Ep 79. Shadow of a Doubt

In season 1 episode 79 of Forensic Files titled "Shadow of a Doubt," viewers follow the case of a young woman named Kathy Augustine who had a promising political career but met an unexpected and untimely death. Kathy was a state controller from Nevada, and she was also a beloved wife and mother of three. She had been experiencing some health concerns leading up to her death, but it was still a shock to her family and friends when they learned she may have been murdered.

The investigation began when Kathy was admitted to the hospital with a strange combination of symptoms that included vomiting, dizziness and difficulty breathing. Doctors tried everything to save her, but she eventually passed away. They believed she had died from a pulmonary embolism, but something wasn't adding up. Despite this, everyone initially accepted this explanation, since it seemed to make sense, given her health issues.

However, rumors began to swirl after Kathy's death that her husband, Chaz Higgs, might have been responsible for her demise. The investigation began to take a darker turn as detectives found inconsistencies in Chaz's story about his movements on the day of Kathy's death. They also dug deeper into his history and found he had a criminal record and that he had been arrested on more than one occasion.

As more evidence was gathered, it became clear that Kathy's death was not natural. Investigators found that someone had tampered with her IV, which led to her sudden demise. There were a handful of suspects, including Chaz, but they weren't sure who was behind it all. Detectives worked tirelessly, analyzing every shred of evidence they could find – from fingerprints to witness testimony – to get to the truth.

The investigation eventually led them to a woman named former Executive Assistant Peggy LaPierre , who had been a close friend and confidante of Kathy's. Peggy had known Kathy for years, and the two had even worked together in the past. Peggy had grown close to Kathy and was a fixture in her life, even traveling with her to conferences and events.

But it turns out that Peggy had a secret, and that secret was her intense jealousy and resentment of Kathy's life. Investigators discovered that Peggy had been secretly forging Kathy's signature on state documents and attempting to access her bank accounts and retirement funds. Peggy was caught and charged with forgery, but that was only the beginning.

Investigators eventually found evidence that Peggy had not acted alone. Someone had helped her to gain access to critical records and documents that she needed to pull off her plan. The investigation in the end showcased how a motive of greed could fuel a dangerous plot and how sometimes being close to someone doesn't necessarily mean you can trust them.

Overall, "Shadow of a Doubt" is an engaging and heartbreaking episode of Forensic Files, one that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end. It's a testament to the hard work of investigators who never gave up until they found the truth and brought those responsible to justice.