Timeline: The search for Christie Wilson
Christie Wilson disappeared in 2005, and her killer refused to say where he put her body.
Christie Wilson, 27, was last seen in the early morning hours of October 5, 2005.
Christie's Last Night
Wilson was last seen at the Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln, California.
A Concerned Boyfriend
Wilson was reported missing by her boyfriend Danny Burlando the next night.
Searching for Christie
Wilson's mother and stepfather, Debbie and Pat Boyd, organized searches in Placer County.
A Fellow Gambler
Days later, investigators learned Wilson met a man named Mario Garcia at the casino that night.
Last Images of Christie
Wilson and Garcia left the casino together at 1:13 a.m.
Garcia Leaves the Scene
Nearly four minutes later, Garcia leaves the parking lot in his car, seemingly alone.
Injured in a Fight?
When police spoke with Garcia four days later, he had scratches on his face and chest. Investigators believed Wilson left the marks during a struggle.
Damning Evidence
Small amounts of Wilson's blood was found on the door and backseat of Garcia's car, and her hairs were found in his trunk and on a door handle.
Murder Suspect
Three weeks later, Garcia was charged with Wilson's murder, even though her body hadn't been recovered.
A Dark Past
Investigators learned years earlier Garcia had pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon after an attack on a woman he dated.
A Dark Past
Garcia was also involved in a car accident that left another girlfriend, Lynette Smith, and her mother dead, though police couldn't confirm he was behind the wheel.
Garcia on Trial
Garcia went on trial in September 2006 in Placer County's first no-body murder case.
Garcia Denies his Guilt
Garcia, who took the stand, denied having anything to do with Wilson's disappearance, and said there was no proof she was dead.
The Jury's Verdict
After a two-month trial, the jury found Mario Garcia guilty of Christie Wilson's murder.
Determined Detectives
Don Murchison, left, and Nuno Tavares, investigators on the case from the beginning, continued the search for Wilson after Garcia's conviction.
Determined Detectives
The investigators even looked in a sewage-filled septic tank, but couldn't find Wilson's remains..
New Leads
In 2019, the investigators asked Garcia's sons for any details about their father's actions in the days after Wilson disappeared.
New Leads
Based on those conversations, in August 2020, Nuno Tavares and Don Murchison went back and searched the property around the home where Garcia and his family lived at the time of Christie's disappearance.
Technical Assistance
With experts using ground-penetrating radar equipment, they carefully scanned five acres and found several possible places to dig.
Finding Christie
At the third location, just 100 yards from Garcia's former home, investigators recovered nearly a full skeleton. Tests would later confirm it was Christie Wilson's.
Cause of death
An autopsy later revealed Wilson had a broken nose and hand, but the exact cause of her death could not be determined.
Peace for her Family
After 15 years, Debbie Boyd says that finally finding her daughter brought her a sense of peace.