48 Hours: Post Mortem | Joe Hunter’s Mission

Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Anne-Marie Green
Guest Correspondent: Natalie Morales

Episode Overview

This episode of the 48 Hours "Post Mortem" series delves into the unresolved and complex case of Joanna Hunter’s death in 2011, the unwavering pursuit of justice by her brother, Sacramento Fire Captain (and Survivor contestant) Joe Hunter, and the sweeping impact of domestic violence on investigative practices and legislation. Host Anne-Marie Green and correspondent Natalie Morales explore the facts, competing theories, personal heartbreak, and legal reform inspired by Joanna’s story.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Hunter Family’s Fight for Justice

• Background: In October 2011, Joanna Hunter was found dead in her Vacaville, CA home, hanging in her closet. Her death was ruled a suicide, but her family believes her husband, Pastor Mark Lewis, was responsible after years of domestic abuse ([01:14] - [02:19]).
• Joe’s Grief and Survivor Journey: Joe Hunter, especially close to Joanna, was left with deep grief and unresolved questions. Inspired by his sister and encouraged by his counselor, Joe joined Survivor, using his platform to raise awareness about domestic violence ([03:33] Joe Hunter quote at [04:10]).

2. The Aftermath—Evidence, Regrets, and Investigative Gaps

• Last Conversation: Joe’s regret is palpable, as he and Joanna argued during their final conversation, believing she was close to leaving her husband. “He felt like he couldn't protect her from what she was going through. You hear that in the episode…” (Natalie Morales, [05:25]).
• Investigation Critiques: Despite restraining orders and a documented abuse history, the crime scene was not handled thoroughly—no fingerprints/DNA were taken, and only an external autopsy was performed ([09:09]-[10:16]).
  • “There were no homicide investigators responding to the scene. The bedroom was not treated at all like a crime scene.” (Natalie Morales, [09:09])

3. Patterns of Abuse and New Crimes

• Mark Lewis’s Continued Violence: After Joanna’s death, Mark Lewis began dating another woman, Sarah Nottingham. The relationship escalated into stalking, arson, and ultimately led to Lewis’s conviction for orchestrating a firebombing of her parents' house ([10:56]-[12:45]).
• Sentence: Mark Lewis served five years of an eight-year sentence and now lives in Arizona ([14:24]).

4. Seeking Mark Lewis’s Side

• Attempted Contact: 48 Hours contacted Mark Lewis to respond to allegations. He refused to comment, even when approached at his home ([14:24]-[16:37]).
  • “We tried multiple ways to reach him... We wanted to give him that chance.” (Natalie Morales, [15:10])

5. Reopening the Case and New Forensic Insights

• Timeline Discrepancies: Friend Andrew Alvarado, who provided Mark Lewis’s alibi on the night of Joanna’s death, changed his story when re-interviewed, weakening Lewis’s alibi ([16:37]-[17:50]).
• DNA Findings: New testing found unknown male DNA (not Mark Lewis) on the bathrobe sash used in Joanna's hanging ([18:21]).
• Dueling Pathology Opinions:
  • Dr. Bill Smock, a forensic expert, concluded from scene photos that Joanna was strangled with a nautical rope while alive, and the bathrobe sash was applied post-mortem—a classic "hidden homicide" staged as suicide ([19:15]).
  • Law enforcement and other pathologists dispute this, maintaining a finding of suicide ([21:09]).

6. The Concept of Hidden Homicide & Advocacy

• Advocacy Groups: Casey Gwynn and Gail Strack (Alliance for Hope International) explain “hidden homicides”—where death scenes are manipulated to disguise murder as suicide. They cite the staggering statistic: “If a woman has been strangled more than once before, there is almost a 750 times greater likelihood that she is going to be killed by her partner.” (Natalie Morales, [21:44])
• Victim Risk Factors: The most dangerous time for victims is when they try to leave ([23:10]).
  • “When you analyze a suspicious death or any death, you have to look at victimology. … The most dangerous time for victims of domestic violence is when they leave.” (Gail Strack, [23:10])

7. Joanna’s Law—Turning Tragedy into Reform

• Joanna’s Law: Due largely to the advocacy of Joanna’s family, especially her mother Patricia, California enacted Joanna’s Law (effective Jan 1, 2025), mandating authorities checking for domestic violence history in all suicides, overdoses, or accidents. The law also expands next of kin notifications ([25:30]).
  • “Patricia went to every legislative hearing, she always had on the bench a large 8 by 10 picture of Joanna.” (Natalie Morales, [25:30])
• Hope for National Change: Advocates are working for a national rollout of Joanna’s Law ([26:37]).

8. Current Status & What’s Next

• Department Review: California DOJ is reviewing the DA's decision not to charge Mark Lewis—but is not opening a new investigation ([26:47]).
• Joe’s Future: Joe Hunter returns for Survivor Season 50 and continues advocacy ([27:10]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joe Hunter on Survivor as Grief Work ([04:10]):
  “My counselor said to do something really spectacular would be to help you manage the situation with Joanna. … She did tell me we should do this. … so on a whim I said, I'm gonna give this a shot for her. … it was awesome feeling.”
• Natalie Morales on Regret and Protection ([05:25]):
  “He struggles so much to this day, is that in the end, he felt like he couldn't protect her from what she was going through.”
• On Investigation Shortfalls ([09:09]):
  "There were no homicide investigators responding to the scene. The bedroom was not treated at all like a crime scene."
• Dr. Bill Smock on Staging ([19:15]):
  “There are two different … ligature marks on her neck. One is a red welt … (when) her heart was still pumping. … The bathrobe sash … was applied after she was already dead, meaning her heart had stopped.”
• Advocate Statistic ([21:44]):
  “If a woman has been strangled more than once before, there is almost a 750 times greater likelihood that she is going to be killed by her partner.” (Casey Gwynn and Gail Strack)
• Gail Strack on Leaving as High-Risk ([23:10]):
  “The most dangerous time for victims of domestic violence is when they leave. And that's when those stranglers become stalkers. … If they can't have her, no one will.”
• Natalie Morales on Inspiration ([27:20]):
  “Joe is … really one of the most inspirational families I think I have ever met. … The message overall is that you can leave. You will survive. You just need to take that first big step and to find your support.”

Important Timestamps

• [01:14] - Case introduction: Joanna’s death and family suspicions
• [04:10] - Joe Hunter describes Survivor motivation
• [09:09] - Natalie Morales critiques the investigation
• [10:56] - Mark Lewis’s arson and stalking conviction
• [16:37] - Timeline issues and reopening of investigation
• [18:21] - DNA evidence discovery
• [19:15] - Dr. Smock’s hidden homicide theory
• [21:44] - The “750x risk” statistic; hidden homicide advocacy
• [25:30] - Origins and impact of Joanna’s Law
• [26:47] - DOJ review and the push for justice

Conclusion

“Joe Hunter’s Mission” artfully traces one family’s quest for answers and justice, the enduring pain of unhealed loss, and how persistence can drive legislative change. The episode weaves together personal struggle, forensic controversy, and the transformative power of advocacy, making it a standout in both emotional impact and societal import. Listeners are left with a call for vigilance, reform, and hope.