Ep 7. Girl Scout Murders

On season 45, episode 7 of ABC 20/20, viewers are taken back to 1977 when three young Girl Scouts were brutally murdered while staying at their summer camp in Oklahoma. The case shook the nation and, more than four decades later, it is still unresolved.

The episode starts by introducing the victims - 8-year-old Lori Farmer, 9-year-old Michelle Guse, and 10-year-old Doris Milner - and the details of their disappearance. The girls were last seen on June 13, 1977, at their tent, which was later found to be ransacked. A search party was organized, and their bodies were discovered the next day. All three had been sexually assaulted and murdered.

ABC 20/20 interviews surviving family members, law enforcement, and witnesses who were involved in the investigation at the time. Viewers learn about the obstacles faced by authorities and the impact the case had on the small town of Locust Grove, Oklahoma. The episode also touches on the media frenzy that surrounded the case and how it contributed to both the investigation and the devastation felt by the families.

As the episode progresses, viewers hear from individuals who have continued to investigate the case long after the initial investigation was closed. ABC 20/20 speaks with both amateur sleuths and law enforcement officials who have pursued new leads and examined old evidence. One retired detective even explains that he kept a piece of evidence from the case with him throughout his entire career, hoping that one day it would help solve the case.

Viewers also learn about various suspects who have been questioned over the years. The episode explores a range of possible motives and details the evidence against each suspect. Theories about the involvement of a satanic cult and various serial killers are discussed at length.

Despite the renewed efforts of investigators and amateur sleuths, the case remains unsolved. ABC 20/20 acknowledges the toll this has taken on the families of the victims and the town of Locust Grove. The episode examines the impact the case had on the broader culture, with some suggesting it spurred a nationwide fear of sending children to summer camps alone.

The episode ends with a call to action urging viewers to come forward if they have any information about the case. The disappearance and murder of Lori, Michelle, and Doris is a case that has haunted the country for over forty years. ABC 20/20 provides a comprehensive look at the case, from the initial investigation to the hopes and frustrations of those who have continued to pursue answers long after the case went cold.

Overall, this episode of ABC 20/20 offers a in-depth and sensitive look at a case that continues to elude investigators and devastate those who have been impacted by it. Viewers interested in true crime and unsolved mysteries will find this episode compelling and thought-provoking.