Ep 11. In The Wind

In the season 20 episode 11 of On The Case With Paula Zahn titled In The Wind, the focus is on a young woman named Lisa Ziegert who disappeared while working at a gift shop in Agawam, Massachusetts on April 15, 1992.

The episode highlights Lisa's life and background, her passion for teaching and her involvement in the local community. It also delves into the investigation and the various leads that were pursued at the time of her disappearance.

The case was initially labeled as a missing person's case, but it soon became apparent that something more sinister might have occurred. Two days after her disappearance, Lisa's body was found in a wooded area in nearby Suffield, Connecticut. She had been sexually assaulted and stabbed multiple times.

The episode details the extensive investigation by the Massachusetts State Police and the FBI, with interviews from the lead investigators and experts. The show also covers the emotional impact on Lisa's family and the community.

The investigation ultimately led to the arrest of Gary E. Schara, who was living in West Springfield, Massachusetts at the time of Lisa's murder. Schara was indicted by a grand jury in September 2017 and charged with murder, aggravated rape, and kidnapping. In 2019, Schara pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Throughout the episode, Paula Zahn uses her interviewing skills to gather insights into the investigation, the trial, and the lives of those involved. The episode provides viewers with a detailed look at the process of investigating and solving a decades-old murder case and the impact that it has on the affected families and communities.

Overall, In The Wind is a compelling and thought-provoking episode of On The Case With Paula Zahn that covers a harrowing case with sensitivity and respect. It offers an insightful and comprehensive examination of the investigation into Lisa Ziegert's murder and highlights the tireless efforts of investigators, forensic analysts, and other experts who worked on the case for years.