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Secrets of the River | Full Episode

2025-09-23 News & Politics
1.9m
18.0k
851
48 Hours
48 Hours
2.5m subscribers

DNA Evidence Cracks the Brutal Murder of Dancer McKenzie Cowell

Uncover how a local high school dancer’s brutal murder relied on conflicting witness testimony and crucial DNA evidence to secure a suspect. Review the key turning points that shifted focus from early suspects to the eventual plea agreement.

Short Summary

  • Investigators ultimately linked suspect Christopher Wilson to the victim via YSTR DNA found on duct tape near the body.
  • The case suffered extreme setbacks due to unreliable testimony from multiple police informants, including Liz Reed, who implicated others in a staged video.
  • The case culminated in a controversial guilty plea to manslaughter, despite the suspect and his mother maintaining his innocence.
  • McKenzie Cowell, a vibrant 17-year-old aspiring model and dancer, was abducted and killed in February 2010 near Wenatchee, Washington.

This report examines the complex 18-month investigation following the discovery of McKenzie Cowell’s body near the Columbia River. We trace the initial panic, the flawed theories driven by unreliable informants, and the forensic breakthroughs that led investigators to Chris Wilson, a classmate. Understand the evidence that convinced the prosecution to pursue the case and the legal gymnastics required for a resolution.

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Description

A high school dancer and aspiring model is found dead. Did the killer videotape the murder? "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant reports. Watch more full episodes of "48 Hours" on Pluto TV. #48hours #crime #mystery True crime. Real justice. "48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. "48 Hours," which premiered in 1988, has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives. Subscribe to the "48 Hours" YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/48hours Watch full episodes of "48 Hours": https://cbsnews.com/48-hours/full-episodes/ Listen to the "48 Hours" podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/48-Hours Listen to the "My Life of Crime with Erin Moriarty" podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/CBSNewsMLOC Follow "48 Hours" on Instagram: https://instagram.com/48hoursCBS/ Like "48 Hours" on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/48hours Follow "48 Hours" on Twitter: https://twitter.com/48hours Subscribe to our newsletter: https://cbsnews.com/newsletter/ Download the CBS News app: https://cbsnews.com/mobile/ Try Paramount+ free: https://paramountplus.com/?ftag=PPM-05-10aeh8h For video licensing inquiries, contact: [email protected]

Top Comments (10)

@Authoratah 2025-09-23

The prosecutor's 6 and 14 year plea deals are crimes by themselves

1.8k 36 replies
@guyleitejr 2025-09-23

This is the most confusing case I have ever seen. The truth was murdered along with the teenager.

1.1k 13 replies
@hinkfuff1 2025-09-23

what a mixed up case. How sweet MacKenzie's Dad is.

1.1k 4 replies
@rogerdavis9962 2025-09-23

Just the fact they offered a 6 year plea deal mid trial tells you they didn't have anything

766 11 replies
@NyanyiC 2025-09-23

poor dad.. may he find peace and joy after all this 😢

741 4 replies
@ΝατάσαΚαφετζάκη 2025-09-23

Mackenzie's Dad is a sweetheart. Much love to you, Sir. All the way from Europe, Thessaloniki, Greece. I am so sorry for your loss.

741 3 replies
@nicoleb4077 2025-09-23

Liz Reade made a mess of this case with her 20 different stories

394 2 replies
@Semmelein 2025-09-25

This is the first 48 hours case where I feel like it's completely unsolved.

343
@48hours 2025-09-23

Click here to watch more “48 Hours” full episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcFHkKbd_jTJiRmfUfLX2Ay_hnf5j3cxH

162 1 replies
@strugglinsalami9452 2025-10-14

These informants should be punished when they provide false information

87

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