Ep 9. Mixed Signals
- TV-14
- May 15, 2016
- 42 min
In episode 9 of the thirteenth season of "On The Case With Paula Zahn," titled "Mixed Signals," host Paula Zahn takes viewers on a journey to unravel the story behind the unsolved murder of Brittany Phillips.
Brittany Phillips was a 19-year-old college student who was found dead in her Tulsa, Oklahoma, apartment in 2004. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled with her own belt. Despite a massive investigation, the case remains unsolved.
Zahn interviews Brittany's mother, who describes her daughter as a kind, loving person who had a bright future ahead of her. Brittany was studying to be a fashion designer and had dreams of moving to New York City. However, those dreams were cut short when she was brutally murdered.
Zahn also speaks with the detectives who worked on the case, who recount the evidence and leads they followed to try to identify Brittany's killer. They describe how DNA evidence found on Brittany's body didn't match anyone in their databases, and how the killer's face was captured on her apartment's surveillance camera, but no one was able to identify him.
Throughout the episode, Zahn reveals how police followed a possible lead when they discovered a series of threatening phone calls made to Brittany's mother after her murder. A man called claiming to be Brittany's killer, but police were never able to identify the caller or connect him to the crime.
Investigative reporters also weigh in on the case, providing insight into what could have happened to Brittany and who might have had a motive to kill her. They examine different theories, including the possibility that Brittany's killer was someone she knew, or that she was a victim of a serial killer who was active in the area at the time of her murder.
The episode provides a comprehensive overview of the investigation, including interviews with witnesses and family members, along with news footage and crime scene photos. Despite the lack of resolution, Zahn brings attention to the case in hopes that someone may come forward with new information that could bring Brittany's killer to justice. The episode serves as a tribute to Brittany Phillips, a young woman who was taken far too soon, and a reminder of the importance of never giving up in the search for justice.