Podcast Summary: 20/20 – True Crime Vault: Dial M For Missing
Date: March 31, 2026
Host: ABC News

Episode Overview

This gripping episode from the 20/20 True Crime Vault dives deep into the high-profile case of Peter Chadwick, a wealthy real estate investor from Newport Beach, California, who murdered his wife QC Chadwick and sparked an international manhunt after fleeing while on bail. Through firsthand accounts, 911 calls, interviews with law enforcement, friends, and community members, the episode explores the facade of the Chadwick family’s domestic bliss, the unraveling of the crime, the years-long pursuit, and Chadwick’s double life as a fugitive in Mexico.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Chadwick Family: Behind Closed Doors

• The Chadwicks appeared to be a model family living in luxury in Newport Beach (04:12).
• Peter grew up in England in a privileged setting; QC was Malaysian, successful, and described as bright and energetic (04:53, 05:14).
• Beneath the surface, the marriage was troubled, with emotional distance and marital issues surfacing through QC's private emails (08:10).

2. QC’s Disappearance and the Discovery of a Crime Scene

• On October 10, 2012, Peter and QC fail to pick up their children after school, prompting concern among neighbors (09:03).
• Police discover a pristine but subtly disturbed house: abandoned meal, open safe, missing passports and money, blood, and signs of a struggle in the master bathroom (13:58, 14:44).
• QC is missing, her car left behind; mounting evidence points to foul play (15:15, 15:19).

3. Peter Chadwick’s Puzzling 911 Call and Conflicting Story

• Peter turns up at a gas station near the Mexican border and calls 911 with a disjointed story about “Juan,” a supposed day laborer who killed his wife and forced him to drive around with the body (17:17, 21:23).
• Police are immediately suspicious: the house was freshly painted, no witnesses saw 'Juan,' and footage shows Peter leaving alone (29:40, 30:10, 30:36).
• Peter’s demeanor lacks concern for his children and is emotionally flat during questioning (28:29, 28:54).

4. Unearthing the Truth: Marital Strife and Motive

• QC’s friends reveal she felt controlled and possibly fearful of Peter; divorce was being considered (31:41, 32:07).
• Evidence of Peter’s infidelity, including explicit searches and infections transmitted to QC, come to light (32:36).
• A note in QC’s writing details Peter's online searches, including “how to torture” (32:57).

5. The Body is Found and the Arrest

• After days of uncertainty, Peter’s lawyer reveals where QC’s body can be found – in a remote dumpster in Wildcat Canyon with evidence of blunt force trauma and strangulation (36:46, 39:24).
• Peter is arrested and charged with murder but released on bail due to lack of criminal history and family ties (40:31, 40:49).

6. Chadwick’s Disappearance and the Manhunt

• After years of faithfully attending hearings, Peter vanishes before trial, empties a safe deposit box, and becomes a fugitive (41:13, 41:25).
• Authorities trace misleading clues implying he fled to Canada, but Peter has actually entered Mexico on foot, blending into expat communities under the alias “Paul Cook” (45:56, 57:42).
• U.S. Marshals and Newport Beach PD launch the "Countdown to Capture" podcast, globally publicizing the case and increasing tips (52:55, 53:39).

7. Double Life in Mexico and Eventual Capture

• As "Paul Cook," Peter lives quietly, working odd jobs and dating, but is involved in a fatal car accident that arouses local suspicion (59:32, 63:39).
• After nearly five years in hiding, a tip leads to his arrest in Cholula, Mexico by local authorities and U.S. Marshals (74:14, 75:09).
• Evidence found with him includes detailed budgeting, fake IDs, and notes about his life on the run (78:16, 78:42).

8. Resolution and Reflections

• Peter is extradited, pleads guilty to murder, and receives a sentence of 15 years to life in prison (82:27).
• Friends and family reflect on the devastating impact on the Chadwick children and QC's legacy, as well as the pain left with another family in Mexico affected by Chadwick’s actions (82:55).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Jennifer Manzella (Police Podcast Host, on the initial discovery):
  “This is now a crime scene.” (00:48; 14:55)

• Peter Chadwick on the 911 call:
  “They took her. They took her. The guy broke into my house… Might be going to Mexico or somewhere.” (00:52; 17:19)

• Prosecutor describing Newport Beach:
  “You have this eclectic mix of millionaires with multimillion dollar homes, with multimillion dollar yachts... and it's not unusual to have a Bentley right next to a broke surfer.” (03:45)

• Detective, on seeing the crime scene:
  “As soon as I saw the blood, you knew there was a story there.” (14:44)

• Friend of QC, on the couple’s image vs. reality:
  “They were very private people… it sounds like they had a lot of secrets between them.” (07:54)

• QC’s email, read by a friend:
  “Sometimes I feel lost. Pete isn’t here. Otherwise, I will tell him how I feel and he will laugh at me and say, ‘What’s wrong with you?’” (08:10)

• Detective, on Peter’s story:
  “The facts as presented by Peter were not only unsubstantiated, but lacked plausibility.” (35:21)

• Medical Examiner Dr. Stabley, on QC’s injuries:
  “She put up a good fight, was significantly traumatized with blunt force injuries. And then the other ultimate assault was strangulation.” (39:51)

• Sergeant Cort Depweg (Newport PD), about the manhunt:
  “So much hard work put into the investigation to identify him as the person responsible for killing QC. Peter, we are coming for you. This begins your countdown to capture.” (42:53; 54:57)

• Jennifer Manzella, describing the impact of their own podcast:
  “Before the podcast, we were not getting calls from the public, and now we are.” (53:58)

• Friend of QC, on the emotional fallout:
  “How could a father do something like this? Not just to his wife, but to his whole family?” (82:35)

• Peter Chadwick (at sentencing):
  “I know. I not only killed Qui, who destroyed the family for the... my children took away the mother. I'm sorry. I wish I could take it back. I destroyed everything. So I deserve whatever the court decides.” (81:40, 81:57, 82:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:12] – Describing Newport Beach and the Chadwick family’s privileged life
• [08:10] – QC’s private emails reveal marital strife
• [13:21] – Police discover signs of disturbance inside Chadwick home
• [17:19] – Peter’s bizarre 911 call from a border gas station
• [29:40] – Police debunk Peter’s “Juan” story
• [32:36] – Discovery of Peter’s infidelities and QC’s note
• [36:46] – QC’s body found in Wildcat Canyon
• [40:31] – Peter’s initial arrest, ties to community, and bail
• [41:13] – Chadwick disappears ahead of trial
• [53:00] – Newport Beach PD launches the "Countdown to Capture" podcast
• [74:14] – Tip leads to Chadwick’s capture in Mexico
• [81:40] – Peter Chadwick admits guilt and apologizes in court
• [82:27] – Sentencing: 15 years to life

Thematic Reflection and Tone

The episode presents a meticulous, dogged investigation and a chilling tale of family tragedy, deception, and international evasion. Jennifer Manzella’s voice brings empathy and urgency, while investigators exude determination and outrage at Chadwick’s manipulation of privilege and process. Friends and family offer poignant reminders of the lasting emotional devastation.

Takeaways

• Wealth and status can mask deep family dysfunction and provide tools for escape, but can't prevent justice forever.
• Community vigilance and new investigative methods—including the innovative use of podcasts—can breathe life into cold cases.
• True crime is not only about the criminal and the chase, but the collateral impact on children, families, and communities left behind.