maribel ramos was a fighter. her family immigrated to the u.s. when she was a baby and she was always determined to get ahead. maribel knew exactly how she'd do it, joining the army and doing two tours overseas before returning to civilian life, but even her military experience wouldn't be enough to prepare her for the evil she battled back at home. finding out what happened to this tough tenacious woman would be one of the biggest mysteries a veteran detective would ever have to solve. here's josh mankiewicz with "mystery in orange county." >> orange county, california. on tv, it's a place of sun, fun and privilege. it's where the real housewives first aired their dirty laundry and it's where the kids from the o.c. showed us all what temperature cool really was. around here, you get the sense that everyone's rich and white and lives in a mansion with a view of the pacific. but step back from the coast and you'll see the orange county that isn't on tv, not as wealthy, not as white, full of those who came here from somewhere else, chasing a better

maribel ramos arrived here as a baby, leaving mexico behind. she would not only survive here, but thrive. to tell you the truth, this should be the story of a woman who worked hard to change her life, and in doing so, carved a path for others to follow. >> hello? >> but this story is going to end differently. >> why are you crying? >> because i'm afraid. >> there are some parts of life that hard work just can't fix. >> i'm just scared. i'm just like calling to let you guys know that if something happens, i did it because i was trying to defend myself. >> some things that are beyond our control. >> all i'm trying to say is, i'm warning -- honestly, i will fight for my life. i swear, i will kill him.