Ep 17. The Pastor's Wife

The show On The Case With Paula Zahn, season 12 episode 17, titled "The Pastor's Wife" follows the murder investigation of a beloved Mississippi pastor's wife. The episode begins with Paula Zahn introducing the case and explaining that the victim, Aletha, was a beloved member of her community, and her murder had shaken the town to its core.

Through interviews with family, friends, and investigators, viewers learn about who Aletha was, her involvement in her husband's church, and what led up to her murder. It is discovered that Aletha had been talking to a man online who claimed to also be a pastor and had been confiding in him about issues in her marriage. This man, however, was not who he claimed to be.

As the investigation unfolds, more details emerge, and the suspect seems shadier and more elusive. Paula speaks to the lead investigator in the case, who explains that after questioning the man Aletha had been in contact with, he had gone silent. Along with this, her husband had some inconsistencies in his version of events leading up to her murder, leading the investigators to look at him more closely.

As the evidence continues to pile up, the investigation twists and turns. Viewers get an inside look into how the investigators work to piece together seemingly disjointed pieces of information to form a solid case. Paula and the investigators go over aerial footage and cell phone records to try and pinpoint the murderer's movements and find the murder weapon.

Throughout the telling of this story, viewers see Aletha's family and friends grappling with her loss and trying to come to terms with her being taken from them. The case goes to trial, and viewers see how it all plays out in the courtroom. And while justice is served, there will never be closure for Aletha's loved ones.

The episode ends with Paula Zahn summarizing the entire case. She highlights the resiliency of Aletha's loved ones and how they are trying to move forward. However, it is clear that this case has left a scar that will never truly heal. "The Pastor's Wife" is a captivating episode of On The Case With Paula Zahn that takes viewers on a journey through a complex murder investigation.