The After Show: Her Last Call

Summary

20/20 After Show: Her Last Call

ABC News | June 22, 2026

---

Episode Overview

This episode of the 20/20 After Show revisits the harrowing true crime story of Denise Amber Lee, a 21-year-old mother of two who was abducted and murdered in Florida in 2008. The discussion centers on Denise's courageous efforts to leave clues for police, the emotional impact on her family, the subsequent changes in 911 protocols, and the recent execution of her killer, Michael King. Host Debra Roberts is joined by producers Denise Martinez Raimundo and Jeff Schneider, along with emotional interviews with Denise’s now-grown sons and key law enforcement figures.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Abduction & Immediate Aftermath

• Incident Recap: Denise Amber Lee, a young mother, vanishes from her home. Her two sons, ages 6 months and 2 years, are left behind, found alone by their father Nathan returning from work. Denise's phone, purse, and keys are still inside the home.
  • "Her husband... comes home and finds every parent's nightmare. Their two little boys left at home alone. And his wife Denise is gone." (00:53)
• Urgency of the Case: Denise, though abducted, manages to call 911 from her captor's car, staying calm and attempting to leave a trail for rescuers.
  • "She is doing everything she can to stay calm, to stay quiet, and to leave a trail." (01:34)
• Tragic Outcome: Despite her efforts, Denise’s body is found two days later.
  • "Two days later, police find Denise's body in nearby woods. Her family and her community...completely devastated." (02:05)

2. Family Impact: The Boys Reflect

• The Sons’ Memories: Denise’s sons, now adults, recount growing up without their mother and the ways they honor her memory.
  • "Every milestone...there is, you know, something missing. And it was our mom. I always write her name in the clay before every event, just to like, know that she's there with me." (02:36)
  • "I always say she sacrificed herself to make sure we were safe." (02:53)
• Special Bond: The brothers discuss the unique connection formed by their shared loss.
  • "Knowing that he was going through the same thing definitely helped me." (23:51, Denise's Son)
• Maintaining Connection: Visiting Denise’s monument or cemetery, leaving personal items, and carrying her memory through life.
  • "Just a part of me with her, because I'll always have a part of her with me. I do my best to carry her with me everywhere I go." (24:34, Denise's Son)

3. 911 Calls: Lifeline & Controversy

• Denise’s Critical 911 Call: Audio is replayed, illustrating her composure and attempts to provide information on her abductor and location.
  • "She very cleverly was able to get his phone and to place a call...giving enough information there. It's almost like something out of a TV show." (05:26, Debra Roberts)
• Call Content Considerations: Producers grappled with whether to air such distressing audio but agreed it was essential to showcase Denise’s bravery and its impact on the case.
  • "It was important...for the viewer to hear how brave she was and how she handled herself in that situation." (13:14, Denise Martinez Raimundo)
• Community’s Role & System Flaws:
  • Several 911 calls from witnesses (including Jane Kowalski), and a friend’s relative identified the suspect's car and helped name Michael King.
  • Systemic Failure: A technical snafu at the local 911 call center delayed the response. This delay became a watershed moment, sparking reform.
  • "We talked about Denise's sons, who are now young men...We're going to share some extended moments from my interview with them when we come back." (19:13)
• 911 System Reform: Det. Chris Morales emphasizes how Denise's case inspired the creation of real-time intelligence centers and new dispatch protocols.
  • "If we were able to take all of this behind me [the intelligence center] and go back in time and implement it into 2008, I strongly believe...we would have had Denise Amberly." (22:23, Chris Morales)

4. The Randomness (and Terror) of the Crime

• No Prior Connection: Michael King’s attack was random; he had no relationship with Denise.
  • "We couldn't find any criminal background with him. And so that randomness just made this even more chilling." (16:06, Jeff Schneider)
• Witness Account: Jane Kowalski recounts seeing Denise banging on the car window, realizing it was a kidnapping, and calling 911.
  • "They kept banging on the window and screaming. And not a happy scream, like, get me out of here screaming." (17:40, Jane Kowalski, via 911 audio)

5. The Aftermath: Grief, Advocacy, and Resolution

• Nathan Lee’s Advocacy: Denise's husband channels his grief into activism for 911 reform, sharing her story at events and influencing law changes in Florida and beyond.
  • "He's dedicated his life now to speaking out about 911 and how laws changed in Florida and other parts of the country." (26:40, Debra Roberts)
• The Return of Denise’s Ring: Years later, Nathan receives back a sentimental ring Denise left in the car as a clue.
  • "She left it in that car because she knew that Nathan would be able to identify it. So getting it back was very special for him." (26:05, Denise Martinez Raimundo)
• Closure & Execution: After 18 years and exhausting all appeals, Michael King is executed in March 2026. Denise’s family attends, reflecting bittersweetly on closure and justice.
  • "King is strapped on the gurney. I could see him blinking, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to forget that. But we needed to be there for Denise." (28:32, Chris Morales)
  • "Michael King did read a statement. He didn't apologize for killing my mother. He didn't admit to it either...I just needed to see justice being served for my mom." (28:48, Denise's Son)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Denise’s Strength in Crisis
  "That she had the presence of mind, even in the middle of all that fear, to throw out these little breadcrumbs to police. And also...to try to plead with this abductor." (14:04, Debra Roberts)

• On the Randomness of the Crime
  "It's just one of those things, those random crimes that all of us fear." (16:15, Debra Roberts)

• On the Lasting Impact
  "Their resilience. It is something I think most of us will remember. I'm still struck by the work that they have done in Denise's name, especially around 911 trainings and accountability." (29:53, Co-host/Interviewer)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Denise’s Disappearance & Family Reactions (00:50–03:20)
• 911 Calls—Impact and Analysis (04:47–14:52)
• Identification of Michael King (14:32–16:06)
• Witness Jane Kowalski’s 911 Call (17:40–18:24)
• 911 Reforms & Law Enforcement Response (21:45–22:35)
• Extended Son Interviews: Grief and Remembrance (23:33–25:07)
• Return of Denise’s Ring & Advocacy (26:05–26:55)
• Final Chapter – King’s Execution & Family Reflections (28:21–29:53)

---

Conclusion

This powerful episode bridges true crime reporting with human resilience. The hosts and producers offer deeply personal perspectives, context on 911 system failures and reforms, and gut-wrenching interviews with Denise Amber Lee’s family. The episode underscores the ongoing legacy of Denise’s bravery, her family’s advocacy for public safety, and the complex, emotional process of coming to terms with loss and justice.

Key takeaway: Denise Amber Lee’s story became a catalyst for change—her courage, her family’s advocacy, and lessons from her case continue to shape emergency response and victim advocacy nationwide.

Transcript

[Depop Advertiser]

You survived the Miami weekend, nailed the speech and maxed out your credit card in the name of friendship. Now you've got one hangover, four pastel dresses, and zero reasons to wear them again. Sell them on, Depop. Just snap a few photos and we'll take care of the rest. And you at least get some of your dignity money back. Someone on Depop wants what you've got. Start selling now, Depop. Where taste recognizes taste.

[Debra Roberts]

Hi there, Everybody.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Welcome to 20 20, the After Show.

[Debra Roberts]

I'm Debra Roberts and today we're gonna

[Co-host/Interviewer]

continue a conversation about a story 2020

[Debra Roberts]

has been following for years.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

It has stayed with me since I

[Debra Roberts]

began reporting on it in Florida.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

And now we've got a few new developments to share.

[Debra Roberts]

A 21 year old mom of two

[Co-host/Interviewer]

vanishes from her home in the middle of the day. Denise Amberly's phone, her purse, her keys, all of that still inside her house. Her husband, who was at work at the time when his wife disappeared, comes home and finds every parent's nightmare. Their two little boys left at home alone. And his wife Denise is gone. Well, as you saw on our 2020 episode, I think what really struck so many of us is how quickly this mystery turned into something that was so much more urgent. Just hours later, Denise finds a way to call 911 herself. Now, this is a woman who has been abducted.

[Debra Roberts]

She's in a car with her abductor

[Co-host/Interviewer]

at the time and she is doing everything she can to stay calm, to stay quiet, and to leave a trail. Let's listen to this heartbreaking moment when Denise is heard pleading to get back to her family.

[911 Callers]

I'm darling. I'm darling. I just want to go.

[Jeff Schneider]

Hello?

[911 Callers]

I just want to see my family. Please let me go. Please let me go. I just want to see my family again.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Somehow, the unimaginable still happens. That's the part in this story that is so hard to sit with. Two days later, police find Denise's body in nearby woods. Her family and her community, as you can imagine, completely devastated. Well, in my latest 2020 episode, we retraced those critical Mom. The roads, the witnesses, the calls. And now, years later, I spoke with those little boys, Denise's boys, who are now grown up.

[Denise's Son]

Every milestone there is, you know, something missing. And it was our mom. I always write her name in the, in the clay before every abet, just to like, know that she's there with me.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Some people have called your mom a hero, that she protected you too.

[Denise's Son]

I always say she sacrificed herself to make sure we were safe.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Hearing the two talk about the milestones that their mom Denise missed, that is something that just sticks with me. Well, today on this episode, we're gonna continue our reporting with an update on where this case stands now, how Denise's family is coping after their final chapter in the fight for justice. And we're also gonna share some extended moments from our time with Denise's husband and sons. Moments you didn't see in the broadcast. But first, I spoke with 2020 producers Denise Martinez, Raimundo and Jeff Schneider about working on this story together.

[Debra Roberts]

All three of us were so moved

[Co-host/Interviewer]

by this story and I so enjoyed the conversation and I hope you will too.

[Debra Roberts]

Denise, good to see you. I think I'm gonna start with you because you brought this story to me. It was something that you, I think, discovered and you know, obviously it had been a story that had happened in Florida. As a mom, you're a mom, I am too. And oftentimes you and I have connected over these stories just because we're parents. And when it is something that involves a parent, it really kind of grabs us right away. And tell me about for you when you first heard about this story. A 21 year old mom going missing and of course, you know, tragically turns out dead.

[Denise Martinez Raimundo]

Her name turns out to be Denise, just like my name. We actually share the same birth year and, you know, so you kind of hit close to home also, like reaching out, you know, here is, you know, sharing the same name. And what was really interesting is that as a mom, you know, she was taking, leaving her two young sons behind, six months and two years old. I have young children. So to know that she had to be taken away from them and in her mind to maybe try to protect themselves, take the harm away from them.

[Debra Roberts]

And she was a young stay at home mom, a very bright young woman. Denise Amberly.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

One of the things that we really,

[Debra Roberts]

I thought brought home for viewers in this case was sort of 911 calls, how it all works, why that was so urgent.

[Denise Martinez Raimundo]

We have a series of 911 calls that really bring this kidnapping to life that we are experiencing and listening to it unfolding in real time. So I think this is unlike any other story that we've seen that we kind of can see that progression. And I think it was really important to bring that to the viewers. So the audio is obviously really shocking to hear, but obviously, you know, in order for that to bring home, to bring it to life, I think definitely Jeff, you know, and with, with the video really was able to, you know,

[Co-host/Interviewer]

capture that and for folks who may

[Debra Roberts]

not have seen the episode, and I'm telling you, you're gonna wanna go see the episode. But those of you who did, you'll remember that Denise Amber Lee placed a 911 call from the. Her captor's car. She was actually taken from her home. And she very cleverly was able to get his phone and to place a. Just sort of not obviously signaling that she was calling the police, but giving enough information there. It's almost like something out of a. Out of a TV show. And Jeff, what about you and your approach to this particular story? You knew the area.

[Jeff Schneider]

Yeah, I mean, and I'm also a dad, so with two kids. And I immediately, when I read the story, when I learned about the story, I put myself in Nathan's shoes. Her husband, you know, I just. Yeah, her husband. And I just really wanted to capture kind of what he was going through and what he was feeling. And, you know, these locations were all so very important, like where their house was. You know, it was in the middle of nowhere. It was back on a tucked in, you know, street where it felt safe, you know. And so that was really something that was important for me to try to get across with the. With the visuals is just where everything took place. The relationship to each other and stuff like that. And then also the strength of this family. How strong. Sue, the mom, taking in the children in the middle of this nightmare, like you mentioned, having to go. She had to go get formula because Denise was still breastfeeding.

[Debra Roberts]

Yeah, there was something about that tender idea that she's still a breastfeeding mom and had to leave her children behind because she was kidnapped. And in the story, we learn a lot about the two of them. Denise and Nathan, they were very young when they got married. They had these children pretty quickly. And Nathan was a very devoted dad, working very hard. And he comes home and, you know, his wife's keys and her purse are there, but she's not to be found anywhere. He's the first person actually to call 911 in the story. So let's remind our listeners. And let's take a listen.

[911 Callers]

Northport Emergency. Yes, I'm at Latour Avenue. I just got home from work and my wife, I can't find her. My kids were in the house, and I don't know where she is. I've looked every single place, and I don't know. How old are your kids, sir? My oldest is 2 and my youngest is 6 months.

[Chris Morales / Other Interviewees]

I know.

[911 Callers]

I don't know where mommy is. Her vehicle's in the driveway? Yes. Does she have any medical conditions? No. Her purse is here. I don't. Her cell phone is here. I don't, I don't know. I don't know. Okay, what is her name? Denise.

[Debra Roberts]

That call is just so chilling because you can hear the desperation. You can also hear the panic in his voice. Jeff, you talked about being a dad and of course, Denise, you're a parent too. And I think for all of us, as we were going back and looking at this story, and I had an opportunity to meet her two now older sons. Her father's a police officer and we'll talk about that. And her parents. This was a hard one to report, Denise. And I mean, even your face now as I'm, as we're watching and talking to you about it, I mean, this was a hard one, wasn't it?

[Denise Martinez Raimundo]

Yeah, definitely. I mean, in that 91 call, you hear even the son asking, where's mommy? You know, my little one is starting to talk. Almost getting close to the 2 year old age and, you know, they realized, and just hearing that, the panic on his voice, the little young son asking for his mom, you know, it was hard, you know, to report on it. So we had covered this story back in 2008, but we didn't have her 911 call. And even though it's heartbreaking and, you know, heart stopping, but it really shows how brave she was. And I think it was important for us to do this story showing, making our viewers listen to that 911 call to show the impact that her case has had on the 911 system going forward.

[Debra Roberts]

Yeah, and that became kind of a theme for us, Jeff, in this story. We're going to examine 911 calls and operators. And we went actually to a 911 office there to kind of find out how they work. Because this case would eventually change a lot in Florida when it comes to 911 cases. We have to dig through a lot of video file reporting. And as Denise said, this is the first time we had actually had an opportunity to broadcast this particular 911 call.

[Jeff Schneider]

Yeah, yeah. Both me and Denise, you know, go through all the case files that we can get our hands on. You know, we try to get everything, we listen to everything, we make notes on it all, you know, and we were listening to everything. And we're keeping all that in mind as we go out. And I think that makes us, you know, better in the field so that we can really know what to what, how to film certain things. You Know the locations and everything like that.

[Debra Roberts]

Yeah, especially when it's a case like this one that happened several years back. And then we try to see what we can do to bring something new to it. Fresh eyes.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Well, there's so much more to this

[Debra Roberts]

story to report and to tell you all about how we put it all together. Denise Amber Lee and the case of

[Co-host/Interviewer]

the missing mom down in Florida. We're going to talk more about it in just a moment.

[Debra Roberts]

We're going to take a break, so don't go anywhere.

[Wise Advertiser]

Support comes from Wise, the smart way to manage the currencies you need around the globe. Fed up with losing out to hidden fees when you send money abroad with your everyday bank, choose the smart way Wise. You can count on the exchange rate you'd usually find on Google. No unwelcome surprises. Plus, ditch that where's my money feeling. But most transfers arrive in under 20 seconds. Join millions saving billions on hidden fees. Be smart, get wise. Download the WISE app today. Ts and Cs apply. This episode is supported by the podcast Dr. Death. There are people you're told to trust. Lawyers, teachers, especially doctors. But what happens when you put your life in someone's hands and they betray you? The hit podcast Dr. Death is back, and this season is unlike any other. Dr. Death the Cowboy is the story of a charming neurosurgeon who rode into Western towns selling a Persona of confidence and care. He wore cowboy boots in the operating room and became sought after by patients. He promised to heal them. Instead, he left a trail of broken bodies. This is the story of a doctor who was never truly held accountable for the patients whose lives he ruined. A story of greed, betrayal and a fight for justice that will leave you questioning who to trust. Listen to Dr. Death the Cowboy wherever you get your podcasts or binge. The entire series right now only with audible.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

We are back now with Denise Martinez,

[Debra Roberts]

Raimundo and Jeff Schneider, producers on this story with me. For 2020, they covered the Denise Amber Lee case and it was driven by consequential 911 calls. I want to get into all of them, but we heard that call from Nathan a little earlier. Now there was a call from Denise herself. And I want to play for all of us. Nicole, clip from that do you know

[911 Callers]

this guy that's with you? No. You don't know him from anywhere? No, please. Oh, God, help me. What is the address that you're at? Where are we going? I got to go up and around now. Up and around where? Can you see that? Four streets wall five. I cleared up everywhere. Northport, L9, Sarasota. Just had Denise A. Lee on the phone, advised that she was taken by an unknown subject.

[Debra Roberts]

That call was just so distressing. What were your thoughts about how much of it to play and, and whether even to play it?

[Denise Martinez Raimundo]

We gave it a lot of thought to that in our previous reporting. We had her dad and ourselves just, I mean, after listening to the call, I think we felt it was important for us to, for the viewer to hear how brave she was and how she handled herself in that situation. It was really important in her 911 call that she's relaying critical information about the person who has her. He's saying, I don't know you, please take me back home. She says, take me back home to my house in Latour. Trying to give dispatchers to information about, you know, where her home is so she could identify her. They could identify hopefully him. And that was really critical because they will eventually use that information and they will convict him later on.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Yeah, it was so amazing to me.

[Debra Roberts]

I mean, this is a 21 year old woman. Her father was a police officer, so she had some smarts about, I guess, the law and maybe even just about, you know, trying to figure out a way to get herself out of this, but that she had the presence of mind, even in the middle of all that fear, to throw out these little breadcrumbs to police. And also too, of course, to try to plead with this abductor. But then another call came through that actually helped identify who her actual killer was. Let's take a listen to that call.

[911 Callers]

I just got a call from my dad and his cousin came over his house with a girl in the car and she was tied up. He borrowed a shovel, a gas tank and something else. What's the cousin driving? A green Camaro. What's your cousin's name? Mikey King. Put out a BOLO to FHP2 please,

[Chris Morales / Other Interviewees]

for dark green Camaro.

[911 Callers]

Who's he saying is driving that Camaro? Michael King.

[Debra Roberts]

Oh, my gosh. I think for all of us, this, this was not only upsetting, but maybe even infuriating when you think about this young woman is missing, every second counts. This young girl calls because her father didn't call and she gives police a little bit of information. And this is the first time we actually hear a Michael King. And that was critical, Jeff. Right?

[Jeff Schneider]

It was. And you know, when we talked with the police and the detectives, they had said that Denise's call, when they got the 911 call from Denise they started to trace it, and then they got this other call from that girl that we just heard and that they had a name. And then they eventually got the name back from the phone that they were tracing from Denise's 911 call. And it matched up. And both, you know, it was Michael King. So they knew they had their guy. And it was just, you know, you talk about the research that we were doing when we first started this. You know, we tried to dig into who was this guy who is Michael King.

[911 Callers]

Yeah.

[Debra Roberts]

What was her. What was his connection to Denise Amberly, which was nothing.

[Jeff Schneider]

Which was nothing. And there was. You know, we couldn't find any criminal background with him. And so that randomness just made this even more chilling.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Yeah, Denise.

[Debra Roberts]

I think that's what got me, the randomness. Cause we do so many of these stories, and oftentimes we kind of see it coming, right? It's either the spouse or relative or some disgruntled, you know, employee or worker with someone. But in this case, it's just one of those things, those random crimes that all of us fear.

[Denise Martinez Raimundo]

That's what makes it the. This case really, really scary, because it's somebody random, somebody that had no connection whatsoever to her. And, you know, somebody who turned out to be a f. You know, he had a young son, and, you know, his most recent girlfriend had said that she was shocked, as everybody else, to hear that it was him and that she would never have imagined that he would be capable to do something like this.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Debra Roberts]

As I said, the 911 calls played such a role. Denise makes a call, this young woman makes a call, and then there's another call that comes in that could have changed everything. A woman named Jane Kowalski, who you had me meet. Denise and I drove along with her so she could point out to me where she was driving. She happened to be in town on her. Her way to go visit a relative, and she saw a car with someone banging on the back window in the car. And she said she was on the phone with her sister, and she could hear this screaming. It was almost like a kid's voice. She couldn't make it out. And she knew something was wrong. She could see that this guy was driving, and this person was banging very, very frantically. Let's take a listen to this one.

[911 Callers]

They kept banging on the window and screaming. And not a happy scream, like, get me out of here screaming. He just turned on Toledo Bright. I don't know if I can catch up. There's a bunch of traffic, and I can't get over. Oh, boy.

[Debra Roberts]

You can't get more specific than that. This woman is giving all this detail in real time. She's telling them where she is. I mean, I think all of our jaws just dropped. Denise, let's talk about how you found Jane. You brought her to Florida. I got a chance to get in the car. Jeff, you were shooting to talk to her about how this all played out for her. And she was a very interesting woman, very strong woman who felt very strongly about trying to do the right thing. She even wanted to follow the car, but they lost her after a while. She was like trying to do her part as a citizen.

[Denise Martinez Raimundo]

Yeah, I mean, I mean, it was. It's always really important for us to be able to go back and find those people that are so key to the story. I mean, obviously Jane saw something that in her mind looked like a kidnapping. And, you know, I think it was really important for to have you right with her so she can really point. You know, I'm in this lane, he's crossing over. I mean, I think to be able to really capture that and understand it from herself, I mean, I mean, you saw, she even showed you how loud the banging on the window was. I mean, that was. It was quite something that she really knew somebody was in trouble. And so, I mean, I think it's really, you know, unfortunately, you know, you know, her call comes to the dispatch center where actually her, you know, the agency where Denise's father works for. So it was people there that obviously really care about Denise.

[Debra Roberts]

And of course, you know, what was so upsetting was that we learned that there was a snafu in the 911 call center, which just complicated this story all the more. We talked about Denise's sons, who are now young men, almost grown men. We had a chance to meet them and to talk with them. They're very, very amazing young men. We're going to share some extended moments from my interview with them when we come back. So stay with us. This show is sponsored by Bombas. It's finally spring and if you're like a lot of people, you may be ready to get moving again with more outdoor activities that just let you enjoy spring weather. If that sounds like you, well, do yourself a favor and bring a pair of Bombass sport socks along for the ride. Bombus sports socks are ultra comfortable. They're designed with sport specific tech for running, cycling, yoga, hiking, or whatever activity you may want to enjoy this spring. They're cushioned right where you need it and they don't slide down when you move so you can focus on your performance and not whether your socks can keep up. And don't forget some base layer clothing to go with them. Bombas T shirts are the most breathable and flexible shirts you'll ever own. Plus, for every item you purchase, an essential clothing item is donated to somebody facing housing insecurity. That's one purchased, one donated. With over 150 million donations and counting. Head over to bombas.com 20 and use code 20T W E N T Y for 20% off your first purchase. That's B O M B A S.com 20 and the code 20 at checkout. We are back now with producers Jeff Schneider and Denise Martinez Raimundo talking about a heartbreaking and chilling story about a 21 year old young mom of two who went missing and was later found dead. And we kind of take you through all the twists and turns of this story, but also the 911 calls that played such a key role in this, in this case and sadly led to a delay in police being able to track down Denise. We also went to those detectives who were on this case and Chris Morales was one of them. He was the lead detective on the Denise Amberly case. Jeff, talk to us a little bit about that because we had to not only track him down, but take him back to these locations of where this all played out. And it's a story that he hasn't forgotten either.

[Jeff Schneider]

No. And you know, after this case, he wanted to figure out what they could do better, how they could improve, how they could not have this happen again. And they, he spearheaded this real time intelligence center. And when we went and talked with him and sat him down to interview him, you know, he took us into the intelligence center and we just felt like this is where we need to talk to him.

[Debra Roberts]

Well, let's take a listen to what he told us.

[Chris Morales / Other Interviewees]

What's behind me here is our real time intelligence center.

[Jeff Schneider]

There's over 150 pieces of intelligent equipment that's placed throughout our city. I can tell you right now, if

[Debra Roberts]

we were able to take all of

[Jeff Schneider]

this behind me and go back in time and implement it into 2008, I strongly believe in my heart that we would have had Denise Amberly.

[Debra Roberts]

I also had an opportunity, which was pretty amazing, was to talk to her sons, Adam and Noah. One of them had just graduated from high school, the other one is a chef. And they were really pretty amazing to talk to Denise.

[Denise Martinez Raimundo]

Yeah. I mean, one thing, when I started working on the story, I mean, I realized the 6 month old and the 2 year old are probably teenagers now. I want to hear from them. I want to know how this, you know, what, what life has been for them. You know, obviously their mom was taken away from them when they were so young. And, you know, and, you know, we'll talk about, like, you know, how their dad has gone on to speak about her mom's story. But I, I wanted to hear from them and I think it was very moving and I think they were very eloquent and. And they say themselves, they say you never. You usually don't get to, to hear about, you know, like, the kids, you know, from, like, kind of the impact that it has on them. And I think that was really, really moving to hear what they have to say.

[Debra Roberts]

Adam and Noah were talking to us for the first time publicly about this case. And we have a bonus clip from our interview. So let's take a listen. When you think about the two of you now having grown up, you had each other.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Did that create a special bond between

[Debra Roberts]

the two of you?

[Jeff Schneider]

Yeah.

[Denise's Son]

You know, even as we take our separate paths in life, that keeps us bonded forever. You know, knowing that he was going through the same thing definitely helped, helped me.

[Debra Roberts]

There's a monument in the park that is basically a tribute to your mom. Do you spend any time there?

[Denise's Son]

I still make an effort to visit and to kind of say my piece, you know, almost like she's there. If I don't go there, I go to the cemetery.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

So you feel some connection to her.

[Denise's Son]

I used to wear a cross on one of my necklaces.

[Debra Roberts]

I left it there with her at the cemetery.

[Denise's Son]

Just a part of me with her, because I'll always have a part of her with me. I do my best to carry her with me everywhere I go.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Do you feel on some level that

[Debra Roberts]

you kind of know her even though you don't remember her?

[Denise's Son]

All these stories and, you know, everything I hear, you know, she's still been a perfect mother despite her not being here. I always try to dedicate a part of my success to her. Without her, you know, what would I be?

[Debra Roberts]

You know, I have to tell you, this was very hard for me, sitting across from these two young men. I mean, you could hear Noah weeping there and just. Oh, my. Even just listening to it again now. Powerful words from these two. And it was interesting to hear them talking about, you know, visiting her and the jewelry and of course, having talked to Denise's husband, who now has been remarried, Nathan, but who still so clearly carries a lot of pain. Having lost Denise Nathan, though, one of the things that I just thought was so remarkable, Denise, was that Nathan had given Denise a ring when they first started dating. Not a very expensive ring, but it was like a little heart. It was for Valentine's Day. She was wearing that ring when she was abducted. And smartly, she left the ring behind in the car to give police a clue. And he actually got that ring back not long before we did this interview. And, Denise, that was really pretty remarkable.

[Denise Martinez Raimundo]

Yeah. When I, you know, reached out to him about doing the same story, you know, he had mentioned to me that just a few months ago, he had gotten, you know, that ring back. You know, Michael Keane's appeals had all been exhausted, so he was able to get this piece of jewelry back, which, again, it was so special, he says, that it wasn't expensive, but it became one of her priceless possessions. And she left it in that car because she knew that Nathan would be able to identify it. So getting a bag was very special for him.

[Debra Roberts]

Yeah. And just a remarkable man himself, Jeff. I mean, he has dedicated his life now to speaking out about 911 and how laws changed in Florida and other parts of the country where they strengthened the protocol for 911 calls.

[Jeff Schneider]

You know, I actually attended one of the events where Nathan was telling Denise's story to a bunch of people that work in the 911 field. And I talked with the people after the people that were attending. And her story, him telling her story really made a difference, really impacted them. And, you know, it also impacted me. You know, I'm not going to forget this, you know, and I think that it's just really amazing. Again, I think I said the strength of this family was so important, and just the way that they've turned their tragedy, you know, into action is just. It's remarkable.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

This is a story that has resonated and just stayed with me for quite a while. My thanks to Denise and Jeff for such a thoughtful conversation and also some really pretty strong reporting here, helping us get this story to air.

[Debra Roberts]

Well, before we wrap today, I want

[Co-host/Interviewer]

to share one more update about the story, because it really adds a sense of resolution for Denise's family. Michael King was convicted of killing Denise Amber Lee and sentenced to death back in 2009. And all these years later, 18 years after the crime in March of 2026, King was actually executed by lethal injection in a Florida prison after his final appeals were denied. We recently spoke again with Denise's family about what that was like for them and how they're continuing to Move forward. Here are some extended moments from our

[Debra Roberts]

time together after Michael King's execution.

[Denise's Son]

Obviously, I wish I didn't ever have to go to that execution. I wish that my mom was still here.

[Chris Morales / Other Interviewees]

We had been waiting, you know, 17 years, almost 18 years for this to happen. When they opened the curtain, King is strapped on the gurney. I could see him blinking, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to forget that. But we needed to be there for Denise.

[Denise's Son]

Seeing him for the first time in person, you know, my heart drops and it's a surreal experience. Michael King did read a statement. He didn't apologize for killing my mother. He didn't admit to it either. I would have rather heard nothing. And I think I just needed to see justice being served for my mom.

[Chris Morales / Other Interviewees]

You know, I'm kind of glad Noah was able to go because I think it was good for him, you know, to see that closure and see that finality. Adam, I didn't want to. I supported that 100%. You know, now that that chapter is closed, I'm still dedicating my life to, you know, making 911 the best it can be and keeping what happened to Denise from happening again. That was kind of like the one last dark light at the end of the tunnel that we just needed to get through. And now we're through it and, you know, we're just going to keep, you know, trying to make her proud.

[Denise's Son]

Now that I'm 20 and my mom only lived to 21, it's kind of crazy to me that she only lived that long because I can't imagine having my life cut short. I think she'd be super proud of who I am today.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Their resilience. It is something I think most of us will remember. I'm still struck by the work that they have done in Denise's name, especially around 91 1. Trainings and accountability. Such a big part of Denise's legacy. My thanks, of course, as always to you for joining us. And you can see stream 2020 episodes like this one anytime on Disney plus and Hulu.

[Debra Roberts]

Take care, everybody.

[Ryan Reynolds / Mint Mobile Advertiser]

Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with a message for everyone paying Big Wireless way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month. Of course, if you enjoy overpaying. No judgments. But that's weird. Okay, one judgment anyway. Give it a [e-mail] switch.

[Debra Roberts]

Upfront payment of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro rate first 3 months only, then

[Denise Martinez Raimundo]

full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See full [e-mail]

[Ryan Reynolds / Mint Mobile Advertiser]

Athletic Brewing Company Crafts Award winning non alcoholic beers for those who want to be part of every round. With over 185 flavor awards, they're exceptional NA beers that fit your lifestyle and any social occasion. Summer's full of good times and Athletic fits right in. Go to athleticbrewing.com to have brews delivered to your door or find them at a bar, restaurant or store near you. Near Beer Athletic Brewing Co. Fit for all times.