Murder trial begins for former army recruiter accused of killing his estranged wife

SIMPSONVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) – The murder trial of a former Army recruiter accused of killing his estranged wife is set to begin Monday.

Officials said John Blauvelt stabbed Cati Blauvelt to death in October 2016 before fleeing the state with his teenage girlfriend. Cati was found dead in the basement of an abandoned home in Simpsonville.

Blauvelt was on the run for six years before the U.S. Marshal's Service arrested him in Oregon in July 2022. He was returned to South Carolina a short time later, authorities said.

Family members said the couple separated several months before the incident after John threatened to kill her.

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“We will never forget her,” said Cati's mother Patricia Piver. “Even when this is all over, we will never forget her. We will always fight for her and we will always fight for what is right and to keep her memory alive.”

John Blauvelt is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, September 16, at 9:30 a.m.

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