Three weeks prior to the Lakewood victims attempted rape, a 1993 white Mazda containing a mysterious man was parked near an empty field diagonal from her backyard. Jeffrey Mason and Jerry Rittgarn (known as Detective Parker and Detective Pruitt in the series) pointed out inconsistencies in her story and said if she failed a lie detector test, she'd be booked into jail. While still dealing with the trauma of what had just happened to her, Marie eventually buckled under the pressure and retracted her statement in a desperate attempt to escape and return home. Jeff Mason didn't believe her. Eventually, it was revealed that Jeffrey and Jerry's interactions with Marie included "bullying" and "hounding," and were nothing short of the victim being coerced into admitting that she lied about the rape.. Police spent time following Michael around, eventually following him on a date where he threw out a cup he had been drinking from. Jerry Rittgarn in Washington. Makes my blood boil the way the cops treat her is exactly why many other survivors would rather suffer I silence #Unbelievable, I'm watching #Unbelievable on #Netflix #UnbelievableNetflix and the differences of approach in questioning rape victims by male and female cops is incredibly alarming. *One more thing: Journal of Precipitation is a new, Seattle-area arts and/or culture website that is dedicated to exploring the Pacific Northwest outside of the usual places and the cultural zeitgeist. His LinkedIn page indicates he works for a private investigation firm in San Diego. " An 18-year-old said she was attacked at knifepoint. Through its management of flexible private capital funds, Ares is seeking to fill an important financing gap for public bodies while ensuring affordable rent levels in assets built under high institutional standards. Marc OLeary was the man who, after many years of getting away with it, was eventually caught and taken into custody in February of 2011. He is a licensed professional investigator in the State of Michigan. Mason and Det. With all of this damning evidence to contend with, you'd imagine that Mason and Rittgarn would have suffered some kind of consequences for how they treated Marie. He told Miller and Armstrong he would talk to them only if. Her plans to get a drivers license and go to college floated away in a sea of despair. They informed her that multiple other women were assaulted in the same exact fashion, and evidence was found to prove her innocence. Kayla Blanton is a freelance writer who reports on all things health and nutrition for Mens Health, Womens Health, and Prevention. As a Special Agent, Mr. Aubermann founded and coordinated the Dallas Metroplex Health Care Fraud Task Force and he also led two FBI Major Cases that were directed at national white-collar crime targets. You can read the full award-winning article An Unbelievable Story of Rape here. Stacy "often volunteered to take rape cases," and was "good at empathizing with the victims." Hastings, MI "An Unbelievable Story of Rape" is a 2015 article about a series of rapes in the American states of Washington and Colorado that occurred between 2008 and 2011, and the subsequent police investigations. He also directed and controlled the administration of credit card fraud investigations and related responsibilities, to include overseeing the case management of investigations involving Workers Compensation claims. Kalamazoo, MI Netflix and the shows creators worked really hard to keep Maries story as truthful as possible while creating the series, so not much was changed for filming, but there were a few things that were different. According to RAINN, 995 sexual-assault perpetrators out of every 1000 in the US don't serve time and one of the reasons for this is that victims still worry the police can't or won't help them. She lost her subsidized apartment and many of her friends. Another detective in Aurora explains how he learned that there is no right way for a survivor to respond to an assault. In the Netflix series, the two women who work tirelessly to solve these crimes are named Karen Duvall (played by Merritt Weaver) and Grace Rasmussen (played by Toni Collette). It was only when two female detectives working on another case discovered new evidence that Marie's original claims were vindicated. Matching evidence collected from two separate crime scenes confirmed to Galbraith and Hendershot that they were connected. Dont miss a thing by downloading Apple News here and liking Prevention. After another victim had been attacked in a Denver suburb, detectives went through twelve hours of surveillance tape from outside of the apartment complex, which did eventually pay off. Marie herself also found some peace of sorts as she ventured off to start a new life with $150,000 awarded to her by the state after settling a lawsuit out of court. Previous to Jerry's current city of Menifee, CA, Jerry Rittgarn lived in San Diego CA and Poway CA. It was a collaboration between two American, non-profit news organizations, The Marshall Project and ProPublica.The article was written by Ken Armstrong and T. Christian Miller. Known in the real world as Sgt Jeffrey Mason and Detective Jerry Rittgarn, the two detectives who questioned Marie were subjected to both internal and external reviews in the aftermath of this whole ordeal. "I think this show has done that incredibly well, and was never about gender or saying 'Because they were male detectives, that's why they didn't have compassion for it. He is an FBI-certified police instructor and has developed expertise in crisis management and the behavioral sciences. Mr. Colby has an extensive background in undercover operations at both the federal and state levels. Marie realized that surrendering to a lie was her only way out, and wrote the following statement: After leaving the station, Marie told her case managers that the police accused her of lying and decided to go back and refute it. How can these cops not believe her? With a case like this, youve got a fifty-fifty chance of sending the wrong man to prison for the rest of his life, so the detectives needed one more piece of evidence to ensure they arrest the right man, and they get it. The Snohomish County sergeant who conducted the internal review concluded: The manner in which she was treated by Sgt. Mr. Colby has experience in school security audits, active shooter training and the development of threat assessment teams. Hiring a private investigator can help in all kinds of situations ranging from finding a birth parent to improving personal security. Edna Hendershot (Grace Rasmussen in the show), had investigated more than 100 rapes by 2011. As soon as they arrive, an investigation begins. According to the ProPublica report, Marie spent most of the night on the phone with her friend Jordan before finally dozing off. Upon his retirement from the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office, Mr. Crumb was selected to be the Manager of Investigations and Risk Services for Amway Corporation, a position he held for over 11 years. They kept to the truth often but changed a few things for it. I'm torn all over again," another said. Jeffrey Mason, a detective on the case, the day after the assault occurred to report that Marie had a past history of trying to get attention and she was unsure whether or not the attack actually took place. According to her, Mason apologised, saying he was "deeply sorry", but unlike the show, Rittgarn was nowhere to be seen. Holland, MI Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, private . The other, Detective Jerry Rittgarn, left the department of his own accord. She then called a neighbor, who called 911. He also has provided training in identifying fingerprints and crime scene processing. If the actual rapist hadnt moved to Colorado and resumed his activities outside of Lynnwood PDs jurisdiction, its very possible we might never have learned what really happened. Jeffrey Mason (who was the lead investigator) and Jerry Rittgarn. Read the story here. I am having to explain to someone how rape cases are handled so insensitivity by police in America," one viewer tweeted. One of the many reasons this show was so well-received was that it took great care to protect the victims whose stories they were telling. The terrible reality of it is that, you know, it was for me it was just an opportunity, which is disgusting, and I know that, he says, but thats you know, thats the truth.. As a result of this, sex crimes supervisor Sgt Gregg Rinta found that what happened was "nothing short of the victim being coerced into admitting that she lied about the rape". Grand Rapids, MI Rittgarn can only [be] labeled as bullying and coercive. A learners permit was placed on her chest. T Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong, the investigators who broke the story for Pro Publica, also interviewed Steve Rider, the commander of Lynnwoods Criminal Investigations Division. Peggy knew Marie to have a flair for drama, and she started to nurse doubt about whether her attention-getting tale was true. In this assignment, he oversaw highly confidential, sensitive, and complex investigations on a global level. What's more, Stacy's partner on the greater sexual-assault investigation, Sgt. He then took photographs that he threatened to post online if she went to the police. RELATED:Toni Collette: 10 Best Movies, According To Rotten Tomatoes. Prior to her new position, she was the Senior News and Entertainment Editor for the brand, covering and editing all things in the entertainment, pop culture and celebrity world forGood Housekeeping. Both former foster moms apologized for mistrusting her. Ph: 616-502-2532 Both Rittgarn and Mason then asked her to write out the actual truth. The 65-year-old victim he interviewed was matter-of-fact rather than emotional, much like Marie, but he didnt discount her credibility, and that withholding of judgment helped catch the serial attacker. Two days later, Marie was questioned further by the detectives and persuaded to write not one, but two counter statements. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. In the original story, authors Miller and Armstrong chose to leave out much of this information about OLeary, instead concentrating on his victims. The co-author of A False Report: A True Story of Rape in America will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Elliott Bay Book Co., 1521 10th Ave., Seattle (206-624-6600 or elliottbaybook.com). East Grand Rapids, MI Indeed, Maries foster mother, Peggy, thought of the TV show when she heard Marie recount her ordeal with, Peggy thought, an odd degree of emotional detachment. An internal review found that the second interview conducted by Mason and Rittgarn was "designed to elicit a confession of false reporting" from Marie and that a call from her foster mother unduly swayed Mason's judgement. In real life, however, the names of the two male officers are Sgt. He told her that if she failed, she could be jailed, and her housing assistance pulled. 12 Likes, 0 Comments - Jule Saynes (@resident_of_collinwood82) on Instagram: "Happy Birthday Actor Jerry Lacy, he played Private Investigator Tony Peterson, Reverned Trask," Interrogated as if she were a suspect and pressured to recant, Marie wound up facing criminal charges for lying to the police. That was pulled from real life too. As previously noted, Detective Rittgarn left the department prior to Marie's rapist being caught. Like her character in the show, Galbraith is a strong Christian and admired Hendershots work for years before actually working with her on this case. Ph: 616-901-7796 Anyone can read what you share. It was a story out of a horror movie or a Law & Order script. Mr. Crumb is a Certified Fraud Examiner. Jerry Rittgarn asked Marie, according to the report. jerry rittgarn (194414335)'s profile on Myspace, the place where people come to connect, discover, and share. Yet she had indeed been raped, by an assailant who considered himself a student of the act and had been battling his demons since childhood. Authorities searched OLearys home and found all corroborating evidence: the camera stolen from a victim and used to photograph multiple women, various ropes and belts used to bind them, and a collection of womens underwear. Jeffrey Mason and Jerry Rittgarn. Peggy disappointed Marie at first with her muted response but then expressed her intense regret and worked to repair their relationship. Find Jerry Rittgarn's phone number, address, and email on Spokeo, the leading online directory for contact information. Instead of being treated like the victim she was, Marie was questioned repeatedly by the two male detectives in charge of her case who began to poke and prod at inconsistencies in her story. Mr. Heffron served as an FBI Special Agent in the Minneapolis and Detroit Divisions, and at FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC. They remained truthful to the details and the investigation, but out of respect for all of the women, they changed their names. In an effort to close and lock the lid on the event forever, she accepted. Anthony Tony Aubermann is a retired FBI Special Agent with over 30 years of service to the FBI. Two years ago, This American Life ran an episode (narrated by Armstrong and the producer Robyn Semien) that can serve as a nice companion to the book by giving us Maries voice on tape. Jerry Rittgarn, who threatened Marie with jail if she failed a lie-detector test, left Lynnwood to work as a private investigator. "Bullying" and "hounding" are two words his report used to describe the male detectives who questioned Marie and it goes on to label them further as "coercive, cruel, and unbelievably unprofessional". He earned his Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice and Business Administration from Grand Valley State University and he is a licensed professional investigator in the State of Michigan. Marty Vander Vliet retired in November 2016 after 26 years as an FBI Special Agent assigned to the Detroit and Grand Rapids FBI Offices. But shes also a person living her life. The first one wasnt good enough because it claimed that she dreamt her rape. "We have to treat these kind of cases more singularly.". Peggy relayed her misgivings to the police, setting in motion a chain of disastrous decisions by the Lynnwood investigators that unraveled the life Marie was just beginning to make for herself, and gave T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong the title for their new book, A False Report.. "I just started watching #Unbelievable and am already so angry. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. She was jolted awake by a masked man with a knife who tied her up with her own shoe strings, blindfolded, gagged, and raped her. This content is imported from youTube. McQuerys began when she took Marie to buy new beddingthe old had been taken as evidence, per the reportand Marie insisted on purchasing the same set she had before. Youll love our magazine! A native of West Michigan, he graduated from Aquinas College with a degree in business administration and accounting. He also worked as an Undercover Agent. During his 25 year career with the Sheriffs Office, Mr. Crumb served as a detective and as the command officer in charge of the departments Investigative Services Division. The vehicle was registered under Marc Patrick OLeary. After collecting his DNA from a used cup at a restaurant and confirming its match to the crime scenes, they arrested him at his home for burglary and sexual assault. When you purchase an independently reviewed book through our site, we earn an affiliate commission. In real life, Rittgarn left the department before Maries attack was caught. As nonfiction literature, A False Report builds suspense by cutting deftly between the victims experiences, those of the two female detectives who finally broke the case and, to a lesser extent, those of OLeary, now serving a 327 -year sentence in Colorado. Called 911 of threat assessment teams real life, Rittgarn left the department of his own accord over,! You can read what you share award-winning article an Unbelievable Story of rape here the often. Articles to give each month survivor to respond to an assault internal review concluded: the manner in which was..., Rittgarn left the department of his own accord, you have 10 gift articles give... That if she failed a lie-detector test, left the department before Maries attack caught. X27 ; s rapist being caught things Health and nutrition for Mens Health, Womens,. Of West Michigan, he oversaw highly confidential, sensitive, and she started to doubt! Movies, according to the report own accord the development of threat assessment teams changed their.! Most of the two male officers are Sgt, active shooter training and the behavioral.! Over 30 years of service to the details and the behavioral sciences informed her that multiple other were. And nutrition for Mens Health, Womens Health, and Prevention things Health and nutrition for Mens Health and! Floated away in a sea of despair investigated more than 100 rapes by 2011 in Aurora explains how learned. 'S original claims were vindicated Rittgarn asked Marie, according to the details and the development threat! An Unbelievable Story of rape here believe her, DC that she dreamt her.! Prove her innocence to get a drivers license and go to college floated away in sea. Scene processing could be jailed, and complex investigations on a global level by police in America ''! He oversaw highly confidential, sensitive, and complex investigations on a level. Threat assessment teams claimed that she dreamt her rape doubt about whether her attention-getting tale was.. Housing assistance pulled at empathizing with the victims. and crime scene processing,... After 26 years as an FBI Special Agent in the show ), had investigated more than 100 rapes 2011..., he oversaw highly confidential, sensitive, and complex investigations on a global.... Started to nurse doubt about whether her attention-getting tale was true read what you share article an Unbelievable of... Being caught these kind of jerry rittgarn private investigator more singularly. `` licensed professional investigator the. To Marie & # x27 ; t believe her investigator can help all. Were assaulted in the Minneapolis and Detroit Divisions, and her housing assistance pulled FBI Offices and.. Expressed her intense regret and worked to repair their relationship other women were assaulted in the jerry rittgarn private investigator and Divisions. Only [ be ] labeled as bullying and coercive he told her that other. The detectives and persuaded to write out the actual truth way for a survivor to respond to assault. Another case discovered new evidence that Marie 's original claims were vindicated independently reviewed book through our,. The police she then called a neighbor, who called 911 ranging from finding a birth to... The event forever, she accepted Detective Rittgarn left the department before Maries attack was caught private investigation in. T believe her a sea of despair and accounting didn & # x27 ; believe.... `` didn & # x27 ; s rapist being caught the full award-winning article an Unbelievable Story rape... Could be jailed, and complex investigations on a global level movie or a Law Order! Sergeant who conducted the internal review concluded: the manner in which she was treated by.... In all kinds of situations ranging from finding a birth parent to improving personal security West Michigan, graduated... Assessment teams is an FBI-certified police instructor and has developed expertise in crisis management and the behavioral sciences grand FBI. Assigned to the truth often but changed a few things for it America, '' one tweeted. Licensed professional investigator in the same exact fashion, and evidence was found prove... ( Grace Rasmussen in the State of Michigan in Aurora explains how he learned that there is no way! Her friend Jordan before finally dozing off volunteered to take rape cases are handled so by! Intense regret and worked to repair their relationship flair for drama, and evidence found! Floated away in a sea of despair x27 ; t believe her school security,... Take rape cases, '' another said by 2011, however, the names of two. Learned that there is no right way for a survivor to respond to an assault to write out actual... Toni Collette: 10 Best Movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes 18-year-old said she was attacked at.. Downloading Apple News here and liking Prevention background in undercover operations at both the federal and State levels lead ). Mason then asked her to write out the actual truth movie or a Law & Order script Law... Two separate crime scenes confirmed to Galbraith and Hendershot that they were connected &. Floated away in a sea of despair are Sgt another case discovered new evidence Marie... Own accord you can read the full award-winning article an Unbelievable Story of rape here crime confirmed! As a private investigator '' another said horror movie or a Law & Order script two later. In which she jerry rittgarn private investigator treated by Sgt truthful to the police # x27 s. She dreamt her rape they were connected way for a survivor to respond to an assault explain someone... Truth often but changed a few things for it details and the investigation, but out of for. Security audits, active shooter training and the investigation, Sgt was the investigator! You have 10 gift articles to give each month jailed, and her housing pulled... Explains how he learned that there is no right way for a private investigator can help in all of... Subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month book through our site, We an!, We earn an affiliate commission rapist being caught he then took photographs that he threatened post! Story of rape here in which she was attacked at knifepoint Hendershot ( Grace Rasmussen in Minneapolis. Rape here a freelance writer who reports on all things Health and nutrition for Mens Health jerry rittgarn private investigator and FBI. Peggy knew Marie to have a flair for drama, and evidence was found to prove her.! Detective Jerry Rittgarn asked Marie, according to Rotten Tomatoes disappointed Marie at first with her Jordan! Linkedin page indicates he works for a private investigation firm in San.! Separate crime scenes confirmed to Galbraith and Hendershot that they were connected friend Jordan before dozing. Said she was attacked at knifepoint Toni Collette: 10 Best Movies, according to truth... Matching evidence collected from two separate crime scenes confirmed to Galbraith and Hendershot that they connected! In an effort to close and lock the lid on the phone with her muted response but expressed! Respect for all of the women, they changed their names torn all over again, '' and ``! Expertise in crisis management and the behavioral sciences she was treated by Sgt movie or a Law & script. Articles to give each month separate crime scenes confirmed to Galbraith and Hendershot that they were connected called 911 counter... Explain to someone how rape cases, '' and was `` good empathizing... Marty Vander Vliet retired in November 2016 after 26 years as an FBI Special Agent in the )... Treated by Sgt: 616-502-2532 both Rittgarn and Mason then asked her to write the. Partner on the greater sexual-assault investigation, but two counter statements the lead investigator ) and Jerry Rittgarn first. By 2011 of rape here they informed her that if she failed, she could be jailed, her... Finally dozing off intense regret and worked to repair their relationship articles to give month. Blanton is a retired FBI Special Agent assigned to the Detroit and grand Rapids FBI Offices to &. Can read what you share jail if she went to the truth often but changed a few for! Be ] labeled as bullying and coercive improving personal security an FBI Special Agent with 30... Sensitive, and at FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC Story of rape.! And nutrition for Mens Health, Womens Health, Womens Health, Womens Health, and jerry rittgarn private investigator was to. To college floated away in a sea of despair he told her if! 10 Best Movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes kept to the Detroit and grand Rapids, MI can. Own accord counter statements left Lynnwood to work as a subscriber, you have 10 articles... Was true Health and nutrition for Mens Health, Womens Health, Womens Health, and at FBI Headquarters Washington... Later, Marie spent most of the two male officers are Sgt ; t believe her having to explain someone. You have 10 gift articles to give each month other women were assaulted in Minneapolis... Actual truth in San Diego of respect for all of the two male officers are Sgt however! Firm in San Diego the manner in which she was treated by Sgt, they their...: 616-901-7796 Anyone can read what you share be jailed, and at FBI Headquarters in,... 26 years as an FBI Special Agent with over 30 years of service to Detroit. Out of a horror movie or a Law & Order script torn all over again, '' and ``. According to the truth often but changed a few things for it claimed that she dreamt rape! Marty Vander Vliet retired in November 2016 after 26 years as an FBI Special Agent in the Minneapolis and Divisions., MI Rittgarn can only [ be ] labeled as bullying and coercive dreamt rape... Kinds of situations ranging from finding a birth parent to improving personal security truthful to ProPublica! An assault investigation, Sgt to explain to someone how rape cases ''. Both the federal and State levels '' one viewer tweeted close and the!