Dateline Season 28 Episode 40 Family Business
- August 31, 2020
- 84 min
-
(9)
Family Business- Dateline Season 28 Episode 40
Dateline's Season 28 Episode 40 introduces viewers to the story of Bruce Pardo, who killed nine people including his ex-wife and her family during a Christmas party, before committing suicide. The episode delves deep into the history of Pardo and his relationships. It also explores the aftermath of the tragedy and how the victims' families cope with the loss.
The episode begins with a gripping narration of the events that took place on December 24, 2018. Viewers are taken through the horrors of Pardo's actions that shook the San Fernando Valley in Southern California. The police officers, the victims' family members, and neighbors recount the fateful day, describing the chaos and confusion that ensued.
As the episode progresses, Dateline dives deeper into the history of Pardo, uncovering his dark past and the reasons behind his actions. Viewers discover that Pardo had a tumultuous relationship with his ex-wife, Sylvia Ortega Pardo. The two got married in 2004 but things quickly went sour, leading to a bitter divorce in 2008.
Through interviews with friends and family members, Dateline paints a picture of a man who was violent, unstable, and consumed by rage and jealousy. Pardo had lost his job as an electrical engineer, and his divorce had left him with a hefty alimony payment. He was also involved in a legal battle with Ortega Pardo over property that he believed was rightfully his.
The episode also explores the role of Pardo's parents in the tragedy. Viewers discover that Pardo's father had made several suspicious calls to his son on the night of the murder, and had been overheard telling his son to flee the scene. Pardo's mother, on the other hand, had claimed that her son was mentally ill and had been receiving treatment for depression.
Dateline also delves into the aftermath of the tragedy, focusing on the victims' families and how they coped with the loss. Viewers meet James and Teresa Cromwell, the parents of Sylvia Ortega Pardo, who lost their daughter, two grandchildren, and four other family members in the attack. They speak candidly about the trauma they went through and how they managed to find the strength to carry on.
The episode also features interviews with other family members of the victims, including Ortega Pardo's sister, Leticia, and her two surviving children, Sal and Amanda. Through their stories, viewers get a glimpse of the love and bond that bound the family together, even in the face of tragedy.
Overall, Dateline's Season 28 Episode 40- Family Business, is a gripping and emotional tale of one man's descent into madness and the devastating consequences of his actions. It is a story that will leave viewers questioning the fragility of human life and the importance of family and love in our lives.