**Man Charged with Kidnapping and Sexual Assault in “Gone Girl” Kidnapping Case**
A man has been charged with two counts of kidnapping and sexual assault in a case that has been dubbed the “Gone Girl” kidnapping. Matthew Muller, 47, has been accused of breaking into the homes of two women in Northern California in 2009 and assaulting them.
According to prosecutors, Muller broke into a woman’s home in Mountain View, California, and attacked her, tying her up and forcing her to drink drugs. However, the woman, who is in her 30s, was able to talk Muller out of raping her. Muller then left the scene, suggesting that the woman get a dog.
The following month, Muller broke into a home in Palo Alto, California, and bound and gagged a woman, forcing her to drink Nyquil. He later began assaulting the woman, but she was able to convince him to stop.
Muller has been charged with two felony counts of burglary, which carry a potential life sentence. The charges were filed after testing evidence based on “new leads,” with prosecutors finding Muller’s DNA on the tape he used to bind one of the victims.
This is not the first time Muller has been in trouble with the law. He is currently serving a 40-year sentence for a 2015 kidnapping and was previously disbarred as a lawyer. Muller pleaded guilty to kidnapping Dennis Haskins and was sentenced to 31 years in prison.
**Background of the Case**
The case has a complex background, with some twists and turns that have raised questions about the investigation. In 2015, Haskins was kidnapped from her home in Vallejo, California. Her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn, reported that she had been abducted by a masked intruder who demanded a ransom of $8,500.
However, an investigation into the case led police to suspect that Haskins and Quinn may have staged the kidnapping themselves. A Vallejo police detective questioned Quinn for several hours and later suggested that he might have been involved in Haskins’ disappearance.
The couple took a polygraph test, which Quinn failed. As a result, Haskins and Quinn were charged with faking the kidnapping, which led to a massive search effort and a public uproar.
However, it was later revealed that the police had made a serious mistake. After Muller was arrested for a similar burglary, investigators discovered evidence linking him to the kidnapping. This included a computer that belonged to Quinn, which Muller had stolen, and one of Muller’s cellphones.
**Investigation and Charges**
Prosecutors say that they were able to file new charges against Muller after re-examining evidence and receiving new leads. DNA testing revealed Muller’s DNA on the tape used to bind one of the victims, providing the crucial link to Muller.
The case has highlighted the importance of thorough investigations and the need to consider alternative explanations for complex crimes. The “Gone Girl” kidnapping case is a disturbing reminder of the true stories of kidnapping and assault that can happen in real life, rather than in fiction.
**FAQs**
1. **What is the “Gone Girl” kidnapping case?**
The “Gone Girl” kidnapping case refers to the 2015 kidnapping of Dennis Haskins by a masked intruder in Vallejo, California. The case was mistakenly linked to the book and movie “Gone Girl, in which a woman disappears and then claims to have been kidnapped.
2. **Who is Matthew Muller?**
Matthew Muller is a 47-year-old man who has been accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting two women in Northern California in 2009. He is currently serving a 40-year sentence for a 2015 kidnapping.
3. **What are the charges against Muller?**
Muller has been charged with two counts of kidnapping and two counts of burglary. He faces a potential life sentence for the charges.
4. **What evidence links Muller to the crimes?**
Prosecutors say that DNA testing revealed Muller’s DNA on the tape used to bind one of the victims. Additionally, investigators found evidence linking him to the kidnapping, including a stolen computer and a cell phone.
5. **How did investigators initially mistake the case?**
The investigation initially led police to suspect that Haskins and her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn, may have staged the kidnapping themselves. This was based on a polygraph test that Quinn failed.
**Conclusion**
The “Gone Girl” kidnapping case is a disturbing reminder of the true stories of kidnapping and assault that can happen in real life. The case highlights the importance of thorough investigations and considering alternative explanations for complex crimes. Matthew Muller is now facing serious charges and a potential life sentence for his alleged crimes, which have left two women traumatized and fearing for their safety.
