On December 31, 1993, Teena Brandon, Lisa Lambert and Philip DeVine were found shot to death in a farmhouse in rural Humbolt, Nebraska. As the murder investigation unfolded, a strange detail emerged: The first victim, a woman, had been posing for years as a man called Brandon Teena. THE BRANDON TEENA STORY examines this young victim's life, one made especially difficult by a gender identity crisis that was compounded by the fear and prejudice many people exhibit towards non-heterosexuals. The "CINEMAX Reel Life" documentary debuts MONDAY, JULY 26 (11:00 p.m.-12:35 a.m. ET).

Other playdate: Aug. 29 (4:40 a.m.).

Brandon Teena's story began in Lincoln, Nebraska, where Teena Brandon grew up with her mother and older sister. By her early teen years, she created herself as Brandon Teena, successfully passing as a male, even dating several local girls. They remember him as being the "perfect" boyfriend: considerate, affectionate, romantic and a great kisser who knew exactly how to treat a woman. However, rumors began to circulate that Teena was female. As a result, in November 1993 he left Lincoln for Falls City, Nebraska.

Teena began dating Lana Tisdel and became friends with John Lotter and Tom Nissen, both of whom had served time in prison. Teena was arrested on check forgery charges on December 15, and bailed out one week later by Tisdel. By now, the rumors from Lincoln had reached Falls City. Determined to know the truth, Lotter and Nissen forcibly pulled down Teena's pants at a Christmas Eve party. Enraged by the dupe, they beat Teena, forced him into a car and drove to a remote spot where Nissen raped him. Tisdel convinced the very reluctant Teena to report the rape to county sheriff Charles Laux, who harshly grilled Teena about his sexuality. Three days after the rape, Laux briefly questioned Lotter and Nissen, but released them.

Having pressed charges against the two, Teena left Falls City to stay with a friend, Lisa Lambert, 30 miles away in Humbolt. On the morning of December 31, 1993, Lambert's mother came to visit and discovered the bodies of Teena, Lambert, and Philip DeVine, a friend who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Lambert's nine-month-old son was found unharmed in his crib. Lotter and Nissen were arrested for triple murder and convicted in separate trials. Having cut a deal to testify against Lotter, Nissen is serving three consecutive life sentences; Lotter is on death row.

THE BRANDON TEENA STORY was produced, shot, directed and edited by Susan Muska and Greta Olafsdottir; executive producer, Jane Dekrone; offline Avid and creative editor, Paul Hill. For HBO: executive producer, Sheila Nevins; producer, Nancy Abraham.

The "CINEMAX Reel Life" series of original documentary programs has attracted critical praise, as well as numerous prestigious awards. "Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien" received the 1997 Academy Award(r) for Documentary Short Subject. "Jupiter's Wife" has been honored with a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and a News and Documentary Emmy,(r) while "The Selling of Innocents" also received a News and Documentary Emmy. (r) "The Dying Rooms" garnered a News and Documentary Emmy, (r) as well as a George Foster Peabody Award.

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