Fernandez died two days later.
The documentary is a really difficult watch but its an important one, Knappenberger tells EW.
Theres no question parts of it are very, very intense.
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Knappenberger began documenting Gabriels story during Pearl and Isauros trial in 2018.
Judge Lomeli let us into the courtroom and we listened to story after story about Gabriel, he explains.
We were all a wreck in the beginning.
Courtesy of Netflix
Gabriels story meant so much to so many people.
We needed to know, how so many people saw this child in that condition and didnt stop it?
The answers arent as easy as you think they are in the beginning, he says.
Its easy to demonize both of them and they deserve it.
There are plenty of people who have been abused that didnt turn out this way.
I think the more you learn about Pearl and Isauro, youll understand where they came fromparticularly Pearl.
She had early drug use, she was abused early on in her life, in multiple different ways.
This can help expose that theres a cycle here thats happening.
Maybe we just dont know whats going on with her?
I thought it was important in a six-hour documentary series to understand that complexity.
Theres no question that these acts were evil but theres also a broken system that allows this to happen.
Which is more evil?
Which causes more pain?
Theres no excuse for Pearl or Isauro and I want that to be clear.
There really isnt an answer.
How does someone commit those crimes and horrible acts on someone like Gabriel?
He was just a seven or 8-year-old boy.
There are clues, but ultimately you cant ever really get inside their heads.
