Ep 9. Tia Skinner & Jonathan Kurtz

Tia Skinner & Jonathan Kurtz are the featured couple in season 11 episode 9 of Snapped: Killer Couples. The episode delves into the disturbing case of Tia Skinner, a young woman who orchestrated the brutal murder of her father, and how her boyfriend at the time, Jonathan Kurtz, played a part in the deadly scheme.

The episode opens with the chilling 911 call made by Tia's younger brother, who found their father, Paul Skinner, brutally stabbed to death in their Michigan home. Police arrive on the scene to find a chaotic and bloody scene, with Tia and her brothers frantically trying to revive their father. Tia, then 17 years old, appeared to be in shock and initially denied any involvement in the murder.

However, as investigators dug deeper into the case, they began to uncover evidence suggesting Tia's involvement in the murder. It wasn't long before they discovered that Tia had actually hired two of her boyfriend's friends to commit the crime.

The episode explores Tia and Jonathan's relationship, which began when they were both in high school. Despite being from wildly different backgrounds - Tia came from a wealthy family and excelled academically, while Jonathan struggled with substance abuse and lived with his grandparents - the couple quickly became inseparable.

As the investigation into Paul Skinner's murder continued, it became clear that Tia and Jonathan had hatched a plan to kill her father and inherit his fortune. Tia had written multiple letters to Jonathan, detailing her desire to have her father killed and asking for his help. Jonathan initially brushed off the letters as a macabre joke, but Tia persisted in her request.

Eventually, Jonathan agreed to help Tia carry out her plan. He recruited two of his friends, James Preston and Fredrick Freeman, to carry out the murder. Tia provided them with detailed instructions on how to gain access to her father's home and carry out the killing. She even mapped out the layout of the house and marked where her father slept.

The episode features interviews with investigators, family members, and friends of Tia and Jonathan, as well as reenactments of key moments in the case. It explores the twisted dynamic between the couple, revealing how Tia manipulated Jonathan into carrying out the murder and how he was complicit in her deadly plan.

As the trial approached, Tia and Jonathan turned on each other, each blaming the other for their involvement in the murder. Tia claimed that Jonathan had forced her to write the letters and had threatened her into going along with the plan, while Jonathan argued that Tia was the mastermind behind the plot.

Ultimately, both Tia and Jonathan were found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Snapped: Killer Couples season 11 episode 9 delves into the disturbing story of Tia Skinner and Jonathan Kurtz, exploring the twisted dynamic between the couple and how they orchestrated the brutal murder of Tia's father. The episode offers a chilling reminder of how far some people will go for money and power, and how even the closest relationships can turn deadly.