20/20: The After Show – “Her Last Note”

ABC News | Air Date: January 26, 2026

Host: Debra Roberts (B)
Guest Correspondent: Stephanie Ramos (C)

Overview

This episode of the 20/20 After Show revisits the heartbreaking true crime story covered in the “Her Last Note” broadcast: the 2013 murder of 19-year-old Jessie Blodgett in Hartford, Wisconsin. The episode delves into behind-the-scenes details about the investigation, the emotional trial, and the aftermath for Jessie’s family and community—offering bonus information not seen in the original televised episode. Debra Roberts and Stephanie Ramos share a personal, empathetic conversation, exploring both the facts of the case and its emotional impact.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Profound Tragedy of Jessie Blodgett’s Death

• Jessie Blodgett was a talented 19-year-old college student, musician, and theater enthusiast tragically found murdered in her family home.
• The impact of her loss on family and community is central to the story.
  • Debra: “...as a correspondent, but also as a mom, there are certain stories that just really stick with me, particularly when... they involve young people.” [01:10]
  • Stephanie: “You can feel her pain, especially being a parent. It’s never anything that you want to envision or... wish on anybody.” [04:23]

2. The Community in Grief

• Hartford, Wisconsin—a close-knit, small Midwestern town—was shaken by the murder.
  • Jessie’s regular haunts (theater, coffee shop) became touchstones during the investigation.
  • Community members are determined to keep Jessie’s memory alive.
  • Stephanie: “This is a tight knit community. Everybody knows each other... Everybody was shaken when they learned of this, and they’re also trying to keep Jessie’s memory alive.” [06:14]

3. Breakthrough in the Investigation

• Days before Jessie’s murder, another young woman (Melissa) was attacked in a nearby park but managed to fend off her attacker—this proved key to breaking the case.
  • Melissa’s detailed recall of the vehicle and attacker led police to suspect Dan Bartelt.
  • Stephanie: “She notices there’s a young man sitting in the driver’s seat... She feels a presence. And there he was... holding a knife. This attack happened days before Jessie’s murder.” [06:50]
• A parking officer’s earlier note of the vehicle’s license plate helped police identify Bartelt.
  • Stephanie: “They put two and two together and run the plate, learn... who that car belongs to and pinpoint Dan Bartelt.” [09:31]

4. The Link to Jessie—Hiding in Plain Sight

• Bartelt, a former high school boyfriend of Jessie and fellow theater student, was involved in vigils and mourning with Jessie’s family.
• Critical moment: during questioning about Melissa’s attack, Bartelt revealed details about Jessie’s case that were not public knowledge, tipping off investigators.
  • Stephanie: “He goes on to say how horrible it is. And man, this young, too bad she was sexually assaulted. And investigators... realize no one should have known that.” [10:09]
  • Debra: “...he was amongst the crowd that was there for a vigil. And... police often will find the person in the crowd who actually was responsible.” [10:46]

5. Friendship, Theater, and Betrayal

• Jessie and Dan’s close, creative friendship was a pillar in her social circle, making his betrayal especially shocking.
  • Stephanie: “They dated in high school briefly, but they remained friends and they wrote music together, they sang together... and it’s just really tragic.” [11:51]
• After the crime, friends noted Dan had been acting troubled, with a disturbing interest in dark topics.
  • Stephanie: “Clearly this young man was troubled... looking into really dark things online.” [15:22]

6. Chilling Details Not Broadcast

• Bonus detail: Bartelt was writing a novel featuring characters eerily similar to himself and Jessie.
  • Stephanie: “The two main characters in this book were named Jessica and Dee... Jessica in the book and Jessie’s actual parents were both chiropractors. So there were a lot of eerie similarities...” [16:00]

7. Police Luck & Forensic Evidence

• Timing was critical: garbage bins at the park where Bartelt claimed to have been hadn’t been emptied. Police found damning evidence (tape, rope, antiseptic wipe with blood) in a cereal box with a traceable UPC.
  • Stephanie: “...the bins had been scheduled to be cleaned out. They hadn’t... they find a bin. In that garbage bin, they found a cereal box... all of that was eventually tied to Dan.” [17:16]

8. The Investigation and Trial

• Bartelt’s girlfriend, Ashley, testified against him, revealing his lies and how “normal” he acted after the murder.
  • Stephanie: “She says there was nothing unusual about his behavior. Here you have a young man who’s just murdered someone violently that same day.” [19:03]
• The trial culminated with a life sentence for Bartelt.

9. The Strength of Two Families

• The pain extended to both families—Jessie’s and Dan’s—both feeling betrayed.
  • Debra: “...it was kind of a tale of two, two mothers. Also Jessie’s mom who’s lost her daughter, but then also Dan’s mother who is, is heartbroken.” [20:40]
  • Stephanie: “They were also deceived.” [21:04]

10. Forgiveness and a Mission for Change

• Jessie’s father, Buck Blodgett, made a powerful victim impact statement, telling Bartelt he forgave him.
  • Debra: “...Jesse’s father, Buck Blodgett, who spoke at... court in a victim’s impact statement and surprised a lot of people... he was able to forgive him.” [21:05]
  • Stephanie: “Jessie’s dad was able to forgive Dan... It’s this overwhelming just compassion and love...” [21:28]
• Buck founded the Love is Greater Than Hate Project to combat interpersonal violence and promote forgiveness.
  • Debra: “He’s founded an organization called Love is Great—”
  • Stephanie: “Love is Greater Than Hate project... dedicated to ending interpersonal violence and promoting forgiveness.” [22:20]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the pain of Jessie’s mother:
  Stephanie Ramos: “You hear Jessie’s mother in that 911 call, you hear her pain, you hear her desperation and just her trying to help her daughter, but also knowing that she’s gone.” [04:23]
• On Melissa’s survival instinct:
  Stephanie Ramos: “At this point, this young man asks her, can I just go? He’s given up. He’s... figured, okay, this woman is not gonna, she’s not going down. She’s fighting for her life.” [08:22]
• On the chilling slip in the police interview:
  Stephanie Ramos: “[Bartelt] goes on to say how horrible it is... Too bad she was sexually assaulted. And investigators, in that moment... realize no one should have known that.” [10:09]
• On Jessie and Dan’s friendship:
  Stephanie Ramos: “They dated in high school briefly, but they remained friends and they wrote music together, they sang together... and it’s just really tragic...” [11:51]
• On the evidence found:
  Stephanie Ramos: “The bins had been scheduled to be cleaned out. They hadn’t... in that garbage bin, they found a cereal box. And inside... they found tape, antiseptic wipe that had blood on it and ropes...” [17:16]
• On how Bartelt acted post-murder:
  Stephanie Ramos: “She says there was nothing unusual about his behavior. Here you have a young man who’s just murdered someone violently that same day.” [19:03]
• On forgiveness:
  Debra Roberts: “...Jesse’s father... in a victim’s impact statement... surprised a lot of people... he was able to forgive him.” [21:05] Stephanie Ramos: “Jessie’s dad was able to forgive Dan... overwhelming just compassion and love...” [21:28]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:04] — Introduction & personal reflection by Debra Roberts
• [03:15] — The emotional weight of the case for journalists and parents
• [06:00] — The community impact and visits to Jessie’s favorite places
• [06:50] — The attack on Melissa and how it became key to the murder investigation
• [09:00] — Identification of Dan Bartelt and his connection to Jessie
• [10:09] — The critical investigative “slip”
• [15:22] — Bartelt’s troubling online interests and the fictional manuscript
• [17:13] — Finding crucial forensic evidence in the park’s garbage
• [18:30] — Bartelt’s girlfriend’s testimony
• [21:05] — Victim impact statement—Buck Blodgett’s forgiveness
• [22:20] — The founding of Love is Greater Than Hate project

Conclusion

This After Show episode offers a deep, sensitive look into the tragedy of Jessie Blodgett and the reverberating emotional effects on her loved ones, her community, and even the perpetrator’s family. Through investigative detail, personal recollection, and a commitment to keeping Jessie’s memory alive, the episode stands as an exploration of both the darkest and most hopeful aspects of human experience. As Stephanie Ramos reflects at the close:

• “He’s turned his family’s pain into purpose and that’s what drives him...” [22:22]

Listeners are left with a sense of heartbreak, resilience, and the vital importance of recognizing and combating violence—while never forgetting the lives lost.