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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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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
In the 1920s,
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Edgar Cayce gained
widespread notoriety
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for his apparent ability to
make complex medical diagnoses
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while in a self-induced trance.
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Even now, 45 years
after Cayce's death,
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thousands claimed to
have benefited and been
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cured by his knowledge.
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Some say it is merely
a combination of luck
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and the power of suggestion.
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28-year-old Crystal Spencer was
a small-town girl determined
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to make it big in the movies.
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But for Crystal,
the road to stardom
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led through Hollywood's
seamy underside and, sadly,
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a confusing and
mysterious death.
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According to her family and
friends, Crystal was murdered.
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Easter Sunday, 1990, just
outside Coldwater, Michigan.
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Ray and Marie Thornton were
enjoying their weekly drive
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through the country.
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Quite by accident, this
quiet Sunday outing
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would place the Thorntons at the
center of an unsolved mystery.
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These intriguing
stories all need
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one final clue, one final
piece of information
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before they can be solved.
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Perhaps someone watching
tonight can help.
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Perhaps it's you.
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[theme music]
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Kathy, you have a condition
called optic neuritis.
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This is a condition
where the optic nerve--
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): In
1986, 27-year-old Cathy Comora
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visited her ophthalmologist.
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OK.
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You can sit back now, Cathy.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Cathy thought
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she had a minor problem,
but the doctor's
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verdict was horrifying.
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Cathy might be going blind.
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It may return.
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It may not return.
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CATHY COMORA: It was a very
frightening experience.
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He said I wouldn't run out
right away and buy a white cane,
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but it's very serious.
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And I was scared.
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I mean, I suddenly realized
that there was a possibility
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that I could go blind.
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I hadn't taken it
seriously all along.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Cathy's trouble
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had begun one week earlier.
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CATHY COMORA: I
woke up one morning
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and I just saw that
there was a little area
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in my field of vision that
I couldn't see out of.
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And I just thought there
was a speck on my eye.
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I tried to rub it away
and nothing happened.
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It didn't leave.
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I didn't really think
too much about it.
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I just thought it was
unusual and I just let it go.
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And throughout the day,
it didn't disappear.
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And the next day it was
a little larger area.
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By the end of the
week, when I couldn't
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see at all out of
the eye, I decided
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this probably isn't
normal and I probably
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should do something about it.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Cathy consulted
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two other ophthalmologists.
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The diagnosis was
unanimous, optic neuritis.
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Possible consequence, blindness.
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There is no known cure.
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Her doctor recommended steroids.
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Cathy was strongly opposed
to the use of steroids
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and was determined to
find an alternative.
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She consulted a doctor
who was well-versed
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in the mysterious methods
of a man named Edgar Cayce.
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Edgar Cayce became famous in
the 1920s as a diagnostician,
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even though he had absolutely
no medical training.
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In his lifetime, Cayce made
more than 9,000 diagnoses,
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which he called readings, while
in a deep, self-induced trance.
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In 1937, Cayce did a reading
on this 18-year-old woman
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who suffered from
scleroderma, a disfiguring
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chronic disease with no cure in
which a person's skin hardens.
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Cayce prescribed a number of
treatments and her scleroderma
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went into immediate remission.
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The reading was
given in January
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and the readings were
followed to the letter.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): In
an interview 40 years later,
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the woman gave Edgar Cayce
full credit for her cure.
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--in June of 19--
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ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): In 1976,
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six-year-old Andrew Senzon
suffered from severe psoriasis.
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In desperation, Andrew's
mother sought out
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a doctor who utilized
methods set down by Edgar
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Cayce 30 years earlier.
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Within four months,
the psoriasis was gone.
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Today, Andrew Senzon
is 21 years old
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and has had only one
recurrence, which also responded
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to the Cayce treatments.
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Some people write off
Edgar Cayce's cures
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as lucky coincidence or
the power of suggestion
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acting on psychosomatic illness.
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But for those diagnosed with
the disease that modern medicine
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cannot cure or in some
cases even explain,
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Edgar Cayce's methods
continue to hold out hope.
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Cayce died in 1945.
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Even so, each year, thousands
of inquiries from all
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over the world pour into
Cayce's nonprofit center
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in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
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The thriving center
is an unlikely legacy
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for Edgar Cayce, a
quiet, unpretentious man
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who came of age
in rural Kentucky
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at the turn of the century.
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EDGAR EVANS CAYCE: My father
was a very ordinary person.
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He liked the garden.
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He liked to fish.
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We had gardens
wherever we lived.
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He taught Sunday school.
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I mean, in everyday
life you wouldn't
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know him from anybody else.
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It was only when he
was asleep that he
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had extraordinary ability.
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ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): Edgar Cayce
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discovered his mysterious
ability when he was 13.
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Time for your
lessons, young man.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): A
borderline student, Edgar fell
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asleep over his spelling book.
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Cabin.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
When his father quizzed him,
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Edgar could spell
every word in the book
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and even knew the page numbers
where each word appeared.
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Cattle.
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EDGAR EVANS CAYCE: From that
time on, all he had to do
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was sleep on his books at
night and he moved along
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very rapidly, whether it was
spelling or math or history
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or whatever.
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And he became an
exceptional student
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rather than an average student.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
It 1900, when Edgar was 23,
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he suddenly lost
the power of speech.
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For an entire year, physicians
were unable to explain or cure
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his illness.
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Continue to breathe deeply.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
As a last resort,
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Cayce's parents convinced
him to see a hypnotist.
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His family physician
attended and recorded
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the session in minute detail.
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Cayce sank into a deep sleep.
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Edgar.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Everyone present
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was stunned when, for
the first time in a year,
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Edgar Cayce spoke.
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Um.
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Mhm.
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Yes.
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We have the body before us.
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EDGAR EVANS CAYCE: Dad never
had any formal medical training.
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In fact, his educational
career stopped
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at what would be an equivalent
to the ninth grade now.
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Due to a paralysis
of the anterior muscles
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of the vocal cords.
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He would suggest
things and describe
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things, the parts of the body,
that he had no knowledge of.
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This will remove the trouble.
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He started to talk and say,
yes, we have the condition.
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It was a constriction
to the throat.
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Some constriction
of the blood flow.
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He'd say, we will correct it.
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LANE: The body will now awaken.
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EDGAR EVANS CAYCE: And
when Lane, the hypnotist,
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told him to wake up, he sat up
and coughed up a little blood
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and he could talk.
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Are you all right?
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EDGAR EVANS CAYCE:
And I think that was
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probably the first reading,
though it was on himself.
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Hello.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Cayce's doctor
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persuaded him to
attempt diagnoses
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on other patients
who had not responded
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to traditional medicine.
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Cayce agreed, but the end
result left him disillusioned.
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EDGAR EVANS CAYCE: The
problem developed when,
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at the end of some
of the readings,
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people would start asking him
questions about what horse was
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going to win a race
or what was going
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to happen in the
commodities of stock market
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or results of a ball game.
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And when he found
out what had happened
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and what people were doing,
he said, I'm giving it up.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): Cayce
abandoned his psychic readings,
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married, and moved to
Selma, Alabama, where
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he worked as a photographer.
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By 1914, he had two sons,
Edgar Evans and Hugh Lynn.
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When Hugh Lynn was
eight years old,
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he was terribly injured
in a darkroom explosion.
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A local doctor held
out little hope.
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How is he, Doctor?
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I've managed to remove most
of the powder from his eyes,
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but I found that the
damage to the tissue
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was so extensive that
he may lose his sight.
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EDGAR EVANS CAYCE: My brother
was playing in the studio
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and dropped a match in
a partially-filled can
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of flashlight powder and
it blew up in his face
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and burned his eyes very badly.
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The doctors examined
him and said, well,
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00:10:05,305 --> 00:10:07,641
we think we're going to
have to take out one eye.
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He's probably going to lose
the sight in both of them.
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And my brother said,
Daddy, give me a reading.
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Let's go into the parlor.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
For Edgar Cayce,
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it was the ultimate test.
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He had not attempted
a reading in years.
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Could he now save his own
son from a life of blindness?
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EDGAR: Although tannic acid
would not be normally used
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under these circumstances--
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EDGAR EVANS CAYCE: He described
an application for the eyes
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that included tannic acid.
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Well, that was
unheard of at the time
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00:10:46,847 --> 00:10:48,481
and the doctors thought
it was too strong,
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00:10:48,581 --> 00:10:50,483
but they thought he was going
to lose his eyes anyway,
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so it wouldn't hurt to try.
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And when they first put
it on, Hugh then said,
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00:10:55,288 --> 00:10:56,757
this must be Daddy's medicine.
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It doesn't hurt.
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ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
It seemed like a miracle.
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Within six weeks, Hugh Lynn's
sight was completely restored.
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00:11:07,167 --> 00:11:09,469
Word of the boy's
recovery spread.
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Edgar Cayce soon became famous.
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In 1925, he moved to
Virginia Beach, Virginia.
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Within five years,
Cayce established
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00:11:19,346 --> 00:11:23,350
a center there to catalog
and interpret the readings.
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00:11:23,450 --> 00:11:26,720
The center received thousands of
letters, most of them requests
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00:11:26,820 --> 00:11:27,988
for readings.
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00:11:28,088 --> 00:11:30,958
Although Cayce normally did
only two readings a day,
235
00:11:31,058 --> 00:11:33,660
he was unable to turn his
back on those who seemed
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to need him so desperately.
237
00:11:37,197 --> 00:11:38,598
He felt like he
couldn't refuse
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00:11:38,698 --> 00:11:42,269
people so he started doing two
and three and four and five.
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00:11:42,369 --> 00:11:45,739
And it got up to, I
understand, nine or 10 a day,
240
00:11:45,839 --> 00:11:48,708
and it was just
too much for him.
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00:11:48,809 --> 00:11:50,477
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
On the brink of exhaustion,
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00:11:50,577 --> 00:11:53,446
Edgar Cayce suffered
a massive stroke.
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He died on January
3, 1945, leaving
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00:11:57,284 --> 00:12:02,055
behind more than 120,000 pages
of readings, which continue
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00:12:02,155 --> 00:12:04,691
to serve as a wellspring
of hope for those
246
00:12:04,792 --> 00:12:08,061
in search of cures that may have
eluded established medicine.
247
00:12:12,132 --> 00:12:15,602
Now Cathy, an X-ray
examination of your neck shows
248
00:12:15,702 --> 00:12:17,004
that you have the deviation--
249
00:12:17,104 --> 00:12:18,638
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): When
Cathy Comora's optic neuritis
250
00:12:18,738 --> 00:12:23,110
was diagnosed in 1986, she
went to Dr. John Pagano,
251
00:12:23,210 --> 00:12:25,813
a chiropractor in New
Jersey who studied Edgar
252
00:12:25,913 --> 00:12:28,982
Cayce's readings for 30 years.
253
00:12:29,082 --> 00:12:31,318
JOHN PAGANO: Cayce was
very specific on what
254
00:12:31,418 --> 00:12:34,487
areas of the spine to adjust.
255
00:12:34,587 --> 00:12:38,625
The fact that Cayce suggested
the certain procedure for eye
256
00:12:38,725 --> 00:12:41,294
problems does not mean
that he specifically
257
00:12:41,394 --> 00:12:42,863
diagnosed it as optic neuritis.
258
00:12:42,963 --> 00:12:46,033
He talked about vision
problems, blindness,
259
00:12:46,133 --> 00:12:49,202
and that's what I approached
it at, not as optic neuritis.
260
00:12:49,302 --> 00:12:51,304
First I'm going to stretch
you out a little bit.
261
00:12:51,404 --> 00:12:53,406
It'll sort of get the
blood circulating.
262
00:12:53,506 --> 00:12:54,875
JOHN PAGANO: After I
gave her an adjustment,
263
00:12:54,975 --> 00:12:58,478
she called me the next day to
tell me there's an improvement.
264
00:12:58,578 --> 00:13:01,748
We continued treatment,
and within seven days,
265
00:13:01,849 --> 00:13:04,717
her sight was restored.
266
00:13:04,818 --> 00:13:05,919
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): Dr. Pagano
267
00:13:06,019 --> 00:13:08,521
believes that Edgar Cayce's
treatments set forth
268
00:13:08,621 --> 00:13:11,258
in several readings given
decades earlier brought
269
00:13:11,358 --> 00:13:13,226
back Cathy Comora's vision.
270
00:13:13,326 --> 00:13:16,396
Skeptics disagree.
271
00:13:16,496 --> 00:13:18,631
PAUL KURTZ: I think much
of the Cayce material
272
00:13:18,731 --> 00:13:20,467
is based upon illusion.
273
00:13:20,567 --> 00:13:23,403
And I think there's a
placebo effect here at work.
274
00:13:23,503 --> 00:13:27,240
Often if you believe that
someone is going to cure you--
275
00:13:27,340 --> 00:13:29,342
you give them
white sugar pills--
276
00:13:29,442 --> 00:13:30,577
they might be cured.
277
00:13:30,677 --> 00:13:33,280
So the power of the mind
can have a powerful effect.
278
00:13:33,380 --> 00:13:35,448
I do believe in the
power of the mind.
279
00:13:35,548 --> 00:13:41,288
And I tried to will the sight
back before I had gone to Dr.
280
00:13:41,388 --> 00:13:44,524
Pagano, and it didn't work.
281
00:13:44,624 --> 00:13:46,526
And it was only after I
had gone to Dr. Pagano
282
00:13:46,626 --> 00:13:52,099
and after he had adjusted my
neck that the sight came back.
283
00:13:52,199 --> 00:13:55,735
I don't think that Edgar
Cayce had any psychic powers.
284
00:13:55,835 --> 00:13:59,106
I don't think there's such
a thing as psychic medicine.
285
00:13:59,206 --> 00:14:02,175
I think one ought to be very
cautious about the claim
286
00:14:02,275 --> 00:14:06,779
that you can diagnose
illnesses in some mystical way.
287
00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:08,415
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
How can the unique life
288
00:14:08,515 --> 00:14:10,750
of Edgar Cayce be explained?
289
00:14:10,850 --> 00:14:13,153
He has been denounced
as a soothsayer.
290
00:14:13,253 --> 00:14:15,488
He has been heralded
as a prophet.
291
00:14:15,588 --> 00:14:17,624
But medical
establishment refuses
292
00:14:17,724 --> 00:14:21,228
to endorse Cayce's methods,
yet at the same time,
293
00:14:21,328 --> 00:14:25,432
is unwilling to dismiss them.
294
00:14:25,532 --> 00:14:29,736
Before his death, Edgar
Cayce wrote to a friend.
295
00:14:29,836 --> 00:14:32,539
"In my life and in the lives
of many who come in contact
296
00:14:32,639 --> 00:14:36,109
with the readings, there seems
to be much that is of help,
297
00:14:36,209 --> 00:14:38,912
but you must judge for yourself.
298
00:14:39,012 --> 00:14:41,881
Facts and results are
the only measuring rods.
299
00:14:41,982 --> 00:14:44,617
If this knowledge is to
be of any lasting benefit,
300
00:14:44,717 --> 00:14:48,888
it will require open-minded,
intelligent research."
301
00:14:48,989 --> 00:14:50,457
Perhaps the readings
of Edgar Cayce
302
00:14:50,557 --> 00:14:52,325
are one mystery that
will be solved only
303
00:14:52,425 --> 00:14:55,662
through patients, medical
evaluation, and that greatest
304
00:14:55,762 --> 00:14:57,464
of all healers, time.
305
00:15:00,833 --> 00:15:03,236
Next, an aspiring
actress is found dead
306
00:15:03,336 --> 00:15:05,105
in her Los Angeles apartment.
307
00:15:05,205 --> 00:15:08,341
The coroner ruled her death
due to undetermined causes,
308
00:15:08,441 --> 00:15:12,045
but some say it was murder.
309
00:15:12,145 --> 00:15:16,383
[music playing]
310
00:15:19,352 --> 00:15:21,288
Hollywood, California.
311
00:15:21,388 --> 00:15:23,390
The dream factory.
312
00:15:23,490 --> 00:15:25,458
A fantasy land of
myth and legend,
313
00:15:25,558 --> 00:15:27,927
fueled by the tantalizing
fable that anyone
314
00:15:28,028 --> 00:15:31,664
can become famous overnight.
315
00:15:31,764 --> 00:15:34,467
Ever since the movies
began, beautiful young girls
316
00:15:34,567 --> 00:15:37,570
have flocked to Hollywood, lured
by the glamor of Tinseltown
317
00:15:37,670 --> 00:15:39,639
and the promise of stardom.
318
00:15:39,739 --> 00:15:42,442
It was this dream which
brought 23-year-old Crystal
319
00:15:42,542 --> 00:15:47,547
Spencer to Los Angeles
in the summer of 1982.
320
00:15:47,647 --> 00:15:49,449
For as long as she
could remember,
321
00:15:49,549 --> 00:15:51,418
Crystal Spencer
pictured herself as not
322
00:15:51,518 --> 00:15:54,254
just an actress, but a star.
323
00:15:54,354 --> 00:15:56,089
Sadly, her search
for fame and fortune
324
00:15:56,189 --> 00:15:59,892
led only to frustration,
failure, and, some say, murder.
325
00:16:02,562 --> 00:16:05,198
Crystal Lene Spencer was
raised in the small northern
326
00:16:05,298 --> 00:16:07,734
California town of Ukiah.
327
00:16:07,834 --> 00:16:09,802
When she was eight,
her father died,
328
00:16:09,902 --> 00:16:12,239
leaving her mother to raise
three small children alone.
329
00:16:14,874 --> 00:16:17,210
At 17, Crystal dropped
out of high school
330
00:16:17,310 --> 00:16:19,979
and took a job to help
support the family.
331
00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:23,416
Soon, Hollywood beckoned and she
moved to the Los Angeles area
332
00:16:23,516 --> 00:16:27,587
to actively pursue her dream.
333
00:16:27,687 --> 00:16:29,722
Her early years were
a struggle, resulting
334
00:16:29,822 --> 00:16:31,724
only in a few bit parts.
335
00:16:31,824 --> 00:16:35,028
Crystal quickly realized
that true stardom was elusive
336
00:16:35,128 --> 00:16:36,763
and perhaps unobtainable.
337
00:16:42,835 --> 00:16:44,904
Within two years of
her arrival, Crystal
338
00:16:45,004 --> 00:16:48,941
reluctantly took a job as an
exotic dancer to pay her bills.
339
00:16:49,042 --> 00:16:52,479
On a good night, she
cleared up to $400 in tips.
340
00:16:52,579 --> 00:16:55,782
But Crystal never fully accepted
the fact that, in essence, she
341
00:16:55,882 --> 00:16:56,683
was a stripper.
342
00:17:01,254 --> 00:17:02,989
PATTI JO MILLHOUSE:
Sometimes she would just
343
00:17:03,090 --> 00:17:08,661
start crying, like she felt
degraded about herself,
344
00:17:08,761 --> 00:17:09,662
of what she'd done.
345
00:17:12,399 --> 00:17:14,134
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
In May of 1987,
346
00:17:14,234 --> 00:17:17,270
friends invited Crystal
to an outdoor barbecue.
347
00:17:17,370 --> 00:17:19,939
She was eager to mix and
mingle with people who might
348
00:17:20,039 --> 00:17:21,641
help further her acting career.
349
00:17:21,741 --> 00:17:22,909
I'm Crystal.
350
00:17:23,009 --> 00:17:24,577
- I'm Anton.
- Nice to meet you.
351
00:17:24,677 --> 00:17:25,612
It's nice meeting you.
-
352
00:17:25,712 --> 00:17:26,513
Oh!
This is your place, then.
353
00:17:26,613 --> 00:17:27,747
This is your party?
354
00:17:27,847 --> 00:17:28,981
ANTON KLINE: There
was something very
355
00:17:29,082 --> 00:17:32,419
alluring and compelling
about Crystal that
356
00:17:32,519 --> 00:17:35,722
would readily catch your eye.
357
00:17:35,822 --> 00:17:38,591
She knew that she would
become not only an actress,
358
00:17:38,691 --> 00:17:40,993
but she would became
a very famous actress,
359
00:17:41,094 --> 00:17:43,796
and it was just
a matter of time.
360
00:17:43,896 --> 00:17:45,031
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): Crystal
361
00:17:45,132 --> 00:17:48,268
was taken with Anton Kline,
a would-be screenwriter
362
00:17:48,368 --> 00:17:51,003
and a PhD candidate in history.
363
00:17:51,104 --> 00:17:53,406
Though they came from totally
different backgrounds,
364
00:17:53,506 --> 00:17:56,409
they soon fell in love.
365
00:17:56,509 --> 00:17:58,311
Anton took it upon
himself to help
366
00:17:58,411 --> 00:18:00,680
Crystal broaden her horizons.
367
00:18:00,780 --> 00:18:02,449
He introduced her
to art galleries,
368
00:18:02,549 --> 00:18:04,317
museums, and concerts.
369
00:18:04,417 --> 00:18:05,352
Crystal was dazzled.
370
00:18:08,121 --> 00:18:09,322
ANTON KLINE: She
loved classical music.
371
00:18:09,422 --> 00:18:11,758
She loved fine art.
372
00:18:11,858 --> 00:18:18,231
She wanted to know more about
these other wonderful things
373
00:18:18,331 --> 00:18:22,935
of life that she had never
been exposed to before.
374
00:18:23,035 --> 00:18:24,337
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Anton had no idea
375
00:18:24,437 --> 00:18:26,273
how crystal earned her living.
376
00:18:26,373 --> 00:18:29,142
She walked a precarious
tightrope, discovering
377
00:18:29,242 --> 00:18:32,612
art and culture by day, immersed
in Hollywood's dark side
378
00:18:32,712 --> 00:18:33,513
by night.
379
00:18:37,750 --> 00:18:40,520
PATTI JO MILLHOUSE: Crystal
loved Anton very much.
380
00:18:40,620 --> 00:18:45,558
She was very scared
about him finding out.
381
00:18:45,658 --> 00:18:46,826
She says, well, I better change.
382
00:18:46,926 --> 00:18:49,996
I better quit dancing
then before he finds out.
383
00:18:50,096 --> 00:18:54,000
I better quit doing this
before he finds out.
384
00:18:54,100 --> 00:18:54,901
I want to get married.
385
00:18:55,001 --> 00:18:56,035
I want to have a future.
386
00:18:56,135 --> 00:18:59,506
I want to start doing
something for my life.
387
00:19:02,074 --> 00:19:03,109
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): Finally,
388
00:19:03,210 --> 00:19:05,912
four months after
they met, Anton found
389
00:19:06,012 --> 00:19:09,316
out about Crystal's other life.
390
00:19:09,416 --> 00:19:12,619
ANTON KLINE: A neighbor
saw her dancing at the club
391
00:19:12,719 --> 00:19:14,487
by the airport where she worked.
392
00:19:14,587 --> 00:19:18,458
And he said, I saw that girl
on stage the other night.
393
00:19:18,558 --> 00:19:21,861
I said, no, you couldn't have.
394
00:19:21,961 --> 00:19:24,364
He said, that was her.
395
00:19:24,464 --> 00:19:26,399
Of course it was her.
396
00:19:26,499 --> 00:19:30,169
And I was shocked.
397
00:19:30,270 --> 00:19:35,041
He was very upset,
but he said it was OK.
398
00:19:35,141 --> 00:19:40,313
He accepted it,
which shocked her.
399
00:19:40,413 --> 00:19:43,250
She didn't know what to say.
400
00:19:43,350 --> 00:19:44,684
--sit right there.
401
00:19:44,784 --> 00:19:46,686
No, Anton, you'll catch my cold.
402
00:19:46,786 --> 00:19:48,888
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
On Wednesday, May 4, 1988,
403
00:19:48,988 --> 00:19:50,957
Crystal was home with a cold.
404
00:19:51,057 --> 00:19:54,160
Anton stopped by and they talked
about a promising offer she had
405
00:19:54,261 --> 00:19:58,130
received to work in the Orient.
406
00:19:58,231 --> 00:19:59,332
So what's
happening with Japan?
407
00:19:59,432 --> 00:20:00,233
I don't know.
408
00:20:00,333 --> 00:20:02,569
They haven't called yet.
409
00:20:02,669 --> 00:20:04,404
When are you leaving?
410
00:20:04,504 --> 00:20:10,176
I'm not even sure if I
have the job or not yet.
411
00:20:10,277 --> 00:20:12,612
ANTON KLINE: She was very
nervous, but excited,
412
00:20:12,712 --> 00:20:15,915
about the possibility
of traveling to Japan
413
00:20:16,015 --> 00:20:18,351
and seeing a whole
different world than what
414
00:20:18,451 --> 00:20:19,486
she was accustomed to.
415
00:20:22,822 --> 00:20:26,459
I spoke to Crystal Thursday
evening-- the next evening--
416
00:20:26,559 --> 00:20:27,360
on the telephone.
417
00:20:27,460 --> 00:20:28,361
How you doing?
418
00:20:28,461 --> 00:20:29,629
You feeling better?
419
00:20:29,729 --> 00:20:30,963
CRYSTAL (ON PHONE):
Much better, thanks.
420
00:20:31,063 --> 00:20:32,131
That's good.
421
00:20:32,231 --> 00:20:33,232
ANTON KLINE: And
the conversation
422
00:20:33,333 --> 00:20:35,234
lasted about 15 minutes.
423
00:20:35,335 --> 00:20:37,504
I said, I'll be in
touch, and she said, OK.
424
00:20:37,604 --> 00:20:40,440
I hung up the phone, and
that was the last time
425
00:20:40,540 --> 00:20:43,376
I ever spoke with her.
426
00:20:43,476 --> 00:20:44,811
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Three days later,
427
00:20:44,911 --> 00:20:49,148
Anton tried to reach Crystal but
continuously got a busy signal.
428
00:20:49,248 --> 00:20:51,951
An operator told him the
receiver was off the hook.
429
00:21:02,662 --> 00:21:04,030
Can I help you?
430
00:21:04,130 --> 00:21:05,965
Yeah, I'm looking
for Crystal Spencer.
431
00:21:06,065 --> 00:21:08,267
She's not working tonight.
432
00:21:08,368 --> 00:21:09,469
Did she work here last night?
433
00:21:09,569 --> 00:21:11,304
She didn't punch in.
434
00:21:11,404 --> 00:21:12,739
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Confused, Anton
435
00:21:12,839 --> 00:21:14,841
assumed that Crystal
had left for Japan
436
00:21:14,941 --> 00:21:16,108
without saying goodbye.
437
00:21:16,208 --> 00:21:17,109
Excuse me.
438
00:21:17,209 --> 00:21:18,345
Have you seen Crystal Spencer?
439
00:21:18,445 --> 00:21:19,245
What?
440
00:21:19,346 --> 00:21:20,647
Have you seen Crystal Spencer?
441
00:21:20,747 --> 00:21:22,582
No, I haven't seen
her in a couple of days.
442
00:21:22,682 --> 00:21:23,983
Do you know where she is?
443
00:21:24,083 --> 00:21:28,187
ANTON KLINE: I was expecting any
day to receive a very excited
444
00:21:28,287 --> 00:21:32,925
phone call from a very
excited Crystal saying,
445
00:21:33,025 --> 00:21:34,327
it's wonderful here.
446
00:21:34,427 --> 00:21:36,563
It's a whole
different world here.
447
00:21:36,663 --> 00:21:39,566
And instead, I got a phone
call from the Burbank Police
448
00:21:39,666 --> 00:21:40,533
Department.
449
00:21:43,470 --> 00:21:46,739
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Friday, the 13th of May, 1988.
450
00:21:46,839 --> 00:21:50,343
Police discovered the decomposed
body of Crystal Spencer.
451
00:21:50,443 --> 00:21:54,681
She had been dead
for nearly a week.
452
00:21:54,781 --> 00:21:56,783
ANTON KLINE: They, at
first, just said she was
453
00:21:56,883 --> 00:21:59,619
found dead in her apartment.
454
00:21:59,719 --> 00:22:01,988
And they wanted to know
when I'd last seen her.
455
00:22:02,088 --> 00:22:04,023
And I said, I last
saw her on Wednesday.
456
00:22:04,123 --> 00:22:04,957
And how was she?
457
00:22:05,057 --> 00:22:07,494
I said, well, she had a cold.
458
00:22:07,594 --> 00:22:12,999
And they said they believe
she died of natural causes.
459
00:22:13,099 --> 00:22:14,367
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): An autopsy
460
00:22:14,467 --> 00:22:18,137
revealed no trace of drugs or
alcohol in Crystal's system.
461
00:22:18,237 --> 00:22:22,174
There were no obvious signs
of foul play or suicide.
462
00:22:22,274 --> 00:22:24,644
The coroner ruled that
her death was the result
463
00:22:24,744 --> 00:22:27,213
of undetermined causes.
464
00:22:27,313 --> 00:22:28,448
ROBERT COHEN: The
body of Ms. Spencer
465
00:22:28,548 --> 00:22:31,250
was in such an advanced
state of decomposition,
466
00:22:31,350 --> 00:22:34,487
they were not able to
ascribe the cause of death,
467
00:22:34,587 --> 00:22:36,956
so they have no finding.
468
00:22:37,056 --> 00:22:40,560
I was suspicious because I
did not believe that Crystal
469
00:22:40,660 --> 00:22:42,529
Spencer died of illness.
470
00:22:42,629 --> 00:22:46,165
She was not a sick
woman when I last
471
00:22:46,265 --> 00:22:48,935
saw her or last spoke with her.
472
00:22:49,035 --> 00:22:51,871
She was a young
woman with a cold.
473
00:22:51,971 --> 00:22:56,375
I was suspicious because the way
I was told the body was found--
474
00:22:56,476 --> 00:22:59,746
in an obscure corner
of her apartment,
475
00:22:59,846 --> 00:23:01,581
nude from the waist down.
476
00:23:01,681 --> 00:23:04,717
The phone went off
the hook for days.
477
00:23:04,817 --> 00:23:08,354
And I became
extremely suspicious
478
00:23:08,455 --> 00:23:12,959
when I learned that neighbors
had heard terrible screams
479
00:23:13,059 --> 00:23:16,596
and shrills coming
from her apartment
480
00:23:16,696 --> 00:23:20,433
that some had described
as the sounds of torture.
481
00:23:20,533 --> 00:23:21,768
[screaming]
482
00:23:23,135 --> 00:23:24,771
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
On the night of May 7, two
483
00:23:24,871 --> 00:23:26,639
of Crystal's neighbors
had been awakened
484
00:23:26,739 --> 00:23:30,309
by a strange
intermittent wailing.
485
00:23:30,409 --> 00:23:32,378
SUSAN AKIN-TAYLOR: Two or three
minutes after 4:00, I remember
486
00:23:32,479 --> 00:23:35,482
looking at the clock
and I heard some moans
487
00:23:35,582 --> 00:23:37,016
and some funny sounds.
488
00:23:37,116 --> 00:23:38,885
You know how you are
when you wake up.
489
00:23:38,985 --> 00:23:41,821
You just don't know
what's going on.
490
00:23:41,921 --> 00:23:43,823
Somebody's screaming.
491
00:23:43,923 --> 00:23:46,025
But even before I even woke
him up, I laid there thinking,
492
00:23:46,125 --> 00:23:46,926
someone's being tortured.
493
00:23:47,026 --> 00:23:47,894
Someone's being hurt.
494
00:23:47,994 --> 00:23:49,562
Something's going on.
495
00:23:49,662 --> 00:23:52,965
But I had no past, prior
experience to what the sounds
496
00:23:53,065 --> 00:23:57,804
were because they were so
bloodcurdling eerie that they
497
00:23:57,904 --> 00:24:00,372
frightened me very much.
498
00:24:00,473 --> 00:24:01,508
Sounds terrible, doesn't it?
499
00:24:01,608 --> 00:24:02,909
Do you think it's
coming from here, or--
500
00:24:03,009 --> 00:24:04,911
SUSAN AKIN-TAYLOR: All I could
think about, for some reason,
501
00:24:05,011 --> 00:24:07,514
was someone taking a
cigarette and putting it
502
00:24:07,614 --> 00:24:12,519
against her body, torturing
her, because we had heard
503
00:24:12,619 --> 00:24:16,656
like choking and moaning,
but then when this started,
504
00:24:16,756 --> 00:24:18,891
that's all we heard.
505
00:24:18,991 --> 00:24:20,893
JET TAYLOR: Susan was
very adamant about calling
506
00:24:20,993 --> 00:24:25,898
the police, but out of
my fear of what I heard,
507
00:24:25,998 --> 00:24:27,299
I didn't want to get involved.
508
00:24:27,399 --> 00:24:29,936
That was my first reaction.
509
00:24:30,036 --> 00:24:31,203
SUSAN AKIN-TAYLOR:
I don't think I'll
510
00:24:31,303 --> 00:24:32,772
ever be able to
live with the fact
511
00:24:32,872 --> 00:24:34,574
that I didn't call the police.
512
00:24:34,674 --> 00:24:40,212
If I had, maybe she
would still be alive.
513
00:24:40,312 --> 00:24:42,148
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): A
week later, Crystal's body was
514
00:24:42,248 --> 00:24:44,216
discovered and the
Taylors finally
515
00:24:44,316 --> 00:24:45,852
told their story to the police.
516
00:24:45,952 --> 00:24:47,353
--witnesses, you saw
or heard something?
517
00:24:47,453 --> 00:24:48,588
About a week ago,
about 4:00 in--
518
00:24:48,688 --> 00:24:50,990
JET TAYLOR: He just took
my statement, took my name,
519
00:24:51,090 --> 00:24:54,493
asked me for my driver's
license, and that was it.
520
00:24:54,594 --> 00:24:57,296
He was just very
nonchalant about it.
521
00:24:57,396 --> 00:25:03,469
I believe most sincerely, as
does her family, that Crystal
522
00:25:03,570 --> 00:25:06,172
Lene Spencer was murdered
in the early morning
523
00:25:06,272 --> 00:25:11,043
hours of May 7, 1988.
524
00:25:11,143 --> 00:25:12,779
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Crystal's family requested
525
00:25:12,879 --> 00:25:15,214
to view the body several times.
526
00:25:15,314 --> 00:25:18,284
The coroner's office continually
refused, claiming the body
527
00:25:18,384 --> 00:25:20,753
was in no condition to be seen.
528
00:25:20,853 --> 00:25:22,889
For months, Anton
Kline was denied
529
00:25:22,989 --> 00:25:25,124
access to the police records.
530
00:25:25,224 --> 00:25:27,426
However, in
September of 1988, he
531
00:25:27,526 --> 00:25:30,597
was able to obtain
the autopsy report.
532
00:25:30,697 --> 00:25:33,365
Anton was shocked by the
discrepancies he found.
533
00:25:36,235 --> 00:25:39,271
ANTON KLINE: Crystal Spencer
was barely 5-foot tall.
534
00:25:39,371 --> 00:25:44,010
The autopsy report claims
that she's an amazing 5'7".
535
00:25:44,110 --> 00:25:48,214
Crystal Spencer weighed
approximately 105 pounds
536
00:25:48,314 --> 00:25:49,616
when I last saw her.
537
00:25:49,716 --> 00:25:56,422
The autopsy claims the body is
a "well-nourished" 140 pounds.
538
00:25:56,522 --> 00:25:57,924
I was stunned.
539
00:25:58,024 --> 00:26:00,727
I said, this is not the
body of Crystal Spencer.
540
00:26:00,827 --> 00:26:04,030
And where is the real
body of Crystal Spencer?
541
00:26:04,130 --> 00:26:06,532
You don't grow 7
inches and gain 50
542
00:26:06,633 --> 00:26:08,868
to 60 pounds when you're dead.
543
00:26:08,968 --> 00:26:11,337
The only thing
that comes to my mind
544
00:26:11,437 --> 00:26:14,841
is a possible documentary
error at the coroner's office.
545
00:26:14,941 --> 00:26:16,843
They are overwhelmed with work.
546
00:26:16,943 --> 00:26:20,479
However, we do have
the remains identified
547
00:26:20,579 --> 00:26:23,082
by fingerprints from
two different agencies,
548
00:26:23,182 --> 00:26:25,251
as I mentioned before.
549
00:26:25,351 --> 00:26:30,422
And those really eliminate any
possibility of the coroner's
550
00:26:30,522 --> 00:26:32,759
autopsy and the wrong remains.
551
00:26:32,859 --> 00:26:36,295
I was told by
one law enforcement
552
00:26:36,395 --> 00:26:40,599
official, quote unquote, "bad
things happen to bad girls."
553
00:26:40,700 --> 00:26:45,337
And I said, you mean bad
girls die of natural causes?
554
00:26:45,437 --> 00:26:50,109
And he said, you
know what I mean
555
00:26:50,209 --> 00:26:51,343
and hung up on me on the phone.
556
00:26:53,345 --> 00:26:54,446
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): Two weeks
557
00:26:54,546 --> 00:26:57,216
after the discovery of
her body, Crystal's family
558
00:26:57,316 --> 00:26:59,551
and friends gathered for a
private memorial service.
559
00:27:02,421 --> 00:27:04,556
Fittingly, Crystal
Spencer's ashes
560
00:27:04,657 --> 00:27:07,093
were scattered beneath
the famous Hollywood sign.
561
00:27:12,932 --> 00:27:15,968
ANTON KLINE: I believe the
investigation was bungled.
562
00:27:16,068 --> 00:27:20,506
And I am angered that
they are attempting
563
00:27:20,606 --> 00:27:27,646
now to suppress the police
reports in this case forever.
564
00:27:27,747 --> 00:27:31,650
We need to know what
happened to her.
565
00:27:31,751 --> 00:27:33,853
It's important to
all of us who cared
566
00:27:33,953 --> 00:27:36,723
about her to learn the truth.
567
00:27:36,823 --> 00:27:38,190
That's all we want is the truth.
568
00:27:52,204 --> 00:27:53,472
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): Next, police
569
00:27:53,572 --> 00:27:56,909
need your help to find a man
suspected in the brutal murder
570
00:27:57,009 --> 00:28:00,046
of his ex-wife.
571
00:28:00,146 --> 00:28:04,851
[music playing]
572
00:28:09,789 --> 00:28:11,657
Easter Sunday, 1990.
573
00:28:11,758 --> 00:28:16,428
A lonely road 12 miles outside
of Coldwater, Michigan.
574
00:28:16,528 --> 00:28:19,298
Ray and Marie Thornton set
off on a leisurely drive
575
00:28:19,398 --> 00:28:22,568
in the country, as
they did every weekend.
576
00:28:22,668 --> 00:28:25,671
But in just a matter of minutes,
their routine Sunday outing
577
00:28:25,772 --> 00:28:28,707
would place this ordinary,
law-abiding couple
578
00:28:28,808 --> 00:28:33,145
at the center of a strange
and ominous mystery.
579
00:28:33,245 --> 00:28:34,546
RAY THORNTON: We
were driving south
580
00:28:34,646 --> 00:28:39,051
on Snow Prairie Road and, all
of a sudden, a van just on us
581
00:28:39,151 --> 00:28:40,219
and passed.
582
00:28:40,319 --> 00:28:41,954
Look at this guy
coming around us, honey.
583
00:28:42,054 --> 00:28:43,422
Sure is in a hurry.
584
00:28:43,522 --> 00:28:44,924
There he goes.
585
00:28:45,024 --> 00:28:45,925
GZ.
586
00:28:46,025 --> 00:28:47,026
Jeez!
587
00:28:47,126 --> 00:28:49,695
He must be in a hurry.
588
00:28:49,796 --> 00:28:50,830
RAY THORNTON: One
of the things we
589
00:28:50,930 --> 00:28:53,099
do when we're out
driving around is we make
590
00:28:53,199 --> 00:28:56,268
names out of license plates.
591
00:28:56,368 --> 00:28:58,938
Marie came up with the,
jeez, he's really in a hurry
592
00:28:59,038 --> 00:29:02,441
because the first two letters
of his license plate were GZ.
593
00:29:02,541 --> 00:29:03,675
And it was just spontaneous.
594
00:29:03,776 --> 00:29:07,013
Really no thought behind it.
595
00:29:07,113 --> 00:29:08,815
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Several miles down the road,
596
00:29:08,915 --> 00:29:13,920
the Thorntons came across the
man and the van a second time.
597
00:29:14,020 --> 00:29:16,923
MARIE THORNTON: As we
approached an old schoolhouse,
598
00:29:17,023 --> 00:29:19,992
I saw a man behind
it and he had what
599
00:29:20,092 --> 00:29:22,028
appeared to be a bloody sheet.
600
00:29:22,128 --> 00:29:23,729
MARIE: The man back
there has a bloody sheet!
601
00:29:23,830 --> 00:29:24,630
RAY: Where?
602
00:29:24,730 --> 00:29:25,998
He's behind the building--
603
00:29:26,098 --> 00:29:28,134
MARIE THORNTON: As we
continued passing the school,
604
00:29:28,234 --> 00:29:32,071
I saw the van parked between
the building and a big tank.
605
00:29:32,171 --> 00:29:33,739
There's the van
that passed us.
606
00:29:33,840 --> 00:29:34,640
RAY: Where?
607
00:29:34,740 --> 00:29:36,142
It's right there!
608
00:29:36,242 --> 00:29:37,643
RAY: There was the
one that passed us?
609
00:29:37,743 --> 00:29:39,145
MARIE: Yes, I'm sure it was.
610
00:29:39,245 --> 00:29:41,914
It was the van that passed us.
611
00:29:42,014 --> 00:29:43,515
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Minutes later, the van
612
00:29:43,615 --> 00:29:46,118
pulled up behind them
again and rode their bumper
613
00:29:46,218 --> 00:29:48,087
for nearly two miles.
614
00:29:48,187 --> 00:29:49,521
I'm gonna start
writing this stuff down.
615
00:29:49,621 --> 00:29:50,589
RAY: Good idea.
616
00:29:50,689 --> 00:29:52,258
MARIE THORNTON: Our
game really paid off
617
00:29:52,358 --> 00:29:54,861
because that helped me
remember the first two letters
618
00:29:54,961 --> 00:29:57,463
of his license plate number.
619
00:29:57,563 --> 00:30:00,900
But we wanted to get
more, if possible.
620
00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:03,502
RAY: He's got a white skullcap
on right now like mine.
621
00:30:03,602 --> 00:30:05,537
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Finally, a nervous Ray Thornton
622
00:30:05,637 --> 00:30:07,840
turned off the highway.
623
00:30:07,940 --> 00:30:10,476
When he did, the van pulled
to the side of the road.
624
00:30:14,746 --> 00:30:16,248
RAY THORNTON: We
decided to turn around
625
00:30:16,348 --> 00:30:18,417
and come back and
see if we could
626
00:30:18,517 --> 00:30:20,486
get a license plate number.
627
00:30:20,586 --> 00:30:21,954
We felt if we could
get the license number,
628
00:30:22,054 --> 00:30:23,255
then we could turn
it in to the police.
629
00:30:23,355 --> 00:30:25,657
The guy was acting
very suspicious.
630
00:30:25,757 --> 00:30:31,030
We just felt that authorities
should be notified.
631
00:30:31,130 --> 00:30:31,931
There he is.
632
00:30:32,031 --> 00:30:32,831
MARIE: What is he doing?
633
00:30:32,932 --> 00:30:34,100
Now he's in the
back of the van.
634
00:30:34,200 --> 00:30:35,301
He looks like he's
changing-- he is.
635
00:30:35,401 --> 00:30:38,637
He's changing his plates.
636
00:30:38,737 --> 00:30:41,974
MARIE THORNTON: He was behind
his van with the passenger
637
00:30:42,074 --> 00:30:44,776
front door open.
638
00:30:44,877 --> 00:30:49,448
And I saw that the passenger
door was covered with blood.
639
00:30:49,548 --> 00:30:51,017
There's blood
all over that door.
640
00:30:51,117 --> 00:30:51,918
RAY: What door?
641
00:30:52,018 --> 00:30:52,885
The passenger door.
642
00:30:52,985 --> 00:30:54,653
That guy has done something.
643
00:30:54,753 --> 00:30:56,055
He has.
644
00:30:56,155 --> 00:30:58,090
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): The
Thorntons feared that something
645
00:30:58,190 --> 00:31:00,126
unspeakable had happened.
646
00:31:00,226 --> 00:31:02,694
They returned to the schoolyard
to search for the sheet.
647
00:31:05,697 --> 00:31:07,266
MARIE THORNTON: I was
beginning to get nervous when
648
00:31:07,366 --> 00:31:10,736
we got back to the schoolhouse.
649
00:31:10,836 --> 00:31:13,139
We were very careful
about where we walked.
650
00:31:13,239 --> 00:31:14,040
Where'd you see him?
651
00:31:14,140 --> 00:31:15,441
Back over this way.
652
00:31:15,541 --> 00:31:16,742
OK.
653
00:31:16,842 --> 00:31:18,444
MARIE THORNTON: We tried to
find what this white thing
654
00:31:18,544 --> 00:31:21,113
was that he had been carrying.
655
00:31:21,213 --> 00:31:22,014
Look!
656
00:31:22,114 --> 00:31:22,881
Look!
657
00:31:22,982 --> 00:31:23,950
I see it.
658
00:31:24,050 --> 00:31:26,852
That's probably it.
659
00:31:26,953 --> 00:31:28,287
Honey, what is it?
660
00:31:32,191 --> 00:31:33,525
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Partially stuffed
661
00:31:33,625 --> 00:31:37,129
into a small animal hole
was a blood-soaked blanket.
662
00:31:37,229 --> 00:31:39,498
It's definitely
blood all right.
663
00:31:39,598 --> 00:31:40,967
Let's go call the police.
664
00:31:44,536 --> 00:31:46,838
On an otherwise
pleasant spring afternoon,
665
00:31:46,939 --> 00:31:49,041
Ray and Marie Thornton
had chanced upon evidence
666
00:31:49,141 --> 00:31:52,011
of a shocking
crime, a crime which
667
00:31:52,111 --> 00:31:55,814
marked the complete and tragic
disintegration of a family.
668
00:31:55,914 --> 00:31:58,517
Unwittingly the Thorntons were
witness to the final chapter
669
00:31:58,617 --> 00:32:02,154
of a bitter, heated conflict
between a husband and his wife,
670
00:32:02,254 --> 00:32:04,223
which ended in murder.
671
00:32:04,323 --> 00:32:05,624
He sees man in the open.
672
00:32:05,724 --> 00:32:07,426
He throws.
673
00:32:07,526 --> 00:32:09,295
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): To
outward appearances, Dennis
674
00:32:09,395 --> 00:32:11,430
and Marilyn DePue of
Coldwater, Michigan,
675
00:32:11,530 --> 00:32:14,300
had a comfortable
middle-class life.
676
00:32:14,400 --> 00:32:16,668
Both had gratifying careers.
677
00:32:16,768 --> 00:32:20,072
Dennis was a state of Michigan
property assessor, Marilyn
678
00:32:20,172 --> 00:32:22,975
a high school counselor.
679
00:32:23,075 --> 00:32:25,077
Together, they were raising
three healthy children.
680
00:32:28,014 --> 00:32:30,782
But beneath the surface,
smoldering tensions threatened
681
00:32:30,882 --> 00:32:32,884
to erupt at any moment.
682
00:32:32,985 --> 00:32:34,620
After the children
were born, Dennis
683
00:32:34,720 --> 00:32:36,989
grew sullen and withdrawn.
684
00:32:37,089 --> 00:32:39,391
He began to isolate
himself from the family
685
00:32:39,491 --> 00:32:42,194
and accused Marilyn of turning
the children against him.
686
00:32:45,364 --> 00:32:49,935
It's not that they fought all
the time because they didn't.
687
00:32:50,036 --> 00:32:53,172
They just didn't really talk.
688
00:32:53,272 --> 00:32:56,142
She would just say in
general that she was unhappy.
689
00:32:56,242 --> 00:33:00,079
And when the lawyer
or someone else
690
00:33:00,179 --> 00:33:03,015
would ask her why she
wanted to get a divorce,
691
00:33:03,115 --> 00:33:05,517
she would say because
the marriage is broken up
692
00:33:05,617 --> 00:33:11,957
and because there was no
longer a marriage there.
693
00:33:12,058 --> 00:33:13,492
You want to make sure
that you want to go
694
00:33:13,592 --> 00:33:14,626
through with it this time.
695
00:33:14,726 --> 00:33:16,928
If you do, you're gonna
sign it on this page
696
00:33:17,029 --> 00:33:19,131
and sign it on the last page.
697
00:33:19,231 --> 00:33:20,532
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): In 1989,
698
00:33:20,632 --> 00:33:24,736
after 18 years of marriage,
Marilyn DePue finally gave up.
699
00:33:24,836 --> 00:33:26,072
Thank you.
700
00:33:26,172 --> 00:33:28,640
Now, do you have any
questions at all, Marilyn?
701
00:33:28,740 --> 00:33:31,143
What about him seeing
the children, then?
702
00:33:31,243 --> 00:33:33,112
We'll have to wait till the
hearing a week from Friday--
703
00:33:33,212 --> 00:33:37,049
RICHARD COLBECK: Marilyn wanted
to be more of her own person,
704
00:33:37,149 --> 00:33:40,152
raising her family
as she saw fit.
705
00:33:40,252 --> 00:33:42,288
I believe that she
felt at that time
706
00:33:42,388 --> 00:33:45,991
that Dennis was, in effect,
trying to domineer her--
707
00:33:46,092 --> 00:33:48,194
that is, run her life and not
allow her to make decisions
708
00:33:48,294 --> 00:33:49,995
that she wanted to make.
709
00:33:50,096 --> 00:33:52,898
He was agreeable to
his wife having custody.
710
00:33:52,998 --> 00:33:55,334
As far as property
was concerned,
711
00:33:55,434 --> 00:33:58,870
he was very willing
to allow his wife
712
00:33:58,970 --> 00:34:02,808
to have most of the
property that she wanted.
713
00:34:02,908 --> 00:34:04,876
Many times, I had
to fight with him
714
00:34:04,976 --> 00:34:07,179
to get a fair share
of the property,
715
00:34:07,279 --> 00:34:10,616
but he was very willing to
give her whatever she wanted.
716
00:34:10,716 --> 00:34:11,550
I don't--
717
00:34:11,650 --> 00:34:12,718
I don't want this
thing to happen.
718
00:34:12,818 --> 00:34:13,819
I don't want this divorce.
719
00:34:13,919 --> 00:34:15,754
It's not-- it's not--
720
00:34:15,854 --> 00:34:17,689
it's not something I want
or want to deal with and--
721
00:34:17,789 --> 00:34:19,358
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Despite Dennis' attempts
722
00:34:19,458 --> 00:34:22,027
to keep the marriage
intact, the divorce became
723
00:34:22,128 --> 00:34:27,633
final in December of 1989.
724
00:34:27,733 --> 00:34:29,101
I'm sitting in the front.
725
00:34:29,201 --> 00:34:32,003
Bye.
726
00:34:32,104 --> 00:34:34,940
Gotta keep your jacket on, now.
727
00:34:35,040 --> 00:34:37,075
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): Dennis
was granted biweekly visitation
728
00:34:37,176 --> 00:34:39,378
rights, but the children were
often reluctant to spend time
729
00:34:39,478 --> 00:34:40,279
with him.
730
00:34:44,015 --> 00:34:46,785
Dennis was also granted access
to the guesthouse, which he
731
00:34:46,885 --> 00:34:50,156
uses an office and as
an excuse to maintain
732
00:34:50,256 --> 00:34:54,193
control over his family.
733
00:34:54,293 --> 00:34:55,361
ANN DUNKEL: Marilyn
had to change
734
00:34:55,461 --> 00:34:58,764
all the locks on the doors.
735
00:34:58,864 --> 00:35:01,700
Even after she changed
the locks on the doors,
736
00:35:01,800 --> 00:35:04,670
she would tell me that there
were some times when she would
737
00:35:04,770 --> 00:35:08,207
come home and unlock
the house and go in,
738
00:35:08,307 --> 00:35:11,610
and there was Dennis
sitting on the couch.
739
00:35:11,710 --> 00:35:13,745
She didn't know how
he got in because she
740
00:35:13,845 --> 00:35:17,716
had different keys made and
new locks and everything.
741
00:35:17,816 --> 00:35:21,287
And she seemed a little
frightened about that.
742
00:35:21,387 --> 00:35:22,954
He sort of, out
of the blue, just
743
00:35:23,054 --> 00:35:27,359
indicated to me one day
that he was contemplating
744
00:35:27,459 --> 00:35:30,196
suicide and murder.
745
00:35:37,169 --> 00:35:40,772
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Easter Sunday, April 15, 1990.
746
00:35:40,872 --> 00:35:43,975
Dennis arrived to pick up two
of the children for a visit.
747
00:35:44,075 --> 00:35:47,145
His younger daughter, Julie, had
already refused to go with him.
748
00:35:51,217 --> 00:35:52,184
Come on, Scott.
749
00:35:52,284 --> 00:35:53,285
Get your things.
750
00:35:53,385 --> 00:35:54,753
Put the game down.
Let's go.
751
00:35:54,853 --> 00:35:55,621
Get your jacket.
- Can't we go a little later?
752
00:35:55,721 --> 00:35:56,522
No, we can't.
753
00:35:56,622 --> 00:35:58,357
Look, I came here now.
754
00:35:58,457 --> 00:35:59,291
You're going now.
755
00:35:59,391 --> 00:36:00,492
I'm not hanging
around here anymore.
756
00:36:00,592 --> 00:36:01,927
But Julie doesn't have to go.
757
00:36:02,027 --> 00:36:02,561
I don't care
what Julie has to--
758
00:36:02,661 --> 00:36:03,795
Dennis.
No, stop.
759
00:36:03,895 --> 00:36:04,830
Just calm--
- No!
760
00:36:04,930 --> 00:36:06,332
Every time, you're
turning him against--
761
00:36:06,432 --> 00:36:07,899
He's old enough to
make his own decisions.
762
00:36:07,999 --> 00:36:08,834
You ruin everything.
He is.
763
00:36:08,934 --> 00:36:09,768
He is coming with me.
764
00:36:09,868 --> 00:36:11,136
Leave him alone!
765
00:36:11,237 --> 00:36:12,838
You're making things terrible!
766
00:36:12,938 --> 00:36:13,739
I hate you!
767
00:36:13,839 --> 00:36:14,806
You're ruining my life--
- No!
768
00:36:14,906 --> 00:36:15,707
Stop it!
769
00:36:15,807 --> 00:36:16,708
Stop it!
770
00:36:16,808 --> 00:36:17,676
You're hurting me!
771
00:36:21,747 --> 00:36:23,114
Daddy, help her!
772
00:36:23,215 --> 00:36:24,583
No!
No!
773
00:36:24,683 --> 00:36:25,651
Stop it, Daddy!
Stop!
774
00:36:25,751 --> 00:36:26,552
No!
775
00:36:26,652 --> 00:36:28,620
You're hurting her!
776
00:36:28,720 --> 00:36:30,422
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
The DePues' eldest daughter,
777
00:36:30,522 --> 00:36:32,358
Jennifer, ran to
a neighbor's house
778
00:36:32,458 --> 00:36:33,859
to call the sheriff's office.
779
00:36:39,365 --> 00:36:42,100
JULIE DEPUE: She wasn't
walking completely on her own.
780
00:36:42,200 --> 00:36:44,370
We're going to the hospital.
781
00:36:44,470 --> 00:36:46,137
JULIE DEPUE: He was
like holding her up.
782
00:36:46,238 --> 00:36:47,138
We're going to the hospital.
783
00:36:47,239 --> 00:36:49,207
You kids stay here.
784
00:36:49,308 --> 00:36:53,078
And when they were walking
by, I just said, Mom.
785
00:36:53,178 --> 00:36:53,979
Mom.
786
00:36:54,079 --> 00:36:55,981
And she didn't even look at me.
787
00:36:56,081 --> 00:36:59,017
She was just kind
of like in a daze.
788
00:37:01,487 --> 00:37:02,588
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): The DePues
789
00:37:02,688 --> 00:37:05,190
never arrived at the hospital.
790
00:37:05,291 --> 00:37:07,459
Sheriff's deputies and
the Michigan State Police
791
00:37:07,559 --> 00:37:09,628
immediately began a search
for the missing couple.
792
00:37:13,532 --> 00:37:16,335
That same afternoon,
Ray and Marie Thornton
793
00:37:16,435 --> 00:37:18,637
found the bloodied
blanket in the schoolyard.
794
00:37:23,575 --> 00:37:25,944
The area was quickly
cordoned off.
795
00:37:26,044 --> 00:37:28,547
The authorities began
to assume the worst.
796
00:37:28,647 --> 00:37:30,582
Marilyn DePue was probably dead.
797
00:37:34,353 --> 00:37:35,554
How's it look, guys?
798
00:37:35,654 --> 00:37:36,688
ROBERT STACK
(VOICEOVER): Deputies
799
00:37:36,788 --> 00:37:38,657
discovered several
fresh tire tracks
800
00:37:38,757 --> 00:37:40,526
and a large pool of blood.
801
00:37:40,626 --> 00:37:41,593
Good reproduction here.
802
00:37:41,693 --> 00:37:42,861
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
The tracks were
803
00:37:42,961 --> 00:37:45,531
later matched to Dennis' van.
804
00:37:45,631 --> 00:37:47,499
The blood was Marilyn's.
805
00:37:52,471 --> 00:37:53,839
--get a hand
with the stretcher?
806
00:37:53,939 --> 00:37:56,074
All right.
807
00:37:56,174 --> 00:37:57,709
What time do you get off here?
808
00:37:57,809 --> 00:37:59,578
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER): The
next day, a highway worker
809
00:37:59,678 --> 00:38:02,948
discovered Marilyn DePue's
body just off a deserted road,
810
00:38:03,048 --> 00:38:06,785
midway between the
schoolhouse and her home.
811
00:38:06,885 --> 00:38:09,588
She had been shot once
in the back of the head.
812
00:38:13,625 --> 00:38:15,661
BETTY MCCLENAHEN: We had
a feeling that he had
813
00:38:15,761 --> 00:38:20,165
really done something terrible.
814
00:38:20,265 --> 00:38:24,202
It was so brutal and
premeditated that it
815
00:38:24,302 --> 00:38:26,538
makes you so angry.
816
00:38:26,638 --> 00:38:29,441
If she'd been killed in
an automobile accident,
817
00:38:29,541 --> 00:38:32,744
you could get over
that, but not this.
818
00:38:37,783 --> 00:38:39,451
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Just days after the murder,
819
00:38:39,551 --> 00:38:42,087
Dennis sent a series of
wild, rambling letters
820
00:38:42,187 --> 00:38:44,022
to friends and relatives
in which he tried
821
00:38:44,122 --> 00:38:46,725
to justify Marilyn's death.
822
00:38:46,825 --> 00:38:50,662
To coworker Jan
Markowski, Dennis wrote--
823
00:38:50,762 --> 00:38:52,831
DENNIS: "Marilyn had many,
many opportunities to treat
824
00:38:52,931 --> 00:38:56,067
me fairly during this divorce,
but she chose to string
825
00:38:56,167 --> 00:38:59,605
it out, trick me, lie to me.
826
00:38:59,705 --> 00:39:02,608
And when you lose your
wife, children, and home,
827
00:39:02,708 --> 00:39:04,910
there's not much left.
828
00:39:05,010 --> 00:39:08,380
I was too old to start over."
829
00:39:08,480 --> 00:39:09,915
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
All together, Dennis
830
00:39:10,015 --> 00:39:13,485
sent a total of 17 letters
postmarked in Virginia,
831
00:39:13,585 --> 00:39:17,222
Iowa, and Oklahoma.
832
00:39:17,322 --> 00:39:19,758
ANN DUNKEL: It seemed
as if Dennis was trying
833
00:39:19,858 --> 00:39:27,699
to say that those of us
who were friends of Marilyn
834
00:39:27,799 --> 00:39:32,504
were the ones who caused her
death, when, in effect, it was
835
00:39:32,604 --> 00:39:34,973
Dennis who pulled the trigger.
836
00:39:35,073 --> 00:39:38,677
None of the rest of us did that.
837
00:39:38,777 --> 00:39:42,881
The only closure that
we could get out of it
838
00:39:42,981 --> 00:39:45,350
would be to have Dennis caught.
839
00:39:45,451 --> 00:39:49,087
That's the only thing.
840
00:39:49,187 --> 00:39:56,061
I can't think of anything
else that would help me.
841
00:39:56,161 --> 00:40:00,532
I think of it day and night,
and I will the rest of my life.
842
00:40:00,632 --> 00:40:03,334
And nothing, even
Dennis being caught,
843
00:40:03,435 --> 00:40:08,607
will not take this terrible
feeling away and loss.
844
00:40:13,879 --> 00:40:15,781
"An eye for an eye,
a tooth for a tooth, a
845
00:40:15,881 --> 00:40:19,785
lie for a lie, a
life for a life."
846
00:40:19,885 --> 00:40:21,687
Three months after the
murder, Dennis DePue
847
00:40:21,787 --> 00:40:23,589
sent copies of
his 13-page letter
848
00:40:23,689 --> 00:40:25,891
to a number of
friends and relatives.
849
00:40:25,991 --> 00:40:28,426
It reads like a treatise,
a chilling 5,000-word
850
00:40:28,527 --> 00:40:30,195
rationalization
which takes liberally
851
00:40:30,295 --> 00:40:33,164
from the Bible throughout.
852
00:40:33,264 --> 00:40:36,334
"I realize that vengeance
is mine, saith the Lord,
853
00:40:36,434 --> 00:40:41,840
but sometimes the Lord is
too busy doing other things."
854
00:40:41,940 --> 00:40:45,844
Dennis DePue is 6 feet
tall and weighs 200 pounds.
855
00:40:45,944 --> 00:40:49,848
He has dark brown hair
and dark, deep-set eyes.
856
00:40:49,948 --> 00:40:53,318
He was last seen driving a
1984 cream-colored Chevrolet
857
00:40:53,418 --> 00:40:55,420
van with maroon
stripes, which may now
858
00:40:55,521 --> 00:40:56,822
bear Illinois license plates.
859
00:41:01,560 --> 00:41:04,129
At around 8:30 on the
night of our broadcast,
860
00:41:04,229 --> 00:41:07,065
a woman who asked that we call
her Mary arrived at her home
861
00:41:07,165 --> 00:41:09,000
outside Dallas, Texas.
862
00:41:09,100 --> 00:41:13,705
Mary's boyfriend, Hank
Queen, was already home.
863
00:41:13,805 --> 00:41:17,008
MARY: His van was parked
in the driveway, which
864
00:41:17,108 --> 00:41:20,145
was out of the ordinary
because he usually
865
00:41:20,245 --> 00:41:22,147
kept it inside the garage.
866
00:41:25,984 --> 00:41:27,185
- Hi.
- Hi.
867
00:41:27,285 --> 00:41:28,319
It's good you got back.
868
00:41:28,419 --> 00:41:32,157
MARY: He told me that
his mother was very ill
869
00:41:32,257 --> 00:41:34,359
and then he needed to make
an emergency trip home.
870
00:41:34,459 --> 00:41:35,260
--had a stroke.
871
00:41:35,360 --> 00:41:36,394
And I'm gonna drive up--
872
00:41:36,494 --> 00:41:37,729
could you make me
some sandwiches
873
00:41:37,829 --> 00:41:40,165
that I can take on the--
it's a really long drive.
874
00:41:40,265 --> 00:41:43,569
MARY: I was sure that something
else must really be going on,
875
00:41:43,669 --> 00:41:44,970
but I didn't know what.
876
00:41:45,070 --> 00:41:47,105
ROBERT STACK (ON TV): --find a
man suspected of brutal murder
877
00:41:47,205 --> 00:41:48,574
of his ex-wife.
878
00:41:48,674 --> 00:41:52,243
MARY: He was getting
clothes out of the closet,
879
00:41:52,343 --> 00:41:55,180
clothes out of some
drawers, gathering
880
00:41:55,280 --> 00:41:57,182
up some of his personal items.
881
00:41:57,282 --> 00:41:59,551
At the same time,
giving me instructions
882
00:41:59,651 --> 00:42:06,124
on preparing some food for
him to take on the long trip.
883
00:42:06,224 --> 00:42:07,492
- What do you want to drink?
- I don't care.
884
00:42:07,593 --> 00:42:09,260
Anything.
DENNIS (ON TV): No!
885
00:42:09,360 --> 00:42:11,062
Every time--
- Sodas?
886
00:42:11,162 --> 00:42:12,063
Cans of soda would be good.
887
00:42:12,163 --> 00:42:13,031
DENNIS (ON TV): --everything.
888
00:42:13,131 --> 00:42:14,432
He is coming with me!
889
00:42:14,532 --> 00:42:16,234
Leave him alone!
- Stop it!
890
00:42:16,334 --> 00:42:17,302
You're making this terrible!
891
00:42:17,402 --> 00:42:19,771
I hate you!
892
00:42:19,871 --> 00:42:22,273
Aren't you gonna
give me a hug?
893
00:42:22,373 --> 00:42:26,912
MARY: He just gave me
a little peck of a kiss
894
00:42:27,012 --> 00:42:30,315
and I gave him a big hug
and said goodbye to him.
895
00:42:34,586 --> 00:42:37,856
I realized that something
was troubling him,
896
00:42:37,956 --> 00:42:39,357
and I knew I would
never see him again.
897
00:42:44,195 --> 00:42:45,897
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
Later Later that night, Mary
898
00:42:45,997 --> 00:42:48,700
was shocked to learn that
her boyfriend, Hank Queen,
899
00:42:48,800 --> 00:42:51,937
was really Dennis DePue, and
that he had just been featured
900
00:42:52,037 --> 00:42:53,805
on "Unsolved Mysteries".
901
00:42:59,845 --> 00:43:02,080
For nearly a year, Dennis
DePue's whereabouts
902
00:43:02,180 --> 00:43:07,452
remained a mystery until
the night of our broadcast.
903
00:43:07,552 --> 00:43:11,156
MARY: Looking back on it now,
I'm sure he was watching.
904
00:43:11,256 --> 00:43:14,993
And I think that
he was deliberately
905
00:43:15,093 --> 00:43:19,731
keeping my attention
distracted in the kitchen
906
00:43:19,831 --> 00:43:21,532
so that I wouldn't
see the segment
907
00:43:21,633 --> 00:43:24,903
and so that he could leave.
908
00:43:25,003 --> 00:43:26,672
A friend of Mary's
called our telecenter
909
00:43:26,772 --> 00:43:29,474
and provided authorities
with a Texas license plate
910
00:43:29,574 --> 00:43:31,810
number of Dennis DePue's van.
911
00:43:31,910 --> 00:43:35,881
Four hours later, DePue's
life came to a violent end
912
00:43:35,981 --> 00:43:38,984
just across the
Louisiana/Mississippi border.
913
00:43:41,887 --> 00:43:44,589
When Louisiana state
troopers spotted DePue's van,
914
00:43:44,690 --> 00:43:47,458
they attempted to pull him over.
915
00:43:47,558 --> 00:43:50,595
He led police on a
15-mile high-speed chase
916
00:43:50,696 --> 00:43:52,798
and broke through two
police barricades.
917
00:43:56,267 --> 00:43:57,335
PAUL BARRETT: I
told the deputies
918
00:43:57,435 --> 00:44:01,006
if the van refused
to stop to shoot
919
00:44:01,106 --> 00:44:03,174
a tire off it-- a front tire.
920
00:44:03,274 --> 00:44:06,912
And they missed the front tire,
but they got both back ones.
921
00:44:07,012 --> 00:44:10,181
He traveled about half a
mile and it just wouldn't
922
00:44:10,281 --> 00:44:12,517
go any further, and he stopped.
923
00:44:12,617 --> 00:44:14,119
ROBERT STACK (VOICEOVER):
After firing two shots
924
00:44:14,219 --> 00:44:16,287
through his windshield
at deputies and another
925
00:44:16,387 --> 00:44:19,891
through an open window, DePue
turned his gun on himself
926
00:44:19,991 --> 00:44:22,493
and took his own life.
927
00:44:22,593 --> 00:44:26,998
It was a funny feeling to
realize that, the night before,
928
00:44:27,098 --> 00:44:28,499
that you had been
watching this man,
929
00:44:28,599 --> 00:44:31,136
that he was wanted
for murder someplace
930
00:44:31,236 --> 00:44:33,739
and then you walk up
to the van and you
931
00:44:33,839 --> 00:44:35,506
recognize him as
being the person that
932
00:44:35,606 --> 00:44:37,308
was on "Unsolved Mysteries".
933
00:44:37,408 --> 00:44:38,710
It's a funny feeling.
934
00:44:38,810 --> 00:44:40,645
But I think he intended
to die whether he
935
00:44:40,746 --> 00:44:42,680
had to do it by his
own hands or where
936
00:44:42,781 --> 00:44:44,182
he could get us to kill him.
937
00:44:44,282 --> 00:44:47,218
Otherwise he would have stopped
and we would've gotten him out
938
00:44:47,318 --> 00:44:48,553
of the van alive
and then there never
939
00:44:48,653 --> 00:44:49,755
would've been the shots fired.
940
00:44:52,657 --> 00:44:55,393
While living as a fugitive,
Dennis DePue sent a chilling
941
00:44:55,493 --> 00:44:59,597
letter to several friends trying
to justify his ex-wife's death.
942
00:44:59,697 --> 00:45:03,234
He wrote, "an eye for an
eye, a tooth for a tooth,
943
00:45:03,334 --> 00:45:07,405
a lie for a lie, a
life for a life."
944
00:45:07,505 --> 00:45:10,341
At the time, Dennis DePue
had no idea just how
945
00:45:10,441 --> 00:45:13,745
prophetic those words would be.
946
00:45:13,845 --> 00:45:18,116
[music playing]
947
00:45:20,651 --> 00:45:24,155
For every mystery, there is
someone, somewhere who holds
948
00:45:24,255 --> 00:45:26,424
the final piece of the puzzle.
949
00:45:26,524 --> 00:45:28,827
Join me next time
for another edition
950
00:45:28,927 --> 00:45:30,528
of "Unsolved Mysteries".
951
00:45:30,628 --> 00:45:34,766
[music playing]
74561
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