20/20: He's Right Behind You on ABC: The Story Behind the Stalking of an American Family
Documentary series from ABC News follows an intense investigation of stalking and murder through body camera footage
What is the series about?
20/20: He's Right Behind You is a documentary special from ABC News that serves as the season premiere for the 48th season of the award-winning news magazine. The program takes viewers close to a chilling case of stalking that escalates from harassment to a fatal violent crime. Through a combination of interviews with survivors and the involved investigators, the broadcast paints a portrait of a family under extreme pressure. The central element of the production is the use of authentic footage from police body cameras, which provides a raw and unfiltered insight into the moments when the police confront the realities of the crime scene and the hunt for the invisible threat.
The real case
The case presented in 20/20: He's Right Behind You centers around an American mother whose life was shattered by a persistent stalker. Stalking is a widespread problem in the USA, but this case stands out due to the systematic terrorization of an entire household. The documentary highlights how the perpetrator managed to remain undetected for an extended period while monitoring the family's movements, creating an atmosphere of constant fear. It culminated in a tragic murder that left the community in shock. The investigation, documented in the program, shows the technical and tactical challenges the police faced in trying to identify a person who was literally hiding in the shadows behind the family.
To understand the scope of the case, it is essential to look at the legal aspects of stalking in the USA. Read more about stalking and violent crime . The case in this episode of 20/20 illustrates the fatal gaps that can arise in the protection of victims, even when authorities are involved. The documentary focuses on the evidence collected through digital traces and witness testimonies that brought the police closer to a resolution.
Timeline of the case
The investigation against the stalker gained momentum when the first reports of suspicious behavior near the family's home came in to the local police. Over the following months, the incidents escalated from surveillance to direct intrusion. When the murder occurred, a large-scale investigation was launched, where body camera footage from the first officers on the scene played a crucial role in securing the crime scene and the initial evidence. On September 26, 2025, the case became nationally known when ABC News dedicated their season premiere to reviewing the events minute by minute.