ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN Launches Into Fourth Season Starting Sunday, April 17 on Investigation Discovery

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This spring, Investigation Discovery launches an all-new season of the hit series ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN, the network's signature long-form journalism franchise. Entering into its fourth season, ON THE CASE continues ID's commitment to bring viewers to the forefront of the pursuit of truth and justice. Emmy Award winning journalist Paula Zahn travels across the country to personally interview the people directly touched by these fascinating cases, resulting in riveting interviews that reveal the raw emotions the tragedies have left behind. 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-episode fourth season on Sundays at 10 PM ET starting April 17.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101103/PH94271LOGO )

"ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN is a brand-defining series for ID and has been a major contributor to our explosive growth over the last two years. In fact, ON THE CASE earned ID its very first 1.0 at the beginning of the year and has steadily increased its audience every season," said Henry Schleiff, president and general manager of Investigation Discovery. "Paula Zahn represents the very best in journalism and with her relentless quest for answers; she brings ON THE CASE to life for Investigation Discovery's loyal audience."

The first four episodes of ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN this season include:

SILENCED

Sunday, April 17 at 10 PM ET

On a warm summer night in 1996, a beautiful 22-year-old woman named Carrie Culberson was seen driving away from her house with the lights on her car turned off. She has not been seen since. The timing of Carrie's disappearance was suspicious since she was about to testify in court against her boyfriend, Vincent Doan, who had allegedly assaulted her. Did Carrie run away in fear or was she the victim of a crime? Carrie's mother was certain Vincent was involved but investigators weren't so sure. The case tore apart the small town of Blanchester, Ohio as neighbors took sides and many wondered if justice was really being served.

MESSAGE IN BLOOD

Sunday, April 24 at 10 PM ET

It started with a frantic 911 call in a Tampa suburb. "Please, please come. Karen is dead. My girlfriend ... I just came over and found her." When investigators arrived, they found a shaken Timothy Permenter outside the home of his girlfriend, Karen Pannell. The former model's body was discovered in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor. She had been stabbed multiple times and someone had rifled through her purse. But most shocking was what police discovered on the wall next to Karen's body: the letters "ROC" written in blood. Investigators scrambled to determine whether it was the final act of a woman determined to identify her killer, or the devious work of the killer himself trying to lead investigators in the wrong direction.

RACE TO JUDGMENT

Sunday, May 1 at 10 PM ET

High school football games are the main event in the tiny town of Tatum, Texas. After a September home game, 18-year-old David Reid jumped into his souped-up truck and drove off into the night. Meanwhile, four girls were heading out for a post-game party. They were cheerleaders, honor students, beautiful and popular. When the girls pulled onto Highway 149, David's pickup slammed into their SUV. A witness described an "ugly sound of metal slamming full speed into metal," followed by a huge explosion. David was the only survivor, but was he to blame? The people of Tatum demanded justice, but the investigation and legal process didn't seem to satisfy anyone. It would be up to the families who suffered the most to bring together a town torn apart by tragedy.

A TANGLED PAST

Sunday, May 8 at 10 PM ET

When Margaret Bradley's Multiple Sclerosis began threatening her independent lifestyle, she moved in with her daughter Rhonda, a registered nurse. Rhonda could provide more than just a daughter's love, but arranged for another caretaker to fill in when she had to work. Jeanine Hannah seemed competent and caring, and that made what happened next so much harder to understand. One day in 2002, Margaret suddenly fell ill and died the following evening of what was determined to be unusual and dangerously low blood sugar levels. Rhonda knew her mother had no history of diabetes and her search for answers would eventually lead authorities to open a criminal investigation that would take them to the far corners of the nation and help uncover a shocking trail of intrigue and deceit.

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 71 million U.S. households. For more information, please visit investigationdiscovery.com

Please visit the Press Website at http://press.discovery.com/us/id/programs/paula-zahn/ for additional press materials, screeners, and photography.

SOURCE Investigation Discovery