Rachel Hatfield, Todd Winkler: ‘Dateline NBC’ Profiles Napa-Cameron Park, California, Love Triangle

The stabbing death of Rachel Hatfield Winkler by her husband, Todd Winkler, is the focus of tonight’s Dateline NBC. Rachel Winkler was found dead in her Cameron Park home in 2012. The brutal murder was also featured on an episode of CBS 48 Hours. Rachel Hatfield Winkler’s case involved an ex-boyfriend who still adored her, a wealthy husband, a devoted father, and a current lover. Dateline NBC will also examine how Todd Winkler was tied to the death of his previous wife, Catherine Winkler, who died in a fiery auto accident more than 10 years prior. Tonight’s Dateline NBC episode entitled “Deadly Twist” airs tonight at 9/8c.

When Don Hatfield’s daughter, Rachel, met Todd Winkler, a well-to-do businessman, he believed that she had met the man of her dreams. But that same man was also the man who savagely killed Rachel in her home.

Emergency 911 dispatchers had been called to the home located at 3185 Aeronca Way in the Cameron Air Park area, where they found the body of a white female with bite marks and multiple stab wounds to the body and neck. The victim was identified as 37-year old Rachel Winkler, aka Rachel Hatfield Winkler.

An investigation led Dorado County detectives to her husband, Todd Winkler, the 47-year old businessman who enjoyed living the glamorous life — a lifestyle that afforded him the opportunity to enjoy the opulence and luxury that came with having boats, planes, and money — lots of money. Everyone who knew Todd and Rachel Winkler say they were the couple that everyone wanted to invite to the party. Todd was very easy to talk to and had a likable manner around people. And though Rachel seemed a bit distant — people still liked her — at least when she was around Todd.

What people didn’t know was that the seemingly-quiet housewife was hiding a secret. She had taken a lover, a man whom she had met while Todd Winkler was off making money in another city. Rachel couldn’t handle being at home alone with just the kids. And James White, a well-built handyman and former Marine, was just what the lonely wife needed to keep her sexually satisfied.

Her ex-boyfriend, Tim, was also still in love with her. He and Rachel had been teenage sweethearts. And even as young adults they moved in together to try to make a life for themselves. But Tim wasn’t making enough money for her. In fact, it became clear that he would never be able to give her the life that she wanted. Her father, Don Hatfield, always thought that his daughter would outgrow Tim, and he was right. Rachel Winkler dumped Tim when she met the handsome and successful Todd Winkler. They were married within two months. But what started out as a fairytale, ended in disaster for Rachel in February 2012. That’s when police say Todd Winkler argued with his wife about her love affair with James White, an argument that ended with Rachel lying dead on the floor with punctures to the neck from a pair of scissors.

Prosecutors alleged that Todd Winkler stabbed Rachel to death as she held her small child, then told police it was a case of self defense. The defense had tried to paint Rachel as a lying, unfaithful housewife who attacked Todd. The jury didn’t agree. They returned a verdict of guilty to first-degree murder. Todd Winkler was sentenced to 26-years-to-life in prison. Today, Rachel Winkler’s children are still devastated over the loss of their mother, according to Don Hatfield. Hatfield is a well-known painter and artist in the Napa area.

Some say they understand why Todd Winkler killed Rachel, stating that the murder was a crime of passion. They also feel resentment toward James White, whom they believe was partly responsible for her death since he helped destroy the Winkler’s marriage. Others argue that a cheating wife doesn’t justify murder. What say you? Weigh in tonight after Dateline NBC.

Watch Todd A. Winkler’s “Samurai” courtroom outburst below

[Photo Credit: Facebook]