Darlie Routier Home Is on The Market in Rowlett
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Update 1/19: The Darlene Routier home has been temporarily taken off the market.
Update 12/18: The home has dropped again in price to $390,000.
The home at 5801 Eagle Drive in Rowlett is a member of an exclusive club that no Realtor wants their listing to be a part of.
This seemingly idyllic Colonial-style home may have majestic rooftop dormers and picture-perfect porch pillars, but it is the family home where convicted murderer Darlie Routier killed her two sons, 5, and 6. And now that home, which has been on the market for 114 days, can be yours for $396,000 (plus Darlie’s original drapes, too.)
The infamous address joins homes like 410 Dogwood Drive in Wylie, where Candy Montgomery was accused and acquitted of violently slaying her best friend Betty Gore in 1980, and 942 Beachcomber Lane in Clear Lake, where Andrea Yates drowned her five children — pejoratively known as murder houses. And as you can imagine, many real estate agents can attest that it’s infinitely harder to sell a home where a violent death has taken place.
Dateline—Rowlett June 6, 1996
In June 1996, newspaper headlines nationwide read, “Mother Accused of Stabbing Sons to Death, Faking Intruder Story.” The Dallas media with their cameras and bright spotlights were lined up in front of the stately brick home of Darlie, 26, and Darin Routier, 28, a Rowlett couple married for eight years, with three young children.
Police and paramedics had responded to Darlie’s frantic 9-1-1 call at 2:30 a.m. that a man wearing dark clothes and a baseball cap broke in their home and stabbed her and her two sons as they slept in the family room. Brothers Devon and Damon both suffered fatal stab wounds from a large kitchen knife found in the home and Darlie sustained stab wounds to her arm and throat, just a few millimeters from her carotid artery.
During the four-week-long trial, Darlie was found guilty of the murder of Damon only. Prosecutors wanted the option to pursue a second indictment for Devon should the first fail in court. A third child, Drake, who was a baby at the time, and Darin, slept through the attack upstairs.
$145 a Square Foot
The 1993-built Routier home has 2,740 square feet with three bedrooms and three baths. It’s situated on a large 0.214-acre curving corner lot in the established Dalrock neighborhood. Dalrock is especially desirable for its proximity to Lake Ray Hubbard and location on a peninsula-like shore of the lake.
From the listing:
“Price to sell! Just reduced. Beautiful home on northeast corner lot with high vaulted ceilings and lots of natural light. This two-story home has formal living and dining areas at the entrance perfect for entertaining. Open concept living, breakfast, and kitchen areas. All bedrooms are upstairs as well as a large bonus room that can be used as a game room. The primary suite features a fireplace and a balcony. Large lot with lots of parking in the back. This is a must-see!”
The Dallas County Appraisal District estimated a 2022 tax value of $375,790. County tax appraisals are based on the home’s age, square footage, property size, location, and sales of comparable properties.
How 5801 Eagle Dr. Has Changed Hands Over the Years
The home is owned by Opendoor Property Trust and listed by Redfin agent Carolina Dusenbery. Once competitors, Opendoor announced in late November a partnership with Redfin in select U.S. markets.
When reached for comment Friday, Dusenbery said she could not comment on the listing without authorization from Opendoor.
Opendoor put the home up for sale in August 2022 for $410,000 and made subsequent price reductions in September and November to $396,000. In December, the home’s price was dropped to $390,000. Finally, on Jan. 19 the home was put on hold, meaning it’s temporarily off the market, North Texas Real Estate Information Services (NTREIS) records show. It was last on the market in 2006, when it was listed for $180,000 and closed for $183,000, according to NTREIS records.
Records show the Routier home has changed hands three times since it was foreclosed on in November 1996, several months after the murders took place. Court records show that the Routiers owed more than the home was worth at the time.
After its June 1997 sale to a private couple, it sold to a single woman in an off-market transaction in 2001, and to a private couple on MLS in 2006.
“Any Death on the Property…”
Texas law requires that sellers disclose when they are aware that an unnatural death has taken place on the property. As such, the current 2022 disclosure is marked with a Yes. The wording: “Any death on the Property except for those deaths caused by: natural causes, suicide, or accident unrelated to the condition of the Property.”
Interestingly, further down the page, the disclosure says, “There’s indication of a death on the property during prior ownership. Details unknown.” [Emphasis added.] Below the explanation, there’s another note, “Seller has nver occupied this proeprty. [sic] Seller encourages Buyer to have their own inspections performed and verify all information relating to this property.” While statements like “verify all information” are pretty standard language in a listing, it’s jarring to see “details unknown” for such a public crime scene.
When it was last listed on MLS for sale in 2006, the previous seller’s agent highlighted this fact by stating in the private MLS remarks on NTREIS, “Contact listing agent for disclosures prior to offers.“
However, and this may be an important point of contention for some, though the seller does abide by the Texas law that requires the disclosure, it does not explicitly draw attention to the home’s history.
A 1996 Time Capsule
The home has had few updates through the years. After the murders, the family room carpet was torn out, the kitchen sink removed, and parts of the kitchen floor taken out. But recognizable features like the bathroom fixtures, green marble floors, green marble fireplace, and even the Routiers’ burgundy custom draperies, reportedly costing $12,000, still remain.
Jurors saw a lot of the Routier home during the four week-long murder trial, wherein prosecutors painted an unflattering picture of Darlie and the Routiers’ newfound wealth. Following the success of Darin’s circuit board testing company, the Routiers purchased a Jaguar, a boat, lavish vacations, and a newly constructed home replete with a fountain in the front yard and an enclosed spa gazebo in the back. State exhibit photos presented in court show the gazebo with a bookshelf stereo on the bar and a handle of an unknown clear alcohol half-empty with the top left open, fine china place settings on display on the dining room table, and gold jewelry left on countertops. Police said nothing appeared to have been stolen during the alleged robbery.
The prosecution argued that the Routiers were overextended and owed $10,000 in back federal taxes, $12,000 in credit card debt, and payments for two mortgages on Eagle Drive, all totaling approximately $200,000. Prosecutors theorized the motive for Darlie to kill her two sons was financial, though it was widely reported at the time that the boys’ life insurance policies were $10,000, not enough to cover funeral expenses.
Where Is Darlie Routier Now?
As the public’s taste for true crime stories continues, Darlie Routier’s case has garnered interest anew from people who have watched Episode 2 of the Peacock series “On Death Row,” featuring a jailhouse interview with Routier, much like interest resurged in Candy Montgomery when Hulu released the miniseries “Candy” earlier this year.
Darlie Routier’s case is fascinating for many reasons. Few women are sentenced to death by lethal injection. In fact, only seven women currently sit on death row. And few women appear to literally dance on their child’s grave and have a Silly String birthday party at the cemetery, as jurors saw in a video shown by prosecutors during the trial. The entire video showed somber moments at the graveside service before having this symbolic birthday party.
Routier later commented on the video, saying, “He wanted to be 7. I did the only thing I knew to do to honor him and give him all his wishes because he wasn’t here anymore. But how do you know what you’re going to do when you lose two children? How do you know how you’re going to act?”
Many questions remain. What about fingerprints or the unexplained bloody sock that was found 75 feet down the alley after the Routier murders? New DNA tests on that sock and several other items from the home were ordered last year, but no results have come to light.
For 26 years, Routier has maintained her innocence and has received support from the Innocence Project of Texas, an organization founded by two criminal defense attorneys to help bring wrongly-convicted felons to justice. Routier’s attorneys have continued to appeal her capital murder sentence, so no execution date has been scheduled. Texas inmates spend an average of 11 years on death row before being executed by lethal injection. The shortest time on Texas death row was 252 days and the longest time was 31 years.
As for the home, price drops should make this a good bargain for a potential buyer who doesn’t care about the home’s history. Those buyers do exist.
Carolina Disenbery of Redfin has listed 5801 Eagle Drive for $390,000.
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My ex husband was a detective who worked that case. He said to his dying day Darlie did not get a fair trial. He explained his reasons. She was crucified by the press. The video showing her with the silly string at the grave was edited. I believe she is a victim Her life has been ruined. I hope that someday she will be free
I had doubts about her conviction from the start. She acted strangely. But who knows how anyone in her situation would act. A few unanswered questions have lingered in my mind.
I agree with you and believe she didn’t get a fair trial. I heard there was a bloody fingerprint found on a table in the living room where the murders took place that either wasn’t properly tested or did not match anyone living in the house. I hope the truth will be revealed some day and before it’s too late, considering Darlie is on death row.
How many murders has anyone seen or heard of involving JUST children ? And the killer just coming in and doing that type of damage to these babies and then just leaving ? Those kids didn’t get a FAIR life.
How many murders has anyone seen or heard of involving JUST children ? And the killer just coming in and doing that type of damage to these babies and then just leaving ? Those kids didn’t get a FAIR life.
I worked at the dcme as a clerk when the kids were brought in. She did that. The scene was staged by her.
Not able to consider her as the killer. Never have been. Too many loose ends for a decent prosecutor to ever think about trying this woman. The sock was 75 feet down the alley for instance. Her severe injuries are another. I believe the only staging of the crime scene was done by the police and prosecutor to get a conviction. Why wasn’t the dna testing done prior to indictment? DNA testing was a mature science when this crime occurred. The real killer went free and probably did other crimes unhindered due to this injustice.
If you still believe she’s innocent, watch the Forensic Files episode covering this murder. Forensics don’t lie. She did it.
Her knife used to cut screen, jewelry wasn’t taken at sink where clean up occurred, she named 2 men in her jail letters & freaked out on the stand when asked about it, blood under the glass & vacuum, no cuts on her feet, wine glass was latched wouldn’t have been knocked down, Domain didn’t bark, motion lites not on, she called media herself to film that grave scene. Her mother had the opportunity a few years ago to go on Dr. Phil? Worldwide attn and any dna testing? She refused. Why? She knows her daughter did this. Her fans say necklace was embedded, had to be surgically removed but it simply fell off when bandage removed. Bruising on her arms prob caused by boys kicking her off. Her wounds were superficial & she didn’t know what/where carotid was. She was lucky she didn’t kill herself. She was such a light sleeper that she would wake up when Drake turned over in his crib yet she slept through all that? She’s guilty. http://www.darlieroutierfactandfiction.com/
Of course she didn’t receive a fair trial. The 33K mistakes the court clerk made should have automatically been a mistrial. How many of us would be ok with that happening if it was our trial? I don’t care if they were done over again. It still wasn’t right.
Her own attorney made a few vital mistakes in my opinion.
I think this woman is innocent. I hope we soon hear that the Innocence Project has found enough evidence to exonerate!!
I agree Darlie is innocent. I have followed this case since inception. Law enforcement convicted her that night, she literally stood no chance. Media ruined and I mean completely ruined any chance of a “FAIR” trial, probably anywhere in any surrounding states, let alone the county in TEXAS where this occurred. I know the trial was moved to another county, this was not helpful AT ALL, actually worse, Very Very Very Christian Conservative town. Despite having to follow the law and only convict on the proponderous of the evidence, THIS DID NOT OCCUR. THEY CONVICTED ON THEIR MORALS AND WHAT THEY THOUGHT OF HER!!! Not fair.HER FAMILY AS WELL AS Darlie have suffered irreparable damage!! Lost a lifetime with her son Drake who was left with no choice but to live without his Mother. Granted his father Darren did a remarkable job raising Drake. Darren stayed with Darlie for many many many years after while she was on Death Row, because he absolutely DID AND DOES BELIEVE IN HER INNOCENCE. ONLY after he determined his life had to move on from that time or he and Drake would also be forever imprisoned by this, did they divorce. Still remain close but Darren is moving on in his life, while Darlie continues to have to suffer on Death Row. I hope and pray her case will be re-examined and the TRUTH COME OUT!!
Nobody kills the children and leaves the adult. Plus her blood was all over the sink. The vacuum was turned over on her blood, illogical. The garage screen was cut from the inside and the kitchen knife had screen shavings on it. Darin took the sock and threw it down the block a ways, and he also failed the lie detector test. She was wheeled past her boys and they were cleaning their bodies and she couldn’t have cared less and that is according to the nurse who was pushing her in the wheelchair. Of course she did it. They annoyed her. The neighbors said she was a terrible mother. Those kids ran wild in the neighborhood. She never knew where they were. The silly string was the final straw. Now, when are they going to execute the woman.
They didn’t leave the adult. She had her throat slashed. I don’t think Darlie is guilty. One adult was left Thats the adult that should be a suspect instead of Darlie.
Forget the silly string. Forget the graveside party. Forget all the distractions. Listen to the 911 call. If that doesn’t convince you she’s guilty, then you’re simply saying “not guilty” because you oppose the death penalty. Not because you don’t think she really did it.
She did it. There’s no evidence of any intruder and no evidence to place Darin as a direct part of the murders. That leaves Darlie and the overwhelming evidence against her.
There is no way that she did it! Why on earth should she have done it= there is no reason, no crucial evidence, but huge reasonable doubts, In dubio pro reo, in doubt for the procecuted person is a fundamental justical rule, which in the U.S is just being ignored. it does not make sence, at all. Most of all- to the women her, who want her to rotten in jail. This is like a witch hunt. Did you really get into the case? Did you see the doubts and understand that it does not make sence from the beginning to the end. What shoud be the motive ? They had a great life, The bad mouthing and maybe jealous neighbours, …. these children were loved anf so well cared of. Just inform yourself about the doubts which has been proven. And circumstances which are proving she must be innocent. Also on serveral you tube channels they, for instance. Body language experts, look at her body language. It is devastating that they lean that far out of the window to speculate she is rather guilty. That is really hurting. After knowing this case for so long , a quarter of a century, by the way,. As a woman and mother my intuition tells me, she is innocent. Plus all the Refuted Evidence, it is a scandal and shame. I have a great simpathy for americans and have a daughter with an american. But I find the american justice system so out of every common sence and reasonable conditions it is disturbing and threatening, Because of this and the overboarding gun violence, I dont travel there anymore, not foreseeable, it is scary. And finally, a lot of ppl say the crime how Darlie described it , does not make sence! Really? Yes, people, you forget how many crazy, psychopathic and completely crazy criminals are around ,all over, the security feeling you have in Germany or Europe, compared to the US, is completely different. In the U.S you always have to be alert, expect the worst to happen? Their crimes make no sence frequently, because their are uneducated, often low life crimminals, or who ever….right ? The trial was so toxic and evil minded, plus I am shocked how women are fundamentally disrespect and prejugded her without mercy, no fair trial at all. I hope the great Innocent Projekt will succeed soon. All my thought are with the innocent prisoners in the U.S. It is a horrible reallity ,There for I am more than thankful, I live in Germany, where we have a justice system which is reasonable and solid and fair. I pray for everybody who suffering a wrongfully sentence, it is a nightmare. I strongly recommand , Werner Herzogs´s documentary about death row inmates, the situation is so absurd and inhumane, when will they ever change? Obviously the system is not working, So sad.
Thanks Will for your enlightening comment what’s the best I’ve heard in years.
“Will Johnson says
December 31, 2022 at 11:40 am
I agree Darlie is innocent. I have followed this case since inception. Law enforcement convicted her that night, she literally stood no chance. Media ruined and I mean completely ruined any chance of a “FAIR” trial, probably anywhere in any surrounding states, let alone the county in TEXAS where this occurred
She definitely killed those boys, the defense says why not kill all 3.? Well, he was upstairs is why. Wounds she got are fake she did them herself, broken glass and she didnt get her feet cut, plus shes going to run after a killer? Yea right, She is guilty and should be put to death
I say she did it. She was known for being vain and superficial. Why else would those bruises be on her arms but none on her face? Bc she wouldn’t mess up her own beauty! And by her own 911 call she said she woke up, saw an intruder leaving and she chased him out. So tell me how anyone could sleep through a brutal beating violent enough to leave those bruises and not wake up?
Darlie is guilty as sin And to this day we have people lying to claim her innocence
Everly Moss says
December 11, 2022 at 9:10 am
My ex husband was a detective who worked that case. He said to his dying day Darlie did not get a fair trial. He explained his reasons. She was crucified by the press. The video showing her with the silly string at the grave was edited. I believe she is a victim Her life has been ruined. I hope that someday she will be free
There is No detective that worked that case that claimed she was innocent EVER
Come see Justice For Devon and Damon Routier On Facebook