Paula Wechsler (Without a Trace)

Paula Wechsler (Daphne Ashbrook) is the hidden secondary villainess of "True/False," episode 7.04 of Without a Trace (airdate October 21, 2008). She is the mother of Chapman-Hall Academy student Darby Wechsler, who was the best friend of Will Duncan.
It was revealed in the episode's climax that Darby accidentally killed Will by shoving him backwards down a flight of stairs after he refused to give her the answers to an English Literature test that she was desperately studying for in order to get into Cornell University. After the murder, Paula arrived at the scene of the crime, and after seeing Will's corpse, she convinced Darby to help her cover up the murder. The deceptive conspirator had her daughter grab a rug and help her wrap Will's body in it, after which they took the corpse and placed it in a dumpster.
Photos of Darby following Will into the apartment building (where the murder occurred) led to her being revealed as his killer, but even so, the evil Paula continued covering for her daughter, falsely claiming that she was with her on the night of his death. Her efforts were proven to be in vain when Darby tearfully confessed to the murder, disclosing her mother's villainous role in the cover-up to Jack Malone and Clark Medina during their interrogation of her. After that, the pair was arrested offscreen for their crimes.
== Trivia ==
* Daphne Ashbrook previously played three villainesses on Murder, She Wrote—Alice Diamond in Season 7, Alexis Hill in Season 11, and Kathy Stafford in Season 12.
* She also appeared on Cold Case as Kylie Cramer, on Crossing Jordan as Mrs. Carter, and later appeared on NCIS as Donna Peyton.
== Gallery ==
Paula Wechsler.gif|Paula with Darby while she is being interrogated by Jack and Clark
Paula Wechsler 2.gif|Paula beginning to cover up Will's murder
Paula Wechsler 3.gif|Paula and Darby's tearful conversation during their interrogation
Category:2000s
Category:Blonde
Category:Conspirator
Category:Deceiver
Category:Live Action Villainess
Category:Mother
Category:Villainous Reveal
Category:Fate: Arrested