Dakota Spotlight S11 – Homicide at House of Bottles

The House of Bottles murder is one of Bismarck, North Dakota’s most haunting true crime cases. In 1999, a young man’s life was violently cut short at the House of Bottles liquor store, leaving a community reeling and decades of unanswered questions. In Season 11 of Dakota Spotlight, Homicide at House of Bottles, host James Wolner revisits this chilling case through powerful interviews with detectives, family members, friends, and even the convicted killer.

This six-part Bismarck true crime podcast examines not only what happened that night but also the lasting impact of violence, the search for justice, and the complex paths toward rehabilitation and forgiveness. With immersive sound design and compelling storytelling, this season shines a light on lives forever changed by a single, tragic event.

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Watch and Listen to the Homicide at House of Bottles True Crime Trailer

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Listen to Homicide at House of Bottles

Episode 1: The 1999 House of Bottles murder rocks Bismarck during a busy winter weekend

Episode 2: Detectives investigate Robbie Rahrich’s murder and uncover early clues at the crime scene

Episode 3: Leads point to a suspect as detectives trace connections and find the Baby Eagle pistol

Episode 4: Remembering Robbie Rahrich and the arrest of prime suspect Shawn Helmenstein

Episode 5: Trial and sentencing reveal the brutal truth behind the House of Bottles murder

Episode 6: Justice, accountability, and lasting impact of the House of Bottles murder case

Postscript: Reflections from a detective and archival audio revisit key moments of the case