Pulpit and the Pyre: The Murder of Dawn Hacheney

Episode 122

Pulpit and the Pyre: The Murder of Dawn Hacheney – Part 1

When a house fire claims the life of Dawn Hacheney the day after Christmas 1997, investigators initially conclude it was a tragic accident. A bedroom filled with Christmas gifts, portable propane cylinders, a space heater, and an elevated level of Benadryl appear to support a devastating—but explainable—chain of events.

But as a fire protection engineer, April isn't content to stop at the official explanation.

In Part One of this new series, we examine the fire scene, the science behind the original accidental-fire theory, and the unusual beliefs of the charismatic church community surrounding Dawn and her husband, youth pastor Nick Hacheney. Along the way, we explore authority, discernment, and how deeply held beliefs can shape the way people interpret tragedy.

Five years would pass before everything investigators thought they knew about Dawn's death would be turned upside down.

In this episode:

• The December 26, 1997 fire that killed Dawn Hacheney
• The original accidental fire investigation
• Flash fires, laryngospasm, and the proposed propane leak theory
• Christ Community Church and the role of prophecy, miracles, and spiritual authority
• Why investigators initially believed no crime had occurred

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Inner Sanctum Acknowledgments:
Eternal gratitude to our Inner Sanctum patrons, Melanie Curtis, Beth Charis-Molling, Laura Pisciotta, and Jason Wolfe for helping us bring light to the stories others would rather leave in the ashes.

Listener discretion is advised.

Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated 

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SOURCES:

• Mankiewicz, J. (Host). (2023). Mortal Sin [Audio podcast]. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline
• Olsen, G. (2005). A twisted faith: A minister's obsession and the murder that destroyed a church. St. Martin's Griffin.
• In re Personal Restraint of Hacheney, 169 Wash. App. 1, 288 P.3d 619 (Wash. Ct. App. 2012).