Vanished: Setting the Trap

Summary

20/20 Podcast Summary

Episode: Vanished: Setting the Trap

Host: John Quinones, ABC News
Air Date: October 8, 2025

---

Episode Overview

This episode of the 20/20 true crime series "Vanished: What Happened to Vanessa?" dives deep into the pivotal breakthrough in the disappearance and murder case of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen. The narrative reconstructs the dramatic sequence of events when Vanessa's remains are discovered, detailing the emotional response from her family, the subsequent actions of law enforcement, and how investigators closed in on their prime suspects: Aaron Robinson and Cecily Aguilar. The episode provides first-hand accounts, expert analysis, and behind-the-scenes details of the investigation as it transitions to setting the trap for Vanessa's killer.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Family’s Search and the Break in the Case

• Family’s Efforts: The Guillen family traveled from Houston to Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress for help with the investigation into Vanessa's disappearance.
  • (00:25)
• News of Remains Found: The family receives news of human remains discovered near Fort Hood, triggering a mix of fear, panic, and a sense of finality.
  • “They didn’t say it was her, but they also didn’t tell me it wasn’t. So of course I started thinking the worst.” — Myra Guillen (01:49)
• Emotional Impact: Myra recounts feeling hope, despair, and spiritual resolve while seeking comfort with her aunt during the agonizing wait for confirmation.
  • “I didn’t lose hope… me and my aunt went to the other room and we’re doing a roastery.” — Myra Guillen (03:01)

2. Confirmation of Remains and the Search Details

• Equisearch’s Role: Searcher Tim Miller’s call to Myra confirms the worst, describing the evidence found at the scene.
  • “I said... Vanessa has been found. There’s a lot of silence after that one. A lot of silence.” — Tim Miller (04:24)
  • “I just dropped my phone and there was like a panic attack… it was just like everything came to an end.” — Myra Guillen (05:03)
• Location and Methods: The remains were buried in a remote area by the Leon River, concealed using cement and foliage to thwart discovery.
  • “They had done a very good job… of creating burial spots to blend in with the environment… I would say it was sophisticated.” — Coy Murphy, Equisearch (11:52)
  • The search area had previously been combed with ATVs, drones, and cadaver dogs but nothing was found because of how well the graves were hidden.

3. Forensic Breakthroughs and Suspect Identification

• Suspect Focus: Cell phone data places Aaron Robinson at the scene by the Leon River, which triggers intensified scrutiny.
  • “We never want to say knew, but we knew, we knew she was in that area.” — Coy Murphy (07:19)
• Discovery Sequence: Major TJ Cruz details how a contractor’s report of a foul odor leads authorities to the remains.
• Evidence at Scene: Volunteers reportedly walked right over the graves, unaware because the suspects had used concrete to mask the burial sites.
  • “They were so encased in cement that no one could tell any difference.” — Steve Campion, Reporter (11:32)

4. Revisiting Suspects’ Alibis and Breaking Cecily Aguilar

• Discrepancies Surface:
  • Investigators analyze and then challenge Robinson’s and Aguilar’s conflicting accounts—particularly their claim about being home together during Vanessa’s disappearance.
  • “...multiple inconsistencies both in statements and actions of Aaron Robinson and also of his girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar.” — Brad Garrett, Former FBI Agent (16:42)
• Confronting Cecily: Authorities track her at work, take her for questioning, and, through evidence, get her to change her story.
• Interrogation Tactics: Investigators strategically focus on the more "culpable" but less dominant suspect (Aguilar) first, using leverage about sentencing to get cooperation.
  • “You want to go to the lesser culpable person to start with... because then that becomes very powerful if you have that information when you confront the primary suspect.” — Brad Garrett (17:23)
• Cecily’s Break: Told that remains have been found, Cecily gives up her previous lies and details the murder, dismemberment, and burial of Vanessa.
  • “[Robinson] bludgeoned another soldier to death inside the arms room with a hammer and then enlisted her help to dispose and dismember...” — Steve Campion (21:41)

5. Gruesome Details and Cover-Up

• Crime Timeline:
  • Robinson murdered Vanessa, transported her body in a black box, enlisted Cecily’s help for disposal.
  • The suspects attempted to destroy evidence further by burning, dismembering, and later entombing the remains in cement purchased by Cecily.
• Modus Operandi:
  • Cecily reportedly got the idea for using cement from crime shows.
  • The thoroughness of the cover-up was atypical for crimes of passion or unplanned murders.
  • “That's not typical. No matter what you see on television or in the movies, that's not typical.” — Mary Ellen O’Toole, FBI Behavioral Analyst (26:17)

6. Setting the Trap

• Surveillance and Sting Strategy:
  • With Cecily cooperating, investigators keep Robinson confined on base for COVID protocol—while he still has his phone.
  • Cecily, now working with the FBI, is directed to call Robinson and probe him for incriminating statements; the conversation is recorded.
• Robinson’s Response:
  • Initially, Robinson is reluctant to admit anything but does not deny Cecily’s statements about what they did.
  • The pressure mounts as he tries to communicate with Cecily and his mother, appearing increasingly desperate.
  • “He sent Cecily messages saying he loved her and begged her to help him. He also asked her to retrieve his gun from her apartment.” (30:48)

7. Cliffhanger: Robinson’s Escalating Anxiety

• As the net closes in, Robinson grows agitated and restive, telegraphing to those watching him that something dramatic might happen — setting up the next episode.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Myra Guillen (on learning about remains):
  “I just dropped my phone and there was like a panic attack… it was just like everything came to an end.” (05:03)

• Coy Murphy, Equisearch (on the burial):
  “They did a very good job... of blending her in. So that makes it very, very difficult.” (12:44)

• Brad Garrett, FBI (on Cecily Aguilar):
  “...self preservation. I shouldn’t have done it, but I did do it for whatever reason. And now I’m going to try to do the right thing.” (29:26)

• Mary Ellen O’Toole, Behavioral Analyst:
  “That really goes to the personality of that offender who now has taken this young woman’s life. And now most people would be in such an emotional state if they had done that, but not in this case. He’s now able to start thinking strategically...” (26:17)

• Steve Campion, Reporter (on searchers missing the graves):
  “We later learned that the volunteers were essentially walking over the area where these remains were... because they were so buried, they were so encased in cement that no one could tell any difference.” (11:32)

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:25 — Guillen family travels to D.C., learns of remains found
• 03:01–05:03 — Myra’s emotional response to Tim Miller’s call
• 07:19–08:09 — Equisearch on the search process and missed clues
• 09:02–11:32 — Discovery of the shallow graves, concealed with cement
• 16:42–19:06 — Investigators confront Cecily over inconsistencies
• 21:41–23:24 — Cecily confesses and recounts the details of the murder and cover-up
• 26:17 — Behavioral analysis of Robinson’s actions
• 29:10–33:05 — The sting operation: Cecily’s cooperation, phone calls with Robinson, mounting tension
• 33:58–End — Robinson’s agitation as his arrest nears, setting up the next episode

---

Conclusion

This episode offers an unflinching look at the breakthrough in the search for Vanessa Guillen—the moment her remains are found and how law enforcement methodically sets a trap for her killer. The use of primary voices (family, law enforcement, behavioral experts) and the step-by-step recounting of the investigation’s turning points make the narrative both harrowing and enlightening. The episode closes by teeing up the dramatic resolution to come, as Robinson, pushed to his limits, prepares to make a fateful decision.

---

Transcript

[Debra Roberts]

This is Debra Roberts here with another weekly episode of our latest series from 2020 and ABC Audio, Vanished what Happened to Vanessa? Remember, you can get new episodes early if you follow Vanished what Happened to Vanessa on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or your favorite podcast app. Now here's the episode.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Tuesday, June 30, 2020 it's early afternoon and the Guillen family is checking in at a hotel in Washington, D.C. they've driven 1400 miles from Houston to meet with congressional leaders. The family wants Congress to investigate Fort Hood's handling of Vanessa's disappearance. It's now been more than two months since Vanessa went missing. It's also Myra's 22nd birthday. The Guyennes have plans for a celebratory dinner that evening. But as soon as they are arrive in D.C. their phones are flooded with texts and news alerts all showing the same headline.

[Major TJ Cruz]

A break in the search for missing soldier Vanessa Guillen as human remains were found during a search near her base in Texas.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

The remains were reportedly right away the family is afraid this could be Vanessa and they're shocked and angry that they're hearing about this discovery on the news. Soon, Myra gets a call from military investigators. The Army Criminal Investigation Division or cid, tells her what she already knows, that partial remains were found by the leon river about 20 miles from Fort Hood. But it's too soon to know for sure whether it's Vanessa or not.

[Myra Guillen]

They didn't say it was her, but they also didn't tell me it wasn't. So of course I started thinking the worst.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Her little sister Lupe refuses to believe that the remains could be Vanessa.

[Myra Guillen]

They can't really tell me personally that there's hint that it may, but I mean do never lose hope. Like just keep waiting until if it's a positive or negative result.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

This is the second time authorities have discovered human remains in the past month. But when the first set of remains were found, officials immediately reassured the Guillennes that it wasn't Vanessa. They appeared to be male and too badly decomposed to be her. Those earlier remains were later confirmed to be from another missing Fort Hood soldier. Gregory Morales Solupe is initially hopeful that maybe this is also someone else, that Vanessa could still be out there, still, still alive. She takes a moment away from the TVs and the social media updates.

[Myra Guillen]

I didn't lose hope. I mean me and my aunt went to the other room and we're doing a roastery.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

But she also starts to consider that maybe this time is different, that it could be Vanessa, we're asking like, I.

[Myra Guillen]

Mean, if it's her, I mean, it's for a reason, but she's in a better place.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Myra finishes her call with cid. It's short, and she says investigators didn't go into much detail, but as soon as she hangs up the phone, Myra gets another call from Equisearch founder Tim Miller. He was part of the initial search by the Leon river where these remains were found.

[Debra Roberts]

You know, we're probably choked up now.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

I remember that day and when I called and I remember I asked her.

[Debra Roberts]

I said, no, have you heard anything?

[Myra Guillen]

He always spoke to me with the truth. He would never hide anything from me. And he did ask me, are you by yourself? Are you in a private area? And I said, you know, whatever you have to say, you can tell me already. I'm not gonna go hide or anything.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Myra tells Tim that she just got off the phone with cid. She knows human remains were found, and she's ready for whatever Tim has to tell her. He hesitates and then starts to describe the long dark hair they found at the scene. The that led Tim to believe one thing. And I said, the mess has been found. There's a lot of silence after that one. A lot of silence.

[Myra Guillen]

I just dropped my phone and there was like a panic attack. And I was literally right outside the hotel that I was going to stay in and my mom was in the suv and I felt like I was just going to fall to the ground. And when he confirmed to me that it was her, it was just like everything came to an end.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Authorities wait for an official autopsy six days later. They confirm the human remains belong to Vanessa. But Tim's call is enough of a confirmation for the Guillenne's to know Vanessa wouldn't be coming home the way the family was praying she would. And so, after months of searching, Vanessa Guillen is finally found. The discovery of her body that morning sets off a series of breakthroughs in the case. Breakthroughs that would lead investigators to close in on a suspect that very same day. From ABC Audio in 2020, this is vanished. What happened to Vanessa? I'm John Quinones. Episode 44 Setting the Trap Vanessa's remains are found in an area that had already been extensively searched. And search coordinators say that whoever killed her went to great lengths to make sure no one would ever find her. Remember, search teams had been looking along the Leon river in the small city of Belton, Texas. That's where investigators say specialist Aaron Robinson cell phone data placed him in the early morning hours of April 23, the day after Vanessa went missing. It's where they found a mysterious burn pile and parts of a burned, tough box lid. Equisearch coordinator Coy Murphy says it was a promising lead.

[Coy Murphy]

At that point, we never want to say knew, but we knew we knew she was in that area.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

They dedicated more time and resources to surveying the area. They sent more people and cadaver dogs to search on foot. They had boats, ATVs, and even drones searching up and down the river. But after about five days searching the area, nothing.

[Coy Murphy]

We suspended the search because we were just running dry again. Even though we really felt that that area was something, you know, there's not much you can do.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Then on June 30, a fencing contractor doing some work in that same area notices something strange.

[Major TJ Cruz]

Around 11am The Bell County Sheriff's department received a phone call from a citizen who was actually doing some work out on the road on FM 36 putting up a fence line.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

That's Major TJ Cruz with the Bell County Sheriff's Department.

[Major TJ Cruz]

He knew that there was some searching going on for the misinformed soldier. He stated that he had smelled a foul order. So two detectives and myself went out there and met with him.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Major Crews and the detectives are driving toward a pretty remote area in Bell County. There are no traffic lights. It's a place where you can easily pull off the highway. When they arrive, the contractor shows them where he smelled the odor. They start searching for the source. And that is when the contractor makes a gruesome discovery.

[Major TJ Cruz]

He followed the smell, and he actually located something that he believed was some kind of remains.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

They're in a shallow grave. The contractor finds a long clump of hair. Major Crews and his team also find bones and some kind of concrete skin substance. He alerts his office and calls the Texas Rangers and the FBI to let them know what they found. It's now around 1pm Authorities take over the area, and the site is now an active crime scene. Soon, media outlets flood the quiet country road. Reporter Olivia Laveda is there for local news station KXXV as authorities search the site for more evidence.

[Stephanie Ramos]

Human remains had been found during a search for missing Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen. Army CID confirmed It was just chaos. Authorities everywhere, reporters everywhere, cameras everywhere. And we were all trying to find.

[Coy Murphy]

Answers, trying to figure out what was going on.

[Stephanie Ramos]

And you could only get so close because they had the crime scene tape up. We had to stay behind the crime scene.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

There was a lot of authorities on.

[Stephanie Ramos]

The other side collecting evidence, doing their investigation. It Was just a lot going on.

[Coy Murphy]

A lot going on.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Major Cruz says they start canvassing the area to see if they could find more remains.

[Major TJ Cruz]

We started digging in other areas, you know, close by where we located the first remains. We worked until nightfall the next morning. Early at daybreak, we started again and then we were able to find two more.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

The next day, authorities find two more sites in the area with human remains. They're also buried in shallow holes and covered over with a cement like substance. Investigators carefully chip away at the concrete to see what might be enclosed and they uncover a human skull. By the end of the search, authorities find a total of three graves. Here's Steve Campion. He was a reporter covering the story with ABC News owned Houston station ktrk.

[Steve Campion]

We later learned that the volunteers were essentially walking over the area where these remains were were found because they were so buried, they were so encased in cement that no one could tell any difference.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Equusearch coordinator Coy Murphy says these graves were incredibly well hidden.

[Coy Murphy]

They had done a very good job. They the suspects of creating burial spots to blend in with the environment. And I would say it was sophisticated because of the way they hid her so well. So it just looked like everything else. Now how do you do that? Well, he had to go to some trouble.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Whoever buried the remains had dug three separate holes and filled each one with a mixture of concrete. The area is surrounded by fallen trees and tall grass and the graves were hidden under dirt, twigs and other foliage.

[Coy Murphy]

If you're looking for somebody and they've been buried, you can tell, you can tell the ground's been disturbed or you can tell that the ground is caved in because of the digging. None of that.

[Debra Roberts]

Buena vera.

[Coy Murphy]

So they did a really good job of blending her in. So that makes it very, very difficult.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

But once the remains are finally discovered, investigators turn back to what led them to search that area along the Leon river in the first place. Specialist Aaron Robinson's cell phone data. They decide to pay him and his girlfriend Cecily Aguilar. Another visit.

[Ad/Promo Voice]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. You chose to hit play on this podcast today. Smart choice. Make another smart choice with Auto Quote Explorer to compare rates from multiple car insurance companies all at once. Try [e-mail], progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Not available in all states or situations. Prices vary based on how you buy.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Morning, Zoe. Got donuts.

[Stephanie Ramos]

Jeff Bridges. Why are you still living above our garage?

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Well, I dig the mattress and I want to be in a T mobile commercial like you Teach me.

[Stephanie Ramos]

So Dana oh no, I'm not really prepared. I couldn't possibly at t mobile get the new iPhone 17 Pro on them. It's designed to be the most powerful iPhone yet and has the ultimate pro camera system. Wow.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Impressive. Let me try. T Mobile is the best best place.

[Ad/Promo Voice]

To get iPhone 17 Pro because they've.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Got the best network.

[Stephanie Ramos]

Nice. Jeffrey, you heard them.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

T Mobile is the best place to get the new iPhone 17 Pro on us with eligible traded in any condition. So what are we having for launch?

[Stephanie Ramos]

Dude, my work here is done.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

The 24 month bill credit is on.

[Ad/Promo Voice]

Experience beyond for well qualified customers plus.

[Major TJ Cruz]

Tax and $35 device connection charge credits ended balance due to payoff earlier. Cancel Finance agreement. IPhone 17 Pro 256 gigs $1,099.99 and.

[Ad/Promo Voice]

New line minimum $100 plus a month plan with auto pay plus taxes and fees required. Best mobile network in the US based.

[Major TJ Cruz]

On analysis by Ooklab Speed Test Intelligence data 1H 2025 visit t mobile.com I'm no tech genius, but I knew if I wanted my business to crush it, I needed a website. Now thankfully, Bluehost made it easy. I customized, optimized and monetized everything exactly how I wanted with AI. In minutes my site was up. I couldn't believe it. The search engine tools even helped me get more site visitors. Whatever your passion project is, you can set it up with Bluehost with their 30 day money back guarantee. What do you got to lose? Head to bluehost.com that's B L-U-E-H-O-S-T.com to start now.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Specialist Aaron Robinson was one of the last people to see Vanessa the day she went missing. When he was first interviewed, he told investigators that he opened the arms room for Vanessa. She completed her assigned task and then she left. After he finished work, Robinson said he went home and spent the night with his girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, who corroborated his story. But as the investigation into Vanessa's disappearance continued, cracks started to show in what once looked like a solid Alabama for Robinson. Investigators say his phone data showed Robinson was not actually home like he said. Instead, he was in Belton, 20 miles east of Fort Hood. That's what led military investigators to search along the Leon river, where they discovered Vanessa's remains. Former FBI agent and ABC News contributor Brad Garrett was closely following the case. He's led a number of high profile.

[Debra Roberts]

Investigations, so investigators have reached a point in this investigation where they have multiple inconsistencies both in statements and actions of Aaron Robinson and also of his girlfriend, Cicely Aguilar. But at this point, they still don't have enough information to suggest that they've actually harmed or done anything with Vanessa.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

So on June 30, the day Vanessa's remains are discovered, authorities decide it's time to revisit the couple's statements, starting with Cecily.

[Debra Roberts]

From an investigator standpoint, you want to go to the lesser culpable person to start with, if you can, to fill in exactly what did happen, because then that becomes very powerful if you have that information when you confront the primary suspect.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

While authorities continue their recovery efforts along the Leon River, Cecily Aguilar is working a shift at a gas station convenience store. Investigators alert the U.S. marshals Service to put Cecily Aguilar under surveillance. Sometime around 7:40pm Cecily clocks off work and a friend comes to pick her up. The US Marshals follow closely behind her and eventually turn their sirens on to pull the car over. They tell her she's not under arrest, but ask if she could come with them to the CID office on Fort Hood to be interviewed. Cecily says yes. Officials take her phone and they tell the friend they can leave. They take Cecily in immediately and start questioning her about the inconsistencies they say they found in her previous statements, like how Robinson's cell phone data indicated the couple weren't home. Like they said Brad Garrett again.

[Debra Roberts]

And she realizes that the investigators know that these phone calls were in or near Belton, Texas. She then tells them yes, in fact, they did leave their residence and drive up to a park in or near Belton, Texas, to look at the stars.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

And so Cecily admits to lying in her previous interviews. They did leave their home that night to go for a long drive toward Belton. But other than that detail, Cecily says her past statements were all truthful. As investigators are speaking with Cecily, CID directs Fort Hood officials to confine Robinson and keep him under close watch. He's not under arrest, but investigators want to make sure he remains on the base while Cecily's being interviewed. So officers bring Robinson in. They tell him that he's being confined for breaking COVID 19 quarantine protocol.

[Steve Campion]

Former reporter Steve Campion Specialist Robinson is brought into a room, a conference room, and soldiers are supposed to be there around the clock watching him just to make sure that he's there in that room. Kept under 24 hour surveillance. As this investigation is unfolding into the remains and how they got there, Robinson.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Is to be escorted and watched at all times. The supervisor on duty sends out a critical group text message to the officers assigned to watch Robinson.

[Steve Campion]

The supervisor tells them if Specialist Robinson tries to leave, tackle him immediately. Call military police because there is a real sense of urgency in keeping them there.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

In the conference room Robinson spends the evening in the conference room with at least one soldier at all times. It's 8:30pm in another building on base. Investigators are still talking to Cecily. She remains adamant that her previous statements are true. The investigator questioning Cecily asks her if she's willing to die for Specialist Robinson. Sure, she says. But when he asks if she's willing to go to jail for him, she responds, no. That's when the conversation hits a turning point. The investigator goes on to tell Cecily, I know that you're lying to me again. He then reveals for the very first time that human remains were found by the Leon River. And in that moment, Cecily breaks down and starts talking.

[Steve Campion]

She tells investigators that Robinson had confided into her that on April 22, he bludgeoned another soldier to death inside the arms room with a hammer and then enlisted her help to dispose and dismember Vanessa Gan's body.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Cecily Aguilar recounts what she says happened that night, and she goes into excruciating detail. ABC News correspondent Stephanie Ramos helped cover Vanessa's story for the network.

[Stephanie Ramos]

According to investigators, Robinson goes to Aguilar's place of work at a gas station, and that's where he tells her what he had just done. He just killed another soldier and placed her in a tough box. And somehow he. He convinces Aguilar to help him get rid of the body.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Cecily says in the middle of the night, Robinson drove her to a remote area by the Leon River. A big black box with wheels was already there. Remember? Witnesses say they saw Robinson loading a similar box into his car earlier that day. Cecily then says Robinson revealed what was inside a fully clothed dead woman. She was wearing fitness clothes, her hair was in a bun, and she had a gold necklace on with a pendant of the Virgin Mary. In a report filed by the Texas Rangers, here's what they say Cecily told them in her interview. The details are tough to hear. Again, Stephanie Ramos.

[Stephanie Ramos]

They then use a tool, like a hatchet or an ax and dismember Vanessa's body.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Cecily goes on to say that they tried to burn the body with gasoline and then dug several holes to bury the remains. They left the gravesite, but Robinson wanted to be absolutely certain that no one would ever find what they had done. So three days after they first buried Vanessa, the couple went back to the Leon River. This time, they came with gloves, hair nets, water, and cement that Cecily had recently purchased on Facebook Marketplace. She says she got the idea to buy the cement from watching the crime dramas CSI and Criminal Minds. Authorities say Cecily told them she and Robinson then exhumed the remains and tried to burn and break them down even further. Again, former reporter Steve Campion.

[Steve Campion]

They then mix the cement and place it on top of the three shallow graves to try to encase the remains so that they don't produce an odor that somebody passing by might smell or that it wouldn't stick out. If people were searching the area, they want to hide it so that even if somebody goes looking, nobody's going to find it. And they were almost successful in that.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

After the couple returned home, Cecily says they burned their clothes and any other remnants of what they did that evening, including Vanessa's gold pendant necklace, which they flushed down the toilet. Cecily ends her statement by saying she's a victim in all of this and claims that Robinson held her against her. Will Robinson and Cecily's plan to get rid of the body was gruesome and methodical. They spent two nights trying to make sure no one would ever find Vanessa.

[Stephanie Ramos]

You don't see murderers spend that kind of time, not typically, with their victims, to get rid of the remains.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

That's Mary Ellen o' Toole on what she thinks of Robinson's actions after the murder. She's the director of the Forensic Science program at George Mason University. She was also a behavioral analyst for the FBI for 15 years. In 2020, ABC asked her to review court documents of Cecily's interview with investigators. Based on what she's read, o' Toole says Robinson was on a mission to get rid of the body, assuming the CR was not premeditated. It's unusual behavior for someone who just committed murder.

[Stephanie Ramos]

That really goes to the personality of that offender who now has taken this young woman's life. And now most people would be in such an emotional state if they had done that, but not in this case. He's now able to start thinking strategically. In other words, he's able to put together cogent thoughts about what do I do with the body. That's not typical. No matter what you see on television or in the movies, that's not typical.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

She says Robinson is strategic and stealthful. He's been able to evade authorities for two months, but they're closing in on him. Based on what Cecily has told investigators, they're confident that Robinson is their perpetrator and he's sitting in a conference room somewhere on base just waiting for them to make the arrest.

[Steve Campion]

So as Aguilar is giving this confession, the focus really shifts to specialist Aaron Robinson and getting him in custody and questioning him because at this point, he's the prime suspect in Vanessa's murder.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

But investigators want more evidence before they officially detain Robinson. With Cecily now fully cooperating with authorities, they ask her to call her boyfriend and let them listen in.

[Ad/Promo Voice]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. You ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with the name your price tool from Progressive you can you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever think about switching insurance companies to see if you could save some cash? Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home in auto policies. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. You ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with the name your price tool from Progressive you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try [e-mail], progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

According to investigators. Cecily Aguilar says she helped her boyfriend Aaron Robinson dispose of Vanessa's body by the Leon river the day she went missing. And now Cecily is going to help law enforcement set the trap.

[Debra Roberts]

People many times are never consistent in.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Their behavior, former FBI agent and ABC News contributor Brad Garrett.

[Debra Roberts]

And it ends up being contradictory. At some point where you have Cicely admitting a dismemberment and burying parts of a body, you then have her turn around and basically work with the FBI to trap Aaron. And so I think at the very end of the day it comes down to self preservation. I shouldn't have done it, but I did do it for whatever reason. And now I'm going to try to do the right thing. And the right thing is to tell the truth and help the FBI and other law enforcement agencies catch the person who ultimately killed Vanessa and brought her into this equation.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Cecily says investigators took told her that helping them could mean the difference between spending 20, 30 or 40 years in prison. She agrees to call Aaron Robinson and let investigators record their conversation. They give Cecily her phone back, and she's overwhelmed with text messages from Robinson. ABC News correspondent Stephanie Ramos.

[Stephanie Ramos]

He continues to use his cell phone to communicate with his girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, all under the watchful eye of investigators.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

He sent Cecily messages saying he loved her and begged her to help him. He also asked her to retrieve his gun from her apartment. It's late in the evening, and Robinson has been sitting in this conference room for hours. He made escorted trips back and forth to his barracks to retrieve some clothes, a blanket, and whatever else he needed to spend the night in that room. And the entire time Robinson was confined, he still had full access to his phone. When Cecily calls him, he doesn't know that she's already been talking to authorities for hours. He has no idea that she's told them what she says happened that night and that she's implicated him. Investigators direct Cecily to tell Robinson that she was scared and thinking about turning herself in. At first, Robinson doesn't believe her. Investigators are listening closely, waiting to hear what Robinson will say. They're feeding Cecily questions to try and get him to confess to Vanessa's murder. At some point in the conversation, Robinson learns that human remains were found earlier in the day.

[Stephanie Ramos]

During these calls, Robinson actually texts Aguilar news articles about those remains recovered by the Leon River.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Cecily talks about what they did the night Vanessa went missing, and Robinson he doesn't deny any of it. She asks him, what are we going to do if we get caught? I don't know. Robinson responds, I'm going to tell them the truth. She says, I can't keep doing this. And all Robinson says in return is, okay. He sounds upset. In one of the calls, Robinson tells Cecily, I trusted you. He goes on to say that she has betrayed him. Behavioral analyst Mary Ellen o'. Toole.

[Stephanie Ramos]

It's very likely that he understood he was going to be arrested. And at that point, he only has so many things that he can do to control the situation.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

It's now 10pm One of the last calls Robinson has that night is is with his mother. An officer overhears him telling her, don't believe what you hear about me. He starts pacing the room. The soldier on watch notices Robinson inching closer and closer to the door, so he orders him to sit down. After a few warnings, Robinson complies. But then, with Cecily, his closest ally, wavering, Robinson makes a move toward the door again. Former reporter Steve Campion.

[Steve Campion]

So as she's helping investigators narrow in on Robinson, he does something that I don't think anybody saw coming.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

That's next time. What Happened to Vanessa is a production of ABC Audio and 20 20, hosted by me, John Quinones. Produced by Sabrina Fang, Shane McKeon, Nancy Rosenbaum and Nora Richie. Fact checking and production help from Audrey Mostek and Annalisa Linder. Tracy Samuelson is our story editor. Our supervising producer is Sasha Aslanian. Music and mixing by Evan Viola. Special thanks to Katie Dendos, Janice Johnston, Denise Martinez, Raimundo, Natalie Cardenas, Rachel Walker, Brian Mazersky and Michelle Margulis. Josh Cohan is our director of podcast programming. Please Lara Mayer, our executive producer. Eight years ago I blew my football career.

[Debra Roberts]

He dropped it at the one yard line.

[Ad/Promo Voice]

Chad Powers has arrived on Hulu.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

If I can't play as Russ, I'll play as someone else. My name's Chad and last name Li. From executive producers Eli and Peyton Manning. Remember to wear your press aesthetic mask.

[Ad/Promo Voice]

This is acting and starring Glen Powell.

[Stephanie Ramos]

He thinks you're a rubber chew toy.

[Narrator/Host (John Quinones)]

Not rubber. I'm a man made of flesh.

[Ad/Promo Voice]

The Hulu Original Series Chad Powers is now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney plus for bundled subscribers. Terms apply.

[Debra Roberts]

New episodes Tuesdays Introducing the new ESPN Fox One Bundle. Unlock all of ESPN and all of Fox one with one unbeatable price. Catch the biggest games college football, NBA, NHL and more on espn. Stream your faves Big Noon Saturday the World Series and NASCAR on Fox 1 offer just 39 99amonth. That's 20% off the ESPN Fox 1 bundle offer.

[Ad/Promo Voice]

Violet for eligible subscribers only.

[Debra Roberts]

Access content from each service separately. Savings compared to purchasing both plans separately. See stream espn.com for complete terms and conditions.