Josh Mankiewicz Correspondent • Profile

RENO - It's a small town that's busy growing up -- a cool, dry place built on sin and risk, lubricated by money and the endless thrill of possibility.

But this year, a different game of chance has consumed Reno. A criminal is on the loose, and the police, the FBI, and nearly everyone in this town is either looking for him -- or trying to avoid him.

Victoria Campbell: He's out there. Somewhere. We don't know where. We don't know who. And we don't know who could be next.

There is fear that he will strike again, and fear that his crimes are escalating in violence.

The search for this man is unprecedented in Reno history. Police have plenty of evidence, but weeks have passed since his last brutal crime. There is still no arrest.

Jaclyn O’Malley: This is probably one of the most horrible things that has happened in Reno in quite some time.

Breanne Hamm: At school, I won't go anywhere alone. I have to have somebody walk me to my car.

Women are afraid and getting prepared.

Erin Whipple: If you get grabbed from behind, you can thrust it into somebody's thigh, or their rib cage. And hopefully get a chance to run away.

It all started with a girl who disappeared.

(TV news report)

Anchor: And Reno police tell us they are still working with detectives trying to find a missing 19-year-old woman.

Her mother never stopped hoping.

(TV news, Feb. 14)

Bridgette Denison: She's out there. I know she's out there and I just -- there is no way I can finish my life without her.

And it seemed the entire town hoped right along with her, as hundreds of people searched through the snow for a 19-year-old daughter of Reno named Brianna Denison.

Brianna, a dazzling beauty with a 1,000-watt smile, was, by all accounts, a straight-arrow kid with a huge heart.

Danielle Detomaso: Brianna was the nicest person I have ever met. And throughout my life she's taught me a lot about kindness.

Danielle Detomaso has known and loved Brianna since they were in nursery school.

Danielle Detomaso: She did not miss a birthday for anyone. Acquaintance, best friend, family members, everyone, she called them on their birthday.

Brianna's dad passed away suddenly when she was just 6-years-old, and her younger brother an infant.

Her mom, Bridgette Dennison, says that made their family even closer.

Bridgette Denison: We had to team up. And the kids all had to help. You know, I had a little baby. And she became very protective of me. And for good reason -- because I was all she had left.

As Brianna grew up, Danielle says everyone noticed the close bond between Brianna and her mom.

Danielle Detomaso: They were like best friends almost. They did everything together.

Josh Mankiewicz: As she got older, she stayed close. That doesn't happen with a lot of kids.

Bridgette Denison: She stayed close and she followed the rules. And the more she followed the rules, the more freedom she had.

Their close relationship continued through Brianna’s high school years. But that said, Brianna was still a kid -- and nobody's perfect.

Bridgette Denison: When she was younger, she could be a brat. But once she turned about 15, she just was responsible.

And two years ago, after her high school graduation, Brianna decided on college in California. Her mom found it hard to let go.

Josh Mankiewicz: What's it like to send your oldest child off to college?

Bridgette Denison: It was horrible. It took a year and it was a little easier this last semester.

This was Brianna’s sophomore year at Santa Barbara City College. She had a steady boyfriend, was studying psychology, and wanted to work with kids.

Even apart, Brianna and her mom kept in close touch.

Bridgette Denison: She would text me pictures of this-- of sunsets when she knew there was snow on the ground here. She would, you know, call me from the beach. "I’m watching dolphins."

But back home in Reno, Bridgette still couldn't shake all her fears.

Josh Mankiewicz: You worried about her away from home?

Bridgette Denison: Yeah. I wake up having dreams when I call her. I called her, like, at midnight, "Are you okay?"

Josh Mankiewicz: Over-protective mom?

Bridgette Denison: I just had to ease my mind that the dream wasn't real.

Then came winter break.

Josh Mankiewicz: And you thought great, home, safe.

Bridgette Denison: Yeah. I never really felt like she was unsafe because she was so responsible.

Back in Reno, Brianna picked up with her friends right where she left off.

One of those friends was KT Hunter, who has known Brianna since high school.

KT Hunter: She was just so happy and so funny and, you know, and then we decided to go to the S.W.A.T. together.

S.W.A.T. stands for "Summer Winter Action Tours." this one was basically a three-day celebration for college students, with snowboarding by day and concerts and parties into the night at the casinos along Reno’s strip.

On Friday, Jan. 18, Brianna went to KT's house just off the campus of the University of Nevada-Reno, where KT goes to college.

Among the young women at the house getting ready for a night on the town was another University of Nevada-Reno student -- Jessica Deal.

Jessica Deal: We're doing our makeup, getting ready for a fun night. We all went over for the kickoff party and dancing. And it was just a great night. … And we made it back to KT’s house perfectly fine. All three girls crammed in KT’s queen-sized bed, and it was very uncomfortable. But we made it, and we made it home.

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