Dateline: The Figure in the Garage - 5 Harrowing Details About Don Fluitt's Murder

Dateline brought audiences one of the most disturbing murder cases from New Mexico. Don Fluitt was a devoted father and respected citizen of the town. His life ended abruptly and brutally on December 29, 2016. His body was found in his garage. The sequence was horrific. This case sent shockwaves through the Albuquerque community.

Dateline covered this case in their episode, The Figure in the Garage. The investigation revealed unbelievable truths. Security footage captured mysterious events. DNA evidence pointed to someone unexpected. What unfolded that December night?

5 shocking details about Don Fluitt's death as covered by Dateline

1) The brutal attack in the garage

The answer behind Don Fluitt's demise is chilling. He was bludgeoned and stabbed continuously. His throat was slashed with force, and the attack took place in his own garage. His body was found between the wall and his vehicle.

Detective Mathew Caplan noticed something different. The house looked perfect inside. Fresh cookies were on the counter. Nothing seemed disturbing and chaotic. Everything appeared regular and straightforward. But the garage told a different story. Blood evidence was confusing to investigators, as there should have been more blood at the crime scene.

This hinted that the killer planned the attack with precision. Don had no chance to defend himself properly. The violence was personal and extreme. Dateline revealed how investigators pieced together the details of the case. The brutality shocked even the seasoned detectives.

2) The Mysterious hooded figure

The security camera captured something strange. A neighbor's surveillance footage became primary evidence. The Figure in the Garage episode sheds light on this video. Around 7:41 p.m., someone in a hoodie showed up.

The person knocked over Don's garbage on purpose. It was a trap to get inside the house. His face was hidden. Don came back minutes later and parked in his garage as usual. He went outside to pick up the fallen trash can.

Then he walked back inside and closed the garage door behind him. But something strange unfolded next. The garage door suddenly opened up. Someone had snuck inside while Don was distracted. The hooded figure never left the property. Dateline investigators called this moment crucial. It showed premeditation.

3) The DNA evidence that solved everything

The DNA found in the sequence haunted the investigators for months. Then they got a breakthrough. DNA was found under Don's fingernails. He had fought back during the attack. The DNA belonged to Terry White. Terry was married to Christine White. Christine was Don's ex-wife. Terry was the stepfather to Don's daughter Siena. This discovery changed everything as the evidence was undeniable.

Terry's involvement became unclear. Dateline displayed how this evidence sealed the case as a DNA match was perfect. Terry had been at the scene. He had killed Don Fluitt. No further explanation was needed, as science confirmed what detectives suspected.

4) The custody battle motive

The investigators examined his life with scrutiny. Don and Christine have been divorced since 2009. They shared custody of their daughter.

But tensions existed between them as they disagreed about school decisions. Child support payments eventually became an issue. A court hearing was scheduled for January 2017. This hearing would address these disputes.

Don's brother Dennis suspected Terry immediately. There have been issues in the past as the altercations between them raised red flags. The Figure in the Garage explored these complex family dynamics.

The custody battle created a lot of chaos, and financial concerns added to the chaos. Some believed Christine wanted Don gone. She was charged with conspiracy to murder at the beginning. However, those charges were later dropped, but the suspicions remained. Don's mother felt Christine should have faced justice. Dateline covered all these relationships.

5) The faulty alibi that fell apart

Terry White claimed he visited his sister that night. She confirmed he was there until 9:00 in the evening. Later, he stopped at Wendy's and went to his job.

He further told that he took a nap in the parking lot and his shift would start later. But this alibi fell apart fast. The investigators checked surveillance cameras at his workplace. The video displayed something different. Terry arrived at the parking lot, but he did not stay in his vehicle.

He went out and entered the building, and his story changed when confronted. The discrepancies in the confessions became obvious. Dateline highlighted how lies affected his defense. Terry was convicted in June 2018. He was found guilty of murder and faced charges for aggravated burglary.