48 Hours: Jade Janks and the Secret Photos

This 48 Hours documentary delves into the shocking case of Jade Janks, a California woman convicted of murdering her 64-year-old stepfather, Tom Merriman, in January 2021.

The case began when Janks was helping Merriman fix his computer and stumbled upon nude photos of herself that he had taken without her knowledge. Shortly afterward, Merriman was found dead in his bed.

Prosecutors alleged that Janks drowned Merriman in revenge after discovering the photos, while the defense argued he died of natural causes. Search history on Janks' phone regarding poisoning and sleep aids, along with text messages to a friend in which she wrote about wanting to kill him, became key pieces of evidence in the case.

The documentary traces the entire timeline, from the horrifying discovery to the trial, where Jade Janks was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2022 and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

The program sheds light on the complex relationships, the evidence, and the psychological dimensions of this tragic family case.