# The EMT’s Deadly Betrayal: The Murder of Catherine Novak

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed-6698983/the-emt-s-deadly-betrayal-the-murder-of-catherine-novak
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed-6698983/the-emt-s-deadly-betrayal-the-murder-of-catherine-novak.md
Podcast: [Murder Files Unsealed](https://stenobird.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed-6698983)
Published: 2026-09-03T18:38:52+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-emt-s-deadly-betrayal-the-murder-of-catherine-novak--74873932
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74873932/paul_novak_s_staged_house_fire_murder.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/murder-files-unsealed-6698983/episodes/the-emt-s-deadly-betrayal-the-murder-of-catherine-novak
Duration seconds: 2555

## Resource

The episode details the investigation into the murder of Catherine Novak, a mother from Narrowsburg, New York, whose death was initially staged to look like an accidental house fire. While her husband, Paul Novak, originally possessed an ironclad alibi and collected a significant insurance payout, the case went cold until his former mistress, Michelle LeFrance, confessed his involvement years later. Her testimony revealed that Paul, with the help of an accomplice named Scott Sherwood, strangled Catherine and intentionally ignited the residence to hide the crime. Forensic evidence, such as the absence of smoke in Catherine's lungs and fractured ribs, eventually corroborated the claims of foul play. Consequently, Paul Novak was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed--6017387/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

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## Transcript

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