She Uncovered His Darkest Secrets - And It Cost Her Life

In 2004, Lori Hacking’s disappearance shocked the nation, but the truth that unfolded was even more devastating. The perfect marriage she appeared to have with her husband, Mark, in Salt Lake City, Utah, was shattered by a web of deceit. This tragic case revealed the dark undercurrents of lies and betrayal, leading to her untimely death at the hands of the man she loved.

The Disappearance That Captivated the Public

Lori Hacking was reported missing by her husband, Mark Hacking, on July 19, 2004. He claimed she had gone for an early morning run and never returned. As authorities launched a search, the community and media were gripped by the story of the young woman who seemingly vanished without a trace. However, it didn’t take long for cracks to form in Mark’s version of events. Investigators quickly discovered that his claim of Lori’s run was just the beginning of a series of fabrications.

Mark’s Web of Lies Begins to Unravel

As the investigation progressed, authorities uncovered startling truths about Mark Hacking’s life. He had lied to Lori, her family, and his own family about major aspects of his life. For years, Mark had pretended to be a medical student at the University of Utah, when in reality, he had never even completed his undergraduate degree. This web of lies extended to his job, his education, and even their future together. The weight of his deception became too much to bear, and when Lori confronted him after discovering the truth, it led to a horrifying outcome.

Lori’s Discovery of Mark’s Deception

On July 16, 2004, Lori contacted the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine to inquire about financial aid, possibly prompted by her pregnancy and their upcoming move. She was stunned to learn that Mark had never enrolled in or even applied to the medical program. Mark quickly reassured Lori, explaining that a computer error was to blame for his name not appearing on the student roster. Trusting his explanation, Lori left a voicemail with the school, stating that the issue had been resolved. However, since she called after business hours, no one would hear the message until Monday - by which time Lori had already been murdered. Prosecutors believe that her discovery of Mark’s deceit may have been the catalyst that led him to kill her as his lies began to fall apart.

A Fatal Confrontation

On the night of July 18, 2004, Mark fatally shot Lori in their apartment. He then attempted to cover up his crime, disposing of her body in a nearby dumpster and concocting the story of her disappearance. Despite his efforts to evade suspicion, police uncovered surveillance footage showing him purchasing a mattress on the same day Lori was reported missing. Inside the couple’s apartment, police found Lori’s purse, wallet, and car keys, along with a blood-stained hunting knife, which ultimately led to his confession. They also noticed that the driver’s seat in Lori’s car had been adjusted for someone taller than her, and there was blood in the back seat, suggesting a murder rather than a disappearance. After months of searching, Lori’s remains were found in the landfill, too decomposed to confirm her pregnancy.

Mark’s Conviction and Legacy of Betrayal

In 2005, Mark Hacking pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to a prison term ranging from 30 years to life. According to A&E, Mark stated during his trial, “I intentionally shot Lori Hacking in the head with a .22 rifle on July 19, 2004 … she was the greatest thing that ever happened to me, but I killed her, and took the life of my unborn child and put them in the garbage, and I can’t explain why I did it.”

A Family Shattered but Forgiving

Lori’s family was devastated by her loss, but remarkably, they extended forgiveness to Mark. Lori’s mother, Thelma Soares, has spoken about the intense pain of losing her daughter, but she also expressed her decision to forgive Mark for what he had done. However, many years later, Soares admits that while she has forgiven Mark, she will never fully get over the loss of her beloved daughter.

Lori’s remains were laid to rest under her maiden name, Soares. In her honor, her family established the Lori Kay Soares Hacking Memorial Scholarship at the University of Utah's David Eccles School of Business, where she had studied, to financially aid women facing adversity.

References: The Murder of Lori Hacking: Killed by Her Husband’s Lies | 10 years after murder, Lori Hacking’s mother forgives, but ‘will never get over it’