Suvechha Sarkar
Denise Huskins had been dating Aaron Quinn for less than a year in March 2015 when their lives changed completely. Her partner reported that she was kidnapped under alarming circumstances, setting off a chain of events that left lasting scars on both of them. Her abduction took a troubling turn when authorities publicly cast doubt on their account, intensifying the ordeal they were already enduring. CBS’ ’48 Hours: Denise and Aaron Quinn Get the Last Word’ sheds light on the couple’s experience and its aftermath when they faced public judgment. It also features interviews with her loved ones and the official involved in the case.
Denise Huskins’ Kidnapping Was First Met With Disbelief From the Authorities
Denise Huskins was just 29 years old when she was sleeping with her partner, Aaron Quinn, at his home in Vallejo, California, on March 23, 2015. Around 3 am on that fateful day, they were woken up by bright light. Reports state that a man then asked Denise to bind Aaron with zip ties that the intruder brought with him. He then tied Denise before placing blackened goggles on her and Aaron’s eyes and sedating them, as per the records. The assailant reportedly took Denise with him, leaving Aaron behind in a specific area of the house, and threatened him not to call the police. By the time Aaron called 911, several hours had passed, prompting officials to question whether he was telling the truth.
According to Denise, when she was held captive, the kidnapper raped her twice and kept her sedated. Court records state that the kidnapper demanded a $17,000 ransom through emails and texts. Fortunately, the intruder released Denise safely in Huntington Beach, California, on March 25, 2015. Despite her statements, law enforcement officials didn’t believe her and Aaron’s accounts and claimed that they had staged the kidnapping. The investigation took a turn when a similar break-in happened in another home, and the intruder attacked a couple on June 5, 2015. When the wife called 911, the assailant reportedly fled the scene, leaving behind a cell phone and items like zip ties.
According to police records, the cell phone led investigators to a man named Matthew Muller. Several items found at his place ultimately linked him to Denise’s kidnapping. On June 8, 2015, he was taken into custody for the second home invasion. Shortly after, he was formally indicted for the charge of federal kidnapping of Denise. Matthew avoided a jury trial when he pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and was sentenced to 40 years in prison in March 2017. By the following year, he faced additional charges of rape by force, kidnapping, robbery, and burglary, and pleaded no contest to all those charges in March 2022. Matthew received a 31-year prison term for the charges, to be run concurrently with his previous sentence.
Denise Huskins Rose Above Scrutiny to Turn Her Pain Into Powerful Advocacy
In the aftermath of the ordeal, Denise and Aaron faced intense public scrutiny, but they bravely moved forward over time. Following that, the couple filed a federal lawsuit against the police department and the city of Vallejo. The lawsuit had several allegations, like defamation – for publicly labeling the case a fabricated ‘Gone Girl’ kidnapping, false arrest, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and false imprisonment. Ultimately, in March 2018, Denise and Aaron came to a settlement with the city authorities for $2.5 million. The city’s representatives later apologized to them, stating, “The Huskins Quinn case was not publicly handled with the type of sensitivity a case of this nature should have been handled with, and for that, the City extends an apology to Ms. Huskins and Mr. Quinn.”
In the years that followed, Denise and Aaron transformed their experience into meaningful advocacy aimed at improving how victims are treated within the justice system. They have reportedly collaborated with the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, contributing insights from their own experience to improve victim-centered approaches and interview techniques. Beyond that, they have been vocal about victims’ rights. It eventually led Denise to become the co-author of her and Aaron’s memoir, ‘Victim F: From Crime Victims to Suspects to Survivors’ on June 8, 2021. The pair also played a significant role in supporting the proposed Senate Bill 1056. It recently moved forward in March 2026 and aims to make court-issued protective orders mandatory to control how sexually explicit evidence of victims can be accessed or shared.
Denise’s kidnapping also came to the forefront in 2024 when she spoke on ‘American Nightmare.’ In July 2025, she and Aaron were honored with the Witness of the Year Award by the California District Attorney’s Association (CDAA). Three months later, the pair joined a panel for an International Wrongful Conviction Day fundraiser. In February 2026, she announced that she had been given the opportunity to write the introduction to the book ‘Making Space for the Light: Documenting the Violence that Shapes the Lives of Women and Girls.’ By the following month, Denise shared about a speaking tour this June 2026, where individuals from several Netflix documentaries are scheduled to appear.
Denise Has Embraced Love, New Beginnings, and a Purpose-Driven Career
Before the experience changed her outlook on life, Denise was completely immersed in her academics and career. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science and completed a minor in Business Entrepreneurship from the California State University, Long Beach. She then completed a Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Long Island University. Denise began her professional trajectory as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in April 2016 and has been excelling in the role ever since. Since January 2024, she has also been serving as a Keynote Speaker for First Class Talent, LLC. In her personal life, Denise has found immeasurable love and support in her soulmate, Aaron.
The couple eventually tied the knot at a beautiful venue, surrounded by their family and friends, on September 29, 2018. In March 2020, they welcomed their beautiful daughter Olivia into the world. By November 2022, their lives were once again filled with joy when they gave birth to their younger daughter, Naomi. Denise cherishes every moment she gets to spend with her family, whether it be celebrating Christmas together or going on memorable dates with the love of her life. In September 2025, she and Aaron celebrated 7 blissful years of their marriage. Unfortunately, the pair faced a massive heartbreak when Aaron’s father, Joseph Quinn, passed away on December 25, 2025. Despite the ups and downs of life, Denise finds strength in the presence of her parents.
