Podcast Summary: "Vanished: What Happened to Vanessa"

Bonus Episode: "Aftermath"

Host: ABC News, Brad Milke (interviewer), John Quinones (guest/series host)
Date: October 28, 2025

Episode Overview

In this bonus episode of "Vanished: What Happened to Vanessa," ABC's Brad Milke speaks with John Quinones—host of the main series—about the aftermath of the Vanessa Guillen case, the experience of reporting on it, and the broader impact on Vanessa's family, Fort Hood, and the military. The conversation takes listeners behind the scenes, offering Quinones’ personal perspective, his connection to the case, deep insights into the reporting process, and never-before-heard moments with the Guillen family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Approaching Stories of Tragedy (02:07–03:48)

• Empathy in Journalism:
  Quinones discusses how essential it is to approach families of victims with patience, empathy, and understanding, noting the importance of "just listen[ing] and wait[ing] for them to open up when they're willing and ready."

  "We have to remind ourselves that we have to only start asking questions when the subjects of our interviews are ready to give an answer...when they finally do talk...maybe change will come." – John Quinones (03:27)

• Building Trust with Families:
  Quinones emphasizes giving families space, providing them with a direct line to reach out when they're ready, drawing on his experiences covering tragedies like the Uvalde school shooting.

  "I give them my phone number and I'll say, call me, please, when you are ready, and I'll come back." – John Quinones (03:54)

Personal Motivation & Cultural Connection (04:34–06:00)

• Why This Story Resonated:
  Quinones shares how his background as a Mexican American, and proximity to the Guillen family’s experience, fueled his commitment to covering Vanessa’s case. There was, he says, a clear gap in media attention for missing women of color.

  "These stories you seldom hear of women of color, you know, disappearing, getting the coverage that they deserve. So I felt it was, you know, it was a no brainer. We had to give attention to this story." – John Quinones (05:46)

Investigation Details and Failures (06:00–09:01)

• Unraveling the Case:
  Quinones unpacks the delays and errors by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) at Fort Hood:
  • Aaron Robinson, the main suspect, initially avoided scrutiny due to a false alibi and mistaken witness accounts.
  • Many CID agents at Fort Hood lacked experience; the division itself seen as a "training ground."
  • Fort Hood CID maintains they conducted an "immediate and well coordinated" search, but the Guillen family disputes this.

  "Only three agents had more than two years of experience...agents were constantly being transferred in and out." – John Quinones (07:40)

The Final Moments: Dash Cam Footage & Robinson’s Death (09:01–13:26)

• New Evidence:
  Just as the series wrapped, Quinones’ team obtained dash cam footage from the night Aaron Robinson died by suicide as police closed in on him. They play and analyze audio, recounting the chaotic aftermath on scene:
  • Robinson's gun is recovered; CPR is discussed but he's already deceased.
  • Officers react to him having "done it to himself."
  • A crowd forms, tensions run high as this occurs only a month after George Floyd's killing.

  "You can hear the officer say, I'm glad he did it to himself." – John Quinones (12:23)

Justice for Vanessa—The Sentencing of Cecily Aguilar (13:26–14:57)

• Courtroom Moments:
  Quinones revisits the sentencing of Cecily Aguilar (Robinson's girlfriend and convicted accomplice). New disturbing details surface, including allegations of necrophilia.
  • Gloria Guillen, Vanessa's mother, requests a private meeting with Aguilar, ultimately forgiving her—a moment of profound grace.
  • In this meeting, Aguilar tells Gloria, "she wish she had had a mom like her."

  "She winds up forgiving Cecily, maybe because of her religion...And Myra says that in that private meeting...Cecily told Gloria that she wish she had had a mom like her." – John Quinones (14:39)

The Guillen Family’s Strength & Community Rally (16:53–19:37)

• Family as the Movement’s Heart:
  The Guillen family's relentless organizing is credited as essential to the attention and reforms that followed Vanessa’s death.

  "She took on this role as a fierce protector...not only Vanessa, but for all soldiers who were suffering through this kind of harassment or abuse in the military." – John Quinones (17:29)

• Cultural Kinship in Reporting:
  Quinones explains how his upbringing and Spanish fluency allowed him to build credibility and trust with the family in ways others couldn’t.

  "Their home reminded me of my home when I walked in. There's the smell of tortillas. They invited me to lunch. They had a little altar in the living room with the Virgin of Guadalupe..." – John Quinones (19:53)

• Unheard Moments:
  A particularly moving anecdote describes a reunion (not included in the podcast) between the Guillen family and the mother of another missing soldier, highlighting the ripple effect of the case and the cross-family solidarity.

  "I needed to thank him in person...They needed to understand how much I appreciate what they did and how hard they've been fighting." – Kim Wheedle, mother of Gregory Morales

Family’s Internal Struggle with Grief (21:40–22:49)

• Withholding Information:
  The Guillen sisters initially withheld the horrific details of Vanessa’s dismemberment from their mother, trying to shield her from further pain.

  "It hurts me the most because I shouldn't be telling her. No, no, that's not how it happened. But I mean, one day we have to tell her." – Quinones recounting from Myra Guillen

Quinones’ Journalistic Journey—Personal Reflections & Guidance (24:59–34:07)

• Origin Story:
  Quinones shares his motivation for becoming a journalist: to tell the true, often untold, stories of his community after growing up seeing only negative news depictions.

  "All the stories on television and the newspaper were so negative about people who lived on the west side of San Antonio...I knew heroes in that community, but no one was telling their stories." – John Quinones (25:21)

• Early Investigative Reporting:
  Recollection of his undercover reporting as a migrant worker, which helped right injustices and earned him his first Emmy.

  "The US Government moved in. They shut down the restaurant, and they got the Mexican workers the money they were owed and temporary visas..." – John Quinones (28:40)

• Advice from Peter Jennings:
  Legendary anchor Peter Jennings’ guidance has shaped Quinones’ approach:

  “Don't worry so much about talking to the movers and shakers...Concentrate on talking to the moved and the shaken. ...Give a voice to people who don't have a voice and you'll be a better reporter.” – Relayed by John Quinones (33:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments With Timestamps

• “I'm always thinking about how to approach families who have been affected by tragedy or loss like this. And you got to remember what these folks have been through and put yourself in their shoes as a reporter.” – John Quinones (02:28)
• “These stories you seldom hear of women of color, you know, disappearing, getting the coverage that they deserve. So I felt it was, you know, it was a no brainer. We had to give attention to this story.” – John Quinones (05:46)
• “Only three agents had more than two years of experience...CID was a training ground, that agents were constantly being transferred in and out of the base.” – John Quinones (07:40)
• “He did it himself. He didn't make it. That's the same thing I told counting.” – Officer at scene, quoted by Quinones (12:11)
• “She winds up forgiving Cecily...And Myra says that in that private meeting...Cecily told Gloria that she wish she had had a mom like her.” – John Quinones (14:39)
• “From the very moment I knocked on their door...I was welcomed because I, again, I spoke to the mom in Spanish. Gloria was right there at the door. Their home reminded me of my home when I walked in.” – John Quinones (19:51)
• “Don't worry so much about talking to the movers and shakers of the world...Concentrate on talking to the moved and the shaken. ...Give a voice to people who don't have a voice and you'll be a better reporter.” – Peter Jennings (quoted by John Quinones, 33:20)

Important Timestamps

• 02:07–03:48: Quinones on approaching grieving families with empathy
• 04:34–06:00: Personal and cultural motivations for covering Vanessa's story
• 06:00–09:01: Outline of the investigation's failures and the unique context of Fort Hood's CID
• 09:01–13:26: Analysis and narration of unreleased dashcam footage of Robinson’s death
• 13:26–14:57: Insights from Cecily Aguilar’s sentencing
• 16:53–19:37: The Guillen family’s activism and community leadership
• 19:51–21:21: Building trust with the family; significant reunions that shaped their experience
• 21:40–22:49: Sisters shielding mother from traumatic details; grief within the family
• 24:59–34:07: Quinones’ career story, motivation, and lasting advice from Peter Jennings

Episode Takeaways

• The Guillen family’s persistence brought national attention and change; their story is one of both heartbreaking loss and inspiring activism.
• John Quinones’ background, empathy, and approach enabled nuanced, respectful, and impactful investigative reporting.
• The episode gives rare insight into the challenges and decisions reporters face when covering traumatic events—especially within their own communities.
• The importance of "speaking to the moved and the shaken" remains central in Quinones' journalistic philosophy—focusing on people directly affected rather than just those in power.