Suvechha Sarkar
The heartbreaking murder of Deborah Sarah Dorian, affectionately known as Debbie, continues to weigh heavily on those who loved her the most, especially her parents, Sara Loven and Peter Dorian. In August 1996, the father of the 22-year-old was the one to find her dead in her Fresno, California apartment. ABC’s ’20/20: I’m Going To Get You’ puts the spotlight on this emotional case, guiding everyone through the years of investigation and evidence that led officials to the killer. It also features interviews with law enforcement, her mother, and beloved friends.
Peter Dorian and Sara Loven Waited For 29 Years For Justice to be Served For Debbie
Deborah Sarah Dorian, lovingly known as Debbie, arrived as a ray of sunshine in the lives of her parents, Sara Loven and Peter Dorian. Her parents were extremely proud of her determination and supported her throughout her journey to earn a degree in Economics from California State University, Fresno. On August 22, 1996, Peter and Debbie were supposed to go on a trip to Sacramento to learn more about a graduate school. Surprisingly, when her father called her multiple times to confirm the trip, she didn’t respond at all. It only made Peter more anxious since he knew it was an unusual behavior for his daughter. When he finally arrived at her apartment, he was met with a shocking scene. Peter found Debbie dead on the bedroom floor with her hands and legs bound. As the investigation progressed, it was revealed that she had passed away two days prior.
It was also revealed that Debbie was sexually assaulted before she was killed. Despite the discovery of distinctive DNA at the scene, CODIS yielded no results. That changed in 2002, when it gave a match to another sexual assault case from Visalia, California. By 2009, there were multiple other matches with Visalia and Tulare sexual assault cases, which led to the official filing of a John Doe case. Ultimately, the investigators utilized genetic genealogy in 2018, revealing the killer to be Nickey Duane Stane. In October 2019, he was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, sodomy by use of force, and forcible rape, along with additional sexual battery and kidnapping charges. Ultimately, he pleaded guilty to 12 felony counts, including murder, and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on June 12, 2025.
Peter Dorian Uses His Art as a Musician to Navigate Immense Grief
Peter Dorian never forgot about the discovery he made on that fateful day, and it was etched into his mind forever. He had never expected that the day which was supposed to be joyful would turn into a nightmare. By March 1997, he had even given it his best to try to find any information about his daughter’s murder. He diligently gave out flyers and offered a $10,000 reward for the same. Unfortunately, the case didn’t progress until 2018, when a breakthrough was made through the use of genetic genealogy. During a preliminary hearing in late November 2023, Peter took the stand and relived the horror of when he discovered the remains of his daughter.
While speaking about what he went through on August 22, 1996, Peter recalled, “It was so shocking to me that I knew I had to maintain composure somewhat and not just fall apart. So, I ran out and tried to find a neighbor.” Long before the tragedy struck his life, Peter had established an impressive reputation as a musician and oud expert. According to a report, he began playing the instrument at the age of 13. Peter’s artistic creations mainly revolve around Armenian folk songs, which he proudly presents before the audience at weddings, concerts, and ethnic dances.
Peter conducted a CD release Concert of Oud Expressions in December 2018. Aside from that, he continues to showcase his love for music by sharing videos of himself playing the guitar or sharing his favorite performances on his social media profile. In January 2025, he shared a snippet of a few robins sipping water in his garden. As of writing, Peter continues to reside in Fresno, California, but prefers to maintain a low profile. From what we can tell, he has likely found ways to keep his beloved daughter’s spirit alive while trying his best to move forward.
Sara Loven Holds on to Debbie’s Memories as She Continues Her Healing Journey
The loss of Debbie is something that Sara Loven carries within herself to this day. When Nickey was finally sentenced after around three decades, she did not step back from providing the victim impact statement on the stand. While expressing her grief, she said, “He cruelly extinguished my daughter’s life and brought heartbreak to me and my family. Though he took my precious Deb, he did not take my soul. He has the rest of his life to pay for what he did, and he will pay for his evil actions.” In a later interview, she spoke about how it felt like an eternity waiting for justice to be served for her daughter.
Sara spoke on the matter during a press conference after the sentencing, and stated, “I planted a tree the Christmas after Deborah was killed, and that tree is 50 feet tall and three feet around. That’s a long time to grow. It reminds me of how long it’s been that we’ve been working on this case.” Amidst the heartbreak, Sara continues to remain strong and move forward in her life while holding the memories of Debbie close to her heart. Sara had originally started her journey by completing her high school graduation from Central Union High School, before proceeding to pursue higher education at California State University, Fresno.
Beyond that, Sara finds comfort when she is surrounded by her friends and loved ones. She often finds herself strolling by the beach, seeking respite from her tiring life by immersing herself in the melody of the crashing waves. In most of these trips, she is accompanied by her friends and also her cousins, with whom she maintains an incredible relationship. In her free time, Sara enjoys activities like horse riding by the sea or spending meaningful time with them, watching the beauty of the blue waters. No matter what she does or where she goes, the absence of Debbie remains a constant void in her life that can never be filled.
Read More: Debbie Dorian Murder Details and Investigation Timeline
