Denise Huskins in ‘American Nightmare.'.Photo:Courtesy of Netflix
Courtesy of Netflix
Denise Huskins, whose 2015 kidnapping and sexual assault case is featured inAmerican Nightmare, a Netflix true crime documentary series released earlier this year, is opening about her ongoing healing journey.
While appearing on Wednesday’s episode of Alex Cooper’sCall Her Daddypodcast, Huskins shared how she responded to the harsh judgement that came her way after police in California initially falsely claimed her kidnapping was a hoax. Subsequently, police in Orange County dubbed the case the “Gone Girl kidnapping,” referencing the Gillian Flynnnoveland hitBen Affleckmovie about a husband who becomes a prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance and presumed murder, and the nickname for the case stuck — even after the truth of the kidnapping was revealed.
But Huskins — who has previously discussed the hurtfulness of the “Gone Girl” monikerwith PEOPLEand the police’s botched response to the couple’s calls for help — found that watching the film helped her to reflect on her experience in a new way.
“I finally watchedGone Girlprobably like nine months after the kidnapping,” she tellsCooper.“I couldn’t face it. And when I watched it, it actually released a lot of that self-blame.”
In January, Huskins exclusively told PEOPLE how she felt about the continued use of the moniker.
Aaron Quinn and Denise Huskins.Courtesy of Netflix
Shortly after, police publicly accused the couple of fabricating the entire incident as a hoax and condemned them, claiming they had wasted public resources and time on the investigation.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’sfree True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
In September 2016, Muller pleaded guilty to one count of federal kidnapping, and was sentenced to 40 years in prison, where he remains today.
Quinn and Huskinsreportedly settled with the cityof Vallejo in 2018 for $2.5 million aftersuing three years earlierfor false imprisonment, defamation, false arrest and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The couple have since married, welcomed two daughters, and published a book in 2021 titledVictim F: From Crime Victims to Suspects to Survivors.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
