Ep 1. Hermosa Beach: Missing in Paradise

In the first episode of season 2 of City Confidential, titled "Hermosa Beach: Missing in Paradise," the show explores the mysterious disappearance of Kristin Smart. Kristin was a 19-year-old college student attending Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California. On May 25, 1996, Kristin attended an off-campus party and was reportedly seen walking back to her dorm alone at around 2:00 am. She was never seen again.

The episode begins by highlighting the idyllic beach town of Hermosa Beach, where Kristin grew up and her family still resides. Hermosa Beach is described as a paradise, a place where people come to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather and ocean view. The community is tight-knit and friendly, and it's clear that Kristin was well-loved by her peers and the adults in her life.

As the show delves into the details of Kristin's disappearance, it becomes clear that there were a number of strange and suspicious occurrences leading up to that night. There were rumors that Kristin had been raped at a party earlier in the year, but she chose not to press charges. She had also received threatening phone calls in the days leading up to her disappearance, but again, she didn't tell anyone or take any action.

The episode interviews a number of people who were involved in the investigation of Kristin's disappearance, including law enforcement officials, witnesses, and community members. Each person provides their own perspective on what might have happened to Kristin, but there are no clear answers.

Throughout the episode, City Confidential does an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of Kristin's life and the community in which she lived. The viewer gets a sense of who Kristin was as a person, and it's clear that her disappearance had a profound impact on everyone who knew her. Additionally, the episode does a good job of exploring the complex web of rumors and innuendo that surrounded the case. There were a lot of different theories about what might have happened to Kristin, and the episode presents each of them fairly and objectively.

Perhaps most impressive about "Hermosa Beach: Missing in Paradise" is the way it manages to be both informative and emotionally compelling. The investigation into Kristin's disappearance is fascinating in its own right, but the episode also manages to convey the deep sadness and frustration that Kristin's family and friends must have felt. By the end of the episode, viewers will likely be left with a sense of both intrigue and empathy.

In conclusion, "Hermosa Beach: Missing in Paradise" is an excellent episode of City Confidential that explores a tragic and mysterious case. The show does an excellent job of presenting the facts of the case, the various rumors and theories surrounding it, and the emotional impact it had on the people involved. Whether you're a true crime aficionado or simply looking for a compelling and moving story, "Hermosa Beach: Missing in Paradise" is not to be missed.