I'm Going to Get You (Rebroadcast)

Summary

20/20 (ABC News) Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: I’m Going to Get You (Rebroadcast)
Air Date: August 15, 2026
Podcast: 20/20 True Crime

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Episode Overview

This riveting episode of 20/20 unravels the decades-long investigation into the rape and murder of 22-year-old college student Debbie Dorian in Fresno, California, in 1996. Through in-depth interviews with detectives, survivors, and family members, the episode explores the emotional devastation, tenacious police work, false accusations, forensic dead-ends, and, ultimately, the breakthrough that led to the identification and capture of serial predator Nikki Stain more than 20 years after the crime. The storytelling also centers on survivor "Beth," illuminating the psychological toll of violent crime and the system's struggle for justice.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Crime and Its Immediate Aftermath

• Debbie Dorian’s Background: Recent Fresno State graduate, planning to attend grad school in audiology. Beloved daughter, friend, and community member.
• Discovery of the Crime ([03:19]–[04:09]):
  • Debbie’s father, Peter Dorian, discovers her body in her apartment after she fails to show up for a planned visit.
  • Debbie is found on the bedroom floor, bound with duct tape and suffocated.
  • TV is on, the door was unlocked—out of character for safety-conscious Debbie.
  • Emotional reactions from her mother, Sarah Lovin: "It just feels like somebody took a great big spoon and carved out your heart." ([05:20])
• Evidence: DNA (semen, saliva) collected but yields no immediate suspect via national database (CODIS).

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The Investigation: Early Leads and Dead-Ends

• Focus on Roommate Search: Debbie had recently advertised for a roommate. Investigators turn attention to all prospective roommates, including Alvin and Maurice Dixon ([18:42]–[24:28]).
• False Accusation and the Role of DNA:
  • Maurice Dixon is arrested based on a preliminary (less precise) DNA test and circumstantial evidence. ([24:28])
  • Second, more advanced DNA test clears Dixon, and charges are dropped ([27:54]). Dixon’s life is left in turmoil: “He was potentially facing the death penalty for a crime he didn't commit.” ([28:38])
• Community Impact: The murder stuns Fresno, sweeping fear across the campus and city. "If it could happen to Debbie Dorian, it could have happened to any of us." ([12:05])

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The “Million Piece Puzzle”: Persistence and Breakthrough

• Detective Vince Zavala’s Commitment:
  • Stays attached to the case for decades, promising Debbie’s mother he won’t retire until it’s solved ([31:16]; [32:18]).
  • Empowers and coordinates ongoing cold case investigations, describing it as “a million piece puzzle.” ([32:18])
• Link to Serial Attacks in Visalia ([34:21]–[36:34]):
  • DNA matches connect Debbie’s murder to a series of sexual assaults in Visalia, showing the same perpetrator is active years later.
  • Victimology and modus operandi: white male, late 20s/early 30s, approached women alone, weapon (gun), threat, sexual assault.

Notable Survivor: Beth (“Jane Doe #1”)

• Beth’s Story ([42:01]–[43:41]):
  • Assaulted while biking home from work at age 19; threatened with a gun.
  • Memorable quote: "All I remember saying is, 'I'm gonna get you. You're not gonna get away with it.'" ([43:06])
• Investigation’s Frustration:
  • Forensic evidence builds, but for years no name matches the DNA.
  • Investigators gather over 147 DNA samples and perform exhaustive detective work. ([46:49])

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Forensic Technology and Genetic Genealogy

• Cold Case Turns Hot ([47:49]–[51:23]):
  • Inspired by the Golden State Killer breakthrough, investigators use genetic genealogy.
  • Build family trees using genealogy databases, leading to a match.
• The Suspect: Nikki Duane Stain ([51:23]):
  • Blends into society; PTA dad, community member.
  • Investigators collect a surreptitious DNA sample from his trash (used razor), achieving a match to crime scene DNA. ([53:10])
  • Emotional breakthrough for detectives and Debbie’s family: “We got the guy.” ([53:36])
  • Nikki Stain becomes the 147th DNA sample tested—“and he was the match.” ([54:21])

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Arrest, Confession, and Courtroom Drama

• Arrest and Interrogation ([54:46]–[56:13]):

  • Stain initially denies knowing Debbie, then inconsistently claims consensual sexual relationship (disputed by prosecutors, unsupported by evidence).
  • Detectives describe revealing admissions: “I know I've done a couple things ... that I shouldn't have done.” ([58:03])
  • Recorded jailphone calls: “I'm guilty. You know, I did some bad things. I'm not trying to kind of, like, hide them, you know. ... I'm guilty. I'm guilty.” ([73:04])

• Trial and Survivors’ Impact Statements ([78:21]–[80:39]):

  • Survivor Beth delivers a powerful statement about the lifelong trauma:
    • "I wish he did kill me. It would have been a lot better than having these thoughts in my head..." ([78:30])
  • Debbie's mother, Sarah Lovin, speaks for her daughter:
    • “He wrapped my head in duct tape, covering my mouth. I couldn’t breathe. Everything went dark.” ([80:49])
  • Ultimately, Nikki Stain pleads guilty to Debbie Dorian’s murder and the associated assaults, receiving life without parole and waiving the right to appeal ([77:32]; [79:38]).

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the randomness of violence:

  • “If it could happen to Debbie Dorian, it could have happened to any of us.” — Friend/Community Member ([12:05])

• On the toll of false accusation:

  • “He was potentially facing the death penalty for a crime he didn't commit.” — Reporter/Investigator ([28:38])

• The detective’s promise:

  • “I made a commitment to her I would never quit. And she asked me, well, what about when you retire? I says, well, I won't retire. I won't retire until I solve it.” — Detective Vince Zavala ([31:16])

• Beth’s unwavering resolve:

  • “All I remember saying is, I’m gonna get you. You’re not gonna get away with it.” — Survivor/Beth ([43:06])

• On feeling community loss:

  • “Debbie was not only the Dorian's child, but she was Fresno's child, too.” — Friend/Community Member ([12:05])

• Mother’s courtroom statement (Debbie’s voice):

  • “I just want people to know she had these little hands. They felt things, and they were sweet... We have waited and searched for this murderer for 28 years and 10 months, 29 Christmases, and almost 29 birthdays.” — Sarah Lovin ([80:49])

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• The Crime and Discovery: [01:04]–[05:42]
• Initial Investigation, DNA Evidence, and Dead-Ends: [06:03]–[28:15]
• Community Response and Fear: [10:02]–[12:25]
• False Arrest and Exoneration of Maurice Dixon: [24:28]–[28:15]
• Detective Zavala’s Commitment and Cold Case Efforts: [31:16], [32:18]
• DNA Link to Visalia Attacks: [34:21]–[37:59]
• Survivor Beth’s Story: [42:01]–[43:41], [78:30]
• Breakthrough via Genetic Genealogy: [47:49]–[53:02]
• Arrest and Interrogation of Nikki Stain: [54:46]–[56:13], [58:03]
• Admissions on Recorded Jail Calls: [73:04]–[74:10]
• Final Courtroom Statements and Sentencing: [78:21]–[80:49]

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Episode Structure

1. Crime Scene and Impact
   • An intimate look at Debbie’s life, murder, and initial investigation.
2. False Accusations and Dead Ends
   • Roommate search, mistaken identity, and Maurice Dixon’s harrowing ordeal.
3. Detective Perseverance and Technological Progress
   • A “million piece puzzle”; from cold case shelves to DNA linkage with Visalia attacks.
4. Victim and Survivor Narratives
   • Survivor Beth’s bravery, trauma, and her vow: “I’m gonna get you.”
5. Breakthroughs and DNA Genealogy
   • The Golden State Killer method inspires a new lead; Nikki Stain identified and matched.
6. Capture and Confession
   • Undercover DNA collection, arrest, and shifting stories in interrogation.
7. Legal Proceedings and Justice for Victims
   • Emotional testimonies, plea deal, and closure for the Dorian family and other survivors.
8. Reflections
   • Detective Zavala’s personal journey; a community’s decades-long quest for justice.

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Conclusion

This episode masterfully weaves devastating loss, the power of persistence, and the evolution of forensic science into a gripping true crime narrative. Through courageous survivor voices and the tireless work of detectives like Vince Zavala, listeners experience the hope, heartbreak, and, finally, justice brought to a case that haunted Fresno for nearly three decades.

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For more, listen to the full episode on 20/20 True Crime+.

Transcript

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[Survivor/Beth]

It was just like any other day. I was working, doing ice cream and it was on the same street I lived on. So it was a bike ride away. I was about three blocks away from my house and I saw a gentleman pull out in front of me. He grabbed my handlebars and had a gun. He told me to get off my bike and get on my knees. He told me if I didn't he would kill me. And he sexually assaulted me. It's the first thing that goes through your head is why? Why me? Why didn't he murder me? She had her whole life ahead of her and I was the one that survived. I had to relive it every day, 25 years. And he did the same thing even worse to her.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

In August of 1996, Debbie Dorian had recently graduated from California State University of Fresno.

[Detective Garcia]

There's Debo taking up the heavy stuff. All right, don't drop it. Don't drop it.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

She lived in the North Creek apartment complex, which is four or five miles just north of campus.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

We had just finished our briefing that we usually have in the morning. I was told that there was a female that was found in her apartment.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Peter Dorian, Debbie's father. And Debbie had made plans that Debbie was to drive to Peter, her father's house Thursday, August 22. She had planned to arrive around 7am

[Reporter/Investigator]

she didn't show up. So after a brief amount of time, he went to her apartment, knocked on

[Detective Vince Zavala]

the door, rang the doorbell and received no answer. He then turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. And it opened, which it shouldn't have because his daughter Debbie Was very security conscious, would never leave her door unlocked.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

He went into the apartment, didn't see her in the living room or dining area or kitchen, and then went towards the back part of the apartment.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

The TV was on. So he began to call for her and received no answer. He then began to look throughout the apartment, and he found the most horrific sight that any parent could encounter, and that was his daughter, Debbie Doran, lying in the middle of her bedroom floor on the carpet on her side.

[Neighbor/Witness]

She was naked from the waist down. Her shirt was pulled up.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Her ankles were duct taped. Her hands were duct taped behind her back, and she had duct tape completely covering from the top of her head down to her jaw.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

You couldn't see her face. Obviously, she wouldn't have been able to breathe at all.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Peter Dorian did what any parent would do. He thought if he tried to take off the duct tape, she would be able to breathe, which was impossible.

[Neighbor/Witness]

He immediately went to her phone in her apartment. He found that the phone was unplugged, tried to plug it in. Didn't seem to be working. He was very frantic.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Peter Dorian is in such a state of shock, he actually calls his wife, Debbie's stepmother first. She's the one who calls 911.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

Go ahead, ma'.

[Detective Garcia]

Am.

[Narrator/Reporter]

My husband just called and went to his daughter's apartment. She didn't show, and he found her

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

dead in her apartment. Okay, tell me what your daughter's name is. Her name is Deborah Dorian.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And then Peter makes another devastating phone call to his ex, Debbie's mom, Sarah Lovin.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

Well, he was just, you know, straight on with, deborah's been killed. I ran screaming through the house, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. And that's all I could say was, no, no, no. It just feels like somebody took a great big spoon and carved out your heart.

[Reporter/Investigator]

Debbie was working towards her degree in economics, but she was also thinking about going to graduate school.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

When I spoke to Peter, he said that they were going to go to some other colleges to look at ideology programs because Debbie was looking at following in her dad's footsteps as being an audiologist.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

That particular apartment complex was inhabited with numerous college students. It's an area where that type of crime does not occur.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Vince Zavala spent 18 years with Fresno police and had just joined the California Bureau of Investigation before getting the call about Debbie Dorian's murder. This is where Debbie lived. It must have been crawling with investigators.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Crawling with investigators, Crawling with people who were worried.

[Narrator/Reporter]

You had crowds gathering.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

There were crowds, yes.

[Narrator/Reporter]

According to police, Debbie's dad found her body in her bedroom early this morning.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

There was no forced entry that we could see. I didn't see major disturbance in the living room or kitchen area.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

August 1996. My title was a scene criminalist. And I remember going to the scene, it looked like she had just made a sandwich. So the sandwich was there with some Doritos. I also remember going into the kitchen. There was a bag of Fruit Loop cereal that had been open. Like had been. It was ripped open.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

A couple of things are possibilities. One, she knew this individual and let him in. Two, he displayed some kind of a weapon immediately, and she complied with his commands to allow him into her residence.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

Obviously, one of the things that does come to mind is whether or not it's a serial type of thing. Mostly because of the sophistication of how she was taped.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

The coroner determined Debbie's cause of death was due to suffocation because the duct tape had covered her entire head.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

In situations like this, the pathologist that did the examination, he knew right off the bat that he was going to do a sexual assault kit just because of the way she was found.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

There was semen found on the victim, and then there was saliva sample that was found. And they came from the same source. They were the same individual.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

This profile was as soon as possible uploaded into the national DNA database. There was no hit. In 1996, I was a lieutenant in the Fresno Police Department, assigned as the public information officer. It was frustrating that we had DNA evidence, but we had no one to tie it to. I knew it was a tough one, and so I immediately volunteered anything I could do to help them with that case before I took it over.

[Narrator/Reporter]

What made you think, oh, this is tough?

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Because they were hitting brick walls left and right. It was a whodunit, and those are the most difficult homicides to solve.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But an eyewitness is about to offer a major clue.

[Neighbor/Witness]

He had seen an individual approach Debbie store.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

A short conversation to the effect, oh,

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

hi, how are you?

[Detective Garcia]

There is some very evil, demented predator out there.

[Narrator/Reporter]

You're thinking we have a murderer on the loose.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

We didn't know if, when and where he was going to strike again.

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[Narrator/Reporter]

Classified 8.7 KRZR Hanford, Fresno. It's the tragic story of a young woman's life that ended too early.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Debbie's murder was immediately covered by every television station, every radio station in this area. Front page news.

[Reporter/Investigator]

The Debbie Dorian case definitely stayed with me. The horrific way that she was killed and then the terrible impact on her family, and especially her father.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Debbie's dad found her body in her bedroom early this morning.

[Reporter/Investigator]

Just the thought of him finding her like that, it's just really unimaginable.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And bad news, as they say, spreads like wildfire. Just as the whole town is hit by the news of Debbie Dorian's murder, her childhood friends Katina and Heather are learning about it, too.

[Friend/Community Member]

I heard it on the news. It showed her apartment, and they gave her name.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Family members and neighbors say Debbie Dorian, a Fresno State student, worked hard and had plans to specialize in audiology.

[Friend/Community Member]

And I couldn't believe it. So I immediately called Katina, and she

[Narrator/Reporter]

goes, something's happened to Debbie. And I said, debbie who? Because it wasn't registering with me. And she goes, debbie, you're Debbie. And she said, debbie's been murdered. And I slammed the phone down, and I lost control. The fear triggered by Debbie Dorian's murder was felt throughout the entire city of Fresno. But the hardest hit right here in and around the campus of Fresno State, where her fellow students were left not just grieving her loss, but grappling with their own fears for their safety. There was a bubble around Fresno State, you know, and a hush, and people were whispering, and there was a lot of fear.

[Friend/Community Member]

That's about that time blue light started going up. I mean, just the awareness started going up about not walking to your car by yourself. You know, just all the things that we tell people today just started being said right about that time.

[Narrator/Reporter]

It struck fear into Fresno.

[Friend/Community Member]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, definitely. Our parents were worried and everything.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

Yeah.

[Friend/Community Member]

Fresno's a sleepy little farm town.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Fresno's located in the heart of California. We like to say that we have. We're a big city, but we have a small town feel.

[Friend/Community Member]

Not only is the temperature nice and warm in the summers, but people are wonderful here. And we have a sort of a farming, you know, mentality. And if you're not in ag, you know, somebody that's in ag.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

We produce more agriculture in Fresno county than anyone else in the world, but we also pride ourselves on just that community feel.

[Friend/Community Member]

We really have such a sense of family that we feel, you know, Debbie was not only the Dorian's child, but she was Fresno's child, too. It was frightening to think that this could happen to Debbie, because if it could happen to Debbie Dorian, it could have happened to any of us.

[Narrator/Reporter]

All right, you're on camera, guys.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

She's the daughter that so many people have that you were afraid to let go to college because you didn't want anything. Bad to happen to her.

[Friend/Community Member]

She had a really bubbly personal. Always ready for a joke and a laugh.

[Detective Garcia]

Brawl time. Deb Paroler.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Yeah, she was a big people person. We hung out at each other's houses a lot.

[Survivor/Beth]

A lot.

[Narrator/Reporter]

A lot of girl talk. Go to the movies.

[Friend/Community Member]

We would cruise, we'd drive.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Waste gas. What was on the radio? I think it was cnc. Music Factory, maybe. Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam, Motley Crow Crew.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

Guns N Roses.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Guns N roses 103.7.

[Detective Garcia]

Krzr.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Dave Rogers here.

[Narrator/Commercial Voice]

Time for your concert Update, brought to you by Budweiser.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

She went to Fresno State and she studied economics. She was president of the Econ Club.

[Narrator/Reporter]

She sounds like the golden girl.

[Neighbor/Witness]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Reporter]

There literally is not a day that goes by that I don't think about her.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

We tried to determine basically what her lifestyle was like, whether or not she hung around with people who might cause or had some kind of dealings that would cause this to happen.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

We formed a timeline of Debbie's actions prior to her murder. Debbie was killed between roughly 12 and 4 o' clock in the afternoon on August 20, 1996.

[Neighbor/Witness]

One of Debbie's neighbors did report that he had seen an individual approach Debbie's door. And he noticed the individual because he didn't recognize him. He wasn't somebody that was normally in the area.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

There appeared to be a short conversation, something to the effect, oh, hi, how are you? And that's all he saw.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

But nobody knew who it was. They only had a description of it being a white male, a certain age

[Narrator/Reporter]

and height, with no obvious signs of forced entry. Detectives quickly turn their attention to any white males that Debbie knows, including her boyfriend, John Thomas.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

I knew he would be a suspect. I mean, it's obvious the first people they look at are people that they care about and that they're close to.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

There's always that side of you that says, well, if he wasn't involved, he's going through some traumatic experiences right now. But as your job is, you have to interview him.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

My name is John Thomas as of August 1996. We've been dating approximately two and a half years. Debbie was very outgoing, very extroverted, fun to be around. I was doing contract work for the U.S. forest Service Northeast of Fresno. I left town approximately a week before she was murdered.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Since a sexual assault was involved in this murder, we had to ask John Thomas some tough sexually related questions.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

You actually get angry because. And I know why they're asking the questions, but it's almost like a character assassination. It's hard to hear Things said about this person that you love that's been murdered.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

We were able to determine that John Thomas, the time of Debbie's murder, was assigned to fighting a fire in Northern California. I asked for a DNA sample from John Thomas, and he voluntarily provided one. He was eliminated as being a donor of the DNA.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

The last time I saw her was 10 days before she was killed. Was John's graduation. She'd had her hair done and a new outfit, and she was beautiful.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

That would be the last videotape of her. And they'd be some of the last pictures taken of her. It's hard to look at him today still.

[Narrator/Reporter]

So John Thomas is fully cooperating and able to offer investigators critical information about Debbie in the weeks leading up to her murder. Turns out Debbie had been looking for

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

a roommate that sent up a really big red flag. She put ads in and flyers up, which was pretty typical. Like a couple people had fallen through. So I don't think, you know, that could be stressful.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

I think she was getting desperate. She needed to get some finances so that she could pay her bills. She needed somebody soon.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Could it be that someone who had come to visit her apartment did this? That became something that concerned us.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

She had some papers on her dining room table with names on it.

[Narrator/Reporter]

A list of prospective roommates becomes a list of people of interest.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

She opened the door for somebody.

[Narrator/Reporter]

So who was on the other side of that door?

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[Narrator/Reporter]

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[Detective Garcia]

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[Narrator/Reporter]

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[Detective Garcia]

A police spokesman says the department has

[Detective Vince Zavala]

two detectives working full time on the Debbie Dorian murder case.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

They had a tremendous amount of pressure because the police had very little to go on. It's not usually a one time thing. Somebody doesn't commit a one time horrendous crime, they commit it again.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And one lead jumps right to the top of the pile. Her search for a roommate.

[Neighbor/Witness]

She had put ads in the paper, she had posted flyers at fresno state, and she had a list of people's names on her table.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Anytime you have a list of people that you believe have had recent contact with the victim, those people are going to be persons of interest.

[Neighbor/Witness]

A few of the names I remember specifically. One was alvin, one was Laura, and one was Nick or Rick.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

There was a person named Alvin who had actually made contact with her in person.

[Neighbor/Witness]

Alvin called the police department after he heard the news and said, hey, you know, I was supposed to rent a room from the girl that was murdered. I was at the apartment. He had provided a deposit and signed an agreement with Debbie to take the room, but he hadn't received a key yet.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Alvin doesn't fit the neighbor's description of the white man he saw outside Debbie's apartment. Alvin is black, in his early 20s and over 6ft tall.

[Detective Garcia]

Detective Garcia's the interview with Alvin, what did you do when you went there? I knocked on the door. She invited me in. What time was it that you got there?

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

We thought it was a little unusual that she would have a male roommate.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

It was strange because she didn't rent to men, But I know how desperate she was to get a roommate.

[Detective Garcia]

Did you think about living with someone who's got a boyfriend? Actually, I thought it was kind of really weird. I felt like, you know, it was a problem. That's her problem, not mine.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

A background was conducted and it was determined that he was a sex registrant in the state of california.

[Neighbor/Witness]

That definitely sent some alarm bells going off in investigators heads because of the circumstances around Debbie's death.

[Narrator/Reporter]

That must have made you think, oh boy.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Absolutely.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And then he tells you something odd about going back to the apartment.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

He went back because he was concerned since debbie didn't answer the door, that maybe she was taking his money.

[Detective Garcia]

He told me something about the door knob. Remember what that was on Wednesday night? I knocked. The door lines were open, the TV was on, what I could see on the wall. When I knocked the door to my answer, I tried to do it. Most of the time it goes unlocked.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Of course, this raises big questions. He admits turning the door handle and finding it unlocked, but he says he doesn't enter. That statement must have struck you as odd.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Absolutely.

[Narrator/Reporter]

So you're questioning Alvin about his alibi and he gives you another name?

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Yes.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And that is Maurice.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

Alvin and Maurice Dixon worked at the same place, a business called Grocery Outlet. They were friends at that time.

[Reporter/Investigator]

Dixon at that time was 28 years old. He was an army veteran. He didn't have any criminal record.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

He transported Alvin to Debbie Dorian's apartment on several occasions. And on some of those occasions he accompanied Alvin to the front door of Debbie Dorian's apartment. However, he never entered, never met Debbie Dorian, never been inside her apartment, and as I recall, never really had a conversation with her.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

So you've never seen this girl, don't know what she looks like. Never talked to her?

[Detective Garcia]

No, not from. From all this started happening at first, you know, I never seen her, just heard her voice on the phone. And then recently, like when we were talking of I've seen a picture on the news.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

During the interview, he stuck to the story that he'd never met Debbie. We started getting into some of his sexual background.

[Detective Garcia]

I'd like to go over to her house and check your things. Is that okay? I think I have a receipt for it in my checkbook. I bought two things of duct tape to tie up the ends of the rope.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

He said that the only duct tape tape he ever had was for a punching bag that he had at his home. That was a little suspicious to us that he would volunteer that kind of information. He wasn't told we were looking specifically at duct tape, that we were only looking at bondage type of things.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Dixon says he had been asked specifically about duct tape in an interview with another detective, which is why he brought it up.

[Detective Garcia]

What made you mention that? Somebody mentioned duct tape or something like that. Do you have any duct tape or do you know anything about duct tape or something? When was that? That was when I first came to question.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But investigators eyebrows are officially raised.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

We were able to get consent to search his home. Found the punching bag that he had used. It had duct tape around.

[Neighbor/Witness]

Didn't match up with the duct tape that was used on Debbie's body or that was located on Debbie's body. The DNA from Debbie's body was compared to Alvin and he was excluded as being the contributor to that DNA.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

Alvin was eliminated. Maury Stixon sample was also submitted to see if we could exclude and he could not be excluded.

[Reporter/Investigator]

It didn't add up because he said he'd never been in her apartment. So the fact that he said that and that the DNA at least had a preliminary match, I think everyone thought he wasn't telling the truth.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Our investigation is that you were the

[Detective Garcia]

one that did this? No, I am not the one who did this. I have nothing to do with this at all. How many times I have to keep telling you? I did not go inside this apartment. I do not know this person. I never met her.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

As a result of that test, Maurice Dixon was arrested and charged with the murder of Debbie Dorian.

[Narrator/Reporter]

When Dixon arrived home from work, undercover officers swooped in and he was arrested with his hands up, right in the

[Reporter/Investigator]

middle of the street. He pleaded not guilty. His bail was set at over a million dollars. I think the feeling was that the case had been solved. Most people thought it was over.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

I think it's great. I mean, hopefully it's the right person.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But this case is far from over. As investigators keep digging, they're about to get a big surprise.

[Reporter/Investigator]

It was a surprise to the police, to the media, to everyone you could think of.

[Detective Garcia]

Maurice, you have to understand something, okay? You're under arrest for murder. An arrest was made in the death of Deborah Dorian.

[Reporter/Investigator]

Police out of nowhere, you know, they made this arrest of a man named Maurice Dixon, who had gone to the apartment with his friend who was responding to Debbie and her advertising for a roommate. Residents were shocked that he is charged with Dorian's murder.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

Yeah, very surprised. Yeah. This is quiet neighborhood.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

You don't expect something like that.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

And like I said, especially coming from him.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Now, Dixon's arrest comes just one year after the O.J. simpson verdict. The so called trial of the century.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

It was a vote of not guilty for O.J. simpson and a vote of no confidence in the LAPD. LAPD?

[Detective Garcia]

Guilty.

[Narrator/Reporter]

At the time, the general public, especially in California, was more aware of DNA, but there was also more scrutiny of police investigations. Well, actually, I don't want to go

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

into race, but just knowing the background

[Narrator/Reporter]

of a black man in society being arrested and the scared feeling that our

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

family had with Maurice actually being in

[Narrator/Reporter]

the system, I mean, really brought a lot of anguish to our family. There was a lot of racialized tensions in the air at that time. O.J. simpson's verdict had just come in that came on the heels of Rodney King, Are we alive? But to the people of South Central LA, that 30 hour rampage was more revolt than riot. There was a lot of pointing fingers. But the police had reason to be looking at Maurice.

[Friend/Community Member]

Oh, I definitely think there was reason to look at him. He had been there in a very close proximity to the time that she was last heard from. And so, you know, he was definitely somebody that was on the list.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Maurice Dixon walked into court shackled at

[Detective Garcia]

the hands and feet.

[Reporter/Investigator]

After Maurice Dixon was arraigned, police continued to investigate. So one of the things they did was conduct a more sophisticated DNA test.

[Narrator/Reporter]

You have to remember, at that time, DNA technology was changing rapidly. Investigators initially relied on one test that compared six markers, but we're about to start using a more precise test, looking at 13 markers similar to what labs use today.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

It was a matter of weeks between the first test and the second DNA test, the more discriminating one that second,

[Narrator/Reporter]

more powerful test reveals. The DNA from the Debbie Dorian crime scene does not match Maurice Dixon. He is cleared and all charges are dropped.

[Detective Garcia]

Maurice Dixon had been in custody for

[Narrator/Reporter]

a little more than two weeks. Tonight, he is free, and the investigation into the Debbie Dorian murder case returns to square one.

[Reporter/Investigator]

The fact that that DNA did not match, I think it was a surprise to the police, to Debbie's family, to the community, to everyone you could think of, except for Maurice Dixon, because he knew he didn't do it.

[Survivor/Beth]

Right now, we don't want to comment anything at this time.

[Narrator/Reporter]

We're just happy that he's.

[Survivor/Beth]

He's being released.

[Reporter/Investigator]

So after Maurice Dixon was released from jail, I interviewed him. He told us that, you know, he was living with the shadow over his life, that there was this air of suspicion around him. He was potentially facing the death penalty for a crime he didn't commit.

[Detective Garcia]

People, you know, stare at me and, like, you know, accusing me, but not knowing, you know, the full details of what happened.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

I totally understand his feelings. I understand the family's feelings, but it was all part of my investigation.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

We know that there is someone out there that have committed this crime, and basically, the city is afraid again. We know it's hard on her family also, because they have to go through it again, waiting to see who they may arrest next. I just. Okay, we're back to square one. We need to rethink this. I worked with children, and I didn't want to be emotionally upset when I'm working with children. So for my lunch breaks, I go and cry for 20 minutes, and then I'd come back, and we're okay for a while, you know, I just had to keep going. Yeah, our future's been taken away. We will not see a wedding. We will not see grandchildren. She will not get to have a life. The one thing we can do and the one thing we strive to do is to get the person who did this.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Every time something like this happens, it's like pulling the scab off a wound.

[Reporter/Investigator]

And Peter Dorian, her father, was very committed to Keeping the case in the mind of the community, in the mind of media.

[Narrator/Reporter]

I would hope that a person would have the morality to come forward if they know something just because they want

[Detective Garcia]

to help or they feel maybe a

[Narrator/Reporter]

little guilt about something.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

We put flyers everywhere. We put them all around Fresno State. We put them in all the businesses. The governor's reward was 50,000. Then our family reward was 10,000. So it's quite a big reward.

[Narrator/Reporter]

I can't live with myself unless we've

[Reporter/Investigator]

done everything we can do to help solve the crime.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

He was very active at first. I think it became so overwhelming that it just hurt too much to keep going. And so he decided he would retreat.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

I remember receiving a telephone call from Peter and he told me, he says, vince, he says, I can't do it anymore. She'll forever be in my heart. But I cannot hold out hope any longer.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But Debbie's mom, Sarah, pushes forward, holding investigator Vince Zavala to a promise.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

I made a commitment to her I would never quit. And she asked me, well, what about when you retire? I says, well, I won't retire. I won't retire until I solve it. I've been a law enforcement officer for a little over 40 years and I farmed all those 40 years. In addition to working with, with a cold case, you pour your heart and your soul into it. And all the time you have, and hopefully you solve the case. It entails a lot of patience. Just like farming. No matter what you're doing, you have to continue to farm or all the time will be for nothing. So if I had to come out at night and work on the case during the day, I'd come out at night.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

Vince Zavala is the man you want on your side. And when he gets ahold of something, he doesn't let it go.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Sarah often said that solving Debbie's murder was like a million piece puzzle. If you keep putting one piece together, two pieces together, three pieces, you're eventually going to get a picture of who murdered her daughter.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And some of those pieces are about to fall into place. Fresno police are looking for a Caucasian

[Reporter/Investigator]

male in his late 20s, early 30s.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Thanks to a string of terrifying attacks just an hour from Fresno, we feel he's a predator.

[Detective Garcia]

He could strike at any time.

[Friend/Community Member]

This was a person who was repeating.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And then the break investigators have been waiting for.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

This guy is still around. We've got a shot at getting this guy down.

[Neighbor/Witness]

So this case became personal to Vincavala. He was determined to find Debbie's killer.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Some of the investigators on this case, continue doggedly to work on it.

[Friend/Community Member]

That's Fresno, you know, the Fresno PD never gave up. You know, how frustrating it must be for them to just wake up every, every day and not know who did it, why did they do it, how did they do it?

[Narrator/Reporter]

Were there moments where you lost hope of solving the crime?

[Detective Vince Zavala]

I never lost hope, always had faith. But there were many, many times I was frustrated. It stayed with the department, stayed with me, even to this day. There was this desire to solve the

[Detective Garcia]

case,

[Detective Vince Zavala]

but we needed evidence. Our investigation of the murder of Debbie Dorian focused basically on the Fresno area. Then I received a telephone call from our Fresno regional laboratory and was told that there was a DNA case to case hit.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Remember, the DNA from Debbie's case is already in that national DNA database, codis. And now, finally, after six years, another case is a match.

[Neighbor/Witness]

There was a lead where the DNA in Debbie's case matched suspect DNA in a sexual assault in Visalia. Visalia is about an hour away from Fresno to the south.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

So in July 1999, there's a sexual assault occurred on the south side of Visalia. Over the period of the next three years, several other similar crimes occurred in Visalia. I believe these crimes were committed by the same suspect.

[Prosecutor]

In each of those cases, the suspect was described as a white male adult in his 30s, generally from five six to maybe close to about six foot, medium sized build.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

So his MO would be that he find a young woman, late teens, early 20s. He'd find her alone. He produced a gun and told them that he'd shoot him if they didn't do what he said.

[Prosecutor]

He was described as either wearing a bandana or his face or he was wearing a hoodie with the hood pulled up over his face. The victims described him as wearing black pants and black shoes, which eventually lead us to think that maybe he was involved in the restaurant business.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Police aren't able to collect physical evidence from every assault, but in one case, they get lucky collecting DNA from the suspect that will become the critical puzzle piece linking these assaults to Debbie Dorian's murder.

[Neighbor/Witness]

Jane Doe number one was riding her bike home from work. A man approached her with a guy gun,

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

tells her to get on her knees, fondles her under her clothing.

[Neighbor/Witness]

She was able to show investigators where the sexual assault took place, so they were able to collect DNA from that area.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And now they know that whoever left that DNA is also the person who murdered Debbie Dorian. They just don't know who it is.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

It brought it to a whole new level because now we got a Guy that is running around in the Visalia area that has killed before. It gets everybody's attention.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Once I heard of the case to case hit, I was so excited I jumped in my car and immediately went to Visalium. This guy is still around. We've got a shot at getting this guy.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Now working together, the team informed Fresno and Visalia conduct background checks, interviews, they collect and test well over 100 DNA samples, but they just can't seem to hit their mark. They were chasing what seemed like a ghost and the clock was ticking.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Once we had exhausted our leads in Visalia, we were desperate. You never know when he's going to get the urge to hit again.

[Detective Garcia]

You never know if he's going to escalate or whether he's going to go back to something else. He could strike at any, at any time.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

There were times I couldn't sleep at night because what can we do? So as the years go by, I said, you know what? We have to preserve the cases that we have.

[Prosecutor]

You know, statute of limitations on sex ride was 10 years in California and we were approaching the 10 year mark.

[Narrator/Reporter]

So the clock is running out. The prosecutors decide, well, we have the

[Friend/Community Member]

DNA, we have a commonality, we can identify this DNA profile.

[Narrator/Reporter]

We just don't have a name.

[Friend/Community Member]

We just don't have a name.

[Prosecutor]

Lieutenant Puder wrote a John Doe warrant for the DNA profile. And that was very instrumental because what it did was preserve the statute of limitations.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The warrant officially stops the clock on the statute of limitations. It's the first of its kind in the county, say authorities buying the team more time. Time to find their John Doe.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

We knew that if we could find this person, that we really had him, which, you know, is a big part of the puzzle.

[Narrator/Reporter]

A puzzle that's about to get some help from an unlikely source. A serial killer.

[Reporter/Investigator]

I'm sure the detectives back then couldn't imagine this. It's crazy.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

I really felt this was going to crack the case.

[Narrator/Reporter]

A killer with decades old secrets is in their sights.

[Detective Garcia]

Peter.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Sorry, but we gotta check all the boxes off.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And the victim, the survivor who promised to take her attacker down.

[Survivor/Beth]

All I remember saying is, I'm gonna get you. You're not gonna get away with it.

[Narrator/Reporter]

What went through your head when you realized the man who assaulted you is also charged with murdering somebody?

[Survivor/Beth]

Why didn't he murder me?

[Narrator/Reporter]

Debbie's dad found her body in her bedroom early this morning.

[Friend/Community Member]

It could happen to Debbie Dorian. It could have happened to any of us.

[Narrator/Reporter]

This case is often referred to as a million piece puzzle. This Is just a sample, right?

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

This is a fraction of what was collected.

[Detective Garcia]

Trace evidence, fibers, fingerprints. We have to find this monster out there.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Have you ever seen that girl?

[Detective Garcia]

Nope. Nope.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

You don't know her.

[Defense Attorney]

On the surface, he did seem like. You know your next door neighbor.

[Narrator/Reporter]

His alter ego, Nick Steele.

[Defense Attorney]

Online, More of a fantasy.

[Defense Investigator]

He talked about his bedroom looking similar to 50 shades of gray.

[Neighbor/Witness]

It was crazy. It was crazy.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Her name was Debbie Dorian. You didn't kill her, did you?

[Narrator/Reporter]

Here's this bogeyman of your nightmares. And yet everyone described him as the guy who could be your neighbor.

[Survivor/Beth]

Who was your neighbor.

[Detective Garcia]

I hope you find him.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

I hope we do catch the guy.

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[Neighbor/Witness]

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[Neighbor/Witness]

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[Narrator/Reporter]

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[Detective Vince Zavala]

Hey, Meta, what's the capital of Peru?

[Narrator/Reporter]

Lima. How do you say where's the restroom in Spanish? Dondes talbano. Hey, Meta. Is a hot dog a sandwich? Technically, no. Spiritually, yes.

[Detective Garcia]

Hey, Meta, what should I do with my life?

[Narrator/Reporter]

That's one of life's biggest questions. What do you think?

[Neighbor/Witness]

Ask anything with the new Meta glasses.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Here in this quiet city of Visalia, nestled in the Sierra Nevadas, the same man who brutally murdered 22 year old Debbie Dorian begins a brazen string of sexual assaults against other women. One of them is attacked riding her bike home from work. One tries to escape the predator by cutting through a field. And another, just a high school student at the time, attacked as she was walking home from school. Another is assaulted here while waiting for a bus. All of these women's identities have been shielded from the public by law enforcement. Each of them referred to simply as Jane Doe. But tonight, for the first time, one of these brave survivors is stepping out of the shadows.

[Defense Attorney]

We're rolling.

[Narrator/Reporter]

You were Jane Doe number one for many years.

[Detective Garcia]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But you're comfortable now with saying at least your first name.

[Survivor/Beth]

At least my first name, yeah.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And you're comfortable going on camera?

[Survivor/Beth]

I wasn't for a long time.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And when we sat down for her first interview, she told us she was ready to reclaim her voice. Taking back what she says was stolen from her at just 19 years old when she moved to the Central valley of California. It was your love of horses that drew you here.

[Detective Garcia]

Yes.

[Narrator/Reporter]

You kind of had your future mapped out in your head.

[Survivor/Beth]

I wanted to be a horse trainer.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And you are an independent young woman.

[Survivor/Beth]

Yes. Where I thought.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And then you're riding your bike home from work.

[Survivor/Beth]

One day, I was about three blocks away from my house, and I saw a gentleman pull out of a street. It was 10:30 at night. There was nobody on the road. He grabbed my handlebars and had a gun.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And you saw the gun?

[Detective Garcia]

Yeah.

[Survivor/Beth]

Told me to get off my bike and get on my knees. He told me if I didn't, he would kill me. And I believed him. I was 19. You have a gun to your head. You do what you're told. And the whole time, all I remember saying is, I'm gonna get you. You're not gonna get away with it.

[Narrator/Reporter]

That's feisty.

[Detective Garcia]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Reporter]

With a gun pointed at you.

[Survivor/Beth]

I didn't know what else to do.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Beth says the man concealed his face. She could only see his eyes in the dark. She was sexually assaulted. And then she says, the man fled.

[Survivor/Beth]

He told me to stay where I am, count to 10 and turn around and go home. If I turned around or tried to come and find him, he knew where I lived, and he would kill me.

[Narrator/Reporter]

He told you he knew where he lived? That is so frightening.

[Survivor/Beth]

By the time I got to my apartment, I threw my bike on the grass, called my sister. About a minute later, four detectives and police and everybody was in my apartment.

[Defense Investigator]

Jane Doe had the presence of mind to quickly report porting patrol. Officers were able to quickly locate the crime scene and collect the DNA evidence.

[Prosecutor]

And then over the course of the next three years, we had another three different crimes, all of similar M.O. it really. It wasn't until maybe the third or the fourth crime that we realized we had the same suspect. And we had a pattern.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The DNA collected in Beth's case is compared to other crimes in the National Criminal Database called codis. And that's when things take an unexpected turn. That case to case hit.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Whoever left the DNA at Debbie Dorian's crime scene committed that sexual assault. Knowing he was in the Visalia area was the first big boost we had since the murder of Debbie Dorian. I like it.

[Defense Attorney]

Mine flies just like yours.

[Narrator/Reporter]

What went through your head when you realized the man who assaulted you is also charged with murdering somebody?

[Survivor/Beth]

Why didn't he murder me? That's the first thing that came to my head. Because I asked when the murder was. It was 96, and mine was 99.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Why do you think you survived?

[Survivor/Beth]

God only knows. I don't know.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And as the years Clicked by.

[Survivor/Beth]

I would get a phone call every five years or so saying, my case still open. And they're like, oh, okay, well, thanks for the call. And that was it.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

The thought that we would never catch this guy was not something I wanted to live with. You know, for the victims in Visalia and then for Dorian family, it's something that I wanted to do everything in my power to find this guy. Sorry, I'm getting emotional.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The string of attacks on women seems to suddenly end. But even though the perpetrator appears to have stopped, Vince Zavala won't.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

In the Debudoorian case, we had over 286 pieces of evidence submitted for analyzation. Delia moved up the ranks and eventually became the director for the entire Fresno Regional Laboratory. Whenever I needed help pushing evidence through, I would call Delia.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

He was very persistent. He would bring additional references, maybe registered sex offender cases that sort of look similar.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

We collected DNA from over 146 individuals. And compared to evidence left at Debbie

[Narrator/Reporter]

Dorian's crime scene, 147 DNA tests. And that's on top of the mountain of evidence Vince has collected throughout the years and shared with new detectives who would join the case. This is just a sample, right?

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

This is a fraction of what was collected at the evidence warehouse. It's just shelf upon shelf of evidence.

[Narrator/Reporter]

In 2018, after nearly two decades of investigating, this now very cold case is about to heat, heat up thanks to the arrest of another serial predator.

[Prosecutor]

We have identified Joseph James DeAngelo as the sole suspect in the Visalia Ransacker crime series. The Visalia Ransacker case was really kind of criminal lore throughout Visalia, throughout my entire career. Ultimately, that entire case would become the Golden State Killer.

[Narrator/Reporter]

We begin with that bombshell arrest. They say cutting, cutting edge DNA testing allowed them to make a match.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

I heard like everyone else. And then a thought came to my mind. Why couldn't we use the same DNA technology used to capture the Golden State Killer on Debbie Dorian's homicide case? Visalia Police Department worked on that task force, and I knew a lot of those detectives, and that started the ball rolling.

[Friend/Community Member]

A very dear friend of mine who's the retired Sacramento County DA Ann Marie Shubert, who was just an essential part of solving the Golden State Killer case.

[Narrator/Reporter]

We found the needle in the haystack, and it was right here in Sacramento.

[Friend/Community Member]

She called me and said, hey, we need to come down to Fresno because this technology is amazing. I'll bring my staff. And so then we started to work together with them.

[Defense Investigator]

Sacramento county, their DA's office gave us a blueprint how to move forward with this, this new investigative technique.

[Neighbor/Witness]

They are able to come up with family members who are likely to be related to this suspect.

[Prosecutor]

You can build out essentially a family tree and then start investigating backwards to see who are the relatives that could potentially be a suspect within maybe a week.

[Narrator/Reporter]

We got a lead and bells start to go off.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

Exactly. A witness had seen a suspicious male outside of Debbie's apartment on the day in question. And as I read that description and I'm looking at the photograph of the

[Detective Garcia]

suspect, I'm like, this is our guy.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

This really is the picture matched up to the descriptions. I'm like, Mark. It was like, this is him.

[Detective Garcia]

To the arrest team. Stand by.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

This is a pomegranate orchard. This is what I farm. I've been farming probably a good majority of my life. Farming is much like investigating cold cases because there's a lot of unknown, there's a lot of hard work, and you don't know what you're going to end up with. You got to be very patient, watch it grow, and hopefully you get fruit.

[Narrator/Reporter]

After nearly 40 years of being a detective and a farmer, the time finally comes for Vince Zavala to retire for from his day job. But there is one unsolved case he can't let go of. It was tearing at your heart.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Absolutely. But I'd made a promise to Sarah. When I retired, I talked to Chief Dyer because we were friends. I realized as a police chief, there's more than I can do, and it's bring Vince back. He allowed me to come back as a reserve police officer, which gave me police officer powers when I was on duty, and that was important.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But no police officer pay.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

I told him I didn't want to be paid.

[Narrator/Reporter]

With that genetic genealogy DNA match in hand, Vince was more hopeful than ever that his years of investigative work were about to bear fruit.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Probably the best lead we've had in over 23 years. This could very well be our guide.

[Neighbor/Witness]

They are able to take this genealogical DNA and ultimately they came up with a name. Nikki Duane Stain.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

He married, had a couple of kids. His work history was very solid. No criminal past that we could see. This is a normal guy, but then you think, well, a normal guy could have committed this. That's why we haven't been able to find it. He was living in Visalia, in the city.

[Defense Attorney]

He raised his kids, was at the pta. His focus was the family, and he did work for charity organizations.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Now that detectives have a name, they want to Talk to this guy. They discover that he's been divorced and working at a food court in the local mall. Turns out that early hunch that their suspect may work in the restaurant business was spot on.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

We were all hands on deck. Let's do what we got to do. Let's get a DNA sample from him. Our primary mission was to look for anything that he would publicly discard that we could obtain a DNA profile from.

[Defense Investigator]

So we thought a trash run might be the best opportunity. My partner and I dressed down in plain clothes, put on a vest as if we were part of solid waste. We removed the trash cans from the street and replaced them with the empty trash cans.

[Neighbor/Witness]

It's called a surreptitious trash dump because once he throws it away outside on the street, it's free game.

[Defense Investigator]

We found male razor blades that appeared used and were discarded. And so we sent that up to be tested to see if it had any DNA on it.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

I was excited, but I'd been excited before, so that kept me from totally jumping in.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But two weeks later, his phone rings.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

I was at home. It was the middle of the day. I put it on speakerphone, I said,

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

hey, Vince, you gotta sit down because I have news. We got the guy.

[Detective Garcia]

It's him.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

My wife was close to me. Once she heard it, she cried. So did I. As I've gotten older, I've gotten more emotional. I'm pretty old now. I was happy.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

It was good. It was idle. Lot of years of work.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Nikki stain was our 147th individual who we obtained a DNA sample from for comparison, and he was the match.

[Detective Garcia]

Okay, you're good. We're out of the car.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Their next stop is that shopping mall in Visalia to surprise Nikki St. Stain with a visit.

[Detective Garcia]

There's a couple of customers.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Chris, you don't feel comfortable with the. We'll just wait.

[Detective Garcia]

Hang back.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Yeah.

[Detective Garcia]

They're off.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

I don't see how we're going to

[Detective Garcia]

be able to talk to them over the counter.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

We went to his workplace asking for him. Hi, is Mr. Stain in?

[Narrator/Reporter]

Mr. Stain in?

[Detective Garcia]

Yeah. Hi.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Hi, Mr. Stain, my name is Vince Zavala.

[Detective Garcia]

Hi, Vince.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Bob. So it is. We're doing some grunt work here. We're looking into a matter that happened a while ago. Take five minutes. That's fine. We begin to ask them some questions. Have you ever seen that girl?

[Detective Garcia]

Nope. No.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

You've never committed any violence against her? No, I haven't.

[Detective Garcia]

Anything. I don't.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

I don't know her, so I wouldn't know how to.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Yeah, so have you never committed violence against anybody?

[Detective Garcia]

No. No violence against anybody.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But Vince hasn't waited this long and come this far to take no for an answer.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Her name was Debbie Dorian. She was found murdered. You didn't kill her, did you?

[Narrator/Commercial Voice]

No.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

No.

[Neighbor/Witness]

Nikki stain denied knowing Debbie.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

During our conversation with Nikki stain, I told him, I said, look, we've been asking everybody we talked to if they would voluntarily give us an oral swab to compare to evidence that's at the scene. But if you haven't been there, I mean, you know, it's just kind of a mundane thing.

[Detective Garcia]

Yeah, it sounds like. I don't know. That sounds like. I don't know if I want to do that.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Stain refuses to turn over his DNA, and the interview seems to come to an end.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

We thanked him for his time. As we were walking, Nikki stain stops. He looks me in the eye and he says, yeah, I hope you find him. I hope we do catch the guy. And thank you. Have a good day.

[Defense Investigator]

We had an arrest team standing by the exterior door.

[Detective Garcia]

267 to the arrest team, stand by.

[Defense Investigator]

Where he was going to have to re enter the mall back to his place of work.

[Detective Garcia]

Now, Buster. Nikki, stay around, man.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Five seconds later, he's arrested.

[Neighbor/Witness]

He was ultimately arrested at that time on the sexual assaults from the Visalia cases.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Shortly after Nikki stain was handcuffed, I made a telephone call to Sarah.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

He called me, and he says, we actually have him. We have him in custody. And I said, really? Really? This is really something. Yeah. Called all my friends, called everybody. Guess what, Guess what, Guess what. Yeah, it's really happening.

[Narrator/Reporter]

As police begin talking to Nikki stain, they're about to discover that he is anything but the guy next door.

[Detective Garcia]

If you have my phone, you'll be able to see that because it has, like 400 videos on it. Turn around, man.

[Narrator/Reporter]

After Nikki stain is arrested for the sexual assaults in Visalia, he's brought into the police department to be questioned.

[Detective Garcia]

Go ahead and have a seat in that chair right over here. Okay.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And to the surprise of detectives, he seems to have a lot to say.

[Prosecutor]

Nick, do you know why you're here today?

[Detective Garcia]

Yeah, I do know why I'm here.

[Defense Investigator]

From the beginning of the interview, he knew why he was. Was there for the Visalia cases, and we just let him talk.

[Detective Garcia]

I know I've done a couple things that here in Visalia that I shouldn't have done. So when you say a couple things in Visalia, what are the couple things that you're talking about? Oh, there's a couple Times that I approach women out on the street that they know and stuff and cohorts them into having some final oral. And so those are things I shouldn't have done against their will.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Yes, Detectives. Then walk Nikki Stane through each of the sexual assaults he's accused of.

[Detective Garcia]

Suspect pulled sweatshirt over his face and then placed his handgun in her side. He escorted the victim and concealed their location behind some bushes. Requested the victim unbutton her shirt. That might have happened. I think that one happened. She was standing alone waiting for catch a bus. Suspect approached the victim. Suspect told the victim not to run or he would kill her. I say that sounds like me, but I don't think that was me.

[Defense Attorney]

The worst thing that any defense attorney can hear is when you hear questioned about a crime, it's like, well, I don't know, but it sounds like me.

[Detective Garcia]

Do you recall what you wore during those? I recall wearing a hoodie with my

[Defense Investigator]

demeanor, I think really brought some comfort to him to really open up about our sexual assault cases.

[Detective Garcia]

So, you know, I kind of, like, had some bad things that go on in my life, and I can say that I've had a problem with, I guess, sex or sex addiction. If you have my phone, you'll be able to see that because it has, like, 400 videos on it. Probably 100 different women.

[Defense Investigator]

During my interview, he did mention that he began sleeping with prostitutes starting in high school. All the way up until his arrest.

[Detective Garcia]

I had so many encounters with women. You know, I'm talking about, like, paid for encounters or this or that or like, start talking with them and then all. Next thing we know, we're doing something.

[Defense Investigator]

He did brag, seemed proud about his sexual promiscuity with prostitutes.

[Detective Garcia]

A single guy for the last two years, and it seems like really the only women that pay me any attention are the younger ones.

[Neighbor/Witness]

He was happy to talk about himself and all the sexual things that he had done in his past. It was crazy. It was crazy.

[Detective Garcia]

I'll tell you the truth. I don't really think that hiring an escort or having a sugar babe or anything like that. I personally don't think that that's a wrong thing.

[Defense Investigator]

He talked about his bedroom looking similar to Fifty Shades of Grand.

[Detective Garcia]

Oh, my God. I had small pictures of those types of room, dark rooms on the Internet. I said I wanted to paint it that way. Now everybody sees it when they did the search.

[Neighbor/Witness]

And he had these silk robes in his closet and sex toys.

[Defense Investigator]

During our investigation, we learned that Nikki Stain was operating in Airbnb operation out of his Home. He would also rent rooms out to younger females. He talked about providing for these young females.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Investigators also find what appears to be a fake Facebook profile where Nikki Stain calls himself Nick Steele and claims to be chairman of a Fortune 500 company. His alter ego, Nick Steele.

[Defense Attorney]

Yes.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Online pointed in a different direction.

[Defense Attorney]

Yes, I think more of a fantasy.

[Narrator/Reporter]

He also posted videos of himself on that Facebook page. Going out to party.

[Detective Garcia]

Okay, I'm going out tonight.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Was he sort of baiting women online?

[Defense Attorney]

Oh, I don't believe so. I think it was more about, this is me. I'm capable of this. I'm so attractive. I'm so, you know, I am. My proudness is such that, you know, these things happen in my life.

[Defense Investigator]

During our search warrant at his residence, we located that he had a wall plug camera in one of the roommate's bathrooms that was associated to a younger female.

[Narrator/Reporter]

There were also allegations of peeping Tom.

[Defense Attorney]

It's kind of a voyeurism, obviously, and then it steps into inappropriate actions.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Inappropriate actions that land Nikki Stain with a misdemeanor peeping charge. Stain pleads not guilty to the charge, which is eventually dropped.

[Neighbor/Witness]

He definitely had some sexual deviances.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But as Nikki Stain's defense attorney points out, sexual deviance doesn't necessarily equate to murder.

[Defense Attorney]

It was separate and apart. Usually, people move forward as far as the seriousness of their crimes, and so it was odd that there was this homicide. But then later, there's peeping Tom activity and assaults.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The violence seemed to de Escalate.

[Defense Attorney]

Yes.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And back in that interrogation room, when the conversation turns to Debbie Dorian's murder, Nikki Stain's not done talking yet.

[Detective Garcia]

The detectives there today. Before you guys arrested me, you bring up an interesting case, one that, you know, it does shock me.

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[Detective Vince Zavala]

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[Narrator/Reporter]

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[Detective Vince Zavala]

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[Narrator/Reporter]

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[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

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[Detective Vince Zavala]

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[Narrator/Reporter]

Real work, real people, real craft. Visit timberlandpro.com and discover products that help workers perform at their best. When detectives show up at the mall to confront Nikki Stain at his workplace. They ask him about Debbie Dorian. He claims he's never seen her before.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Have you ever seen that girl?

[Detective Garcia]

Nope. Nope.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

You don't know her. Okay.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But when they get him into the interrogation room, he has a different story.

[Detective Garcia]

The detectives there today, before you guys arrested me, you brought up an interesting case. I was with that girl, you know, several times and stuff like that. You were? Yes, I was. So, you know, to be honest with you, she was. I picked her up on. In the presence of There. On the street there at one time, you know, after I dropped her off, I thought that was going to be the last time I'd seen of her. Okay. And then she found her way to my workplace on other occasions and asked me if I would want to again.

[Defense Investigator]

He acknowledged that he did know Debbie and that he had been to her apartment multiple times for sex.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The stunning allegation that Stain and Debbie had met for consensual sex is something prosecutors dispute, but his new defense team will now try to prove. Brian Pinto is the defense's lead investigator.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

I spent a lot of hours in the jail with Nikki Stain. He was probably one of the most intelligent clients I've ever had, but he's also one of the most complicated and mysterious.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Brian attempted to track down co workers and acquaintances from Stain's past to back up his story. Did you have any verifiable evidence that they had met before or that this was consensual in any way?

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

A lot of people that he gave me that would potentially back that story up were people that he worked with that he only remembered first names.

[Defense Attorney]

There was some evidence that she may have gone into his place of work, but, you know, we weren't able to really chase those folks down because it was so long ago.

[Neighbor/Witness]

There was nothing to support that she had come into contact with him in any other way. It was completely concocted.

[Narrator/Reporter]

After his police interview, Nikki Stain is booked, fingerprinted, and now that he's under arrest, has no choice but to turn over his DNA. The authorities reach out to Beth, who spent years as Jane Doe number one with the news she never expected to get.

[Survivor/Beth]

They told me that they got him. Say that again. It took me a couple times for them to tell me that they got him and that there was going to be a press conference the next day.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

It was the last press conference that I held as a police chief, so it meant. It meant a lot to me. Nikki Dwayne Stane is the primary suspect in the rape and murder of Debbie Dorian.

[Survivor/Beth]

I Locked myself in my room and I watched it and I bawled my eyes out and all those emotions that came came back hard.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Nikki Stain is every woman's nightmare. And what did you mean by that?

[Friend/Community Member]

Nikki Stain looks like an average guy. He looks like a normal person.

[Narrator/Reporter]

He blends into the background.

[Friend/Community Member]

Yeah, he blends in.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

Almost 12,000 days of waiting, searching, hoping disappointments and frustrations. What this arrest has finished is the struggle to always be searching.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Nikki Stain is charged with four counts of sexual assault in the Visalia attacks and for the murder of Debbie Dorian. In 2020, the Fresno DA's office takes the lead on prosecuting the cases. Stain pleads not guilty to all the charges.

[Courtroom Reporter]

I'm the city hall and courts reporter at ABC 30 Action News here in Fresno. It was definitely a big story to walk into as a 22 year old just a few months out of College. Live at 5. Clear to proceed. Nikki stain. The contrast between the two sides of this courtroom really could not have been been any different. On the right side of this courtroom, you had Deborah Miller and Caitlin Drake, two very straight to the point senior deputy district attorneys. And on the other side, you had Jane Bulger, somebody who really believes in defending her client and protecting the process that everybody in this country is entitled to. Jane was the defense attorney of the very first court case I ever covered. And at one point, Jane had asked me how old I was, and when I told her, she said, gabe, I have pants older than you. It was the fall of 2023 when this preliminary hearing started. But in so many ways, that courtroom went back to 1996.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The judge orders that no civilian witnesses can be shown on camera.

[Neighbor/Witness]

I put on the neighbor who had seen the white male at Debbie's doorstep on that Tuesday.

[Detective Garcia]

He basically knocked on the door and it wasn't a confrontational kind of encounter, but she let him in.

[Reporter/Investigator]

Nikki Stane matches the description. What makes you wonder whether or not the person that was seen in her apartment was Nikki Stane?

[Neighbor/Witness]

One of the items of evidence that I presented was the list that was located at Debbie's apartment on her kitchen table, which appeared to be a list of potential roommates. And what does it say by number six?

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

By number six it has the name Nick and then scratched out or Rick and then says, we'll call Tuesday, 12 o'.

[Survivor/Beth]

Clock.

[Narrator/Reporter]

We'll call Tuesday, 12 o'.

[Defense Attorney]

Clock.

[Neighbor/Witness]

Yeah. What I believe happened is that Nikki Stain called Debbie on Tuesday, said, I would like to come by and look at the the apartment. She said, sure, gave him the address and he showed up on her doorstep, and she let him in. I put Peter Dorian on the stand.

[Narrator/Reporter]

After years of not speaking publicly about his daughter's case, Peter Dorian has to recount those horrible moments when he finds her in her apartment.

[Neighbor/Witness]

What did you see when you entered Debbie's bedroom?

[Narrator/Reporter]

She was lying on the floor.

[Reporter/Investigator]

Was she moving?

[Detective Garcia]

No.

[Neighbor/Witness]

Is there anything else about Debbie that you noticed that morning?

[Detective Garcia]

Well, she was lying face up. Her mouth and nose had been taped shut with some gray colored tape, so

[Narrator/Reporter]

that prevented her from breathing.

[Neighbor/Witness]

We had two of the sexual assault victims from Visalia testify at the preliminary hearing.

[Narrator/Reporter]

When you saw him in the courtroom, did anything register?

[Survivor/Beth]

The eyes and the voice. The eyes and the voice. You're always going to remember that voice.

[Narrator/Reporter]

What went through your mind when you heard it.

[Survivor/Beth]

That's it. Holy crap. That's it.

[Neighbor/Witness]

She was able to describe what happened to her in the courtroom in front of Nikki Stain. It was something to watch.

[Survivor/Beth]

How dare you be able to go on living knowing what you did, that you have destroyed who knows how many people's lives, and you can continue your life like nothing happened. How dare you.

[Courtroom Reporter]

When prosecutors and the defense said that she was free to go, she just sat there, there and she wept. You could tell that she has never walked away from this, that it has been with her every single day.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And prosecutors have one more piece of evidence up their sleeve. Hello? This call is from a correction facility. Recordings of Nikki Stain's phone calls from jail.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

Hello?

[Detective Garcia]

Hello? Mom?

[Narrator/Reporter]

And Nikki Stain just keeps talking. This call is from a correction facility and is subject to monitoring and recording.

[Detective Garcia]

Can you hear me, Nick?

[Narrator/Reporter]

During the preliminary hearing, prosecutors introduced calls that Nikki Stane made to family members while he was being held in the Tulare County Jail. And on those calls, he doesn't hold back.

[Detective Garcia]

Yeah, I can hear you. You want to. Those hurting people and things like that, that was in my past. I know I need to get punished for it. I just know that I'll be here the rest of my life.

[Defense Investigator]

One could say that the jailhouse phone calls were a sense of admission because there was no denials.

[Detective Garcia]

But you're innocent till you're proven guilty in my book. You know what you did. We don't. We're gonna say that you're innocent until they proved otherwise. My opinion, that's the way America works. I'm guilty. I'm guilty. You know, I did some bad things. I'm not trying to kind of, like, hide them, you know, I mean, I'm ashamed of them, but, you know, they're there now. So it's just like, you know, quit running from it and just take it. Are you innocent of any of those crimes? No, not really, Mom. I was kind of, like, involved in all of them.

[Neighbor/Witness]

To us, that's an admission that he committed all of these crimes, including Debbie Dorian.

[Courtroom Reporter]

Those revealing phone calls could be key evidence if the case proceeds to trial.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But the defense insists that Nikki Stain never admitted to killing Debbie Dorian, including in that police interrogation.

[Detective Garcia]

I did wrong, okay? And even the things that I did back, you know, in here in Visalia, that those things were haunting me forever. But the thing in Fresno there, I didn't know that that went down. I didn't know that happened. I didn't feel remorse for that or anything like that or anything, because I didn't know that had happened.

[Neighbor/Witness]

During the preliminary hearing, the defense was trying to attack the investigation, specifically with the arrest of Maurice Dixon initially and the DNA testing originally.

[Survivor/Beth]

So that's a mistake.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

I'm not going to say it's a mistake.

[Detective Garcia]

No,

[Defense Attorney]

you refuse to say that arresting the wrong man on faulty lab work is a mistake. Did you get the wrong.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

He was eventually cleared, yeah.

[Defense Attorney]

So, yeah, he was the wrong guy.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But prosecutors maintain that the DNA evidence in this case tells the whole story.

[Neighbor/Witness]

There was no other foreign DNA on Debbie's body. The only DNA located was Debbie Dorian's DNA and Nikki Duane Stain's DNA.

[Narrator/Reporter]

When the preliminary hearing wraps up, the judge decides there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial. The defendant is held to answer on all counts and charges. Prosecutors announced they're going to seek the death penalty, but ultimately, Nikki Stain is ready to make a deal.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Nikki Stain's case was heading toward a jury trial early next year, but now

[Narrator/Reporter]

a possible deal with prosecutors.

[Courtroom Reporter]

Just five weeks after the judge had set a trial date, we got word that Nikki Stain would be entering a change of plea.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Stain's defense team had asked prosecutors if they would allow him to plead guilty to just the murder charge and dismiss the sexual assault charges.

[Neighbor/Witness]

I contacted the parents. Peter was on board because Nikki Stain would receive life without the possibility of parole, and he did not want to have to testify at jury trial. Sarah Lovin had a different opinion, and she wanted him to admit and plead guilty to everything that he did.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And she wasn't the only one who felt that way. Why did you feel so strongly that you wanted those sexual assaults?

[Friend/Community Member]

Because those victims deserved to have him say, I did this, and I'm gonna get sentenced for it.

[Narrator/Reporter]

I'm gonna be punished for.

[Friend/Community Member]

That's Right. And I am gonna serve not just time for Debbie Dorian's murder, but for the crimes I committed against you.

[Neighbor/Witness]

Ultimately, Nikki Stain was willing to do that. He didn't want to go forward to trial.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The district attorney's office also agrees to forego the death penalty.

[Neighbor/Witness]

He would serve life without the possibility of parole unlawfully.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

Endless balance of the fortify. Committed murder against Deborah, Sarah, and Dorian.

[Detective Garcia]

Mr. Stain, how do you plead?

[Detective Vince Zavala]

Guilty.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Why plead guilty?

[Defense Attorney]

To save his life. To save his life. I believe if we had gone to trial, it would easily have been a death penalty verdict. I just knew that because we're emotion driven, it's almost impossible to be unbiased. We all have our biases. She was an attractive young woman. She was doing positive things in her life, going to school. Her life was just beginning. She had, you know, parents that loved and adored her. And I just was fairly certain that he would end up with a death sentence.

[Neighbor/Witness]

The courtroom was full for Nikki Dueinstein's sentencing.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Jane Doe number one steps up to the podium and delivers her impact statement with cameras carefully trained on her hands.

[Survivor/Beth]

My life changed forever that day. I tried moving on. I have tried to forget to meet every man with him. I was always scared. I wish I was dead. I wish he did kill me. It would have been a lot better than having these thoughts in my head and flashbacks the night playing over and over again in my head.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Your statement was incredibly powerful.

[Survivor/Beth]

Hopefully it got through to him, that I wish he would suffer just as much as all of us did. I hope that he knows that I got him.

[Narrator/Reporter]

That's it.

[Detective Garcia]

Thank you, Jingo Won.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And you also said you wanted to speak on behalf of other survivors.

[Detective Garcia]

Yes.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And give voice to.

[Survivor/Beth]

If anything comes of this, I would just hope that people come forward and people will get the help that they need because it took me a long time.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But the final words spoken in that courtroom would stun everyone.

[Courtroom Reporter]

It was a raw moment.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

I screamed and screamed. Everything went dark. I knew my life was over. I wanted people to know that Deb was a real person. She was a beautiful baby, a darling little girl. She went through all the things that children go through. These are her ballet slippers when she was five. These are her riding gloves. I just want people to know she had these little hands. They felt things, and they were sweet. We have waited and searched for this murderer for 28 years and 10 months, 29 Christmases, and almost 29 birthdays.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Sarah Lovin was the last to deliver an impact statement. She shared what she thought Debbie would have wanted to say, speaking in her daughter's voice.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

Adrenaline flooded my body. I screamed and screamed, but he didn't stop. He wrapped my head in duct tape, covering my mouth. I couldn't breathe. Everything went dark. I would never take a hike with John, the love of my life. Spend time with my mom. I wouldn't have a wedding. I wouldn't be a beautiful bride. My dad wouldn't walk me down the aisle. I knew my death would break my mom's heart and change my dad forever. The pain that they suffer is deeper than anyone can know. Though he took my precious Deb, he did not take my soul. I am wiser and stronger than ever from having to go through this ordeal. He has the rest of his life to pay for what he did. And he will pay for his evil actions.

[Neighbor/Witness]

It was a powerful statement. It was a powerful and emotional moment for everyone in the courtroom.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

At this point, sir, you are managing the custody of Franklin county sheriff to begin serving your time.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

He no longer has the power. Whatever he wants for power is behind bars. To my dear Vince, you know how much this case has meant to us. You know how many years it has taken. And you've carried us all through this. And I love you.

[Narrator/Reporter]

You're about to harvest pomegranates. What's that moment like? How fulfilling it must be.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

It's exciting to see all the hard work come to fruition. You saw a dry, leafless bush get leaves and now they're big, red and beautiful. It's like a cold case again. You put all that work into it and we'll see if there's a rainbow at the end of it.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Finally, having him behind bars must have been a real capstone to your career.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

There were many capstones, but this is the one at the top.

[Sarah Lovin (Debbie's Mother)]

She was a precious person. Sweet and loving and smart and a wonderful young lady.

[Detective Vince Zavala]

A mother's never ending love.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

Debbie's mother Sarah did get to meet

[Narrator/Reporter]

and hug that brave survivor Beth in court. As for Nikki Stain, David, his plea agreement included a provision that he forfeits his right to appeal his conviction. That's our program for tonight. Thanks for watching. I'm Deborah Roberts.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

And I'm David Muir.

[Narrator/Reporter]

From all of us here at 2020

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

in ABC News, good

[Detective Garcia]

morning.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Audiences and top critics are celebrating.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

Rental Family is the perfect feel good

[Survivor/Beth]

movie of the year.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

What do you need me for?

[Detective Garcia]

We need a talking white guy.

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser delivers a masterful performance.

[Detective Garcia]

This girl needs a father.

[Narrator/Reporter]

I hate you.

[Detective Garcia]

She hates me.

[Narrator/Reporter]

It's what being a parent is in

[Detective/Investigator John Thomas]

this tender and funny film about the importance of connection.

[Detective Garcia]

This is amazing.

[Narrator/Reporter]

It's cool, but it's fake.

[Detective Garcia]

Sometimes it's okay to pretend.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Rental family only in theaters Friday. Rated PG 13 may be inappropriate for children under 13. Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile.

[Detective Garcia]

Now, I was looking for fun ways

[Narrator/Reporter]

to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited Premium Wireless for $15 a month is back. So I thought it would be fun if we made $15 bills, but it turns out that's very illegal. So there goes my big idea for the commercial. Give it a [e-mail] upfront payment of $45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for 12 month plan required $15 per month equivalent taxes and fees. Extra initial plan term only greater than 50 gigabytes. Me slow when network is busy.

[Friend/Community Member]

See terms.