Discover20/20The Interrogation Tapes - Episode 5: Mystery on the Hudson
The Interrogation Tapes - Episode 5: Mystery on the Hudson

The Interrogation Tapes - Episode 5: Mystery on the Hudson

Update: 2024-07-222
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This episode of The Interrogation Tapes delves into the case of Angelika Graswald, who was accused of killing her fiancé, Vincent Viafore, during a kayaking trip. The episode begins with the perspective of a state trooper who received a call about a missing kayaker, setting the stage for the investigation. The episode then focuses on the interrogation of Angelika Graswald, highlighting the tactics used by investigators to build rapport and extract information. The investigators discuss the importance of establishing a connection with the suspect and creating a safe space for them to open up. The episode reveals details about the troubled relationship between Angelika and Vincent, highlighting potential motives for murder. The investigators emphasize the importance of gathering detailed information from the suspect, including their timeline of events and sensory experiences. The episode focuses on the kayak plug as a key piece of evidence in the case, discussing how its removal could have led to Vincent's death and how investigators used this detail to pressure Angelika into confessing. The episode describes a bizarre moment during the interrogation where Angelika is seen doing yoga and stretches, with the investigators discussing the possible reasons behind her behavior. The episode introduces a second investigator who joins the interrogation, discussing the reasons for bringing in a second person, including the need for a fresh perspective and the potential for a more aggressive approach. The episode culminates in Angelika's confession, where she admits to removing the kayak plug. The investigators discuss the tactics they used to elicit the confession, including repetition, frustration, and suggestive questioning. The episode explores the aftermath of Angelika's confession, including her arrest, the discovery of Vincent's body, and the plea deal that led to her release. The episode concludes with reflections from the investigators and Angelika herself, highlighting the complexities of the case and the impact it had on all involved.

Outlines

00:00:00
The Case of Angelika Graswald

This episode of The Interrogation Tapes focuses on the case of Angelika Graswald, who was accused of killing her fiancé, Vincent Viafore, during a kayaking trip. The episode explores the investigation, the interrogation process, and the evidence that led to her confession.

00:00:29
The Missing Kayaker

The episode begins with the perspective of a state trooper who received a call about a missing kayaker. He describes the events leading up to the discovery of Vincent Viafore's missing kayak and the subsequent search efforts.

00:01:47
The Interrogation

The episode delves into the interrogation of Angelika Graswald, focusing on the tactics used by investigators to build rapport and extract information. The investigators discuss the importance of establishing a connection with the suspect and creating a safe space for them to open up.

00:20:02
A Troubled Relationship

The episode reveals details about the troubled relationship between Angelika and Vincent, highlighting potential motives for murder. The investigators discuss the importance of uncovering the truth about the relationship to understand the events that led to Vincent's death.

00:27:19
The Confession and Aftermath

The episode culminates in Angelika's confession, where she admits to removing the kayak plug. The investigators discuss the tactics they used to elicit the confession, including repetition, frustration, and suggestive questioning. The episode explores the aftermath of Angelika's confession, including her arrest, the discovery of Vincent's body, and the plea deal that led to her release. The episode concludes with reflections from the investigators and Angelika herself, highlighting the complexities of the case and the impact it had on all involved.

Keywords

Angelika Graswald


Angelika Graswald is a woman who was accused of killing her fiancé, Vincent Viafore, during a kayaking trip in 2015. She was ultimately convicted of criminally negligent homicide and served over two years in prison.

Vincent Viafore


Vincent Viafore was the fiancé of Angelika Graswald. He died in a kayaking accident in 2015, and his death was later ruled a homicide.

Interrogation


Interrogation is a process used by law enforcement to question suspects and gather information about a crime. It often involves techniques designed to elicit confessions or admissions of guilt.

Kayak Plug


The kayak plug is a small device that prevents water from entering the kayak. In the case of Vincent Viafore's death, the removal of the kayak plug was determined to be a contributing factor to his drowning.

Criminally Negligent Homicide


Criminally negligent homicide is a crime that occurs when a person's reckless or negligent actions result in the death of another person. It is a lesser charge than murder, but it still carries a significant penalty.

True Crime Podcast


This podcast explores the true crime case of Angelika Graswald, focusing on the interrogation process and the evidence that led to her confession.

The Interrogation Tapes


The Interrogation Tapes is a podcast that explores the intricacies of criminal investigations and interrogations, providing insights into the tactics used by law enforcement and the psychology of suspects.

Q&A

  • What were the key tactics used by the investigators during the interrogation of Angelika Graswald?

    The investigators used a variety of tactics, including building rapport, creating a safe space for Angelika to open up, gathering detailed information, and using the kayak plug as a key piece of evidence to pressure her into confessing.

  • What was the significance of the kayak plug in the case?

    The kayak plug was a crucial piece of evidence because its removal could have caused Vincent's kayak to take on water and ultimately led to his drowning. The investigators focused on the plug as a potential murder weapon and used it to elicit a confession from Angelika.

  • What was the outcome of the case?

    Angelika Graswald was ultimately convicted of criminally negligent homicide and served over two years in prison. She was released for time served after accepting a plea deal that reduced the charges against her.

Show Notes

20/20’s Mystery on the Hudson follows the investigation into the drowning death of Vincent Viafore and the interrogation of his fiancée to determine if it was a tragic accident, or something more sinister. 

The Interrogation Tapes was produced by ABC News Studios in partnership with 20/20.

The series is now streaming on Hulu.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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The Interrogation Tapes - Episode 5: Mystery on the Hudson

The Interrogation Tapes - Episode 5: Mystery on the Hudson

ABC News