Forensic Files - Season 10, Episode 11 - Strong Impressions - Full Episode

Summary

The mysterious death of Vicki Gillette, originally ruled accidental, becomes a chilling case of murder. Her husband, Ron Gillette, initially claimed Vicki suffocated on a laundry bag after overdosing on sleeping pills, but investigators uncover numerous inconsistencies. Suspicious behavior, financial motives, and evidence suggesting foul play lead to Ron's arrest. Forensic analysis of the laundry bag reveals facial impressions, providing a breakthrough in the case. As more details emerge, including Ron's violent past and premeditated actions, the truth surfaces: he murdered his wife to marry his lover and escape his debts. Ron is convicted, but only serves 15 years before his release.

Takeaways

• 😀 The case revolves around the mysterious death of Vicki Gillette, initially ruled an accident but later suspected to be a homicide due to circumstantial evidence.
• 😀 Vicki's husband, Ron Gillette, was a skilled mechanic in the U.S. Air Force, and his wife, Vicki, appeared to have died from an accidental suffocation involving a plastic laundry bag.
• 😀 Despite initial reports and an autopsy suggesting no clear cause of death, investigators uncovered inconsistencies in the evidence, leading them to question the circumstances.
• 😀 A suspicious plastic laundry bag found near Vicki's body, along with an alarm clock set to 3:00 AM, raised doubts about the nature of her death.
• 😀 Ron's behavior after his wife's death, including marrying his new fiancée, Sue Yen, only days after Vicki's funeral, sparked suspicion.
• 😀 Investigators discovered that Ron had a financial motive, having taken out a life insurance policy on Vicki worth $27,000, which could cover his wedding expenses.
• 😀 Forensic analysis of the plastic bag revealed a human face impression, which was crucial in confirming the murder theory, suggesting that Vicki's death was caused by suffocation rather than accidental asphyxiation.
• 😀 Ron Gillette had a history of violence, including an admission of breaking Vicki's kneecaps in a previous incident, further supporting the idea of a violent relationship.
• 😀 Prosecutors argued that Ron's premeditation was evident through his actions, including making phone calls from home in August, knowing Vicki would not be alive to handle the bills.
• 😀 Despite a defense argument claiming an accidental death, the forensic evidence and the discovery of the face imprint on the bag convinced the jury of Ron Gillette's guilt, leading to his conviction for first-degree murder.

Q & A

What initially caused investigators to suspect foul play in Vicki Gillette's death?

Initially, the cause of death appeared to be an accident, with the forensics pointing to suffocation. However, circumstantial evidence, such as a suspicious laundry bag, a set alarm clock, and a lack of facial oils on the bag, suggested something more sinister.

Why did investigators find the laundry bag suspicious?

The laundry bag was found next to Vicki's body, but it contained clean clothes that smelled of detergent, not dirty laundry. This raised suspicion that the scene might have been staged.

How did the plastic laundry bag become a key piece of evidence in the case?

The forensic team, led by Kevin Poorman, analyzed the bag using super glue fuming and discovered facial impressions on the bag, suggesting that it had been used to suffocate Vicki deliberately, not accidentally.

What role did the second-hand witness play in the investigation?

A neighbor reported seeing Ron Gillette waiting for the ambulance and then crying only once it arrived. This behavior seemed unnatural and helped shift suspicion toward Ron.

What was the significance of Ron Gillette remarrying so soon after his wife's death?

Ron married his fiancée, Sue Yen, just 11 days after Vicki's death. This quick remarriage, along with evidence that Ron had been planning the wedding before Vicki's death, raised questions about his motives.

How did Ron Gillette’s behavior towards his children after Vicki's death raise further suspicion?

Ron seemed more focused on his new life with Sue Yen and his children’s need for a mother, while showing a lack of remorse for his deceased wife. This suggested a potential motive related to his financial and personal goals.

What was discovered about Ron's financial situation that pointed to a possible motive for murder?

Ron had accrued significant debt related to his wedding to Sue Yen and had a life insurance policy on Vicki worth $27,000, which would have provided him with the funds to pay off his debts.

What key piece of forensic evidence helped tie Ron Gillette to the crime?

The forensic analysis of the laundry bag, which showed a face imprint and stretch marks matching Vicki's face, provided crucial evidence that the death was not accidental, but a deliberate murder.

How did Ron Gillette try to cover up the murder?

Ron attempted to make Vicki's death appear accidental by placing her in bed with their son, setting up a scene that suggested she suffocated after accidentally rolling onto the bag.

What was the final verdict in Ron Gillette's trial?

Ron Gillette was found guilty of first-degree murder, but his sentence was reduced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after one juror held out. He served only 15 years before being released for good behavior.