Man convicted of murdering fiancee googled how to ‘travel back in time’ after her killing

Anna Repkina was found dead on a logging road in Oregon in 2017

Anna Repkina and William Hargrove had become engaged after meeting online and she agreed to move her life from Russia to the US. (BENTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

An Oregonian man who frantically researched time travel to undo a “horrible mistake” has been convicted with the murder of his fiance.

A 12-person jury found William Hargrove guilty on Friday of murdering his fiancée, Anna Repkina, alongside one count of identity theft and two counts of theft for taking money from her bank account, The Gazette Times reported.

Repkina, a 27-year-old from Russia, was found dead on a logging road near Alsea, Oregon on 17 April 2017, having been killed by a single shotgun blast.

According to a report by CBS News, Hargrove frantically researched time travel after her death wanting to correct a mistake that his "best friend" made.

Writing to strangers on WhatsApp he said: "… best friend made a mistake. I want to go back to keep from losing the woman that should be my wife."

Repkina and Hargrove had become engaged after meeting online and she agreed to move her life from Russia to the US. However, she was unaware that Hargrove had another girlfriend, Michelle Chavez, the report said.

Prosecutors argued Hargrove killed Repkina to appease his married lover, who wanted the 30-year-old to only be with her and put pressure on him to end the relationship.

Hargrove’s defense attorney had argued it was Chavez who really killed Repkina out of jealousy over her engagement to Hargrove, The Gazette Times reported.

Following Repkina’s death, Hargrove was said to have been “researching time travel”, Detective Chris Dale told CBS News.

"He's saved screenshots of web pages that show you how to do a particular spell to travel back in time. And we also see communication through WhatsApp in which he is trying to ask for help in how to travel back in time."

Hargrove also reportedly offered his soul as a reward to strangers on the internet who might be able to help him.

He was also caught on CCTV at various ATM's withdrawing cash from Repkina's account, of which he withdrew $800 in total which he spent on Star Wars themed LEGOs, candy and cigars the broadcaster reported.

"He made a $200 withdrawal from this machine, and then engaged in some conversation with some employees at that gas station, where he actually ended up hugging one of them and crying about the fact that his girlfriend, Anna Repkina, had left him,"  lead detective, Lieutenant Chris Duffitt, said.

Police found Repkina’s body on the side of the road with “several pieces of trash.” They used a receipt to trace the body back to Hargrove.

Hargrove has yet to receive sentencing as his hearing will be set at a later date. The mandatory minimum sentence for murder in Oregon is 25 years in prison.

“Obviously, Mr Hargrove is disappointed by the verdict,” Defence attorney Mike Flinn said after Friday’s hearing.  

“However, there are issues that need to be addressed by a higher court, and Hargrove will be appealing.”

CBS News reported that Repkina was a 26-year-old Moscow native who loved rock music and cats and had a fun sense of humor.