Live To Tell: River's Edge

Two College Students Fake Death In Order To Cheat Death

(CBS)  College students Danielle Keener and Dan Zapp were out on a peaceful date, unaware at first that they are being stalked.

They are suddenly kidnapped at gunpoint and forced into a truck. The gunman brutalizes Danielle and pushes the teens to the edge of a river, shooting them both in the face.

The gunman thinks he’s gotten rid of his witnesses… but he’s wrong.

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Danielle Keener: In January of 2000, I was a college freshman at Susquehanna University. I was 18 years old. I was on a second date with Dan Zapp, who was a college freshman at Carnegie Mellon University. My mom had a suggestion for us to maybe just walk around my town; go down to the marina [outside York, Pa.] We just stopped and were talking. We started picking up some stones, and trying to skip some stones.

Well, as we were there, a red pick-up truck came up and stopped by us. And out comes this guy and he pulls a dog out - Rottweiler. He was asking us if we needed a ride and we, of course, politely declined.

He seemed normal. He got back in his truck and as we continued walking - this guy must have turned his truck around behind us. And he comes up next to us off to our right and blocks our path.

He immediately comes out of the truck with a gun pointed at us. He pointed it right at us and said, "Get in the f-ing truck."

And he was dead serious. At that moment I felt like I had entered a nightmare. It seemed completely unreal.

I remember Dan next to me was just saying, "Here, take my wallet; take my keys, my car. I can give you my car, there’s a laptop in my car - just started offering him all these things or whatever. And he’s like, "No, I don’t want those things. Get in the truck."

It felt like we were driving forever. It felt like an eternity. At this point, this guy was just ranting and raving. He was just acting crazy. Completely crazy.

We just didn’t want to be hurt so, of course, we were saying, "Whatever you want us to do, we’ll do. Just please just let us go." And he eventually turned left onto this dirt road.

The three of us were standing there next to his truck. The river’s in front of us and he’s kind of pacing back and forth and has the gun in his hand, and to emphasize his points, he would kind of shoot the gun - shoot the gun towards the river - like "I don’t know what to do" BANG. "You guys have seen my face. What am I going to do with you guys?" BANG.

When I first heard the gunshot go off it became more serious. This guy has the potential to end my life. I thought we were both going to die.

[jo17370]

I live 1 miles from Goldsboro. I remember that day so well. There were people at my house loading their truck with firewood and we looked up and there was a helicopter hovering over us. Little did we relize at the time what they were doing until later that day when I heard they were looking for that guy. Was an weird feeling!

[emeyarjey]

my cousin once told me to log on to this site to read the story on a convict who looked like one of our countrymen. from then on, i got hooked on reading the 48-hour mystery. every time i read stories in this section, i thank God for the air that im still breathing. this story has touched me the most, in my 3 months of reading articles on this site. the good Lord really doesn't put people and experiences in our lives which would not help in making us better people. to dan and dani, i am so happy that the Lord gave u a second chance to live, to inspire others with your will to live, to encourage those who are oppressed and to further prove the presence of our dear Lord in our lives. i pray that u both succeed in the different endeavors that u have chosen..... may God continue to shower his blessings upon u

[Nic378]

I am a big fan of 48 hours- any show that they do. I live 35 minuets away from when this incident happened and never knew about it. Not that I could have done anything but I wish I would have known at the time. I have never seen the A&E episode of I Survived and was happy that 48 hours did this special. I wish Dan and Dani the best of luck and thank you for sharing your story of courage and hope.

[Cas2dy]

QUOTE from article:
Dan Zapp is studying for a Ph.D in psychology. Danielle Keener MacGuire is a drug and alcohol counselor. Every year they call each other on the anniversary of the shootings.

These are two amazing people. The fact hat they are going into careers that are of a nature to help people like the one who brutalized them is testimony to the fact that they are amzing people. god bless them and i wish them success in all they do.

[Joy60]

I'm very proud of these young people. They not only lived, but they took back their lives. I was also happy to see the justice system work so well this time. I'm tired of seeing people commit murder and get 10-15 years. This was an encouraging story.

[wamae-2009]

Sad incident that ends well. Here in Kenya there are such victims.

[galsmiley]

My heart goes out to both Dan and Dani. It's great that you both had the strength to survive and help bring that monster to justice. You both are heroes. It' also very nice that you (and your families) have stayed close. It's better to find strength from something like this than let that horrible monster get the better of you. God bless you both!

[rsmik]

maria391 and opinion12 both summed up the problem with this series. Now can we have the Mysteries back?

[rsmik]

These people were both incredibly lucky and the story has a happy ending. Now can we have the Mysteries back?

[timpozzie]

Wonderful story! However, imagine my surprise at this day in age when CBS produces so much smut that they [CBS producers] allowed Daniel use the name of our Lord, JESUS be said in prime time without being used in vain. Thank you. America needs more news stories with happy endings.

[e47708]

I am shocked and appauld at the responses by readers who have seen this and similar episodes on A&E. Who cares? For those of us who saw this for the first time it's as fresh and informative as antyhing I've seen. Victims of violent crimes need a forum. Silence the silly talks and let them be heard. Charles

[maria391-2009]

It's good to know A&E has already covered this---not surprising that they covered it AND apparently, did it better,

There was NO reason to ignore Dan in the first 41 mins, other than to play on his grave condition (and possible death). Shame on "Libe to Tell" for capitalizing on his grave condition.

Like last week, this episode could have been old in about 10 minutes, with respect to the victims.

Please bring back the real "48 Hours." You aren;t doing justice to the case you are following in "Live to Tell." My heRT BEaks for Dan and Danielle, but your storyline was weak and DAN, somehow, got lost and that's inexcusable. Go back to the format you know & do best,,,please.

[opinion12]

this is a TERRIBLE rip off of the show "I Survived" on the biography channel of A&E. That show is so much better.
They already did this story and it was actually good when they did it! I'm disappointed that you would take such a good concept and show and ruin it with this show. Why not just leave a good thing alone or pay A&E to put their show on your channel. This is terrible. Everyone should check out "I Survived". It's way less cheesy (no bad music and flashbacks! CBS) and it's suspenseful and does the victim's story justice! Fix this show or take it off the air!

[marcyh4]

This was by far the most touching story. The courage these two very young people show is amazing. I was on pins & needles waiting to hear if Dan had survived & was much relieved when I saw him. I wish for them a very prosperous life filled with joy & peace. God Bless

[maria391-2009]

After last week's huge disappointment, I tuned in tonight with very *low* expectations.....but found a very worthy story. STILL, why wait 40+ minutes (with tremendous drama) to announce that Don lived? The story was awful, as is, so why capitalize on a victim?

My heart goes out to Dan and Danielle and I wish your story could have been told succinctly and without additional (and unnescessary) drama.

A terrible thing happened to these two college kids on their second date---why boost the story by making it seem like Don didn't make it?

Is it true this is a three episode try-out? This series has no business on television!! It makes the audience uncomfortable to know there was a great story, but CBS made it icky.

[verboy1967]

I watched the show tonight on 48 HOURS and found it to be extrodinary. The courage that you two have displayed throughout your ordeal is truly incredible and inspiring. I never believed in angels until tonight. I'm sure that you guys have touched the hearts of millions that have now heard your story. I certainly have never been touched by a TV program in this way. You guys are Superheroes.Danielle, I can only imagine how much you have helped women that have had similar experiences. Your strength is beyond comparison. Your family is so lucky to have you in their lives. You are amazing.

God Bless
Dave D'Antona,Quincy Mass.

[litlrooh]

I am so glad to have seen this segment. I was one of the nurses at York Hospital's Trauma ICU who took care of the two teens when they arrived at the hospital. I remember all of us in the ICU thinking how horrible of a crime this was, and how lucky the two of them were to both have survived. Over the years, I've wondered what has happened to them, and how they were doing.

I first caught the show in the last 20 minutes. As I was flipping through the tv directory, I saw the description of the segment, and it just hit me that perhaps, this might be the same two teens from all those years ago. I turned it on to see if I could catch any clue who they were. When I heard the names, I was sure. And when they mentioned Babner, I knew. I called the ICU to let them know the segment was on so they could catch the last few minutes.

Danielle and Dan, your stories are so inspiring and courageous. I am in awe of your strength and courage to overcome this horrible crime and go on to be the beautiful, wonderful people that you are today.

You have my thoughts, prayers, and tears of happiness as you continue to live out happy and whole lives with your new families.

Thank you so much for sharing your story.

Kristen