Ep 11. Melissa Brannen: Missing
- TVPG
- January 12, 1999
- 52 min
-
6.7 (46)
Melissa Brannen: Missing is the eleventh episode of the first season of The FBI Files. This episode delves into the tragic disappearance of five-year-old Melissa Brannen from a Christmas party in Virginia in 1989.
The episode begins by detailing the events leading up to Melissa's disappearance. Melissa's parents had taken her to a Christmas party at the local laundromat, where they socialized with other families. During the course of the party, Melissa disappeared, and despite an extensive search by law enforcement and volunteers, she was never found.
The FBI was brought in to assist with the investigation, and the episode details the techniques used by the FBI to investigate the case. The FBI created a timeline of events leading up to Melissa's disappearance, interviewed witnesses, and utilized forensic evidence to try to solve the case.
The episode explores the possible suspects in the case, including a man who had been seen at the laundromat on the night of Melissa's disappearance and who had a history of similar crimes. However, despite interviewing this individual and others, the FBI was unable to gather sufficient evidence to make an arrest.
The investigation into Melissa's disappearance continued for several years, and the FBI utilized several new techniques as they became available. The episode details how DNA evidence eventually became a crucial component in the investigation, and how the FBI's CODIS system enabled them to compare DNA samples from a suspect to evidence found at the scene.
Throughout the episode, the heartbreak experienced by Melissa's family is palpable. They speak about their efforts to keep her memory alive, and how the disappearance has affected their lives. The episode also features interviews with law enforcement officials who worked on the case, and who detail their own frustrations and sadness at being unable to solve it.
Despite a lack of resolution in Melissa's case, the episode ultimately emphasizes the vital role that the FBI plays in investigating crimes and working tirelessly to bring justice to victims and their families.
