesting that she was manipulative, controlling, and had a history of infidelity.

The episode then shifts to the morning of July 14, 2017, when the fire department received a call about a house fire at the Krentel home in Lacombe, Louisiana. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found the house fully engulfed in flames, and Nanette's body was discovered in the wreckage. At first, investigators suspected that Nanette had been murdered, as there were signs of a struggle in the house, and Steve Krentel had told them that he had received threatening text messages from someone who wanted to harm his wife.

However, as the investigation progressed, it became clear that there was more to the case than met the eye. For one thing, it turned out that Steve Krentel had been having an affair with a woman named Liz Seigers, who lived in another state and had never met Nanette. Seigers became a person of interest in the case, as she had been texting and calling Steve around the time of the fire, and had also made disparaging comments about Nanette on social media. However, Seigers vehemently denied having anything to do with Nanette's death, and there was no direct evidence linking her to the crime.

As the investigation continued, other suspects emerged. For example, it was discovered that Nanette had been involved in a real estate deal with a man named Ronald Morgan, who had a criminal record and was known for his shady business practices. Morgan had promised to help Nanette flip a property for a hefty profit, but the deal had fallen through, and Nanette had lost a significant amount of money in the process. Some people speculated that Morgan had killed Nanette in order to cover up his role in the failed real estate deal.

Another suspect in the case was Nanette's own father, Tom Trehern, who was rumored to have had a contentious relationship with his daughter. Trehern had a history of mental illness, and had allegedly made threats against Nanette and Steve in the past. However, Trehern denied having anything to do with the fire or Nanette's death, and there was no concrete evidence linking him to the crime.

Despite the multiple suspects in the case, investigators eventually honed in on one individual: Steve Krentel himself. As it turned out, Steve had a history of extramarital affairs, and had been involved with several women while still married to Nanette. He had also been using Nanette's credit cards to pay for his personal expenses, and had even taken out a $700,000 life insurance policy on her just weeks before she died. Furthermore, Steve's alibi for the night of the fire was inconsistent and implausible, and he had been caught on camera buying gas cans and lighter fluid at a local store.

In the end, Steve Krentel was charged with second-degree murder in connection with Nanette's death. He maintained his innocence throughout the trial, claiming that he had been at a bar with friends when the fire broke out and that he had nothing to do with Nanette's death. However, a jury found him guilty of the crime, and he was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

"Deadly Gold Digger" is a chilling and fascinating episode of American Greed: Scams, Scoundrels and Scandals that delves into the darkest aspects of human nature. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed, deceit, and betrayal, and a tribute to the law enforcement officers who work tirelessly to bring justice to those who have been victimized by such crimes.