Episode
A Promise to Helene
40:39
Published: Wed Oct 21 2020
Description
When 21-year-old college student Helene Pruszynski is found murdered, the case remains cold for nearly forty years until a new detective uses an innovative method to catch Helene’s killer. Josh Mankiewicz reports. Originally aired on NBC on October 16, 2020.
Chapters
A young woman named Helene disappeared and her friend Kimberly made a promise to find her.
00:00 - 02:28 (02:28)
Summary
A young woman named Helene disappeared and her friend Kimberly made a promise to find her. Years later, they still haven't found Helene but Kimberly continues to search.
EpisodeA Promise to Helene
PodcastDateline NBC
Helene talks about her move to Denver for an internship at a radio station and how her family supported her.
02:28 - 05:25 (02:57)
Summary
Helene talks about her move to Denver for an internship at a radio station and how her family supported her.
EpisodeA Promise to Helene
PodcastDateline NBC
After just a few weeks of work, Helen Perzinski disappears on her way back to her aunt and uncle's house, and is found dead in a snow-covered field a few weeks later.
05:25 - 08:54 (03:29)
Summary
After just a few weeks of work, Helen Perzinski disappears on her way back to her aunt and uncle's house, and is found dead in a snow-covered field a few weeks later.
EpisodeA Promise to Helene
PodcastDateline NBC
Law enforcement officials estimate there are at least 35 serial killers currently at large in the United States.
08:54 - 18:57 (10:03)
Summary
Law enforcement officials estimate there are at least 35 serial killers currently at large in the United States. Ted Bundy was considered a possible suspect in the murder case of Helene, but he was in jail in Florida at the time.
EpisodeA Promise to Helene
PodcastDateline NBC
A detective decided to upload a suspect's profile into the genealogy website Jedmatch in hopes of generating leads on a cold murder case, and it eventually led to a breakthrough with the help of a genealogist.
19:00 - 25:14 (06:14)
Summary
A detective decided to upload a suspect's profile into the genealogy website Jedmatch in hopes of generating leads on a cold murder case, and it eventually led to a breakthrough with the help of a genealogist.
EpisodeA Promise to Helene
PodcastDateline NBC
Kimberly Latterette spent years using DNA databases to connect the dots in her friend's cold case murder.
25:14 - 28:54 (03:40)
Summary
Kimberly Latterette spent years using DNA databases to connect the dots in her friend's cold case murder.
EpisodeA Promise to Helene
PodcastDateline NBC
A booking photo from 1998 in Florida has been compared to a sketch of a murder suspect, potentially leading to a break in the cold case.
28:54 - 32:55 (04:01)
Summary
A booking photo from 1998 in Florida has been compared to a sketch of a murder suspect, potentially leading to a break in the cold case.
EpisodeA Promise to Helene
PodcastDateline NBC
Colorado investigators are able to interview Mr. Clanton regarding the murder of Helene Pruszynski more than 40 years ago.
32:56 - 36:50 (03:54)
Summary
Colorado investigators are able to interview Mr. Clanton regarding the murder of Helene Pruszynski more than 40 years ago. They ask him to come down voluntarily and talk to them in the video recorded interview room.
EpisodeA Promise to Helene
PodcastDateline NBC
A man confesses to kidnapping, raping, and murdering Helene Pruszynski and confirms that she was cooperative during the attack.
36:50 - 39:56 (03:06)
Summary
A man confesses to kidnapping, raping, and murdering Helene Pruszynski and confirms that she was cooperative during the attack.
EpisodeA Promise to Helene
PodcastDateline NBC
After 40 years, a detective and a friend finally bring justice to Helene's family and all the victims left behind.
39:56 - 40:30 (00:34)
Summary
After 40 years, a detective and a friend finally bring justice to Helene's family and all the victims left behind.