Ep 21. Finding Rita

In episode 21 of season 31 of Dateline, titled "Finding Rita," the show focuses on the disappearance of Rita Gutierrez-Garcia from Longmont, Colorado. Rita was a single mother of three who was last seen leaving a local bar after celebrating St. Patrick's Day with friends in March of 2018.

The episode begins by introducing Rita's family, who describe her as a loving and hardworking person who was devoted to her children. They express their shock and devastation when she vanished without a trace, leaving them with no answers about her whereabouts.

Dateline walks the viewers through the timeline of events surrounding Rita's disappearance, including the efforts of her family and law enforcement officials to locate her. However, as days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months, the investigation appears to be at a standstill.

Despite the challenges, Rita's family holds onto hope that she will return home safely someday. Her sister Jessica is particularly determined to continue searching for her and to keep her sister's story in the public eye.

Dateline then introduces several members of the Longmont Police Department who worked on the case, including Detective Mark Deaton and Chief Investigator Eric Munch. They explain the various steps they took to try and find Rita, including searching a pond near where she was last seen, conducting interviews with witnesses and persons of interest, and analyzing surveillance footage.

However, as the investigation continues, they encounter roadblock after roadblock. There is not enough evidence to make an arrest, and many leads turn out to be dead ends. While the case is still open, it begins to look like Rita's disappearance may never be solved.

Just when it seems like all hope is lost, new information comes to light that could provide a breakthrough in the case. Dateline follows the investigation as law enforcement officials work to piece together the evidence and bring justice for Rita and her family.

Throughout the episode, Dateline offers a compassionate look into the lives of Rita's loved ones, as well as the dedicated individuals who worked tirelessly to solve her disappearance. It highlights the challenges and heartbreak of missing persons cases, but also the hope that comes with persistence and determination.

Ultimately, "Finding Rita" is a gripping and emotional installment of Dateline that sheds light on a tragic case and the enduring power of love and perseverance.