a 25-year-old photographer from kaukauna, wisconsin, named theresa halbach. >> she loved being behind the camera. >> reporter: kim peter sson and she became friends in college. kim said theresa had a special way with her suspects. >> she loved to make other people smile. >> reporter: the two stayed in touch an graduation as they launched their careers, but that would all change suddenly in too 2005. >> the 25-year-old photographer on assignment for "auto trader" magazine when she disappeared. >> my heart dropped knowing it was somebody i knew. >> reporter: quickly a massive search was launched. after two days a big break. >> we have found -- >> reporter: they found her vehicle. >> reporter: tom fassbender then a special agent hustled to the stretch of land, home to the salvage yard and auto mechanic steven avery. >> are you heard his name before? >> only through the media. >> reporter: steven avery was a big storied convicted of rape in 1985, but 18 years later, dna evidence exonerated him and he was freed a wrongfully convicted man welcomed back into society with open arms and lookin