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Subscribe to RSSWatch the full Dateline episode 'Stealing Paradise' below and keep the conversation going with its correspondent, Kate Snow.
Hi, my name is: Kate Snow
I am: a correspondent for NBC News
When I first came across this story, I thought to myself: It is so bizarre and unthinkable that any person would try to take over someone else's entire life-- their home, their possessions, their identity. How did he get away with it for so long?
My first impressions of Panama: A beautiful country. The capital, Panama City, reminds me of a mini-Miami. The remote area we traveled to in Bocas del Toro was breathtaking and very disconnected from the rest of the world. It had such a refreshing off-the-grid feel. You can see for yourself in my photo diary.
The most striking image I saw: A pile of shovels and pick axes in a carport at Wild Bill's former home. Nearby was a disgusting pile of moldy dog food.
The most admirable person I met along the way: Don Winner (an investigative blogger with "Panama Guide"). He broke down when describing why he had made it his mission to get answers on this case. Don dedicated months of his life to figuring out where Cher Hughes and the other missing people were. He said he kept thinking about his own children and the need for the truth to come out.
These are the words I'll never forget: "He was staying true to mommy"-- Keith Worle describing his dog Jack, who kept swimming the mile from Cher and Keith's island to Wild Bill's place after Cher went missing.
The biggest challenge while doing this story: It was hot. I mean really really sticky humid disgusting hot.
Something I didn't expect: Going into this story, I didn't appreciate the dynamics of ex-pat communities in Latin America. I was surprised by some of the reasons that people ended up in Bocas. Many go there to find paradise. Others go to escape from their own pasts.
My inspirations as a writer/storyteller: I wanted people to have a full picture of this beautiful woman, Cher Hughes. I'm also hoping viewers understand that the terrible things that happened in Bocas only ended because of Cher. Cher was loved and cherished by so many friends and family and they refused to accept that she had simply disappeared. As her aunt Mary said, Wild Bill picked the wrong girl.
In a word, this is really a Dateline story about: Greed
Last but not least, I wish: I could return to Panama on vacation and explore the rainforest and islands.
Thanks for watching and let me know your thoughts too!
Leave a Comment:
You did a good job describing Cher Hughes. I watched the entire show and have questions about the other people involved, - the victims and Wild Bill and his accomplice. Also I wondered about other details - where the family and friends of the other victims were; whether they found other items among Bill's things that may have been clues to other movies; why he was so jovial when arrested and so on.
Kate, thank you so very much for sharing Cher and Keith's story and her wonderful life. I am appalled but I guess not amazed that people like 'Wild Bill' exist in paradise. What I find amazing is that other families did not actively look for their loved ones, unless he targeted people that did not have close ties to their families.
Oh and Jack, the adorable Doberman is a proud representative of the breed...they are loving, loyal and amazing as was Cher...perfect dog to be by her side.
Hugs...Martha
A very riviting story, however I feel one common denominator was overlooked or not mentioned, this Cocaine's roll. The Eyes say it all in the photos of party time, of course this not lessen the gravity of the horror of it all. Is just a reminder of what humanity is ultimatly capable of. Mr. Smith, the American work mule.
I'm not sure why I can't watch past the first part of this story...it keeps skipping to 'Mean Girls', which I've already watched.
It's not fun being left hanging.... 'she disappeared' is the last thing I know. LOL
I'm having the same problem as Nettie. I'd like to watch the rest of the story- but can't get past part 1.
i nearly had this happen to myself and my daughter in the dominican republic a group of expats- unknown to me at the time to be DEPORTED from the USA jails in New York and New Jersey- pretended to be our good friends for over a year and then wanted to murder us and take over as if they were us and let me tell u- noone down here would have stopped it from happening. when the police are corrupt anything goes for a buck... there is nowhere to turn in cases like this, we ran from our home on xmas eve 2006 and never returned they stole everything we owned and killed the dogs. i wonder if this isn´t all a big plan to hunt expats down for profit. deportation is not the answer to the overcrowding in the US jails, they just go to another country in a big group and victimize and kill innocent people. why is there nowhere to turn for help? i called the embassy, my senator, a house of reps guy, lawyers, united nations, victims orgs, noone would even call back which multiplied my fear into utter hysteria, it´s a very big problem abroad!
i am having the same problem...i'm unable to see past the first part of the story. ugh! it seems really interesting!