People still talk about the Mark Wangler case like it happened yesterday. It’s one of those true crime stories that sticks to your ribs, mostly because of the technical, almost surgical nature of the crime. But while the court battles over carbon monoxide and engine exhaust took center stage, a lot of folks started wondering about the woman standing right behind him in the courtroom. Specifically, the woman who became the dr mark wangler new wife just 14 months after Kathy Wangler died.
Her name is Esther Erkman (now Esther Wangler). She isn't just a background character in this saga; she was his most vocal defender when the rest of the world—and Kathy’s family—was pointing a finger at the Lima anesthesiologist.
Who is Esther Erkman?
Esther wasn't some stranger Mark met on a dating app. They were old friends from their church circle in Lima, Ohio. Honestly, their lives were already tangled up in a way that sounds like a plot from a daytime soap. Esther is a psychologist with a Ph.D., and she and her previous husband used to go on double dates with Mark and Kathy.
Then things got weird. Esther’s first marriage didn't end in a typical way; her husband underwent a gender transition, which effectively ended their relationship. She was lonely. Mark was "grieving." They found each other in the pews of their church and, according to them, they bonded over shared trauma.
They got married in 2007. This was roughly 14 months after Kathy's body was found in an upstairs bedroom, poisoned by carbon monoxide that Mark claimed came from a faulty water heater. To Kathy's family, the timing was more than just "fast"—it was suspicious. But to Esther, she was just marrying an "anchor" who brought sanity back to her life.
The Woman Who Stood by a Convicted Killer
When the police finally arrested Mark in 2009—three years after the death—Esther didn't flinch. She spent her life savings trying to keep him out of prison. We're talking about emptying bank accounts, maxing out home equity lines, and even cashing in investments to cover a $1 million bail.
She once told 48 Hours that if she were living with an "evil genius," she’d be the first to know. She truly believed the science was on his side. She argued that the jury didn't understand how carbon monoxide worked and that the local media had poisoned the well. Even after the 2011 conviction, where Mark was sentenced to 25 years to life, Esther was out there doing interviews. She was convinced the lead detective’s wife, who was the court transcriber, was creating a conflict of interest.
Wait, where is she now?
It’s been over a decade since Mark went behind bars. He’s currently serving his time at the Marion Correctional Institution. While Esther was his fiercest advocate during the trial and the immediate appeals, the public spotlight on her has dimmed significantly.
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- The Incarceration Factor: Mark won't even be eligible for parole until around 2036. That’s a long time to wait for a man who is already in his late 60s.
- The Legal Fallout: Esther actually sued a bail bondsman years ago, claiming she was scammed out of money while trying to help Mark. It showed just how deep she was in his corner, both emotionally and financially.
- The Family Split: Mark’s sons, Aaron and Nathan, were famously split. Aaron stood by his dad and Esther; Nathan... not so much. This created a massive rift that Esther was right in the middle of.
Why People Are Still Searching for the Dr. Mark Wangler New Wife
The fascination usually comes from the "why." Why would a highly educated psychologist marry a man whose wife died under such bizarre circumstances so quickly? Some call it "trauma bonding." Others think she was just a true believer in his innocence.
The case remains a staple of true crime reruns because of the "anesthesiologist" angle. The theory was that he used his professional knowledge of gases to "process" his wife like a patient on an operating table. It’s chilling. And Esther’s unwavering support adds a layer of psychological complexity that you just don't see in every murder case.
Practical Takeaways from the Wangler Saga
If you're following this case for more than just the drama, there are a few real-world things to keep in mind regarding how these legal situations play out:
- The Impact of Rapid Remarriage: In the eyes of a jury, getting remarried shortly after a spouse's suspicious death is almost always a "bad look," regardless of actual guilt. It provides a motive of "moving on" that prosecutors love to exploit.
- Carbon Monoxide Safety: This case brought huge attention to CO detectors. If you take anything away from the tragedy of Kathy Wangler, let it be the importance of having functioning, modern CO detectors on every floor of your home.
- Expert Testimony Pitfalls: The Wangler trial was a battle of "expert" scientists. It proves that in a courtroom, complex science can often be overshadowed by a compelling narrative—or "theatrics," as Esther called them.
Mark Wangler continues to file various appeals and habeas corpus petitions from prison, but so far, none have stuck. He remains a guest of the state of Ohio, and Esther remains the woman who risked everything for a man the state calls a murderer.
To stay updated on the legal status of the case, you can monitor the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) offender database using Mark's inmate number, A647689. His first parole board hearing isn't scheduled until March 2036, which will be the next major turning point for the family and for Esther.