20/20 True Crime Vault: "If I Can't Have You"
Episode Date: February 24, 2026
Podcast: 20/20 (ABC News)
Theme: The Disappearance and Murder of Paige Birgfeld
Episode Overview
This gripping episode dives into one of Colorado's most unsettling true crime cases: the disappearance and murder of Paige Birgfeld, a devoted mother, entrepreneur, and—unknown to many—a woman leading a secret double life. Over nearly a decade, her case frustrated investigators, devastated a family, and captivated a community. This episode chronicles Paige's life, the unraveling of clues, the hunt for her killer, and the emotional roller coaster of two dramatic trials before justice is finally served.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Who Was Paige Birgfeld? (03:50–11:30)
- Vivid Mom & Community Member: Paige is described as "effervescent," devoted, loving, and always reaching out to help others.
"She's the kind of person when she comes in the room... always gives you a big smile." —Frank Birgfeld, Paige's father [06:05]
- Juggling Many Jobs: Financial strain post-divorce led her to hold multiple jobs (baby slings business, brain dance classes for kids, Pampered Chef sales) to support her three children.
- Community Connection: Paige hosted and attended moms’ group events, earning admiration as a dynamic, inclusive friend and mom.
2. Disappearance and Immediate Aftermath (12:00–22:00)
- June 28, 2007: Paige leaves her children with the nanny, goes missing after promising to return that evening.
- Family’s Growing Alarm: Voicemails capture the mounting worry, especially from her young daughter.
"Hi mom, it's me. I was just wondering, when you get home, please answer the phone." —Jessie Birgfeld (Paige's daughter) [18:30]
- Missing Person Becomes Foul Play:
- Her car is found torched in an industrial parking lot; arson confirmed, driver’s seat pushed back unusually far (indicating a tall person) [22:20–27:15].
- Paige's day planner is found, but critical dates are torn out—those matching her disappearance.
3. Initial Investigation: Suspects and Clues (28:00–49:00)
- Immediate Focus on Ex-Husbands:
- Rob Dixon is cleared by an alibi (in Philadelphia), though the troubled, volatile marriage and previous threats raise suspicions.
"My children would ask me if dad was going to kill me. I can't imagine what life would be like for them after he killed me." —Paige (online post, read aloud) [39:25]
- Ron Beigler, her high school sweetheart, is also cleared.
- Rob Dixon is cleared by an alibi (in Philadelphia), though the troubled, volatile marriage and previous threats raise suspicions.
- Breadcrumb Trail:
- Personal items (checkbook, business cards) found scattered along a highway—authorities believe Paige tried to leave a trail for searchers.
4. The Double Life: Discovery and Implications (49:00–58:30)
- Escort Business Revealed: Paige operated Models Inc., an escort service (using the name "Carrie") to manage financial burdens. She presented as several women but was mostly herself.
- Stigma, Secrecy, and Risk:
"Women in the commercial sex trade have a mortality rate 40 times higher than the average woman. So if that doesn't tell you something about how dangerous it is, I don't know what will." —Megan Lundstrom, survivor and advocate [56:45]
5. Suspect Parade: The Client List (58:30–1:15:30)
- Police Dig Into Escort Clients:
- One by one, clients are investigated and mostly cleared—alibis, ankle monitors, or lack of opportunity eliminate most, but leave the investigation mired in complexity.
- The White Pickup Truck Detail:
- Paige had confided in friends about a terrifying encounter with a white pickup (later linked to a key suspect).
6. Lester Jones: The Break in the Case (1:15:30–1:46:30)
- Emergence of a Prime Suspect:
- Lester Ralph Jones, a 6'5" RV mechanic who worked near where Paige's car was found, had called Models Inc. repeatedly, recognized Paige as Rob Dixon's ex during a prior encounter, and had a history of violence.
- Jones had been seen purchasing a Tracphone (burner phone) at Walmart used to call Paige, then discarded it—a fact established via surveillance video.
"Does it make you nervous that we may think you did something?" —Investigator
"No." —Lester Jones
"It should." —Investigator [1:40:30] - Circumstantial Evidence Builds:
- Gas can, wigs, and other suspicious items found in his garage.
- K9 units detect Paige and Jones’s scent in Birgfeld’s burned car.
- But the Case Goes Cold: No body, no charges—until a hiker discovers Paige’s remains in 2012 in a ravine near the highway where the trail of belongings was found. Remains are partially dressed and duct-taped, echoing details of violence and control.
7. Trial #1: Drama, Defenses, and a Mistrial (1:46:30–2:23:00)
- Prosecution’s Case:
- Motive: Rejected client, history of violence toward women (testimony from Jones's ex-wife about his dangerous behavior).
- Strong circumstantial evidence: cell records, witness accounts, scent tracking, and suspicious behavior.
- Emotional testimony from Paige’s children and father drives home her character, motherhood, and the family’s loss.
- Defense Counters:
- Argues police didn’t adequately vet other potential suspects—other clients, alternate explanations.
- Parades alternative suspects, including a man who (perhaps jokingly, perhaps not) boasted about the crime.
- Challenges the limitations of circumstantial evidence.
- Jury Deadlock: Split between guilt and doubt; mistrial declared.
"The jury remains in the same position of being unable to reach a unanimous decision. So, ladies and gentlemen, at this time, I am declaring a mistrial in this matter." —Judge [2:22:15]
8. Trial #2: New Evidence, New Focus, Guilty Verdict (2:23:00–2:39:00)
- New Surveillance Video: Puts Jones in his wife’s car near Paige’s workplace, solidifying his opportunity and location at key times.
- Focus for the Jury:
- Prosecution tightens the timeline and evidence connecting Jones to the crime.
- Despite dramatic moments (a witness outburst in court almost risking another mistrial), the trial moves forward.
- Guilty Verdict: After four days of deliberation, the jury convicts Lester Jones on all counts, delivering life without parole.
"We, the jury, find the defendant Lester Ralph Jones guilty of count one, murder in the first degree." [2:38:30]
9. Aftermath and Reflections (2:39:00–End)
- Family & Community: Closure, but tremendous loss. Both Paige's and Lester’s families are forever altered; her father, Frank, never recovers from the strain and passes away.
- Victim’s Legacy:
"To me, she's this little angel that is looking out over all of us, but particularly her three children." —Friend [2:40:55]
- Wider Conversation: Episode ends contemplating stigma, the dangers of the sex trade, and calls for recognition of those who create the market—and the necessity of conversation about safety, choices, and justice.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Parenting and Loss:
"As parents, we're absolutely crushed. This is any parent's worst nightmare." —Frank Birgfeld [27:55]
-
On Paige’s Last Acts:
"It appears she was just trying to leave us a trail of breadcrumbs." —Investigator, on her scattered belongings [34:10]
-
On the Risks Paige Faced:
"I flat out told her, you know, there's danger...it's incredibly deadly." —Paige's friend [57:25]
-
On Lester Jones in Interrogation:
"Does it make you nervous that we may think you did something?"
"No."
"It should." [1:40:30] -
On the Emotional Toll:
"There's not a day that passes that I don't think about her." —Frank Birgfeld [2:41:37]
Important Timestamps
- Paige’s disappearance and search – 12:00–22:00
- Finding the burned car & investigation pivots to foul play – 22:00–27:15
- Family and friends reflect on Paige – 03:50–11:30
- Escort business and double life revealed – 49:00–58:30
- Intro and initial search for suspects – 28:00–35:00
- Discovery of Paige's remains & case break – 1:41:30–1:46:30
- Lester Jones: suspect evidence and interview – 1:15:30–1:40:30
- Trial #1, defense, mistrial – 1:46:30–2:23:00
- Trial #2, new evidence, guilty verdict – 2:23:00–2:39:00
- Aftermath, legacy, and impact – 2:39:00–End
Tone
The episode maintains a compassionate yet investigative tone, deeply empathetic with Paige’s family and friends, unflinching in its examination of the difficulties and stigma surrounding her double life, and determined in its recounting of the search for justice.
Conclusion
"If I Can't Have You" offers a devastating portrait of a crime that forever changed a community, forcing an examination of secrets, survival, and the complexities victims often carry. Through meticulous storytelling and candid witness voices, this episode honors Paige Birgfeld’s life and the tireless work of all who sought the truth, while urging deeper reflection on the vulnerabilities and dangers faced by women in the shadows of society.
For anyone interested in a thorough exploration of the why and how of this heart-rending case, this episode of 20/20 provides not just answers, but hard-won perspective.