Dateline NBC “The Last Weekend” December 8 2023 Recap & Preview
Dateline NBC will be featuring the case in an episode titled “The Last Weekend,” scheduled to air on Friday, December 8, 2023, at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT. The episode will delve into the details of the brutal murders of musician Scott Sessions and Heather Frank, providing viewers with further insights into this chilling and tragic story.
What Happened to Scott Sessions & Killer Kevin Eastman?
Scott Sessions, a 53-year-old musician, went missing after failing to appear for a scheduled performance. His body was later discovered nearly decapitated in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, sending shockwaves through his friends and family. The story unveils the methods used by detectives to track down the killer.
Scott Sessions’ disappearance was initially a mystery, but forensic data tracking and civilian surveillance played a crucial role in unraveling the case. When he failed to show up for his concert, suspicions arose as Sessions was known for his punctuality. His body, intentionally burned and wrapped in plastic, was eventually found near Poudre Canyon, with autopsy results revealing a brutal throat-slitting.
Investigators scoured Sessions’ home for clues, analyzing his cell phone data to determine his last location, which turned out to be just 3 miles from his house. Police discovered his car in a supermarket parking lot, still with the keys in the ignition and the floor mat outside. Security camera footage revealed a mysterious individual leaving the car on foot.
The breakthrough came when investigators gained access to Sessions’ Facebook Messenger account and found a conversation with Heather Frank, a local waitress and someone he had recently met. Detectives observed Frank and her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Kevin Eastman, shortly after Sessions’ phone went dark. Background checks on the couple revealed a history of domestic abuse.
As surveillance intensified, the cell phone records of Frank and Eastman showed their presence at Sessions’ apartment on the night of his disappearance. Security cameras captured their car traveling towards Poudre Canyon, where Sessions’ body was eventually discovered. The tracking led detectives to issue arrest warrants for Frank and Eastman.
The case took a grim turn when Heather Frank’s body was found in a burn pit on a property belonging to Eastman’s former employer, Troy Bonnell. Eastman was subsequently arrested and interrogated, displaying odd behavior, such as praying and singing “Amazing Grace,” when left alone in the room.
Eastman was eventually charged with the murders of both Scott Sessions and Heather Frank. His trial, which commenced over two years later, focused on domestic violence as the motive. DNA evidence suggested Eastman had ambushed Sessions, but the defense claimed that Frank had committed the murder, with Eastman assisting in disposing of the body.
In a July 2022 verdict, Kevin Eastman was found guilty of first-degree murder for the deaths of Heather Frank and Scott Sessions. He received two consecutive life sentences plus an additional 27 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Eastman maintains his innocence and is currently in the process of appealing his case.
The victims’ families continue to grapple with the aftermath of these horrific murders, with some struggling to find forgiveness while others remember the lives and personalities of their loved ones.