Is American Nightmare on Netflix a true story?

Considering American Nightmare is a true crime documentary, you might be wondering why everyone’s asking the same question: is it a true story? Here’s what you need to know about the new Netflix series. 

American Nightmare is a new three-part docu-series on Netflix, chronicling the kidnapping of Denise Huskins, and how she and her partner Aaron Quinn became the key suspects. The press and authorities accused them of creating an elaborate hoax, likening it to the plot of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl. 

But when a similar home invasion unfolded not far from where Huskins was taken, police were led down a different path. Now, Huskins and Quinn are sharing their story, as well as numerous key figures who were involved in the case. 

With the true crime series out now, one question has cropped up: is American Nightmare a true story? Here’s what you need to know. 

Is American Nightmare on Netflix a true story?

Yes, American Nightmare on Netflix is a true story. Eventually, Matthew Muller was arrested for the crime after police caught him for a separate incident and discovered evidence at his home. But some viewers believe there’s more to this story due to the connection between Andrea and David Sesma.

After two days, the kidnapper released Huskins on the street of her family’s home, where she was questioned by the authorities. During the Vallejo Police Department’s investigation, Huskins said that the kidnapper told her he’d got the wrong woman – and that the real target was Quinn’s ex-fiancée Andrea.

Prior to her kidnapping, Quinn and Huskins said they had been arguing after she found out he’d been texting his ex. They sorted out their issues and were ready for a fresh start together, but police suspected Huskins of creating an elaborate hoax to get revenge on Quinn – which is where the Gone Girl comparison came into play. 

Before Huskins was returned, police believed Quinn was the perpetrator. While under interrogation, he explained their relationship issues, saying that he also worked with his ex. Andrea was called in for questioning, and when asked about their relationship, she said, “We broke up,” and that they ended on, “Very bad terms.”

Here’s the detail that has viewers feeling suspicious – Andrea dated David Sesma, the FBI agent who was on the case and refused to believe Huskin and Quinn’s account of events. “Almost by accident, we find out that the lead case agent, David Sesma, used to date my ex, Andrea, who was the intended target for this whole thing,” says Quinn. 

Doug Rappaport, the Defense Attorney on the case, explains: “There’s absolutely no way Sesma should be on this case. It’s a clear, unequivocal, black and white conflict of interest. So I write to the office of Inspector General, explain the situation. Their response: ‘The appropriate authorities found this conduct ‘unproblematic.’”

When a similar home invasion unfolded in Dublin, California, Dublin PD caught a man named Matthew Muller after he left his phone at the scene of the crime. While searching through his home, they found substantial evidence connecting him to a number of other crimes. Significantly, Detective Misty Carausu noticed the blacked-out goggles the perpetrator had used on the victim had a long blonde hair caught in it. 

She started looking into similar cases in the nearby area, and that’s when she saw Huskins.  Along with other evidence – including the location where Huskins was dropped off, Huntington Beach, in Muller’s GPS – Carausu hounded Vallejo PD until they answered the phone, but was told to contact the FBI as they had taken over the case. 

Carausu was given Sesma’s phone number, telling him that they had a suspect connected to Huskins’ kidnapping. “You had deemed it a hoax,” she said, to which Sesma reportedly “snapped back” and argued, “We never called it a hoax.” Regardless, Carausu continued to discuss the case. “He said, ‘Okay, well, send me all the information that you have and we’ll take a look at it.’ And I thought, ‘That’s it?’ I was so disappointed,” she explains.

Eventually, Carausu and Lt. Miguel Campos were able to set up a meeting with the FBI to present all of the evidence connecting Muller to Huskins’ kidnapping – the zip ties, the duct tape, the water gun that was shown in a photo Huskins’ kidnapper had sent to the press, and the goggles with the blonde hair. “They looked visibly shocked,” says Campos. “They realize that maybe they were wrong.”

While Muller has since been sentenced to 40 years in prison and Huskins and Quinn were able to sue the Vallejo police for $2.5 million, some viewers of American Nightmare still think there is more to this story. Taking to Reddit, one wrote: “What’s up with Andrea and David Sesma never being investigated? They had a relationship and were connected to the crime? The perpetrator denoted that he thought it would be Andrea instead of Denise and the lead FBI guy David Sesma just so happens to have a relationship with Aaron’s ex, Andrea?”

“My instincts are telling me that Sesma is involved which is why they turned the whole thing against them instead of actually trying to investigate the kidnapping,” replied another, to which a third added, “I wonder if Sesma went to school with Muller or was in the military with him. I bet they are connected in some way.”

Another pointed out that Muller was believed to have accomplices, but he was the only one arrested in connection with the crime. “I was wondering too. And the guy had accomplices. So coincidental or it means something,” wrote one, while another theorized: “Sesma was the investigator on the case and they shut Aaron’s phone off so they couldn’t ping Muller’s location. The ransom went south so they tried to make it seem staged, and covered their tracks by lying on the affidavit.”

It’s important to note that this is speculation. If you’d like to devise your own opinions on the case, American Nightmare is available for streaming on Netflix now. You can read more about the true story behind it here.