Denise Huskins recalled that upon her release on March 25, 2015, by one of her abductors from two days prior, she wasn’t preoccupied with ensuring the credibility of her experience. However, upon returning to safety, she found herself thrust into the harsh glare of media scrutiny and law enforcement suspicion. Authorities were intent on proving she had engineered her own abduction, drawing parallels to the plot of the movie “Gone Girl”.
In the Netflix series “American Nightmare”, now available for streaming, Huskins and her now-husband Aaron Quinn delve into the turbulent aftermath of her abduction from Quinn’s home in Vallejo, California, on March 23, 2015. Over the following two days, law enforcement redirected their suspicions from Quinn to Huskins, alleging she had masterminded her own disappearance, echoing the themes of “Gone Girl”.
Crafted by filmmakers Felicity Morris and Bernadette Higgins, the three-part documentary incorporates interviews, interrogation footage, and audio recordings to illustrate the shortcomings of the justice system in addressing the plight of crime victims.
What Happened to Denis Huskin ?
In “American Nightmare”, the initial two episodes offer perspectives from Quinn and Huskins, detailing the events of the abduction night and its aftermath, including their recollections of awakening to a bright light and a voice warning them of intruders in Quinn’s home.
Denise Huskins recounted waking up to a voice, initially mistaking it for part of a dream. However, she soon realized its authenticity as she observed the walls illuminated with flashing white light and noticed red laser dots moving across them. The voice conveyed a message about a robbery, claiming no intention to harm. Following this, Huskins and her partner, Aaron Quinn, were bound, blindfolded, and sedated. Huskins was then taken from the house in Quinn’s car trunk, while Quinn was instructed to await further ransom instructions and warned against involving the police.
Quinn detailed his experience in “Part One: The Boyfriend,” explaining how he became a suspect in the case. Despite his explanations, law enforcement doubted him. Vallejo Detective Mathew Mustard even accused Quinn of involvement in Huskins’ disappearance, citing domestic violence. After extensive interrogation, Quinn’s brother hired a lawyer to secure his release.
During Quinn’s detention, the kidnappers attempted to contact him for ransom, but his phone remained on airplane mode as instructed by the police. Meanwhile, Huskins endured captivity, subjected to sexual assault by one of her captors claiming ex-military status.
Eventually, Huskins was released unharmed, found 400 miles away from Vallejo. However, Vallejo Police dismissed her abduction as a hoax, leading Huskins to seek her own legal representation.
Expressing remorse for Huskins’ ordeal, the kidnappers contacted media outlets to affirm the couple’s innocence, providing supporting evidence.
How was Case Solved ?
The case took a significant turn following a similar attempted kidnapping in Dublin, leading to the arrest of Matthew Muller, a former Marine and Harvard law school graduate. Further investigation revealed Muller’s involvement in numerous crimes, including Huskins’ abduction. Muller was convicted and sentenced to prison.
In the aftermath, Huskins and Quinn filed a defamation lawsuit against Vallejo Police, eventually settling for $2.5 million. They continue to speak out against police misconduct, finding comfort in their marriage and the birth of their daughters. Despite challenges, they remain hopeful for the future.More
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