Fatal Destination: Where's Emily? on Investigation Discovery: The Story Behind the Vermont Murder
A documentary series about a wedding day in Vermont that ended in deception, violence, and a woman's mysterious disappearance
What is the series about?
Fatal Destination: Where's Emily? is the second episode in the new true crime venture from Investigation Discovery, focusing on the dark sides of holiday travel. The series depicts how what was supposed to be an idyllic celebration of a wedding anniversary in the scenic surroundings of Vermont, USA, transforms into a nightmare of control, manipulation, and potential murder. Through reconstructions and interviews, the program explores the psychological mechanisms that drive a partner to conceal the truth about a loved one's fate amidst a vacation.
The real case
The case in Vermont centers around a woman named Emily, whose disappearance has shaken the local community and raised serious questions about the safety of isolated holiday destinations. During the couple's stay in a remote cabin, the facade began to crack, and it quickly became apparent that the relationship was marked by an unhealthy power balance. Investigators have focused on the conflicting explanations given by the surviving partner, as well as the digital traces left in the days leading up to the disappearance. The documentary sheds light on the technical evidence and witness testimonies that suggest the vacation was planned with a grim purpose in mind.
Timeline of the case
The investigation into the events in Vermont has been marked by complexity due to the isolated terrain and the lack of direct witnesses to the crime itself. The police in Vermont were first alerted several hours after Emily was last seen, giving the perpetrator a head start in covering their tracks. In the following weeks, the wooded areas around the holiday home were searched with drones and dogs, while investigators delved into the couple's financial and personal history to find a motive. The case illustrates the challenges faced by law enforcement when crimes are committed across state lines and in private holiday homes.
Watch the series
The series Fatal Destination can be streamed on Investigation Discovery and related platforms like Discovery+. The episode about the Vermont case is part of a larger series that examines 'travel crimes' – crimes committed against tourists or by traveling partners. For viewers interested in cases of