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Sneak peek: The Mother I Wish I Knew

January 22, 2026 / 03:31

This episode covers the unsolved murder of Deborah Atrops, the investigation into her husband Robert Atrops, and the implications of her relationship with John Pearson.

Deborah Atrops was a young mother who went missing on November 29, 1988. Her body was discovered in her car's trunk on December 1, leading to a long investigation.

Robert Atrops, her husband, was initially viewed as a suspect due to their troubled marriage. However, the case took a turn when new evidence emerged implicating him as the murderer nearly 35 years later.

Deborah's relationship with John Pearson also raised questions about motive and innocence. Pearson claimed he had no reason to harm her, while Robert's daughter, Rihanna, defended her father's innocence.

The episode highlights the complexities of the case, including the emotional impact on Deborah's family and the ongoing search for justice.

TLDR

The episode examines the 1988 murder of Deborah Atrops and the implications for her husband Robert and lover John Pearson.

Episode

3:31
00:00:04
[music] Deborah Atrops was 30 years old. >> She was a young mother. >> I didn't get to have my mom growing up.
00:00:16
>> My old pumpkin. >> It was this mystery that has never been solved. >> Rihanna.
00:00:27
My name is Rihanna and I am referred to in the story as the baby Riri, >> the eight-month-old baby who lost her
00:00:37
mom. >> Yeah. >> Hi love. >> So you believe on November 29th, 1988, this was the last known location where
00:00:52
she probably came. >> Mhm. We believe that she drove alone on this very rural road and that was the
00:00:59
last drive that she took alive. [music] >> The car is found on December 1st. >> I knew she was strangled and she was
00:01:08
found in her trunk. There was just so much unknown. Who did this? Why did this happen?
00:01:15
>> We focused pretty early on on Robert >> Handsome >> like me. Bob Atrops was married to Debbie Atrops.
00:01:26
[music] They had been married for a year or so and they were struggling um having
00:01:31
issues in their relationship which caused them to [music] separate. >> We continued to conduct additional
00:01:38
interviews, follow up on various leads and then it went dead. It was a tragedy. There were times when
00:01:49
I wondered if we would ever make an arrest. Finally getting answers nearly 35 years
00:01:59
later [music] as prosecutors say now 68-year-old Robert Elmer Atrops is the person
00:02:05
responsible [music] for the November 1988 murder of his aranged wife Deborah Lee Atrops.
00:02:12
>> I was just in shock. I couldn't [music] believe it. They 1,000% got it wrong.
00:02:19
>> The mode of evidence is very very [music] strong. Debbie Atrops had a new romantic
00:02:24
relationship with a man named John Pearson. They worked together. [music] She was excited about it, but she was
00:02:30
very concerned about Robert Atrops finding out about her relationship with John Pearson. [music]
00:02:35
>> The husband is often the obvious suspect. However, Debbie Atrops had a complicated life and kept [music] a lot
00:02:42
of secrets. >> We view this as a case of actual innocence. There is more evidence that
00:02:48
suggests John Pearson was involved in Deborah Atrops's murder than there is Bob Atrops. They [music] thoroughly
00:02:54
interviewed John Pearson. Things were good between him and Debbie [music] Atrops. He had no motive to commit this
00:03:01
crime. John Pearson did have [music] motive to kill Debbrops. He said that in hindsight he thinks that Debbie Atrops
00:03:08
was only with him because she was looking for somebody to pay the bills for her. That's plenty [music] motive.
00:03:14
>> Hello, Rihanna. My dad did not do this. I know my dad. I know his heart. And I know that he'd
00:03:24
never be able to live with himself doing that.

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 80
    Most shocking
  • 80
    Biggest twist
  • 75
    Most heartbreaking
  • 75
    Most surprising

Episode Highlights

  • The Tragic Mystery of Deborah Atrops
    Deborah Atrops was murdered in 1988, leaving her family searching for answers for decades.
    “It was this mystery that has never been solved.”
    @ 00m 18s
    January 22, 2026
  • Arrest After 35 Years
    Robert Elmer Atrops is arrested for the murder of his wife, nearly 35 years later.
    “Finally getting answers nearly 35 years later.”
    @ 01m 56s
    January 22, 2026

Episode Quotes

  • I didn't get to have my mom growing up.
    Sneak peek: The Mother I Wish I Knew
  • I was just in shock. I couldn't believe it.
    Sneak peek: The Mother I Wish I Knew
  • My dad did not do this. I know my dad.
    Sneak peek: The Mother I Wish I Knew

Key Moments

  • Young Mother00:09
  • Last Known Location00:46
  • Car Found01:03
  • Shock of Arrest02:12
  • Defending Dad03:16

Tension Over Time

Words per Minute Over Time

Vibes Breakdown