Ep 3. Why Isn't She Smiling?

Based on actual criminal investigations, Motives & Murders: Cracking the Case is a crime series that delves into the minds and motivations of killers. Each episode showcases a different case, highlighting the tireless work of investigators as they piece together clues and use their expertise to solve the crime.

In season 6 episode 3, titled "Why Isn't She Smiling?", viewers are taken to Mesa, Arizona, where a vibrant young woman named Angela Russo has gone missing. Angela was a recent college graduate with a passion for photography. When her worried family and friends report her disappearance, investigators quickly launch an intensive search to find her.

As the investigation unfolds, detectives discover that Angela had recently been hired as a photography instructor at a local community college. She had been excited about the job and had been looking forward to starting her career in earnest. However, her enthusiasm was cut short when she was mysteriously abducted from her apartment complex one morning.

While searching for clues, detectives speak with Angela's family and friends to try and gain insight into who might have taken her and why. They also search for possible suspects in the area, questioning anyone who might have seen something suspicious in the vicinity of Angela's apartment.

As they work tirelessly to uncover the truth, detectives hit a major roadblock when surveillance footage from the day of Angela's abduction surfaces. The grainy footage shows a figure in a hoodie and sunglasses, making it almost impossible to discern their identity. However, detectives are able to use their knowledge of criminal behavior to identify some helpful clues.

With the investigation ramping up, detectives begin to piece together an elaborate conspiracy involving multiple suspects. As they close in on the truth, they are stunned to learn the shocking details of what really happened to Angela Russo.

Like all episodes of Motives & Murders: Cracking the Case, "Why Isn't She Smiling?" is a gripping tale of true crime. It is a poignant reminder that even the most mundane of details can be vital tools in uncovering the truth behind a heinous crime. Through interviews with family, friends, and law enforcement officials, viewers are given a behind-the-scenes look at the mechanics of a criminal investigation, and they are challenged to use their own analytical skills to help solve the crime.