80s Kidnapping Cases | TRIPLE EPISODE | The FBI Files

Melissa Brannen: Missing: (S01E11) When five-year-old Melissa Brannen disappeared from a Christmas party in December 1989, the only probable suspect was 24-year-old Caleb Hughes. Hughes reportedly left the party around the time Melissa vanished, but no one saw him with the girl. Fifty blue acrylic fibers collected during a search of Hughes’ car, however, became the major piece of evidence in the case. FBI fiber analysis determined that those fibers were identical to the ones that made up the sweater Melissa was wearing. Although Melissa’s body was never found, the evidence was enough to convict Hughes of abduction with intent to defile. Vanished: (S04E05) In the summer of 1988, a wealthy Jackson, Mississippi woman disappeared from her home in broad daylight. Left behind was a mysterious ransom note listing twelve names and no specific instructions. The note, and a few drops of blood were the only clues to her fate. FBI and local police struggled to find answers in the cryptic message so they could find the kidnapper and retrieve the victim before her time ran out. Solving the crime required the keen insight of a criminal profiler and the perseverance of a family, local authorities, and the FBI. Cruel Revenge: (S05E08) In August 1984, the son of a successful real estate developer was kidnapped in front of his father’s business in Miami. After the father received a $3 million ransom demand from a self-proclaimed terrorist, the FBI became involved. Based on witness descriptions of the car used in the kidnapping, authorities began to suspect a pair of Colombian nationals with a known grudge against the developer’s family. The FBI had to investigate without revealing their suspicions, at the risk of encouraging a kidnapper’s threats. Unravel the mystery alongside the FBI's greatest law enforcers and forensic scientists. #TheFBIFiles #TrueCrime #80s The FBI Files is an American docudrama that takes a look behind the scenes of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's crime laboratory. Real FBI cases are recounted through reenactments and interviews, due to the sensitive nature of the show, viewer discretion is advised.