When a popular teacher was gunned down in her parents' driveway on Mother's Day 2018, a quiet Pennsylvania city was left scrambling for answers — who would want the young woman dead? As it turns out, there might be quite a few people.
CBS News
Survivor continues to heal decades after her family s prom night murder
More than three decades after the 1989 murders of her mother, stepfather and two sisters, Jessi Toronjo shares her emotional journey from a scared child to a woman intent on maintaining justice for her family. 2021 Jul 03
This story previously aired on August 15, 2020.
Jessi Toronjo was just 9 years old when she returned from a sleepover at a friend s house to find out her mother, stepfather and two sisters were murdered in their Lakeville, Indiana, home. Police immediately suspected Jessica s stepbrother Jeff Pelley, but it would take 13 years to arrest him. The motive? Prosecutors say the then-17-year-old Pelley wiped out his family in anger at not being able to drive to his prom. Pelley was ultimately convicted, but the case continues to wind its way through the courts.
Healing continues decades after family s prom night murders Jim Axelrod
This story previously aired on August 15, 2020.
Jessi Toronjo was just 9 years old when she returned from a sleepover at a friend s house to find out her mother, stepfather and two sisters were murdered in their Lakeville, Indiana, home. Police immediately suspected Jessica s stepbrother Jeff Pelley, but it would take 13 years to arrest him. The motive? Prosecutors say the then-17-year-old Pelley wiped out his family in anger at not being able to drive to his prom. Pelley was ultimately convicted, but the case continues to wind its way through the courts.
48 Hours Covers Pettit Case This Weekend
After Scott and Janet Pettit were found dead in their Modesto, Calif., home in 2013, their son, Brandon, was accused of hiring a friend to kill them. Investigators maintained that he wanted his parents’ money to start a new life. His sister says her brother loved their parents and there’s no way he did it. She vows to fight for his freedom.
Correspondent Erin Moriarty and 48 HOURS investigate the death of the Pettits and the case against their son in “A Sister’s Fight for Her Brother” to be broadcast
Saturday, May 15 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.