CBS’s 48 Hours shines a harrowing spotlight on one of Alabama’s most disturbing criminal cases in the episode The Gaslighting of Hannah Pettey, airing Saturday, January 10, 2026. With reporting by correspondent Anne-Marie Green, the episode unpacks a calculated attempt at murder that stunned a community and revealed how deeply domestic betrayal can cut. At its center is Hannah Pettey, a young mother who survived months of unexplained illness, only to discover that her suffering was no accident—but an intentional act by the person she trusted most: her husband.
What began as a medical mystery soon evolved into a criminal investigation filled with shocking twists, psychological manipulation, and a desperate fight for survival. Through in-depth interviews with those closest to the case—including Hannah herself—48 Hours presents a sobering story about deception, gaslighting, and the pursuit of justice when the threat hides behind a familiar face.
- Who is Hannah Pettey & What Happened to Her? 2026 Update & Background
- Who Is Brian Thomas Mann & Where Is He Now? 2026 Update & Background
A Mysterious Illness Turns Life Upside Down
In early 2022, Hannah Pettey’s life took a devastating turn. Just 25 years old at the time, she was rushed to a hospital after experiencing extreme fatigue, weight loss, and neurological issues. Doctors at the University of Alabama at Birmingham quickly uncovered an alarming explanation: she had been poisoned. The levels of lead in her system were eight times higher than normal—levels so dangerous they prompted immediate action to prevent organ failure.
Hannah remained hospitalized for nearly two months, undergoing extensive treatment to remove the metal from her system. Doctors described finding fine shavings of black metal in her colon, later confirmed as lead. Her recovery was slow and painful. She lost over 40 pounds and required round-the-clock care. Despite the severity of her symptoms, there was no obvious environmental source for the contamination. This led medical staff and law enforcement to consider a more sinister possibility: intentional poisoning.
A Husband Under Suspicion
Attention soon turned to the man closest to Hannah—her husband, Brian Mann, a 36-year-old chiropractor from Decatur. The couple’s relationship had been deteriorating, and by mid-2021, they were in the middle of a contentious divorce. According to prosecutors, Mann had been giving his wife pills he claimed would “strengthen her immune system” during the separation. In reality, these capsules were allegedly laced with lead particles.
Investigators were tipped off by the unusually high concentration of lead and the discovery that Mann had access to the toxic metal through his chiropractic office. His clinic had recently undergone renovations, including the installation of an X-ray room lined with lead. A contractor later confirmed that leftover lead was left in Mann’s possession.
Brian initially cooperated with police, handing over Hannah’s medications. But the story took a strange turn when Mann appeared at a hospital claiming he had conducted an X-ray on himself and found what he believed was lead in his own digestive tract. Medical professionals found the substance had not been present for long, leading investigators to suspect that Mann had intentionally ingested lead to fabricate a false narrative of mutual poisoning.
The Investigation and Evidence
The investigation intensified as law enforcement dug into the timeline and motives. Key evidence included not only the lead-laced pills but also a series of life insurance policies. Prosecutors revealed that Mann held at least five policies on Hannah’s life, totaling $1.3 million. He had also applied for two additional policies worth another $1.5 million, which were denied. These financial motives formed a critical part of the prosecution’s case.
Officers conducted searches of the couple’s home and medical documentation. Court records indicated Mann had administered the poisoned pills consistently from the summer of 2021 through early 2022. A grand jury indicted him on charges of attempted murder in September 2022. He was arrested and released on a $500,000 bond, though later re-detained for failing to surrender his passport.
Hartselle Police Chief Alan McDearmond, then a lieutenant, led the investigation. He described the emotional impact of discovering the physical evidence in Hannah’s body. “When we saw the X-rays, we knew what we were looking at. It was a planned, prolonged act, not an accident.”
The Trial and Conviction
The case proceeded to trial in June 2025, with the courtroom filled with anticipation and national media attention. Prosecutors painted a picture of premeditated malice, showing how Mann had used his position of trust and medical knowledge to slowly poison his wife. They highlighted the lead remnants found in Hannah’s body, testimony from her treating physicians, and statements from the contractor who provided Mann with the lead.
Mann’s defense challenged the chain of custody of a key urine sample and questioned whether the substance in Hannah’s colon was definitively lead. His attorneys also argued that the prosecution had not proven Mann’s direct responsibility for the poisoning. Despite these efforts, the jury deliberated for less than a day before returning a guilty verdict for attempted murder.
Following the verdict, prosecutors pushed for the maximum sentence, emphasizing the cruelty and deception behind the act. In August 2025, Mann was sentenced to life in prison. A motion for a new trial was denied, as was his request to be released on bail pending appeal. The judge agreed with the state’s position that the crime demonstrated a total disregard for human life.
A Survivor’s Strength and a Call for Awareness
Throughout the ordeal, Hannah Pettey remained resolute. Her survival, recovery, and willingness to speak publicly have brought attention to an often-overlooked form of domestic abuse: slow, covert poisoning. In her interview with 48 Hours, Hannah described the signs she missed, the doubts she was made to feel, and the moment she realized the truth.
Her story, while deeply personal, highlights broader concerns about gaslighting and the subtle manipulation that often precedes physical violence in abusive relationships. As Chief McDearmond noted, “This case sends a clear message—domestic violence doesn’t always leave bruises. Sometimes it leaves a trail of toxins.”
The Gaslighting of Hannah Pettey is more than a true crime episode—it’s a sobering reminder of how deeply betrayal can hide behind routine gestures of care, and how resilience can turn even the darkest experience into a pursuit of justice.
More “The Gaslighting of Hannah Pettey”
- “The Gaslighting of Hannah Pettey”: 48 Hours Reports January 10 2026
- Who is Hannah Pettey & What Happened to Her? 2026 Update & Background
- Who Is Brian Thomas Mann & Where Is He Now? 2026 Update & Background
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