Ep 25. Double Life, Double Murder

In season 44, episode 25 of ABC's "20/20," viewers are presented with a riveting story of a married man who harbored a dark secret and lived a double life. The episode, titled "Double Life, Double Murder," explores the shocking details of a murder case that captivated the nation.

The story begins with the mysterious disappearance of a young woman named Shanna Riddle, who was last seen leaving a bar in Oklahoma City in 2013. Police initially suspected that she may have run away, but as time passed with no sign of her, they grew increasingly concerned.

Their investigations led them to a man named Kevin Sweat, who was known to have been in the same bar as Shanna on the night of her disappearance. Upon questioning, Sweat initially denied any involvement in Shanna's disappearance but later gave a stunning confession that revealed that he was living a double life.

Sweat was a married man with a family, but he had a dark side that he had kept hidden from his loved ones. He confessed to having killed not just Shanna but another young woman named Ashley Taylor, whose body had been found in 2011.

As the investigation continued, police uncovered more and more evidence of Sweat's double life, including secret photos and videos he had taken of himself engaging in violent sexual acts. They also discovered that he had a history of mental illness and had been hospitalized for several months.

As the trial approached, the families of Shanna and Ashley struggled to come to terms with the horrific crimes that had been committed. They spoke out about the impact that the murders had had on their lives and expressed their hope that justice would be served.

The episode takes viewers through the trial, with testimony from members of Sweat's family, law enforcement officials, and experts in forensic psychology. It explores the question of whether or not Sweat was truly responsible for his actions, given his history of mental illness.

In the end, the jury reached a verdict and Sweat was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. But the families of Shanna and Ashley were left to grapple with the knowledge that they had lost loved ones to a man who had been leading a double life.

"Double Life, Double Murder" is a gripping exploration of a true crime story that shocked the nation. It raises important questions about mental illness, the secrecy that can often surround it, and the impact that it can have on the lives of those who are affected by it.