20/20 - The After Show: Unholy Matrimony

Episode Date: March 31, 2025

Deborah Roberts talks with producer Gary Wynn about what it takes to bring the audience to the location of our stories to visualize how it unfolded: finding spaces to shoot,  renting motorcycles, protecting gear from floods, and searching for those telling details that help viewers understand who a person was in life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Fizz loyalty program, you get rewarded just for having a mobile plan. You know, for texting and stuff. And if you're not getting rewards like extra data and dollars off with your mobile plan, you're not with Fizz. Switch today. Conditions apply. Details at fizz.ca. Hi there, everybody. It's Deborah Roberts here and welcome to 2020 The After Show. Today, we're talking about one of our classic true crime tales that we bring you on 2020 on a regular basis. This one is a story of love, betrayal and murder. The episode was called Unholy Matrimony.

The couple at the center of it, Robert and Sabrina Lamone, they appear to be living an idyllic life with their two kids in Silver Lakes, California. And by all accounts, they were an outgoing couple, they loved to party, they'd become a part of a tight-knit group of couples who called themselves the Wolf Pack. But then Robert was found murdered in a remote industrial complex where he had been working. The illusion of their perfect marriage and life just crumbled.

As authorities investigated the death, they discovered that not only did the couple have an open marriage, but Sabrina was having a full-blown relationship with a man who was much younger, a firefighter named Jonathan Hearn. After Robert's murder, detectives decided to wiretap Sabrina and Jonathan's phones to listen in. Let's hear a clip from the show. In the days, weeks, months following the murder, Jonathan and Sabrina talked a lot on the phone. And through these wiretap recordings, we catch this glimpse into what they're discussing. And they talk a lot about God. They talk a lot about faith. I want to be used for his glory. Whatever he wants me to do, I mean I would cut my arm off, I would shave my head, I would if that's like what God would want for me,

you know, like I feel that. I do too. It was quite odd. And in these conversations, Jonathan actually, at one point in time, talked about a passage in the Bible talking about David and Bathsheba. I've been reading Psalms 51. The Psalms are so good. David is a lot like you and I, Sabrina. He was someone who committed adultery.

Actually, that's what Psalm 51 is about. He had an affair and then he even went on to kill the guy, like send him into battle and pretty much had him killed off. It's a really twisted take on religion. Is this just a spiritual discussion or is it a roadmap to foul play? Well, police arrested Jonathan and Sabrina for the murder, but without enough evidence against her,

Sabrina actually was able to walk free until, that's a big until in a shocking twist, Jonathan agreed to testify against the woman who was his lover in exchange for pleading guilty to manslaughter. And this all happened just days before the trial. Wow, it was a doozy. I reported this story with producer Gary Winn, whom I've had the pleasure of working with for years.

Gary, this is so great to have you actually in the studio to talk like this. Absolutely. So welcome. Always a treat to work with you. You and I have worked together over for years. Gary, this is so great to have you actually in the studio to talk like this. Absolutely. Always a treat to work with you. You and I worked together over the years. Yes, I remember we did some stuff at GMA and this was our first opportunity to work together in 2020 and what a great story. What a story. I remember when you came to me about it and we, you know, Joe Ree, the senior producer, was involved in it and we were all talking about how bizarre this story was, and also the area, you know, out in this sort of remote part of California. You and I headed out to Tehachapi, and I still have trouble pronouncing it, Tehachapi,

and I remember driving through the Mojave Desert, and it was just so bizarre, right? Absolutely, and you were coming from Los Angeles, and it's about 90 miles from Los Angeles. So that morning we were going to a diner that we had rented to set up and do your interview with Detective Grantham. And coincidentally or horribly the night before there was a pipe burst in the hotel. All these little behind the scenes moments. So it was kind of like a waterfall in the room.

And we're like, oh gosh, I hope we just need to get on site to make sure we're ready for Debra. And of course we made it and we were there. But the best part was that we'd been there several days shooting around that complex where Rob Lamone had worked and the weather was awful. It rained every day. But then I show up.

And you brought the sunshine. The sun was awful. Yeah. It rained every day. But then I show up. And you brought the sunshine. The sun came out. Yeah, you know, people often ask about how we shot our stories and what it was like on the ground. And it is sort of interesting. I mean, obviously, we're reporting on these very intense and tragic stories, but those little moments like your flood in the hotel and us, you know, and my driving there and, you know, literally, it looked like a moonscape when I was out there, you know, and you and I laughed a

little bit about that. But this is a story that had mystery, infidelity, religion. I mean, it was one of those classics that almost felt like a TV show, right? You've got a couple who seem to have like that great marriage, but, you know, there were challenges in trying to report this too. I mean, the crime took place in an industrial park, private property, you know, people don't realize what we have to go through to kind of get these things going. Absolutely. And that's a great point that, you know, it really is in the middle of nowhere. And if you did not know that that industrial park was there, you

wouldn't stumble upon it. You wouldn't find it. Which is part of the story later too. Absolutely, and so when we went actually to scout it on the first trip out there, we realized that there was no way to see where this happened. And there were train tracks right next to it also. Exactly, it was next to a train that was running one of the BNSF trains.

And so I was able to get in contact with the owners of the BNSF trains. And so I was able to get in contact with the owners of the industrial park, because the BNSF rented a space there and that's where Rob Lamone was murdered. We rented a unit in that industrial park so that we could be in there and get shots of the exterior. We actually could see the unit where this took place.

Yeah, because it was like a big storage unit and sometimes these things aren't the most attractive things that we're shooting. So you have to find the producers, you have to find a way to sort of bring them to life and make it make sense to the audience because otherwise, you know, visually it just doesn't it doesn't tell the story. You know, you can have a sit-down interview and that's going to give you your information but when you have an opportunity to be out there, you know, you can have a sit down interview, and that's going to give you information. But when you have an opportunity to be out there, you know, where this actually happened so that we can help the audience sort of visualize and that was, you know, not only where the crime happened, there was another key

piece of evidence, which was that camera that you and Detective Grantham talked about. And that was in that industrial park. And this camera actually saw a figure Limping across yeah the security camera exactly and that as we later find out, you know turned out to be The person who committed the crime Yeah, that played a big part in the story that security camera footage But being able to be there you interviewed detective Grantham out there and he was able to explain to you exactly You know the significance of that and what that meant to see Jonathan.

Let's listen. You get on the case. You're looking at all the crime scene pictures, video, so forth. Now, when you're looking out here, many times there's cameras everywhere. Do you even think that there might be surveillance cameras out here? Sure. So, absolutely. The following day, during daylight hours, we came out and began canvassing the area. And upon doing so, we found this video surveillance camera right here. And this is the camera that actually captured the person

walking through the complex with an exaggerated limp, walking towards the BNSF location where Rob was found dead. You were just hoping that this would show you something. You didn't know what you were gonna get. Correct. And he was quite a character. Not only was he thorough, but I just remember he had this sunburn on his face

because he had these lines on his face. He had his sunglasses on, but that's how hot it was out where we were. Absolutely, yeah. He, it was red all around and you just saw the white streak going back above his ears. Yeah, I noticed that as soon as we sat down. But what a police officer though. Yeah, terrific guy. And they are, were from Kern County, which is, you know, Bakersfield way.

He really knew the area. You know, all of the detectives, him and Tommy Robbins, who we spoke to as well. Yeah, those guys just, they did not stop digging and it was fascinating. One of the things that our audience doesn't always know is even though they see all these like sweeping interesting shots of the story, there's a lot going into putting all this together and I remember you had drones out there so you know I want to talk about the clues in solving this case but let's also talk about how we brought it to the audience, because I remember being out there and you,

you're placing me in this place in that place and try to make sure we capture the camera and you even had the camera rolling to take shots of us while we're out walking. So talk about how you bring all of that together for the audience. It really is just about trying to have as much production value as we can in every scene. So this is a scene where you are actually on, you know, where this crime happened, where there's a key piece of evidence that that camera and that is, you know, what we try to do is bring people in there so that it's one thing to have, you know, an interview and someone's telling you about what happened.

But when we can get out there and you can actually visualize it and see and help the It's one thing to have an interview and someone's telling you about what happened, but when we can get out there and you can actually visualize it and see and help the audience see that makes a big difference. In a very creative way. Well, let's get back to the story then. So Gary, the detectives had evidence that the assailant actually fled on a motorcycle. It's a great visual, but we didn't have it. So how do you work to bring that part of the story to life?

On that road, Goodrick Road, going into where the industrial complex is, there was a business that had a camera, a surveillance camera, and they saw a motorcycle go by, which was of course Jonathan Hearn, as we learned later. So what we did is, okay, we need to show this motorcycle. We need to worry about the visual things,

trying to illustrate what this looked like. So we rented a motorcycle and we had point of view shots so that we could actually take that motorcycle on the same route that Jonathan had taken that day when the murder took place. And he rode a long time on that motorcycle to get to this location, right? Absolutely, it was a good hour away.

And then afterwards there was more security footage on that motorcycle to get to this location. Absolutely. It was a good hour away. And then afterwards, there was more security footage that they saw him in a convenience store. So that was for us, we wanted to be able to show visually what that's like the B-roll, what we call B-roll, and be able to show the motorcycle and show how it came in here and show the whole route. Then police learned, of course, this guy who's on the motorcycle was Sabrina's lover, Jonathan Hearn.

And in the story, you learn how as they start to untangle, they realize that she's having this affair. He owned a motorcycle. All the details matched up. And on that camera, it was so interesting that security camera, the person that they saw was limping. And this guy was faking a limp on the way into the industrial park.

And that was also something that was significant because they weren't sure, was it a disabled person? And they went looking for people in the neighborhood. Maybe it was somebody who was homeless. And that was a whole ordeal as well. You know, and it was also strange because what would somebody be doing there? You know, they thought it was probably just a transient and, you know, because it didn't

make any sense, you know, why this person would be picked up on that. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Oh, so many great details. Well, when we come back, the kinds of small details that producers look for when they're out shooting a story for us that help tell the story of the victim and who they were in life. So stay with us. Hey, I'm Brad Milky. You may know me as the host of ABC audio's daily news podcast, Start Here, but I'd like to add aspiring true crime expert to my resume. And here's

how I'm going to make it happen. Every week, I'm going to to add aspiring true crime expert to my resume and here's how I'm gonna make it happen Every week I'm gonna unpack the biggest true crime story that everyone is talking about ABC's got some unique access here So I'll talk to the reporters and producers who have followed these cases for months sometimes years We're bringing the latest developments and the larger context on the true crime stories you've been hearing about. Follow the crime scene for special access to the people who know these stories best. Hello, it's Robin Roberts here. Hey guys, it's George Stephanopoulos here. Hey everybody, it's Michael Strahan here. Wake up with good morning America. Robin, George, Michael, GMA, America's favorite number one morning show. The morning's

first breaking news, exclusive interviews, what everyone will be talking about that day. Put some good in your morning and start your day with GMA. Good morning America. Put the good in your morning. GMA 7A on ABC. All right we're back and I'm here with Gary Winn, my partner in crime, as we can say, I guess, when we're out shooting these stories. Let's get back to our story, Gary. So after Sabrina Lamone was first arrested and then released because police didn't really have enough evidence to charge her, talk about the community's reaction because this was

a small community. They were well known in this community's reaction because this was a small community, they were well known in this community and liked in this community. It kind of led a little bit of a racy life there with the kind of open marriage and all of that, but what about the community? Initially after, in the aftermath, people were shocked, devastated, you know, really rallying around them. The funeral, I mean, it was overflowing with people. But as time went on a little bit and details start to come out about, you know, what might have been going on, Sabrina started to get harassed in Silver Lakes, according to

her sister, her older sister, who we spoke to, and her friend when she moved away to Camarillo, California, Karen Hudgen, said that people, they bumped her car, she had to homeschool her kids because they were getting harassed So, you know life for her and the children became untenable in you know, this place that had been Such an idyllic spot for them Yeah, so she moved to Camarillo, California Just to get away from all of that exactly hurt. She had a cousin there named Billy who we interviewed. And basically, she just needed a fresh start.

And the irony is she's getting this fresh start. She's getting her kids connected in a new community. And Jonathan's in jail. So let's talk about Robert Limon, because he was a very well-loved guy. He was a devoted dad from everything that we heard. And the night that he died, his daughter was calling him because she wanted to talk to him

about the first day of school, the next day. But of course, when somebody dies, they're very much of an offstage character. So you have to work a little harder to paint a picture of who they are. And you went out of the way to find people who knew him to paint a nice picture of who this guy was as a dad and a husband.

Absolutely. And one of the other producers on this show booked his Robert Lamont High School football coach, who was really had just such incredibly nice things to say about what he was as a young man. This coach said that Rob was one of his special players. And he was just that kind of a guy that would thrive with positive reinforcement.

And they were humble. They were not wealthy. They were, his father would make breakfast burritos and Rob would go out with his father and they would sell them. He would actually sell them at school to different kids at school and stuff. So everyone, every single person that you speak to and ask about Robert Lamont says

that he was just the greatest guy. And I think, you mentioned his daughter wanting to talk to him. I mean, that just gives you a glimpse into the kind of father he was. It was gonna be her first day of school and she wanted to kiss her dad good night. Yeah, those are the things I think that our viewers

and then of course, here our listeners really gravitate to because these are people, you know, we do these stories and yes, they're crime stories, but these are real people. And I remember our producer, our executive producer was really touched by the football coach. And that was a little element that we found

that we just thought would shed light because this is somebody that this guy knew long ago, but it told you a little bit about who they are. And somebody said to me the other day, one of the things they find so interesting about these stories of true crime is not the crime itself, but who the people were and how they got to that point, whether it's the victim

or whether it might be the perpetrator. And the same thing with Sabrina Lamone too, just trying to get to know her. And we did, I think, a good job of painting that picture of her too, as a person. Absolutely. And you know, it's funny, I was thinking about this, we talked to her friend, Karen Hudgens. So that was when she, you know, went and started a new life in Camarillo, California. This woman met her after this crime happened. They became the best of friends.

Their sons were born the same week. They were married on the same day. Karen knows everything that happened. You cannot tell that woman that Sabrina is guilty, you know? And she actually was such a good friend that she took in Sabrina's son. Yeah, her son. Yeah, the human touch, I think, is what's so important.

And that's what you and our producers do so well. And Gary, you did such a great job on the story. Thank you. And a treat to work with you again. We're going to do more of it, you and I. And as for Sabrina Lamone, her federal petition challenging her convictions was denied. So she's still in prison.

We'll do a follow up, I'm sure, on this at some point. Absolutely. Well, Gary, thank you so much for coming in. This is so rare that we actually get a chance to take a moment and breathe. Absolutely. And talk about these stories that we cover, but it's always a pleasure to work with you.

Same, same. Well, we'll be back next Monday with a new 2020 after show just for you. And we're curious, what questions do you have about 2020 that you might want us to answer on this podcast? Because we're here to do that for you. Are there things you've always wondered about? We're planning a listener mailbag episode

when we can answer your questions. So reach out to us. We wanna hear what you have to say and make them interesting questions, okay? Well, tune in on Friday nights at nine to watch the latest 2020 show on ABC. Or of course, you can listen Saturday in your 2020 podcast feed. 2020 After Show is produced by Cameron Chertavian and Sasha

Ouslanian. And of course, we always have help from our producers like Gary Winn, Joseph Rhee, who's here on this one, Brian Mazursky and Alex Berenfeld of 2020. Janis Johnston is the executive producer of 2020. Josh Cohen is the director of podcasting at ABC audio. Laura Mayer is the executive producer. Hello, it's Robin Roberts here. Hey guys, it's George Stephanopoulos here.

Hey everybody, it's Michael Strahan here. Wake up with Good Morning America. Robin, George, Michael, GMA, America's favorite number one morning show. The morning's first breaking news, exclusive interviews, what everyone will be talking about that day. Put some good in your morning and start your day with GMA. Good morning America. Put the good in your morning.

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