For decades, ABC's 20/20 has been a staple of true crime television, and it's about to kick off its 49th season with a case that still haunts a Massachusetts community. The premiere, airing tomorrow night, September 25, takes viewers back to 1986, when 20-year-old college student Claire Gravel was found strangled to death off a roadside in Salem. Despite the brutality of the crime and the eventual emergence of new evidence, the case went cold for years.
In an exclusive sneak peek shared with Collider, co-anchor Deborah Roberts sits down with Claire's brother, James Gravel, who recounts the agonizing moments after his sister disappeared. He remembers getting a call from Claire's employer on the morning of June 3, 1986, asking if she had come home that weekend because she hadn't shown up for work. That call immediately triggered alarm bells, as Claire was not the type to miss work without notice. James and his brother Mark drove to Salem, hoping to find her safe, but no one had seen her. They eventually filed a missing persons report, setting off an investigation that would stretch for decades.
The episode, titled "The Salem Strangler," weaves together interviews with Claire's family, law enforcement officials, and a woman who survived a strikingly similar attack in 2007. That survivor's ordeal provided the crucial break investigators needed, leading to a suspect and reigniting the search for justice in Claire's case. The hour promises a gripping look at how a cold case can suddenly warm up with the right piece of evidence.
This premiere also marks a continued expansion for 20/20 beyond the TV screen. Roberts, who co-anchors with David Muir, is set to host the second season of the companion podcast, 20/20: The After Show, offering behind-the-scenes insights into how each story is crafted. The podcast drops new episodes every Monday on major platforms, the ABC News app, and YouTube. Additionally, the show has been building a library of audio documentaries, including Heist at the Louvre, Bridge of Lies, and Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy, with more on the way.
As 20/20 continues to dominate the Friday night newsmagazine slot—outperforming Dateline for the fourth straight year with over 3.7 million viewers—the show shows no signs of slowing down. The Season 49 premiere is a testament to its enduring appeal, blending investigative journalism with compelling storytelling.
Don't miss the Season 49 premiere of 20/20 on ABC on September 25, with new episodes streaming the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. Check out our exclusive sneak peek in the player above to get a taste of the chilling mystery that awaits.
For more true crime and TV coverage, be sure to explore our exclusive clip from another upcoming drama and a sneak peek at a new episode of Trespasses.
