48 Hours: “Jane’s Journey”

CBS News | August 20, 2025

Overview: The Relentless Pursuit of Justice

This “48 Hours” episode, expertly reported by Bill Lagatuta, dives into the extraordinary true story of Jane Alexander. An ordinary grandmother in her late seventies, Jane transformed her life after a devastating crime: her beloved aunt was murdered and her romantic partner betrayed her in a web of fraud and deceit. When the system seemed powerless or indifferent, Jane refused to give up. Her dogged efforts not only brought her aunt’s killer to justice, but also inspired other families to fight for closure in their own cold cases.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jane’s Early Life and Relationship with Tom O’Donnell

• Jane Alexander was a widow, living a lively social life in Marin County, California.
• She met Tom O’Donnell, an outwardly charming “Silver Fox,” who regaled everyone with tales of adventure and global intrigue.
  • “He was like the man on the white horse that came charging down the road. Mom was probably happier than I’ve ever seen her.” (Jane Alexander, 01:22)
• Tom handled Jane’s finances and convinced her to take risky steps with her life savings.

2. The Murder of Aunt Gertrude McCabe (07:31 – 09:22)

• In October 1983, Jane’s Aunt Gert was brutally murdered at age 88.

  • Bludgeoned, stabbed, strangled, and smothered.
  • Scene was staged to look like a burglary, but valuables and cash were left behind.
  • Only the checkbook register was missing.
  • “She was bludgeoned with some kind of blunt instrument. She was stabbed, and she was strangled and then smothered with a pillow…88 years old. She put up a fight.” (Detective Jeff Ouime and Jane Alexander, 08:26–08:50)

• Jane immediately pressed authorities, refusing to let the case languish.

  • “If I didn’t do it, who was going to do it? I mean, I was the only one out there doing it.” (Jane Alexander, 09:48)

3. Betrayal: Financial Fraud and Tom’s Disappearance (11:01 – 14:39)

• In 1984, Tom abruptly vanished, leaving Jane nearly penniless and emotionally shattered.
  • “I lost my children’s inheritance. I lost my home.” (Jane Alexander, 01:34)
  • Tom forged elaborate stories about fleeing due to shady international deals.
  • Drained Jane’s finances, convinced her to take out a $200k mortgage, and took the cash.
• Friends and police saw through Tom’s lies, but Jane initially clung to hope, blinded by love and trust.
  • “Did I believe it? Of course. I believed.” (Jane Alexander, 14:47)
  • “The police, according to Detective Jeff Ouime, weren't buying any of it.” (Narrator, 15:03)

4. Building the Case: Motive and Evidence Tied to Murder (15:21 – 17:08)

• Investigators discovered Jane was the primary beneficiary of her aunt’s will.
• Tom’s alibi (a trip to Burbank) was refuted by evidence—rental car mileage matched exactly to the round trip from Burbank to the crime scene.
  • “The mileage on the rental car was dead on. From Burbank to the murder scene and back.” (Detective Jeff Ouime, 16:14)

5. Turning Point: Jane’s Resolve and New Mission (17:30 – 19:12)

• After receiving more manipulative letters from Tom, Jane finally saw through his stories.
  • “That was the turning point. It’s something I’ve never felt before in my life. I was so angry…how could I be so dumb?” (Jane Alexander, 17:30–18:04)
• She filed felony fraud charges and vowed to pursue Tom for murder.
  • “I was going to nail them for their murder. That’s what I was doing.” (Jane Alexander, 18:15)

6. Jane as Detective: Relentless Pursuit (23:33 – 27:38)

• Jane’s tenacity and organizational skills—saving files, making flyers, constant communication with police—proved crucial.
  • “First of all, I saved everything. I have files and files and files.” (Jane Alexander, 23:33)
• Jane’s efforts and luck yielded key breakthroughs:
  • Mistake #1: Tom called relatives the day after the murder, mentioning Jane’s impending inheritance—before the body was discovered. (24:15)
  • Mistake #2: Tom told Jane’s daughter-in-law a detail (“garrotted”) never made public. (25:05)
  • Mistake #3: Tom “found” the missing checkbook register in a place it could not have originally been—proving he had handled it after police left. (26:32–27:38)

7. Justice for Jane—and Others (29:09 – 34:12)

• Jane inspired and helped other families fight for justice, such as Lee Sansom, whose sister’s death was incorrectly ruled an accident.
  • Jane’s advocacy compelled detectives to reopen cold cases and fund progress herself.
  • “I finally called the captain and I said, we'll send him. You'll pay for the trip to Florida? Absolutely. How much does it cost?” (Jane Alexander, 33:40–33:44)
  • Her activism led to a new conviction for Lee’s sister’s murder after 13 years.

8. Resolution: Tom O’Donnell’s Arrest, Trial, and Sentencing (36:23 – 39:42)

• Tom is arrested living with another wealthy woman in LA County—using the same old con.
• The murder trial’s evidence is entirely circumstantial, but the case succeeds thanks in part to Jane’s testimony and meticulous record-keeping.
  • The jury convicts Tom O’Donnell on the strength of the amassed evidence.
  • “And the diary says, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, exclamation point, point, point, point.” (Jane Alexander, 38:24)
  • Sentenced to 25 years to life. He was denied parole and died in prison in 2010.

9. Aftermath: Jane’s Lasting Impact (41:05 – episode end)

• Jane co-founds Citizens Against Homicide, advocating for families of unsolved murders and fighting to keep convicted killers from parole.
  • “The day we get the guy that killed your mother, that’s the day we’ll celebrate.” (Jane Alexander, 41:05)
  • “If you give up and you quit, then no one else is really going to care. I always say, you know, get in their face and stay there.” (Jane Alexander, 41:44)
• At 77, Jane is tireless, leading a group working dozens of open cases, pushing for justice and public awareness.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Determination:
  “Let's put it this way, no one intimidates me anymore. Can't quit, you know. It took me 13 years. You just have to stand up for what you believe in.”
  — Jane Alexander (04:09)
• On Learning from Betrayal:
  “When he left me and took everything I possessed, that involved my ego because I never really thought I was stupid. And I learned that, yes, I was. I lost my children’s inheritance. I lost my home. How could I be so dumb?”
  — Jane Alexander (22:01)
• On Helping Others:
  “Getting justice for Abby was just as much a goal as it was for getting justice for Aunt Gert.”
  — Jane Alexander (34:16)
• On Perseverance:
  “And the only thing I can say is that if you’ve had a homicide in your family, don’t give up. And the squeaky wheel does get the grease.”
  — Jane Alexander (29:09)
• On Activism:
  “If you give up and you quit, then no one else is really going to care…I always say, you know, get in their face and stay there.”
  — Jane Alexander (41:44)
• On Tom's Fate:
  “25 to life. But as long as I’m alive, you’ll never get out.”
  — Jane Alexander (39:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jane’s Early Happiness and Relationship with Tom: 01:22 – 05:30
• Aunt Gertrude’s Murder & Crime Scene: 07:31 – 09:22
• Jane Betrayed: Fraud, Deceit, and Tom’s Disappearance: 11:01 – 14:39
• Police Investigation & Building the Murder Case: 15:21 – 17:08
• Jane the Relentless Detective: 23:33 – 27:38
• Helping Other Families & Founding Citizens Against Homicide: 29:09 – 34:12, 41:05 – end
• Tom’s Trial & Sentencing: 36:23 – 39:42

Conclusion: The Legacy of Citizen Jane

Jane Alexander’s journey from victim to unstoppable justice seeker is a testament to the power of perseverance and advocacy. Through heartbreak, bankruptcy, and personal transformation, she became a beacon for families who feel powerless within the justice system. Her story is both a warning about trust—and an inspiration to never give up the fight for truth and justice.