Dateline: Secrets In Seattle - What happened to Nicole Pietz? Details of the 2006 murder, explored 

The Dateline episode titled "Secrets In Seattle" focuses on a story of betrayal, manipulation, and relentless pursuit of justice. It follows the chilling murder of a 32-year-old woman named Nicole Pietz in Lynnwood, Seattle.

This goes back to 2006 when Nicole Pietz had gone for an AA meeting and was later supposed to join her husband for dinner but never returned. Following her disappearance, Martin David Pietz filed a missing complaint, and it took almost nine days to find out what happened to his wife.

As revealed in the Dateline episode, Nicole Pietz's dead body was discovered by a hiker in a wooded area near the airport. While Nicole's body had several bruises around her knees, elbow, and other parts, her feet weren't dirty, suggesting her body was thrown after the murder. Not only this but Nicole Pietz was found naked with a night guard still in her mouth.

This brutal and horrifying act was carried out by Pietz's husband David Pietz, the same man who expressed concern by filing his wife's missing report. What's even more startling about the crime is that David barely showed any remorse for losing his wife, and spent years covering up the crime.

Continue reading to learn more about the case featured on Dateline.

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The 2006 slaying of Nicole Pietz featured on Dateline

It was on January 28, 2006, when Nicole Pietz went missing, and her husband filed a report. From investigators to Nicole's friends and family, everyone was searching for a clue that could lead them to her.

She was sent numerous voicemails from her close friends and family, requesting Nicole to at least confirm if she was alright. Little did anyone know that David was aware of what happened and had been faking it all for around six years until the truth came out.

Since Nicole Pietz had a history of battling addiction due to endometriosis, her husband claimed that she relapsed into drug addiction and disappeared. The Dateline episodes revealed that this deception bought David six years of freedom.

As the investigation unfolded, it was also discovered that David spiked Nicole’s drink with Ecstasy at a nightclub, willing to manipulate her into a public sex act. He reportedly had affairs while Nicole was alive, but didn't get charged for it.

Also Read: Dateline: Manner Of Death - 5 harrowing details about Matt Podolak's murder, explored

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Nicole's mother was the strongest force in the murder case

Nicole Pietz’s mother, Gael Schneider was the one who never let her daughter's murder case be forgotten and unsolved. She was in contact with detectives and constantly demanded justice.

As shown in the Dateline episode, Schneider described Nicole Pietz as a lively and cheerful daughter known for her kindness. It was incredibly hard for the deceased family to continue their lives, knowing that Nicole's murderer was still out there.

Finally, the trial began in 2013, and it took five weeks to charge David Pietz with his wife's murder. The Dateline episode revealed he was emotional the entire time, and his detachment shocked everyone inside the court.

When confronted by Nicole's mother, Gael Schneider said:

"If he can't take being confronted by a 72-year-old woman, he's not much of a man!"

She was determined to hold David Pietz accountable for the crime and get justice for her daughter's slaying. She also mentioned:

"I knew that it couldn't have been anybody but him. Right after (she disappeared), he said, 'We weren't fighting or nothing.'"

Additionally, there er inconsistency in David's statements about his whereabouts at the time of the murder and the day before. Reports also revealed that Nicole was killed at midnight by strangulation, within a few hours of eating. He just called Nicole once after she disappeared, raising suspicion of his involvement.

Also Read: How did Matthew Golder die? Details explored ahead of Burden of Guilt

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David Pietz was sentenced for killing Nicole Pietz

Almost six years after Nicole Pietz's murder, her husband was finally declared guilty of the crime on October 14, 2013. The same in November, he was given 18 years in prison for second-degree murder.

Following his conviction, Judge Michael Hayden condemned not only the brutal killing of Nicole Pietz but also deceiving law enforcement, adding to the suffering of Nicole's family.

However, David Pietz never confessed to the murder, and neither did he explain what exactly happened that night. He didn't share any statement after his trial and stood by the claim of being innocent.

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Also Read: Dateline: Mystery At Heath Bar Farm - 5 harrowing details about Dar Foley's murder, explored

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