"Every true crime story has one thing in common. Nothing is as it seems." — Josh Dean (from "Chameleon" podcast ad)
"The damage to Peggy's skull is, quote, consistent with the force of a blow from a baseball bat or a multiple story fall and not consistent with a fall from a standing position." — Jim O'Hara (via episode narration)
"Trust your gut. I cannot tell you how many stories we've told or heard or looked into about child sexual abuse where someone in the child's life said, 'Oh, I got, I got a funny feeling.' Like, I didn't like it, but I just told myself I was being silly. This is your child's life. This is your child's safety and happiness. Trust your gut." — Ashley Flowers
The episode begins by introducing the cold case of Peggy Reale, a mother of three who vanished in February 1990. Despite initial reports suggesting Peggy had a history of temporary disappearances, her prolonged absence and the fact that she left without personal belongings, including her car, identification, or money, raised significant concerns among her family and law enforcement. The investigation quickly focused on her live-in boyfriend, George Gettis, who was arrested shortly after Peggy's disappearance on serious charges, including rape and endangering the welfare of a child. Gettis provided a shifting narrative regarding Peggy's whereabouts, claiming she left after an argument, a story met with skepticism by investigators.
The investigation faced numerous challenges, including the loss of potential physical evidence, such as a mattress with a blood stain that the landlord discarded before police could examine it. A significant break in the case occurred years later when a new detective revisited Peggy's file and, through a tip from Gettis's ex-wife, learned about a storage unit he had rented since 1990. Gettis had repeatedly lied about this storage unit on his probation reports, which eventually provided the probable cause needed to obtain a search warrant. In 2004, detectives discovered Peggy Reale's body, decomposed, inside a steamer trunk within the storage unit.
The autopsy revealed Peggy's death was not an accident but the result of severe blunt force trauma to the head. The revelation of the underlying motive came with the public disclosure that the child endangered by Gettis was Peggy's teenage daughter, Jerry Lynn. Jerry Lynn had reported her abuse by Gettis, which, when discovered by Peggy, likely led to a confrontation that escalated to violence. Gettis maintained his self-defense story but was ultimately convicted of murder in 2005 and sentenced to 25 years to life, a sentence he is currently serving. The episode concludes by emphasizing the importance of child advocacy, recognizing grooming behaviors, and trusting one's instincts to prevent similar tragedies, highlighting resources from Darkness to Light.