Murder On Marraco Drive

The Investigation — San Diego Police Dept.

On Thursday, July 19, 2007, around 12:30 p.m. police arrived at the San Diego, Calif., home of Tim MacNeil. It was here, in MacNeil's game room, where they found his body lying in a pool of blood. When officers arrived at the Maracco Drive home, the back door was wide open and there was a gun on the back porch.

Brae's 911 Call
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San Diego Police recovered this mask from a tree near Tim MacNeil's San Diego home. It would later become a crucial piece of evidence in convicting MacNeil's killer.

Brae's 911 Call
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This police sketch was also key to the the case. Brae Hansen described the gunman's face to her family, even though she said initially told police he was wearing a mask.

Brae's 911 Call
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Brae Hansen following her arrest. First thought to be a victim, she was charged with first-degree murder in the death of her stepfather.

Brae's Interrogation
Brae's Letter from Jail

Nathan Gann following his arrest. Nathan was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his stepfather, Tim MacNeil.

Nathan's Interrogation
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The Family

Erin MacNeil Ellison, Tim MacNeil's daughter from his first marriage, describes her father as, "the funniest, most easy going, nicest guy. He just could walk into a room and work it. He could talk to anybody."

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Doreen Hansen, Erin MacNeil, Tim MacNeil and Brae Hansen pose for a family photo during a vacation cruise. Erin told 48 Hours, "Brae always called me her sister, and since I didn't have any other siblings, and she was younger than me, I always let her kind of do that... She was super happy... always smiling."

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Brae Hansen and her brother, Nathan Gann. The siblings entered Tim MacNeil's life upon his marriage to their mother, Doreen Hansen. Nathan was 6, and Brae was 4.

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Brae Hansen shared a close relationship with her stepfather.

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At age 12, to escape trouble at home, Nathan Gann moved to Arizona to live with his grandmother. Here, he and his great-grandmother are shown celebrating his graduation from high school.

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Erin MacNeil, Doreen Hansen, Tim MacNeil, and Brae Hansen pose for a family photo.

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Tim MacNeil is shown with his girlfriend, Kim Mara-Bieda. The couple were dating when Tim was murdered on July 19, 2007, the day after his 63rd birthday. Investigators speculated that his stepdaughter Brae's sense of rejection may have ignited her anger, especially after she revealed that she was jealous of the other woman in her stepfather's life.

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Life Goes On

Erin MacNeil Ellison, second from right, and her husband, Jesse, are surrounded by family on their wedding day, July 19, 2008. The wedding date, which was planned before Tim MacNeil's murder, happened to be on the first anniversary of his death. From left are Erin's uncle, Rick MacNeil, her cousin, Shelly MacNeil, and her aunt, Bonnie MacNeil.

Erin's Wedding
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Erin MacNeil Ellison with husband Jesse on their wedding day. Her aunt, Bonnie MacNeil says, "Erin walked down the aisle by herself [that day], but she was not alone."

Erin's Wedding
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