Breaking Homicide Season 1 Episode 12 Michelle O'Keefe
- March 15, 2021
- 11 min
Michelle O'Keefe's disappearance and murder in 2000 sent shockwaves through her Riverside, California community. In the 18 years since her death, detectives have worked tirelessly to bring her killer to justice, but he has remained elusive. In Breaking Homicide season 1 episode 12, former prosecutor Derrick Levasseur and forensic psychologist Kris Mohandie take on the case and re-examine the evidence to try and uncover new leads.
Michelle was just 18 years old when she attended a friend's house party on Friday, February 25, 2000. At around midnight, she left the party and headed back to her car, which was parked on the street outside. Moments later she was abducted. Her car keys were found scattered on the pavement by her car, indicating a struggle. Despite a massive search effort that involved hundreds of volunteers, professional search and rescue teams, and the FBI, Michelle's body was found four days later in a rural, remote area of Lake Matthews. She had been shot in the head.
In the course of their investigation, Derrick and Kris interview Michelle's family, friends, and the detectives who worked on the case. They also examine the evidence, including the 911 call that was made around the time of Michelle's abduction. The caller reported hearing a loud struggle outside and saw two men force Michelle into a car. The police were quickly informed, but they were not able to locate the car or identify the perpetrators.
Derrick and Kris also look at other similar crimes that occurred around the same time and in the same area as Michelle's abduction and murder. They consider the possibility that her death was connected to a series of crimes committed by a serial offender. They also consider other factors that may have contributed to her death, including her involvement in drugs and gang activity.
As they delve deeper into the case, Derrick and Kris uncover new evidence and interview witnesses who were not previously questioned. They also work alongside the Riverside Police Department's Homicide Division, which has never closed Michelle's case and is still actively seeking her killer. Along the way, they encounter unexpected twists and turns that challenge their assumptions and highlight the complexities of investigating a cold case.
Breaking Homicide season 1 episode 12 provides viewers with a glimpse into the painstaking work that goes into solving a homicide case. It highlights the emotional toll that these cases can take on the families of the victims and the detectives who work tirelessly to bring their loved ones' killers to justice. The episode is a testament to the importance of persistence and collaboration in solving even the most difficult of cases.