Husbands Who Kill: The Lori Hacking Murder
- Senai
- Jun 8, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 22
In the summer of 2004, the disappearance of Lori Kay Soares Hacking shook the community of Salt Lake City, Utah, and captured national attention. Her husband, Mark Douglas Hacking, reported her missing, sparking a frantic search that ultimately ended in tragedy. What unfolded was a tale of lies, betrayal, and a shocking act of violence that shattered the lives of those involved.
Lori Hacking was born on December 31, 1976, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was adopted by Thelma and Eraldo Soares. Raised in a loving family, Lori grew up in Orem, Utah, where she attended Orem High School. It was there that she met Mark Hacking, her future husband. The couple seemed destined for a bright future together, but beneath the surface, darkness lurked.
On July 19, 2004, Mark Hacking made a chilling 911 call to report Lori missing. He claimed she had gone for a morning jog and never returned. However, as the investigation unfolded, it became apparent that Mark's story was riddled with lies. He had never applied to medical school, despite telling Lori and others that he was preparing to attend the University of North Carolina. The truth began to unravel, revealing a web of deceit woven by Mark to conceal his own shortcomings.
Suspicion mounted as evidence against Mark Hacking accumulated. Bloodstains were discovered in the couple's apartment, and Mark's erratic behavior, including running naked through the streets, raised red flags. His own brothers would later claim that Mark confessed to murdering Lori after they confronted him.
Tragically, Lori's remains were found in a landfill on October 1, 2004, confirming the worst fears of her family and friends. Mark Hacking was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Despite initially pleading not guilty, he eventually confessed to the crime in exchange for a plea deal that spared him from facing additional charges.
In April 2005, Mark Hacking was sentenced to six years to life in prison, with a minimum term of 30 years before being eligible for parole. The sentence sparked public outcry, leading to legislative action with the passing of "Lori's Law," which increased the minimum sentence for first-degree murder convictions in Utah to 15 years.
The aftermath of Lori's murder left a lasting impact on her family and the community. Her headstone was altered to remove Mark's surname, symbolizing their rejection of him and the pain he had caused. Despite the passage of time, the wounds inflicted by Mark's actions remain raw, serving as a reminder of the fragility of trust and the devastating consequences of deception.
Today, Lori's memory lives on through the legacy of love and resilience upheld by those who knew her. While justice may have been served in the eyes of the law, the void left by Lori's absence serves as a sobering reminder of the preciousness of life and the enduring quest for closure in the face of senseless tragedy.
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