Sheriff Randy Smith and detectives met Wednesday (August 22) with Stephen Krentel and members of Nanette Krentel’s family to provide an update on the investigation into Nanette Krentel’s death.
During these meetings, Sheriff Smith shared with family members some previously unreleased details surrounding the case, including the whereabouts of Stephen and Bryan Krentel on July 14, 2017, and video footage obtained of an individual believed to be Nanette Krentel at a Slidell-area business that morning prior to her badly burned body being located inside the remains of her Lacombe-area home.
Family members and Stephen Krentel were allowed to view surveillance video obtained by detectives showing an individual believed to be Nannette Krentel at a McDonalds on Northshore Boulevard in Slidell the morning of July 14, 2017. Nanette Krentel’s cellphone was traced, and those findings were consistent with her traveling to that location that morning. Detectives have used this information to develop a timeline of Nanette Krentel’s actions in the hours prior to her death, and they feel comfortable at this time making this information public.
It was also disclosed the initial 911 call to the residence at 29500 Philip Smith Road in Lacombe on the afternoon of July 14, 2017, was made by a neighbor’s child who noticed smoke coming from the residence while she was riding her bike. The home was fully engulfed in flames when the first units arrived, and Nanette Krentel’s body was located inside the residence after fire personnel extinguished the flames.
An autopsy conducted by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office in the days following the fire confirmed her cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head, and the death was officially ruled a homicide.
During Wednesday’s meetings, family members were provided with information concerning the caliber of weapon used in her death. A gun matching that caliber was located near her body inside the badly burned home. It has also been confirmed the gun locker inside the Krentel residence was found locked prior to being forced open by investigators.
Since Nanette Krentel’s death, STPSO detectives have worked countless hours, have executed more than 20 search warrants, have interviewed more than 30 individuals and have reviewed surveillance videos from multiple locations in an effort to develop information and/or leads in this case.
Sheriff Smith said he has utmost confidence in detectives to solve this case and he will continue to provide information to Nanette Krentel’s family and the public as long as that information does not hamper the investigation. The investigation remains active and ongoing and no additional details will be released at this time.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact Detective Buckner at 985-726-7835, the Sheriff’s Office at 985-898-2338, or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward through Crimestoppers.