48 Hours: Post Mortem | The Gaslighting of Hannah Pettey
Host: Natalie Morales (stepping in)
Guest: Anne-Marie Green (correspondent and reporter on the case)
Date: January 13, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode of Post Mortem revisits the harrowing case of Hannah Pettey, a young Alabama mother who miraculously survived a prolonged and nearly fatal poisoning by lead. Natalie Morales and Anne-Marie Green reflect on the reporting process, the critical evidence, and the human impact of this stranger-than-fiction story. They explore the psychological complexity of gaslighting in intimate relationships, the difficulties of untangling truth and manipulation, and how lasting justice was finally served.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Introduction to the Case
- The case centers on Hannah Pettey, 22 years old at the time, who survived an attempted murder by lead poisoning after being admitted to the hospital with only hours left to live ([01:32]).
- Focus turns to two possible suspects: Hannah’s mother, Nicole, and her husband, Brian.
"Investigators believe she had been poisoned and they quickly zeroed in on two possible suspects, and that would be Hannah's mother, Nicole, and Hannah's husband, Brian." — Natalie Morales ([01:32])
2. The Rarity of a Survivor’s Perspective
- Both correspondents stress how rare it is in poisoning cases to have direct interviews with the survivor, offering firsthand insight into her evolving mindset and memory ([02:30], [03:16]).
"For Hannah, she had just been sort of spit out of this incredible rollercoaster ride..." — Anne-Marie Green ([03:16])
- Hannah described memory lapses from being in a coma, and ongoing emotional conflict over her husband’s involvement.
"You could tell that there was still a part of her that was still wondering... was there love? Was this by mistake? Could he have actually done this?" — Anne-Marie Green ([03:57])
3. The Medical Miracle
- Morales and Green describe the extreme medical intervention that saved Hannah’s life. She was filled with so much lead that it blocked her digestive system, forcing doctors to conduct round-the-clock bowel irrigation, a first for the hospital ([04:38]).
"They did something they had never done before. They irrigated her bowels... They didn't even know if it would work." — Anne-Marie Green ([04:38])
- Hannah will face lifelong health concerns, overshadowed by the trauma and lingering fear that any future illness could be related to the poisoning ([05:46]).
4. Red Flags in Hannah and Brian’s Relationship
- Discussion of the troubling age difference and Brian’s early controlling behavior ([06:05]).
- Detailed, never-before-aired account by Hannah of a suspicious car accident during their marriage, possibly orchestrated by Brian ([07:33]).
"I woke up... because my chest started burning… It smelled like chemicals... I turned to Brian, and he has his shirt covered over his nose." — Hannah Pettey ([07:33])
- Hannah reveals Brian asked her to claim she was driving in the police report, and she complied due to trauma and manipulation ([09:18]).
5. The Life Insurance Motive
- Revelations about Brian’s financial motivations: he took out a life insurance policy on Hannah while they were only dating, and attempted to increase the policy while she was hospitalized ([09:57], [10:21]).
"He is trying to take out more life insurance policies. They weren't all approved, but it would have been like $5 million if he had been successful." — Anne-Marie Green ([10:21])
6. Accusations Against Hannah’s Mother
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Brian and his defense attorney, Chad Morgan, attempted to shift suspicion onto Hannah’s mother, Nicole, including suggesting earlier childhood poisoning without any evidence ([11:27]).
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Investigators determined only Brian had daily access to Hannah, which was necessary for the level of poisoning that occurred ([13:14]).
"Only Brian had access to Hannah on a daily basis. And Nicole just didn't have that." — Anne-Marie Green ([13:43])
7. The Search for Physical Evidence
- Investigators theorized the lead was administered via daily supplements that Brian made Hannah take, but no capsules (filled or empty) were ever found ([16:58], [17:31]).
"They never found any capsules, any empty capsules, anything at the house... when investigators got there, they didn't find anything." — Anne-Marie Green ([17:31])
- The key break came from contractor Danny Hill, who reported installing lead-lined walls in Brian’s chiropractic office. Investigators retrieved matching lead from the wall — vital circumstantial evidence ([18:58]).
"This was one of two key pieces that, you know, at least they know that he had access to lead." — Anne-Marie Green ([18:58])
8. The Unusual Bail Arrangement and Pre-Trial Interview
- Brian was released on a $500,000 bond but served weekends in jail, which the judge possibly allowed so Brian could work and support his children ([19:23], [19:34]).
"I had never heard of weekend jail before. That exists." — Natalie Morales ([19:23])
- Anne-Marie reflects on her challenging interview with Brian, who was evasive but adamantly denied the poisoning charges ([20:21]).
9. Trial and Verdict
- At trial in June 2025, Brian’s defense rested solely on the insufficiency of physical evidence, calling no witnesses ([21:27]).
"You were shocked. I was shocked... I really thought he was gonna come out like gangbusters, and he just didn't." — Anne-Marie Green ([21:27])
- The jury returned a guilty verdict in less than a day, reportedly influenced by Brian’s cold courtroom demeanor ([22:36]).
"He was smirking, he was making faces. They did not like him, did not like his behavior..." — Anne-Marie Green ([22:36])
10. Hannah’s Recovery and Future
- Now a teacher and stronger than ever, Hannah continues to heal, though her divorce from Brian has been delayed by the long criminal trial and is set for December 2026 ([23:23]).
- Her children remain in a loving, supportive environment, further strengthened by both her family and Brian’s family ([23:23]).
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments by Timestamp
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On the case’s complexity:
"With each interview, you sort of learn a little bit more. Particularly Hannah, you see her evolve and change over the years." — Anne-Marie Green ([02:30]) -
On gaslighting and emotional trauma:
"She was still wrestling with it... was everything that I thought, the life that I had built, was that all a mirage?" — Anne-Marie Green ([03:57]) -
On surviving the lead poisoning:
"The fact that she has survived is stunning. She is probably still going to be living with the side effects of this for her entire life." — Anne-Marie Green ([04:38]) -
On financial motives:
"...he is trying to take out more life insurance policies...it would have been like $5 million if he had been successful." — Anne-Marie Green ([10:21]) -
On defense shifting suspicion:
"No evidence... Nicole said, I was barely over there. I mean, he never liked me. So I... certainly wasn’t over there every day feeding her milkshakes." — Anne-Marie Green ([11:51]) -
On closure and forgiveness:
"She began praying to God that she could forgive whoever did this to her. And she believed it was Brian..." — Anne-Marie Green ([15:34]) -
On the trial’s outcome:
"The jury was watching Brian the entire time... They did not like him, did not like his behavior, and felt that he acted like a guilty person, or at least like a person that didn't care." — Anne-Marie Green ([22:36]) -
On Hannah’s growth:
"She went back to college. She got her teaching degree. She is now a teacher. Like, she is someone who makes things happen." — Anne-Marie Green ([23:23])
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:32 — Introduction of main suspects and survivor’s perspective
- 03:16 — First impressions of Hannah post-ordeal
- 04:38 — Medical explanation of poisoning and the unprecedented intervention
- 06:05 — Red flags: controlling behavior and dangerous car accident
- 10:21 — Discovery of life insurance policies as potential motive
- 11:51 — Brian’s defense attempts to implicate Nicole; evidence refuted
- 13:14 — Investigator’s reasoning for suspect focus
- 16:58 — Search for physical evidence and supplement capsules
- 18:58 — Discovery of matching lead in Brian’s chiropractic office
- 19:34 — Discussion of Brian’s pre-trial bail conditions
- 20:21 — Interview with Brian: evasiveness and denial
- 21:27 — Trial details and lack of defense witnesses
- 22:36 — Jury’s rationale and quick verdict
- 23:23 — Hannah’s current life and future
Conclusion
This "Post Mortem" episode provides unique depth and humanity to the case of Hannah Pettey, weaving raw medical drama, complex emotional journeys, and relentless investigative work. It stands out for its vivid survivor portrait, reminders of the subtle dangers of intimate partner violence and gaslighting, and the imperfect but ultimately triumphant progress of the justice system.