I'm Going to Get You (Rebroadcast)

Debbie Dorian's Murder [00:01:36]

• Debbie Dorian, a Fresno State student, was found murdered in her apartment on August 22, 1996.
• Her father discovered her body, bound and with her face covered in duct tape.
• The scene suggested a struggle, with food items left out, indicating she may have been interrupted.

  "He went into the apartment, didn't see her in the living room or dining area or kitchen, and then went towards the back part of the apartment."

Initial Investigation and DNA Evidence [00:03:46]

• Investigators found semen and saliva from the same source at the crime scene.
• A DNA profile was uploaded to the national database, but there was no immediate match.
• The lack of forced entry suggested Debbie may have known her attacker or been coerced.

  "It looked like she had just made a sandwich, so the sandwich was there with some Doritos."

Boyfriend and Potential Roommates as Suspects [00:06:11]

• Debbie's boyfriend, John Thomas, was interviewed and cleared after providing a DNA sample.
• Debbie had been seeking a roommate, leading investigators to a list of potential candidates.
• Alvin, a potential roommate and registered sex offender, was interviewed but excluded by DNA.

  "She had some papers on her dining room table with names on it."

Maurice Dixon's Arrest and Exoneration [00:08:45]

• Alvin's friend, Maurice Dixon, was also interviewed and became a suspect.
• Dixon's DNA was initially a preliminary match, leading to his arrest.
• A more sophisticated DNA test later excluded Dixon, and he was released after two weeks in custody.

  "Maury's Dixon sample was also submitted to see if we could exclude, and he could not be excluded."

The Case Goes Cold [00:11:52]

• The investigation returned to square one after Dixon's exoneration.
• Debbie's father remained committed to finding the killer, offering rewards.
• Investigator Vince Zavala vowed to Sarah Loven, Debbie's mother, that he would not retire until the case was solved.

  "I made a commitment to her. I would never quit, and she asked me, well, what about when you retire?"

A Link to Visalia Assaults [00:15:16]

• In 2018, a DNA case-to-case hit connected Debbie's murder to a series of sexual assaults in Visalia.
• The suspect in the Visalia cases was described as a white male adult.
• The DNA from Debbie's case matched DNA found in one of the Visalia sexual assault cases.

  "There was a lead where the DNA in Debbie's case matched suspect DNA in a sexual assault in Visalia."

Identifying the Visalia Ransacker [00:17:40]

• The suspect in the Visalia assaults was dubbed the "Visalia Ransacker."
• Investigators collected over 100 DNA samples in Visalia but struggled to identify the suspect.
• A "John Doe" warrant was issued to preserve the statute of limitations on the sex assault cases.

  "We knew that if we could find this person, that we really had him, which, you know, is a big part of the puzzle."

The Golden State Killer Connection [00:19:25]

• The arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo, the Golden State Killer, in 2018, brought new DNA technology to light.
• This technology, including genealogical DNA testing, allowed investigators to build family trees.
• Sacramento County DA's office shared their blueprint for using this new investigative technique.

  "We found the needle in the haystack, and it was right here in Sacramento."

Identifying Nicky Dwayne Stain [00:21:07]

• Using genealogical DNA, investigators identified Nicky Dwayne Stain as a potential suspect.
• Stain lived in Visalia, had a solid work history, and no apparent criminal past.
• Investigators obtained a DNA sample from Stain's discarded trash, which matched the crime scene DNA.

  "Nicky Dwayne Stain was our 147th individual who we obtained a DNA sample from for comparison."

Confrontation and Arrest [00:22:50]

• Detectives confronted Stain at his workplace.
• Stain initially denied knowing Debbie Dorian but later admitted to meeting her for consensual sex.
• Stain was arrested for the Visalia sexual assaults.

  "Have you ever seen that girl? Nope. Nope. You don't know her?"

Stain's Confessions and Behavior [00:24:32]

• In jail, Stain made phone calls admitting to "bad things" and needing punishment.
• He described his sexual encounters and promiscuity, and his bedroom resembled "Fifty Shades of Grey."
• Investigators found a wall plug camera in a roommate's bathroom and allegations of peeping Tom behavior.

  "If you have my phone, you'll be able to see that because it has like 400 videos on it."

Preliminary Hearing and Victim Testimony [00:27:04]

• The case proceeded to a preliminary hearing in the fall of 2023.
• A neighbor identified a white male matching Stain's description outside Debbie's apartment.
• Two sexual assault survivors from Visalia testified, identifying Stain by his eyes and voice.

  "When you saw him in the courtroom, did anything register? The eyes and the voice."

Plea Deal and Sentencing [00:30:10]

• Stain agreed to a plea deal, pleading guilty to murder and sexual assault charges.
• He avoided the death penalty and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
• Debbie's mother and survivors delivered powerful impact statements.

  "He has the rest of his life to pay for what he did. And he will pay for his evil actions."

Family and Investigator Reflections [00:33:35]

• Debbie's mother, Sarah Loven, expressed her gratitude to investigator Vince Zavala.
• Zavala, a farmer and detective, compared solving cold cases to harvesting pomegranates.
• The arrest and conviction brought a sense of closure after nearly 29 years.

  "To my dear Vince, you know how much this case has meant to us."

The Impact on Survivors [00:31:50]

• Jane Doe #1 (Beth) delivered a powerful statement, expressing the lasting trauma and fear.
• She wished she had died rather than live with the memories and flashbacks.
• She hoped her coming forward would encourage others to seek help.

  "I wish I was dead. I wish he did kill me. It would have been a lot better than having these thoughts in my head and flashbacks."

Final Thoughts and Justice [00:34:15]

• The case highlights the advancements in DNA technology and investigative techniques.
• Stain's plea agreement forfeited his right to appeal.
• The case represents a significant achievement for law enforcement and a measure of justice for the victims.

  "He no longer has the power. Whatever he wants for power is behind bars."