Ep 1. Last Seen in Lakeland

Last Seen in Lakeland is the season premiere episode of ABC's long-running news magazine show, 20/20. It is the 45th season of the show, and explores the mysterious disappearance of a young woman from Florida.

The episode begins with the story of Jabez Spann, a 14-year-old boy who vanished from Sarasota, Florida in 2017. The case received national attention, but despite extensive searches and investigations, Jabez has never been found. The case remained unsolved until recently, when a citizen discovered his remains in a rural area of Manatee County. The discovery led to the arrest of a suspect in connection with Jabez's death.

This heartbreaking story serves as a backdrop for the main case featured in the episode - the disappearance of 27-year-old Markeith Loyd. Markeith was last seen on January 9, 2017, in Lakeland, Florida. He was being sought by police in connection with the murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon. At the time, Markeith was also wanted for the December 13, 2016 killing of Orlando Police Lieutenant Debra Clayton.

In the weeks following his disappearance, Markeith became one of Florida's most wanted criminals. A $125,000 reward was offered for information leading to his capture. Police conducted an extensive manhunt for months, but Markeith remained elusive.

In the program, ABC News correspondent Matt Gutman interviews Markeith's family members, friends, and law enforcement officials involved with the case. Gutman gained access to recently discovered police bodycam footage of the moments leading up to Markeith's disappearance.

The footage shows Markeith being pulled over in a traffic stop by Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Brian Cross. The stop occurred just hours after Markeith's ex-girlfriend's murder. The camera captures Markeith fleeing the scene and the subsequent chase through a wooded area, which led to his escape.

The episode explores the evidence found during the search for Markeith, including DNA found on a discarded cigarette that matched his DNA. ABC also interviewed the man who found the cigarette, who spoke on camera for the first time.

ABC News also spoke with Markeith's mother, who gave insight into her son's life before the incidents. Markeith grew up in poverty and struggled in school, but he turned to athletics and found success as a high school football player. Later, he became embroiled in a series of petty crimes, and spent over a decade in prison.

Markeith was released in 2014 and attempted to turn his life around. He got a job, began a steady relationship, and had two children with his girlfriend. But things began to unravel when he was accused of causing a disturbance at his girlfriend's house on December 13, 2016, which is when the killing of Lieutenant Debra Clayton occurred.

The episode explores the possible reasons for Markeith's actions and examines the challenges police faced in trying to catch him. It also features interviews with Casey Anthony's former attorney, who weighs in on the legal implications of Markeith's case.

Throughout the program, viewers are taken on a journey that offers a rare behind-the-scenes look into the complexities of a high-profile police investigation. The episode sheds light on the impact that these types of cases have on the families of both the victim and the accused.

Last Seen in Lakeland is a compelling and thought-provoking episode of 20/20. It highlights the importance of investigative journalism and the role that the media can play in bringing attention to important issues and sparking change.