Ep 6. Smoke And Lies

In On The Case With Paula Zahn season 18 episode 6 titled "Smoke And Lies," Paula Zahn takes viewers on a journey through a baffling case in which Kari Baker, a devoted mother and wife, vanished without a trace.

Kari was last seen on the evening of April 13, 2006, at her home in San Angelo, Texas. Her husband, Matt, claimed that she had left in the middle of the night to go on a long-planned trip to nearby Midland. However, Kari's family and friends didn't believe that she would have taken off without telling anyone, especially not without saying goodbye to her beloved children.

As investigators dug deeper into Kari's disappearance, they discovered that there was much more to the story than initially met the eye. Matt was a member of a local church that, under the guise of helping families like the Bakers, was actually a cult-like organization that exerted a great deal of control over its members.

Matt was one of the church's leaders, and many of the group's teachings clashed with Kari's own independent spirit. She had even confided in friends that she was considering leaving Matt and the church altogether.

As police continued to investigate, they found more and more evidence that pointed to Matt's involvement in Kari's disappearance. He had forged Kari's signature on several documents, including a power of attorney, and had even purchased a large life insurance policy on her just a few weeks before she vanished.

Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Matt refused to confess to any wrongdoing. Instead, he concocted a number of bizarre and contradictory stories about what had happened to Kari. He claimed that she had run off with another man, that she was in a witness protection program, and even that she had been killed by members of a Mexican drug cartel.

Over the course of the episode, Zahn speaks with friends and family members of Kari and Matt to piece together what really happened on that fateful April night. She works closely with the investigators who worked tirelessly to bring Kari's killer to justice, and delves into the psychology of cults and the hold that they can have over their members.

Ultimately, "Smoke And Lies" is a gripping and emotional look at a case that left a community reeling. Viewers will be on the edge of their seats as they learn the shocking twists and turns of the investigation, and will come away with a renewed appreciation for the dedication of law enforcement officials who work tirelessly to solve these complex cases.