"48 HOURS" GOES DEEP INTO THE SWAMPS OF FLORIDA TO INVESTIGATE THE STRANGE CASE OF A MISSING MAN BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN EATEN BY ALLIGATORS NEARLY TWO DECADES AGO, IN "COLD-BLOODED KILLER"

Saturday, Oct. 20, 10:00 PM

Richard Schlesinger and 48 HOURS go deep into the swamps of Florida for the strange case of a missing duck hunter, who is said to have been eaten by alligators nearly two decades ago, and the investigation that led police elsewhere, in "Cold-Blooded Killer," to be broadcast Saturday, Oct. 20 (10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

It's a case that tests the imagination of man over reptile, tests human relationships, and tests the will of a mother who never gave up hope of finding her lost son.

Mike Williams, a successful 31-year-old real estate appraiser, left home to go duck hunting on Lake Seminole in Florida on Dec. 16, 2000. His wife, Denise, said he set out early and promised to be back by noon so they could celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary that evening. When he didn't return home, Denise started calling around looking for him. Six hours later, a massive search was underway.

Law enforcement, friends and family set out to find Williams, says Jennifer Portman, who has covered the story for the Tallahassee Democrat and is a 48 HOURS consultant.

"They found the boat, his truck - that was all there," says Portman.

Williams was nowhere to be found.

The search was called off after 44 days. Williams was listed as "still missing." Some wondered if he'd just run off. Then another explanation was offered: he was snatched by an alligator.

Scott Dungey, one of Williams' best friends, had gone up in a helicopter as part of the search. "And, you know, one of the things that I noticed - there were no less than 15 to 20 very large alligators swimming all around this area."

"People are attacked by alligators," says Portman. "Little dogs are eaten by alligators. But you never hear of someone who's just vanished, eaten by - whole - by an alligator."

Six months after he went missing, a local fisherman found a pair of waders in Lake Seminole. And two days later, Williams' fishing jacket, hunting license and a flashlight were found at the same spot.

Williams' mother, Cheryl Williams, never believed her son was eaten by alligators or died by accident. Her mother's intuition told her that something bad had happened and she was determined not to give up until someone took her seriously. She compiled 27 pages of notes and evidence and wrote the governor of Florida every day for nine years. She contacted wildlife experts who told her that alligators do not feed in cold winter months.

"She was absolutely possessed with finding this out, what had happened to Mike," says Patti Ketcham, the wife of Williams' boss and friend, Clay Ketcham. "He didn't just fall out of the boat. This wasn't just a hunting accident."

Schlesinger and 48 HOURS investigate Williams' disappearance, the search for answers, and how Cheryl Williams would have to wait 17 years after her son went missing to finally get answers to what happened - and how she is now waiting for the justice system to play out.

"This story has always been one that fascinated people," says Portman. "It's just, because it's so bizarre that this could even happen."

48 HOURS: "Cold-Blooded Killer" is produced by Josh Gelman and Jaime Hellman. Marc Goldbaum is the development producer. Mike Vele, Joan Adelman, Gary Winter and Greg Kaplan are the editors. Judy Tygard is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Susan Zirinsky is the senior executive producer.

"Cold-Blooded Killer" is the second part of a Saturday night double feature. At 9:00 PM, Erin Moriarty and 48 HOURS investigate the murder of Nicole Vander Heyden and the technology used to clear one potential suspect - and also to convict her killer - in "The Fitbit Alibi."

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