Investigation Discovery's Most Successful Series, ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN, Returns for Second Season on Sunday, April 18

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN comes back for a sophomore season on Investigation Discovery, America's leading investigation network and the fastest growing network in ad-supported cable for women 25-54.*  ON THE CASE was not only the highest-rated original series debut** for Investigation Discovery in 2009, but rose to become the highest-rated series in the network's history.***  Profiling fascinating true stories and featuring gripping interviews conducted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Paula Zahn, ON THE CASE is a shining example of ID's core brand mission to investigate life's mysteries through riveting storytelling.  Zahn's journalistic expertise and passion for the truth resonate as ON THE CASE unravels shocking investigations that have dominated headlines, and intriguing original stories uncovered exclusively for ID's audience.  Zahn executive produces the series with Scott Sternberg, CEO of Scott Sternberg Productions, and Scott Weinberger, CEO of Weinberger Media.  ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN returns with a 13-part second season beginning Sunday, April 18 at 10 PM ET.

"ON THE CASE has quickly established itself as the cornerstone of ID's unprecedented growth and success, reflecting the journalistic integrity that our audience has come to expect from the leading investigation network in television," said Henry Schleiff, president and general manager of Investigation Discovery.  "Paula Zahn is more than just one of the executive producers and host of this series.  As a result of her exclusive interviews in which she asks the questions viewers demand to have answered, Paula has become the very heart and soul of these incredibly compelling and emotional stories.  Indeed, this unique combination of spellbinding stories and investigative journalism has created a second season of ON THE CASE, which will inform, entertain and, on occasion, even inspire our viewers."

ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN features interviews that leave audiences on the edge of their seats and craving more.  While shooting the second season, Paula Zahn traveled the country to talk directly to the people touched by these fascinating cases, resulting in riveting interviews that reveal the raw emotions these tragedies have left behind.  The first four episodes of ON THE CASE include:

Beauty And The Beast: Sunday, April 18 at 10 PM ET

In 2004, a Brigham Young University student, Brooke Wilberger, mysteriously vanished from a parking lot in Corvallis, OR and the case made national headlines.  Zahn conducts interviews with Brooke's parents, Greg and Cammi Wilberger, who share their soul-testing journey as they rallied to find Brooke.  Lead detective Sean Houck discusses the frustrating process of bringing Brooke's perpetrator, Joel Courtney, to justice and providing closure to the Wilberger family.  Zahn also interviews Courtney's sister, who remembers her chilling suspicions of Courtney's involvement with Brooke's disappearance.

Murder In The Heartland: Sunday, April 25 at 10 PM ET

Held in Des Moines every August, the Iowa State Fair is a cherished tradition celebrating Midwest culture.  But when Bobie and Marilyn Blewer, who for decades sold funnel cakes from their stagecoach wagon, were found dead, the crime shook the entire community.  While Jerimy Sneed, who had been hired by the Blewers for the fair season, was convicted for the double homicide, the truth eventually became a family affair.  In two separate trials nearly a year apart, both the Blewers' daughter Jamie Borushaski and her husband Rodney were convicted in connection to her parent's death in an apparent scheme to collect their insurance policy.  Zahn examines this twisted story of deception and attempts to untangle the claims of innocence still professed by Rodney and Jamie.

A Killing In Canova Beach: Sunday, May 2 at 10 PM ET

Paula Zahn sits down with William Dillion, who was convicted of beating to death James Dvorak in Canova Beach, Florida in 1981.  After an alleged jailhouse confession, questionable canine scent evidence and sexual misconduct between the star witness and lead investigator, Dillion was convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole.  Dillion shares with Zahn his odyssey of perseverance and personal redemption, including how he researched and wrote by hand his own motion for DNA testing, which was characterized by some as the ultimate legal "Hail Mary."  Once granted, the DNA testing led to his release from prison after 27 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit.

A Lamb Amongst Wolves: Sunday, May 9 at 10 PM ET

College student Mark Fisher went out in Manhattan with friends one night and ended up shot to death outside a house party in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.  The puzzle of what happened to Fisher left investigators at a loss when fellow partiers put up a wall of silence.  Paula Zahn interviews investigators and prosecutors, who eventually secured a conviction against John Giuca, the host of the party.  But one of the most spellbinding aspects of this case is unveiled in Zahn's interview with Doreen Giuliano, mother of Giuca, who believes her son was unjustly convicted.  Giuliano went to extreme lengths including going undercover to expose what she considered possible juror misconduct at his trial.  While controversial, Giuliano's unorthodox efforts might lead to a new trial for her son.

With ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN, ID and Paula Zahn joined forces to create Zahn's new primetime television home.  A 30-year news veteran, Zahn formerly anchored for CNN, where she hosted the primetime show Paula Zahn Now.  Before joining CNN, Zahn hosted The Edge with Paula Zahn and The Fox Report for Fox News Channel; co-hosted CBS Morning News and anchored the CBS Evening News Saturday Edition; and served as co-anchor of World News This Morning and anchored news segments of Good Morning America on ABC.  Zahn has won seven Emmy Awards, the National Commission of Working Women Broadcasting Award and four Gracie Awards from AWRT for reporting on bias against women in education and the work force.  Zahn also represents Investigation Discovery in the network's ongoing commitment to raising awareness around issues of domestic violence.  As part of the Department of Justice's year-long effort to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the signing of the Violence Against Women's Act, Zahn moderated the DOJ's Stalking Awareness Town Hall and has committed to helping the administration bring attention to all forms of violence against women.

ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN is produced by Scott Sternberg Productions and Weinberger Media for Investigation Discovery.  Executive producers include Scott Sternberg, CEO and Founder of Scott Sternberg Productions; Scott Weinberger, investigative journalist and CEO of Weinberger Media; and Paula Zahn.  For Investigation Discovery, Diana Sperrazza is executive producer, Sara Kozak is vice president of production and Henry Schleiff is president and general manager.  

About Investigation Discovery

Investigation Discovery (ID), America's leading investigation network, is the source for fact-based investigative content about culture, history and the human condition.  Providing the highest quality investigative programming focused on fascinating stories of human nature from the past to the present, Investigation Discovery's in-depth documentaries and series challenge viewers on important issues shaping our culture and defining our world.  As the premier authority in real investigations, ID is expanding partnerships with established news organizations and production companies to bring the strongest analytic, factual investigative and current affairs programming to over 55.7 million U.S. households.  For more information, please visit investigationdiscovery.com

* ID is the fastest growing cable network among W25-54 year-to-date. Source:  The Nielsen Company, NHI Calendar, Live +SD data, Prime (M-Sun 8-11p),  W25-54 delivery, 12/28/09-03/07/10 vs. 12/29/08-03/08/09

** ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN was ID's best original series debut in 2009 with record P2+ delivery. Source: The Nielsen Company, NHI Calendar, Live + SD data, Mon-Sun 8P-11P, 01/27/08-12/27/09, P2+ (000)

*** ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN had the best season ever for an ID original series in P2+ (397k), P25-54 (207k) and HH (314k) delivery. Source: The Nielsen Company, NHI Calendar, Live + SD data, Mon-Sun 8P-11P, 01/27/08-1/31/10, premieres only.

Please visit Investigation Discovery's Press Website at http://press.discovery.com/us/id/ for additional press materials, photography and online screeners.

SOURCE Investigation Discovery