Podcast Summary: "The Last Text" – 20/20 by ABC News

Episode Information:

• Title: The Last Text
• Host/Author: ABC News
• Release Date: January 4, 2025
• Description: Unforgettable true crime mysteries, exclusive newsmaker interviews, hard-hitting investigative reports, and in-depth coverage of high-profile stories.

1. The Disappearance of Blaze Bernstein

[00:57] Jeannie Bernstein:
"Did he run away? Was he injured? Had he been abducted?"

The episode begins with the harrowing disappearance of Blaze Bernstein, a 19-year-old Ivy League student from Lake Forest, California. Blaze vanished one week prior while visiting his family for winter break, leaving behind his belongings—glasses, wallet, and keys—without any trace of his whereabouts.

2. Blaze's Background and Life

[03:21] Gideon Bernstein:
"We had a lot of fun raising the kids together. It was fun. No one can take that away from us, so we still own that."

Blaze, the oldest of three siblings, was portrayed as a bright, gifted teenager with a sharp wit and a warm heart. Raised in an upper-middle-class community, he attended the Orange County School of the Arts (OSHA), excelling in performing arts and creative writing. Despite his talents, Blaze faced daily bullying at school, which he sought to escape by immersing himself in his creative pursuits.

3. The Night Blaze Disappeared

[08:38] Gideon Bernstein:
"He was baking butternut squash with, you know, sprigs of thyme that were inside them. He made a... He took over my job, more or less."

On a seemingly normal Tuesday night in January, Blaze spent time with his family before going to sleep. The following morning, his absence was immediately noticed when he failed to attend a dental appointment. Initial attempts to contact him were unsuccessful, raising immediate concerns.

4. The Investigation Begins

[12:25] Gideon Bernstein:
"Never. Never. Not even close. He was so happy. He was in a great place."

Desperate for answers, the Bernstein family initiated their own investigation, leveraging social media and technology to trace Blaze's last known activities. They discovered that Blaze had interacted with friends on Snapchat, leading them to communicate with Sam Woodward, a former high school classmate.

5. Connection to Sam Woodward

[15:42] Gideon Bernstein:
"Hi, this is Blaze's dad. We really need to know what you know."

Sam Woodward emerged as a key figure in the investigation. Initially cooperative, Woodward provided vague accounts of the night Blaze disappeared, stating they had planned to meet another friend at Borrego Park. However, inconsistencies in his statements and suspicious behavior raised red flags among investigators.

6. Discovery of Blaze's Body

[32:52] Gideon Bernstein:
"Yeah, it led us to this particular area... I knew that it was Blaze Bernstein."

After a week-long exhaustive search involving ground teams, canines, helicopters, and drones, Blaze's body was tragically discovered in Borrego Park. The autopsy revealed he had been violently stabbed 14 times in the left side of his neck and five times on the right, alongside defensive wounds on his hands, indicating a brutal, close-quarters attack.

7. The Trial of Sam Woodward

[55:37] Jeannie Bernstein:
"But something authorities were playing pretty close to the vest was motive."

Sam Woodward was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and a hate crime, given Blaze's Jewish heritage and sexual orientation. The prosecution presented evidence linking Woodward to extremist neo-Nazi groups, suggesting Blaze was targeted because he was gay and possibly Jewish.

[60:10] Gideon Bernstein:
"When I started reporting on Sam Woodward, what really stuck out to me was this. Sam Woodward was a member of the Adam Division..."

The trial delved into Woodward's involvement with the Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi group, and his extensive hate-filled communications. Defense attorney Ken Morrison argued that Woodward's actions were not driven by hate but by personal struggles with his sexual identity and isolation.

8. Verdict and Sentencing

[74:19] Gideon Bernstein:
"We the jury in the above entitled action find the defendant Samuel Woodward guilty of the crime of first degree murder."

After nearly three months of courtroom proceedings, the jury found Sam Woodward guilty of first-degree murder and a hate crime. The sentence handed down was life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, underscoring the severity and brutality of the crime.

9. Aftermath and Community Impact

[78:27] Gideon Bernstein:
"He'd be making people happy. That's what he did."

The Bernstein family and the Lake Forest community were left devastated by Blaze's murder. Vigils and memorials were held, and the park where Blaze was found became a symbol of the tragedy. The case also brought to light issues of hate crimes, extremist group influences, and the importance of community vigilance.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jeannie Bernstein [00:57]:
  "Did he run away? Was he injured? Had he been abducted?"

• Gideon Bernstein [03:21]:
  "We had a lot of fun raising the kids together. It was fun. No one can take that away from us, so we still own that."

• Gideon Bernstein [08:38]:
  "He was baking butternut squash with, you know, sprigs of thyme that were inside them. He made a... He took over my job, more or less."

• Gideon Bernstein [12:25]:
  "Never. Never. Not even close. He was so happy. He was in a great place."

• Gideon Bernstein [15:42]:
  "Hi, this is Blaze's dad. We really need to know what you know."

• Gideon Bernstein [32:52]:
  "Yeah, it led us to this particular area... I knew that it was Blaze Bernstein."

• Jeannie Bernstein [55:37]:
  "But something authorities were playing pretty close to the vest was motive."

• Gideon Bernstein [60:10]:
  "When I started reporting on Sam Woodward, what really stuck out to me was this. Sam Woodward was a member of the Adam Division..."

• Gideon Bernstein [74:19]:
  "We the jury in the above entitled action find the defendant Samuel Woodward guilty of the crime of first degree murder."

• Gideon Bernstein [78:27]:
  "He'd be making people happy. That's what he did."

Conclusion

"The Last Text" delves deep into the tragic and violent murder of Blaze Bernstein, uncovering layers of hate, extremist influences, and the relentless pursuit of justice by a devastated family. The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the impacts of hate crimes and the importance of community and familial support in the face of unimaginable loss.