Experiencing the disappearance of one’s child is a fate worse than death. Marlene and Steve Aisenberg had to go through such a terrifying ordeal when their 5-month-old daughter, Sabrina Aisenberg, disappeared from her crib in the middle of the night. ’20/20 on ID: Gone in the Night’ talks about the incident and goes on to show how the initial investigation focused on Marlene and Steve as prime suspects. Let’s dive into the details of the crime and find out the couple’s current whereabouts, shall we?
Who are Marlene and Steve Aisenberg?
Marlene and Steve Aisenberg had a happy marriage and were the proud parents of three children, William, Monica and Sabrina. They resided in Valrico, Florida and were the epitome of a perfect family. However, their happy days were quickly crushed and burned when little Sabrina disappeared on November 24, 1997. The day before, Marlene had tucked her children into bed before falling asleep. After waking up early the next day, she went to see Sabrina and noticed that she had disappeared from the crib. In addition, the garage door, as well as the side door of the house, were left ajar. Anxious and overwhelmed with worry, she woke up her husband and immediately notified the police.
In the weeks that followed, authorities along with hundreds of community members joined in the search for Sabrina. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement teamed up with the FBI and the Sheriff’s Office and meticulously combed through all nearby areas. The authorities spared no effort in their search and even used helicopters and sniffer dogs, but to no avail. Surprisingly, early on police suspected the Aisenbergs had something to do with their daughter’s disappearance. Although Marlene and Steve insisted on their innocence, police began throwing hints of their involvement into the local media, turning the community against them. Additionally, authorities also obtained permission to bug the Aisenbergs’ kitchen and bedroom, allowing them to record thousands of conversations between the two. Although Marlene and Steve hired a top notch lawyer to protect them from police intrusion, the investigation ruined their lives and their jobs. So they left the Valrico residence and moved to Bethesda, Maryland in 1999.
Where are Marlene and Steve Aisenberg now?
The community hasn’t forgiven even Bethesda, as Marlene and Steve have struggled to land jobs. Additionally, police continued their investigation, eventually arresting the couple on September 9, 1999. Authorities accused the couple of lying about their involvement in Sabrina’s disappearance and claimed that the audio tapes contained enough evidence for a conviction. However, once a judge heard the tapes, he dismissed the case and prosecutors were forced to clear the couple of all charges.
Since then, there have been no developments on the case, although police insist it is an active investigation. However, Marlene and Steve have not given up and believe that Sabrina is still alive. They mentioned on the show how hope is the only thing that kept them going and revealed that they still maintain Sabrina’s room in her honor. 2018 provided a ray of hope as two girls with the correct date of birth and age claimed to be the missing girl. However, a DNA test quickly proved otherwise. The couple currently reside in Bethesda, Maryland, where they earn their living as real estate agents. Although their grief is still very apparent, Marlene and Steve are trying to make the best of the situation and have built a life surrounded by friends and family.
Read more: Is Sabrina Aisenberg still alive? Has she been found?
