ABC 20/20 “Sincerely, the Happy Face Killer” August 25 2023 – Keith Hunter Jesperson, Laverne Pavlinac, Taunja Bennett Details

ABC’s ‘20/20‘ brings viewers a gripping account of how a bizarre false confession led authorities astray in the investigation of the first murder committed by Keith Hunter Jesperson, infamously known as the “Happy Face Killer.” This two-hour program, airing on Friday, August 25 from 9:01 to 11:00 p.m. EDT, delves into the chilling story of how Laverne Pavlinac’s fabricated confession diverted attention from Jesperson, enabling him to remain at large and claim the lives of at least seven more women before his eventual arrest.

The  False Confession That Derailed the Investigation

In 1990, after the discovery of Taunja Bennett’s body in the Columbia Gorge, 57-year-old Laverne Pavlinac confessed to police that she and her boyfriend, John Sosnovske, had committed the crime. Her detailed and convincing account led to their convictions and life sentences. However, Pavlinac’s confession turned out to be a web of lies concocted to escape an abusive relationship with Sosnovske. This startling revelation is brought to light by “20/20” through interviews, audio recordings of confessions, police interviews, and more.

Correspondent Juju Chang takes viewers on a journey into how Pavlinac managed to deceive law enforcement, weaving intricate details into her false confession. The program includes interviews with key individuals, such as Melissa Gavin, a friend of one of Jesperson’s victims, and John Ingram, the lead detective on Bennett’s murder case. Additionally, conversations with Jim McIntyre, the prosecutor for Pavlinac and Sosnovske, shed light on the intricacies of the case.

The episode also offers insights from Pavlinac’s daughters, Darlene Carpenter and Bonnie McAlpine, as well as Michelle White, Bennett’s sister. Melissa Moore, Jesperson’s daughter, and bestselling author and former prosecutor Alafair Burke, who based her first novel on the case, contribute valuable perspectives.

Viewers will gain a comprehensive understanding of the case’s complexities, with interviews and archives revealing Pavlinac’s motive and methods in constructing her false narrative. The program highlights the shockingly intricate lengths to which Pavlinac went to convince investigators of her and Sosnovske’s guilt. Despite the emergence of doubts and inconsistencies, the fabricated confession had already shifted the focus away from Jesperson.

Unmasking the “Happy Face Killer” and His Reign of Terror

The shocking outcome of Pavlinac’s false confession was that the real “Happy Face Killer,” Keith Hunter Jesperson, continued his murderous spree, claiming the lives of at least seven more women. Dubbed the “Happy Face Killer” for his sinister smiley face drawings accompanying confessional letters, Jesperson eluded authorities as he roamed across multiple states over five years. The program features interviews with key figures, offering insights into the haunting aftermath of Pavlinac’s deceit and Jesperson’s chilling actions.