Ep 5. Campus Killer

On The Case With Paula Zahn is a true crime docuseries that looks into various homicide cases and follows the journeys of investigators, family members, and witnesses as they try to solve some of the most perplexing cases in the United States. Season 4 episode 5 of the show is titled "Campus Killer."

The episode revolves around the murder of an 18-year-old college student named Katie Sepich, who was a promising athlete and scholar. She was attending New Mexico State University when she was brutally murdered in August 2003. Her body was found burning in a landfill a few miles away from her off-campus apartment.

The murder shocked the tight-knit community of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and the state of New Mexico as a whole. The police launched a massive investigation, and the case became one of the biggest in the state's history. The investigation spanned three years, and it involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI.

The episode starts with a reenactment of the events that led to Katie's murder. It shows how she was abducted from her apartment complex's parking lot and taken to an isolated area where she was raped, severely beaten, strangled, and set on fire. The reenactment is chilling, and it sets the tone for the rest of the episode.

The investigators on the case were faced with several challenges. They did not have any witnesses, DNA evidence, or surveillance footage. All they had was a set of fingerprints found on a beer bottle near Katie's apartment. The fingerprints were ultimately traced back to a man named Gabriel Avila. Avila was a known criminal who had been in and out of prison for most of his life.

The police traced Avila to Louisiana, where he was serving time in a maximum-security prison for another crime. They brought him back to New Mexico and charged him with Katie's murder. However, Avila denied any involvement in the crime, and there was no physical evidence linking him to the murder.

The episode delves into the various twists and turns of the investigation. It shows how the investigators used advanced forensic techniques, such as DNA analysis and fingerprint analysis, to build a case against Avila. It also shows how they relied on old-fashioned detective work, such as interviewing witnesses and tracking down leads, to piece together what happened on the night of the murder.

Throughout the episode, we hear from various people involved in the case. We hear from Katie's parents, who have become advocates for victims' rights. We also hear from the investigators who worked tirelessly to solve the case. They speak candidly about the difficulties they faced and the emotional toll the case took on them.

The episode does an excellent job of building suspense and keeping the viewer engaged. It reveals new information at just the right moments and never feels bogged down by technical jargon or legal procedures. It also handles the subject matter with sensitivity and respect.

In conclusion, "Campus Killer" is a gripping episode of On The Case With Paula Zahn that explores a tragic and senseless murder and the investigation that followed. The episode highlights the dedication and persistence of the investigators involved in the case and shows how justice can be served even in the most challenging circumstances. It is a must-watch for true crime fans and anyone interested in the workings of law enforcement.