20/20 True Crime Vault: Hell in Heels

Podcast: 20/20 by ABC News
Episode Date: January 13, 2026

Overview

This gripping 20/20 True Crime Vault episode, "Hell in Heels," unravels the shocking true story of Elisa McNabney (real name: Loren Sims), a woman whose web of lies, murder, and flight captured national headlines. Through a blend of exclusive interviews (notably with her daughter Haley), journalistic narration, and courtroom drama, ABC News digs deep into the collapse of a prominent attorney’s life and the two women at the heart of his murder. This is a saga of deception, manipulation, addiction, and a mother-daughter relationship pushed to the limits of loyalty and survival.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Elisa’s Troubled Beginnings and Life on the Run

• Early Family Life (03:31–05:20):
  Elisa (born Loren Sims) grew up in Brooksville, Florida. Despite intelligence and charm, she struggled with self-esteem, made poor decisions in love, and developed habits of running from problems—including the law.
  • “She couldn't help thinking that there was a little more life somewhere else.” – David Muir (04:17)
• A Pattern of Running (07:09–08:15):
  Haley, Elisa’s daughter, recounts their constant moving to avoid consequences—first in Florida, then Texas, and onward to Las Vegas.
  • “I was eight. I didn't even hesitate. I just said, I'm going with you. It felt like life or death.” – Haley (07:13)

2. Meeting Larry McNabney: Romance, Success, and Deceit

• Larry’s Persona (10:15–13:57):
  Larry McNabney is described as charismatic, successful, and plagued by addiction. He quickly falls under Elisa’s spell upon hiring her at his Las Vegas law office.
  • “He lived life at full throttle. Larry had a great expression. You can't put a price on a good time.” – David Muir (10:40)
• Rapid Relationship & High Life (19:30–21:41):
  Elisa becomes indispensable at the firm. The romance heats up fast, and the couple lead an extravagant lifestyle, shuttling between Vegas and Reno.
  • “They went back and forth on private jets. They were like movie stars coming down the ramp.” – Haley (21:22)

3. A Toxic Marriage Spirals

• Haley’s Displacement & Increasing Abuse (21:50–24:35):
  Haley expresses discomfort with Larry’s drinking and his effort to exclude her from Elisa’s life. Abuse accusations surface, and the relationship between Elisa and Larry becomes destructive.
  • “One night I heard Larry tell her, 'I'm gonna kill Haley in front of you, and then I'm gonna tell the police that you did it.'” – Haley (23:43)
• Financial Irregularities and Relocation (24:49–25:39):
  Elisa’s mismanagement leads to a bar association reprimand; the couple flees Nevada for Sacramento, seeking a fresh start in horse culture.

4. The Arrival of Sarah Dutra: A Deadly Alliance

• Sarah’s Introduction and Influence (28:11–30:54):
  College student Sarah Dutra becomes Elisa’s close confidante and is rapidly integrated into the business and the family’s daily life. Their friendship isolates Larry further.
  • “Larry McNabney told Alisa point blank to fire Sarah. And of course, she didn't... what she did do was isolate Larry even more, bring in Sarah closer to her, and the business began to suffer.” – David Muir (30:10)
• The Plot Unfolds—Murder at the Horse Show (31:26–34:09):
  During a major horse show in LA, Elisa and Sarah put Larry in a tranquilized state. The attack is premeditated, and his health rapidly declines.
  • “We went down to my trainer's truck and I got the medicine bag out and I got the tranquilizer out of it... Sarah said, 'put in the vitamin bottle'...” – Elisa (32:12)

5. Cover-Up and Investigation

• Larry’s Disappearance (34:09–39:10):
  Larry’s absence doesn’t arouse immediate suspicion due to past disappearances. Elisa and Sarah explain away his absence with lies ranging from rehab to business travel.
  • “He could be gone for a week or two, but never longer than that.” – David Muir (37:21)
• Ginger Miller Blows the Whistle (39:44–41:11):
  Secretary Ginger Miller, suspicious over missing pay and oddities in the office, reports Larry as missing, telling police, “I wrote on it, my boss is missing, and I think he's dead. And I'm pretty sure the secretary and his wife did it.” (39:58)

6. The Grisly Discovery and Unraveling

• Body Found, Identities Unraveled (49:57–51:41):
  Larry’s body is found buried in a vineyard, preserved by being stored for months in a wine refrigerator. Toxicology reveals death by horse tranquilizer (xylazine).
  • “His body was actually in a pretty good state of preservation.” – Debra Roberts (49:57)
• The Hunt for Elisa: Flight and Revealed Identity (53:28–57:10):
  Elisa’s true identity (Loren Sims) is discovered. She flees with Haley across the South using stolen identities, ending up in Destin, Florida.

7. Mother-Daughter Reckoning

• Haley Learns the Truth (64:37–65:12):
  In Charleston, SC, Elisa finally confesses the murder to Haley.
  • “She said, I need to tell you this, but I need you to not freak out. I said, okay. And she said, we killed him. And it kind of felt like everything just white noise.” – Haley (64:46)

8. Final Fallout and Legal Resolution

• Elisa’s Suicide, Sarah’s Conviction (77:42–79:38):
  Caught in Florida, Elisa (Loren Sims) takes her own life in jail before trial. Sarah Dutra is tried, found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and accessory to murder, serving 8 years.
  • “On Easter Sunday, her years on the run finally come to an end... My world ended with her.” – David Muir & Haley (77:42)
  • “11 years in state prison. But even with Sarah's conviction and Loren's death, this story isn't over yet.” – David Muir (79:38)

9. Legacy and Lessons

• Haley’s Life After Chaos (83:00–84:11):
  Despite trauma, Haley builds a career in nursing, raising two children with resilience. She finds purpose and dreams of helping other abused women.
  • “No matter what else Loren Sims left behind... she also left behind Haley Jordan. To me, Haley is the silver lining.” – David Muir (83:39)
  • “You never have to stay in a situation that you don't feel safe or in a situation that you question. You have a right to feel safe, and you have a right to whatever future you're willing to make.” – Haley (83:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Elisa’s Persona:
  “She was Tom Petty's American Girl growing up. Without a doubt, she was an American girl raised on promises.” – David Muir (04:06)
• On Elisa’s Manipulation:
  “Elisa was a drug. She just charmed and seduced him and he had a big heart.” – Haley (19:53)
• On the Murder Plot:
  “We went down to my trainer's truck and I got the medicine bag out and I got the tranquilizer out of it...” – Elisa (32:12)
• On the Aftermath:
  “I wrote on it, my boss is missing and I think he's dead. And I'm pretty sure the secretary and his wife did it.” – Ginger Miller (39:58)
• On Learning the Truth:
  “She said, I need to tell you this, but I need you to not freak out... We killed him.” – Haley (64:46)
• On Confession:
  “Did I kill my husband? Yes, I killed my husband.” – Loren Sims (Elisa McNabney) (68:44)
• On Legacy:
  “No matter what else Loren Sims left behind... she also left behind Haley Jordan. To me, Haley is the silver lining.” – David Muir (83:39) “You have a right to feel safe, and you have a right to whatever future you're willing to make.” – Haley (83:53)

Timeline of Critical Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Details | |-------------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:16–08:15 | Elisa & Haley's mobile, tumultuous life | Introduction to Elisa's early trouble and pattern of fleeing | | 10:15–15:43 | Larry’s rise, demons, and multiple marriages| Background on Larry McNabney’s charisma and vices | | 19:30–24:35 | Elisa & Larry: Romance & toxic dynamics | How quickly their romance developed, including displacement of Haley | | 28:03–34:09 | Sarah Dutra joins—friendship and plot thickens | Sarah is hired, becomes Elisa’s “partner in crime” | | 31:26–33:06 | The murder plot at the horse show | Detailed account of poisoning and subsequent efforts to hide Larry’s body | | 39:44–41:11 | Ginger Miller reports Larry missing | Secretary’s suspicions tip off investigation | | 49:57–51:41 | Larry’s body found & autopsy | Discovery in vineyard, horse tranquilizer identified | | 53:28–57:10 | Elisa's true identity revealed | Her background as Loren Sims and extensive criminal history comes to light | | 64:37–65:12 | Haley learns the truth from her mother | Elisa fully confesses to Haley | | 68:38–71:21 | Elisa/Loren’s detailed confession | Describes killing and failed attempts to dispose of body | | 77:42–79:38 | Elisa’s suicide & Sarah's conviction | Loren ends her life; Sarah’s trial details | | 83:00–84:11 | Haley’s path forward | Haley’s resilience, career, and hopes |

Conclusion

"Hell in Heels" is a case study in deception, psychological manipulation, and the consequences of unchecked trauma and addiction. Through candid testimony and detailed reporting, this episode documents not only a sensational murder, but also the complexities of family loyalty, the destructive power of secrets, and the possibility of survival and growth after harrowing loss. The episode closes with hope—the once-hunted daughter building a life of purpose and safety, honoring lessons learned at terrible cost.