The story of one of the most shocking prison escapes in recent American history is finally being told. “Girl on the Run: The Hunt for America’s Most Wanted Woman” is a new three-part docuseries from ABC News Studios and Plum Pictures that digs deep into the case of Sarah Pender, a woman convicted for her role in the brutal murders of two young people in Indiana. After she managed to slip out of a maximum-security prison, she sparked a nationwide manhunt that kept law enforcement on edge for months. The series promises to deliver exclusive interviews, including a rare sit-down with Pender herself, who continues to say she did not commit the crimes. With its release date right around the corner, true crime fans are getting ready to stream what looks like a gripping real-life thriller.
When and Where to Watch the Girl on the Run Docuseries
The wait is almost over for viewers eager to see this story play out on screen. “Girl on the Run: The Hunt for America’s Most Wanted Woman” is scheduled to premiere on Thursday, February 19, 2026 . The series will be available for streaming on Hulu in the United States. For those who have the Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+ and Hulu, the docuseries will also be accessible through Hulu on Disney+ .
While the primary release is focused on the U.S. market through Hulu, the series is also set to arrive on Disney+ in many international territories. According to reports, viewers in various countries around the world will be able to watch the series on Disney+ starting on the same day, February 19 . The docuseries consists of three episodes, and based on the streaming release strategy, all episodes are expected to drop at once, allowing audiences to binge the entire story in one sitting . For viewers in the UK and Germany, the series is confirmed to be part of the February lineup on Disney+ as well .
The Shocking True Story Behind the Series
To understand why this docuseries is generating so much buzz, it helps to know the background of Sarah Pender and the crimes that put her behind bars. The story dates back to 2000, when Andrew Cataldi and Tricia Nordman, a young couple, were found murdered in their Indiana apartment . Pender and her then-boyfriend, Rick, were charged with the killings. While Rick pleaded guilty to the murders, Pender was convicted and received a sentence of more than 100 years, landing her in the Rockville Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in Indiana .
The case took an even wilder turn in 2008. With help from a prison guard and a former cellmate, Pender managed to break out of the facility . Her escape triggered an immediate and intense nationwide search led by the U.S. Marshals. What made the chase so fascinating was how she managed to stay free for so long. According to details shared in press releases for the docuseries, Pender relied on a network of trusted former convicts and even started a relationship with a new, well-to-do boyfriend named Tom .
In a twist that sounds like something from a movie, Tom reportedly did not know who she really was at first. The couple was watching an episode of the classic TV show “America’s Most Wanted” together when a segment about Pender’s escape aired. At that moment, Tom realized he was sitting next to the fugitive. Shockingly, instead of turning her in, he continued to help her evade capture as the police closed in . It was only after a neighbor eventually recognized her and called the authorities that the chase finally ended .
What Viewers Can Expect From the Three-Part Series
“Girl on the Run: The Hunt for America’s Most Wanted Woman” is not just a rehashing of old news clips. The production team has put together a comprehensive look at the case with access to key figures who have never spoken so openly before. The centerpiece of the series is an exclusive interview with Sarah Pender herself. In these conversations, she maintains her innocence, insisting that she did not kill anyone .
The series also provides the perspective of the law enforcement officer who led the pursuit. This gives viewers a firsthand account of the strategy, the frustrations, and the mental game involved in hunting down a fugitive who seemed to always stay one step ahead . To round out the narrative, the docuseries includes interviews with Pender’s parents, who share their side of the story, as well as former inmates from the Indiana Women’s Prison who served time alongside her .
One of the most compelling voices in the series is Rick, Pender’s ex-boyfriend, who is still serving his prison sentence for the double murders. His perspective is expected to shed light on the events that led to the deaths of Cataldi and Nordman and the aftermath that followed . Additionally, the series speaks with others who were pulled into what producers describe as the dangerous orbit of one of the most audacious prison breaks in recent history .
The Teams Behind the Camera
The docuseries comes from a collaboration between two respected production companies. Plum Pictures, the British production company known for other true crime hits like Hulu’s “Mr. & Mrs. Murder” and Netflix’s “Girls Incarcerated,” handled the production . They worked alongside ABC News Studios, the award-winning documentary unit behind acclaimed projects like “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields,” “BRATS,” and “Scamanda” .
The creative team includes director Sebastian Smith, with Stuart Cabb and Tom Pearson serving as executive producers for Plum Pictures. From ABC News Studios, David Sloan takes the role of senior executive producer, and Beth Hoppe is executive producer . This combination of experienced documentary filmmakers and a major news organization suggests the series will balance compelling storytelling with journalistic integrity.
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Why This Story Still Matters
The case of Sarah Pender captured public attention because it involved so many elements that true crime audiences find fascinating: a violent crime, questions of guilt and innocence, a daring escape, a nationwide manhunt, and the strange loyalty of a boyfriend who kept her secret even after discovering her identity. Pender was once placed on the U.S. Marshals’ list of most-wanted fugitives, and her capture was a significant victory for law enforcement .
For fans of the genre, “Girl on the Run: The Hunt for America’s Most Wanted Woman” arrives at a time when interest in documentary storytelling is at an all-time high. By including Pender’s own claims of innocence, the series introduces an element of mystery that will keep viewers debating long after the credits roll.
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