On May 8, 2018, a disturbing 911 call alerted Massachusetts State Police detectives to a tragic scene: 51-year-old Amy Fanion lay dead in her home, with her husband, detective Brian Fanion, claiming she had taken her own life during an argument. The case took a shocking turn when investigators doubted Brian’s story, leading to his arrest and murder charge. Now, “The Detective’s Wife” episode of 48 Hours, airing on CBS on Saturday May 4, examines the complex investigation and trial that followed.
The key piece of evidence in this case is the absence of gunshot residue on Amy’s body, which casts doubt on Brian’s claim of a self-inflicted wound. Detective Brendan O’Toole, one of the first responders on the scene, found the gunshot wound inconsistent with a self-inflicted injury and suspected that the distance between the gun and Amy may have been a factor. However, crime scene analyst Alexander Jason offers a different theory, suggesting that Amy’s thick hair may have blocked the residue, effectively acting as a filter.
To test this theory, Jason conducted a unique experiment for 48 Hours, firing a gun into a mound of hair and ballistic skin simulant. The results provide compelling insight into the potential impact of Amy’s hair on the absence of residue. As contributor Nikki Battiste remarks, it is “incredible” to see the difference between the test with hair and without, underscoring the importance of considering all factors in forensic investigations.
Don’t miss this fascinating and insightful episode of 48 Hours, as it explores the intricate world of forensic evidence and the impact of seemingly small details, such as hair, on a murder investigation. Tune in on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 10:00–11:00 PM ET/PT on CBS, and streaming on Paramount+.
