By
Denise Huskins, a physical therapist from Vallejo, California, endured a harrowing experience when she was kidnapped from her home in March 2015. The case initially drew skepticism from the police and media, but it was later revealed to be a genuine and terrifying crime.
The Kidnapping
On March 23, 2015, Denise Huskins and her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn, were awakened in the middle of the night by a stranger in their home. The intruder drugged the couple, tied them up, and kidnapped Huskins. The kidnapper, later identified as Matthew Muller, a disbarred Harvard-educated attorney, demanded a ransom of $8,500.
The Aftermath
After Huskins was released two days later, the Vallejo Police Department initially doubted the couple’s story and publicly accused them of fabricating the kidnapping. The police compared the case to the movie “Gone Girl” and suggested that Huskins and Quinn were seeking attention.
The Truth Revealed
In the following months, evidence emerged that supported Huskins and Quinn’s account of the kidnapping. The FBI connected Matthew Muller to the crime after he was arrested for a similar home invasion in Dublin, California. Muller pleaded guilty to the kidnapping of Denise Huskins in 2016 and was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison.
The Impact on Denise Huskins
The kidnapping and the subsequent public doubt cast by the police took a significant toll on Denise Huskins. She suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and had to deal with the trauma of the kidnapping while also facing public scrutiny and accusations of lying.
Legal Action and Settlements
In 2018, the City of Vallejo agreed to pay Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn a settlement of $2.5 million for defamation and infliction of emotional distress. The couple also reached a settlement with the Vallejo Police Officers’ Association, which had publicly accused them of lying about the kidnapping.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Why did the police initially doubt Denise Huskins’ story?
- A: The police found the kidnapping story to be unusual and drew comparisons to the movie “Gone Girl,” leading them to believe that Huskins and Quinn had fabricated the incident.
- Q: How was Matthew Muller connected to the kidnapping?
- A: The FBI linked Muller to the crime after he was arrested for a similar home invasion in Dublin, California. Evidence found during that investigation tied him to the kidnapping of Denise Huskins.
- Q: What legal action did Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn take after the kidnapping?
- A: The couple reached settlements with the City of Vallejo and the Vallejo Police Officers’ Association for defamation and infliction of emotional distress, receiving a total of $2.5 million from the city.
Conclusion
The kidnapping of Denise Huskins was a terrifying ordeal that was compounded by the initial skepticism and accusations from the police and media. The case highlights the importance of thoroughly investigating crimes and supporting victims, even when their stories may seem unusual or unlikely. Denise Huskins’ resilience in the face of trauma and public scrutiny is a testament to her strength and courage.