Josh Mankiewicz

This was an unusual episode of Dayline. It unfolded differently than ones I'm used to, probably also ones the audience is used to. It begins with something that usually doesn't come at the beginning of the episode, which is the finding of a body. Usually we meet the victim. Before we usually we do. But in this case, we were unable to meet the victim. So tell us how this unfolds a little bit.

This was an unusual episode of Dayline. It unfolded differently than ones I'm used to, probably also ones the audience is used to. It begins with something that usually doesn't come at the beginning of the episode, which is the finding of a body. Usually we meet the victim. Before we usually we do. But in this case, we were unable to meet the victim. So tell us how this unfolds a little bit.

At the beginning, he has an alibi, right? They kind of look away from him originally.

At the beginning, he has an alibi, right? They kind of look away from him originally.

But police genuinely believe that he doesn't know who she was.

But police genuinely believe that he doesn't know who she was.

Correct.

Correct.

One of the things I thought was interesting about this is that, you know, frequently when people from the outside contact police departments and say, I want to help you solve this case, the answer is thanks. we got it. Like we really don't need your help. And also outsiders getting involved presents all kinds of other problems like evidence and chain of custody.

One of the things I thought was interesting about this is that, you know, frequently when people from the outside contact police departments and say, I want to help you solve this case, the answer is thanks. we got it. Like we really don't need your help. And also outsiders getting involved presents all kinds of other problems like evidence and chain of custody.

And I don't want you at the crime scene and you're not a law enforcement officer and you don't have any subpoena power. There's lots of reasons why, why average citizens should not get involved in things like this. But in this case, detective hope was actually, he was like, yeah, let's go.

And I don't want you at the crime scene and you're not a law enforcement officer and you don't have any subpoena power. There's lots of reasons why, why average citizens should not get involved in things like this. But in this case, detective hope was actually, he was like, yeah, let's go.

Now, when this happened, that was quite new. Now it's something that we almost take for granted in criminal cases.

Now, when this happened, that was quite new. Now it's something that we almost take for granted in criminal cases.

It is, and it's becoming so common that when we do these stories on Dateline now, it's only a little part of the story. But at this time, it was kind of the story.

It is, and it's becoming so common that when we do these stories on Dateline now, it's only a little part of the story. But at this time, it was kind of the story.

It really was groundbreaking. And it also shows you not just sort of what can be accomplished through science, but also sort of the dedication and fascination and obsession, almost, of the people who got involved. Because they didn't know her. They didn't know anything about her. answer.

It really was groundbreaking. And it also shows you not just sort of what can be accomplished through science, but also sort of the dedication and fascination and obsession, almost, of the people who got involved. Because they didn't know her. They didn't know anything about her. answer.

This is all information, the genetic information that they use to identify her. This is essentially what is done in numerous cases, both ones that you and I have covered and other people, usually done to identify killers. You have the killer's DNA, but it doesn't match anybody.

This is all information, the genetic information that they use to identify her. This is essentially what is done in numerous cases, both ones that you and I have covered and other people, usually done to identify killers. You have the killer's DNA, but it doesn't match anybody.