Beginning Saturday, Nov. 28 (10 -11 PM, ET/PT), 48 HOURS will kick off a special limited-run three-episode series LIVE TO TELL. Each broadcast of the highly rated series, which debuted last season, is an unfiltered account by extraordinary individuals who came face-to-face with death and in their darkest hours, found the strength, grit and resourcefulness to persevere.

             "This new wave of stories feature gripping first-hand accounts by victims of violent crimes," says executive producer Susan Zirinsky. "LIVE TO TELL remains loyal to the compelling true-crime tales our fans have come to expect from 48 HOURS, but with a twist. Through sheer will, these victims survived and ultimately help solve their own would-be murder mysteries. In some cases they turn the tables on their attackers."

The first program in the LIVE TO TELL series, entitled "Krystal's Courage" (28) profiles the unbelievable story of Krystal Surles, who at age 10 stopped a serial killer in his tracks. It was Dec. 31, 1999, and Krystal was staying with family friends in Del Rio, Texas, when the unthinkable happened. As Krystal and her friend, Katy, slept, a man slipped through a window, crept into the girls' room and stabbed Katy 16 times as Krystal watched in horror. Just as he was leaving, the man noticed Krystal, then reached over and cut her throat. Lying next to Katy on the floor, Krystal watched as her friend died. Amazingly, Krystal then found the strength to stumble over half a mile to a neighboring home. 

While her wind pipe was severed, Krystal's memory of the man was clear. Within hours of arriving to the hospital, using notes and gestures, she described the killer to a police sketch artist. The next day, Krystal identified Tommy Lynn Sells in a photo lineup and he was arrested. But, as shocking as the crime was, the case took an even more horrific turn. Sells not only confessed to the crime, he recounted his journey from state to state describing the men, women and children he had murdered. The Texas Rangers believe Sells killed at least 22 people.

Nine months later, haunted by nightmares of that evening, Krystal still found the courage to face Tommy Lynn Sells in a trial that would result in a death-penalty sentence.

It has been 10 years since the night Krystal witnessed her friend's murder. In her unflinching account, Krystal's strength is palpable as she recalls the events of that awful night, her incredible journey to recovery and a secret she kept from the public for years. It was her will to survive that ultimately brought a serial killer to justice.

This is her experience...in her words.

Click here to watch a preview of LIVE TO TELL "Krystal's Courage," and Click here to watch the reporter's notebook. The series was created by Judy Tygard, and Susan Zirinsky is the executive producer. This program was produced by Chris Young. Michael McHugh and Atticus Brady are producer editors.

The two additional programs in the LIVE TO TELL series, "The Birthday Party" and "Kidnapped on Highway 1" will be broadcast on Saturday, Dec. 19 (10-11 PM ET/PT) and Saturday Jan. 2 (10-11 PM ET/PT), respectively.

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