A Breakthrough Leads to a Shocking Arrest on All-New ‘20/20’

Decades After Authorities Found Two Teenagers Murdered in the Trunk of a Car

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Episode Includes an Exclusive Interview With the Convicted Killer, Who Maintains His Innocence

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May 9, 2024 – The last time anyone heard from Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley, two teenagers on the verge of their senior year in high school, was on a sweltering July night in 1999. Tracie called her mother from a payphone to say they were on the way home from celebrating J.B.’s birthday — but the two never made it home. The girls’ bodies were discovered in the trunk of J.B.’s car, less than a mile from the payphone, with gunshot wounds to their heads. Despite exhaustive efforts, including attempts to identify unknown male DNA found on one of the girls, the involvement of multiple agencies, national TV appeals, and even attempts at hypnosis of eyewitnesses, the case eventually went cold. In 2019, the use of genetic genealogy led to a breakthrough, resulting in a shocking arrest. Could they have finally found the killer?

An all-new “20/20” features reporting from co-anchor Deborah Roberts and her exclusive jailhouse interview with Coley McCraney, who is serving time for the girls’ murders and appealing his conviction. Additional interviews include Carol Roberts, Tracie’s mother; Cheryl Burgoon, J.B.’s mother; Patti Simpson, J.B.’s guardian and dance teacher; Jeanette McCraney, Coley McCraney’s wife; Steve Marshall, Alabama attorney general; Emmett Massey, Dale County assistant district attorney; Marlos Walker, former Ozark chief of police; and Andrew Scarborough and David Harrison, McCraney’s defense attorneys. “20/20” airs Friday, May 10 (9:01-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC, next day on Hulu.

ABC News’ “20/20” is the No. 1 award-winning primetime program anchored by David Muir and Deborah Roberts. A proven leader as a long-form newsmagazine for over 45 years, “20/20” features unforgettable, character-driven true-crime mysteries, exclusive newsmaker interviews, hard-hitting investigative reports and in-depth coverage of high-profile stories. Janice Johnston is the executive producer. The two-hour “20/20” events air Fridays from 9:01-11:00 p.m. EDT on ABC and are available to stream on ABC News digital platforms and Hulu.

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Source ABC Publicity

May 10, 2024 9:00am ET by Newsdesk  

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