Ep 12. On the Run
- February 28, 2014
ABC 20/20 season 36 episode 12, titled "On the Run," takes viewers on a thrilling ride as the show delves into some of the most daring and jaw-dropping fugitive stories in recent history.
From a notorious con man who successfully impersonated a member of the Rockefeller family and went on the run for over a decade, to the strange case of a man who faked his own death and started a new life as a woman, this episode features some of the most high-profile and sensational fugitive cases in recent years.
The first segment focuses on the astonishing story of Christian Gerhartsreiter, a German immigrant who posed as a wealthy member of the Rockefeller family and managed to pull off the deception for years, even fooling his own wife. But when his lies are finally exposed, Gerhartsreiter goes on the run and remains at large for over a decade, leading law enforcement officials on a wild goose chase that spans the globe. ABC 20/20 takes an in-depth look into Gerhartsreiter's life on the lam, his many aliases, and the desperate search to bring him to justice.
The second segment explores the bizarre case of John Darwin, a man who faked his own death in a canoeing accident in order to collect a life insurance payout. Darwin's wife and two sons were in on the scheme, but when the plan starts to unravel, Darwin abandons his family and goes on the run, eventually turning up in Panama years later, living under a new identity as a woman. ABC 20/20 delves into the psychological motivations behind Darwin's elaborate ruse and the ultimate fallout for his family.
The third segment focuses on the gripping story of Eric Matthew Frein, a survivalist and marksman who went on the run in the Pennsylvania wilderness after allegedly ambushing and killing a state trooper. For 48 days, Frein eludes law enforcement officials in a tense manhunt that grips the nation. ABC 20/20 takes viewers inside the mind of a fugitive as Frein evades capture and navigates the treacherous forests of Pennsylvania.
From white-collar criminals to cold-blooded killers, "On the Run" is a heart-pounding look at some of the most fascinating, unsettling, and headline-grabbing fugitive stories of recent years. With exclusive interviews, stunning footage, and expert insights, ABC 20/20 delivers a gripping episode that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.
