20/20 After Show: The Hunt for Mr. Right

Host: Debra Roberts (A)
Guest Contributor: Pat LaLama (B)
Release Date: January 19, 2026

Overview

This episode of the 20/20 After Show, hosted by Debra Roberts with contributor Pat LaLama, delves into the shocking case of Sue Marcum—a respected American University accounting professor murdered in her Bethesda, Maryland home in 2010. Beyond recounting the harrowing investigation, the discussion explores the psychology behind Sue’s manipulation by Jorge Landeros—her friend, yoga instructor, and ultimately her killer. The team goes behind the headlines to dissect red flags, financial deception, vulnerabilities of even the brightest victims, and the relentless police work that brought a fugitive to justice across international lines.

Key Discussion Points

1. Who Was Sue Marcum? [00:00–05:18]

• Background: Sue Marcum was a beloved, highly accomplished accounting professor, described as warm, generous, zany, and intellectually vibrant. She was admired for making accounting “fun,” and even once worked for Barnum & Bailey Circus. [04:44]
• Personality: Known for her caring spirit, love for arts, yoga, music, and devotion to her friends and students.
  • Quote: “She was a woman of substance, a renaissance woman, so to speak. She loved art, she loved music, she loved hanging with her friends. But what really struck me is hearing her students say that she made accounting fun.” —Pat [04:44]

2. Discovery of the Crime & Early Investigation [05:18–08:04]

• Crime Scene: Sue is found dead (blunt force trauma and asphyxiation), her house ransacked, car stolen, windows tampered with—initially appearing as a burglary.
  • Investigators quickly notice inconsistencies: her jewelry remains, the window screen is pushed out (suggesting an exit rather than forced entry), and clues don’t add up for a simple robbery. [05:31]
• Red Herrings: 18-year-old Deandre Hamlin is arrested with her car, but no evidence connects him to the murder—he had simply stolen the already-missing vehicle. [07:15]
  • Quote: “This took the case in such a different direction... but then there’s no DNA from him. Nothing connecting him to this case, nothing.” —Pat [07:15]

3. Unraveling the Web: The Secret Relationship [08:39–11:42]

• Jorge Landeros Enter: Sue’s yoga instructor, Spanish tutor, and later discovered to be sole beneficiary of her life insurance.
  • He and Sue took out reciprocal life insurance policies—a major red flag for investigators. [09:45]
• Financial Manipulation: Landeros convinces Sue to invest in joint accounts for day trading. She refinances her home twice, draws from her retirement, and borrows from family—ultimately losing over $300,000. [10:31]
  • Quote: “He was never accused or charged of financial crimes. That’s a very delicate, specific kind of thing [...] They just wanted to make the murder case stick.” —Pat [11:30]
• Account Control: Money is moved to a joint account Sue can’t access, and Landeros sets up a third account, consolidating control.
  • Red Flag: Sue’s growing realization, but deep emotional entanglement keeps her in denial.

4. Sue’s Psychological Descent & Isolation [11:54–15:53]

• Vulnerability: Despite being intelligent and accomplished, Sue is psychologically manipulated—typifying how anyone can fall prey.
  • Quote: “You cannot disparage a woman who falls for this because it is as scarring and damaging a trap as physical abuse in some ways.” —Pat [11:58]
• Email Evidence: Sue’s turmoil is clear in emails to Landeros. Even as she expresses desperation and wants out, she remains hopeful.
  • Key Quote: “I am committed to doing what I can do so that we can both be successful and happy.” —Sue Marcum, shortly before her death [14:00]
• Isolation: Sue avoids bringing Landeros around friends, keeps her financial stress secret—common in manipulative relationships.
• Shame & Silence: Discussion of embarrassment and the tendency of successful people to hide being victimized.
  • Quote: “Even if you do know better, it’s embarrassing to let friends and family know that you’re caught up in this kind of thing.” —Debra [14:53]

5. The Manhunt: Landeros Eludes Police [16:39–20:01]

• Flight to Mexico: After the murder, Landeros regularly crosses between the US and Mexico, ultimately settling in Mexico.
• Police Engagement: Mexican authorities, at the US’s request, question Landeros. He is cooperative, gives a buccal swab, and unwittingly leaves DNA on a Coke can.
  • Forensic Breakthrough: His DNA ties him to the crime scene (e.g., tequila bottle and shot glasses) and, with new technology, to Sue’s strangulation. [18:09]
• Taunting Law Enforcement: Landeros responds mockingly to email requests from police:
  • Quote: “Of course, you are cordially invited to cross the same bridge in the opposite direction and meet me at Sanborn’s, a great cafe and restaurant here in Juarez... It will, of course, be my treat. Yours, Jorge.” —Landeros [19:01]
  • Reaction: “That is so chilling. I mean, it almost has a Hannibal Lecter sound to it, doesn’t it?” —Debra [19:31]

6. Landeros’ Personality & Psychology [20:01–21:42]

• Arrogance & Disguise: Landeros exudes a sense of invincibility, taunts authorities, and ultimately lives under an alias (“Leon Ferrara”) in Mexico, immersed in local yoga and poetry communities.
  • Quote: “He had that arrogance. He was even arrogant in the courtroom... chest puffed out.” —Pat [20:56]
• Dual Lives: Even as a fugitive, he charms those around him and hides in plain sight. [21:35]

7. Capture, Extradition, and Awaiting Justice [22:27–23:01]

• Arrest: After years on the run and appearing on the Top 10 Most Wanted list, Landeros is apprehended in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2020 and extradited to the US.
  • “He was just guffawing at American authorities like, you know, 'you'll never get me.'... But lo and behold, they got him.” —Pat [22:44]
• Upcoming: The episode teases future coverage on Landeros’ sentencing and whether Sue Marcum’s family finds closure.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Sue's Character:
  • “She was a woman of substance, a renaissance woman, so to speak... she made accounting fun.” —Pat [04:44]
• On Manipulation:
  • “Who among us haven’t fallen for someone who gave us a good line and we looked back later and went, oh yeah, wow, where was I? But she went further with this and I think we need to explore that.” —Pat [03:16]
• On Landeros’ Financial Control:
  • “He set it up that he would do all the trading. Isn’t that interesting? She didn’t.” —Pat [11:30]
• On Psychological Entrapment:
  • “It is as scarring and damaging a trap as physical abuse in some ways...” —Pat [11:58]
• Chilling Email from Killer:
  • “Of course, you are cordially invited to cross the same bridge in the opposite direction and meet me at Sanborn’s... It will, of course, be my treat. Yours, Jorge.” —Landeros [19:01]
• Host Reaction:
  • “That is so chilling. I mean, it almost has a Hannibal Lecter sound to it, doesn’t it?” —Debra [19:31]
• On Arrogance:
  • “He was even arrogant in the courtroom... He just sat there and thought, this is beneath me... It was times 10, times 10.” —Pat [20:56]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00–04:44] — Introduction & background on Sue Marcum
• [05:18–08:04] — Crime scene investigation and initial leads
• [09:45–11:42] — Financial entanglement and red flags with Landeros
• [13:05–15:53] — Psychological struggle, emails, and Sue’s isolation
• [16:39–20:01] — Landeros’ movements, DNA evidence, and police correspondence
• [20:01–21:42] — Landeros’ personality, fugitive life, and manipulation
• [22:27–23:01] — Capture, extradition, and looking ahead to sentencing

Takeaways

• Even the brightest and most respected people can become victims of deep manipulation and betrayal, especially when emotional vulnerability is compounded by isolation and shame.
• The case underscores the importance of recognizing red flags—both financial and emotional—and the psychological hold charismatic predators can exert.
• Justice in such stories is often hard-won, requiring dogged determination by investigators and advances in technology to bring killers to account, even across borders.

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