At last week’s California District Attorneys Association Annual Conference, Denise and Aaron Quinn were presented with the 2025 Witness of the Year
Award, a powerful and long-overdue recognition for two individuals whose courage and resilience are helping change the criminal justice system.
“What Denise and Aaron went through was horrific, but the way they were treated afterward made it worse,” said El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson. “They were treated as suspects instead of survivors. Their persistence and grace helped bring justice, not just for themselves, but for others who might never have had a voice.
A decade ago, the Quinns endured a horrifying home invasion and kidnapping in Vallejo. But instead of being treated as victims, they faced disbelief, public ridicule, and wrongful accusations. Surviving the crime was just the beginning; the fight to have their story believed was a battle later detailed in the Netflix documentary American Nightmare.
Denise was brought to South Lake Tahoe in 2015 after being kidnapped from her Vallejo home. Her kidnapper was later arrested in South Lake Tahoe.
While many dismissed their truth, our office, alongside key law enforcement partners, listened.
“We believed them. And we stood by them—not just for their sake, but for the many other victims of serial offender Matthew Muller,” said Pierson in a press release. “Thanks to their determination, multiple cold cases were reopened, and Muller has since been convicted of additional crimes in Contra Costa, Santa Clara, and Sacramento counties.”
Their story, which reached more than 55 million viewers through Netflix’s American Nightmare, sparked a national conversation about how survivors are treated.
Beyond sharing their story, the Quinns have worked with Pierson’s office to promote meaningful reforms in law enforcement interview techniques, advocating for Science-Based Interviewing methods that prioritize truth, transparency, and fairness.
“Denise and Aaron took their pain and turned it into purpose,” Pierson said. “They didn’t just demand accountability—they helped improve the very system that failed them.”
As they accepted their award, surrounded by prosecutors, victim advocates, and law enforcement leaders from across California, the moment served as both a tribute and a turning point.
“This is a testament to how far the justice system has come in the past ten years. Despite what happened to us, this really restores our faith and belief in the justice system,” said Denise and Aaron Quinn. “It encourages us to keep moving and pushing forward—not just for our case, but for other advocacy efforts. We want to be part of building safer, more just communities.”
“They didn’t just survive,” Pierson said. “They are helping drive meaningful change across the criminal justice system. We’re proud to stand with CDAA in honoring their extraordinary impact.”
