Facing a Monster

Summary

48 Hours Podcast Episode Summary: "Facing a Monster"

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Facing a Monster," CBS News' award-winning podcast "48 Hours" delves deep into a harrowing tale of domestic violence, disappearance, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Hosted by Anne-Marie Green, the episode uncovers the intertwined lives of survivors Cece Opanowski and Lori Leonard, whose encounters with Sean Doyle—a man whose charm masked a sinister nature—led to devastating consequences.

Cece Opanowski’s Harrowing Experience

The narrative begins with Cece Opanowski recounting a traumatic event from January 1996. Cece, then a 19-year-old college student, describes being brutally attacked by her ex-boyfriend, Sean Doyle.

Cece Opanowski [05:01]: "I'm in complete shock. I can't believe it's happening."

Cece details how Doyle forcibly entered her home, restraining her and subjecting her to physical and emotional abuse. The assault left her traumatized, leading her to fear for her life and struggle with lasting psychological scars.

Sean Doyle’s Troubling Past

The episode provides a background on Sean Doyle, highlighting his early relationship with Cece, which began when they were teenagers. Cece shares insights into Doyle's increasingly possessive and erratic behavior:

Cece Opanowski [10:38]: "He was really nice."

However, red flags emerged as Doyle's jealousy intensified, culminating in threats and violent outbursts that Cece, initially blinded by young love, failed to recognize as dangerous.

Lori Leonard’s Disappearance

Fast forward to April 2005, Lori Leonard, a 33-year-old single mother from Chittenango, New York, vanishes under mysterious circumstances. Lori, beloved by her family and friends, had recently moved to a new apartment and was in a relationship with Sean Doyle, whom she met through an online dating site.

Jennifer Leonard [17:04]: "She was trying to be something that he was not."

Despite Lori ending her romantic relationship with Doyle, his obsessive nature persisted. On May 4th, Lori fails to return from an errand to pick up Yankees game tickets, prompting her family to report her missing. Initial investigations reveal no signs of foul play at her apartment, but suspicions arise regarding Doyle's involvement.

Investigation and Evidence

Detective Wade Irwin leads the investigation into Lori's disappearance. Critical evidence surfaces when Lori's body is discovered months later in a locked toolbox floating in a canal.

Detective Wade Irwin [27:03]: "And there was contents... her face from chin to forehead had duct tape."

A key piece of evidence—a key found in Doyle's truck—matches the lock of the toolbox, directly linking him to the crime. Additionally, forensic evidence, including scratches on the bridge railing and items found in Doyle's garage, solidify the case against him.

The Trial

On January 23, 2006, Sean Doyle stands trial for Lori Leonard's murder. Prosecutor Kevin Courtright presents a compelling case, emphasizing Doyle's modus operandi and presenting testimonies from other victims, including Cece and Sarah Vollmer, to establish a pattern of violent behavior.

Cece Opanowski [38:28]: "I wasn't afraid that you're not my scary anything anymore."

Despite the defense's attempts to undermine the prosecution's evidence, the overwhelming proof leads to Doyle's conviction.

Verdict and Sentencing

After deliberating for just two and a half hours, the jury delivers a guilty verdict for second-degree murder. The courtroom erupts as Lori's family experiences a mix of relief and sorrow.

Detective Wade Irwin [40:57]: "Because bad things happen to good people."

Doyle receives a sentence of 25 years to life with the possibility of parole, a resolution that brings limited solace to Lori's loved ones.

Emotional Aftermath

The episode poignantly captures the enduring emotional toll on those affected:

Cece Opanowski [44:19]: "I am ready to let go of the guilt I have felt for what happened to Lori."

Lori's sister, Jennifer Leonard, expresses ongoing grief and a desire for a life that was never to be:

Jennifer Leonard [45:17]: "Lorianne, she so fun, so funny, so loving."

Former friend Dorothy Tucker reflects on her misplaced trust in Doyle and her regret over not recognizing his true nature sooner.

Dorothy Tucker [43:29]: "I wanted to tell them how sorry I and I still am."

Insights and Lessons Learned

Detective Irwin emphasizes the critical need for addressing domestic violence proactively:

Detective Wade Irwin [43:51]: "Every case of domestic violence is a potential homicide. They all have to be taken seriously."

Cece Opanowski urges vigilance and the importance of listening to one’s instincts to prevent such tragedies:

Cece Opanowski [44:19]: "Be vigilant, look at what's happening in front of you and make sure someone knows."

Conclusion

"Facing a Monster" serves not only as a recounting of a tragic series of events but also as a powerful commentary on the complexities of domestic abuse and the importance of timely intervention. Through the voices of survivors, investigators, and family members, the episode underscores the profound impact of recognizing and addressing warning signs to prevent further loss and suffering.

Key Quotes:

• Cece Opanowski [05:01]: "I'm in complete shock. I can't believe it's happening."
• Cece Opanowski [10:38]: "He was really nice."
• Jennifer Leonard [17:04]: "She was trying to be something that he was not."
• Detective Wade Irwin [27:03]: "And there was contents... her face from chin to forehead had duct tape."
• Cece Opanowski [38:28]: "I wasn't afraid that you're not my scary anything anymore."
• Detective Wade Irwin [40:57]: "Because bad things happen to good people."
• Cece Opanowski [44:19]: "Be vigilant, look at what's happening in front of you and make sure someone knows."

Timestamps:

• [02:03] Introduction of Sean Doyle and the initial incident.
• [05:01] Cece describes the attack.
• [10:38] Cece discusses early signs of Doyle's behavior.
• [27:03] Discovery of Lori Leonard's body.
• [38:28] Cece’s testimony in court.
• [40:57] Reaction to the guilty verdict.
• [44:19] Cece’s message to listeners.

Final Thoughts

"Facing a Monster" is a testament to the enduring human spirit and the pursuit of justice amidst unimaginable adversity. It highlights the necessity of societal awareness and support systems in addressing and preventing domestic violence, ensuring that survivors like Cece and Lori are heard and remembered.

Transcript

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[Dorothy Tucker]

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[Detective Wade Irwin]

So we're in the town of Kingsbury at the bridge that goes over the canal on New Swamp Road.

[Host]

July 24, 2005. Investigators are called out here. What brought them out here?

[Detective Wade Irwin]

So we had a report that a fisherman had been going by. He saw what he thought to be a toolbox that goes in the back of a pickup truck floating.

[Host]

What did investigators find inside that toolbox?

[Detective Wade Irwin]

They found a woman's body that was duct taped and handcuffed and wrapped in a comforter. It was terrible. It was a terrible thing to see.

[Cece Opanowski]

In January of 1996, I just finished my first semester of college in upstate New York. My ex boyfriend, Sean Doyle, and I had been broken up for approximately four months. My name is Cece Opanowski. My mother was going away for the weekend, so I had this whole big house to myself and my friend Shannon and I, we were very close. I said, well, let's stay at my house because there's no one around.

[Shannon McAuliffe]

It was just a girls night. We just wanted to chill out.

[Cece Opanowski]

You know, it's winter, it's cold. We built a fire. My parents had a great stereo system, so, you know, we put on some music and danced around and, you know, just did girl stuff.

[Shannon McAuliffe]

We both went to Sage Junior College. Balbany. I'm really introverted, and she was very bubbly and happy and chipper, and she just. She brought me out of my shell.

[Host]

When you were first meeting her, was Sean Doyle around at the time?

[Shannon McAuliffe]

Yes. He was obnoxious. She would argue with him a lot on the phone.

[Host]

And then in January is when this incident happens at her house.

[Shannon McAuliffe]

We were having a good time. It was just the two of us.

[Host]

But he keeps calling, mm, wanting to.

[Shannon McAuliffe]

Know what we were doing, wanting to know if he can come over. She had a cell phone, and I was like, just turn it off. Like, she's like, no, because if I turn it off, he's going to come here. We finally wake up, and all we wanted was coffee. I had of the mindset. I'm like, oh, I can't go out in public looking like I'm a mess. Let me go home and get dressed.

[Cece Opanowski]

So Shannon leaves, and I get up and go around the house doing whatever, watching tv, you know, being a lazy teenager. And I get a knock at the door, and I open it, and it's him. And he said, I just want to talk to you. And once he was inside, things got much different. He pushed me onto the couch, started, you know, holding me down and restraining me and, you know, yelling at me. And he picked me up and pushed me against the French doors and kept banging me against the French doors.

[Shannon McAuliffe]

After I got done out of the shower getting ready, I called. Nobody answered.

[Cece Opanowski]

My hair was in a ponytail. And he picked me up, held me up, and cut my hair off. It was gone, just all of it. He had already. And choking me. And I thought he was going to stab me.

[Shannon McAuliffe]

I called her back a half an hour later. She still didn't answer. And that's when my eyebrows kind of went up.

[Cece Opanowski]

I'm in complete shock. I can't believe it's happening. And I have to figure out how to get out of it. But during this time, the phone continues to ring.

[Shannon McAuliffe]

I waited a couple minutes, and I called her back.

[Cece Opanowski]

I explained to him, if I don't answer this phone, my mother will call the police. So I do pick up the phone, and it's Shannon.

[Shannon McAuliffe]

I said, hey, are you okay?

[Cece Opanowski]

And I don't know why I did this, but I started unloading the dishwasher, and I'm saying to her, no, no. Yeah, everything's fine. No, no and no kept coming out of my mouth. And he didn't pick up on it, but she sure did. And that's when she said, is he there? And I said, yes.

[Shannon McAuliffe]

And I hung up the phone and I called the cops.

[Cece Opanowski]

Believe me, I do realize how lucky I am.

[Host]

Investigators are continuing to piece the case together now that they found Lori Leonard gagged and bound with duct tape in a pickup comp. Body was found floating in a toolbox.

[Cece Opanowski]

I'm fortunate that it could have been much, much worse.

[Host]

Ann Marie Green reports. Facing a monster.

[Cece Opanowski]

I can tell you that I knew nothing was ever going to be the same, and it was going to change the way I looked at everything.

[Host]

For Cece Opanowski, it has taken almost 30 years to talk about the day her former high school boyfriend, Sean Doyle, attacked her in her family's home in Hudson Falls, New York, and then used scissors to cut off her ponytail. What was it like to have your hair cut off in this way?

[Cece Opanowski]

Demeaning.

[Host]

Demeaning. Think that's why he did it?

[Cece Opanowski]

Probably just to make sure he could knock me down somewhere on that day.

[Host]

January 27, 1996, as Doyle went in and out of violent rages, at one point holding the scissors to her throat, Cece says she wasn't sure she would make it out alive until she says her College roommate, Shannon McAuliffe, called. When she finally picks up the phone, what did you hear in her voice?

[Cece Opanowski]

Fear.

[Host]

Shannon says she knew that Doyle had been harassing Cece. So when Cece told her Doyle was there, Shannon notified police and then rushed over to Cece's house.

[Shannon McAuliffe]

I pulled onto her street and I parked, and then I saw the police officers and everything, so I kind of went in after the fact. She looked terrified and angry and sad.

[Host]

Cece says she thought when police arrived, they would make her feel safe. But that's not exactly what happened.

[Cece Opanowski]

They do not put him in handcuffs, and they put us in the back of the same police car. Mind you, all of this time, I clearly look like I've been assaulted. My hair is completely cut off.

[Host]

And when they arrived at the police station, I was like, why?

[Cece Opanowski]

Why are we here? Why is he not? Why are we in the same room?

[Host]

Cece says instead of separating, police questioned.

[Cece Opanowski]

Them together, and they made it seem like it was some Fight between two young kids that turned, you know, slightly dark.

[Host]

When 48 Hours reached out to the Hudson Falls police department, they acknowledged that law enforcement's response to domestic violence has evolved over the past several decades to better work with and support victims. Police arrested Doyle and charged him with menacing, harassment, and trespassing.

[Cece Opanowski]

Looking at it and you're saying, did this really happen to me? You know, how could this happen to me?

[Host]

Cece Openowski and Sean Doyle grew up in the small town of Hudson Falls, located in upstate New York. To protect Cece's privacy, we chose not to show the actual house where she lived.

[Cece Opanowski]

He was nice to me. He was really nice.

[Host]

When CeCe started dating Seann Doyle, she was just 15 years old. A sophomore in high school. Doyle was one year older.

[Cece Opanowski]

You know, we would go and do lots of things together, and then we just hung out all the time.

[Host]

Cece says Doyle had troubles at home during his junior year. Doyle told her his parents kicked him out. So Cece begged her parents to let him move in with them. Did you feel sorry for him?

[Cece Opanowski]

Definitely.

[Host]

Soon after he moved into Cece's family home, she says she saw a change in Doyle's behavior. Cece says he became jealous and would secretly follow her around, something she says she didn't think at the time was a big deal.

[Cece Opanowski]

When you're a 16, 17 year old girl and you know, you're looking at, oh, jealousy, you know, he must love me so much, and that's why he's doing this sort. He followed me home. He's so worried about me. But is that really what the case is? When you look back as an adult and someone with experience, you know, you think that's probably not okay.

[Host]

And Doyle showed even more possessive behavior that Cece found troubling.

[Cece Opanowski]

He at one point did get a tattoo. It was a heart on his arm, and it had my name in the middle.

[Host]

What did you say?

[Cece Opanowski]

Why would you do that?

[Host]

And his response?

[Cece Opanowski]

I love you, Was it a red flag? Definitely.

[Host]

During his senior year, Cece says Doyle dropped out of high school and was working odd jobs that he couldn't keep.

[Cece Opanowski]

And this is where things start to get darker. You know, he. He doesn't have any prospects. He knows that I'm getting ready to go away to school. And to him, his whole life is about to completely change.

[Host]

But Cece says she stuck by him, writing in her senior yearbook, I love you, Sean. And in the summer of 1995, when she left to attend what is now Russell Sage college in Albany, they agreed to stay together and see each other on weekends. But at the end of September, things took a scary turn when CeCe told Doyle she would not be coming home every weekend to see see him. Doyle showed up at her dorm.

[Cece Opanowski]

He stood outside basically threatening that he was going to kill me.

[Host]

And now he's threatening not just you, but anyone around you.

[Cece Opanowski]

Basically anyone around me. So he was arrested.

[Host]

Doyle was charged with harassment and trespassing. It was the final straw for Cece, who says she broke it off with Doyle for good and he moved out of her parents house later that winter. That's when Seann Doyle showed up and viciously attacked her at her home. I know he threatened a lot, but did you ever believe that Shawn Doyle would have physically hurt you?

[Cece Opanowski]

Not until that day. Not in that way.

[Host]

After the attack, Cece returned to college and finished up her freshman year. But Shannon says her friend had changed.

[Shannon McAuliffe]

I think it had a profound impact on her life.

[Cece Opanowski]

You know, I was always looking over my shoulder. I bought myself a Swiss army knife. I'm having night terrors, you know, waking up crying, waking up screaming, not being able to sleep. Awful, awful.

[Host]

So eight months after the attack, when it was time to take the case to trial, Cece, who was still just a teenager at 19 years old, told prosecutors she couldn't go through with it. She says she was too traumatized and scared.

[Cece Opanowski]

I didn't want to have to face him in court. I didn't want to be going over this over and over and over again. I really wanted it to go away.

[Host]

Doyle was offered a deal. He pleaded guilty to menacing in the second degree and was sentenced to just three years probation. CeCe transferred colleges and moved hours away from Hudson Falls, New York.

[Cece Opanowski]

I needed peace, and I didn't know how to get it.

[Host]

Cece tried to forget her past, but she says she was haunted by a conversation she had with the prosecutor.

[Cece Opanowski]

She said, you know, based on what I see here, he is going to do this again to another person. And that has for the past 28 years stuck in my head.

[Jennifer Leonard]

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[Jennifer Leonard]

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[Detective Wade Irwin]

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[Host]

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[Detective Wade Irwin]

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[Host]

Of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro rate first 3 months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See full [e-mail] 9 years after CECE Openowski left upstate New York for a new new life far away From Shawn Doyle, 33 year old Laurie Leonard disappeared. Say hi, Lori.

[Shannon McAuliffe]

Say hi.

[Host]

Lori Leonard was a single mom who lived with her two sons, Austin, who was 9 at the time, and Zachary, 5, in Chittenango, a small town outside.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

Syracuse, N.Y. she was a very caring mother. The memories of her, just us always being happy together, spending time kind of always, the three of us.

[Cece Opanowski]

Say hi.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

It was just a lot of love and affection.

[Jennifer Leonard]

Her dream was to have a home, a father figure for her kids and for them to be happy. She wanted the white picket fence.

[Host]

Jennifer Leonard was Laurie's older sister.

[Jennifer Leonard]

We were good friends, but I was a little bit of a bossy mother to her. I had been through a lot of things already in my life and my relationships, and I was very, I would say, overprotective.

[Host]

In 2003, Laurie met a man on a dating website, Cupid.com, his name, Sean Doyle. Online dating was new back then, so Jennifer was skeptical about him.

[Jennifer Leonard]

He was not charismatic, he was not social. He was like a of piece, piece of furniture that you just walked around.

[Host]

But she says Lori didn't agree. She only saw the good in people.

[Jennifer Leonard]

She would say, you know, he's misunderstood or he's shy.

[Host]

Jennifer says Lori told her very little about Doyle, except that he lived three hours away in Hudson Falls, New York and worked at an ice cream factory. She also mentioned that Doyle was on probation.

[Jennifer Leonard]

She told me that he was a boxer, that he was protecting a woman at a bar and was arrested because he used some of his professional boxing moves.

[Host]

Did you ever see any sort of evidence of his professional boxing? I mean, did he. Do you think he was even a boxer at her?

[Jennifer Leonard]

I didn't buy the stories that he was selling her. It sounded like he was trying to be something that he was not.

[Host]

Jennifer says after her sister met Doyle, Lori became distant.

[Jennifer Leonard]

I would talk to Lori three times.

[Host]

A day and then when Shawn came into the picture, it was a little quiet and things only got worse.

[Jennifer Leonard]

I had called her one night and he was over there and All I could hear in the background was him yelling at her and that. I was like, what is this? And she's like, you know, I'll call you back. It's not a big deal. But I think what scared me more than anything was when he was caught yelling at her, it stopped. The kind of guys that, you know, don't want anyone else to see what happens behind closed doors. He was sneaky.

[Host]

Soon after this incident, Lori ended her romantic relationship with Doyle. Lori told Jennifer they agreed to be just friends and that he was fine with it.

[Jennifer Leonard]

And I was like, no, he's not.

[Host]

No.

[Jennifer Leonard]

People like that aren't just okay with being friends.

[Host]

Despite the breakup, Doyle would still drive three hours from Hudson Falls to visit Laura, oftentimes hanging out at the bar where she waitressed late at night.

[Dorothy Tucker]

Shawn always called me, and he'd call me to get advice.

[Host]

Dorothy Tucker lived down the street from Doyle in Hudson Falls and considered him a close friend.

[Dorothy Tucker]

I saw a sweet guy who would bend over backwards if I asked him to.

[Host]

However, after the relationship with Lori ended up, she says Doyle told her he had followed Laurie and watched her as she went out on a date.

[Dorothy Tucker]

I was like, sean, you can't do that. She does not want to be with you.

[Host]

Were you starting to get concerned about him and his behavior at that point?

[Jennifer Leonard]

No.

[Dorothy Tucker]

No, because he agreed with me. I didn't see the monster that he really was. He hid it quite well.

[Host]

On Friday, April 29, 2005, Lori, who was living with Jennifer, moved to a new rental apartment.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

Usually people are miserable when they're moving. She was just happy.

[Host]

Lori's nephew, Dustin delator, who was 15 at the time, helped with the move.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

She wanted her own place. She saw her future in that day.

[Host]

Also helping with the move was Sean Doyle, who offered up use of his truck.

[Jennifer Leonard]

She had asked a couple other people before that. So he was a last resort. He was still playing the I'm your friend.

[Host]

What was Shawn like that day?

[Detective Wade Irwin]

Standoffish. Just, I mean, quiet.

[Host]

Jennifer says the move went smoothly until Doyle decided to hang around and stayed with Lori in her new place for days.

[Jennifer Leonard]

It was starting to get on her nerves.

[Host]

Now, five days after the move, Jennifer says Lori told her Doyle was finally leaving because Lori had plans to go to Albany for the afternoon.

[Jennifer Leonard]

She was supposed to go pick up the tickets.

[Host]

Tickets to a Yankees game, a gift from someone she had met at work. Were you concerned at all about her going to pick up tickets from a stranger?

[Jennifer Leonard]

Yes.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

Yes.

[Jennifer Leonard]

But that was how she was.

[Host]

She was very trusting on Wednesday, May 4th. Jennifer called Lori in the afternoon, hoping to catch her while she was heading to Albany.

[Jennifer Leonard]

And it kept going straight to voicemail.

[Host]

Was that weird?

[Jennifer Leonard]

Oh, her phone never went straight to voicemail, was never off.

[Host]

At first, Jennifer thought she may have gotten lost on the drive or that her phone battery had died.

[Jennifer Leonard]

It wasn't a thought at the time that. That something bad happened, just that, you know, where is she?

[Host]

24 hours later, when Lori never called or returned home, Jennifer notified the Chittenango police.

[Investigator]

Patrol started looking into her whereabouts.

[Host]

At that time, lead investigator Wade Irwin searched Lori's rental apartment.

[Investigator]

She had just moved into the home. There were still lots of boxes, items being unpacked. Didn't appear that there was any signs of a break in or a crime that occurred at the home. But her car was there.

[Host]

And he said there was something else unsettling about the scene.

[Investigator]

And there was one shoe in the center of the bed that was on.

[Host]

Investigator Irwin says he was determined to speak to one person.

[Investigator]

The last person that we were able to determine that saw her was Sean Doyle.

[Host]

But before investigators could reach out to Doyle, Jennifer says she tracked down Doyle's number and called him herself.

[Jennifer Leonard]

Sean, have you talked to Lori? And he goes, no, I haven't talked to her in a couple of days. Wasn't she supposed to get tickets the other night? And I'm like, yeah, she was, but we haven't heard from her since. I'm like, you know, if she calls, you let us know, because the phone's off. And he's like, oh, yeah, definitely let you know. When I hung up, I was like, I had chills. And I'm like, he's full of it. He knows something.

[Host]

As the days went by, Chenanango investigators reached out to everyone who had contact with Lori Leonard prior to her disappearance, including the man she was supposed to get Yankees tickets from in Albany.

[Investigator]

He was an executive for a company. We were able to track him down. He was interviewed.

[Host]

Detective Wade Irwin says the executive waited for Lori in Albany, and when she never showed up, he called her and even left a message.

[Investigator]

Was calling with concern of where she was. We're supposed to meet up. I got the tickets. I'm here. Are you okay? I hope an accident didn't happen.

[Host]

His alibi checked out, but Lori's phone records would reveal a lot more about another person who hadn't called.

[Investigator]

What became concerning for myself as a person that cared about her, supposedly, Sean Doyle. Shawn Doyle never called, never left a message.

[Host]

When Chittenango police went to interview Lori's, former boyfriend. He told them that on the day she disappeared, he left her apartment about 3pm and then drove three hours home to Hudson Falls.

[Investigator]

He just always had said all along that he left her and she was alive at the apartment.

[Host]

When they checked out his alibi, Detective Irwin says they couldn't clear him yet Doyle was cooperative and even allowed investigators to search his truck and take photos. When they searched Doyle's glove compartment, they found something curious.

[Investigator]

There was a key for the serial number on it.

[Host]

As investigators kept an eye out on Doyle and continued to search for Lori, Jennifer says her family struggled to explain Lori's disappearance to her two young sons.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

After several days to several weeks, you know, something's up, your mother's not home. But the question is, you know, where is she? What's she doing?

[Jennifer Leonard]

We would say things like, she got lost. You know, we'll get her, we'll find her.

[Host]

To make matters worse, Austin and Zachary were now separated, staying with their fathers and owners, seeing each other on weekends.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

We'd lived together our whole lives. That was obviously different. You know, waking up every day with, one, your mom's not there, but two, now your brother isn't.

[Jennifer Leonard]

We were suffering, and every day our family was doing something to find her. We were looking for her. We were a well oiled machine.

[Host]

Jennifer suspected Shawn Doyle had something to do with her sister's disappearance. So weeks after Lori vanished, she headed to Hudson Falls and held a demonstration, hoping someone there would know something about Doyle that could help investigators.

[Jennifer Leonard]

We had posters, we had signs, we had Shawn's name up on signs. If anybody will speak to us.

[Host]

Dorothy Tucker says when she heard Lori's family was in town, she immediately called Doyle.

[Dorothy Tucker]

I was like, shawn, what's going on? You know, did you do something? I didn't do anything to her. She's probably off on a beach somewhere with some guy.

[Host]

But you believed Shawn at the time?

[Dorothy Tucker]

Oh, definitely.

[Host]

Later that day, when Dorothy passed Lori's family rallying on the streets, she says she did something she has come to deeply regret.

[Dorothy Tucker]

Like an idiot, I yelled out the window, telling them to go home. Sean didn't do anything and they needed to leave.

[Host]

As months passed with no sign of Lori, the family's hopes began to dwindle.

[Investigator]

I made a promise to find a resolution to this for them and give them the closure and answers that they needed. It was disheartening because every night I'd call them and give them an update, regardless of whether there was positive or negative information.

[Host]

And then on July 24, 2005. Three months after Lori went missing.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

We had a report that a fisherman had been going by in this area here.

[Host]

Captain Tony LeClaire is with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

He saw what he thought to be a toolbox that goes in the back of a pickup truck, floating. Thought it may be useful for him, so he grabbed onto it, towed it with his boat about a mile and a half, and then they dragged it out of the water there.

[Host]

The box was locked and emitting a foul odor. So police were called. And when they broke open the lock, authorities discovered a body inside.

[Investigator]

And there was contents. Pillows, bedding, purse. But right on top was Lori's idv.

[Host]

Also in the box was a photo of Lori's two sons.

[Investigator]

She was handcuffed behind her back. There was duct tape around the handcuffs. Her feet were bound together and duct taped. Her face from chin to forehead had duct tape. And then once that duct tape was removed, there was a bandana tied in her mouth.

[Host]

The medical examiner would rule that Lori died of asphyxiation.

[Jennifer Leonard]

I couldn't wrap my head around what they were saying.

[Host]

What do you mean?

[Jennifer Leonard]

She was found in a toolbox in the water.

[Investigator]

I.

[Jennifer Leonard]

Couldn'T. I couldn't. I couldn't accept it.

[Host]

Detective Irwin says that's when Sean Doyle went from a police person of interest to a suspect in the case.

[Investigator]

Everything started to come together real quickly. We got a search warrant within hours to go to his residence.

[Host]

During their search, police found sand tubes in his garage that matched the sand tubes inside the toolbox used to weigh it down.

[Investigator]

We were able to track down in the home similar handcuffs, bandanas, duct tape, other means he used that matched what was used on Lori.

[Host]

Remember the key investigators had discovered in Shawn Doyle's truck? It matched the lock of the toolbox, tying Doyle directly to the crime. When investigators checked the bridge near the canal where the toolbox was found, they discovered scratches on the bridge railing that matched scratches found on the bottom of the toolbox. Just tell me about what investigators think happened. What was the theory?

[Detective Wade Irwin]

The theory is that he came here with his pickup truck, came to the bridge somewhere in the center of the canal, and took the toolbox and basically just pushed it over the edge. And as he did, it scraped across.

[Host]

Just one day after the discovery of Lori's body in the toolbox, investigators arrested Sean Doyle. What was that moment like for you?

[Investigator]

Overwhelming.

[Host]

Jennifer says it was time to break the news to Lori's two young sons. Zachary remembers the moment even though he was only five years old.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

I felt it as soon as I walked into the room. And I think my dad was the one that said that she's not coming home. Just kind of fell into him and just didn't know how to react.

[Jennifer Leonard]

I watched a little boy break. He said not a word.

[Host]

Then it was time to tell nine year old Austin.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

You know, I left out kind of like a shriek and kind of just collapsed in my dad and I can still kind of feel it.

[Jennifer Leonard]

And he wailed. It wasn't a cry.

[Dorothy Tucker]

It was.

[Jennifer Leonard]

It was a pained, guttural wail. I'll always have that sound in my head.

[Host]

Jennifer says she couldn't truly mourn her sister because she had to prepare for Doyle's upcoming trial.

[Jennifer Leonard]

I was gonna make sure that he got what he described.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

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[Host]

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[Investigator]

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[Detective Wade Irwin]

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[Host]

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[Detective Wade Irwin]

We're firefighters. We're gonna find a way to get you out of here.

[Host]

We take the hits together.

[Jennifer Leonard]

We're on the same team.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

I'm right here with you.

[Host]

No matter what. I would never leave you hanging in the deep end.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

This place a way of giving you new family Fire Country.

[Host]

All episodes now streaming on Paramount. Plus this episode is brought to you by Greenlight. Get this, adults with financial literacy skills have 82% more wealth than those who don't. From swimming lessons to piano classes, us parents invest in so many things to enrich our kids lives. But are we investing in their future financial success? With Greenlight, you can teach your kids.

[Jennifer Leonard]

Financial literacy skills like earning, saving and investing.

[Host]

And this investment costs less than that. After school treat start prioritizing their financial education and future. Today with a risk free trial at greenlight.com Spotify greenlight.com Spotify in late summer of 2005, CeCe Openowski received a phone call from her father. Her ex boyfriend Sean Doyle had been arrested for murder.

[Cece Opanowski]

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I couldn't believe it. You don't want it to be true and it's terrible.

[Host]

When Cece learned The victim was 33 year old Lori Leonard, a single mom of two young boys, she said she was overwhelmed with extreme guilt.

[Cece Opanowski]

That was a breaking point for me. I felt for her whole entire family and her two young children.

[Host]

CeCe says she was haunted by the choice she made as a traumatized and scared teenager.

[Cece Opanowski]

And all I can think about is if I could go back, I would have done it differently. I would have pressed my charges much further.

[Host]

So just weeks later, when investigators reached out to cece and asked if she would testify at Doyle's trial, she was determined to help.

[Cece Opanowski]

I need to make sure that he is put away for murdering Corey at this point. Now I'm angry. I'm not fearful.

[Host]

But CeCe was not Doyle's only ex girlfriend, who investigators hoped would testify against him. Five years after Doyle attacked Cece, he allegedly tried to kill 23 year old Sarah Vollmer. When the investigators came a couple months ago and got me out of my work 48 hours reached out to Vollmer and received no response. But she did speak with the CBS affiliate in Albany about the attack. In 2005.

[Dorothy Tucker]

He had tied me up with shoelaces and put the duct tape back over.

[Host]

My mouth and then just began strangling me until I passed out. And then my mother walked in on it. Doyle was charged with unlawful imprisonment in the second degree and assault in the third degree. But again, a deal was made. Doyle pleaded guilty only to the charge of unlawful imprisonment. A judge sentenced him to three years probation. On January 23, 2006, Sean Doyle's trial began. It was a day that Lori's sister Jennifer had waited for.

[Jennifer Leonard]

I was going to be her advocate. I was going to speak for her. I was going to speak for the boys.

[Host]

When Doyle entered the courtroom, Jennifer says she was caught off guard because his appearance had changed. What do you look like, choir boy?

[Jennifer Leonard]

He'd grown his hair. He had a sweater on.

[Host]

Kevin Courtright, now retired, had only been district attorney for less than a month. He says key to his case was making sure Doyle's other victims, CeCe and Sarah, would be allowed to testify. Oftentimes, judges do not allow a defendant's prior bad acts to be brought into trial. Why were the women so crucial?

[Detective Wade Irwin]

It shows what he was capable of. He'd done it almost exactly the same in the past. It's his modus operandi. It's strong proof.

[Host]

Despite the defense's objections, the judge ruled that CeCe and Sarah could testify. But first, DA Courtright presented the jury with all the pieces of physical evidence that pointed to Sean Doyle. Like the items they found in Doyle's garage and home the sandbags and handcuffs. And what about that bandana?

[Detective Wade Irwin]

He Wore a bandana 24 hours a day. He had bandanas in his bedroom. He had bandanas in his truck. The bandana in Lori's mouth was the one I believe he was wearing that day.

[Host]

And then there was that toolbox. Courtright called to the stand a clerk from a local autozone store who says she sold Doyle the toolbox just one week before Lori disappeared.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

She identified him perfectly. She even identified his shirt he was wearing.

[Host]

And the most important piece of evidence, that key found in his glove compartment that tied Doyle directly to the box.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

That was as strong as evidence as you could get.

[Host]

Retired journalist Don Lehman covered the trial for the Postar newspaper.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

The key to the toolbox was. There was no way around that.

[Host]

Then Courtright called Dorothy Tucker, Sean's once close friend, to the stand. He says she was a major witness because she provided information as to how they believe Doyle transported Lori's body from Tainenango three hours over to Hudson Falls after he murdered her.

[Dorothy Tucker]

He just kept calling me.

[Host]

Dorothy told the jury that the day that Lori disappeared, Doyle stopped by her house. In the back of his truck, she says, was a very large cardboard box.

[Dorothy Tucker]

I said, sean, what do you got there? So just garbage junk I had at Lori's. He says, let me take it to the dump.

[Host]

DA Courtright believes Lori's body was in the box and that at some point Doyle transferred her body to the toolbox. Dorsey testified just days after, after his first visit, Doyle showed up at her house again, and the cardboard box had been replaced by a large toolbox.

[Dorothy Tucker]

I walk out and I said, hey, Sean, what do you need a toolbox for? You don't have any tools to put in it? And he laughed and yeah, yeah, you know, so then he started saying about a friend. He was going to meet him, they were going to go fishing.

[Host]

Dorothy said Doyle told her he was going to fish by the Champlain Lock canal area, a place he knew well and frequented often. Doyle had even taken Cece there many times when they dated.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

Lori was in the box that day, and he was taking her to dump her in the canal, where she was later found.

[Host]

District Attorney Courtright called Cece Oponowski as his last witness.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

He always put the best for the last.

[Cece Opanowski]

I was very, very nervous.

[Host]

Cece told the jury about the attack and the long lasting mental anguish Seann Doyle caused her. What did you want Shawn Doyle to.

[Cece Opanowski]

See that I wasn't afraid that you're not my scary anything anymore.

[Host]

When it was the defense's turn, Lehman says they tried to poke holes in the prosecution's case.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

There just was not a lot of holes to poke.

[Host]

We reached out to Seann Doyle and members of Doyle's family, but they declined to be interviewed. After three long days of testimony, the case went to the jury. Lori Leonard's family members held their breath.

[Jennifer Leonard]

I felt like I hadn't exhaled in months, and that's what I needed. I needed to exhale.

[Advertiser]

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[Detective Wade Irwin]

There have been times that we've seen many cases where the jury those things that just kind of defy the evidence.

[Host]

On January 26, 2006, after just two and a half hours of deliberations, the jury came back with a verdict. Guilty of second degree murder. When the guilty verdict was read, Laurie Leonard's family burst into cheers and sobs. But Sean Doyle showed little reaction. Guilty. What went through your mind when you heard that word?

[Detective Wade Irwin]

Thank God.

[Host]

Why does it still affect you?

[Detective Wade Irwin]

Because bad things happen to good people.

[Cece Opanowski]

I was relieved and happy that he was going to be punished for what he did.

[Host]

For Cece, it was difficult to process the fact that a person she once loved was convicted of murder.

[Cece Opanowski]

To me, it almost felt like there wasn't a man left inside of him, but more like a monster. For your crimes to become worse as you go to almost perfect them, to think about them in that serial fashion.

[Host]

One month later, before Doyle was sentenced, a judge listened to testimony and read over victim impact statements from Lori's friends and family.

[Jennifer Leonard]

Chris isn't even the right place for someone like him.

[Dorothy Tucker]

Is not punishment enough.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

It's a good picture. That's a good one.

[Host]

Austin and Zachary, Laurie's sons, were too young to attend trial, but both wrote letters to the judge.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

She let me sleep with her when I was scared. And when I see something scary and hear something scary, we used to sing songs we liked the most together. I think my mom was the greatest mom in the world. My mom, my brother and I had really great times together. I'm also sad because I'll never see my mom anymore now because of what happened.

[Host]

Sean Doyle was sentenced to the maximum 25 years to life with the possibility of parole. Was that enough?

[Jennifer Leonard]

I didn't think so.

[Host]

You don't want him getting out?

[Cece Opanowski]

No.

[Jennifer Leonard]

There's no forgiveness. No way, man. None. None.

[Dorothy Tucker]

He's a danger to society, and I hope he never gets out.

[Host]

Dorothy Tucker, who initially stood by Doyle, says she feels betrayed by him.

[Dorothy Tucker]

He lied straight to my face, and here is someone that I trusted, thought I knew, never saw that side of him.

[Host]

Dorothy hopes Lori's family will forgive her for how she previously treated them when they came to rally against Doyle in Hudson Falls.

[Dorothy Tucker]

I wanted to tell them how sorry I and I still am. That was totally uncalled for, and it was unacceptable behavior on my part.

[Host]

Don Lehman, who has covered many domestic violence cases in his almost 30 years as a reporter, says there are important lessons that can be learned from Cece and Sarah's attacks and Lori's murder.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

Every case of domestic violence is a potential homicide. They all have to be taken seriously.

[Investigator]

They all have to.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

To be handled in a way to protect these victims. You know, a young woman with two young kids, it's just mind boggling that these kids lost their mom to a guy like this.

[Host]

Cece, who bravely came forward to tell her story, hopes that others can learn.

[Cece Opanowski]

From be vigilant, look at what's happening in front of you and make sure someone knows. Don't keep it quiet, pay attention. And when you have that feeling, that one that doesn't go away, you know, the one that you try to push down, that's the one you should listen to the most.

[Host]

She says she is ready to let go of the guilt she has felt for what happened to Lori.

[Cece Opanowski]

I've waited so long, and I've had to live with it for all of these years.

[Jennifer Leonard]

It's not her fault. It's the system that failed. She did what she had to do. I don't blame her. I feel sad that she's felt guilt all this time.

[Host]

How do you want your sister to be remembered.

[Jennifer Leonard]

Lorianne, she so fun, so funny, so loving.

[Host]

For Jennifer, she longs for the life she always thought she would have. With Lori, we were supposed to be.

[Jennifer Leonard]

Living in the same place and going out and raising our kids and having parties, and that's what it was supposed to be. That's what we were supposed to have. And I'm in. Just me and the kids trying to get along without her.

[Host]

What do you miss the most about glory?

[Detective Wade Irwin]

In moments where I'm really sad or like, I just need her to hold me. And she hasn't been able to do that in 20 years.

[Host]

Sean Doyle is eligible for parole in 2030. Join me Tuesday for postmortem from 48 Hours, where we'll dive into even deeper into today's episode and answer your questions about the case. Now streaming.

[Investigator]

When everything's on the line, real heroes.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

Rise to the occasion.

[Host]

TV's hottest show is Fire Country.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

We're firefighters. We're gonna find a way to get you out of here.

[Host]

We take the hits together.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

We're on the same team. I'm right here with you.

[Host]

No matter what. I would never leave you hanging in the deep end.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

This place is a way of giving you new family.

[Host]

Fire Country. All episodes now streaming on Paramount Plus.

[Jennifer Leonard]

Now streaming.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

Hi again, TV's quirkiest crime solver.

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[Detective Wade Irwin]

It's on the case.

[Advertiser]

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[Host]

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[Detective Wade Irwin]

Go toe to toe with a cavalcade of guest stars.

[Host]

Are you saying that this is now a murder investigation? It's starting to look that way.

[Detective Wade Irwin]

Don't miss a moment of the critically acclaimed hit Elsbeth. All episodes now streaming on Paramount plus.

[Host]

And returns CBS fall.

[Jennifer Leonard]

That sounds like fun.

[Investigator]

Obviously, murder's not fun.