48 HOURS' Natalie Morales Talks to Mary Nelson About Decades-Long Pursuit of Justice

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In 1969, 17-year-old Mary Kay Hesse was stabbed to death in Wahoo, Nebraska, a crime that haunted the community for decades. 48 HOURS first began reporting on the case in 1999, but the murder remained unsolved for over 50 years. Advances in investigative techniques and renewed focus by law enforcement eventually helped piece together long-overlooked evidence, leading to an arrest. 48 HOURS correspondent Natalie Morales reports on how the murder of Mary Kay Hesse was finally brought back into focus in the upcoming special 'The Girl from Wahoo.'

Why it matters

The case highlights the challenges of solving cold cases, even decades later, and the perseverance of investigators and victims' families in seeking justice. It also demonstrates the power of renewed attention and advances in forensic science to uncover new leads in old cases.

The details

48 HOURS first began reporting on the Mary Kay Hesse murder case in 1999, capturing interviews and material that had never been aired publicly until now. The special 'The Girl from Wahoo' details how investigators were eventually able to piece together long-overlooked evidence using new investigative techniques, leading to an arrest more than 50 years after the initial crime.

• Mary Kay Hesse was stabbed to death in 1969 in Wahoo, Nebraska.
• 48 HOURS first began reporting on the case in 1999.
• The upcoming special 'The Girl from Wahoo' will air on February 14, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The upcoming special 'The Girl from Wahoo' will air on February 14, 2026 on KMTV and stream on Paramount+, providing viewers with more details on the decades-long investigation into Mary Kay Hesse's murder.