WASHINGTON, DC: The national capital was left stunned when a shocking murder case came to light. Pamela Butler's disappearance and murder in 2009, however, turned out to be an even brutal double homicide case, putting into question the risks of starting relationships online.

Butler's partner at the time, Jose Rodriguez-Cruz, got involved in the case of her disappearance when another woman, who had suddenly gone missing, was tracked back to him. The investigation behind the case went on for years until it finally reached its fair verdict. NBC's 'Dateline' will be running the 2022 episode on the murders again this Friday, July 21, 2023.

Who is Jose Rodriguez-Cruz?

Rodriguez-Cruz was previously a member of the military police. He came in contact with Butler when he was living in Alexandria, Virginia. They began dating after meeting through an online forum. Five months later, Butler went missing.

While Rodriguez-Cruz was a suspect at first, the case against him was dismissed due to the lack of evidence against him. It was only years later, another missing woman's case came to light and it was discovered that she was his ex-wife. As investigators became more and more suspiciousof him, investigators were able to take the lead to gain more evidence in Rodriguez-Cruz's involvement in the murders of both his ex-wife, Marta, and Butler.

Where is Jose Rodriguez-Cruz now?

Years after Butler had suddenly disappeared from her home in 2017, Rodriguez-Cruz came forward to confess murdering her. He was 52 then. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and directed the investigators to where he had hidden Butler's body. Authorities turned up the heat on him to find out about Rodriguez as well.

Rodriguez-Cruz later confessed to have killed Rodriguez as well. Her remains were discovered two years after she went missing. Rodriguez-Cruz is currently serving the 12 year-sentence at Federal Correctional Institution in West Virginia after which he will return to serve another 40 years in Virgina for his ex-wife's murder.