A Killer Story: Full timeline of the Topeka, Kansas double homicide

HBO's A Killer Story revisits a double homicide involving a couple named Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness, who were found shot to death in bed while they slept in Karen's home in Topeka, Kansas, in July 2002. The documentary explored the long legal fight and repeated trials involving the former wife of Sisco, Dana Chandler, who was convicted of the murders.

The docuseries will premiere on September 10, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT with three chapters named Welcome to Topeka, Person of Interest, and A Dangerous Notion.

Dana was taken into custody in 2011 and found guilty of murdering the couple in 2012. Later, the Kansas Supreme Court overturned that verdict because of serious misconduct by the prosecutors. On June 3, 2025, she received two consecutive life sentences with no chance of parole for 50 years.

Continue reading more about the full timeline of the Topeka, Kansas double homicide.

Full timeline of the Topeka homicide case in A Killer Story

July 6, 2002

The surveillance camera recorded Mike Sisco and his fiancée Karen Harkness leaving the Sac and Fox casino outside of Topeka at 1:30 a.m. They went there to enjoy the evening. On their way home, they stopped at a gas station to get coffee. It was the last time the camera recorded the couple alive.

A Killer Story reveals the couple's murder on July 7, 2002

The next day, a family gathering was arranged at Karen's home, where relatives believed that the couple might share news of their engagement. Karen's father, Harold Worswick, rang the doorbell but no one answered. When he found no one in the house, he headed straight downstairs to the bedroom. According to CBS News, he said,

"Just as I got to the foot of the stairs, I could see Karen. … And I said, "Oh, C***." I knew she was dead. And then I found Mike on the outside of the bed."

Harold then called 911 and told them that he had located his daughter downstairs lying dead on her bed. The Topeka Police Department's detective Richard Volle took the case and started investigating.

Richard reported that Karen was struck by five bullets in her back and buttocks while Mike was struck by seven gunshots. The rest of the house showed no signs of disturbance.

A Killer Story reveals that investigators discovered more than $1,000 in cash, untouched jewelry, and a Rolex watch. The evidence led them to quickly rule out robbery as the motive. However, later, the detective found no signs of forced entry or burglary, suggesting the murders turned personal.

The detective contacted Mike's ex-wife, Dana Chandler, to inform her of the crime. Later, Richard mentioned that Dana's tone was unusual in a voicemail she left, asking whether the report of her ex-husband's death was true.

July 10, 2002

Topeka Police Department in A Killer Story (Image via YouTube/@HBO Max)

Richard interviewed Dana in person, and she claimed that she had spent July 6 at home in Denver and only went outside to purchase cigarettes, a car lighter, and snacks. However, credit card records revealed that she also bought two 5-gallon gas cans. Investigators suspected that she might have used them to avoid stopping for fuel if she drove to Kansas.

2002–2003

Police checked Rocky Mountain National Park surveillance cameras where Dana claimed that she drove the day after the murders, but her car never appeared on the footage. Cellphone records also revealed a 27-hour gap in activity around the time of the killings despite her usual frequent usage.

2005

Mike's daughter, Hailey Sisco, began secretly recording conversations with Dana, and in one call, Dana admitted that she had violent thoughts about Mike.

2007

A Killer Story shows that homicide consultant Vernon Geberth reviewed the case and concluded that Dana was the only person with the motive, means, and opportunity to commit the murders. His report reignited interest in the stalled investigation.

2011

According to A Killer Story, the case was revived after Chad Taylor became the new district attorney. Chad believed the circumstantial evidence was strong enough to pursue charges. On July 24, 2011, Dana was arrested in Oklahoma and charged with the murders of Mike and Karen.