Death in the Dorms Season 2: Episode 2 – Haley Anderson

Released on December 31, 2024, "Death in the Dorms" delves into the tragic and perplexing case of Haley Anderson, a promising nursing student from Binghamton University whose untimely death shook her community and sparked an international manhunt. Hosted by ABC News and produced by ABC News Studios in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Corporation, this episode provides an in-depth look into Haley’s life, her relationships, the investigation, and the pursuit of justice.

1. Introduction to Haley Anderson

The episode opens with poignant moments from Haley’s personal life, setting the tone for the tragic narrative that unfolds.

• Haley's Mother: "May 9, 1995, Haley Anderson was born. She grew up in Salisbury, New York, a very tight-knit community… she had a great sense of humor." [00:40]

• Haley’s Close Friend: "When the story broke, I was still very in the twilight zone of how could this happen to our friend." [00:59]

Haley was portrayed as a vibrant, driven individual excelling academically and athletically. Her dedication led her to Binghamton University, where she pursued nursing—a field she passionately embraced.

• Haley's Mother: "She applied to the nursing school at Binghamton University for her junior year, and she got accepted into the program in the Decker School of Nursing." [08:22]

2. Haley’s Social Life and Relationships

Haley's social interactions and romantic relationships played a significant role in her life and eventual tragedy.

• Sydney: "We met in second grade... and we have been best friends ever since." [03:17]

• Haley's Sister: "She always wanted everyone around and everyone to be happy… in high school… she was the complete opposite of that." [04:45]

Haley maintained an on-and-off relationship with Kevin while developing a more complicated relationship with Orlando Trocero, a fellow nursing student with whom she shared a history.

• Karen Anderson (Haley's Friend): "Orlando was very possessive. He wanted her all to himself." [28:17]

3. The Incident and Initial Investigation

Haley’s disappearance culminated in the discovery of her body, raising suspicions and initiating a thorough investigation.

• Narrator: "On March 9th of 2018, Binghamton Police received a 911 call from Haley's roommates… She was found lying in bed unresponsive." [16:22]

• Leigh Whannell (Detective): "There were signs indicative of a failed suicide attempt, but upon closer inspection, it was clear it was manual strangulation." [19:29, 20:31]

A handwritten note in Spanish suggested Haley’s distress, further directing authorities toward foul play.

4. Orlando Trocero – The Person of Interest

Orlando emerged as the primary suspect due to his obsessive behavior and prior incidents indicating a motive.

• Haley's Close Friend: "What's next? We had no idea what was going to happen." [42:00]

• Haley's Friend: "Orlando was obsessed with Haley and jealous if she was with other people… Haley's car tires got slashed." [25:41]

Despite slashing Haley’s tires—a felony due to the total cost involved—and subsequent friction, Haley hesitated to press charges, fearing it might jeopardize Orlando’s nursing career.

• Haley's Mother: "She didn’t want to ruin Orlando's chance of being a nurse." [28:45]

5. The International Manhunt and Arrest

Once Orlando fled to Nicaragua, the case escalated into an international effort to bring him to justice.

• Leigh Whannell: "In my 24 years, this is the first time that I've ever dealt with a case where we've had a suspect flee the country." [35:04]

Orlando was eventually located and arrested in Nicaragua after being recognized in a hospital setting.

• District Attorney: "22-year-old Orlando Tercero was arrested in Nicaragua." [41:35]

6. Legal Proceedings and Trial

Navigating the complexities of international law, the prosecution sought to secure a conviction against Orlando.

• District Attorney: "He was tried and convicted of femicide in Nicaragua." [45:26]

The trial, conducted via video link between the U.S. and Nicaragua, concluded with Orlando receiving a 30-year sentence, the maximum under Nicaraguan law.

• District Attorney: "In November of 2019, Orlando was convicted of femicide." [49:56]

Despite challenges, including alleged defense strategies attempting to mitigate his culpability, the verdict provided a semblance of closure for Haley’s family and community.

7. Aftermath and Advocacy

The tragic loss of Haley influenced significant advocacy efforts aimed at preventing femicide and supporting victims of domestic violence.

• Haley's Mother: "Since Haley's trial, I've been on a mission to bring awareness to femicide, trying to enact femicide as a law in the United States." [53:33]

• Haley's Sister: "I started volunteering on a domestic violence hotline called RAINN… I hope that I've saved at least one person from a situation like Haley's." [54:05]

Haley’s legacy continues through memorials and ongoing efforts to highlight the signs of controlling and abusive relationships.

• Karen Anderson: "I want people to be aware of signs of controlling or abusive people in their life… if you have a friend that is in a situation like my friend was, please tell someone." [54:27]

8. Community Impact and Conclusion

Haley’s death left an indelible mark on Binghamton University and her broader community, fostering discussions about safety, trust, and support systems.

• Haley's Friend: "It's really terrifying to see something like that happen so close to home." [41:35]

• Haley's Mother: "There was so much more of life for Haley to live and so much more of us to have. Haley's death is forever." [55:03]

The episode concludes by honoring Haley’s memory and emphasizing the importance of awareness and action in preventing similar tragedies.

• Podcast Host: "Join us next week for a gripping episode about a linebacker from the University of Miami… Death in the Dorms is available streaming on Hulu." [56:27]

Notable Quotes:

• Haley's Close Friend [25:41]: "Orlando was obsessed with Haley and jealous if she was with other people."

• Haley's Mother [28:45]: "She didn’t want to ruin Orlando's chance of being a nurse."

• District Attorney [49:56]: "In November of 2019, Orlando was convicted of femicide."

• Karen Anderson [54:27]: "I want people to be aware of signs of controlling or abusive people in their life… if you have a friend that is in a situation like my friend was, please tell someone."

Conclusion

"Death in the Dorms Season 2: Episode 2: Haley Anderson" provides a comprehensive and emotionally charged exploration of a young woman's life cut short by violence. Through detailed accounts from family, friends, and law enforcement, the episode not only chronicles the harrowing journey to justice but also serves as a poignant reminder of the pervasive issue of femicide. By highlighting the personal impacts and subsequent advocacy efforts, ABC News delivers a narrative that is both informative and deeply moving, ensuring that Haley Anderson’s story resonates and inspires change.