What Happened To Cara Rintala? Dateline’s “Down The Basement Stairs” Explains Everything
The death of Annamarie Cochrane Rintala in 2010 and the legal fight that followed with her wife, Cara Rintala, helped fuel one of the most controversial and protracted criminal cases in the state’s history.
This article explains how the couple went from a turbulent and rocky romance to the night of Annamarie’s death, the web of circumstantial evidence, several mistrials, and Cara’s conviction and prison sentence. As NBC’s Dateline revisits the case, we examine why the public’s fascination with it refuses to end — and what this latest verdict means for justice, family, and closure.
A Red Flag Rocky Relationship
On the surface, Cara and Annamarie Rintala appeared to be a happy couple. They were both paramedics, and a romance kindled and brought them together to begin a family. They adopted a baby girl, Brianna, in 2008, and married shortly after that. But by 2009, their relationship had grown toxic.
Police were called for domestic violence, and both women filed for divorce and restraining orders against him. They eventually reconciled for the sake of their child, but the tension was still there. This tumultuous past would factor prominently in the investigation of Annamarie’s death.
March 29, 2010: A Chilling Discovery
Annamarie was discovered dead at the base of the basement stairs of her home in Granby, Massachusetts. Cara informed police she and their daughter were out and came home to the gruesome find. She left her daughter with a neighbor and called 911.
Officers discovered Annamarie, her body cold to the touch and smeared in white paint, immediately prompting suspicion. Investigators said there were signs of a struggle and tampering with the scene. And an autopsy showed she had been strangled, not accidentally harmed during a fall.
Crucial Evidence Led To Cara Rintala
Cara was a suspect for a while based on being at the scene and some timeline issues. She said she had left the house around 3 p.m.. Still, forensic experts determined that Annamarie must have died closer to 1 p.m.
Surveillance videos from McDonald’s captured footage of Cara dumping garbage, which was later discovered to include rags containing the DNA of another woman. Though she claimed not to have been aware of the murder at the time, prosecutors said they believed that she was trying to establish an alibi after the fact. Her history with Annamarie and furtive behavior made her look bad.
The Trials: Four Rolls Of The Dice For Justice
Cara’s initial two trials, in 2013 and 2014, resulted in hung juries. Then, in 2016, she had a third trial and was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. But the charge never held.
The state’s highest court overturned that decision in 2021, saying the expert testimony was flawed because drying time for paint at the scene was listed as evidence that George was the killer.
A fourth trial brought a fresh conviction, this time for voluntary manslaughter in 2023. She was sentenced to between 12 and 14 years in prison with credit for more than seven years already served.
Other Suspects And Defence Arguments
Cara’s defense identified two other possible suspects — Annamarie’s former girlfriend and a coworker with whom she may have been having a romantic relationship. Both were said to have had a financial interest in common with Annamarie. But investigators eliminated them, citing airtight alibis.
The defense also contested the correctness of the autopsy timeline and maintained that Cara’s trash disposal routines were not out of the ordinary. These were the points that failed to persuade the jury at the culmination of her trial, which found her guilty of manslaughter.
Where Is Cara Rintala Now?
Cara Rintala is serving her life sentence now at Western Massachusetts Regional Women’s Correctional Center. She is 57 and will be in prison for at least another three years, unless paroled.
Saying she is suffering from mental health issues, has no prior criminal record, and is being headed by her family, she has once again appealed her sentence. Her tale, now the subject of an episode on NBC’s “Dateline” titled “Down the Basement Stairs,” has continued to captivate many viewers and provoke questions about justice and second chances.
Dateline Effect: Why This Case Is Important
Dateline (NBC) viewed this tragedy in a special episode released May 10, 2025. The show delves into Cara’s four trials, the forensics, and the emotional trauma on both families. Public interest remains high partly because the case touches on several complicated themes: violence at home, mistakes in the law, the limits of forensic science, and just how long it can take for justice to be served. Dateline also highlights the tragedy that haunts a small town 15 years later.
FAQs
Who Was Annamarie Cochrane Rintala?
Annamarie Rintala was a paramedic who was married to Cara Rintala. Her body was discovered in her basement in 2010.
What caused her death?
She died from strangulation. Her body was also found painted over with white paint, indicating tampering at the scene.
So why did it take so long for a final decision?
Cara Rintala was tried four times because of hung juries, and the state’s Supreme Judicial Court reversed a conviction.
Where is Cara Rintala now?
Cara is serving her sentence — 10 to 12 years for voluntary manslaughter — in a Massachusetts women’s prison.
What did Dateline uncover about the case?
Dateline’s hour details the timeline, the trials, and the impact the case had, with exclusive interviews, including an exclusive interview with Superior Court Judge Danel Craig.
Final Words
The saga of Cara Rintala is more than a courtroom drama—it’s a cautionary tale of love gone wrong, where forensic science is pivotal and justice is a time-consuming trek. Even as her case nears a resolution with a final verdict, it raises questions about fairness, evidence, and truth that still provoke debate. For now, a life is lost, another is in the state’s custody, and a child grows up informed by a tragedy that captivated the nation.
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