"What if the reason this case hasn't been solved isn't because answers went with her husband to the grave? What if it's because no one ever looked for answers in the right place?" — Britt
"You never really know. But then Bonnie, this is when she dropped the real bomb. She said, 'I'm about to have an affair and I really don't want to do that to Rick. But you know, I need somebody that makes me feel appreciated and loved and I don't feel that anymore with him.'" — Ashley Flowers
"You son of a you killed her. You did something to her." — Diane (Bonnie's friend), quoted by Ashley Flowers
The episode begins by introducing the case of Bonnie Lee Schultz, who disappeared on July 3rd, 1997. The narrative quickly establishes that Bonnie was experiencing marital difficulties with her husband, Rick, after 26 years of marriage. Her decision to re-enter the workforce gave her a new perspective, leading to dissatisfaction with her marriage. This dissatisfaction was exacerbated by her mother's declining health and eventual passing, prompting Bonnie to re-evaluate her life and seek happiness outside her marriage, even contemplating an affair and planning for a divorce.
The timeline leading up to Bonnie's disappearance is detailed, highlighting a significant argument with Rick in front of her family, a confiding conversation with her friend Diane where she expressed her unhappiness and intention to seek a divorce, and the beginning of an affair with a coworker named John Guy. On the night of July 3rd, Bonnie informed Rick of her desire for a divorce and then left to attend a house party with friends. She was last seen by others leaving a bar with John Guy in the early hours of July 4th.
The subsequent investigation, or lack thereof, is a central theme. Bonnie's husband, Rick, reported her missing on July 4th. However, the initial police response was minimal, particularly due to the holiday weekend. The episode scrutinizes Rick's actions and statements, including his initial interactions with investigators and friends, as well as his demeanor during a recorded interview. Suspicion falls on Rick due to perceived inconsistencies in his accounts and the timing of his reporting, compounded by a failed polygraph test. The episode also touches upon the family's interactions with law enforcement and the emotional impact on Bonnie's children.