Murder or Misfortune? Texas Woman Charged with Poisoning Fifth Husband



A Texas woman is accused of killing her fifth husband by poisoning him with insulin.

This is coming nearly five years after she allegedly shot and killed her fiancé in self-defense.



Sarah Hartsfield is a 48-year-old former US Army sergeant.

She is accused of murdering her diabetic husband, Joseph Hartsfield. 

She allegedly injected him with high levels of insulin.

After she injected him, she delayed calling 911 until it was too late, according to multiple reports 

Officials said that the 46-year-old’s insulin levels were extremely high four to six hours before his wife called for help.

They also noted that his glucose monitor had sounded an alarm well before she attempted to get help.

While Hartsfield remains in Chambers County Jail, investigators in Minnesota have reopened the investigation into the death of her ex-fiancé, David Bragg.

She shot and killed David Bragg in 2018. 


It's unclear what new evidence Minnesota investigators received to reopen the case. 

However, that incident wasn’t her first encounter with the law.

Hartsfield, who was known as Sarah Donohue at the time, was arrested in March 1996. 

She was accused of assaulting her second husband, Michael Traxler, at their Rio Bonito home.

She remained in jail for a week, but the charges were eventually dropped.

Sarah Hartsfield's first husband was Titus Knoernschild. 

They married in 1993 after meeting in high school but divorced in 1996. 

Knoernschild described their marriage as tumultuous, recalling threats made by Hartsfield during their separation.

He says he feels fortunate to have escaped alive

“I am glad she has finally been caught for who she is,” Hartsfield’s first husband, Titus Knoernschild, told ABC13. 

“I’m just sorry another person had to die to get her caught.”



Sarah Hartsfield's murder case is currently delayed, with no trial expected this year. 

She is charged with the murder of her fifth husband, Joseph Hartsfield, who died from complications related to insulin toxicity in January 2023

Her new defense attorney is still reviewing extensive evidence.

A court hearing is scheduled for November to potentially set a trial date. 

Sarah Hartsfield remains in custody with a $2 million bond, which was recently upheld by an appeals court. 

She had asked the Judge to reduce her bond becasue she didn't have money.

She also told the judge that she had fired her attorney and asked for a replacement.

Ryan Donohue, Hartsfield’s son from her third marriage, told NBC he knew his mother’s poor judgment would lead to her downfall.

It’s unreal seeing my mom in that jumpsuit now,’ Donohue said. “I’ve waited for it my whole life.”


Comments