Elizabeth Vargas

Next, some court testimony that becomes must-see TV.

Next, some court testimony that becomes must-see TV.

There's Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. But in the summer of 1986, there's something else in Britain getting attention. Yen Tzu-Ring and Elizabeth Hasem peering out from their mugshots. American sweethearts and UVA scholars on the run from cold-hearted murders back in Virginia. Former Scotland Yard detectives Ken Beaver and Terry Wright remember the pair, eager for their weekly court dates.

There's Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. But in the summer of 1986, there's something else in Britain getting attention. Yen Tzu-Ring and Elizabeth Hasem peering out from their mugshots. American sweethearts and UVA scholars on the run from cold-hearted murders back in Virginia. Former Scotland Yard detectives Ken Beaver and Terry Wright remember the pair, eager for their weekly court dates.

In love and in trouble. Virginia investigator Ricky Gardner finally has the captive couple right where he wants them. You flew to London.

In love and in trouble. Virginia investigator Ricky Gardner finally has the captive couple right where he wants them. You flew to London.

He and the Scotland Yard detectives question Jens and Elizabeth about the so-called voodoo murder of her parents a little more than a year before.

He and the Scotland Yard detectives question Jens and Elizabeth about the so-called voodoo murder of her parents a little more than a year before.

A strangely compliant Jens waives his right to an attorney and starts talking. And he has no lawyer present.

A strangely compliant Jens waives his right to an attorney and starts talking. And he has no lawyer present.

In an extraordinary series of interviews, only some of which were recorded, Yens proceeds to take full responsibility for the killings, claiming that Elizabeth stayed behind in Washington, creating an alibi with double movie tickets and room service for two, while he drove down to the Hasems' home and killed them.

In an extraordinary series of interviews, only some of which were recorded, Yens proceeds to take full responsibility for the killings, claiming that Elizabeth stayed behind in Washington, creating an alibi with double movie tickets and room service for two, while he drove down to the Hasems' home and killed them.

There is one curious moment during his confession, one that will only become significant later, when detectives ask Jens about false confessions. The detectives do not pursue the point. In her interview, Elizabeth does Jens one better, adding incriminating details, telling the detectives Jens bought a knife before he left to go see her parents, and saying he returned covered in blood.

There is one curious moment during his confession, one that will only become significant later, when detectives ask Jens about false confessions. The detectives do not pursue the point. In her interview, Elizabeth does Jens one better, adding incriminating details, telling the detectives Jens bought a knife before he left to go see her parents, and saying he returned covered in blood.

Those stunning confessions were enough to get Jens and Elizabeth indicted for murder back in Virginia, even while they were still in London.

Those stunning confessions were enough to get Jens and Elizabeth indicted for murder back in Virginia, even while they were still in London.

Nearly a full year passes before Elizabeth Hasem makes her dramatic return to the U.S., landing in the twilight of a May evening in Roanoke, her hair pulled back in a braid, her hands cuffed in front.

Nearly a full year passes before Elizabeth Hasem makes her dramatic return to the U.S., landing in the twilight of a May evening in Roanoke, her hair pulled back in a braid, her hands cuffed in front.

Pam Windsor was a local TV reporter at the time.

Pam Windsor was a local TV reporter at the time.