There's the version of people we see, and then there's the version we never do.

Most of the time, the difference doesn't matter until it does.

Because when someone disappears or turns up dead, the story people believe about

who they were can start to matter as much as what actually happened. Was she difficult? Was he

devoted? Was this a troubled marriage? or just an unusual one?

Today's story is about a couple who spent years presenting a certain version of their lives to the world,

to friends, to neighbors, to coworkers, a woman who wanted the spotlight and took up space, a man who stayed quiet

and stood beside her. And when one of them vanished, that version of events didn't vanish with

her. The question is, what was that performance really covering up?

I'm Harvey Guienne, and this is Killer Story. When someone winds up mysteriously dead or missing, police are going to look at their partner, whether it's a spouse, situation ship,

or one night stand. History and the data suggests they're the most likely culprit. And that's

especially true if the victim is a woman. It's terrible, and it doesn't need to be the case,

and I hope one day it won't be.

But it's a global trend that's been happening

for a very, very long time.

Today's case, for example,

starts more than a century ago

in the late 1800s,

at the tell end of America's Gilded Age.

The country's rounding out the corner in a new era, defined by innovation, progress, and reform.

Opportunity is everywhere, just waiting to be grabbed by the horns, which can be both thrilling and terrifying. Somewhere in New York City is a young woman, Cora Turner.

She's a singer, and she's come to the city that never sleeps with just a small suitcase and a big dream.

...