ABC: What happened to Gary Lee Triano? Details of real estate developer's murder on 20/20 Explosive Secrets, explored 

ABC 20/20 Explosive Secrets investigated the murder of Gary Lee Triano, a millionaire real estate developer, who died after a pipe exploded in his car.

The ABC 20/20 January 24, 2025 episode, presented by correspondent Chris Connelly, investigated this murder from 1996, which was finally solved 18 years later.

According to TV Everyday, the episode focused on the conspiracy behind Gary's death:

''In 1996, Gary’s life was tragically cut short when a remote-controlled pipe bomb exploded in his car after he finished a round of golf. The case left authorities baffled for years, but as the investigation continued, a trail of deceit, betrayal, and revenge began to emerge''

Gary was murdered in the parking lot of a club he frequented when a pipe exploded in his car. It was later revealed that his ex-wife Pamela hired a hitman to murder her ex-husband so that she could benefit from the $2 million life insurance on Gary that was named after their two children.

Even after her conviction, Pamela did not admit to her husband's murder and maintained that he was murdered in a mob revenge killing.

More on Gary Triano's murder as shown in ABC 20/20 in our story.

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ABC 20/20: Gary Lee Triano's murder was orchestrated by his wife in a pipe bomb explosion

Gary was a millionaire real estate developer who frequented the La Paloma Country Club in Catalina, Arizona. He died in November 1996 when the pipe bomb of his 1989 Lincoln Town Car exploded in the parking lot of La Paloma. Not only did Gary die in that explosion, but there was also harm done to the surroundings.

As shown on ABC 20/20, Gary was in a bad financial condition, had declared bankruptcy, and had a debt of around $27 million from his business. But despite his conditions, he was known to over-indulge in the Club regularly.

After he declared bankruptcy, he separated from his wife, Pamela Phillips, and she moved back to Aspen with their children, where she continued her real estate career. The couple officially got divorced in 1986.

Upon further investigation, the police found that Pamela had recently obtained a $2 million life insurance on her ex-husband, which made her the primary suspect with a strong motive.

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Pamela Phillips was convicted of her husband's murder after 18 years

Upon further investigation, the police found Pamela's connection with Ronald Young, a small hitman in Aspen, and it was assumed that she made a connection when she shifted there after her divorce.

The police found an abandoned van that was rented by Young, with documents on Gary and Pamela's divorce and a sawed-off shotgun. He was convicted for Gary's murder in 2008.

As shown in ABC 20/20, the police also found phone records and emails exchanged between Ronald and Pamela, linking her to the murder, It was found that she gave him $400,000 to kill Gary.

While Young was convicted of Gary's murder and given life imprisonment, Pamela was also found guilty of conspiring against her husband and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. She is now held at Arizona State Prison Complex – Perryville.

Catch the whole episode on ABC 20/20.

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