48 Hours A Killing In Paradise
Oct 15, 2025
Phil Weiss, an author and investigative writer, dives deep into the tragic murder of Peace Corps volunteer Deb Gardner in Tonga. He shares his obsessive quest for the truth and recounts the unsettling circumstances surrounding her death. The podcast reveals the inadequacies of the Peace Corps' response, the flawed investigation, and the controversial trial that led to a not guilty verdict by reason of insanity. Phil discusses his outrage over the U.S. government's failures and highlights the lasting impact of Deb’s story on those who knew her.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Deb's Life In Tonga
- Deb Gardner lived modestly in a Tongan village to immerse herself in local culture and taught science at Tonga High School.
- Fellow volunteers remembered her as charismatic, warm, and widely admired by the Peace Corps community.
Unreciprocated Obsession Escalates
- Dennis Priven developed an obsessive crush on Deb and repeatedly followed and harassed her despite her rejecting him.
- Friends described his behavior as stalking and increasingly concerning before the attack.
The Night Of The Murder
- Dennis attacked Deb at night with a pipe and stabbed her repeatedly, leaving weapons and items at the scene.
- Neighbors found Deb and rushed her to the hospital, but doctors could not save her.
