A new episode of 20/20 sheds light on a decades-old cold case that has left Central California reeling since the brutal murder of Debbie Dorian in 1996. The 22-year-old recent Fresno State graduate was found dead in her northeast Fresno apartment by her father, sparking an investigation that would last 23 years.
ABC's Juju Chang reports that investigators, led by Vince Zavala, never gave up on finding Dorian's killer. Even after retiring from the Fresno Police Department, Zavala continued to work on the case on his own, and it was he who finally connected the dots and identified Nickey Stane as the prime suspect.
In an exclusive interview with 20/20, Chang reveals the moment of truth when police arrested Stane at a fast-food restaurant where he was working. The arrest was the culmination of a cat-and-mouse game that had been playing out for decades, with Zavala's tireless efforts finally paying off.
But Stane's crimes went far beyond Dorian's murder. Chang reports on the shocking allegations made by one of Stane's victims, Jane Doe #1, who was also sexually assaulted by him in Visalia years after Dorian's death. The victim has now come forward to share her story, revealing a remarkable display of resilience and courage.
With Stane now serving his life sentence at a California prison due to his age, the 20/20 episode provides a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of his crimes on the victims and their families. As Chang notes, the story is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of bringing justice to those who have been left waiting for far too long.
The episode promises to be a powerful tribute to Debbie Dorian's memory, offering a chance for her to be remembered in all her beauty and vitality, rather than just as a victim of crime.
ABC's Juju Chang reports that investigators, led by Vince Zavala, never gave up on finding Dorian's killer. Even after retiring from the Fresno Police Department, Zavala continued to work on the case on his own, and it was he who finally connected the dots and identified Nickey Stane as the prime suspect.
In an exclusive interview with 20/20, Chang reveals the moment of truth when police arrested Stane at a fast-food restaurant where he was working. The arrest was the culmination of a cat-and-mouse game that had been playing out for decades, with Zavala's tireless efforts finally paying off.
But Stane's crimes went far beyond Dorian's murder. Chang reports on the shocking allegations made by one of Stane's victims, Jane Doe #1, who was also sexually assaulted by him in Visalia years after Dorian's death. The victim has now come forward to share her story, revealing a remarkable display of resilience and courage.
With Stane now serving his life sentence at a California prison due to his age, the 20/20 episode provides a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of his crimes on the victims and their families. As Chang notes, the story is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of bringing justice to those who have been left waiting for far too long.
The episode promises to be a powerful tribute to Debbie Dorian's memory, offering a chance for her to be remembered in all her beauty and vitality, rather than just as a victim of crime.
It's crazy thinkin' about how long it took to catch this guy. I mean, 23 years is like, a whole lotta time... that's even longer than my grandma's been around 
. But you gotta respect Vince Zavala for not givin' up on the case. That takes dedication and perseverance, ya know? And now that Stane's behind bars, it's just a shame nobody else got hurt by him... it's like, what could've been 
.
I'm so glad they finally caught this guy after all these years! It's wild how one person could commit such heinous crimes and still manage to evade justice for so long. The fact that Vince Zavala didn't give up on the case is truly inspiring 
. And I have to say, it's amazing that Jane Doe #1 found the courage to come forward after all these years... her story is a reminder that healing takes time and support 
. It's also super satisfying to see Nickey Stane get what he deserves behind bars 
. The 20/20 episode is definitely going to be emotional, but it's about time Debbie Dorian got the justice she deserved 
.
I'm so emotional watching this 20/20 ep! Like, the dedication from Vince Zavala is insane 
. It's wild to think that a cat-and-mouse game went on for 23 years, and I'm just glad he found closure 
. The fact that Jane Doe #1 is now sharing her story is really inspiring 
. We need more people speaking out against abuse 
. The way Debbie Dorian was remembered in this ep is so beautiful 
, it's like she's still alive in our hearts 
.
and then to find out that Nickey Stane was still out there causing more harm... its crazy how one bad person can have so many victims. I'm glad justice is finally being served now that he's serving life in prison 
but at what cost? 
OMG you guys this case is INSANE I mean 23 years?! That's longer than some people have been alive! 
But what really gets me is how Stane was able to evade justice for so long. Like, what was he thinking?! And that victim coming forward all these years later, sharing her story... it's just heartbreaking 
the victim coming forward is super inspiring too like she's showing everyone that even after all this time we can still find justice and closure 
. And then to find out there were more victims... it's just heartbreaking 
