On The Case With Paula Zahn Season 1 Episode 5 Date with Death

On The Case With Paula Zahn is a true crime documentary series that explores fascinating murder cases and takes a closer look at the investigations that eventually led to justice. In season 1 episode 5, titled "Date with Death," we follow the tragic story of a young woman who went missing on her way to a date, and the complex investigation that followed.

The episode begins with Paula Zahn introducing us to Ali Kemp, a 19-year-old girl who was working as a lifeguard in Kansas City. On June 18, 2002, Ali had a date with a man she had met online, but she never returned home. Her parents immediately reported her missing, and the search for Ali Kemp began.

The investigation was led by Detective Kevin Boehm and his team, who started by retracing Ali's steps on the day she went missing. They found her car abandoned in a parking lot, and forensic analysis revealed that there was blood on the driver's seat. The blood was later identified as Ali's, which meant she had been in her car when she was attacked.

The case quickly became a high-profile investigation, with the media coverage and public attention putting pressure on the authorities to find Ali's killer. The police conducted hundreds of interviews and followed countless leads, but for months, the case remained unsolved.

The breakthrough came in the form of DNA evidence. During the investigation, a man named Keith Nelson had been arrested on an unrelated case, and his DNA sample matched the DNA found in Ali's car. Nelson was a convicted sex offender who had been released from prison just days before Ali's murder.

The evidence against Nelson was overwhelming, and he was quickly arrested and charged in Ali's case. The trial was emotional and intense, with both the prosecution and the defense presenting powerful arguments to the jury. In the end, the verdict was in favor of the prosecution, and Nelson was sentenced to death.

The episode also features interviews with Ali's family and friends, who share their memories of her and the impact her loss has had on their lives. They talk about how Ali was full of life, and how her kind and caring personality had made her loved by many.

The episode ends with Paula Zahn reflecting on the tragedy of Ali Kemp's story, and the importance of online safety in today's world. She urges viewers to be cautious when interacting with strangers online, and to remain vigilant about potential dangers.

Overall, "Date with Death" is a gripping and emotional episode that shines a light on the devastating effects of violent crime, as well as the tireless work of law enforcement in bringing perpetrators to justice.