By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. (July 31, 2025)
PLACERVILLE, Calif. —
At the California District Attorneys Association Annual Conference on July 31, Denise and Aaron Quinn—whose harrowing 2015 kidnapping ordeal drew national scrutiny—were honored with the 2025 Witness of the Year Award for their role in reshaping how the justice system treats crime victims.
Standing before prosecutors, investigators, and victim advocates in Palm Desert, the couple accepted the award with a mix of humility and resolve.
“This is a testament to how far the justice system has come in the past 10 years,” the Quinns said. “Despite what happened to us, this really restores our faith and belief in the justice system.”
Their case made national headlines after law enforcement initially dismissed their story as a hoax. The ordeal, chronicled in the Netflix documentary American Nightmare, detailed not only the traumatic kidnapping by convicted offender Matthew Muller, but also the public and institutional doubt that followed.
“What Denise and Aaron went through was horrific,” said El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson, who nominated the couple for the award. “But the way they were treated afterward made it worse. 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.”
Pierson highlighted the collaborative efforts between his office and the Quinns in overhauling law enforcement interview practices to be more trauma-informed and victim-centered. He emphasized that their advocacy has helped drive systemic change, including the reopening of cold cases connected to Muller, who is now serving time for crimes in multiple counties including Contra Costa, Santa Clara, and Sacramento.
“While many dismissed their truth, our office, alongside key law enforcement partners, listened,” Pierson said. “We believed them. And we stood by them—not just for their sake, but for the many other victims of serial offender Matthew Muller.”
The award not only recognizes the Quinns’ resilience but also the rippling impact of their activism on a justice system still reckoning with how it handles victims of violent crime.
“They didn’t just survive, they are helping drive meaningful change across the criminal justice system.”
El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson said.
