ABC 20/20 “Small Town Big Con” February 14 2025 Recap & Preview

This Friday, February 14, 2025, 20/20 dives deep into the chilling true-crime story of Natalie Cochran, the West Virginia pharmacist convicted of murdering her husband, Michael Cochran, to cover up a $2 million Ponzi scheme she had been running. The all-new 20/20 episode airs at 9:00 PM ET/8:00 PM CT on ABC and will be available for streaming the next day on Hulu.

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In 2019, 38-year-old Michael Cochran’s death was initially shrouded in mystery. He died after suffering from what appeared to be a sudden, unexplained illness. However, as the investigation progressed, authorities uncovered a disturbing web of deceit, fraud, and poison. Prosecutors argued that Natalie killed Michael by injecting him with insulin, fearing he would discover the financial fraud she was orchestrating.

For years, Natalie had been running a Ponzi scheme, posing as a government contractor and defrauding investors out of millions. Instead of investing the money, she used it to purchase luxury items like real estate, jewelry, and even a 1965 Shelby Cobra. When Michael became suspicious about her business dealings and the mounting financial pressures, prosecutors claim Natalie made the choice to poison him rather than come clean.

During the investigation, authorities learned that the day Michael died, Natalie had told friends that he wasn’t feeling well but refused to take him to the hospital, choosing instead to let him “sleep it off.” Five days later, Michael passed away, and the truth about his death would eventually emerge, leading to Natalie’s conviction for first-degree murder.

20/20 provides exclusive insights from the trial, including testimony from key investigators, legal experts, and those close to the case. The episode also explores the impact of the Ponzi scheme on the victims and the community.

Tune in to “The Natalie Cochran Trial” on 20/20 this Friday, February 14, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET/8:00 PM CT on ABC. Don’t miss this compelling true-crime investigation that uncovers how greed and betrayal led to a tragic death. The episode will also be available to stream on Hulu the next day.