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And this from CBS News 48 Hours--looks like they might be doing a show on this case.

Hidden Truth: Lori Hacking Case
Aug. 6, 2004

On July 24, while sitting in a psychiatric hospital, Mark Hacking's brothers say he told them that he killed his wife, Lori, and then put her body in the trash. It is believed her body is buried under more than 2,000 tons of garbage.

By all accounts, Mark Hacking worshipped his wife of five years, and he wasn’t afraid to show it. Correspondent Maureen Maher has this 48 Hours update.

“He adored her. And she adored him,” recalls Lori’s mother, Thelma Soares. “I couldn’t have asked for a better son-in-law. Lori used to call him ‘My big, old teddy bear.’”

Mark, 28, was outgoing and romantic, while Lori, 27, was private and practical. But according to Lori’s only sibling, Paul Soares, the combination worked.

“They were different. They say opposites attract. And that -- I think that was the situation,” says Soares.

“And we would always joke around with him. Like, how did he get such a cute woman? Everyone kidded him about that. Because, you know, he was just like this goofy dude that-- you know, goofy guy,” says Brian Hamilton, who became friends with Mark when they worked together in the children’s psychiatric unit of a Salt Lake City hospital. He said Hacking loved to entertain the kids at the hospital.

The couple had just learned Lori was five weeks pregnant, friends say. And they were about to embark on a cross-country move to North Carolina, where Hacking said he would be starting medical school.

The rest of the story

I wonder if there are some lawsuits in the future for his old employers?

Accused wife-killer Mark Hacking counseled psychiatric patients

Paul Foy

Associated Press

Published August 7, 2004

SALT LAKE CITY - Former patients at a psychiatric hospital where Mark Hacking worked as an orderly said Hacking, who is accused of killing his wife, insisted patients call him ``Franz'' although they knew his real name.

The two former patients, one speaking on condition of anonymity, also told The Associated Press that Hacking once ran unauthorized group therapy sessions.

(Snip)

The University of Utah said Friday that Hacking ran group ``activities,'' not therapy sessions, although the former patients recalled Hacking relishing a role as therapist - asking about their concerns and taking notes on their behavior.

They said he acted ``like a person in authority'' and rewarded them with cigarette breaks.

Former patient Nedzad ``Ned'' Rosic said Hacking was known as a ``psych tech'' but acted as a therapist while ``shaving his head and pretending to be Franz.''

(Snip)

Administrators at the University Neuropsychiatric Institute refused to take calls from the AP on Hacking's conduct on the job he resigned July 23. Brillinger said Friday she was providing answers she obtained from institute staffers she didn't identify.

Hacking was licensed by Utah as a health care assistant, a position equivalent to his job title at the institute, which was psychiatric technician, Brillinger said.

...the rest of the story

Interesting in 48 Hours article that his parents were footing the bill for his tuition 3 years ago, or his mom thought so, until contacting college. Perhaps not so unusual, but I know my folks would have never done it, after getting married...

Sure do appreciate all the research and work you're doing Miz!

Seems I read or heard somewhere that a friend of Mark's said Mark was not too keen on having a kid.

Egads, all that has happened makes ya wonder what his plan was if they had actually made the move? Could he have gotten away with it easier, further away from the families??

I admire the Hacking family's integrity and decency in wanting to do the right thing and in obtaining the confession from their son. Anyone comparing this case with the Peterson case can only feel contempt for the Peterson family for not doing the same. If the Peterson family do know that their evil son/brother is guilty, then in my opinion, they are just as guilty as he is, and deserve the world's scorn for putting their in-laws through the terrible ordeal they have gone through with all the months of anguished searching and the horribly long trial.