When Laura Frizzo, the lone female police chief in the isolated, relentlessly cold world of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, began an investigation to find missing person Chris Regan, she never expected to uncover an alleged female serial killer as well. Investigation Discovery’s upcoming true crime thriller, DEAD NORTH, leads Frizzo down a rabbit hole that alludes to cannibalism, reveals human remains and uncovers a deadly love triangle. The investigation escalates into a cat and mouse pursuit, and brings Frizzo face-to-face with a serial killer she describes as pure evil. Through extensive bodycam footage and interrogation room conversations, this exclusive docuseries chronicles every first-hand detail of this bizarre, “Fargo”-like tale, concluding with a stunning face-off between two women on opposite sides of the law. DEAD NORTH premieres in a two-night event on Monday, May 28 and Tuesday, May 29 from 9-11pm ET.
“Investigation Discovery, at the core, tells real stories about real people who are looking for justice. The search for Chris Regan – and specifically Laura Frizzo’s determination to solve this case – is what compelled us to join her on this journey for answers,” said Henry Schleiff, Group President of Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, American Heroes Channel, and Destination America. “The story that unfolds through Chief Frizzo’s own video documentations is a rare opportunity for viewers to see a skilled investigator at work.”
“I’m so grateful that justice was served for Chris Regan, but I firmly believe that there are other victims out there,” said Laura Frizzo. “With new leads regarding their whereabouts, I’m hoping this series will shed light on the case and allow me to finish the investigation I started.”
ABOUT THE CASE
Stationed in the desolate Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Iron River Police Chief Laura Frizzo begins her investigation on October 27, 2014 with a tip that the 51-year-old Chris Regan is missing. The following day, Frizzo meets her potential suspects, Jason Cochran and Kelly Cochran. Kelly had been having an affair with Chris and may have been the last person to see him.
The case goes cold until February 2016, when there’s a startling development—Jason Cochran, Kelly’s husband, dies of a suspected overdose in Hobart, Indiana. Frizzo’s heart sinks, thinking her key source is gone and Chris Regan will never be found; but then, investigators drop a bombshell. Jason didn’t overdose. He was murdered.
Brought in for interrogations, Kelly finally admits she was a participant in Chris’ murder – she and Jason had a pact to “kill off” anyone involved in their extramarital affairs. While Kelly explains most of Chris’ remains had been dismembered—and her neighbors reveal they were potentially served his remains at a barbecue—she leads Frizzo to an area where his skull is ultimately located in the desolate Upper Peninsula woods.
On May 10, 2017, Kelly is sentenced to life in prison for Chris’ murder, and on April 18, 2018, Kelly pleads guilty to first degree murder of her husband Jason, which carries a 65-year-sentence.
Amidst these convictions, Kelly’s own brother, Colton Gaboyan, comes forth fearing his sister is a serial killer with nine total victims. Per the provisions in Kelly’s plea, the State of Indiana can never charge her for these additional murders. If she chooses, Kelly can now provide locations of other victims without any penalty
The toll of this case on Frizzo’s career are significant. Despite disagreements with the Iron River City Manager regarding her “bullheaded” investigation style, Frizzo remains adamant that the case isn’t closed. The City Manager relieves Frizzo of her duties just as Kelly admits to having other “friends” buried in Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee and Minnesota; however, the identities and specific locations of these bodies remain a mystery to this day.
DEAD NORTH is produced for Investigation Discovery by Magilla Entertainment with Matthew Ostrom, Laura Palumbo Johnson and Jason Fox as executive producers. For ID, Tim Baney is executive producer, Sara Kozak is senior vice president of production, Jane Latman is executive vice president of development, Kevin Bennett is general manager, and Henry Schleiff is Group President of Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Destination America and American Heroes Channel.
ABOUT INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY (ID)
Investigation Discovery (ID) is the leading crime and justice network on television, delivering the highest-quality programming to approximately 85 million U.S. households. From harrowing crimes to in-depth investigations and heart-breaking mysteries behind these “real people, real stories”, the always revealing network challenges our understanding of culture, society and the human condition. The #1 network for women in all of cable, ID’s programming is available in both high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD), as well as anytime and anywhere through the network’s TV Everywhere offering, IDGo. For exclusive web content and bonus material, fans can follow ID on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook or check out the network’s true crime blog, CrimeFeed.
Investigation Discovery is part of Discovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world’s #1 pay-TV programmer reaching 3 billion cumulative subscribers in 220 countries and territories to serve content that inspires, informs and entertains. For additional information about ID, please visit
InvestigationDiscovery.com.