20/20 After Show: "I’m Going To Get You" ABC News, November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of the 20/20 After Show dives deeper into the haunting and ultimately resolved true crime case featured in “I’m Going To Get You.” Host Deborah Roberts is joined by correspondent Juju Chang, who covered the story of Debbie Dorian, a 22-year-old Fresno State University graduate whose murder went unsolved for nearly two decades. The conversation explores the tenacious investigation, the toll on the victim’s family, and the courage of a survivor whose actions helped solve the case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Victim: Debbie Dorian

• Background: Debbie was a bright, ambitious student—president of the Economics Club, about to pursue a master’s degree, with dreams of becoming an audiologist like her father. (03:58)
• Family Impact: Her father, Peter, discovered her body; her mother, Sarah, became the family’s advocate for justice. Sarah’s grief and dedication, including planting pine trees in Debbie’s memory, are poignantly discussed (05:38).

The Crime & Investigation

• The Crime: Debbie was found bound and murdered in August 1996; the case initially generated few leads. (02:40)
• The Search for a Suspect:
  • Investigators explored those who responded to Debbie’s roommate ads, zeroing in at one point on Alvin, a registered sex offender, and then Maurice Dixon, who were later eliminated through DNA evidence. (07:15–08:30)
  • Racial tensions and the influence of recent high-profile cases (such as O.J. Simpson) influenced the investigation’s context and perception. (08:31)
  • Despite testing DNA from 146 people over 20 years, no match appeared in CODIS, as Debbie’s killer was not a convicted violent criminal. (09:10–12:14)
• Breakthrough via Jane Doe Warrant & DNA: Prosecutors stopped the statute of limitations from expiring by issuing a "John Doe" arrest warrant tied to the DNA profile. (13:09)

The “Brave Survivor”: Beth (Jane Doe #1)

• Critical Details:
  • Beth, assaulted while biking home at age 19, confronted her attacker: “I’m gonna get you. You’re not gonna get away with it.” (16:18)
  • Her presence of mind—avoiding leading her attacker home, getting her sister, and calling police—enabled recovery of a crucial DNA sample. (14:14–14:41)
• Personal Impact: Now in her 40s, Beth shared the lifelong pain and healing journey, including the help of her comfort dog. (17:19)
• Motivation to Speak Out: “She felt that she wanted to put a face to face. ...It almost destroyed her life. And she was very candid with us about the impact it had on her throughout the years.” (15:47–15:58)

Forensic Genetic Genealogy & The Golden State Killer Effect

• Game-changing Technology: Inspired by the Golden State Killer case, investigators used genealogy databases to build family trees from DNA samples not in CODIS. Within days, they had traced the suspect’s lineage and pinpointed a suspect living locally. (20:28–21:47)
• Quote: Juju Chang: “They were able to, within days, compile a family tree...and find who was living in this area, who matches this description, who matches this age. Bingo. We think we have our man.” (21:30)

The Killer: Nikki Stain

• Profile: Stain was a married father, PTA member, and mall restaurant manager—“hiding in plain sight.” (22:06)
• Apprehension:
  • He denied knowing Debbie and refused an oral DNA swab when confronted by police: “Nope. You’ve never committed any violence against her? No, I haven’t.” (23:01–23:22)
  • Investigators obtained his DNA via items found in his trash, confirming the match. (24:23)
  • He maintained a “fantasy persona” on a fake Facebook account as "Nikki Steele." (25:02)
• Justice Served: Stain pled guilty to 12 felonies—murder and multiple sexual assaults—to avoid the death penalty. Prosecutors insisted on recognizing all sexual assault charges: “Beth, Jane Doe Number 1, 2, 3, and 4 deserve their crime, to be on the record and for him to serve time for that crime.” (26:03)

The Perseverance of Investigators and Families

• Detective Vince Zavala’s Role: Zavala kept his promise to Debbie’s mother and never stopped searching. He is described as embodying determination and “Hart.” (26:37)
• Victims’ Families: Debbie’s mother delivered a moving impact statement in court, speaking as her daughter to articulate all that was lost. (28:00)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Deborah Roberts: “As a parent, this was a story to me that just felt like every parent’s worst nightmare.” (00:33)
• Juju Chang on the DNA genealogy breakthrough: “And bingo. They were able to, within days, compile a family tree based on the genetic samples and find who was living in this area, who matches this description, who matches this age. Bingo. We think we have our man.” (21:37)
• Beth (Jane Doe #1):

  “I was 19. You have a gun to your head, you do what you’re told. And the whole time, all I remember saying is, I’m gonna get you. You’re not gonna get away with it.” (16:18)

• Juju Chang (on survivor impact): “For somebody that strong, that feisty, to have it make her life go so sideways...such a salve to other survivors who feel like, why can’t I just get over this?” (16:42)
• Juju Chang, on justice: “Beth, Jane Doe Number 1, 2, 3, and 4 deserve their crime, to be on the record and for him to serve time for that crime.” (26:03)
• Sarah Dorian’s statement (as recounted by Juju Chang): Sarah spoke in her daughter’s voice in court, “I will never get married. I will never have children. I will never have the life that you took from me, essentially.” (28:00)

Important Timestamps

• 00:33 – Introduction and case summary by Deborah Roberts
• 03:58 – Juju describes Debbie’s life and shining personality
• 05:38 – Sarah Dorian’s enduring grief and determination
• 07:15–08:30 – Discussion of early suspects and the impact on Maurice Dixon
• 12:14 – Detailed explanation of the limitations of CODIS in the case
• 13:09 – Issuance of “John Doe” warrant to stop the statute of limitations
• 14:14–14:41 – Beth’s account of the assault and quick-thinking actions
• 16:18 – Beth’s vivid description of confronting her attacker
• 17:19 – Beth’s current life and recovery
• 20:28–21:47 – The shift to forensic genealogy and major break in the case
• 22:06 – The revelation of Nikki Stain’s identity and background
• 23:01–23:22 – Police interrogation of Nikki Stain
• 24:23 – How police obtained and matched Stain’s DNA
• 26:03 – Prosecutorial insistence on including sexual assault counts
• 28:00 – Sarah Dorian delivers an emotional victim impact statement

Conclusion & Takeaways

This episode underscores the devastating ripple effects of violent crime—the promise lost, the enduring suffering of families, and the critical importance of perseverance and advocacy. It spotlights the evolution of forensic technology (especially genetic genealogy), the pitfalls of early criminal profiling, and the vital role survivor courage plays in the pursuit of justice. The humanity, resilience, and relentless determination on display—by survivors, loved ones, and investigators—are central to the story’s resolution.

For further details and to experience the full depth of the investigation, listeners are encouraged to watch the corresponding 20/20 episode “I’m Going To Get You.”