20/20 Podcast Summary

Episode: "Bad Romance: Death at the Door (Revisited)"

Date: February 11, 2026
Host: ABC News, Debra Roberts

Main Theme

A chilling true crime case set in the Chicago suburbs: the 2007 murder of Roni Reuter, longtime girlfriend of former NFL star Shaun Gale, while she was pregnant with their child. The episode revisits the original investigation, the tangled relationships, the trail that led to conviction, and new questions after nearly two decades.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Victim and Her High-Profile Partner

• Ronnie Reuter’s Story (04:30–13:00)
  • Described as warm, family-oriented, and devoted to her partner and soon-to-be child.
  • 18-year relationship with Chicago Bears’ Shaun Gale; they never married or lived together, which her family found “awkward.”
  • "As long as she was happy, we were happy for her." — Ronnie's family member (10:15)
• Shaun Gale: Chicago Celebrity
  • Former NFL defensive back for 1985 Super Bowl champions, known for charisma and visibility post-retirement.
  • Notoriety intensified public and media interest after the murder.

2. The Murder

• Timeline of the Crime (13:30–19:45)

  • On a warm October morning, Ronnie is shot seven times while leaving her home.
  • "Grabbed her stuff, opened her door... in the shadows, gets hit with seven bullets." (18:10)
  • Two shots were fired directly at the fetus.

• Immediate Repercussions

  • Shaun Gale receives calls from press naming him a suspect; he contacts police and is visibly distraught (20:15)
  • Ronnie’s family devastated: "We were preparing a celebration... and ended up preparing a funeral. A double funeral." (1:33:05)

3. Early Investigation: Suspects & Motives

• Suspicion Falls on Gale (25:00–27:00)

  • Initial focus due to proximity and high-profile status.
  • Gale’s alibi not entirely airtight; issues with his timeline.

• “A Long List of Women” (27:15–30:45)

  • Police and press discover Gale was dating or involved with 16–18 women over several years.
  • "He kindly enough gives us a list of almost 18 women... over a three year period." — Detective discussion (28:30)

• First Lead: Monica Korozka (31:00–35:00)

  • Prior relationship with Gale, ended badly.
  • Suspected of sending harassing letters to Gale’s girlfriends; she denies and is cleared by alibi.

4. The Case Turns: Marnie Yang Emerges

• Yang’s Background (36:30–41:00)

  • Hardworking, single mom; met Shaun at a Bears convention, began real estate business dealings and a personal relationship.
  • Police begin to see her as an obsessed “girlfriend” based on her own bragging and reports from acquaintances.
  • "She made a lot more out of the relationship than it actually was... Not even the craziest stretch of imagination." — Gale, on Marnie (42:00)

• Online Stalking & Harassment

  • Investigators suspect Yang had access to Gale’s email, sent the threatening letters attributed to Monica.
  • "Investigators believe that Marnie had been tracking Sean and Ronnie and those letters... were actually from her." (43:40)

5. Building the Case Against Marnie Yang

• Forensic and Digital Evidence (45:20–48:00)

  • Police search Yang’s trash; discover purchases for books on making silencers and receipts for hardware parts.
  • Find mailing labels with names of Gale’s female contacts.
  • Yang lies to police about gun ownership, later admits to having had a 9mm—the murder weapon's caliber.

• Contradictions in Yang’s Alibi

  • Son Andrew’s statement contradicts Yang’s claim she was home during the murder.
  • Surveillance and interviews build circumstantial case.

6. The Sting Operation and Bombshell Confession

• The Denny’s Tapes (55:00–1:01:05)

  • Yang’s acquaintance, Christy, wears a wire during meetings at Denny’s.
  • Yang gives graphic, detailed confession about the murder with little emotion:
    • “She started screaming. I took the first shot... I just started emptying.” — Marnie Yang (1:00:20)
    • “It was like going grocery shopping. It was surreal.” — Investigation commentary
  • Details match forensic evidence and witness descriptions (disguised petite figure, use of silencer).

• Arrest and Aftermath

  • Based on tape, Yang is arrested and charged.

7. Trial and Conviction

• The Prosecution’s Case (1:04:00–1:14:30)
  • Focus on Yang’s obsession and motive to “eliminate the competition.”
  • Use of letters, taped confession, and testimony from Yang’s daughter and friend as evidence.
  • Medical examiner testimony reveals two bullets were aimed at the pregnant belly:
    • "Seeing baby Skylar with a bullet that ran through her... I will never get that picture out of my head, ever." — Juror/Mother on the trial (1:12:20)
  • Yang found guilty and sentenced to life without parole for double homicide.

8. The Fight for a New Trial

• Post-Conviction Appeal (1:16:00–end)

  • Yang maintains innocence; claims confession was coerced and staged, believing police would otherwise pin blame on her son.
  • 2020: She appears on camera, stating “I did not [kill Roni Reuter]. And I am not capable of doing anything like that. I'm a mother myself.”
  • Defense attorney argues “false confession”; accuses state of withholding evidence and intimidating tactics.
  • Prosecutors counter that the original tape is a true confession.
  • "The only evidence that convicted Marnie is the Denny's tape. On that tape it sounds very much to me like someone's confessing to a murder." — Reporter (1:17:40)

• Lingering Questions and Impact

  • Gale, family left to mourn and question the tragedy’s senselessness and aftermath.
  • "She took a piece of all of our lives. She took a piece of all of our heart." — Ronnie’s family spokesperson (1:33:00)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Ronnie Reuter’s Murder:
  • “Grabbed her stuff, opened her door... in the shadows, gets hit with seven bullets.” (18:10)
  • “We were preparing a celebration, and we ended up preparing a funeral. A double funeral.” (1:33:05)
• On Gale & Relationships:
  • “He kindly enough gives us a list of almost 18 women... over a three year period.” (28:30)
  • "I know Ronnie wanted to be married. I'm thinking it was probably because Sean wasn't ready." (12:30)
• On Yang’s Confession (Denny's Wire):
  • “She started screaming. I took the first shot. I just started emptying.” (1:00:20; Denny’s tape audio)
  • "It was like going grocery shopping. It was surreal." — Investigation commentary (1:01:30)
• On the Toll:
  • "She took a piece of all of our lives. She took a piece of all of our heart." (1:33:00)

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------|-------------| | Introduction and Case Overview | 00:00–04:30 | | Background on Ronnie & Gale | 04:30–13:00 | | The Crime and Immediate Response | 13:00–19:45 | | Early Investigation Focus on Gale | 25:00–27:00 | | Spotlight on Monica Korozka | 31:00–35:00 | | Yang Emerges as Suspect | 36:30–41:00 | | Discovery of Key Evidence | 45:20–48:00 | | Denny’s Wiretap Confession | 55:00–1:01:05| | Arrest, Trial, Conviction | 1:04:00–1:14:30| | Appeals and New Questions | 1:16:00–end |

Tone & Takeaways

• Intimate, emotional interviews from family and investigators.
• Clear, fact-driven reporting reminiscent of classic 20/20 style — methodical, yet sensitive to victims and the ripple effect on loved ones.
• Leaves listeners with unresolved questions on justice, the dangers of obsession, and the frailty of truth in the wake of traumatic loss.

For listeners seeking deep dives into true crime mysteries, this episode offers an exhaustive, humanizing look at the investigation, the complicated adult relationships at its center, and the ever-moving line between closure and enduring doubt.