The Secret
- Dec 17, 2020
- 1:26:13
- Full Episode
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In this Dateline classic, Patricia Esparza believed she had escaped poverty and abuse, attending elite schools and becoming a respected psychology professor. But a dark secret comes back to haunt her when a determined investigator and prosecutor in Orange County work to solve a 20-year-old murder case. Andrea Canning reports. Originally aired on NBC on May 15, 2015.
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Brief Summary
Patricia Esparza pleads guilty to manslaughter after her ex-boyfriend murders her alleged rapist, revealing a complex web of trauma and revenge.
Key points
- The Secret of Patricia Esparza. A professor's life spirals into chaos after a traumatic event leads to a murder investigation.
- A Gruesome Discovery. Detectives uncover a body with signs of a brutal murder, raising questions about the victim's identity.
- The Mysterious Patty. Police find a clue on a phone bill that leads them to Patricia Esparza, a key figure in the case.
- Guiani's Arrest. Detectives arrested Guiani Vann for the murder of Gonzalo Ramirez nearly a year after the body was found.
- Marriage to a Suspect. Prosecutors found out that Patricia married Guiani after the murder, complicating the case.
- A New Witness. A witness revealed that Patricia identified Gonzalo as her rapist, changing the focus of the investigation.
Episode highlights
- The Secret of Patricia EsparzaA professor's life spirals into chaos after a traumatic event leads to a murder investigation.“Whatever the charges are that they're asking me to plead guilty for, it's essentially something that I cannot accept because it would essent”2:05Dec 17, 2020
- A Gruesome DiscoveryDetectives uncover a body with signs of a brutal murder, raising questions about the victim's identity.“I've been to a lot of scenes in my career, but this one was a little more gruesome.”8:30Dec 17, 2020
- The Mysterious PattyPolice find a clue on a phone bill that leads them to Patricia Esparza, a key figure in the case.“That's kind of a twist. That threw a whole new element into the investigation.”14:58Dec 17, 2020
- Guiani's ArrestDetectives arrested Guiani Vann for the murder of Gonzalo Ramirez nearly a year after the body was found.“Guiani, you're going to be going to jail for murder.”25:54Dec 17, 2020
- Marriage to a SuspectProsecutors found out that Patricia married Guiani after the murder, complicating the case.“Ms. Esparza and Guiani Vann had gotten married in Las Vegas after the murder.”27:16Dec 17, 2020
- A New WitnessA witness revealed that Patricia identified Gonzalo as her rapist, changing the focus of the investigation.“This was a bombshell.”45:18Dec 17, 2020
- Patricia ChargedPatricia was charged with first-degree murder upon her return to the U.S.“He charged her with first-degree murder.”49:42Dec 17, 2020
- Patricia Breaks SilenceAfter two months in jail, Patricia finally confides in the prosecutor about Gonzalo Ramirez.“I met him at El Cortes.”52:17Dec 17, 2020
Episode quotes
Tension
85/ 100High tension
