A Killing In Paradise

48 Hours

CBS News

True Crime, News Commentary, News, Tv & Film, Cbs

3.9 • 7K Ratings

🗓️ 15 October 2025

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The murder of an American Peace Corps volunteer, Deb Gardner, went largely unreported for decades. She was killed on a remote South Pacific island, and so much about this case, including the U.S. government’s role in it, left a trail of questions, thousands of miles long. “48 Hours" Correspondent Susan Spencer reports. This classic "48 Hours" episode last aired on 1/26/2008. Watch all-new episodes of “48 Hours” on Saturdays, and stream on demand on Paramount+. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	It starts with a swirl.
0:02.0	Rich warming pumpkin spice flavors, then a splash.
0:06.0	Hot freshly pulled espresso.
0:08.0	Starbucks signature, of course.
0:10.0	Whipped cream topping, a dusting of that cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove spice blend.
0:16.0	It ends with a sip.
0:18.0	Hot or iced.
0:20.0	Pumpkin spice latte, it's here,
0:22.9	and pouring now at Starbucks near you.
0:25.5	Hey, what can I get started for you?
0:27.4	Subject to availability while stocks last.
0:44.3	Edgar Allan Poe said there's nothing more romantic than the death of a beautiful young woman, and I ain't going to quarrel with him.
0:50.3	My name is Phil Weiss, and I've visited Tonga ten times because I've investigated a murder that happened here.
1:05.0	Tonga is a tiny country. It's Polynesian.
1:16.6	I first heard this story as a legend, a beautiful girl who dies because she's been in some kind of love triangle in the South Pacific.
1:24.6	It would have been around 9.45 that night. triangle in the South Pacific.
1:31.3	It would have been around 9.45 that night. Deb had put on her white night dress.
1:33.3	She was preparing to go to sleep.
1:35.3	And he pulled out his knife and just went preserved,
1:38.3	stabbing her many times.
1:40.3	It's just out of a horror movie.
1:42.3	Deb was fighting for her life in that little house and screaming her heart out.
	...

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