Lost In Paradise

Who Murdered A Beautiful Peace Corps Volunteer In Tonga?

(CBS)  Weiss says Priven has led a small, anonymous life since then. He's divorced, and retired in 2003 after working for decades for the U.S. government.

"Twelve years after Deb's death, he was working for Social Security," says Weiss. "And ultimately was their top computer guy in the Brooklyn office."

Priven refused to talk to 48 Hours Mystery about the case. His former boss, Mary George, sent word that she, too, has nothing more to say. She left the Peace Corps and government in 1977.

Beyond that, Patrick Hogan, director of security for the Peace Corps today, begs off answering questions about this case. He says records are too incomplete to pass judgment. "An event such as this is like a death in the family, and compounded by the fact that another family member caused that death. We're very sorry," says Hogan.

Spencer asked him how officials could not have known that they'd have no control over what happened to Priven once he got home.

"I don't know what they knew. I don't know what they said," says Hogan. "I don't know what agreements or assertions they made to the government of Tonga. I simply don't know."

Spencer asks if he thinks the Peace Corps owes the Gardner family an apology. "To the extent that the Peace Corps of 28 years ago did not bear its responsibilities, that is most regrettable," says Hogan. "We are very sorry for the pain caused the Gardner family."

He insists that today, the family would have the support of a very different Peace Corps, welcome news to the Gardners, who feel the Peace Corps has been less than candid about Priven in the past.

"What I am now is angry at my government. I trusted them," says Gardner's father, Wayne.

Back in Tonga, the tiny kingdom Deb Gardner so loved, long memories are a part of tradition.

"I still believe that he'll live with it until the end of his days," says teacher Hive. "If you commit a crime on the soil of Tonga, it will eventually find you out in the end."

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Since returning to the United States, Dennis Priven has never been in trouble with the law.

Today over 8,000 Peace Corps volunteers serve in 74 countries including Tonga. It’s the highest number of Peace Corps volunteers in almost four decades.

Had she lived, Deb Gardner would be 54.

[wildal33]

this is so horrible and carma is a b,,,h and will catch up with him,the thing is thats not very good on her parents having had to go thru losing a daughter and having to live with the fact that he got/gets to walk around and live his life after taking Debs .shame on them all..cant imagine anyone being shocked at our gov and the way they handled it ..shame on them too..they have one set of rules for all us and a seperate set for them....

[neo267-2009]

None of these people would have gotten away with it if she had been my daughter or friend.

[molo4]

This is not justice.....

In my opinion... This cases should be reopen once again in Tonga. I fell sad about this, And my heart goes out to Deb''s Family. I am from Tonga, I believe that this person who did this to Deb. He will be ill for long-time to come...

[jbellor]

I was in the Peace Corps in 1974 in El Salvador. I remember a briefing we had, where a Peace Corps official was explaining about what to do if any of us got into any "bad" trouble during our time in El Salvador. His words were "get to the American Embassy ASAP". He said it didn''t matter what you had done, even murder, they would get you out of the country. We didn''t think much about it at the time, but I guess they were serious.

[holmeskj]

Kapau teke ilo a lea ko eni, pea tala mai.

[wyo-kid]

Dennis Previn should have done the right thing and killed himself.

[expeditor1]

I cannot believe the post by dmotte. If that were your daughter you would have a different attitude. CBS please post the address Dennis Previn.I would like to follow him and haraas him as he did Deb. What my government did makes my skin crawl.

[dfjones_usa]

A murderer should never be allowed to ''live in peace''. I don''t care who he killed, or how long ago, he killed and has never had to face the consequences. Instead, this murdering gov''t employee was given a cushy gov''t job! Deb Gardner didn''t have the opportunity to live in peace, and neither did her family, or any of the many who were touched by her. They still grieve. The passage of time doesn''t mitigate a brutal murder.

[dfjones_usa]

A murderer should never be allowed to ''live in peace''. I don''t care who he killed, or how long ago, he killed and has never had to face the consequences. Instead, this murdering gov''t employee was given a cushy gov''t job! Deb Gardner didn''t have the opportunity to live in peace, and neither did her family, or any of the many who were touched by her. They still grieve. The passage of time doesn''t mitigate a brutal murder.

[dmotte]

This happened a long time ago so let the man live in peace and get on with your pathetic lives.

[wildal33]

who did you murder and get away with,,,from your coment sounds like something heartless you might do .....

[om8130]

This story is so disturbing on so many levels. it is obvious many people today are still impacted from this situation. If you ask me, Mary George has blood on her hands as well for covering up for this monster and not sending him back to the US before anything happened. Once she saw he was disturbed he should have been returned for a mental evaluation and not allowed back in Tonga or near Deb. He will get his just dues and she will get hers. Deb''s parents should take legal action. Thank you for revealing this story. Rest in peace, Deb.

[om8130]

This story is so disturbing on so many levels. it is obvious many people today are still impacted from this situation. If you ask me, Mary George has blood on her hands as well for covering up for this monster and not sending him back to the US before anything happened. Once she saw he was disturbed he should have been returned for a mental evaluation and not allowed back in Tonga or near Deb. He will get his just dues and she will get hers. Deb''s parents should take legal action. Thank you for revealing this story. Rest in peace, Deb.

[skyhag1]

This is a travesty of justice. The PEACE Corp? I cannot believe that this government would front a top-notch defense lawyer for this scum-bag murderer.
That poor woman, and her poor family. This makes me physically ill...

[holmeskj]

I helped carry Deb Gardner''s casket to the plane. I was in Dennis'' PC group. I lived 12 miles out of town & came in for weekends & was friends with everybody. I knew Deb & teased her every chance I could. She had an infectious personality that charmed you.I and my friends grieved long & hard for Deb & loathed Dennis, Mary George & PC/DC. We were shocked when Dennis left Tonga. He broke no other law but a Tongan law & got away with murder. 2 days after I helped put her body on that plane, I was standing infront of Viaola Hospital at night talking with another PC (Rich Danforth)about her.Suddenly a chill went up & down my spine. Rich felt it too. In my heart of hearts I know it was Deb saying good bye. I am now crying on this keyboard. Time dampens but does not heal old wounds. Emile Hons & Frank Bavaqua are 2 great guys. Dennis should be extradited back to Tonga for breach of contract with the US Gov''t. No justice for Deb Gardner while Privin goes free.

[foop3]

As far as I am concerned the Gardiners should be suing the government and specifically Mary George and Dennis Previn.
The government hired him at Social Security after knowing he was a murderer.

[lauraparis22]

I am shocked by the response of the Peace Corps to the murder of Deb Gardner and wonder .... if it had been Deb who murdered Dennis, would it have been so easy for them to sweep it under the rug?

What kind of response is, "I''m very sorry for the pain of Deb''s family..." but her murderer is one of us? A "death in the family?" Not, "a MURDER in the family?"

Join America''s PEACE Corps: Where PEACE is more important than LIFE and you can MURDER with Impugnity!