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A 20-year-old mother never returned from a late-night run to the supermarket. The next morning, her body was discovered, having been sexually assaulted. After detectives canvassed the supermarket and questioned witnesses, they arrested a suspect.
When two teenage girls reported they had been sexually assaulted, police were led to a man who was turning young runaways into prostitutes. The prosecution’s case rested largely on the testimony of several frightened teenagers
A tip led investigators to a buried skeleton that revealed a seven-year-old murder. Through forensic reconstruction, the detectives were able to identify the victim and track down the killer -- but the defendant's testimony was very convincing
An erotic dancer was shot and survived to name her attacker: an Iowa farmer who had been stalking her. With only circumstantial evidence and the profile of an obsessive mind, it would prove an arduous task to convict the stalker.
An FBI investigation into a murder-for-hire case uncovered the owner of the famous Chippendales Club at the helm of a plot of arson and murder. The investigation spanned two continents in an overseas sting operation
The murder of a San Diego woman, found strangled in her closet, led to a nationwide search for a serial killer suspected of sexually assaulting and murdering five California women in four days
A young man was discovered dead in the desert, having been shot repeatedly. Detectives learned that the victim was last seen with two friends from his place of employment: a gun shop. Investigators questioned the two friends until one of them cracked.
A woman was found stabbed to death in her swimming pool. A neighbor witnessed the husband kill his wife, but he claimed to have been sleepwalking throughout the attack. Could the prosecution prove that the husband was awake during his crime?
During a hike, a human skull was discovered in the brush. Through clay facial reconstruction, the victim was identified as the wife of a local scoutmaster. In questioning him, police found numerous inconsistencies in the scoutmaster’s version of events.
The investigation into the theft of a luxury yacht triggered the discovery of a murder-for-hire crime ring led by a crooked cop.
The investigation of a missing person’s report led police to clues that uncovered not only the missing person’s murder, but also two others. The trail of evidence led investigators to three victims who were also close to the suspect.
A nefarious father manipulated his 14-year-old daughter into believing she had to kill her stepmother in order to save him. Not only was she convicted, she also spent five years in jail -- until investigators convinced her to tell them the full story.
A failed kidnapping attempt led police to two suspects, one of whom surprised investigators by confessing to a shocking killing spree. Police had no victims, yet they were left to find evidence based on this bizarre confession.
A visiting pen pal became the prime suspect in the murder of his host: a loving grandmother. But a series of unexpected clues sent detectives looking at the victim’s two grandsons as possible double murderers.
Evidence in a burglary-turned-homicide quickly pointed to the husband as the suspect in his wife’s murder. The husband had even shot himself in an effort to cover up the crime. But his performance would make it difficult to secure a conviction.
A Maryland State Trooper was the victim of a murder-for-hire plot when he was shot in an ambush operation by a drug dealer who was attempting to eliminate the state’s only witness against him: the trooper.
The death of three unrelated infants within hours of their births led investigators to a doctor practicing unlawful medicine in order to cover up insurance fraud. The prosecution had to convince the jury this was a case of murder, not manslaughter
A mother and father are found murdered in their home, and their 15-year-old daughter is missing. Police quickly learned that she was involved in a murderous vampire cult and that she may be on the run with several fellow cult members
After a party at their apartment, two girls were found murdered and sexually assaulted. Police questioned party attendees and arrested a Marine whom they located in the hospital with a severe cut to his hand.
Members of various hate groups terrorized a suburban neighborhood. A print reporter had infiltrated one of the white supremacist groups and was asked to document their activity on videotape, which allowed the reporter to gather evidence for prosecution.
Parents of a newborn lived their worst nightmare when their infant daughter was abducted from the hospital by a woman posing as a maternity ward nurse. Police raced against time to find the missing baby
Paramedics responded to a 911 call and found a young wife unconscious, having slipped into a coma after drinking a shot of tequila. Five days later, she died. Police immediately suspected the victim’s husband due to his lack of concern over her welfare.
Gang members went on a yearlong robbery spree that left eight people dead. Their leader led a double life: a family man and tow truck driver to his wife… but a vicious predator to his fellow gang members and police
An elaborate undercover sting operation, which included recruiting a makeup artist to fake a death, was used to capture the victim’s husband who had solicited his wife’s murder
A rookie California Highway Patrolman, married and with a baby on the way, was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop. The suspect immediately fled the scene, but a wallet left in his car and a Houston informant’s tip led police to the killer.
A beloved mother vanished without a trace. Although her husband was under suspicion from the beginning, it wasn't until four years after her disappearance that investigators were able to locate her body -- buried in her own backyard
A 15-year-old cheerleader was found sexually assaulted and murdered in her home. Police were left with few clues, but the victim’s mother refused to give up and continued to keep the search for her daughter’s killer in the public’s eye
After a six-year-old girl went missing from her father’s yard, investigators were not able to compile enough evidence to make an arrest, nor could they find her body. Years later, an unrelated case provided investigators with an unexpected break.
A man is killed in a fire while vacationing with his wife at a mystery dinner theater resort. His wife’s account of events and the state of the crime scene led investigators to question whether the fire was accidental or a homicide.
What began as an investigation into an isolated attack quickly became a search to find a serial sexual predator. Once arrested, the suspect opted against a jury trial, and the 50 criminal charges against him were heard solely by a judge
A six-month undercover operation involving a DEA agent who infiltrated the international cocaine syndicate led to the apprehension of two drug-dealing doctors
As he arrived home from duty, a deputy jailer was gunned down in his driveway. A graffiti mark left on his house led police to four gang members. Their leader, an incarcerated drug dealer, had ordered the hit from a pay phone inside the jail.
A drug trafficker in custody and facing a no-win situation reached out to a DEA agent. The two men then worked together to bring a crooked lawyer and an elusive drug dealer to justice.
A wealthy woman vying to enter the political arena solicited a local trash collector to help arrange the murder of 2 people - one of them, her husband
A Chicago detective and a DEA agent formed an alliance to apprehend the suspects believed responsible for a murder that was contracted in order to settle a drug debt.
For 18 months, a serial rapist terrorized the residents of a small community in Maryland. A special task force was created and eventually police identified their suspect through surveillance and a "voice line up
A drug trafficker turned informant teamed with a DEA agent to organize a sting operation. Their target... a drug dealing school principal
A convenience store clerk was killed in a brutal stabbing. The case was aired on a cable TV show, leading police to an informant who identified two addicts as suspects. Their motive: the money in the safe, for which the clerk did not have the combination.
The apprehension of a fishing boat used for drug transport gave investigators information on the operations of a notorious drug smuggler. While surveying a potential drop location, law enforcement began a 5-hour, high-speed, air and water pursuit
During a string of 14 bank robberies in Los Angeles, the thieves were nicknamed the Nasty Bandits for their aggressive treatment of bank employees and robbery victims. The first break in the case came when one of the getaway cars was in a traffic accident and the driver was discovered with cash and guns. Traumatized victims found it difficult to face their tormentors and testify during the trial
A young girl was murdered by her parents in what they contended was self-defense and later tried to justify as an "honor killing." Police received a fortuitous break when it was discovered that the girl's murder had been tape recorded during FBI surveillance of the father for his involvement in terrorist activity.
Three University of Alabama co-eds were abducted at gunpoint and sexually assaulted
A high-school teacher was killed by a group of five students calling themselves the Lords of Chaos. Their gang activities initially consisted of vandalism and robbery but escalated to murder when the teacher nearly exposed the gang’s illegal activities.
When a former Marine died at a Birmingham hospital under suspicious circumstances, police suspected a male nurse whose actions were either those of a dedicated employee or a twisted killer with a hero complex
The 17-year-old son of a wealthy Chinese couple living in California was kidnapped and held for more than two weeks for a $1.5 million ransom. U.S. and Chinese police joined forces in a coordinated crime-fighting effort to locate the abducted teenager
"Operation Hotwheels” was the code name given to an elaborate FBI sting operation set up to bring down three separate SUV car theft rings. For 11 months, two FBI agents went under deep cover as a wealthy businessman and his bodyguard.
A serial arsonist eluded authorities for 16 years before he was finally caught on tape in a groundbreaking surveillance operation. He was charged with setting 16 fires.
A 12-year-old girl was found dead in a field. She was last seen at her best friend’s home, and investigators soon suspected the friend’s stepfather. The investigation yielded little physical evidence, but particles from the girl’s clothing were key.
During a string of 14 bank robberies in Los Angeles, the thieves were nicknamed the Nasty Bandits for their treatment of bank employees and robbery victims. The first break in the case came when one of the getaway cars was in a traffic accident.
Police learn that a well-organized street gang responsible for a string of bank robberies that included a vicious murder is led by a woman.
A college student at a Vermont rest stop is kidnapped and sexually assaulted in June 1989. During the attack, she leaves clues behind that could lead to her attacker. After a series of twists and turns, a joint investigation nabs a suspect.
For over six months, the infamous serial killer and sexual predator known as the “Night Stalker” terrorized LA County.
A San Diego man discovers his wife and young son murdered. Detectives track down a suspect and have him in custody when a strikingly similar crime occurs. The police quickly realize they have the wrong man
A routine traffic check ended in the murder of a young Missouri State Trooper. An arsenal of weapons was found in the suspect’s van
A stranger persuades a 30-year-old woman with a questionable past to get into a car. After the woman survives a brutal attack, police return to the scene to collect evidence. They are led to a local college football hero and three of his friends.
After an eight-year-old boy died mysteriously, police suspected that he had eaten poisoned Halloween candy. Authorities were shocked when evidence pointed to the boy’s father as the man behind the contaminated candy.
A Los Angeles film producer is missing for three weeks when his body is found in a remote canyon outside the city, in the infamous “Cotton Club” murder case
A brutal triple murder of a family in a small town left investigators with little evidence to solve the case. However, police suspected it was a drug-related crime because the youngest victim was a small-time deale
A man attacks a 26-year-old woman he meets at a Vermont bar with her girlfriends. The incident occurs after she shares a drink and a car ride with him. The victim gives police an extremely detailed description of the night's events, but due to the trauma of the incident, she blocks out her attacker's face, leaving it to her friends to provide clues to his identity. An exhaustive investigation leads to a suspect who is a husband and father of two. Will a jury convict the defendant when his accuser cannot identify him?
The sudden and unexplained death of a 15-month-old girl led authorities to the suspicious actions of a pediatric nurse. The investigation, led by the Texas Rangers, uncovered the nurse’s connection to other similar infant deaths.
The owner of a gentleman’s club called The Mustang was found in a parking garage, shot three times. Miraculously, he survived but refused to cooperate with police. Then, four months into the investigation, he decided to talk.
Police searched for answers in the murder of a female restaurant manager and a young delivery truck driver. The investigation led authorities to suspect an inside job.
Three seemingly unrelated, violent attacks prompted a convoluted search for suspects. The sexual assault and murder of a military police woman, the attempted murder of a soldier’s wife and the killing of a young father led police to the same few names.
A routine narcotics arrest uncovered a vicious murder-for-revenge case. The victim was a confidential informant.
A German tourist was robbed and run-over with the getaway car while her young son looked on from their rental vehicle. Detectives had merely the account of the young son, who spoke only German, to aid them until evidence from another robbery provided the break they needed to arrest the suspects. Despite taped confessions, the two suspects insisted on their day in court. The defense contended the confessions were coerced, but the jury found otherwise
A man who was about to divorce his wife was found dead in their home. After an exhaustive manhunt through a swamp, the murderer was captured.
Evidence in the murder of a man and the disappearance of his wife pointed to their unassuming neighbor. The wife’s body was found days later inside the neighbor’s truck. Though prosecutors found evidence, they were puzzled by the lack of a motive.
A four-year-old girl witnessed her father murder her mother. Twenty-four years later, the courageous daughter came forward to reveal her memories to police.
A woman with car trouble was abducted, but she miraculously escaped by jumping from the speeding truck of her captor.
Police were initially unable to solve the murder of a married couple. But when their adult son was murdered two years later, investigators uncovered a murder-for-profit plot. The conspiracy involved the son’s wife, her ex-lover, a dentist and his partner.
On Mother’s Day 1995, a family outing at a Universal City, California restaurant turned deadly for a young woman and her boyfriend’s mother. Detectives learned that the younger victim’s boyfriend was in debt and romantically involved with another woman.
A man's body was discovered by his adult son. The victim was heavily insured, but all family members had alibis. While police were investigating a possible murder plot, the victim's wife and her lover both committed suicide. The son and a family friend of the wife's lover were arrested. But could the prosecution obtain a conviction based on circumstantial evidence?
The body of a woman was discovered in the woods. An autopsy revealed that her stomach was full, indicating she had eaten just before her death.
A woman’s sudden death baffled authorities until her husband’s first wife came forward, claiming he’d tried to poison her two decades earlier. Secret diaries chronicled not only the victim’s affair, but also her husband’s jealous plan to poison her.
A woman was murdered after an altercation with her boyfriend’s sister at a barbecue.
A serial sexual attacker tormented his victims by insisting that they pretend he was their boyfriend.
The murder of a paraplegic man by a family friend led police to a cold-blooded killer. Police learned that he had earlier killed yet another friend and neighbor and then took over his victim’s identity in order to steal the victim’s trust fund.
A desperate 911 call during a home invasion revealed a complicated murder-for-hire plot that uncovered a twisted sibling rivalry. The controversial case of the Hahn sisters captured national headlines.
A young girl was on the telephone with her father when a trio of criminals entered their home at gunpoint.
The police were called when a pregnant woman disappeared just days before giving birth. The investigation led authorities to a family friend who eventually claimed she’d made a deal with the young mother to raise her baby
Nine days after a 12-year-old girl disappeared on Halloween night, police received an anonymous letter leading them to her body. The killer taunted detectives with cryptic messages and threatened to kill again unless police solved the riddles.
Police were dispatched to a burning car found in a remote area.
A young girl's kidnapping, sexual assault and subsequent murder horrified authorities and the local community. Police found her body inside a suitcase located in a neighbor's apartment. Although the prosecution of the male neighbor was successful, the lead detective on the case left homicide squad one year later not wanting to ever handle another child homicide.
A Texas Rangers investigation uncovered a family of men luring drifters to their ranch, torturing them and holding them at gunpoint.
After a Philippine mail-order-bride vanished, police questioned her husband, a retired Army Master Sergeant. The investigation uncovered that his first wife died 17 years earlier under suspicious circumstances. The older case was re-opened and further questioning revealed surprising leads in the current missing person's case.
When 12-year-old Polly Klaas was abducted from her home during a slumber party, a manhunt immediately ensued. On day 58 of the search, authorities got a break in the case when they arrested a suspect with a record of kidnapping and sexual assault.
Over the course of five years, a daring thief scaled luxury, high-rise condominiums and walked away with millions in cash and jewelry.
A small, sleepy South Carolina town became home to the Burton Boys, a highly sophisticated drug distribution ring. Their leader suspected that a teenage girl was working with police as an informant, and he was later charged in her death.
For over a year, a serial sexual attacker terrorized women in their homes despite a special police task force set up to capture him. His youngest victim was just 13 years old. The predator left very few clues and later attacked the girl's mother.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents orchestrated an elaborate sting operation in order to stop smugglers from selling and transporting live gorillas from the U.S. to Mexico. The agents were unable to secure a live gorilla for the sting, so they had one of their officers dress in a gorilla costume and pose as one of the endangered species
The DEA, IRS, ATF and local police combined forces in an attempt to bring down a drug trafficker known for his extremely violent methods. A witness agreed to help authorities and set up an apartment with surveillance equipment to gather evidence.
A man returned to his hotel room to find his wife drowned in the bathtub.
A massive group search was organized when an 18-year-old college student was missing. The investigation led authorities to two men who had befriended the girl. One of the two suspects attempted to lead police on a lengthy yet unproductive search for further clues. Once the victim's body was finally found, the two suspects were charged with her murder
A mother arrived at her ex-husband’s home to retrieve her two-year-old child and found that her baby had died, apparently from SIDS. The child’s grandmother was convinced this was a suspicious death and insisted upon further investigation.
The routine arrest of a 15-year-old girl led to an FBI investigation and eventual prosecution of a predatory pimp who kidnapped teenage girls and forced them to work for him as prostitutes
The first episode in this special, two-part series focuses on the mastermind of the “Texas Seven” and the crime that originally put him behind bars. He robbed a toy store, held a dozen people hostage and was ultimately captured and sent to prison.
In Part 2, we trace the gang’s escape and monthlong flight from authorities.
A DEA Special Agent and a drug trafficker turned informant collaborated in an elaborate sting operation to confiscate 1,800 kilos of cocaine from Mexican drug cartels and bring down a dirty police chief in the process.
Detectives suspected the murder of a Baltimore businessman was more than a botched robbery. The investigation turned up no leads for 18 months, but investigators finally received a break in the case that pointed to the controller of the victim’s company.
A priest reported a home burglary wherein precious religious artifacts were stolen. One year later, when an identical incident was reported by the same priest, investigators began to suspect fraud.
A mother of three was found dead in her car along the side of a road. Detectives quickly focused on her estranged husband as the lead suspect, but they believed he had an accomplice. After a year, a witness pointed the way to a second suspect.
For nearly a year, a serial sexual predator stalked the beaches of San Diego, terrorizing more than a dozen victims.
A woman was found dead in her bathtub from an apparent accidental drowning, but pathological evidence indicated it was a homicide. Detectives suspected either the woman’s ex-husband or her new boyfriend.
After not showing up for work, a man was discovered shot to death in his living room.
Police were initially left with few clues to help them solve the murder of a female convenience store clerk. While questioning witnesses, they discovered the murderer had briefly posed as a clerk in an attempt to avoid being identified by a patron.
When a mother of two disappeared from a department store parking lot, the subsequent media frenzy yielded several helpful leads. Detectives learned that the victim’s husband was openly having an affair and had made statements about wanting his wife dead.
An investigation into a large brushfire revealed a unique arson device. The following year, San Diego County suffered several devastating brushfires and other, identical devices were recovered at the scenes.
A string of bank robberies were being committed by a man dressed in all black “Ninja”-type gear. During this time, a homicide that evolved out of an attempted car theft was also tied to this bank robber.
Two bikers discovered a woman's body in the desert. Investigation revealed that there was a serial rapist whose crimes had escalated to murder. The prior assault victims and a young woman who survived a recent murder attempt were able to identify their assailant in a line-up. Police arrested a mild-mannered family man that used his persona to lure women into his car
The president of a local company was found dead on the side of the road, and his luxury car was missing. Nine months later, the investigators hit a dead end. Then, miraculously, authorities located the stolen vehicle that led them to two suspects.
A six-year-old girl appeared to be caught in the middle of a local gang war -- shot to death through her apartment door.
The grounding of a ship used to smuggle 287 Chinese nationals to the U.S. led to the drowning death of 10 of those immigrants. Interviews were conducted to separate the crew from the illegal aliens. During questioning, the aliens revealed the inhumane conditions under which they traveled. A search of the vessel uncovered information leading to the arrest of several key members of an illegal alien smuggling ring. The ringleader, still at large, was eventually located in Bangkok and extradited for trial. Shortly before the trial, he entered a guilty plea, but later attempted to have it withdrawn.
U.S. Customs officials became aware of a group of drug smugglers traversing the U.S./Mexican border on foot. They employed the unique skills of trackers to find and follow the trail of these marijuana smugglers, known to officials as "carpet people."
The discovery of a mysterious skeleton led authorities to a Las Vegas oddsmaker who had vanished under suspicious circumstances.
The owner of a popular Las Vegas nightclub was shot execution-style in his driveway. The investigation revealed a stormy marriage, and his wife quickly became the prime suspect.
A woman became violently ill and later died from what appeared to be Toxic Shock Syndrome. Her family, however, insisted that there was foul play. The victim’s father related that his daughter had been fearful that her husband was poisoning her.
A plastic surgeon and his secretary were gunned down in their office. The investigation quickly focused on disgruntled patients. All of the patients were eventually ruled out -- except for one woman.
The body of a young woman was found in a dumpster wrapped in plastic bags.
A bank robbery in New Hampshire evolved into a high-speed chase over state lines into Massachusetts.
A prostitute working on the street was shot with an arrow and subsequently died. The media attention after the murder brought other victims forward who were able to give a description of the suspect. The investigation showed that all the victims were either prostitutes or had been attacked in known prostitution areas. Detectives were able to locate the suspect through his purchase of the bows and arrows. The defendant chose to defend himself.
When a hospice nurse failed to make her daily call into work, two co-workers went to her home to check on her.
A 17-year-old girl disappeared from her driveway two days before her high-school graduation.
An undercover ATF agent went into deep cover to catch a known member of organized crime suspected of murder, drug trafficking and gun running.
A young woman was found at a construction site having been tortured and murdered. It appeared her death would go unsolved until another victim was found murdered in the same way. Detectives realized a serial killer was on the loose and called in the FBI.
On February 26, 1993, a terrorist’s bomb shook New York’s World Trade Center. Investigators were able to locate the vehicle that housed the bomb and retrieved the VIN number. This critical clue led to the apprehension of the terrorists responsible.
A missing person’s report was filed on a young woman last seen with her former lover.
Seventeen months after a young woman’s disappearance, the suspect in her murder was arrested. After he rejected an initial plea offer of federal kidnapping, he was charged instead with first-degree murder.
When state troopers were sent to check on a woman at her home, she was missing, and her son was found dead in the basement.
Incredibly, a clerk from a convenience store survived a vicious assault wherein her coworker was killed. Investigators were able to identify one of the four suspects through a redeemed lottery ticket that was taken from the store during the attack.
The victim of a rape had the presence of mind to leave on the tape that her attacker used to bind her hands. Investigators were able to recover a fingerprint from it and arrest a suspect.
A woman’s car had been sprayed with bullets and forced off the highway. Her body was found a mile away on the roadside.
When only one of her two daughters returned from a visit with their aunt, their mother called the police to report a missing four-year-old. The aunt denied any knowledge of the younger girl’s disappearance, but blood was found in the trunk of her car.
A sheriff was transporting two local prisoners for trial when they overcame him and stole his car. The sheriff who was transporting them was later found unharmed. But, during their time on the run, the escapees shot one police officer and killed another.
Two seemingly unrelated murders were being investigated when a curious connection was discovered between them. The victims each had arguments with a mutual neighbor. When police brought the neighbor in for questioning, he quickly became a suspect and was arrested. Evidence recovered from both of the crime scenes and the suspect's belongings gave the prosecution a strong, albeit, circumstantial case.
A policewoman was found in a snow embankment shot multiple times, her patrol car and gun missing.
Police believed they were dealing with a serial killer as week after week another teenage boy was found strangled and dumped in a remote area off of a freeway. They received their first break in the case when a teenage boy in custody came forward and claimed he knew who the killer was. Detectives determined that this person was a viable suspect and while searching his van, found blood that matched one of the victims. Of the twenty-two teenage boys authorities believed this predator killed, he was tried for twelve murders and convicted of ten
A young mother was abducted from her car after winning $5,000 at a nearby casino. A month into the investigation, her body was found in a shed in rural Mississippi. Shortly thereafter, a woman came to authorities claiming her husband had confessed the kidnapping and murder to her. Police issued a bulletin for the suspect and he was apprehended while attempting to cross the Texas border. Prosecutors not only had the testimony of the suspect's wife, but they had overwhelming physical evidence to back it up
The investigation into a complex and ingenious white-collar crime syndicate required federal agents to set up an elaborate undercover sting operation.
The second murder attempt on a hard-nosed businessman prompted him to give police a list of approximately 30 suspects. No one on the list proved a viable suspect, and the businessman went into hiding. Two years later, a FBI investigation provided a link.
A female agent was asked to be the cornerstone in a dangerous undercover operation.
Although her baby had supposedly died of SIDS seven years earlier, a mother harbored fear that her husband had killed the child.
A drug dealer turned informant who had assisted the DEA in the capture of numerous high-ranking drug dealers had a proposition for the special agent assigned to him.
This special edition chronicles the crimes of three deadly women: a cocaine dealer who had her three henchmen shoot a philanderer, a sister who plotted to kill her twin and assume her identity, and the leader of a murderous bank-robbing gang.
A father returned home and was unable to find his son. Moments later, he received a phone call from the boy’s kidnappers demanding a ransom.
A drugstore owner was shot inside the doorway of his house, the apparent victim of a home invasion gone awry. Investigators determined the perpetrator must have had inside information, as he target of the crime was a large sum of money from the store.
The DEA planned two subsequent investigations/sting operations to infiltrate a drug cartel. Their goal was to apprehend the ringleader who could testify to General Manuel Noriega's involvement in drug trafficking to the United States through his country of Panama. This investigation led to the arrest and prosecution of the General
Detectives were called to a homicide at the apartment of a known drug dealer. A young man was dead in the kitchen, and the drug dealer was nowhere to be found.
This special edition chronicles the crimes of three notorious serial killers that terrified Southern California. First... A man, who used murder to deal with his domestic disputes, was found guilty of the murders of two of his girlfriends and his best friend. Next... Two ex-cons plot the kidnap, rape and murder of teenage girls. Lastly... The story of the infamous "Night Stalker", who murdered 13 victims in the course of a year before he was apprehended, is profiled.
This special edition of Arrest & Trial pays tribute to those officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
A 22-year-old college student was abducted from the driveway of her boyfriend's home. After 5 days of intensive investigation, detectives apprehended 3 men believed to have kidnapped the girl. Two of these young men agreed to tell the story of her abduction in exchange for immunity. In doing so, they implicated the man who ordered the kidnapping. His intent was to make pornographic movies, but he subsequently ordered the girl's murder when the media attention around her disappearance became too great. Their testimony was the basis of the prosecution's case
Three young men were arrested in Ohio on federal firearms charges. One of the men revealed he had information, which implicated two other men in a murder that had taken place in Maryland. After questioning, this individual led authorities to the body.
A yearlong DEA investigation culminated in the arrest of a Colombian drug kingpin responsible for large amounts of drugs being smuggled into the U.S. The prosecution had to work furiously to compile the overwhelming amount of evidence needed to secure a conviction that would put this man behind bars for a long time.
A young man is reported missing by his girlfriend after he had reportedly taken a walk and did not return. The search for him or any trace of him was unsuccessful. Some time later a body washed up on a Washington beach and was identified as the missing man. Detectives returned to question the girlfriend at the cliff where she said she last saw him and surprisingly, she confessed to pushing him off.
More than 20 years after an unsolved murder was committed, detectives were able to use modern fingerprint identification technology to generate a lead on a possible suspect. This led investigators to the suspect’s ex-wife.
Two police officers were gunned down during a routine traffic stop. Immediately, witnesses came forward to offer information. One of these witnesses was hypnotized to help create a composite of the suspect. Simultaneously, a convict was claiming to know the identity of the shooter as well. When the police were unable to find the suspect and the media released his identity, he surrendered to a local TV reporter
A poacher had been preying on the Black Bear population in the mountains of Oregon for many months. He was selling their gall bladders for export to Asia where they were believed to have medicinal qualities. A concerned citizen came forward hoping to help investigators stop the slaughter of these animals. With the help of this individual, authorities were able to compile evidence to arrest not only the poacher, but also the man who was buying and exporting the gall bladders as well.
This special edition of A&T examines the growing phenomenon of teenage killers. First... A missing 13-year-old boy was last seen with his best friend. This friend was eventually proved to be his killer, but seemingly had no motive. Then...A young girl disappeared on Halloween. Her killer sent riddles to the police daring them to catch him. Lastly... Two parents were found beaten to death in their home, their younger daughter missing. She was found with a band of teenagers - a vampire cult - who admitted to the murders. The daughter was exonerated in her parents' deaths.
The body of a teenage girl was found in the local mountains outside Albuquerque.
With the cooperation of authorities from Spain and Switzerland, the DEA was able to bring down an international group of conspirators manufacturing and distributing heroin.
This special edition of A&T explores the fascinating world of forensic science and its ability to aid detectives, including the use of forensics to gather evidence at crime scenes, disprove sketchy stories and identify skeletal remains.
A highway worker found the body of a young woman alongside the road. Her family identified the victim, and her sister provided a possible suspect. The charges were dropped, until federal prosecutors were convinced to take on the case.
The body of a prostitute was discovered hidden under some brush in the desert.
On the religious holiday of Yom Kippur, an elderly couple were the victims of an apparent contract killing, shot to death in their parking garage. The wife’s sister gave detectives the family background and implicated the couple’s two adult sons.
This special edition of A&T will explore the violent and deadly outcomes of three relationships gone awry, including a man and his lover who orchestrated the murder of his mother and his ex-girlfriend.
Two women were found at their place of employment, assaulted and stabbed to death. It appeared that the killer had tried to clean up the scene with janitorial supplies
With the aid of an informant, the DEA uncovered a vast number of safe houses used by one of Mexico’s biggest drug organizations. In the raid of one of these houses, a map leading to a warehouse was discovered.
A woman was struck in the head but survived what appeared to be a home invasion robbery. Evidence in a seemingly unrelated case uncovered a conspiracy to have the woman -- who was in the middle of a contentious divorce -- murdered.
This special edition of A&T joins the courageous men and women who fight the war against drugs, including a DEA agent who worked with a drug trafficker to bring a crooked lawyer and an elusive drug dealer to justice.
Police officers on nightly patrol discovered a man shot to death in an alley.
What appeared to be a traffic fatality was actually the latest in a string of homicides targeting foreign tourists. Authorities requested assistance from the community and received a tip about a yellow moving van believed to be involved in the crime.
The DEA was called when three men purchased expensive vehicles with cash. A DEA agent put them under surveillance and started interviewing their constituents. During questioning, a pilot told authorities about the entire operation of marijuana and cocaine smuggling and fingered the leader of this group as Carlos Lehder, the notorious drug kingpin. The DEA's extensive international investigation culminated in the conviction of all the individuals in this smuggling ring, including Carlos Lehder
Believing they were being offered a ride to North Carolina, two teenage girls agreed to leave the bus station with a young man. He took them to a motel where he and his two friends sexually assaulted them and forced them to prostitute for them. One of the girls was able to escape and get to police with her story. The detectives believed that in order to capture the perpetrators and rescue the second girl they would need to put the first girl back on the street as a decoy.
A violent drug trafficking gang moved into Burlington, Vermont from New York City. Authorities arrested an individual after buying drugs from this gang and he agreed to cooperate in the investigation of the dealers. An eight-month investigation involving the confidential informant supplied detectives with large amounts of evidence to arrest the members of the gang on both drug trafficking and firearms charges
