Teresa Halbach's murder is at the center of the world wide phenomena, “Making a Murderer", a 10-part Netflix series that's prime binge watching material for millions across the world.
Deep in the hundreds of hours of never before seen video NBC26 stored for more than a decade, is the story of a 25-year-old photographer with dreams to fulfill.
Halbach made a home movie, never thinking it would one day be shown in a courtroom during the trial of Steven Avery, who was convicted of her 2005 murder.
The movie provides keen insight into the type of woman she was.
- SPECIAL SECTION: The Trials of Steven Avery
"I love hugs. I have a theory that you need nine hugs a day to feel loved," Halbach says in the home video. "I love being happy. I love knowing that I have nothing to complain about, that my family's healthy, that I have lots of friends."
Halbach also talks about her family, those she loved, her dreams, and presciently, her biggest regret if her life was cut short.
"The only thing is, if it happened now, that I wish I could have become a mother because that's the one thing I’ve always known, that I want to be a mom," Halbach said.
"So let's say I die before I’m 31. Let’s say I die tomorrow, I don't think I will, I think I have a lot to do. I just want to know that whenever I do die, I just want people I love to know that I was happy. That I’m happy with what I did with my life."
Halbach was known as a talented photographer, volleyball coach, sister and daughter. Nearly everyone who knew her describe her as a wonderful person, loving and involved in her community.
“She was always laughing,” said a friend. “Smiling, just cheering you on, telling you to do your best.”
But she’s also the woman many feel was left out of the Netflix series, overshadowed by her killers.
“You don’t really get a sense of the tremendous loss that occurred within that family,” said Diana Alvear, a former NBC26 reporter.
Alvear covered the case from beginning to end, even interviewing Halbach’s parents when she was still considered a missing person.
“She was a wonderful person,” Alvear said. “She lived 25 very full years, of love and service and coaching her sister’s volleyball team, and being involved in church. She was a really good person.”
After hearing about the documentary, Alvear wrote a blog post called "Her Name Was Teresa Halbach: What Netflix Missed With Making A Murderer."
“I kept saying, 'what about Teresa, what about Teresa,'” said Alvear. “Finally, if nobody is going to speak for her publicly, I will. Because one thing that was really important to me when I was covering a terrible case like this, is never losing sight of the fact that this is a human being.”
Alvear said she had to make people aware that Halbach is what's missing. She says the series doesn't do her justice.
“At the heart of every story are people, real human beings, and you owe it to them to present the story that represents them with dignity,” Alvear said.
'Making a Murderer' Stories:
- Video Mashup Combines "Making a Murderer," "The Simpsons"
- Petition: Take "Making A Murderer" Off Netflix
- Avery's Lawyer Kathleen Zellner Breaks Silence on Case
- Kentucky Schools Cancel Classes With "MAM" Spoof Video
- Dateline to Air Steven Avery Special
- Convicted killers could be making money off their own crimes
- Avery Lawyers to Appear at Riverside Theater Event
- Avery Investigator Rips Reporter's Coverage
- HalbachFamily Slams Netflix's in 'People' Magazine
- Avery's Former Fiancee: 'He Threatened to Kill Me'
- Filmmakers on Whether They Believe Avery is Guilty
- Chicago Law Firm Takes Over Steven Avery Case
- Gov. Walker Says He Won't Pardon Steven Avery
- Filmmakers: Juror Believes Steven Avery Was Framed
- Local Prosecutor, Author on 'Making a Murderer'
- Anonymous to Aid the Subject of Netflix Series 'Making a Murderer'
- Chances of Success For Avery Petitions 'Just About Zero'
