48 Hours Post Mortem | What the Neighbors Saw
Mar 24, 2026
Peter Van Sant, longtime correspondent who covered the Gary Herbst case, shares investigative reporting and exclusive interview excerpts. He recounts the skull discovery and genetic ID, neighbors’ sightings of cleanup and odd behavior, cadaver dog alerts and forensic leads. He also discusses arrests, shifting stories, the murder scene cleanup, and reactions from the community.
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Cadaver Dog Radar Pinpoints Murder Scene
- A cadaver dog named Radar alerted to human decomposition at specific spots in the Herbst house, confirming it as the murder scene.
- Radar sat at a red stain spot the new owner remembered and again at the basement sliding door where neighbors saw bags carried out.
Genetic Genealogy Solved A Years Old Missing Person
- Genetic genealogists identified the skull found in 2017 as Gary Herbst three years later, enabling reopening of the missing person case.
- The DNA family-tree lead overcame years of circumstantial uncertainty and tied remains to the Herbst family.
Inconsistent Stories Raised Investigator Suspicion
- Connie and Austin repeatedly changed stories about Gary's disappearance and displayed inconsistencies that raised investigator suspicion.
- Examples include shifting locations (home vs library), differing accounts of a driver, and new claims about a missing .40 pistol.