## Sara Tokars' Growing Awareness Sara Tokars began discovering the extent of her husband's criminal involvement and grew increasingly fearful for her safety. She confided in friends and family members that she had uncovered evidence of Fred's money laundering activities and connections to drug dealers. Sara reportedly told people close to her that if anything happened to her, Fred should be considered responsible. Despite her fears, she struggled with how to extricate herself and her children from the situation. She had consulted with a divorce attorney and was preparing to leave the marriage when Fred set his plan in motion. ## How the Murder Was Carried Out Fred Tokars arranged the murder through a chain of intermediaries to distance himself from the crime. He enlisted Curtis Rower, an associate with criminal connections, who in turn recruited Eddie Lawrence to carry out the killing. On the night of November 29, 1992, Lawrence hid in the back of Sara's car while she was returning home from a trip with her two young sons, Ricky and Mike. When Sara pulled into the driveway, Lawrence forced her at gunpoint to drive to another location, where he shot her in the head. Both children were in the car and witnessed their mother's murder.
## The Investigation and Unraveling of the Plot Initially, the murder appeared to be a carjacking gone wrong. However, investigators quickly began focusing on Fred Tokars as suspicion mounted. Friends and family members of Sara came forward with information about her fears and Fred's criminal activities. The investigation revealed a complex web of criminal enterprises, including drug money laundering through businesses and nightclubs that Tokars controlled or had connections to. Eddie Lawrence was arrested and eventually cooperated with authorities, providing crucial testimony about the chain of command that led back to Fred Tokars. Curtis Rower also became a key figure in the prosecution's case. The evidence painted a clear picture of a premeditated murder orchestrated by a man who wanted to silence his wife before she could expose him. ## Trials and Convictions
Fred Tokars was tried in both state and federal courts. In the federal trial, he was convicted of racketeering charges connected to his criminal enterprises and the murder of his wife. He received a life sentence. The state trial also resulted in a conviction. Eddie Lawrence, the triggerman, was sentenced to life in prison. Curtis Rower received a life sentence as well for his role in arranging the murder. ## The Aftermath for the Tokars Children Ricky and Mike Tokars, who witnessed their mother's murder as young boys, were raised by Sara's sister and her husband. The case drew enormous public attention to the trauma experienced by children who witness violent crimes. The boys' story became a powerful element in the broader narrative of the case, highlighting the devastating human cost of Fred Tokars' actions. ## Researching Obituary and Memorial Records
For those researching Sara Tokars or related individuals, obituary records can sometimes be found through funeral home websites and memorial databases. Many obituary archives allow users to search by partial or full name, browse listings by month, or filter results by the first letter of the last name. Individual memorial pages may contain obituary text, service details, tribute options, and links for sending flowers. However, the availability of older records from the early 1990s is not guaranteed, and researchers may need to consult newspaper archives, court records, or library resources for more comprehensive historical information. ## Why the Case Remains Significant The Fred Tokars case stands as a stark example of how individuals within the justice system can exploit their positions for criminal purposes. It exposed vulnerabilities in how money laundering operations could be concealed through legitimate-seeming businesses and legal practices. The case also underscored the dangers faced by domestic violence victims who discover their spouses' criminal activities and the critical importance of taking threats seriously when individuals express fear for their safety.
