It was a case nightmares are made of. A D.C. power couple, their 10-year-old son and housekeeper held hostage for nearly 24 hours and murdered inside their own home. WTOP examines the complicated trail of evidence that police say led to finding their killer and why they say he committed such a brutal crime.
An update in the case after nearly two years: Daron Wint’s lawyers have filed an appeal seeking to throw out his conviction and asking for a new trial. Hosts Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore head back into the studio to discuss the latest development.
"22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. Music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed with artist permission. Music for this episode is "Haters Hate" by Ramone Messam.
In our final episode, we again return to the studio and dig through our notes, files and transcripts of the case to answer listener questions. What happened to the $40,000 ransom and was it fully accounted for? What is the timeline of the various fires in the case? And what was the deal with Daron’s alibi, Ed?
This episode is written and produced by WTOP reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to sign up for em ail alerts on the case, and to see photos and other evidence.
"22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. Music for this episode is “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam.
This week's sponsors include:
Good American Jeans - The size-inclusive brand from Khloe Kardashian. Go to GoodAmerican.com/22Hours to receive 20% off your full order (sale items too!)
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After Daron Wint’s conviction, federal prosecutors press the judge for the harshest possible sentence and, for the first time reveal his history of explosive rage, violent threats and assaults. At Daron’s sentencing, emotional statements from the two surviving Savopoulos daughters are read in court. As the last regular episode comes to a close, we reflect back.
This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to sign up for email alerts on this case and the podcast. You can also see a video of Nelly Gutierrez sharing more of her memories.
"22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. Music for this episode is “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam; “Beyond the Lows” by The Whole Other and “Spookster” by Wayne Jones, available in the YouTube Audio Library. “Rhythmic Pulse” and “Closing my Eyes for a Moment” by Daniel Birch and “Harbor” by Kai Engel are licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International.
This Week's Episode Sponsors: ZipRecruiter - Hiring can be easy with ZipRecruiter. Right now, listeners of 22 Hours: An American Nightmare can try ZipRecruiter for FREE by going to this web address, ZipRecruiter.com/nightmare
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After six weeks, dozens of witnesses and hours of testimony, emotions were running high when attorneys delivered their closing arguments. Then the United States v. Daron Wint went to the jury. Some of the men and women who decided Daron Wint’s fate take us inside the deliberation room as they weighed the evidence and came to a conclusion.
This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to see photos, a map of key locations from the case, and an interactive blog where you can ask questions or leave your comments about each episode. You can also visit us on Twitter, @22hourspod . "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C.
MUSIC: All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. "Haters Hate" by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; "Rhythmic Pulse” by Daniel Birch and “Weirder” by Drake Stafford, licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International; and "Cast of Pods" by Doug Maxwell and “A Great Darkness Approaches, Can You Feel It” by ELPHNT, available in the YouTube Audio Library.
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Daron Wint’s bizarre arrest one week after the murders on Woodland Drive only added to the mystery surrounding the case. When he was taken into custody, Daron was with five other people, including his brother, Darrell. But the full story of Daron’s arrest wouldn’t be told until his murder trial -- when prosecutors called brother to testify against brother.
This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to see photos, a map of key locations from the case, and an interactive blog where you can ask questions or leave your comments about each episode. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C.
All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. "Haters Hate" by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; "Cast of Pods" by Doug Maxwell, available in the YouTube Audio Library; "Beyond the Lows" and “Incoming Transition” by The Whole Other, available in the YouTube Audio Library; and "Rhythmic Pulse," by Daniel Birch, licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International.
This Week's Episode Sponsors:
SHUDDER - “To try AMC Networks’ SHUDDER premium streaming video service free for 30 days, go to Shudder.com and use pr omo code “nightmare.”
Purple Mattress - Get a free Purple pillow with the purchase of a mattress. Just text 22HOURS to 84888.
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Did any of the victims eat the pizza? Why the $40,000 ransom? Did security cameras in the neighborhood capture footage? We hit pause on the case and go into the studio to answer your questions, so far, about the crime, the case and the podcast. A regular episode returns next week.
This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to see photos, a map of key locations from the case, and an interactive blog where you can ask questions or leave your comments about each episode. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. Music in this episode is "Haters Hate" by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist.
This Week’s Episode Sponsors:
ButcherBox – New members get 2 lbs of ground beef and 2 packs of bacon for FREE plus $20 off your first box at ButcherBox.com/nightmare or enter promo code “ni ghtmare” at checkout.
Genucel – Get rid of that double chin or sagging jawline. Go to Genucel.com for two free gifts with your purchase and free shipping.
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After hours on the witness stand, Daron Wint’s story begins to falter. Then, one of the lawyers in the case drops a big hint about what’s coming next in one of Washington, D.C.’s most high-profile murder trials.
This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to see the transcript of Daron’s testimony as well as photos, map and an interactive blog where you can ask questions or leave your comments about each episode. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C.
All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; "Cast of Pods" by Doug Maxwell, available in the YouTube Audio Library; “Spookster” by Wayne Jones, available in the YouTube Audio Library; and “Rhythmic Pulse,” by Daniel Birch, licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International.
Episode sponsors:
Lifetime = presenting the 5-part movie series Heaven by V.C. Andrews, premiering July 27 at 8/7c on Lifetime
Simplisafe = Visit Simplisafe.com/nightmare to get free shipping and a 60-day risk-free trial
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In a stunning move, Daron Wint, the accused killer, takes the stand. Under unrelenting questioning by federal prosecutor Laura Bach, Daron seems to have an explanation for almost all of the evidence that links him to the killings. It’s almost a perfect puzzle. But will the jury believe him?
This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to see the full transcript of Daron’s testimony, as well as photos, a map of key locations from the case, and an interactive blog where you can ask questions or leave your comments about each episode. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C.
All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; "Cast of Pods" by Doug Maxwell, available in the YouTube Audio Library; “Spookster” by Wayne Jones, available in the YouTube Audio Library; and “Rhythmic Pulse,” by Daniel Birch, licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International.
Over the 22 hours the victims were taken captive and then killed, the prime suspect goes missing and his normally active Facebook account goes dark. We track Daron Wint's whereabouts during that crucial time. Also in this episode, an introduction to some of the key players in the courtroom: the federal prosecutors who spent years building their case against Wint and the team of public defenders who tried to pin the blame on other suspects.
This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com to see the texts between Daron and his girlfriend mentioned in this week's episode, as well as photos, maps and an interactive blog where you can ask questions or leave your comments about each episode. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C.
All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; "Cast of Pods" by Doug Maxwell, available in the YouTube Audio Library; and “Rhythmic Pulse,” “Call Me” and “Closing My Eyes for a Moment” by Daniel Birch, licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International.
The Savopoulos house was held in evidence for weeks as crime scene investigators looked for clues. In the end, five pieces of forensic evidence linked Daron Wint to the killings, including a sliver of his DNA on the crust of a pizza that had been delivered to the house while he held the family captive. But was the forensic evidence a slam dunk?
This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com for photos, maps and an interactive blog where you can ask us questions or leave your comments about each episode. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C.
All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; “Procession” by Puddle of Infinity, available in the YouTube Audio Library; “Rhythmic Pulse,” “Marimba on the Loose” and “Closing My Eyes for a Moment” by Daniel Birch, and “Weirder” by Drake Stafford, all licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International.
Hours after the victims are taken hostage, a ransom is delivered to the mansion on Woodland Drive. But it doesn’t save the victims -- the calls, text messages and voicemails end, leaving key parts of the timeline unexplained. But after the trial, a new theory emerges explaining how the killer got inside the house.
This episode is written and produced by WTOP reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit http://22hourspodcast.com to meet our hosts, view photos of the crime scene, explore a map of key locations in the case, and ask questions or leave comments in our interactive blog. You can also reach out via email, podcast@wtop.com, or via Twitter, @22hourspod. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C.
All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; “Call me” and “Rhythmic Pulse” by Daniel Birch, as well as “Weirder” by Drake Stafford, all licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0); and "Beyond the Lows" by The Whole Other, available in the YouTube Audio Library.
For the Savopoulos family and Vera Figueroa, May 13, 2015, began like any other Wednesday. Then things went terribly wrong. Through phone records, text messages and eyewitnesses, we recreate the timeline of their last 22 hours.
This episode is written and produced by WTOP News reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. WTOP Digital News Director Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit 22HoursPodcast.com for more insider information on this crime and trial including photos, maps and an interactive blog. "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C. All music featured in "22 Hours: An American Nightmare" is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We're grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story. “Haters Hate” by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist, and “Call me” and “Rhythmic Pulse” by Daniel Birch licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 International.
It began with a fire. A man driving through an upscale neighborhood in Washington, D.C., in 2015 spotted smoke pouring from one of the homes. It was the first sign something terrible had happened on Woodland Drive.
This episode is written and produced by reporters Megan Cloherty and Jack Moore. Julia Ziegler is the content adviser. Visit www.22HoursPodcast.com for photos, maps and an interactive blog. “22 Hours: An American Nightmare” is a production of WTOP News in Washington, D.C.
All music featured in “22 Hours: An American Nightmare” is licensed through Creative Commons and/or by permission of the artist. We’re grateful to all the artists whose music has helped us tell this story.“Hater’s Hate” (theme) by Ramone Messam, used with permission of the artist; “Passing time” by Kevin MacLeod, available in the YouTube Audio Library; “Beyond the Lows” by The Whole Other, available in the YouTube Audio Library; and “Bachata Night” provided by Lyrah/Pond5.
It was a case nightmares are made of. A D.C. power couple, their 10-year-old son and housekeeper held hostage for nearly 24 hours and murdered inside their own home. WTOP examines the complicated trail of evidence that police say led to finding their killer and why they say he committed such a brutal crime. Listen to the first 8 minutes of episode 1 before the full episode is released on June 10. Subscribe today.
About The Hosts
“22 Hours: An American Nightmare” is produced by an award-winning team of journalists at WTOP. Read more about them below.
Megan Cloherty
Megan Cloherty covers breaking news, crime and courts for WTOP.
Megan worked as a local TV news reporter for nearly a decade before venturing into the world of multimedia and radio reporting. She sought the career change, in part, to use her video editing, CMS coding and digital reporting skills learned through earning her Master of the Arts at American University and Bachelor of the Arts at the University of Missouri. Shortly after coming on to work behind the scenes on WTOP’s website in February 2012, Megan made the move back to reporting, turning stories for air and online.
Megan has been honored with a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, a Gracie from the Alliance for Women in Media, was thrice named Reporter of the Year by the Associated Press mid-Atlantic region and her work has also been recognized by Society of Professional Journalist since joining WTOP.
Jack Moore
Jack Moore joined WTOP.com as a digital writer/editor in July 2016.
Previous to his current role, he covered federal government management and technology as the news editor at Nextgov.com, part of Government Executive Media Group.
A graduate of Ohio State University, he also worked as a digital reporter and editor for Federal News Network.
Jack has been recognized with a regional Edward R. Murrow Award and his work has also been recognized by the Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association and the D.C. chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
