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Narrator:
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Narrator:
In 1996,
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a California homeowner
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made a horrifying discovery
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in his backyard.
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It was a human skull.
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Narrator:
And a dark, deadly tragedy
started to unfold.
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I'd start finding little bones,
small bones.
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You have to wonder,
who would do something
like that to a child?
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Chris Minsal:
That's what shook people,
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'cause a lot of things
can happen in back yards,
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and you just don't know.
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Narrator:
A year's long search
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to find a missing loved one
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was brought back to life.
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I never believed that
they didn't want to be found.
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Narrator:
It was a bizarre mystery
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that sent detectives
down an unexpected road.
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Joe Martinez:
We identified veterinarians
within a 10-mile radius,
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and we started knocking
on their doors.
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Kelli Wilson:
But we knew there was
a monster out there.
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I didn't want this
to happen to anybody else.
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Narrator:
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Narrator:
In the high-desert town
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of Littlerock, California,
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summer days are hot and lazy
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and typically nothing blows
through town.
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Chris Minsal:
When I was a kid,
we had about three stoplights,
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and I think we have about six
stoplights now, maybe seven.
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Very, very quiet.
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Every once in a while you'll get
a really loud rooster.
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( laughs )
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Lot of people raise
their own chickens,
horses, pigs.
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It's very comfortable
and very nice living.
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You'd be lucky if you'd see
a sheriff twice a week,
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three times a week.
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It is a rough little gem,
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that's far from being polished,
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and we prefer
to keep it that way.
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Narrator:
In August of 1996,
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when Detective Joe Martinez
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got word about
an unusual discovery,
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his adrenaline kicked in.
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Martinez:
I receive a call
from my lieutenant.
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It was my day off.
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However, he needed someone
to go take a look,
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so he asked me
if I would go take a look,
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and I said,
"Yeah, I'll go take a look."
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So I finally get there.
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And I spoke to the homeowner.
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They had been living there
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for about five, six months,
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and they decided that
it was time to clean up
the back yard
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where there was
a bunch of tree limbs.
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And while cleaning up
that area,
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that resident felt the ground
very spongy.
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He decided to remove
several inches of dirt,
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and he came upon
the corrugated tin
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and then the plywood.
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And when he lifted
both of them up,
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there was a hole.
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The hole was kind
of a rectangular hole,
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maybe a three-by-four size,
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and about six feet deep.
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Narrator:
When the homeowner
peered inside,
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he saw
a neatly wrapped bundle.
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Was it trash?
Or someone's treasure?
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His curiosity fully piqued,
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the homeowner didn't waste
a minute more
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getting to the bundle.
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Martinez:
So he jumps in.
He lifts it up.
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He started unwrapping it.
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Narrator:
And what fell to the ground
was ghastly.
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It was a human skull.
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Once the unraveling
of the blanket was made,
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you could actually see
the rest of the human remains.
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Narrator:
This seasoned detective
was rarely shaken,
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and instantly knew he needed
to call in help.
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Martinez:
It was very disturbing.
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When we first come across human
remains like that
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and they're not advertising
who they are.
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So, it's up to us to identify
who that victim is.
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I'm not trained in that.
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So I had to get
a forensic specialist
to the scene
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to tell us what we had.
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Narrator:
Doctor Debra Gray was
one of the best in her field.
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And was called in
to try and help solve
this baffling mystery.
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A forensic archaeologist
is a person who's been trained
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in archaeological techniques
of recovery in a crime scene.
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Narrator:
When Doctor Gray arrives
on any scene,
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she knows someone
has become the target
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of a disturbing crime.
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Gray:
They're all victims.
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Somebody has hurt them,
we don't know why.
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We don't know
any of the whole story.
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Our job is to concentrate
on recovering whatever we can
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to tell that decedent's story.
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Narrator:
Doctor Gray set upon
the grisly task
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of examining
the human remains.
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She hoped the bones
would give her a glimpse
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into the final hours
of the victim's life.
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Gray:
The bones themselves were
by and large devoid of flesh.
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There was no soft tissue
adhering.
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Maybe a little bit
of mummified tissue.
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So we knew it had been
at least a year
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since the decedent
had passed away.
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Narrator:
A closer look at the skull
revealed more disturbing clues
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that shed light
on a horrible death.
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Normally a human skull
is kind of round
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and ovaloid and complete
in its shape.
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In this case, there were holes
in its skull.
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Our first indication
when we looked at it,
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was that it was
blunt force trauma.
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Narrator:
Though the coroner
would determine
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the exact cause of death,
Doctor Gray was all but certain
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the victim suffered
a horrific end.
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But who was it?
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And how did they end up
buried in this backyard?
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Gray:
It's very cruel.
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You have to divorce yourself
from it,
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because you can't do the job
if you're sitting there crying.
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We wanna find the answer.
We wanna know what happened.
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Narrator:
Questions about the unusual
hole lingered in the air
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until Detective Martinez
discovered some unsettling
new information.
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Martinez:
There was a drain pipe
that lead away from the hole.
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Okay, I have a drain pipe
that leads away from the hole.
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So then I thought that
it used to be the septic tank.
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Gray:
So here we have
an individual
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who's buried
in a septic tank.
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It's like you're
disposing of somebody
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in a most inhumane way.
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It's very cruel.
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But why would
somebody do that?
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Narrator:
Word of human bones
being pulled out
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of an old septic tank in one
of their neighborhood backyards
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spread lightning fast
through the tiny community
of Littlerock.
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And fear soon followed.
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When I heard that there was
a body in a septic tank--
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it made people uneasy.
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It kinda made you question
what was happening,
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because a lot of things
can happen in backyards
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and you just don't know.
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Everyone has their own
big enough property
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that you're not looking
at your neighbor.
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You see 'em
from the front door
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but you never see anything
from the backdoor.
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That's what shook people.
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'Cause it was in a backyard
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and no one ever had any clue.
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Narrator:
The grim scene
continued to unfold
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and Doctor Gray handled
the evidence cautiously.
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Gray:
You don't want to mess
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with remains
out at the scene too much
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'cause there may be evidence
in that bundle
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that's going to explain
who did it and how.
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The idea about
a buried body
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is the grave
is your informant.
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And if you kill
your informant
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before you get all
the information out of 'em,
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you've just blown it.
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The bones,
we left them alone.
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The identity and the gender
and the age
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and the stature
would be confirmed.
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Once we got those remains
back to the Department
of the Coroner,
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they could be laid out
and gone through.
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Narrator:
The doctor proceeded
with a keen sense of focus
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as she got intimately familiar
with the grisly gravesite.
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Just because you have the body
out of the hole
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doesn't mean there's not
something else in it.
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We have to get in the hole
and examine it.
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Narrator:
Doctor Gray discovered
new disturbing evidence
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from the backyard grave.
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One of the things we found
in the bottom of the hole
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was a plastic bag
with a wire ligature around it.
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And we found dentures.
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I find this other artifact.
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We don't know what it is.
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A device
with leather straps, metal.
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Martinez:
Was hoping that
it was a murder weapon,
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which then would be
a significant piece
of my investigation.
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Narrator:
Gray continued digging.
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And suddenly made
her most horrifying
discovery yet.
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I'm in the hole and I start
finding little bones.
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Small bones.
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That's when we found--
wait, there's not one body,
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there's two bodies.
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I start finding small ribs.
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We're afraid that maybe
it's a child buried.
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Narrator:
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Narrator:
In 1996, a disturbing reality
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Narrator:
In 1996, a disturbing reality
blew through the desert town
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of Littlerock, California.
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Investigators had unearthed
the human remains
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of an unknown victim
in the backyard of a home.
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But there was another
horrifying discovery.
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Gray:
I start finding little bones.
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Small ribs.
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We're afraid that maybe
it's a child buried.
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Burying a child carries
a lot more emotional weight
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than burying an adult.
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I don't know why,
but it does.
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When I found out that there
were small bones, rib bones,
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I as a father then felt that
information was kinda personal.
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Narrator:
The crime was unsettling.
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And investigators had
more questions than answers.
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Was it possible they
just uncovered the remains
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of a parent and child?
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And if so, who could be
behind such a gruesome crime?
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Gray:
We are the last voice
for that decedent.
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So we have to protect
that decedent's rights.
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We have to protect
that decedent's identity.
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And more importantly,
we have to protect
that decedent's story.
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Narrator:
The bones were sent
to the coroner,
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where they hoped
a thorough examination
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would help
identify the victim
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and unravel
this deadly tale.
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Gray:
The coroner's office
determined
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that the remains were those
of a female
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00:11:27,533 --> 00:11:29,433
over the age of 35,
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probably five-foot-five
or taller.
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Martinez:
The person would be
a Caucasian female.
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There were still some hair
that was found in the bundle.
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Brownish,
reddish color hair.
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And so,
we had some parameters.
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Narrator:
The medical examiner
also determined
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the female victim had
likely been dead
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for about three years.
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And before being buried
in the septic tank,
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she met an unseemly demise.
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This victim was struck
at last two times
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on the side of the head,
very hard,
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causing two fractures
to the skull.
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I don't know
if it was a baseball bat
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00:12:07,467 --> 00:12:11,167
or a hammer,
but some sort of heavy object.
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Buried bodies
are always upsetting,
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because there's always some sort
of personal relationship
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between the decedent
and the perpetrator.
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Narrator:
Their Jane Doe die
a most violent death
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00:12:27,633 --> 00:12:30,273
at the hands
of someone she knew?
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While the second set of bones
were being examined,
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00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:40,600
Detective Martinez set out
to identify the victim.
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00:12:44,100 --> 00:12:46,230
I still didn't have information
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00:12:46,233 --> 00:12:48,673
about the first victim.
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Narrator:
Three years earlier,
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00:12:52,500 --> 00:12:54,700
and 2,000 miles away
in Oklahoma,
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00:12:54,700 --> 00:12:57,030
Kimberlee Rampey
and her sister, Kelli,
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00:12:57,033 --> 00:13:01,233
were looking for their mother,
51-year-old Barbara Weston.
248
00:13:01,233 --> 00:13:05,573
I contacted the L.A. County
Sheriff's Department and said,
249
00:13:05,567 --> 00:13:08,027
"Listen, this may
be nothing,
250
00:13:08,033 --> 00:13:10,533
but my mom, she was headed
back to Oklahoma
251
00:13:10,533 --> 00:13:12,673
and I hadn't
heard from her.
252
00:13:12,667 --> 00:13:15,227
Narrator:
As Kimberlee was explaining
that her mom was moving
253
00:13:15,233 --> 00:13:17,633
from her home in California
to Oklahoma,
254
00:13:17,633 --> 00:13:21,773
she started wondering
if her call was unwarranted.
255
00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:28,130
Rampey:
My mom had friends
along the way back to Oklahoma,
256
00:13:28,133 --> 00:13:30,003
and so I could
see her stopping
257
00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:32,000
and visiting people
along the way.
258
00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:35,070
So, I thought, "She'll be back
within the next week or two."
259
00:13:36,333 --> 00:13:38,473
But in a couple of weeks
she wasn't.
260
00:13:40,133 --> 00:13:41,733
Narrator:
Perhaps Barbara had taken
261
00:13:41,734 --> 00:13:44,074
an extended road trip.
262
00:13:45,266 --> 00:13:46,666
So we just had to wait.
263
00:13:46,667 --> 00:13:48,127
And we were hoping
that we could wait it out
264
00:13:48,133 --> 00:13:49,403
and then she'd
eventually show up.
265
00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:51,300
But, you know,
we waited a long time.
266
00:13:51,300 --> 00:13:53,270
We waited a very long time.
267
00:13:55,300 --> 00:13:57,130
Narrator:
Not knowing what else to do,
268
00:13:57,133 --> 00:13:59,273
Kimberlee called the sheriff's
office every month
269
00:13:59,266 --> 00:14:00,766
for the next year,
270
00:14:00,767 --> 00:14:05,167
until the day a deputy
delivered a harsh truth.
271
00:14:05,166 --> 00:14:07,366
He said to me,
"You may just need to accept
272
00:14:07,367 --> 00:14:11,267
that your mom
has started a new life,
273
00:14:11,266 --> 00:14:14,526
and she doesn't
want to be found.
274
00:14:16,266 --> 00:14:19,426
That was the last time
I called.
275
00:14:19,433 --> 00:14:24,633
( voice breaks )
And I never called him again.
276
00:14:24,633 --> 00:14:27,633
Narrator:
Barbara's daughters knew their
mom has a wanderlust spirit,
277
00:14:27,633 --> 00:14:31,473
but they couldn't believe
she would leave them for good.
278
00:14:33,467 --> 00:14:36,697
My mother had remarried
after being married
to my father.
279
00:14:36,700 --> 00:14:40,730
And they got jobs
at Lockheed in California.
280
00:14:40,734 --> 00:14:43,734
So, they took
the four of us siblings
281
00:14:43,734 --> 00:14:46,334
and we moved to California
away from Oklahoma,
282
00:14:46,333 --> 00:14:49,403
which had been our home
our whole lives.
283
00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:52,470
The four of us siblings
lived there with her
284
00:14:52,467 --> 00:14:54,327
and my stepdad
for four years.
285
00:14:54,333 --> 00:14:58,473
After she
and my stepdad divorced,
286
00:14:58,467 --> 00:15:01,667
my dad had made arrangements
for us to stay in Oklahoma.
287
00:15:01,667 --> 00:15:03,727
She stayed in California.
288
00:15:03,734 --> 00:15:06,034
She just had
a wanderlust
289
00:15:06,033 --> 00:15:09,073
to be going and moving
all the time.
290
00:15:09,066 --> 00:15:12,726
Narrator:
Barbara was ready
for new beginnings in Oklahoma.
291
00:15:12,734 --> 00:15:17,774
So for her to suddenly
disappear didn't make sense.
292
00:15:17,767 --> 00:15:19,767
I never believed
293
00:15:19,767 --> 00:15:22,497
that she didn't
want to be found.
294
00:15:22,500 --> 00:15:25,470
In my heart I never
would've believed that.
295
00:15:29,700 --> 00:15:32,570
Narrator:
If the bones belonged
to Barbara Weston,
296
00:15:32,567 --> 00:15:35,767
then who might the small
set of bones belong to?
297
00:15:35,767 --> 00:15:39,497
With no young children,
investigators wondered
298
00:15:39,500 --> 00:15:42,500
how Barbara might
be connected to this case.
299
00:15:42,500 --> 00:15:44,730
Gray:
When we're starting
to go through those bones
300
00:15:44,734 --> 00:15:46,604
and laying them out,
301
00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:48,070
we're afraid
that maybe it's a child.
302
00:15:50,100 --> 00:15:52,370
Narrator:
As Doctor Gray examined
the bones more closely,
303
00:15:52,367 --> 00:15:57,397
the investigation took
a bizarre turn.
304
00:15:57,400 --> 00:16:00,100
We've realized
this isn't a child.
305
00:16:02,133 --> 00:16:05,673
It's a dog.
306
00:16:05,667 --> 00:16:07,767
Okay, we have
a dead person.
307
00:16:09,533 --> 00:16:11,133
And a dead dog.
308
00:16:11,133 --> 00:16:14,633
And that dog probably
belonged to that person.
309
00:16:16,667 --> 00:16:18,667
At this point,
I believe whoever did this
310
00:16:18,667 --> 00:16:20,467
it was to get rid of the dog,
311
00:16:20,467 --> 00:16:23,127
because that dog
can provide connection
312
00:16:23,133 --> 00:16:25,533
with the victim
that was in the hole.
313
00:16:25,533 --> 00:16:28,673
Narrator:
But who was the victim?
314
00:16:28,667 --> 00:16:31,267
While they died
from blunt force trauma,
315
00:16:31,266 --> 00:16:36,126
Doctor Gray discovered
the dog suffered its own
tragic death.
316
00:16:36,133 --> 00:16:39,703
Someone had placed a plastic bag
over that dog's head
317
00:16:39,700 --> 00:16:45,030
and twisted a wire ligature
around its neck until it died,
318
00:16:45,033 --> 00:16:49,403
which speaks volumes
of the perpetrator.
319
00:16:51,166 --> 00:16:53,296
Narrator:
An artifact found
with the bones
320
00:16:53,300 --> 00:16:55,700
might speak louder still.
321
00:16:55,700 --> 00:16:58,700
One of the most interesting
things that came out
322
00:16:58,700 --> 00:17:00,570
during that excavation,
323
00:17:00,567 --> 00:17:03,297
it was a device
with leather straps,
324
00:17:03,300 --> 00:17:06,570
metal, and little wheels
on the back.
325
00:17:06,567 --> 00:17:08,767
It would not be unusual
326
00:17:08,767 --> 00:17:11,767
for a suspect
to dispose of a weapon
327
00:17:11,767 --> 00:17:17,327
that's used, uh, same area
where the body is disposed of.
328
00:17:19,166 --> 00:17:21,126
We had determined
that the gadget
329
00:17:21,133 --> 00:17:23,033
that was down in the hole
330
00:17:23,033 --> 00:17:24,503
was not the murder weapon.
331
00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:30,530
It was a device
that was intended
to assist a dog
332
00:17:30,533 --> 00:17:34,273
that had problems
with her rear legs.
333
00:17:34,266 --> 00:17:36,596
That was a big clue for me.
334
00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:39,270
I felt that people
would recognize the dog
335
00:17:39,266 --> 00:17:41,296
before they recognized
the person.
336
00:17:53,633 --> 00:17:54,033
Narrator:
337
00:17:54,033 --> 00:17:54,333
Narrator:
In the rural town
338
00:17:54,333 --> 00:17:54,733
Narrator:
In the rural town
of Littlerock, California,
339
00:17:56,333 --> 00:18:01,473
investigators learned
a woman and a dog have
been savagely killed.
340
00:18:01,467 --> 00:18:04,067
The mystery of who
the victims were
341
00:18:04,066 --> 00:18:07,066
and how they ended up
in a backyard septic tank
342
00:18:07,066 --> 00:18:08,696
was still unraveling.
343
00:18:10,233 --> 00:18:12,073
The "L.A. Times"
picked up the story
344
00:18:12,066 --> 00:18:14,466
because of how the body
was found.
345
00:18:19,100 --> 00:18:21,500
There was a woman
buried with her dog.
346
00:18:21,500 --> 00:18:23,470
It did shake people up.
347
00:18:23,467 --> 00:18:27,467
And how did someone
get away with that?
348
00:18:27,467 --> 00:18:30,097
Narrator:
51-year-old Barbara Weston
349
00:18:30,100 --> 00:18:32,370
went missing
about three years ago.
350
00:18:32,367 --> 00:18:34,627
And while confirming
she was the victim
351
00:18:34,633 --> 00:18:36,373
would take more time,
352
00:18:36,367 --> 00:18:38,767
investigators hoped
the bones of the dog
353
00:18:38,767 --> 00:18:42,267
may provide
a promising clue.
354
00:18:42,266 --> 00:18:46,396
L.A. County Coroner
called in a forensic vet
355
00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:48,670
to come in
and examine the dog.
356
00:18:48,667 --> 00:18:52,097
We had his vertebra,
we had his ribs.
357
00:18:52,100 --> 00:18:55,100
The vertebra
were malaligned.
358
00:18:55,100 --> 00:19:00,400
The forensic veterinarian
did identify as a dachshund mix.
359
00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:02,770
And did identify the fact
360
00:19:02,767 --> 00:19:06,527
that the dog
was probably paralyzed.
361
00:19:08,533 --> 00:19:10,403
Narrator:
With his biggest lead yet,
362
00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:12,530
Detective Martinez
didn't miss a beat
363
00:19:12,533 --> 00:19:15,503
knocking on the doors
of concerned, curious
neighbors.
364
00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:21,270
Minsal:
I remember seeing
this dog
365
00:19:21,266 --> 00:19:23,266
in its special
little wheel cart,
366
00:19:23,266 --> 00:19:26,426
and so did tons
of other people.
367
00:19:26,433 --> 00:19:30,433
I had a connection
with the pooch,
the little dog.
368
00:19:30,433 --> 00:19:34,573
So, when I found out
it was the dog with the wheels,
369
00:19:34,567 --> 00:19:38,167
that's when it sunk for me,
'cause I'm an animal person.
370
00:19:38,166 --> 00:19:42,166
Martinez:
One of them said that
the dog's name was Willie.
371
00:19:42,166 --> 00:19:45,666
They couldn't really pinpoint
who the owner of the dog was,
372
00:19:45,667 --> 00:19:49,027
but this was evidence
that could solve this case.
373
00:19:52,166 --> 00:19:56,026
I knew that if I could find
a veterinarian
374
00:19:56,033 --> 00:19:58,303
that treated
a dog named Willie,
375
00:19:58,300 --> 00:20:00,570
they would have a record
as to who the owners were.
376
00:20:02,700 --> 00:20:05,430
So, we identified
veterinarians
377
00:20:05,433 --> 00:20:08,173
within a 10-mile radius
of that neighborhood.
378
00:20:08,166 --> 00:20:10,696
And we started knocking
on their doors.
379
00:20:10,700 --> 00:20:14,330
Narrator:
Was Detective Martinez setting
out on a fruitless search?
380
00:20:14,333 --> 00:20:19,473
Or would this time-consuming
process lead him to his victim?
381
00:20:19,467 --> 00:20:23,597
None of the veterinarians
can remember treating
a handicapped dog.
382
00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:28,600
Narrator:
Detective Martinez prayed
his persistence would pay off.
383
00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:31,170
And finally it did.
384
00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:36,200
One day we went
to High Desert Animal Hospital
385
00:20:36,200 --> 00:20:40,200
and spoke
with the veterinarian there.
386
00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:43,300
I'll never forget
in August of 1996,
387
00:20:43,300 --> 00:20:46,300
Officer Martinez came in
and he said,
388
00:20:46,300 --> 00:20:49,230
"Do you recall
having a patient
389
00:20:49,233 --> 00:20:52,073
that was a dog
that was handicapped?"
390
00:20:52,066 --> 00:20:54,326
I said, "Yes."
391
00:20:54,333 --> 00:20:57,773
We had nursed him through
an extensive period of time
392
00:20:57,767 --> 00:21:01,067
for his issue,
which was a collapsed disc.
393
00:21:01,066 --> 00:21:05,066
And he seemed
to be doing quite well.
394
00:21:05,066 --> 00:21:08,426
Narrator:
The end of Willie's life
came as a shock.
395
00:21:11,767 --> 00:21:14,367
Never had an officer
come to ask me
396
00:21:14,367 --> 00:21:16,097
about a potential homicide.
397
00:21:16,100 --> 00:21:21,100
I was surprised
and alarmed and concerned.
398
00:21:24,467 --> 00:21:27,767
Now I had to get the record
of who owned the dog.
399
00:21:27,767 --> 00:21:32,127
Naiditch:
I was able to go
and pull the file.
400
00:21:32,133 --> 00:21:37,403
And listed in the file
was the owner,
401
00:21:37,400 --> 00:21:39,630
Barbara Weston.
402
00:21:46,633 --> 00:21:48,533
Narrator:
It had been three long years
403
00:21:48,533 --> 00:21:50,633
since Barbara's daughters
had seen their mom
404
00:21:50,633 --> 00:21:53,273
or her beloved dog Willie.
405
00:21:53,266 --> 00:21:56,726
Rampey:
Willie was my mom's
pride and joy.
406
00:21:56,734 --> 00:21:59,374
Willie was just a cute
little black dachshund
407
00:21:59,367 --> 00:22:02,627
that she had a kind
of a constant companion.
408
00:22:02,633 --> 00:22:06,273
Wilson:
There were some issues with
his back legs and his spine.
409
00:22:06,266 --> 00:22:09,996
And so somehow my mother was
able to get him a wheelchair
410
00:22:10,000 --> 00:22:11,570
for his tail end.
411
00:22:11,567 --> 00:22:14,997
So, you couldn't help but giggle
anytime you saw Willie.
412
00:22:17,033 --> 00:22:19,273
My mom would've done
anything for Willie.
413
00:22:19,266 --> 00:22:23,096
She couldn't stand the thought
of not having Willie with her.
414
00:22:23,100 --> 00:22:25,270
They went everywhere together.
415
00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:30,400
Narrator:
The question remained.
416
00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:33,300
Did they die tragically
together?
417
00:22:33,300 --> 00:22:36,130
We had to identify Barbara.
418
00:22:36,133 --> 00:22:39,033
Investigators believed they
had the one piece of evidence
419
00:22:39,033 --> 00:22:42,703
needed to unravel
this terrifying mystery.
420
00:22:42,700 --> 00:22:44,670
We had dentures.
421
00:22:47,667 --> 00:22:50,167
Narrator:
Would the dentures prove
Barbara was the victim
422
00:22:50,166 --> 00:22:52,266
of this unspeakable crime?
423
00:22:54,567 --> 00:22:58,327
Days later, Detective Martinez
got the confirmation
424
00:22:58,333 --> 00:23:01,473
he'd been anxiously awaiting.
425
00:23:01,467 --> 00:23:04,727
I was able
to retrieve the X-rays
from the dental office
426
00:23:04,734 --> 00:23:07,334
and provide that with the--
to the coroner's office,
427
00:23:07,333 --> 00:23:10,203
and then they were able
to make a match
428
00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:13,570
and positively identify
Barbara Weston.
429
00:23:19,300 --> 00:23:23,070
Rampey:
August 19th, it was 1996,
430
00:23:23,066 --> 00:23:26,196
and my sister called.
431
00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:29,730
And said,
"What are you doing?"
432
00:23:29,734 --> 00:23:31,674
Wilson:
I said, "Kimberlee,
I need you to stay home,
433
00:23:31,667 --> 00:23:33,327
'cause we're on our way."
And she goes, "What's wrong?"
434
00:23:33,333 --> 00:23:35,373
And I said, "Well,
435
00:23:35,367 --> 00:23:37,227
I just need you to stay at home
because we're on our way."
436
00:23:37,233 --> 00:23:39,603
And she said,
"It's Mom, isn't it?"
437
00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:41,770
And I said, "Yeah.
438
00:23:41,767 --> 00:23:43,627
We're on our way.
Don't leave the house."
439
00:23:43,633 --> 00:23:46,773
Rampey:
And I said, "Is she dead?"
440
00:23:46,767 --> 00:23:48,627
And Kelli said,
441
00:23:48,633 --> 00:23:50,233
"Kim, I don't wanna
talk about this on the phone."
442
00:23:50,233 --> 00:23:53,733
And I said,
"Kelli, is she dead?"
443
00:23:53,734 --> 00:23:55,774
And she said, "Yes.
444
00:23:55,767 --> 00:23:57,467
We'll be there
in a few minutes."
445
00:24:02,767 --> 00:24:06,497
Wilson:
You just never dream that
it's gonna end up like it did.
446
00:24:06,500 --> 00:24:09,500
You just don't ever dream
that your mom's gonna be
murdered.
447
00:24:12,633 --> 00:24:15,703
I just remember thinking,
"Who does that?"
448
00:24:17,767 --> 00:24:21,067
Who kills not only a human
but who kills a dog?
449
00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:24,330
What kind of monster
does that?
450
00:24:42,133 --> 00:24:42,303
Narrator:
451
00:24:42,300 --> 00:24:42,670
Narrator:
It had been an agonizing
452
00:24:42,667 --> 00:24:43,097
Narrator:
It had been an agonizing
three years
453
00:24:44,100 --> 00:24:46,500
for the family of 51-year-old
Barbara Weston
454
00:24:46,500 --> 00:24:48,570
since her disappearance.
455
00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:54,400
Learning she'd been murdered
and buried with her dog,
456
00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:56,400
and wondering
who would want
to kill their mom,
457
00:24:56,400 --> 00:24:59,470
was a different kind
of agony altogether.
458
00:25:02,033 --> 00:25:05,033
Wilson:
She'd been gone for years
and you'd just never dream
459
00:25:05,033 --> 00:25:09,173
that it's gonna end up
like it did.
460
00:25:09,166 --> 00:25:12,096
Rampey:
A child never wants
to lose a parent.
461
00:25:12,100 --> 00:25:15,300
Just like a parent
never wants to lose a child.
462
00:25:15,300 --> 00:25:18,700
But it wasn't that
she didn't want to be found.
463
00:25:18,700 --> 00:25:20,570
She wanted to be found.
464
00:25:20,567 --> 00:25:22,227
She just couldn't give
the clues.
465
00:25:22,233 --> 00:25:25,273
She couldn't help
anybody find her.
466
00:25:32,300 --> 00:25:36,300
Narrator:
It was impossible to make sense
of their shocking new reality.
467
00:25:36,300 --> 00:25:40,000
So Barbara's daughters
chose to focus on the good.
468
00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:41,730
Wilson:
I always thought
she was very beautiful.
469
00:25:41,734 --> 00:25:43,734
She always had kind of
an auburn color of hair,
470
00:25:43,734 --> 00:25:46,204
which is probably
why I wish I could
471
00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:50,200
have red hair all the time
because I loved her red hair.
472
00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:52,730
Rampey:
Mom was a singer.
She was a very good singer.
473
00:25:52,734 --> 00:25:55,204
There was always music
at the house.
474
00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:58,330
She was always laughing
and joking.
475
00:25:58,333 --> 00:25:59,603
And very energetic.
476
00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:02,130
We tagged along
everywhere she went.
477
00:26:02,133 --> 00:26:05,333
I think my mom tried very hard
to be a good mom at times.
478
00:26:05,333 --> 00:26:07,133
I think she came up short
sometimes.
479
00:26:07,133 --> 00:26:09,073
I do know that she loved us.
480
00:26:09,066 --> 00:26:11,466
I don't know that she always...
481
00:26:11,467 --> 00:26:13,997
knew how to show it.
482
00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:17,470
Narrator:
But the family saw a dramatic
change in Barbara
483
00:26:17,467 --> 00:26:20,597
when she proudly
became a grandmother.
484
00:26:20,600 --> 00:26:24,500
I can remember us having
really deep conversations
485
00:26:24,500 --> 00:26:27,770
about how much regret
she felt
486
00:26:27,767 --> 00:26:30,767
from the kind of mother
that she had been.
487
00:26:30,767 --> 00:26:33,367
And I can remember her
saying,
488
00:26:33,367 --> 00:26:36,167
"This is my chance
to make it up to you.
489
00:26:36,166 --> 00:26:38,196
I wanna be
a great grandmother."
490
00:26:40,767 --> 00:26:43,367
Narrator:
Barbara's daughters had no idea
491
00:26:43,367 --> 00:26:46,297
who would want to inflict
such pain on their mother,
492
00:26:46,300 --> 00:26:49,570
much less murder her.
493
00:26:49,567 --> 00:26:52,567
Hoping to learn more
about this atrocity,
494
00:26:52,567 --> 00:26:54,767
Detective Martinez
returned to the scene
495
00:26:54,767 --> 00:26:57,997
where they found Barbara
and her dog buried.
496
00:26:59,767 --> 00:27:02,497
Martinez:
I didn't suspect
the current homeowners
497
00:27:02,500 --> 00:27:05,270
because they hadn't been
involved with that property
498
00:27:05,266 --> 00:27:07,666
but maybe six months
at the most.
499
00:27:07,667 --> 00:27:12,397
And the remains were obviously
older than six months.
500
00:27:12,400 --> 00:27:16,000
Narrator:
If Martinez could determine
how Barbara lived,
501
00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:20,200
it may help him
figure out how she died.
502
00:27:20,200 --> 00:27:23,200
Rampey:
My mom didn't always make
the best choices in men.
503
00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:26,070
The four of us siblings
lived with her
504
00:27:26,066 --> 00:27:28,766
and my stepdad
for four years.
505
00:27:28,767 --> 00:27:31,267
But there were lots of things
that were happening
506
00:27:31,266 --> 00:27:34,526
that should not be happening
in a home with four children.
507
00:27:34,533 --> 00:27:37,473
There were
many, many fights.
508
00:27:41,467 --> 00:27:43,197
We were the house
on the street
509
00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:46,300
where the police
were called very often.
510
00:27:46,300 --> 00:27:49,530
Narrator:
Was it possible Barbara's
ex-husband killed her?
511
00:27:49,533 --> 00:27:53,503
I never would've
believed that. Never.
512
00:27:53,500 --> 00:27:55,430
Narrator:
When investigators learned
513
00:27:55,433 --> 00:27:58,103
he and Barbara parted ways
more than 10 years ago,
514
00:27:58,100 --> 00:28:01,270
they didn't
believe so either.
515
00:28:05,033 --> 00:28:07,303
Because of the violent nature
of the crime,
516
00:28:07,300 --> 00:28:09,570
detectives suspected
Barbara's killer
517
00:28:09,567 --> 00:28:11,997
may have been someone
she knew well.
518
00:28:14,166 --> 00:28:17,296
Perhaps intimately well.
519
00:28:17,300 --> 00:28:22,030
And soon they learned
there was another man
in Barbara's life.
520
00:28:22,033 --> 00:28:26,603
Steve Swaim came into our life
when I was in college.
521
00:28:26,600 --> 00:28:29,600
I was the college kid
and should be the one partying.
522
00:28:29,600 --> 00:28:34,000
I noticed really how much
the two of them drank together.
523
00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:37,200
And, in fact,
they met in a bar.
524
00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:40,130
He was just this guy named Steve
that my mom was dating.
525
00:28:40,133 --> 00:28:44,473
And I had no idea
how long it would last
or if it would last.
526
00:28:44,467 --> 00:28:47,327
Narrator:
It did last, and Barbara's
daughters got a glimpse
527
00:28:47,333 --> 00:28:50,633
into the dysfunctional
relationship.
528
00:28:52,600 --> 00:28:55,670
There were times
where their disagreements
529
00:28:55,667 --> 00:28:58,097
crossed a lot of lines,
a lot of boundaries.
530
00:29:01,066 --> 00:29:04,326
Narrator:
Before long, the girls learned
the love affair took a turn
531
00:29:04,333 --> 00:29:07,073
down a destructive road.
532
00:29:07,066 --> 00:29:09,096
I would definitely say
my mom and Steve
533
00:29:09,100 --> 00:29:10,500
brought out
the worst in each other.
534
00:29:10,500 --> 00:29:12,500
He seemed domineering.
535
00:29:12,500 --> 00:29:16,100
Steve kinda had that presence
of gonna do things his way.
536
00:29:18,500 --> 00:29:22,770
Wilson:
My mom could be
a really tough broad.
537
00:29:22,767 --> 00:29:24,367
My mom's
not gonna back down.
538
00:29:24,367 --> 00:29:26,627
Martinez:
They had got into an argument
539
00:29:26,633 --> 00:29:29,303
and she finally told him
to move.
540
00:29:29,300 --> 00:29:32,370
"Get out.
Get out of my house."
541
00:29:32,367 --> 00:29:34,167
Narrator:
Was it possible
542
00:29:34,166 --> 00:29:37,426
this passionate relationship
turned to murder?
543
00:29:37,433 --> 00:29:39,233
Wilson:
I can remember thinking
544
00:29:39,233 --> 00:29:41,373
"I hope she doesn't stay
with this guy long,"
545
00:29:41,367 --> 00:29:43,097
but I never suspected
546
00:29:43,100 --> 00:29:45,500
that he would do anything
to hurt her. Never.
547
00:29:45,500 --> 00:29:49,370
Narrator:
It was a history Martinez
couldn't ignore.
548
00:29:51,266 --> 00:29:53,596
He did some digging, curious
if he could connect Steve
549
00:29:53,600 --> 00:29:57,330
to the property
where Barbara's body was found.
550
00:29:57,333 --> 00:30:02,203
Martinez:
I asked the current owner
as to who sold the property.
551
00:30:02,200 --> 00:30:06,170
I was told that the previous
owners were the Melina family.
552
00:30:08,533 --> 00:30:10,603
Narrator:
Martinez tracked
down the Melinas,
553
00:30:10,600 --> 00:30:14,600
hoping they could shed some
light on this baffling mystery.
554
00:30:14,600 --> 00:30:17,130
Martinez:
They had absolutely
no knowledge
555
00:30:17,133 --> 00:30:21,273
of what was taking place
at their previous home.
556
00:30:21,266 --> 00:30:25,526
But I learned her son
from a previous marriage
557
00:30:25,533 --> 00:30:29,173
was none other
than Steven Swaim.
558
00:30:32,433 --> 00:30:35,503
Narrator:
The Melinas admitted Steve
lived in a trailer
559
00:30:35,500 --> 00:30:38,570
on the property
around the time of the murder.
560
00:30:38,567 --> 00:30:41,297
Martinez:
She provided me with the name
of Barbara Weston
561
00:30:41,300 --> 00:30:42,700
as the girlfriend.
562
00:30:42,700 --> 00:30:45,300
And that she would stay with him
off and on.
563
00:30:45,300 --> 00:30:49,430
They told me that the last time
they saw Barbara
was a day or two
564
00:30:49,433 --> 00:30:53,433
before their son told them
that she left back to Oklahoma.
565
00:30:56,767 --> 00:31:00,767
Narrator:
Was Steve Swaim the last person
to see Barbara alive?
566
00:31:02,500 --> 00:31:04,100
By this time,
I'm feeling
567
00:31:04,100 --> 00:31:07,430
that Steve Swaim
is my primary suspect.
568
00:31:07,433 --> 00:31:11,433
We needed to talk to him.
569
00:31:11,433 --> 00:31:13,133
Narrator:
Steve Swaim may have been
570
00:31:13,133 --> 00:31:17,203
the detective's
number one suspect,
571
00:31:17,200 --> 00:31:20,170
but was he Barbara's killer?
572
00:31:22,066 --> 00:31:24,196
Wilson:
We knew there was
a monster out there.
573
00:31:24,200 --> 00:31:26,200
I didn't want this to happen
to anybody else.
574
00:31:39,066 --> 00:31:39,226
Narrator:
575
00:31:39,233 --> 00:31:39,573
Narrator:
Three years after
576
00:31:39,567 --> 00:31:40,097
Narrator:
Three years after
the brutal beating death
577
00:31:41,066 --> 00:31:44,066
and burial of Barbara Weston
and her dog,
578
00:31:44,066 --> 00:31:47,266
investigators suspected
her ex-boyfriend
579
00:31:47,266 --> 00:31:49,466
may be the man
behind her murder.
580
00:31:53,066 --> 00:31:55,096
Wilson:
Some matches were made
in heaven.
581
00:31:55,100 --> 00:31:56,770
Some matches were made
in hell.
582
00:31:56,767 --> 00:31:58,367
And, looking back,
583
00:31:58,367 --> 00:32:00,097
that match was made
in hell.
584
00:32:00,100 --> 00:32:03,630
Why would any woman
stay with a man who--
585
00:32:03,633 --> 00:32:06,033
like I said,
a match made in hell.
586
00:32:06,033 --> 00:32:08,333
I don't know.
Maybe she saw something in him
587
00:32:08,333 --> 00:32:12,233
that she felt like was good.
588
00:32:13,567 --> 00:32:15,367
And maybe she saw
something in him
589
00:32:15,367 --> 00:32:18,227
that she felt like
maybe she could fix
590
00:32:18,233 --> 00:32:20,373
or maybe she felt like
they were a good match.
591
00:32:20,367 --> 00:32:21,597
I don't know.
592
00:32:23,500 --> 00:32:26,500
Even though
I was creeped out by Steve,
593
00:32:26,500 --> 00:32:28,630
I never suspected
he would do this.
594
00:32:33,233 --> 00:32:37,003
Narrator:
Steve no longer
had an address in town.
595
00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:38,670
After a little legwork,
596
00:32:38,667 --> 00:32:40,527
Detective Martinez learned
he was living up the road
597
00:32:40,533 --> 00:32:44,273
under his dad's roof.
598
00:32:44,266 --> 00:32:47,126
Martinez:
I did a check
on his father's name.
599
00:32:47,133 --> 00:32:52,473
And I found an address for him
in Lake Los Angeles.
600
00:32:52,467 --> 00:32:56,397
Another small town
in the Antelope Valley.
601
00:32:56,400 --> 00:32:59,400
Narrator:
Martinez hightailed it
up the road.
602
00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:02,030
Hoping to surprise his suspect.
603
00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:06,270
Martinez:
We went there,
knocked on his door.
604
00:33:06,266 --> 00:33:07,726
The father did answer
the door.
605
00:33:07,734 --> 00:33:11,074
I inquired about his son,
Steven Swaim.
606
00:33:11,066 --> 00:33:12,396
He says,
"Yeah, he lives here,
607
00:33:12,400 --> 00:33:14,530
but he's not currently here."
608
00:33:14,533 --> 00:33:17,533
Then he said,
"He's out in the mountains
609
00:33:17,533 --> 00:33:20,573
and I don't expect him back."
610
00:33:20,567 --> 00:33:22,297
Narrator:
Did Steve catch wind
611
00:33:22,300 --> 00:33:24,700
that investigators
were coming for him?
612
00:33:24,700 --> 00:33:29,300
Martinez hadn't a clue
if or when Steve would return,
613
00:33:29,300 --> 00:33:32,400
but had deputies
keep a close eye on the house.
614
00:33:43,166 --> 00:33:47,096
Martinez:
I get notified that
Steve Swaim came home.
615
00:33:47,100 --> 00:33:50,270
He was tall.
He was over six feet tall.
616
00:33:51,233 --> 00:33:53,703
Scruffy looking guy.
617
00:33:53,700 --> 00:33:56,770
Confronted him
in front of his house.
618
00:33:56,767 --> 00:33:59,097
Narrator:
Martinez was prepared
for a suspect
619
00:33:59,100 --> 00:34:02,130
in fight-or-flight mode.
620
00:34:02,133 --> 00:34:04,433
He got neither.
621
00:34:06,400 --> 00:34:09,400
Martinez:
He was pretty humble
at the time.
622
00:34:10,467 --> 00:34:12,597
He went willingly.
623
00:34:12,600 --> 00:34:15,130
Narrator:
Steve was hauled
into the station.
624
00:34:15,133 --> 00:34:18,333
He had no idea he'd been marked
as a murder suspect.
625
00:34:21,000 --> 00:34:22,470
Martinez:
Anytime I approach
an interview,
626
00:34:22,467 --> 00:34:24,467
the plan begins to formulate
627
00:34:24,467 --> 00:34:28,067
once I start speaking
with the individual.
628
00:34:28,066 --> 00:34:30,996
Narrator:
Sensing Steve might
be willing to talk,
629
00:34:31,000 --> 00:34:33,200
Detective Martinez started
the interview slowly,
630
00:34:33,200 --> 00:34:36,070
but would Steve open up?
631
00:34:36,066 --> 00:34:38,196
Martinez:
I start talking to Steve
632
00:34:38,200 --> 00:34:41,130
and I'm not hitting
on the murder itself.
633
00:34:41,133 --> 00:34:45,233
I'm asking him about,
"Who you dated,
who you married."
634
00:34:45,233 --> 00:34:50,103
He starts naming off
ex-girlfriends, an ex-wife.
635
00:34:50,100 --> 00:34:53,200
He does come upon
the name Barbara Weston.
636
00:34:54,233 --> 00:34:57,233
But he kinda skims over that.
637
00:34:57,233 --> 00:35:00,103
Narrator:
The stakes were high.
638
00:35:00,100 --> 00:35:02,430
Convinced he was face-to-face
with Barbara's killer,
639
00:35:02,433 --> 00:35:04,433
but with no physical evidence,
640
00:35:04,433 --> 00:35:08,573
Detective Martinez knew
a confession was critical.
641
00:35:08,567 --> 00:35:12,597
His plan was to outsmart
his suspect.
642
00:35:12,600 --> 00:35:15,570
Martinez:
Do we have to be the tough guy
or can we be the buddy?
643
00:35:15,567 --> 00:35:18,767
In this case, we were the ones
that understand
644
00:35:18,767 --> 00:35:20,627
what he's gone through.
645
00:35:20,633 --> 00:35:22,573
The conflicts that he had,
646
00:35:22,567 --> 00:35:24,527
and that pretty much
softens him up.
647
00:35:28,467 --> 00:35:31,267
I backtracked and said,
648
00:35:31,266 --> 00:35:33,266
"Tell me
about Barbara Weston."
649
00:35:34,667 --> 00:35:38,397
He told us
that she was a fine woman;
650
00:35:38,400 --> 00:35:42,270
however, she drank
and she was tough.
651
00:35:42,266 --> 00:35:45,396
And she was even tougher
when she was drunk.
652
00:35:45,400 --> 00:35:47,130
He loved her,
653
00:35:47,133 --> 00:35:49,673
but their relationship
was very inconsistent.
654
00:35:49,667 --> 00:35:51,267
It was turmoil.
655
00:35:51,266 --> 00:35:53,666
Steve Swaim described
this relationship
656
00:35:53,667 --> 00:35:56,267
like oil and water
trying to mix.
657
00:35:56,266 --> 00:35:57,466
They just couldn't.
658
00:35:57,467 --> 00:35:59,027
There was always conflict.
659
00:36:00,767 --> 00:36:03,127
And he told me
"We got into an argument,
660
00:36:03,133 --> 00:36:04,733
and then we got home
from work."
661
00:36:04,734 --> 00:36:07,374
He found all her stuff
was gone.
662
00:36:07,367 --> 00:36:09,097
That she was gone,
663
00:36:09,100 --> 00:36:11,770
and he assumed
that she left back to Oklahoma,
664
00:36:11,767 --> 00:36:15,427
because that's where Barbara
Weston was from, Oklahoma.
665
00:36:15,433 --> 00:36:17,573
Narrator:
Certain Steve was lying,
666
00:36:17,567 --> 00:36:20,227
Martinez seized the moment.
667
00:36:20,233 --> 00:36:22,703
I told him,
"No, she didn't."
668
00:36:24,567 --> 00:36:27,097
Gave me that little
startled look.
669
00:36:27,100 --> 00:36:28,730
I said,
"We found Barbara."
670
00:36:31,300 --> 00:36:37,430
He must've pushed his chair
back a couple of feet.
671
00:36:37,433 --> 00:36:40,573
And then he said,
672
00:36:40,567 --> 00:36:42,127
"I don't think
I can talk about it."
673
00:36:43,100 --> 00:36:46,700
He said, "Man.
674
00:36:46,700 --> 00:36:48,330
I was just getting over her.
675
00:36:48,333 --> 00:36:50,603
I was just starting
to sleep better.
676
00:36:50,600 --> 00:36:53,600
Now you guys bring
all this back to me."
677
00:36:53,600 --> 00:36:56,200
Told him that
once this is all out,
678
00:36:56,200 --> 00:36:58,200
he would be a lot more
comfortable
679
00:36:58,200 --> 00:37:00,070
because there's
nothing else to hide.
680
00:37:00,066 --> 00:37:02,326
And so he'll sleep
a lot better.
681
00:37:04,734 --> 00:37:08,204
Narrator:
Martinez sensed Steve
was becoming unglued.
682
00:37:08,200 --> 00:37:10,200
Martinez:
He hadn't told anyone.
683
00:37:10,200 --> 00:37:12,330
And this was the best
opportunity for him
684
00:37:12,333 --> 00:37:14,603
to let everything out.
685
00:37:15,600 --> 00:37:17,470
With the relationship
686
00:37:17,467 --> 00:37:20,997
that Steve Swaim
and Barbara Weston were having,
687
00:37:21,000 --> 00:37:24,030
it was inevitable
that one was gonna wind up dead.
688
00:37:26,266 --> 00:37:29,326
What he described to me
was a very violent scene.
689
00:37:44,133 --> 00:37:44,333
Narrator:
690
00:37:44,333 --> 00:37:44,773
Narrator:
Two weeks after unearthing
691
00:37:44,767 --> 00:37:45,167
Narrator:
Two weeks after unearthing
the remains
692
00:37:45,767 --> 00:37:48,227
of Barbara Weston
and her dog,
693
00:37:48,233 --> 00:37:51,233
Detective Joe Martinez believed
Steve Swaim was on the verge
694
00:37:51,233 --> 00:37:54,103
of confessing to her murder.
695
00:37:58,100 --> 00:37:59,730
Martinez:
When he found out
696
00:37:59,734 --> 00:38:01,774
that Barbara's remains
had been exposed
697
00:38:01,767 --> 00:38:03,367
in his parents' backyard,
698
00:38:03,367 --> 00:38:05,467
he had a very stiff
reaction to it.
699
00:38:05,467 --> 00:38:07,467
And then he said,
700
00:38:07,467 --> 00:38:10,267
"I don't think
I can talk about it."
701
00:38:10,266 --> 00:38:15,126
I assured him
he can talk about it.
702
00:38:15,133 --> 00:38:18,233
Narrator:
After bearing the burden
of his secret for so long,
703
00:38:18,233 --> 00:38:21,233
Steve Swaim finally started
spilling the details
704
00:38:21,233 --> 00:38:24,373
of that deadly night
three years earlier.
705
00:38:26,400 --> 00:38:29,530
One evening,
Barbara started complaining.
706
00:38:29,533 --> 00:38:33,673
So he went off to the store
to get her some beer.
707
00:38:33,667 --> 00:38:35,497
When he gets back
708
00:38:35,500 --> 00:38:38,500
and Barbara sees the type
of beer that he bought,
709
00:38:38,500 --> 00:38:40,070
she flies off the handle.
710
00:38:40,066 --> 00:38:43,626
"Why'd you come back
with such cheap beer?"
711
00:38:43,633 --> 00:38:46,003
Narrator:
Steve admitted
an argument exploded
712
00:38:46,000 --> 00:38:49,070
into a flurry of violence.
713
00:38:52,433 --> 00:38:56,033
Barbara hit him,
and that really upset him.
714
00:38:56,033 --> 00:38:59,633
He grabbed the knife sharpener
and hit Barbara in the head.
715
00:39:01,567 --> 00:39:03,567
( dog barking )
716
00:39:06,133 --> 00:39:08,303
And she fell on the dog,
717
00:39:08,300 --> 00:39:11,030
and the dog was crying.
718
00:39:11,033 --> 00:39:13,573
He was just
overcome with rage,
719
00:39:13,567 --> 00:39:17,027
and he grabbed
the pipe wrench
720
00:39:17,033 --> 00:39:20,103
and he started
hitting her in the head.
721
00:39:24,033 --> 00:39:25,573
( dog barking )
722
00:39:25,567 --> 00:39:28,697
And once that he saw
that she was dead,
723
00:39:28,700 --> 00:39:32,000
and the dog was still yapping,
724
00:39:32,000 --> 00:39:34,470
he said
that he hit the dog
725
00:39:34,467 --> 00:39:36,327
to take it out of its misery.
726
00:39:36,333 --> 00:39:38,473
( dog barking )
727
00:39:38,467 --> 00:39:40,597
( barking stops )
728
00:39:40,600 --> 00:39:44,730
Then he placed a plastic bag
over that dog's head
729
00:39:44,734 --> 00:39:49,734
and twisted a wire ligature
around its neck until it died.
730
00:39:57,600 --> 00:39:59,700
He wrapped both of them up
in a blanket
731
00:39:59,700 --> 00:40:04,200
and the only thing
he can think of was a hole
732
00:40:04,200 --> 00:40:06,570
being used as a septic tank.
733
00:40:06,567 --> 00:40:10,597
So, he dropped them
inside the septic tank.
734
00:40:15,767 --> 00:40:17,767
Gray:
It was so upsetting.
735
00:40:17,767 --> 00:40:21,467
You're disposing of somebody
in a most inhumane way,
736
00:40:21,467 --> 00:40:24,497
and then you kill
her pet dog,
737
00:40:24,500 --> 00:40:27,330
and you dump him
in the sewer, too.
738
00:40:27,333 --> 00:40:29,373
It's very cruel.
739
00:40:32,700 --> 00:40:35,730
Narrator:
Three years after burying
his darkest secret
740
00:40:35,734 --> 00:40:37,734
in the backyard
of his parents' home,
741
00:40:37,734 --> 00:40:40,734
Steve Swaim was arrested.
742
00:40:40,734 --> 00:40:42,734
He pled not guilty
743
00:40:42,734 --> 00:40:44,504
and eventually stood trial
744
00:40:44,500 --> 00:40:46,730
for the murder
of Barbara Weston.
745
00:40:49,233 --> 00:40:51,233
Wilson:
I just remember sitting
746
00:40:51,233 --> 00:40:54,503
outside those courtroom doors
every day thinking,
747
00:40:54,500 --> 00:40:57,530
"Who does that?
748
00:40:57,533 --> 00:40:59,533
Who takes somebody?
749
00:40:59,533 --> 00:41:02,673
Who kills their dog?"
750
00:41:02,667 --> 00:41:05,527
Martinez:
The jury came back
with second-degree murder,
751
00:41:05,533 --> 00:41:09,603
and Steve was sentenced
to 16 years to life.
752
00:41:12,500 --> 00:41:16,500
I never wanted him
to get out of prison.
753
00:41:16,500 --> 00:41:20,670
And the attorney
felt strongly
754
00:41:20,667 --> 00:41:23,127
that he never will.
755
00:41:23,133 --> 00:41:24,533
Wilson:
I was happy with anything
756
00:41:24,533 --> 00:41:26,003
that would take him
off the streets
757
00:41:26,000 --> 00:41:27,400
and keep him put away.
758
00:41:27,400 --> 00:41:30,270
I didn't want this to happen
to anybody else.
759
00:41:30,266 --> 00:41:32,666
Martinez:
It's unusual for people
to get buried in the backyard.
760
00:41:32,667 --> 00:41:35,667
But some way, somehow,
761
00:41:35,667 --> 00:41:37,627
that victim is going
to be discovered.
762
00:41:39,133 --> 00:41:42,173
To go from nothing,
763
00:41:42,166 --> 00:41:44,166
to making an arrest,
764
00:41:44,166 --> 00:41:47,296
and have a final conclusions
of a conviction,
765
00:41:47,300 --> 00:41:50,300
and sending off
the perpetrator to prison,
766
00:41:50,300 --> 00:41:53,370
that is satisfying.
767
00:41:59,533 --> 00:42:02,573
Narrator:
The senseless murder
and appalling burial
768
00:42:02,567 --> 00:42:04,427
of Barbara Weston
and her dog
769
00:42:04,433 --> 00:42:07,573
has forever changed the town
of Littlerock, California.
770
00:42:07,567 --> 00:42:10,397
And yet it keeps on.
771
00:42:10,400 --> 00:42:12,430
We've recovered
really well from it,
772
00:42:12,433 --> 00:42:16,133
and a lot of positive things
came out of it.
773
00:42:16,133 --> 00:42:19,433
Today a lot of people
communicate with each other.
774
00:42:19,433 --> 00:42:23,473
A lot of people look out
after each other.
775
00:42:23,467 --> 00:42:25,667
Narrator:
As for Barbara's daughters,
776
00:42:25,667 --> 00:42:28,697
they look after
their mom's memory.
777
00:42:28,700 --> 00:42:30,470
Rampey:
It was almost poetic
778
00:42:30,467 --> 00:42:33,467
that Willie was there
with her.
779
00:42:33,467 --> 00:42:39,327
And it was Willie that helped
people know who they were.
780
00:42:39,333 --> 00:42:42,333
Without Willie,
who knows
781
00:42:42,333 --> 00:42:46,073
if they would've been
able to identify her?
782
00:42:46,066 --> 00:42:49,426
Narrator:
They know her grace and beauty
would've continued to blossom
783
00:42:49,433 --> 00:42:52,203
with each passing year.
784
00:42:52,200 --> 00:42:53,700
Wilson:
I can say this
785
00:42:53,700 --> 00:42:55,730
with a very full heart,
that I know she loved us.
786
00:42:55,734 --> 00:42:59,204
We lived in some
strange circumstances
sometimes,
787
00:42:59,200 --> 00:43:00,730
and had some
strange things go on.
788
00:43:00,734 --> 00:43:03,234
But you know what?
We're all good people
789
00:43:03,233 --> 00:43:05,773
and successful people.
790
00:43:05,767 --> 00:43:10,097
And I think my mom
did a fabulous job
791
00:43:10,100 --> 00:43:13,500
with what she had.
792
00:43:13,500 --> 00:43:15,500
Rampey:
My mom is a perfect example
793
00:43:15,500 --> 00:43:18,500
that people can make
a lot of bad decisions,
794
00:43:18,500 --> 00:43:20,770
but people can change.
795
00:43:20,767 --> 00:43:24,627
And I would've loved
to have seen
796
00:43:24,633 --> 00:43:26,473
the grandmother
that she was gonna be.
59958
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