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[music playing]
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ANNOUNCER: This program is
about unsolved mysteries.
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Whenever possible, the
actual family members
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and police officials
have participated
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in recreating the events.
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What you are about to see
is not a news broadcast.
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[music playing]
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
In 1949, Annie Currie
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lost custody of her two young
boys in a bitter divorce case
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and vanished from their lives.
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Her son, Jim, has
never forgotten
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his mother, even
though he hasn't
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seen for more than 40 years.
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Recently, two inmates
escaped from an Oklahoma jail
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and embarked on a vicious murder
spree in which four people
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have lost their lives.
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These dangerous fugitives
must be captured
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before they kill again.
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Ensconced in her
sprawling mansion,
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Ellen McClung Berry was
a classic southern lady--
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imperious, well bred, and proud.
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In 1978, an elegant,
mysterious visitor
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charmed Mrs. Berry,
moved into her estate,
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became her most
trusted confidante,
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and robbed her blind.
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Join me for another edition
of "Unsolved Mysteries."
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[theme music]
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MICHAEL ST. CLAIR: Hey!
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Yeah, yeah.
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St. Clair, what do you want?
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
On September 19th, 1991,
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two-time convicted
killer, Michael St. Clair,
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orchestrated a daring
escape from Bryan County
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Jail in Durant, Oklahoma.
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What's the matter with you?
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Hey, hey.
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Shut up.
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I'll cut your heart
out, do you understand?
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ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): St. Clair
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released fellow inmate,
Dennis Reese, who was awaiting
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trial for robbery and murder.
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That night, Michael St.
Clair and Dennis Reese
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ignited a murderous
crime spree that
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stretched across eight states
and left at least four dead
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in its wake.
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Authorities urgently need
your help to capture Michael
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St. Clair and Dennis Reese.
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With each passing
day, the odds increase
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that another innocent
person will fall
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victim to their brutal rampage.
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Please watch carefully.
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You may help save
someone's life.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): Less
than three months ago, Michael
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St. Clair was convicted on two
counts of first degree murder
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and was sentenced to three
consecutive life prison terms.
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BOB RICKS: Michael St. Clair has
been involved with various drug
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trafficking organizations
in southern Oklahoma
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as well as in northern Texas.
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His uncle was moving in
on his drug operations,
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and he felt that his profits
were being threatened,
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so he contracted out to
have his uncle killed.
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After his uncle was killed, he
then assassinated the hitman.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Two days after the fugitives
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escaped, newspaper
reporter, Tom Mullins,
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received a chilling phone
call from Michael St. Clair.
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Just a minute, man.
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Let me get my tape
recorder hooked up.
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TOM MULLINS: For
almost 20 months now,
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I've been covering
Michael St. Clair.
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I've gotten to know
him fairly well,
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and I've always tried
to give his side
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of the story in all fairness.
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When he got out, I was
the obvious choice for him
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to get his message out, that
message being that he wouldn't
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be taken alive and that when
the time came, if any law
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enforcement came around,
his quote was, "Anyone
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wearing a badge, I'll kill."
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): Three
weeks later near Elizabethtown,
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Kentucky, a state trooper
pulled over a pickup
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truck, which was seen fleeing
from a burning vehicle.
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PAUL RENFRO: As the pickup
truck came to a halt,
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the man on the
passenger side, who
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we now believe was St. Clair,
instantly got out of the truck.
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The man fired at the
trooper's car two times.
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The trooper fortunately
was not injured at all.
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Within just a matter of
minutes, the maroon truck
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was actually found disabled and
abandoned along the interstate.
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Apparently, it had crossed the
interstate, and in doing so,
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had blown both front tires.
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ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): The truck
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belonged to 56-year-old
Frances Brady,
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a retired distillery
worker and father of three.
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Brady had disappeared 12
hours earlier after cashing
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a check at a convenience store.
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BOB RICKS: Brady's
body was found
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approximately 12 miles north
of Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
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He had been shot
execution style.
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He had been handcuffed and
had been shot in the head.
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What is remarkable about
this type of execution
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is that it's almost
identical to the way
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St. Clair's uncle,
Ronnie St. Clair,
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had been executed
a few years before.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
The other truck
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that St. Clair and
Reese had set fire
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to was registered to
a Denver, Colorado
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paramedic named Tim Keeling.
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Like Frances Brady, Keeling
also vanished after patronizing
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a convenience store.
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His body was found
in a roadside ditch
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outside of Clayton, New Mexico.
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Five days after firing
on the state trooper,
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Michael St. Clair and Dennis
Reese apparently struck
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again, this time in Tennessee.
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Two men matching
their description
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robbed a video store
in Milan, Tennessee.
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They brutally
executed the clerk,
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a 20-year-old mother of two.
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30 minutes later, the same
two men robbed another video
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store just eight miles away.
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Again, a young female clerk
was gunned down in cold blood.
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BOB RICKS: Individuals who would
kill for $100, $150, or $200
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are extremely
desperate individuals.
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It indicates that they do
not have any type of support
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apparatus going for them.
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So these are people who
are constantly moving.
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They're very concerned about
staying in one location
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for any period of time.
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They're very paranoid,
they're very dangerous,
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and will take any actions to
prevent their apprehension.
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These individuals
seem to be leaving
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no witnesses in their crimes
that they're committing.
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And so the public needs to
be very much aware of that,
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and if they see them,
absolutely do not
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approach them, because
they are extremely violent.
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[music playing]
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Next, a Gothic tale
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of murder, betrayal,
and greed set
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against the fading
background of the old South.
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[music playing]
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The state of Tennessee, like
much of the American South,
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is dotted with majestic
antebellum estates.
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A type of aristocracy
still thrives here,
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and Ellen McClung Berry is
typical of that upper crust
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group.
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By 1978, when she
was 85 years old,
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Mrs. Berry lived in
solitary splendor
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on a mountaintop outside
the city of Knoxville,
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which had been founded by
her great-great-grandfather.
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And isn't it a
gorgeous morning?
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Oh, yes.
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It's very beautiful.
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It is so bright.
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Are you ready for
your tea, Mrs. Berry?
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ARTHUR PETE BALLARD: I think
she would have been considered
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definitely one of the local
ground arms of the old school,
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and probably there
were not many.
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That means that you can live
on the mountain like she did
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and have everybody come
to you, like Mohammed.
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It's just that simple.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
One of the people
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who came to the
mountain back in 1978
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was Dan Tondevold, a
vaguely mysterious man,
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who claimed to be from Denmark.
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For more than 15 years, he had
corresponded with Mrs. Berry,
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but the true nature of their
relationship was unclear.
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How are you?
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It's so good to see you.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Sometimes Mrs. Berry
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said Tondevold was her
godson, sometimes that he was
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a friend of her late son, Hugh.
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And how is your health?
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ELLEN BERRY: Oh, my
health is great, Dan.
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Are you sure?
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I'm sure.
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A little drained emotionally,
but otherwise, I'm fine.
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You look wonderful, really.
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ARTHUR PETE BALLARD: I have
the strangest gut feeling
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that this kid was bad news.
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But he was making Ellen happy.
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She was happy that he was
there, and if he was, in fact,
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a friend of her late son,
Hugh, for lots of reasons,
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I was happy that she was
happy, and at least somebody
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was on the mountain with her
at night in case she fell
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or got sick and could get help.
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MARCIA ROBINSON: He was
taking the place of her son.
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He looked like her
son, apparently.
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And I know that
was the attraction.
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Mrs. Berry's
attraction to Dan is
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that he was playing that role.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Mrs. Berry's only child,
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Hugh, had left a dark
stain on the family tree.
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In 1951, at the age of 18,
Hugh Berry flew into a rage
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over his inheritance, turned
a shotgun on his grandmother,
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and killed her.
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A judge ruled
Hugh Berry mentally
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incompetent to stand trial.
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Rumor had it that
he was lobotomized
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and sent to live in Mexico.
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On New Year's Eve,
1963, Mr. and Mrs. Berry
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received word that Hugh
had died of pneumonia.
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Later, Mrs. Berry
hinted that he had,
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in fact, committed suicide.
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According to his friends,
Hugh's body was never
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returned to the United States.
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When her husband died
in February of 1978,
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Ellen Berry was left all alone.
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[inaudible]
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Almost too conveniently,
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the mysterious stranger from
Denmark stepped in to fill
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the void in Mrs. Berry's life.
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Then Tondevold moved
into her guesthouse
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and quickly took over
the day to day operation
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of her estate, Berrymount.
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Good morning, Dan.
I'm great.
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00:11:13,606 --> 00:11:14,842
How are you?
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Before long, he had made himself
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indispensable to Mrs. Berry.
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Not only was Tondevold
running Berrymount--
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00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:21,749
he was running her.
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00:11:21,849 --> 00:11:23,616
I have some checks for you
to sign, if you don't mind.
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00:11:23,717 --> 00:11:24,752
Sure.
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00:11:24,852 --> 00:11:28,221
And I'm so glad you're
taking care this for me.
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I didn't know his place
was in such disrepair.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Mrs. Berry signed anything
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Tondevold put in front of her.
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She also began to cater
to his predilection
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for expensive show horses.
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So we'll stand
here and watch you.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
By 1983, Dan Tondevold
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owned a stable of
seven Tennessee
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00:11:46,273 --> 00:11:49,076
walkers financed by Mrs. Berry.
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He named all the
horses Berrymount,
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00:11:51,211 --> 00:11:53,046
adding only the numbers
one through seven
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to individualize them.
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Mrs. Berry seemed delighted to
finance what was fast becoming
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a million dollar hobby.
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Miss Berry's words to me
was, "Mr. Tondevold's hobby did
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00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:09,997
not make a dent in my fortune.
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00:12:10,097 --> 00:12:12,900
That was a hobby I
wanted him to have."
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Yes, I would like to go
ahead and close the deal
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00:12:15,002 --> 00:12:16,904
on that stallion for $20,000.
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00:12:17,004 --> 00:12:18,738
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): It
was as if Dan Tondevold had
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00:12:18,839 --> 00:12:21,374
cast a spell over Mrs. Berry.
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In April of 1982, she granted
him power of attorney.
245
00:12:26,780 --> 00:12:29,149
ARTHUR PETE BALLARD: She was
a willing pigeon, so to speak.
246
00:12:29,249 --> 00:12:31,852
Other people, I think,
had tried to tell her
247
00:12:31,952 --> 00:12:38,125
that there was something wrong,
that he just didn't make sense.
248
00:12:38,225 --> 00:12:39,726
Possibly, it was a con artist.
249
00:12:39,827 --> 00:12:41,228
I don't know.
250
00:12:41,328 --> 00:12:43,897
And she ignored it.
251
00:12:43,997 --> 00:12:45,799
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
In 1984, Tondevold
252
00:12:45,899 --> 00:12:48,368
talked Mrs. Berry into
taking a winter vacation
253
00:12:48,468 --> 00:12:50,603
in Charleston, South Carolina.
254
00:12:50,703 --> 00:12:54,074
Before they left, he composed a
classified ad for a chauffeur,
255
00:12:54,174 --> 00:12:56,776
requesting men who are single,
and asking that applicants
256
00:12:56,877 --> 00:12:59,279
submit a photograph.
257
00:12:59,379 --> 00:13:02,582
Secretly, Tondevold placed the
ad in the Charleston papers.
258
00:13:06,586 --> 00:13:08,655
At the end of their four
months in Charleston,
259
00:13:08,755 --> 00:13:12,225
Mrs. Berry and Tondevold
made plans to return home.
260
00:13:12,325 --> 00:13:15,362
She and her hired companion
would fly to Tennessee.
261
00:13:15,462 --> 00:13:18,932
Tondevold would drive the
Mercedes back to Berrymount.
262
00:13:19,032 --> 00:13:21,501
Suzanne, I thought we
left lights on when we left.
263
00:13:21,601 --> 00:13:22,502
Mrs. Berry, we did.
264
00:13:22,602 --> 00:13:23,871
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): Mrs. Berry
265
00:13:23,971 --> 00:13:28,075
and her companion arrived at
Berrymount on March 31, 1985.
266
00:13:28,175 --> 00:13:30,978
There was no sign of the
Mercedes or of Dan Tondevold.
267
00:13:31,078 --> 00:13:33,546
Suzanne?
268
00:13:33,646 --> 00:13:34,547
COMPANION: Yes, Mrs. Berry.
269
00:13:34,647 --> 00:13:36,483
The phone's dead, dear.
270
00:13:36,583 --> 00:13:38,285
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
The telephone at Berrymount,
271
00:13:38,385 --> 00:13:41,922
as well as all the utilities,
had been inexplicably cut off.
272
00:13:44,724 --> 00:13:47,727
The bank is going to
foreclose on the house.
273
00:13:47,827 --> 00:13:49,462
Your checking accounts
and saving accounts
274
00:13:49,562 --> 00:13:50,898
are completely depleted.
275
00:13:50,998 --> 00:13:53,700
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): Mrs.
Berry was virtually bankrupt.
276
00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:56,469
Tondevold had even borrowed
money against Berrymount
277
00:13:56,569 --> 00:13:59,239
to the tune of $85,000.
278
00:13:59,339 --> 00:14:01,408
For the first time in
her life, Mrs. Berry
279
00:14:01,508 --> 00:14:03,276
had a mortgage to pay.
280
00:14:03,376 --> 00:14:07,547
For the first time in her
life, she had no way to pay it.
281
00:14:07,647 --> 00:14:08,581
DEAN SMITH: Her money was gone.
282
00:14:08,681 --> 00:14:11,384
Her checking on
account was empty.
283
00:14:11,484 --> 00:14:14,955
He just gutted her,
took away her wealth
284
00:14:15,055 --> 00:14:17,357
and her pride and everything.
285
00:14:20,627 --> 00:14:22,195
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Meanwhile, Dan Tondevold
286
00:14:22,295 --> 00:14:24,264
turned up 100 miles
south of Charleston
287
00:14:24,364 --> 00:14:28,936
at an exclusive resort on the
Fripp Island, South Carolina.
288
00:14:29,036 --> 00:14:32,039
Unaware that his secret was
out, Tondevold continued
289
00:14:32,139 --> 00:14:33,673
to live in high style.
290
00:14:33,773 --> 00:14:34,641
Mr. Tondevold.
291
00:14:34,741 --> 00:14:35,542
How do you do?
292
00:14:35,642 --> 00:14:36,676
Fine, sir, and you?
293
00:14:36,776 --> 00:14:37,810
Fine, thank you.
294
00:14:37,911 --> 00:14:39,246
I would like to speak
to you about possibly
295
00:14:39,346 --> 00:14:41,181
upgrading my accommodations
to something more suitable.
296
00:14:41,281 --> 00:14:43,016
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Tondevold had been running up
297
00:14:43,116 --> 00:14:45,585
massive bills on Mrs.
Berry's credit cards,
298
00:14:45,685 --> 00:14:47,587
but now the jig was up.
299
00:14:47,687 --> 00:14:49,422
All the cards were
over their limit.
300
00:14:49,522 --> 00:14:50,657
The bill is substantial.
301
00:14:50,757 --> 00:14:52,993
I'm going to have to request
some sort of payment.
302
00:14:53,093 --> 00:14:54,827
Well, let me go
back to my villa.
303
00:14:54,928 --> 00:14:56,663
I shall get you a check
and pay you immediately.
304
00:14:56,763 --> 00:14:57,630
I'll be right back.
305
00:14:57,730 --> 00:15:00,367
Yes, thank you, Mr. Tondevold.
306
00:15:00,467 --> 00:15:02,769
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Dan Tondevold never returned.
307
00:15:02,869 --> 00:15:05,338
The next day, a hastily
scrawled suicide
308
00:15:05,438 --> 00:15:07,307
note and a last
will and testament
309
00:15:07,407 --> 00:15:08,341
were found in his suite.
310
00:15:13,046 --> 00:15:16,449
Two weeks later, in a swampy
deserted area of Fripp Island,
311
00:15:16,549 --> 00:15:18,551
a man's body was found.
312
00:15:18,651 --> 00:15:20,954
He had apparently shot
himself in the left temple.
313
00:15:24,224 --> 00:15:26,059
An antique gun was
a few inches away.
314
00:15:26,159 --> 00:15:28,295
It belonged to Ellen Berry.
315
00:15:28,395 --> 00:15:32,265
A dog, also shot through
the head, lay nearby.
316
00:15:32,365 --> 00:15:34,534
The dead man carried
no identification,
317
00:15:34,634 --> 00:15:37,870
but he did carry Ellen
Berry's credit cards.
318
00:15:37,971 --> 00:15:39,539
What we need to
do is have this
319
00:15:39,639 --> 00:15:41,241
security guard [inaudible].
320
00:15:41,341 --> 00:15:43,643
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): The
body was partially decomposed.
321
00:15:43,743 --> 00:15:45,812
Nevertheless, the coroner
brought in a resort
322
00:15:45,912 --> 00:15:47,847
security guard to identify it.
323
00:15:47,947 --> 00:15:49,382
Now it's going to be
difficult, because he's
324
00:15:49,482 --> 00:15:51,818
been dead for awhile.
325
00:15:51,918 --> 00:15:55,422
CURT COPELAND: According to
what the security guard said,
326
00:15:55,522 --> 00:15:58,058
he is a person who came
to Fripp Island and said,
327
00:15:58,158 --> 00:15:59,326
I am Dan Tondevold.
328
00:15:59,426 --> 00:16:01,228
It looks like, from
the best I can tell,
329
00:16:01,328 --> 00:16:02,629
sir, that's Mr. Tondevold.
330
00:16:02,729 --> 00:16:04,631
CURT COPELAND: Possibly may be
considered more circumstantial
331
00:16:04,731 --> 00:16:08,068
than anything else, the
investigation revealed that he
332
00:16:08,168 --> 00:16:12,705
allegedly did not have
a social security card,
333
00:16:12,805 --> 00:16:16,443
nor a driver's license
and had supposedly
334
00:16:16,543 --> 00:16:20,880
never had either of these.
335
00:16:20,980 --> 00:16:22,149
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): The body
336
00:16:22,249 --> 00:16:24,751
was immediately cremated,
as Tondevold had requested
337
00:16:24,851 --> 00:16:26,486
in his handwritten will.
338
00:16:26,586 --> 00:16:28,988
His death was ruled
a suicide, but not
339
00:16:29,089 --> 00:16:34,794
everyone believed the man found
in the swamp was Dan Tondevold.
340
00:16:34,894 --> 00:16:36,729
DEAN SMITH: I'm
not sure he's dead.
341
00:16:36,829 --> 00:16:40,033
Nobody that knew
him identified him.
342
00:16:40,133 --> 00:16:41,601
The coroner found him.
343
00:16:41,701 --> 00:16:42,702
A police officer [inaudible].
344
00:16:42,802 --> 00:16:44,504
A security guard said,
yeah, that's him.
345
00:16:44,604 --> 00:16:46,206
And he hadn't seen
him but just driving
346
00:16:46,306 --> 00:16:49,242
by on a little security shack.
347
00:16:49,342 --> 00:16:51,644
Well, you can't negate
the possibility that he did,
348
00:16:51,744 --> 00:16:52,812
indeed, kill himself.
349
00:16:52,912 --> 00:16:54,914
That's possible.
350
00:16:55,014 --> 00:16:56,416
I just don't believe it.
351
00:16:56,516 --> 00:16:59,018
It doesn't make sense to me that
somebody who went through all
352
00:16:59,119 --> 00:17:01,754
that trouble to
get all that money
353
00:17:01,854 --> 00:17:04,324
and to be as nefarious
about the whole thing
354
00:17:04,424 --> 00:17:08,995
from beginning to end as he
was was out to kill himself.
355
00:17:09,096 --> 00:17:10,797
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): A
month after the cremation,
356
00:17:10,897 --> 00:17:14,134
Pete Ballard found a copy
of Tondevold's classified ad
357
00:17:14,234 --> 00:17:18,238
for a chauffeur in the
Berrymount guest cottage.
358
00:17:18,338 --> 00:17:20,940
Now I find it ridiculous
that he would need
359
00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:25,078
to put an ad in the
Charleston paper
360
00:17:25,178 --> 00:17:27,647
for a chauffeur for Berrymount.
361
00:17:27,747 --> 00:17:32,185
You can get them in the area,
I'm sure, just as easily.
362
00:17:32,285 --> 00:17:34,053
And I suddenly
realized that maybe
363
00:17:34,154 --> 00:17:35,455
he was looking for a lookalike.
364
00:17:38,158 --> 00:17:39,592
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Ballard is convinced
365
00:17:39,692 --> 00:17:41,828
that Tondevold remained
in South Carolina
366
00:17:41,928 --> 00:17:47,267
not to hire a chauffeur,
but to find a victim.
367
00:17:47,367 --> 00:17:49,836
ARTHUR PETE BALLARD:
The lookalike, I feel,
368
00:17:49,936 --> 00:17:53,106
would have been the person
he ultimately killed,
369
00:17:53,206 --> 00:17:55,842
and then he just sort of
scooted off to wherever
370
00:17:55,942 --> 00:17:59,078
he had planned to go.
371
00:17:59,179 --> 00:18:01,814
It was never reported that
he was ever seen in the company
372
00:18:01,914 --> 00:18:04,251
of anybody, male or female.
373
00:18:04,351 --> 00:18:08,087
So there is no reason
for me to believe that it
374
00:18:08,188 --> 00:18:10,990
was anybody but Dan Tondevold.
375
00:18:11,090 --> 00:18:13,893
I'm not going to say that
that is not a possibility,
376
00:18:13,993 --> 00:18:17,530
but I certainly do not
believe it to be one.
377
00:18:17,630 --> 00:18:18,898
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
The authorities
378
00:18:18,998 --> 00:18:21,368
remain convinced that Dan
Tondevold had committed
379
00:18:21,468 --> 00:18:24,304
suicide, yet a shadow
of doubt lingered,
380
00:18:24,404 --> 00:18:28,641
giving rise to a piece
of outrageous gossip.
381
00:18:28,741 --> 00:18:33,546
CURT COPELAND: The idea is
that Dan Tondevold is, in fact,
382
00:18:33,646 --> 00:18:36,449
Mr. And Mrs. Berry's
son, who was supposed
383
00:18:36,549 --> 00:18:38,385
to have died in Mexico--
384
00:18:38,485 --> 00:18:41,821
a very easy way
to bring somebody
385
00:18:41,921 --> 00:18:44,557
back under an
assumed name to get
386
00:18:44,657 --> 00:18:48,895
off the hook after having shot
and killed his grandmother.
387
00:18:52,165 --> 00:18:53,300
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): Adding fuel
388
00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:55,502
to the rumor that Tondevold
and Hugh Berry were
389
00:18:55,602 --> 00:18:58,638
the same person was a complete
lack of any official record
390
00:18:58,738 --> 00:19:00,740
of Dan Tondevold.
391
00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:04,377
But finally, Tondevold's resume
was found among his letters
392
00:19:04,477 --> 00:19:07,380
to Mrs. Berry, which
had been stored away.
393
00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:10,450
The resume listed his
hometown as Las Vegas, Nevada.
394
00:19:13,386 --> 00:19:14,787
An "Unsolved
Mysteries" researcher
395
00:19:14,887 --> 00:19:19,592
turned up this 1951 yearbook
from Las Vegas High School.
396
00:19:19,692 --> 00:19:22,128
Dan Tondevold was a
member of the senior class
397
00:19:22,229 --> 00:19:25,998
and, not surprisingly,
president of the Thespian Club.
398
00:19:26,098 --> 00:19:28,401
Many people in Knoxville
considered Tondevold's
399
00:19:28,501 --> 00:19:30,903
Danish accent an affectation.
400
00:19:31,003 --> 00:19:33,806
Perhaps, it was
simply bad acting.
401
00:19:33,906 --> 00:19:36,609
In any case, the rumor
that Dan Tondevold
402
00:19:36,709 --> 00:19:38,645
and Hugh Berry are
the same person
403
00:19:38,745 --> 00:19:42,449
has finally been put to rest.
404
00:19:42,549 --> 00:19:46,353
MARCIA ROBINSON: I think he
was her son's replacement.
405
00:19:46,453 --> 00:19:52,425
And here is this lovely,
little old lady left--
406
00:19:52,525 --> 00:19:53,793
left without any money.
407
00:19:53,893 --> 00:19:56,563
I mean she is poor--
408
00:19:56,663 --> 00:20:00,166
but also, left without any .
409
00:20:00,267 --> 00:20:03,870
Love I mean what does
she have at this point?
410
00:20:03,970 --> 00:20:06,573
Nothing.
411
00:20:06,673 --> 00:20:09,309
Today, Ellen McClung
Berry is 97 years old
412
00:20:09,409 --> 00:20:12,279
and has lost much of her
ability to communicate.
413
00:20:12,379 --> 00:20:13,846
She lives in an
apartment financed
414
00:20:13,946 --> 00:20:15,748
by the interest on
an endowment she made
415
00:20:15,848 --> 00:20:18,385
to the University of Tennessee.
416
00:20:18,485 --> 00:20:20,287
No one knows exactly
how much money
417
00:20:20,387 --> 00:20:22,689
Mrs. Berry lost
to Dan Tondevold,
418
00:20:22,789 --> 00:20:25,191
but estimates run
into the millions.
419
00:20:25,292 --> 00:20:26,726
Authorities believe
he transferred
420
00:20:26,826 --> 00:20:29,462
Mrs. Berry's funds
to European accounts,
421
00:20:29,562 --> 00:20:31,230
possibly in France or Denmark.
422
00:20:31,331 --> 00:20:35,134
[music playing]
423
00:20:49,449 --> 00:20:51,851
On a recent broadcast, we
featured the compelling story
424
00:20:51,951 --> 00:20:54,287
of John Nellis, a
man whose life has
425
00:20:54,387 --> 00:20:56,889
been torn apart by two wars.
426
00:20:56,989 --> 00:21:00,927
During one conflict, John lost
his father, an American GI.
427
00:21:01,027 --> 00:21:03,963
In the other, he lost his son.
428
00:21:04,063 --> 00:21:07,199
I still wish you
could come with me.
429
00:21:07,300 --> 00:21:09,035
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
When John was five years old,
430
00:21:09,135 --> 00:21:10,870
his father, Melvin
Nellis, was ordered
431
00:21:10,970 --> 00:21:14,774
back to the United States from
his duty in war-ravaged China.
432
00:21:14,874 --> 00:21:16,876
Because his parents
weren't legally married,
433
00:21:16,976 --> 00:21:19,078
John and his mother,
a Vietnamese national,
434
00:21:19,178 --> 00:21:21,548
were forced to stay behind.
435
00:21:21,648 --> 00:21:23,550
John never saw his father again.
436
00:21:27,053 --> 00:21:30,390
27 years later, John was
among the last group of people
437
00:21:30,490 --> 00:21:35,728
to flee South Vietnam after
the US withdrew its troops.
438
00:21:35,828 --> 00:21:38,398
Tragically, amid the
confusion and chaos,
439
00:21:38,498 --> 00:21:43,403
John's five-year-old son,
Daniel, was left behind.
440
00:21:43,503 --> 00:21:47,774
JOHN NELLIS: If my father and my
son are watching me right now,
441
00:21:47,874 --> 00:21:50,543
I would like to tell
them how much I miss
442
00:21:50,643 --> 00:21:57,016
them and I love them,
and I would like
443
00:21:57,116 --> 00:21:59,786
to reunite and see them again.
444
00:22:03,556 --> 00:22:05,324
Thanks to our
broadcast, John Nellis
445
00:22:05,425 --> 00:22:06,926
learned that his
father is now retired
446
00:22:07,026 --> 00:22:09,295
and living in Tokyo, Japan.
447
00:22:09,396 --> 00:22:11,197
Incredibly, just
three weeks later,
448
00:22:11,297 --> 00:22:14,066
John's search for his son,
Daniel, also came to an end
449
00:22:14,166 --> 00:22:18,304
when they were reunited
after more than 17 years.
450
00:22:18,405 --> 00:22:21,007
[sobbing]
451
00:22:21,107 --> 00:22:22,775
WOMAN: Oh, he's coming.
452
00:22:22,875 --> 00:22:24,310
Oh, this is him.
453
00:22:24,411 --> 00:22:25,211
JOHN NELLIS: That's him.
454
00:22:25,311 --> 00:22:26,679
That's him right there.
455
00:22:35,622 --> 00:22:38,024
For so many years, I miss him.
456
00:22:38,124 --> 00:22:41,728
I think of him all the time,
and I'm so happy to see him.
457
00:22:41,828 --> 00:22:43,463
This is a real dream come true.
458
00:22:47,233 --> 00:22:48,034
It's a miracle.
459
00:22:51,070 --> 00:22:53,740
When I saw my dad, I was
so excited and very happy.
460
00:22:56,943 --> 00:22:59,378
When I looked into his
eyes and saw his family,
461
00:22:59,479 --> 00:23:02,482
I found happiness.
462
00:23:02,582 --> 00:23:03,950
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Daniel's first day
463
00:23:04,050 --> 00:23:06,052
in America was overwhelming.
464
00:23:06,152 --> 00:23:08,254
Not only did he reunite
with his father,
465
00:23:08,354 --> 00:23:13,626
he also met his stepmother and
half sister for the first time.
466
00:23:13,726 --> 00:23:15,995
JOHN NELLIS: Now he's with me.
467
00:23:16,095 --> 00:23:19,999
I want to do my best to give
him a good chance in life
468
00:23:20,099 --> 00:23:25,838
and a better future for him, and
make up for what he has lost.
469
00:23:25,938 --> 00:23:26,739
WOMAN: Come on.
470
00:23:26,839 --> 00:23:27,740
Say cheese.
471
00:23:32,311 --> 00:23:36,215
[music playing]
472
00:23:49,261 --> 00:23:51,397
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
March, 1949, Vancouver,
473
00:23:51,498 --> 00:23:53,766
British Columbia, Canada--
474
00:23:53,866 --> 00:23:55,802
Annie Currie, an
English war bride,
475
00:23:55,902 --> 00:23:57,403
says goodbye to her
husband, Donald,
476
00:23:57,504 --> 00:23:58,538
and her two little boys.
477
00:24:05,211 --> 00:24:06,813
After only five
years of marriage,
478
00:24:06,913 --> 00:24:09,616
Annie and Donald had divorced.
479
00:24:09,716 --> 00:24:13,019
He has received custody
of both sons, Darryl,
480
00:24:13,119 --> 00:24:16,188
three years old, and Jim, five.
481
00:24:16,288 --> 00:24:18,825
They haven't seen their
mother for more than 40 years.
482
00:24:22,028 --> 00:24:23,730
JIM CURRIE: I was
never given the sense
483
00:24:23,830 --> 00:24:26,633
that I could say how much I
missed her, that I could ask
484
00:24:26,733 --> 00:24:29,101
questions about where's my mom.
485
00:24:29,201 --> 00:24:32,271
She's a big question mark, and
I would like to hear her voice.
486
00:24:32,371 --> 00:24:36,008
I would like to hear what she
has to say about her life.
487
00:24:36,108 --> 00:24:37,443
I'd like her to know me.
488
00:24:37,544 --> 00:24:38,745
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
In most ways,
489
00:24:38,845 --> 00:24:40,880
Jim Currie is no different
from anybody else
490
00:24:40,980 --> 00:24:43,082
searching for a lost parent.
491
00:24:43,182 --> 00:24:46,886
But there is one odd
twist in his story.
492
00:24:46,986 --> 00:24:48,721
Jim has spent most
of his life looking
493
00:24:48,821 --> 00:24:51,157
for other people's parents.
494
00:24:51,257 --> 00:24:53,025
Jim Currie is
senior investigator
495
00:24:53,125 --> 00:24:55,562
for a California public
defender's office,
496
00:24:55,662 --> 00:24:57,263
an advocate for
defendants who may
497
00:24:57,363 --> 00:24:58,497
be facing the death sentence.
498
00:25:02,602 --> 00:25:04,704
JIM CURRIE: I've had adopted
defendants before that had
499
00:25:04,804 --> 00:25:07,106
to find their
mothers, and I've been
500
00:25:07,206 --> 00:25:10,242
very successful in doing that.
501
00:25:10,342 --> 00:25:13,980
It just is very
ironic to me that I
502
00:25:14,080 --> 00:25:17,584
can find so much about
these people's history,
503
00:25:17,684 --> 00:25:19,251
and I can't complete my own.
504
00:25:19,351 --> 00:25:20,787
It's very frustrating.
505
00:25:26,492 --> 00:25:27,694
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Jim's parents
506
00:25:27,794 --> 00:25:32,699
met in 1943 during the
darkest days of World War II.
507
00:25:32,799 --> 00:25:37,236
Donald Currie was 23, a Canadian
sergeant serving in England.
508
00:25:37,336 --> 00:25:41,874
Annie Fry was a 19-year-old
country girl from Wales.
509
00:25:41,974 --> 00:25:44,711
The two fell in love and
were married that same year.
510
00:25:48,114 --> 00:25:50,783
JIM CURRIE: My mother
was described to me
511
00:25:50,883 --> 00:25:55,154
as being an outgoing, socially
oriented, kind of upbeat person
512
00:25:55,254 --> 00:25:56,255
with a lot of vitality.
513
00:25:56,355 --> 00:25:58,224
She was a young girl, really.
514
00:25:58,324 --> 00:26:00,526
[explosions]
515
00:26:00,627 --> 00:26:02,762
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
In 1944, London was still
516
00:26:02,862 --> 00:26:05,397
being bombed by the Nazis.
517
00:26:05,497 --> 00:26:08,200
Annie was pregnant when the
impact of one of the bombs
518
00:26:08,300 --> 00:26:09,836
knocked her to the ground.
519
00:26:09,936 --> 00:26:12,538
She miscarried.
520
00:26:12,639 --> 00:26:15,274
Annie became pregnant again,
and Donald sent her to live
521
00:26:15,374 --> 00:26:18,544
with his parents in Vancouver.
522
00:26:18,645 --> 00:26:23,515
On December 20th,
1944, Jim was born.
523
00:26:23,616 --> 00:26:26,418
Annie's delight was tempered
by the absence of Donald,
524
00:26:26,518 --> 00:26:27,820
still stationed in England.
525
00:26:30,456 --> 00:26:31,290
You getting tired?
526
00:26:34,093 --> 00:26:35,394
JIM CURRIE: She's in
a foreign country.
527
00:26:35,494 --> 00:26:39,098
She doesn't know anybody, except
for my dad's immediate family.
528
00:26:39,198 --> 00:26:41,868
She makes the best
adjustment she can,
529
00:26:41,968 --> 00:26:44,336
but it's a lonely kind
of existence for her
530
00:26:44,436 --> 00:26:46,505
and I think fraught
with a lot of fear
531
00:26:46,605 --> 00:26:49,141
that whether or not my dad
was going to make it home.
532
00:26:49,241 --> 00:26:52,178
[singing]
533
00:27:01,187 --> 00:27:03,055
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
In June of 1945,
534
00:27:03,155 --> 00:27:05,725
Annie's prayers were answered.
535
00:27:05,825 --> 00:27:08,160
The war in Europe
was finally over,
536
00:27:08,260 --> 00:27:11,197
and after more than a year
of separation from his wife,
537
00:27:11,297 --> 00:27:12,431
Donald Currie was home.
538
00:27:22,441 --> 00:27:23,309
DONALD: Annie.
539
00:27:23,409 --> 00:27:24,210
Donald!
540
00:27:32,184 --> 00:27:33,052
I missed you.
541
00:27:33,152 --> 00:27:35,021
Donald, that's Jimmy.
542
00:27:35,121 --> 00:27:36,522
That's your son.
543
00:27:36,622 --> 00:27:39,458
Jimmy, this is Daddy.
544
00:27:39,558 --> 00:27:41,527
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): Donald
was overjoyed to meet his son
545
00:27:41,627 --> 00:27:44,831
for the first time, but the
happiness of his homecoming
546
00:27:44,931 --> 00:27:47,133
was short-lived.
547
00:27:47,233 --> 00:27:50,602
The war had changed him forever.
548
00:27:50,703 --> 00:27:53,572
JIM CURRIE: It was a
very traumatic experience
549
00:27:53,672 --> 00:27:56,308
for my father.
550
00:27:56,408 --> 00:27:58,911
He thought war was wrong.
551
00:27:59,011 --> 00:28:03,415
He told me once that you'll
never know how much it can
552
00:28:03,515 --> 00:28:06,819
change you when you see
your closest friends blown
553
00:28:06,919 --> 00:28:08,921
into 1,000 pieces in
front of your eyes,
554
00:28:09,021 --> 00:28:11,390
and you can do nothing about it.
555
00:28:11,490 --> 00:28:13,926
I think he lost a lot of faith.
556
00:28:14,026 --> 00:28:19,665
He closed down emotionally
to protect himself.
557
00:28:19,766 --> 00:28:22,001
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): In
1945, a second son, Darryl,
558
00:28:22,101 --> 00:28:24,670
was born, and Donald
Currie found a position
559
00:28:24,771 --> 00:28:27,239
as a customs official.
560
00:28:27,339 --> 00:28:30,943
His job took him out of
the house every night.
561
00:28:31,043 --> 00:28:33,312
Annie was left alone
and began spending time
562
00:28:33,412 --> 00:28:35,714
with one of her neighbors,
a much older married man.
563
00:28:40,820 --> 00:28:44,423
Soon, the relationship turned
into a full fledged affair.
564
00:28:44,523 --> 00:28:46,592
A relative broke
the news to Donald,
565
00:28:46,692 --> 00:28:50,729
and he sued Annie for divorce
and for custody of the boys.
566
00:28:50,830 --> 00:28:53,766
I believe the petitioner,
Mr. Currie, implicitly.
567
00:28:53,866 --> 00:28:56,102
He's a clean,
wholesome individual
568
00:28:56,202 --> 00:28:58,604
with a fine war record.
569
00:28:58,704 --> 00:29:03,609
I hereby grant a decree in his
favor against Ann Ellen Currie
570
00:29:03,709 --> 00:29:05,011
and the custody of
his two children.
571
00:29:08,347 --> 00:29:10,950
JIM CURRIE: My understanding of
the judgment against my mother
572
00:29:11,050 --> 00:29:15,154
was that my dad was to have
sole custody of both children,
573
00:29:15,254 --> 00:29:17,890
and she was to have
no visitation rights.
574
00:29:17,990 --> 00:29:20,827
It would be up to my father
whether or not she would
575
00:29:20,927 --> 00:29:23,429
be allowed to see the children.
576
00:29:23,529 --> 00:29:26,165
JUDGE: Mr. Currie, you
must realize that there
577
00:29:26,265 --> 00:29:29,035
is more good than
evil in this girl,
578
00:29:29,135 --> 00:29:31,470
so do not burn your bridges.
579
00:29:31,570 --> 00:29:33,005
She has been a clear
and decent girl
580
00:29:33,105 --> 00:29:35,007
until she met the corespondent.
581
00:29:35,107 --> 00:29:36,275
JIM CURRIE: The
judge's decree doesn't
582
00:29:36,375 --> 00:29:38,410
indicate hostility toward her.
583
00:29:38,510 --> 00:29:41,413
It indicates that even there may
be something worth salvaging,
584
00:29:41,513 --> 00:29:43,782
that she was under the
blandishments of an older,
585
00:29:43,883 --> 00:29:45,818
more sophisticated man.
586
00:29:45,918 --> 00:29:47,887
In spite of all
the negatives I've
587
00:29:47,987 --> 00:29:50,957
heard on the surface of
being a very nasty divorce,
588
00:29:51,057 --> 00:29:54,660
there were still something that
came through for the judge.
589
00:29:54,760 --> 00:29:56,829
This was basically
a good person.
590
00:29:56,929 --> 00:29:58,130
You think you need
your long johns?
591
00:29:58,230 --> 00:29:59,031
Yeah?
592
00:29:59,131 --> 00:30:00,732
All right.
593
00:30:00,833 --> 00:30:02,134
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Donald Currie
594
00:30:02,234 --> 00:30:04,971
elected to send his younger son,
Darryl, to live with a couple
595
00:30:05,071 --> 00:30:05,872
he knew in Vancouver.
596
00:30:05,972 --> 00:30:08,074
Don't talk back
to your father.
597
00:30:08,174 --> 00:30:09,508
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Annie, powerless,
598
00:30:09,608 --> 00:30:12,478
tried to put on a brave face.
599
00:30:12,578 --> 00:30:13,612
Do you want your
favorite shirt?
600
00:30:13,712 --> 00:30:16,983
Yes, I think so.
601
00:30:17,083 --> 00:30:20,552
And Darryl, I want you to know,
just because I'm not there
602
00:30:20,652 --> 00:30:21,653
doesn't mean I don't love you.
603
00:30:29,128 --> 00:30:30,997
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): Just
after the divorce was final,
604
00:30:31,097 --> 00:30:35,101
Donald Currie broke
his family apart.
605
00:30:35,201 --> 00:30:37,336
Darryl would
eventually be adopted.
606
00:30:37,436 --> 00:30:39,906
Jim would see his
mother one final time.
607
00:30:47,947 --> 00:30:49,515
Several months
after the divorce,
608
00:30:49,615 --> 00:30:53,252
Donald Currie decided to
move to Los Angeles with Jim.
609
00:30:53,352 --> 00:30:55,421
Just before the
departure, Donald
610
00:30:55,521 --> 00:30:58,724
let Annie tell Jim goodbye.
611
00:30:58,824 --> 00:31:01,393
He needs his mother.
612
00:31:01,493 --> 00:31:03,095
DONALD: I don't think so.
613
00:31:03,195 --> 00:31:06,432
He needs his brother.
614
00:31:06,532 --> 00:31:08,167
He needs me.
615
00:31:08,267 --> 00:31:09,135
Look at him.
616
00:31:09,235 --> 00:31:10,636
I don't have to.
617
00:31:10,736 --> 00:31:12,438
I know what he feels.
618
00:31:12,538 --> 00:31:14,106
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Despite Annie's pleas,
619
00:31:14,206 --> 00:31:15,441
Donald remained unmoved.
620
00:31:18,777 --> 00:31:21,813
JIM CURRIE: There was a
sense in me at the time
621
00:31:21,914 --> 00:31:25,751
that it was the last
time I would see her.
622
00:31:25,851 --> 00:31:28,854
I don't remember any hugging.
623
00:31:28,955 --> 00:31:34,726
I don't remember any arguing,
but I do remember it being sad.
624
00:31:34,826 --> 00:31:41,300
I remember my feeling
sad and confused
625
00:31:41,400 --> 00:31:46,105
and sort of like just not very
powerful in that situation.
626
00:31:46,205 --> 00:31:48,274
Whatever was happening
was out of my control.
627
00:31:52,611 --> 00:31:53,879
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
In Los Angeles,
628
00:31:53,980 --> 00:31:56,582
Donald Currie married twice.
629
00:31:56,682 --> 00:31:58,951
Both stepmothers
were kind to Jim.
630
00:31:59,051 --> 00:32:02,154
Still, he yearned for the
mother he barely remembered.
631
00:32:06,158 --> 00:32:07,326
JIM CURRIE: My dad
was always very
632
00:32:07,426 --> 00:32:09,828
reticent to talk about his
early life and my mother
633
00:32:09,928 --> 00:32:11,097
in particular.
634
00:32:11,197 --> 00:32:13,132
Anything that would
lead my dad to believe
635
00:32:13,232 --> 00:32:16,668
that I wanted to find her
was very upsetting to him.
636
00:32:19,671 --> 00:32:22,641
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Donald Currie died in 1989.
637
00:32:22,741 --> 00:32:25,511
After his father's death,
Jim Currie began to search
638
00:32:25,611 --> 00:32:28,947
for his mother in earnest.
639
00:32:29,048 --> 00:32:31,217
Although Jim has
unearthed no new clues
640
00:32:31,317 --> 00:32:35,287
to Annie Currie's whereabouts,
he has found his brother.
641
00:32:35,387 --> 00:32:38,324
Darryl is married and
still living in Vancouver.
642
00:32:38,424 --> 00:32:41,527
He and Jim have been
reunited, but Darryl's loyalty
643
00:32:41,627 --> 00:32:43,895
is to his adoptive
mother and father.
644
00:32:43,996 --> 00:32:46,265
He has no memory
of Annie or Donald.
645
00:32:51,103 --> 00:32:54,673
Despite Darryl's reaction, Jim
is more committed than ever
646
00:32:54,773 --> 00:32:55,774
to finding his mother.
647
00:32:58,477 --> 00:32:59,778
JIM CURRIE: There's
the unconditional love
648
00:32:59,878 --> 00:33:02,348
that a mother has for her
son, and I feel that that
649
00:33:02,448 --> 00:33:05,384
was pulled away from me.
650
00:33:05,484 --> 00:33:09,055
I don't think I'd have to
say a word to her for hours
651
00:33:09,155 --> 00:33:10,122
if I met her.
652
00:33:10,222 --> 00:33:11,323
I don't think I'd
have to say anything.
653
00:33:14,893 --> 00:33:17,996
Annie Ellen Currie
married again in 1951,
654
00:33:18,097 --> 00:33:20,732
but that marriage,
too, ended in divorce.
655
00:33:20,832 --> 00:33:23,135
She may be using the last
name from her second marriage,
656
00:33:23,235 --> 00:33:26,338
McDonald, or her
maiden name, Fry.
657
00:33:26,438 --> 00:33:27,939
Jim believes she could
be living in the United
658
00:33:28,040 --> 00:33:30,876
States, Canada, or England.
659
00:33:30,976 --> 00:33:34,280
[music playing]
660
00:33:46,125 --> 00:33:50,296
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): The
1930s, the Great Depression--
661
00:33:50,396 --> 00:33:52,698
breadlines, hobos,
and shantytowns
662
00:33:52,798 --> 00:33:56,402
were an all too visible part
of the American landscape.
663
00:33:56,502 --> 00:34:00,172
Millions lost their jobs,
their homes, their savings,
664
00:34:00,272 --> 00:34:03,742
and finally, their pride.
665
00:34:03,842 --> 00:34:06,945
Many times, a destitute
relied upon strangers to help
666
00:34:07,045 --> 00:34:08,314
them in their time of need.
667
00:34:11,283 --> 00:34:13,419
One such stranger was
an ordinary farmer
668
00:34:13,519 --> 00:34:15,754
named Charlie Best.
669
00:34:15,854 --> 00:34:18,757
Charlie lived with his wife,
Alva, and three children, Zella
670
00:34:18,857 --> 00:34:20,859
Mae, Carl, and
Verlan in the rolling
671
00:34:20,959 --> 00:34:24,963
hills of eastern Tennessee.
672
00:34:25,063 --> 00:34:26,798
They managed to stave
off the hardships
673
00:34:26,898 --> 00:34:29,568
of the Depression like growing
watermelons and tobacco.
674
00:34:34,039 --> 00:34:37,709
As darkness fell on a warm
spring evening in 1939,
675
00:34:37,809 --> 00:34:39,878
an unknown traveler
and two young girls
676
00:34:39,978 --> 00:34:42,348
sought refuge at
Charlie's farmhouse.
677
00:34:44,850 --> 00:34:45,651
Evening.
678
00:34:45,751 --> 00:34:48,053
Evening.
679
00:34:48,154 --> 00:34:49,555
Name's Tom Underwood.
680
00:34:49,655 --> 00:34:50,456
Charlie Best.
681
00:34:50,556 --> 00:34:51,823
[inaudible]
682
00:34:51,923 --> 00:34:53,359
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Charlie's daughters,
683
00:34:53,459 --> 00:34:56,895
Zella Mae, then a teenager,
remembers that evening vividly.
684
00:34:56,995 --> 00:34:58,130
TOM UNDERWOOD:
Actually, I was trying
685
00:34:58,230 --> 00:35:00,499
to find a place where
girls could pass a night
686
00:35:00,599 --> 00:35:02,468
under a roof for a change.
687
00:35:02,568 --> 00:35:04,002
ZELLA MAE O'DELL: He
just come up to the porch
688
00:35:04,102 --> 00:35:08,307
and asked Daddy if
he would give the two
689
00:35:08,407 --> 00:35:10,909
little girls a bed
to sleep in and said
690
00:35:11,009 --> 00:35:13,545
he would sleep in the barn.
691
00:35:13,645 --> 00:35:15,181
And Daddy told
him, no, that they
692
00:35:15,281 --> 00:35:18,917
could stay in-- he could stay
in, you know, the house too.
693
00:35:19,017 --> 00:35:20,486
Where's home?
694
00:35:20,586 --> 00:35:22,120
Well, to be honest with
you, we don't have one.
695
00:35:22,221 --> 00:35:23,755
We've been on the
move for so long,
696
00:35:23,855 --> 00:35:25,524
but we come down from Knoxville.
697
00:35:25,624 --> 00:35:27,159
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Tom Underwood was a man
698
00:35:27,259 --> 00:35:30,762
who had fallen upon hard times.
699
00:35:30,862 --> 00:35:33,399
His daughters, Madeline,
nine, and Ada, seven,
700
00:35:33,499 --> 00:35:35,201
had traveled the
back roads with him
701
00:35:35,301 --> 00:35:38,504
for months as he searched
in vain for work.
702
00:35:38,604 --> 00:35:40,306
Their mother had
died years before.
703
00:35:43,575 --> 00:35:44,943
You warm enough?
704
00:35:45,043 --> 00:35:47,846
Yes, Zella Mae.
705
00:35:47,946 --> 00:35:49,281
ZELLA MAE O'DELL:
They spent the night.
706
00:35:49,381 --> 00:35:51,950
I cooked breakfast for them.
707
00:35:52,050 --> 00:35:57,155
And well, up in the morning, I'd
probably say around 8 o'clock.
708
00:35:57,256 --> 00:36:00,626
He [inaudible] with
the little girls again.
709
00:36:00,726 --> 00:36:01,527
All right.
710
00:36:01,627 --> 00:36:02,961
Where you folks heading?
711
00:36:03,061 --> 00:36:05,130
Well, I got kinfolk
just north of here.
712
00:36:05,231 --> 00:36:06,732
I think we'll head in
that direction for awhile.
713
00:36:06,832 --> 00:36:08,267
All right.
You take care.
714
00:36:08,367 --> 00:36:09,668
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Tom told Charlie
715
00:36:09,768 --> 00:36:11,770
that he was taking the two
girls to live with friends
716
00:36:11,870 --> 00:36:13,705
in another part of
Tennessee, while he
717
00:36:13,805 --> 00:36:17,576
continued his search for a job.
718
00:36:17,676 --> 00:36:20,145
I wish they could
have stayed with us.
719
00:36:20,246 --> 00:36:22,448
They'll be all right.
720
00:36:22,548 --> 00:36:24,115
ZELLA MAE O'DELL: The day
after they left, I said,
721
00:36:24,216 --> 00:36:27,919
Daddy, why didn't we just
keep those little girls?
722
00:36:28,019 --> 00:36:30,289
I just didn't figure I
would ever see them anymore.
723
00:36:34,260 --> 00:36:35,727
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
But a few days later,
724
00:36:35,827 --> 00:36:39,298
Tom and the girls passed
through the area again.
725
00:36:39,398 --> 00:36:43,502
By pure coincidence, Zella
Mae Best happened upon them.
726
00:36:43,602 --> 00:36:44,536
ZELLA MAE O'DELL: Hey.
727
00:36:44,636 --> 00:36:47,306
That man was at my
house the other day.
728
00:36:47,406 --> 00:36:48,374
Hold on a second.
729
00:36:48,474 --> 00:36:49,275
I'll be back.
730
00:36:51,977 --> 00:36:55,213
Hey, Mr. Underwood,
where you going?
731
00:36:55,314 --> 00:36:57,148
Well, my kinfolk couldn't
take care of the girls,
732
00:36:57,249 --> 00:36:58,917
so we're going to Knoxville.
733
00:36:59,017 --> 00:37:01,820
Well, I talked to my pa
last night, and he said that
734
00:37:01,920 --> 00:37:03,088
y'all could come stay with us.
735
00:37:03,188 --> 00:37:04,155
Oh, can we, Daddy?
736
00:37:04,256 --> 00:37:05,257
Please?
737
00:37:05,357 --> 00:37:06,224
I don't know, Zella Mae.
738
00:37:06,325 --> 00:37:07,993
I don't think
that's a good idea.
739
00:37:08,093 --> 00:37:09,428
Why don't you please
come talk to him?
740
00:37:09,528 --> 00:37:10,329
Please?
741
00:37:14,633 --> 00:37:16,034
All right, let's try.
742
00:37:16,134 --> 00:37:17,403
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Tom would later
743
00:37:17,503 --> 00:37:19,705
agree to leave the
girls in Charlie's care
744
00:37:19,805 --> 00:37:23,309
until he could get
back on his feet again.
745
00:37:23,409 --> 00:37:26,312
ZELLA MAE O'DELL: Times were
hard, and it was hard for us
746
00:37:26,412 --> 00:37:27,579
to survive.
747
00:37:27,679 --> 00:37:30,816
But he was willing to take
them and give them a home
748
00:37:30,916 --> 00:37:32,551
and give them what
we had to eat.
749
00:37:32,651 --> 00:37:33,885
It might not have
been everything,
750
00:37:33,985 --> 00:37:36,622
but we never did go hungry.
751
00:37:36,722 --> 00:37:38,023
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Madeline and Ada
752
00:37:38,123 --> 00:37:41,393
were immediately accepted
as part of the family.
753
00:37:41,493 --> 00:37:45,263
Charlie treated them as if
they were his own children.
754
00:37:45,364 --> 00:37:48,166
The two girls shared in
everything with Zella Mae,
755
00:37:48,266 --> 00:37:51,603
Verlan, and Carl.
756
00:37:51,703 --> 00:37:52,871
CARL BEST: We went
to school together.
757
00:37:52,971 --> 00:37:54,606
We went to church together.
758
00:37:54,706 --> 00:37:55,507
We worked in the field.
759
00:37:55,607 --> 00:37:57,709
They went to field with us.
760
00:37:57,809 --> 00:37:59,578
And we had mules,
and we had cows
761
00:37:59,678 --> 00:38:02,748
and we'd have shucked corn
to feed them twice a day,
762
00:38:02,848 --> 00:38:06,217
pull the husk, the shuck off,
and put in a little trough
763
00:38:06,318 --> 00:38:08,086
to feed them.
764
00:38:08,186 --> 00:38:09,621
They worked hard as
me and Verlan did.
765
00:38:09,721 --> 00:38:11,523
You know, they'd shuck
corn just like we did.
766
00:38:15,026 --> 00:38:17,629
[inaudible] name, Amen.
767
00:38:17,729 --> 00:38:19,197
Pass the corn, please.
768
00:38:19,297 --> 00:38:21,099
ZELLA MAE O'DELL: They just
didn't seem like no stranger.
769
00:38:21,199 --> 00:38:24,069
It's like I'd always knew them.
770
00:38:24,169 --> 00:38:27,539
I always wanted a sister, and
I knew I think would have one.
771
00:38:27,639 --> 00:38:33,011
So that-- they took
the place of a sister.
772
00:38:33,111 --> 00:38:34,446
- Hey, Mama.
- Hey, sugar.
773
00:38:34,546 --> 00:38:35,581
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): Madeline
774
00:38:35,681 --> 00:38:37,315
became especially close
to her surrogate mother,
775
00:38:37,416 --> 00:38:39,551
Charlie's wife, Alva.
776
00:38:39,651 --> 00:38:42,253
Alva suffered from a rare
nerve disorder, which left
777
00:38:42,354 --> 00:38:43,555
her unable to care for herself.
778
00:38:51,497 --> 00:38:54,332
ZELLA MAE O'DELL: I think Daddy
was as happy as the girls was,
779
00:38:54,433 --> 00:38:58,003
and I think the girls
was happy as Daddy was.
780
00:38:58,103 --> 00:38:59,905
They were skip
and hop, you know,
781
00:39:00,005 --> 00:39:01,339
and he'd hold their hands.
782
00:39:01,440 --> 00:39:04,876
And they were just happy.
783
00:39:04,976 --> 00:39:06,277
CARL BEST: You know,
there was never
784
00:39:06,378 --> 00:39:10,382
nothing said about them being a
stranger or anything like that.
785
00:39:10,482 --> 00:39:12,818
They was just sort
of like one of us,
786
00:39:12,918 --> 00:39:14,953
and we really enjoyed, you
know, them being with us.
787
00:39:17,022 --> 00:39:18,223
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): Zella Mae
788
00:39:18,323 --> 00:39:20,926
remembers that Tom Underwood
visited his girls at least
789
00:39:21,026 --> 00:39:22,360
twice.
790
00:39:22,461 --> 00:39:24,996
Then after Madeline and
Ada had been with the Bests
791
00:39:25,096 --> 00:39:28,967
for 26 months, Tom
returned to the farmhouse
792
00:39:29,067 --> 00:39:31,937
for the final time.
793
00:39:32,037 --> 00:39:32,904
Yeah?
794
00:39:33,004 --> 00:39:34,372
Mr. Underwood.
795
00:39:34,473 --> 00:39:35,941
Zella Mae, I come
for the children.
796
00:39:36,041 --> 00:39:37,743
None of their
things are ready.
797
00:39:37,843 --> 00:39:38,644
I just did their wash.
798
00:39:38,744 --> 00:39:39,611
It's out on the lawn.
799
00:39:39,711 --> 00:39:41,547
Could you wait
until Dad gets home?
800
00:39:41,647 --> 00:39:42,848
I really can't, Zella Mae.
801
00:39:42,948 --> 00:39:44,683
It's coming on nightfall,
and I need to be on the road
802
00:39:44,783 --> 00:39:45,817
before dark.
803
00:39:45,917 --> 00:39:47,152
If you'll just pack some
things for me, and let
804
00:39:47,252 --> 00:39:49,220
me see the girls.
805
00:39:49,320 --> 00:39:51,857
ZELLA MAE O'DELL: He'd said
that his health was bad
806
00:39:51,957 --> 00:39:56,928
and that he had married,
and he wanted the children--
807
00:39:57,028 --> 00:39:58,329
to be with the children.
808
00:39:58,430 --> 00:40:00,666
Zella Mae, I don't want to go.
809
00:40:00,766 --> 00:40:03,001
Sorry, but you have to.
810
00:40:03,101 --> 00:40:03,935
Why?
811
00:40:04,035 --> 00:40:05,671
You girls got everything?
812
00:40:05,771 --> 00:40:06,672
Yes, Dad.
813
00:40:06,772 --> 00:40:09,140
OK.
814
00:40:09,240 --> 00:40:11,677
Will Charlie come
to say goodbye?
815
00:40:11,777 --> 00:40:13,078
Charlie's out
working in the field.
816
00:40:13,178 --> 00:40:14,746
[inaudible], get your sweater.
817
00:40:14,846 --> 00:40:17,483
Let's go.
818
00:40:17,583 --> 00:40:19,751
Ada, come on.
819
00:40:19,851 --> 00:40:21,687
ZELLA MAE O'DELL: I think that
the reason he wouldn't wait
820
00:40:21,787 --> 00:40:24,389
until Daddy come in, he was
afraid that Daddy would buck
821
00:40:24,490 --> 00:40:25,891
on him, that Daddy
might say, hey,
822
00:40:25,991 --> 00:40:27,225
you're not going to
take the children
823
00:40:27,325 --> 00:40:29,094
until you pay me some money.
824
00:40:29,194 --> 00:40:30,662
Now that's just what I thought.
825
00:40:30,762 --> 00:40:31,997
Whether that's
true, I don't know.
826
00:40:32,097 --> 00:40:34,633
That's the way I felt.
827
00:40:34,733 --> 00:40:35,834
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Best--
828
00:40:35,934 --> 00:40:37,102
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): Three months
829
00:40:37,202 --> 00:40:39,370
later, Charlie received
a curious letter
830
00:40:39,471 --> 00:40:42,040
from Madeline and Ada.
831
00:40:42,140 --> 00:40:46,478
Their father had placed them
in an orphanage in Nashville.
832
00:40:46,578 --> 00:40:48,947
Charlie immediately
contacted the orphanage
833
00:40:49,047 --> 00:40:53,919
and asked if he could adopt
the girls, but by the time
834
00:40:54,019 --> 00:40:56,855
the letter arrived, Tom
Underwood had once again
835
00:40:56,955 --> 00:40:59,157
retrieved his children.
836
00:40:59,257 --> 00:41:01,092
It was the last
time the Best family
837
00:41:01,192 --> 00:41:02,894
heard from Madeline and Ada.
838
00:41:07,899 --> 00:41:11,236
Today, more than 50 years
later, Charlie and Zella Mae
839
00:41:11,336 --> 00:41:15,741
still live within 10 miles
of the old farmhouse.
840
00:41:15,841 --> 00:41:18,544
Zella Mae is 66.
841
00:41:18,644 --> 00:41:22,447
Charlie is 91 years old.
842
00:41:22,548 --> 00:41:26,051
ZELLA MAE O'DELL:
How are you, Daddy?
843
00:41:26,151 --> 00:41:27,986
I said, how are you?
844
00:41:28,086 --> 00:41:28,887
Answer me.
845
00:41:28,987 --> 00:41:30,055
Tell me you're all right.
846
00:41:30,155 --> 00:41:31,557
How are you?
847
00:41:31,657 --> 00:41:32,891
Well, if Daddy
could see her again,
848
00:41:32,991 --> 00:41:34,860
it would make
him-- make him cry.
849
00:41:34,960 --> 00:41:36,662
And of course, I know he'd
tell her that he loved her.
850
00:41:36,762 --> 00:41:38,096
He calls them the little girls.
851
00:41:38,196 --> 00:41:39,565
Now he don't call
them-- he don't
852
00:41:39,665 --> 00:41:41,667
look at them as being women.
853
00:41:41,767 --> 00:41:43,301
He calls them the little girls.
854
00:41:43,401 --> 00:41:45,604
Just the other day, he said,
have you heard any more
855
00:41:45,704 --> 00:41:48,139
about the little girls?
856
00:41:48,239 --> 00:41:49,808
And I said, no, Daddy,
but they're coming.
857
00:41:49,908 --> 00:41:50,742
They're coming.
858
00:41:55,046 --> 00:41:57,415
The night this story
aired, Ada Underwood,
859
00:41:57,515 --> 00:42:00,285
now 59 years old, was
watching our broadcast
860
00:42:00,385 --> 00:42:02,287
at her home in Indiana.
861
00:42:02,387 --> 00:42:04,255
Ada was shocked to see
herself and her older
862
00:42:04,355 --> 00:42:06,524
sister, Madeline, profiled.
863
00:42:06,625 --> 00:42:09,728
Sadly, Madeline passed
away several years ago.
864
00:42:09,828 --> 00:42:12,898
But for Ada, Charlie and
Zella Mae's story stirred
865
00:42:12,998 --> 00:42:14,232
distant childhood memories.
866
00:42:17,569 --> 00:42:20,538
10 days after our
broadcast, Ada Underwood
867
00:42:20,639 --> 00:42:22,307
traveled to
Madisonville, Tennessee
868
00:42:22,407 --> 00:42:25,343
for a very special
reunion with Charlie Best
869
00:42:25,443 --> 00:42:28,279
and his two children,
Zella Mae and Carl.
870
00:42:31,182 --> 00:42:32,718
ZELLA MAE O'DELL: Well,
I was anxious to see her.
871
00:42:32,818 --> 00:42:36,722
It was exciting to
know she was coming.
872
00:42:36,822 --> 00:42:38,790
Well, you still
look like yourself.
873
00:42:38,890 --> 00:42:40,091
I look a lot older.
874
00:42:40,191 --> 00:42:41,927
Glad you got to come.
875
00:42:42,027 --> 00:42:42,994
It is.
876
00:42:43,094 --> 00:42:45,764
It's a day I have
been waiting for for,
877
00:42:45,864 --> 00:42:48,566
oh, really for 51 years.
878
00:42:51,402 --> 00:42:52,804
How's your father?
879
00:42:52,904 --> 00:42:55,974
Well, [inaudible].
880
00:42:56,074 --> 00:42:57,408
ADA UNDERWOOD: I
was very excited
881
00:42:57,508 --> 00:42:59,577
when I heard that they
were looking for me,
882
00:42:59,678 --> 00:43:01,613
because somebody
cared enough about me
883
00:43:01,713 --> 00:43:03,314
to hunt for me that long.
884
00:43:07,118 --> 00:43:08,854
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Although only eight years ago
885
00:43:08,954 --> 00:43:11,189
when she last saw
Charlie, Ada never
886
00:43:11,289 --> 00:43:13,992
forgot the warmth and
kindness he and his family
887
00:43:14,092 --> 00:43:15,226
brought into her life.
888
00:43:18,797 --> 00:43:20,065
Well, this here is Ada, Daddy.
889
00:43:20,165 --> 00:43:22,200
Do you remember?
890
00:43:22,300 --> 00:43:24,903
ADA UNDERWOOD: Charlie had to
be very good to my sister and I
891
00:43:25,003 --> 00:43:27,572
for him to take us in
and take care of us
892
00:43:27,673 --> 00:43:29,775
when we had nobody else
to take care of us.
893
00:43:29,875 --> 00:43:35,446
And so I think he was-- had
to be a really great man.
894
00:43:35,546 --> 00:43:36,347
You're pretty.
895
00:43:36,447 --> 00:43:37,248
Thank you.
896
00:43:40,752 --> 00:43:42,654
ZELLA MAE O'DELL: It just
meant a lot to Daddy,
897
00:43:42,754 --> 00:43:48,359
and I feel that in his own
mind, the dream has come true.
898
00:44:00,605 --> 00:44:03,208
Sadly, eight weeks after
we filmed this update,
899
00:44:03,308 --> 00:44:05,643
Charlie Best passed away.
900
00:44:05,744 --> 00:44:08,046
According to his family,
the reunion with Ada
901
00:44:08,146 --> 00:44:10,648
brought Charlie great
comfort in his final days.
902
00:44:13,451 --> 00:44:17,756
[music playing]
903
00:44:20,325 --> 00:44:22,694
Join me next time for
an all new edition
904
00:44:22,794 --> 00:44:24,395
of "Unsolved Mysteries."
905
00:44:24,495 --> 00:44:28,333
[music playing]
70684
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