John Blauvelt, a 28‑year‑old U.S. Army specialist stationed at Fort Jackson, is alleged to have fled South Carolina with a 16‑year‑old girl hours after his wife, Cati Blauvelt, was discovered dead in their Spartanburg home on Feb. 18.
Background
Cati Blauvelt, a 32‑year‑old mother of two, was found unresponsive in the master bedroom after neighbors reported hearing a loud argument the night of Feb. 17. Police responded to the call on Feb. 18, and investigators later determined she died from multiple blunt‑force injuries. Detectives from the Spartanburg Police Department and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) began a homicide investigation, quickly learning that John Blauvelt had left the home without his children and was missing. The teen, identified as Hannah Thompson, a 16‑year‑old from a nearby town, was later seen with Blau Blauvelt in a vehicle that fled the area.
The Charges
The Spartanburg County Solicitor’s Office filed an affidavit on Feb. 20 charging John Blauvelt with murder, kidnapping, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. He is also charged with violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice by going AWOL. Hannah Thompson is charged with being an accessory after the fact and for allegedly aiding Blauvelt’s flight. The FBI is assisting with a multi‑state manhunt, and a federal warrant has been issued for both suspects.
Key Takeaways
- Cati Blauvelt died of blunt‑force trauma; homicide is being treated as a domestic‑violence case.
- John Blauvelt is charged with murder, kidnapping, AWOL, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
- Hannah Thompson faces accessory and kidnapping charges for accompanying Blauvelt.
- The FBI and SLED are coordinating a statewide and potentially national manhunt.
- A federal warrant and a $50,000 reward have been posted for information leading to their arrest.
What's Next
John Blauvelt is expected to appear in federal court in Charleston on March 5 for a preliminary hearing on the murder charge, while Hannah Thompson will be arraigned in Spartanburg County on March 7. Law enforcement continues to monitor interstate highways and social‑media platforms for leads. Authorities have urged anyone who sees either suspect to contact the FBI’s tip line at 1‑800‑225‑5324.
The investigation remains active, and officials emphasize that the safety of the suspects’ two children, who remain with relatives, is a secondary concern while the primary focus is securing a swift apprehension.