Cops Realize The Helpful Farmer Is Actually The Killer

The case of Victoria “Vicki” Prokopovitz became one of Wisconsin’s most troubling disappearance cases because Vicki vanished from her Pittsfield home in April 2013 and was never found. Her husband, James Prokopovitz, told investigators he last saw her at home on the night of April 25 and that she was gone the next morning, but several details raised concern, including reports that her purse, phone, and identification were still at the house. Over time, investigators focused on James’s statements, his conduct after Vicki disappeared, and his relationship with Kathryn Friday, who was also charged in connection with the investigation. Prosecutors argued that James was responsible for Vicki’s disappearance and had concealed what happened, relying on circumstantial evidence, witness testimony, and inconsistencies in his accounts. In 2019, James was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, along with obstruction and perjury-related counts, and the case later went to trial even though Vicki’s remains had not been recovered. In February 2021, a Brown County jury found him guilty, and in May 2021 he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The case remains deeply painful for Vicki’s family because, while the conviction provided some measure of accountability, they were still left without the closure of knowing where she was or being able to bring her home.