>>> TONIGHT ON "DATELINE" --
>> ME AND MY SISTER WERE REALLY SCARED
WE FELT A LITTLE BROKEN. WHY WOULDN'T SHE COME BACK TO
US SHE LOVED US
>> IT GRIPPED THE COMMUNITY. WHERE IS SHE
WHAT HAPPENED TO HER WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?
>> WE WENT INTO FULL INVESTIGATION IMMEDIATELY.
>> QUITE HONESTLY, IS IT POSSIBLE SHE IS ALIVE?
>> HE WAS WATCHING HER AND FOLLOWING HER.
>> DEEPLY CREEPY STUFF, CRIMINAL ACTS THAT HE'D RECORDED.
>> YES THAT'S HIS FAVORITE THING,
COLLECTING WOMEN >> MY HEART JUST SUNK.
HOW MANY OTHER TIMES HAS HE DONE THIS
HOW MANY OTHER WOMEN HAS HE DONE THIS TO?
>> A YOUNG NURSE VANISHES IN A MYSTERY STAINED WITH EVIL.
>> HE BROUGHT US TO THE BACK >> AND WE ALL LOOKED DOWN.
* >> WE JUST GASPED.
>> I'M LESTER HOLT AND THIS IS "DATELINE.
HERE'S DENNIS MURPHY WITH "THE DEVIL WAS WATCHING."
>> Reporter: THE FRONT RANGE OF COLORADO, THE VAST GRASSLANDS
EAST OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, OFFERS PLENTY OF PLACES TO
CONCEAL THE BODY OF A 97-POUND WOMAN.
THIS WOMAN -- TINA SANDOVAL. SO THE QUESTION THAT GETS SAID
FOR THE NEXT TWO DECADES, "WHERE ARE YOU, TINA?
>> AND THEN THE SEARCH BEGAN, YEAH
>> Reporter: WHERE ARE YOU >> YEP
AND WE SEARCHED -- OH, GOSH, PROBABLY OVER 50 DIFFERENT
LOCATIONS. >> Reporter: OFFICIALLY SHE WAS
A MISSING PERSON, HAD BEEN FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS
BUT THE AUTHORITIES, LIKE VETERAN DETECTIVE
BRAD GOLDSCHMIDT, COULDN'T ACCEPT THAT SHE WAS A RUNAWAY
LOOKING FOR A FRESH START. HE HAD SPENT MORE HOURS THAN HE
COULD COUNT SEARCHING GRAVEL PITS AND DRAINED PONDS FOR
MISSING TINA SO POOR TINA WAS JUST A SMALL,
LITTLE WOMAN AND THERE'S A LOT OF COLORADO?
>> JUST THIS ONE AREA HERE, REALLY, TO PROBABLY --
>> Reporter: DID YOU THINK, "WE'RE NEVER GONNA GET THIS"
>> OH, I THOUGHT WE'D NEVER GET HER.
>> Reporter: THEY COULDN'T PROVE IT, BUT IT WAS THE CONSENSUS OF
LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT THE YOUNG NURSE WAS THE VICTIM OF FOUL
PLAY HER SISTER SUSAN DIDN'T
DISAGREE >> IT JUST WASN'T FAIR
YOU KNOW, SHE WOULD'VE BEEN SO GOOD FOR THE WORLD
>> Reporter: AND SHE HAD AN UNSHAKEABLE THEORY ABOUT WHO
MADE HER SISTER DISAPPEAR. >> EVIL.
HE'S JUST EVIL >> Reporter: DID YOU THINK, "I
NOW HAVE HANNIBAL LECTER HERE" >> YES
THIS GUY IS BY FAR THE WORST CRIMINAL I'VE EVER INVESTIGATED.
>> Reporter: THE PROBLEM WITH THE MISSING TINA INVESTIGATION
WAS THIS -- HOW COULD A PROSECUTOR CONVINCE A JURY SHE
WAS MURDERED IF YOU COULDN'T EVEN PROVE, BEYOND A REASONABLE
DOUBT, THAT SHE WAS, IN FACT, DEAD
TICK IT OFF. WHAT -- WHAT WERE THE USUAL
INGREDIENTS YOU WERE MISSING HERE
>> WE DID NOT HAVE A VICTIM'S BODY
WE DID NOT HAVE A -- ANY KIND OF A CONFESSION OR ADMISSION BY A
SUSPECT. WE DIDN'T HAVE A CRIME SCENE
WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
>> Reporter: CAROL, A NURSE AND CO-WORKER OF TINA'S, SPENT
WEEKENDS LOOKING FOR HER VANISHED FRIEND ONLY TO BE
STARTLED AWAKE LATER WITH A STEPHEN KING-LIKE VISION
>> I WOULD BE, LIKE, ON A REMOTE AREA, AND SHE WAS IN A SHALLOW
GRAVE IN MY DREAM, AND SHE WOULD SIT UP, KINDA ZOMBIE STYLE, AND
SHE WAS TRYING TO TELL ME WHERE SHE WAS BURIED
AND I ALWAYS WONDERED, "IS THAT REALLY HER TELLING ME?" YOU
KNOW, "OR IS IT JUST MY WAY I'M COPING WITH THIS?"
>> Reporter: EVENTUALLY THERE WOULD BE A GRAVE
BUT IT WASN'T SHALLOW, AND IT WASN'T OUT IN THE PRAIRIE.
BUT THERE'S SO MUCH TO KNOW BEFORE I TELL YOU ABOUT THAT
GO BACK TO A TIME IN AMERICA WHEN KIDS WOULD PLAY OUTSIDE ON
SUMMER NIGHTS TILL THE STREETLIGHTS CAME ON
IN WINDSOR, COLORADO, YOU MIGHT HAVE MET THE TOURNAIS.
THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM. HERE'S ANNIE
>> NINE KIDS SEVEN GIRLS, TWO BOYS.
>> Reporter: AND WHERE WERE YOU IN ALL THAT?
>> I'M THE YOUNGEST, NUMBER NINE
IT WAS KINDA LIKE BOOT CAMP. YOU KNOW, AS SOON AS YOU GET TO
A CERTAIN AGE, "HERE'S HOW YOU DO LAUNDRY
HERE'S HOW YOU CLEAN." >> Reporter: DAD MICHAEL WAS AN
EX-MARINE AND A FORMER CITY COP. MOM MARY ELLEN WORKED AT THE
CAMPUS BOOKSTORE IN NEARBY GREELEY.
ANNIE'S SISTER, OLDER BY 13 YEARS, WAS TINA
WAS SHE SOMETHING LIKE AN OLDER AUNT TO YOU OR SOMETHING, OR -
AS MUCH AS A SISTER -- >> NO, SHE -- SHE WAS VERY MUCH
A SISTER TO ME SHE CARED FOR ME
SHE PLAYED WITH ME SHE WOULD PLAY WITH US IN OUR
CLUBHOUSE. BEING WITH FAMILY MADE HER VERY
HAPPY. SHE LOVED US KIDS A LOT.
>> Reporter: TINA WAS A LITTLE SHY BUT A SPIRITED COMPETITOR IN
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL AND TRACK.
FINDING SUITABLE BOYFRIENDS WAS WHERE SHE STUMBLED SOME, AS
SISTER SUSAN RECALLS MOM AND DAD DID NOT APPROVE OF
TWO OF HER YOUNG STEADIES. >> YEAH, SHE KINDA FOUND THE
ONES THAT NEEDED HELP AND SHE THOUGHT SHE COULD HELP THEM.
>> Reporter: BUT COLLEGE GAVE HER FOOTING, AND STUDIES IN
NURSING GAVE HER DIRECTION THAT'S WHERE SHE MET A GUY
TAKING CLASSES TO BECOME A RADIOLOGY TECHNICIAN
HIS NAME WAS JOHN SANDOVAL SO WHAT DID YOUR PARENTS THINK
OF THIS JOHN >> I THINK MY PARENTS KINDA
LIKED HIM. HE WAS A LITTLE OLDER THAN TINA.
>> Reporter: AND JUST LIKE THAT, TINA WAS SOON SHARING AN
APARTMENT IN GREELEY, COLORADO, WITH HER NEW BOYFRIEND, JOHN
KID SISTER ANNIE, ABOUT NINE AT THE TIME, THOUGHT IT WAS ALL
VERY EXCITING. >> I REALLY LOOKED UP TO THEIR
RELATIONSHIP A LOT I THOUGHT THEY WERE A GOOD FIT
I THOUGHT IT WAS A FAIRYTALE, YOU KNOW
>> Reporter: ANNIE LOVED GOING OVER TO TINA AND JOHN'S TO PLAY
CHINESE CHECKERS AND MESS ABOUT WITH THEIR NEW DOG, CODY
TINA HAD BROKEN OUT OF HER STRICT "MASS ON SUNDAY" CATHOLIC
UPBRINGING WHAT DOES YOUR CHILDHOOD MIND
MAKE OF YOUR SISTER AND HIS -- HER BOYFRIEND?
>> I DON'T THINK ANY OF MY OTHER SIBLINGS HAD LIVED WITH SOMEBODY
BEFORE, SO IT WAS A WHOLE NEW EXPERIENCE
>> Reporter: AND THERE WAS GONNA BE A WEDDING
>> AND THERE WAS GONNA BE A WEDDING, AND WE WERE IN THE
WEDDING! >> Reporter: JOHN AND TINA HAD
FOUND A CHAPEL UP IN THE ROCKIES TO EXCHANGE THEIR VOWS
>> VERY, VERY BEAUTIFUL. WE TOOK A HUGE GROUP PICTURE OUT
FRONT OF THE CHAPEL AFTERWARDS >> Reporter: JOHN TOASTED HIS
BRIDE AT THE RECEPTION >> I'VE GOT THE BEST WOMAN A MAN
COULD EVER ASK FOR, AND OUR FAMILY IS JUST GETTING BIGGER.
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY! [ CHEERS ]
>> Reporter: TINA OPENED PRESENTS
>> THIS IS FROM ANNIE! OHH.
>> I MADE IT >> IT'S A BOOK
>> Reporter: A LITTLE FLOWER GIRL REMEMBERS TEARING AROUND
THE RECEPTION HALL SQUEALING WITH ALL HER SISTERS
>> IT'S A TIME TO BE GLEEFUL AND HAPPY AND ENJOY THE TIME
>> Reporter: JOHN'S COUSIN AND BEST MAN, JESSE, GAVE A LITTLE
SPEECH >> I KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO DO
WELL FOR EACH OTHER. THANKS AGAIN FOR EVERYBODY FOR
MAKING IT. >> Reporter: JESSE FOR SOME
REASON SET ANNIE'S TEETH ON EDGE
>> HE WAS EXTREMELY QUIET. KINDA MADE ME NERVOUS.
I JUST HAD A FEELING ABOUT HIM THAT I JUST COULDN'T PUT MY
FINGER ON. >> Reporter: AND SO AFTER THE
TOASTS AND HAPPY TEARS, THE NEW MISTER AND MISSUS WERE OFF TO
CANCUN FOR A MEXICAN BEACH HONEYMOON.
THE SNAPSHOTS SHOW A HAPPY COUPLE
ANNIE WAS THRILLED TO GET A SOUVENIR
>> CANCUN T-SHIRTS, AND THAT WAS PRETTY COOL 'CAUSE WE HAD NEVER
BEEN OUT OF THE COUNTRY OR EVEN FLOWN ON A PLANE
AND HERE'S TINA GOING ON A COOL VACATION, YOU KNOW
>> Reporter: SO A SUNTANNED TINA RETURNED TO HER NURSING STUDIES.
HAPPY FOREVER AFTER? NOT EXACTLY.
>> I DIDN'T SEE IT COMING. DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING OFF
KILTER AND THEN, SUDDENLY, WE WERE
MOVING TINA INTO A NEW APARTMENT.
>> WHAT HAD HAPPENED SO SUDDENLY
HAD TINA BEEN KEEPING A SECRET WHEN WE COME BACK --
>> THE MYSTERY THAT WOULD TAKE 20 YEARS TO SOLVE WAS JUST
GETTING STARTED. >>> SHE WAS REALLY IN LOVE IN
THE BEGINNING. >> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU THINK
THE GLUE WAS THERE >> I THINK THE WAY HE TALKED TO
HER JUST SO GENTLY, AND HE JUST TREASURED HER.
HE MADE HER FEEL REALLY SPECIAL, AND SHE HADN'T FELT THAT WAY FOR
AWHILE LIKE, SHE'D BEEN TREATED LIKE
DIRT >> Reporter: THAT CAN GO A LONG
WAY, RIGHT >> HE CALLED HER "KITTEN" AND
JUST WAS, LIKE, CONSTANTLY, "YOU'RE SO BEAUTIFUL
YOU'RE SO BEAUTIFUL, I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M WITH YOU."
>> Reporter: HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ELOQUENT SWEET TALKER, BUT
JOHN SEEMED TO HAVE TROUBLE HOLDING A JOB.
HE NEVER DID FINISH HIS RADIOLOGY CLASS AND FOUND A
STRING OF PART-TIME, HOURLY JOBS -- WORKING IN A LIQUOR
STORE, A CUSTOMER-CARE CALL CENTER
ABOUT TWO YEARS INTO THE MARRIAGE, TINA'S SISTER, SUSAN,
COULD SENSE THAT SOMETHING WAS OFF.
>> SHE WAS FEELING LIKE MAYBE JOHN ISN'T WHO SHE THOUGHT HE
WAS. >> Reporter: DID YOU SCRATCH
AROUND ON THAT >> A LITTLE BIT.
SHE WASN'T VERY FORTHCOMING IN THE BEGINNING.
I KNEW THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS, AND SHE HAD CONCERNS,
BUT SHE WASN'T TELLING ME A LOT OF WHAT SHE ALREADY KNEW AT THAT
POINT. >> Reporter: TINA, IT TURNED
OUT, WAS KEEPING A SECRET ABOUT HER MARRIAGE
A DARK ONE AND SHE WASN'T READY YET TO
DISCLOSE THE HUMILIATING TRUTH, NOT EVEN TO HER SISTER
NURSING SCHOOL, MEANWHILE, WAS GOING VERY WELL.
SHE DOVE INTO THE FIELD AND FOUND HER PASSION -- CARING FOR
OTHER PEOPLE TINA SOARED.
>> SO TINA IS RIGHT HERE >> Reporter: AND WHERE ARE YOU
>> I'M RIGHT HERE. >> Reporter: ONE OF TINA'S
FELLOW NURSING STUDENTS WAS CAROL SJERVEN.
SHE WAS AS SCARED TO MEET HER FIRST PATIENT AS TINA WAS
CONFIDENT. >> SHE LITERALLY PUSHED ME IN
THE DOOR >> Reporter: "YOU CAN DO IT.
>> SHE SAID -- >> Reporter: GIVING YOU THE PEP
TALK >> -- "YOU CAN DO IT."
AND SHE PHYSICALLY PUSHED ME INTO THE PATIENT'S ROOM.
SO I THINK, WHEN IT CAME TO NURSING, SHE WAS A NATURAL
>> Reporter: IN COMMAND, CONFIDENT?
>> CONFIDENT NOT BOSSY IN ANY WAY, BUT JUST
SHE KNEW WHAT SHE WAS DOING. >> Reporter: BUT CAROL KNEW
ALMOST NOTHING ABOUT TINA'S LIFE AWAY FROM NURSING SCHOOL
THE SHY TEENAGER HAD BECOME THE NOSE IN THE BOOK STUDENT AND
DIDN'T SOCIALIZE WITH HER CLASSMATES
SISTER SUSAN HAD MARRIED BY THEN, TOO.
AND SHE AND HER HUSBAND ENDED UP GETTING AN APARTMENT JUST DOWN
THE STREET FROM JOHN AND TINA. >> SO WE COULD EASILY WALK BACK
AND FORTH AND SEE EACH OTHER AND I HAD MY DAUGHTER AT THAT
TIME AND SHE WAS A TODDLER.
AND SHE -- MY SISTER LOVED CHILDREN
>> Reporter: SUSAN WOULD TAKE HER LITTLE GIRL TO SEE AUNT TINA
FOR COFFEES THAT BECAME HEART-TO-HEARTS.
SUSAN CONFIDED THAT SHE WAS UNHAPPY IN HER MARRIAGE, JUST AS
TINA WAS RESTLESS IN HERS. >> SO SHE WAS ACTUALLY REALLY
ENCOURAGING ME TO GET OUT OF MY MARRIAGE
AND SO SHE REALLY WANTED TO HELP ME, AND THEN SHE KIND OF MADE
THE LEAP BEFORE I DID AND STARTED FILING THE DIVORCE
PAPERWORK AND MOVING OUT INTO HER OWN PLACE.
>> Reporter: BY SUMMER'S END 1995, TINA AND JOHN WERE DONE.
WHEN IT CRACKED, WHAT WAS THE THING?
>> I THINK IT HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME BEFORE I
KNEW ABOUT IT. FROM WHAT SHE TOLD ME LATER, SHE
WAS CONFRONTING HIM ABOUT THINGS THAT SHE WAS FINDING OUT ABOUT
HIM, HE'S NOT A GOOD PERSON. >> Reporter: KID SISTER ANNIE
WAS CLUELESS ABOUT WHY TINA AND JOHN -- HER ALMOST PRINCE
CHARMING -- WERE SPLITTING UP. BUT THERE SHE WAS, HELPING TO
LUG BOXES FROM THE OLD PLACE TO THE NEW APARTMENT.
AND JOHN WAS THERE >> HE HELPED AS WELL, AND I
ASKED HIM, I SAID, "WELL, WHY IS TINA MOVING OUT?
WHAT'S GOING ON? AND HE SAID, "OH, DON'T WORRY.
WE JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT OF SPACE.
DON'T WORRY. WE'LL BE BACK TOGETHER SOON.
>> Reporter: BUT JOHN SANDOVAL SOON PLUMMETED FROM ANNIE'S LIST
OF ADMIRED MEN BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED JUST
AFTER THEY'D FINISHED GETTING TINA MOVED
>> HE TOOK ME AND MY SISTER BACK TO TOWN.
AND HE GOT US SOME ICE CREAM CONES AND TOOK US TO THE LAKE.
AND THEN HE STARTED DRIVING DOWN THE BOAT DOCK INTO THE LAKE.
>> Reporter: THE BOAT LAUNCH THE RAMP
>> YES >> Reporter: IN THE VEHICLE?
>> YES AND ME AND MY SISTER WERE REALLY
SCARED WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE WAS
DOING. >> Reporter: DOING IT AS A GOOF
OR --? >> IT WAS A DIFFERENT SIDE OF
HIM I'D NEVER SEEN I -- HE SEEMED TO BE -- BE
GETTING JOY OUT OF OUR TERROR. >> Reporter: AND THE WATER'S
COMIN' UP OVER THE HUBCAPS >> YEAH.
AND WE JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GONNA HAPPEN
AND THEN HE STOPPED AND BACKED UP AND TOOK US HOME.
AND THAT WAS IT. >> Reporter: DID HE BECOME A
CATEGORY OF A DIFFERENT PERSON AFTER THAT TO YOU?
>> YEAH. YEAH
IT WAS - >> Reporter: THE JOHN YOU
IDOLIZED WASN'T NECESSARILY THE SAME GUY
>> YEAH. HE -- HE SCARED US
>> Reporter: SCARY AND JOHN SANDOVAL WERE JUST GETTING
UP TO SPEED.
>> MY JAW DROPS, AND I'M LIKE, "WHAT?
>> A SEPARATION AND AN OBSESSION.
>> SHE WOULD LOOK OUT OVER HER BALCONY.
SHE SAID HIS CAR WOULD BE THERE FOR HOURS.
>> HE WAS LETTING HER KNOW THAT HE WAS WATCHING HER AND
FOLLOWING HER. >> Reporter: IN THE SPRING OF
1995, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO STUDENTS ABOUT TO GET
THEIR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING GATHERED ON THE LAWN FOR
A GROUP PHOTO. >> I'M LOOKING AND LOOKING AND
LOOKING FOR TINA AND, OF COURSE, THERE SHE IS
>> Reporter: KIND OF HALF HIDDEN
>> MAKING SURE EVERYBODY ELSE GETS SEEN.
>> Reporter: DOES THAT SPEAK TO SHY TINA THAT WE HEAR ABOUT, NOT
STEPPING INTO THE SPOTLIGHT? >> SHE'S DEFINITELY GONNA PUT
EVERYONE ELSE IN THE SPOTLIGHT BEFORE SHE TAKES IT.
>> Reporter: BUT THE UPCOMING SUMMER WAS TINA'S TIME TO STEP
OUT INTO THE LIGHTS FOR MAYBE THE FIRST TIME IN HER LIFE
THE SHY YOUNG WOMAN WAS EMERGING FROM HER COCOON.
HER COLLEAGUE, CAROL SJERVEN, NOTICED.
>> I THINK SHE FINALLY STARTED TO BECOME AGE APPROPRIATE, TO BE
HONEST I MEAN, SHE JUST SEEMED SHE WAS
SO MUCH HAPPIER, MORE FREE >> Reporter: AND CAROL QUICKLY
REGARDED TINA AS THE REAL DEAL WHEN IT CAME TO NURSING.
>> TINA WAS THE BEST I MEAN, IF THERE WAS A CALL
LIGHT GOIN' OFF, SHE'S THE FIRST TO POP UP AND GO GET IT.
AND SHE -- YOU KNOW, HER PATIENTS LIKED HER
EVERYONE LIKED TINA. SHE WAS FANTASTIC.
>> Reporter: IT HAD BEEN A MOMENTOUS YEAR FOR TINA.
SHE'D GOTTEN HER DEGREE, LEFT HER MARRIAGE AND NOW HAD
SUCCESSFULLY KICKED OFF HER CAREER IN NURSING.
SHE WAS A 23-YEAR-OLD WOMAN ABOUT TO BE DIVORCED AND LIVING
ALONE IN A COOL APARTMENT THAT WAS ALL HERS
>> I THINK IT WAS ALMOST JUST LIKE A HUGE WEIGHT HAD COME OFF
HER SHOULDER SHE SEEMED TO SMILE MORE, I
THINK, AND JUST OPEN UP KINDA LIKE A BUTTERFLY
>> Reporter: OLD TINA RARELY SOCIALIZED WITH HER CLASSMATES
BUT WITH CAROL'S ENCOURAGEMENT, SHE NOW STEPPED OUT AND LET DOWN
HER HAIR >> SHE FINALLY WANTED TO GO HAVE
FUN AND JOIN HER FRIENDS, AND IT WAS SO NICE TO SEE HER OPEN UP
AND TELL MORE ABOUT HER LIFE AND PROBABLY THE MOST PROFOUND
THING THAT HAPPENED THE NIGHT WE WENT OUT -- SHE CAME TO MY
APARTMENT TO GET READY WHILE SHE WAS AT MY HOUSE, I
SAID, YOU KNOW, "TELL ME MORE ABOUT JOHN."
AND SHE SAID, "WELL, JOHN HAS A DISEASE.
AND I -- >> Reporter: DISEASE
>> I SAID THAT, TOO. "WELL, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
AND SHE SAID, "WELL, HE HAS VOYEURISM.
AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANT AT THE TIME.
I SAID, "WELL, WHAT'S THAT?" AND SHE SAID, "WELL, YOU KNOW,
HE'LL SEE A PRETTY GIRL AT THE GROCERY STORE AND HE'LL KINDA
FEEL COMPELLED TO JUST FOLLOW HER HOME
AND HE MIGHT WATCH HER FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS.
AND, YOU KNOW, SHE - >> Reporter: I MEAN, WHAT DID --
>> -- SAID IT JUST SUPER CALM LIKE THAT.
>> Reporter: AS THOUGH THIS IS A NORMAL KIND OF -
>> RIGHT AND --
>> Reporter: -- STORY TO TELL? >> YOU KNOW, MY JAW DROPS AND
I'M LIKE, "WHAT? THAT'S -- THAT'S LIKE A
STALKER. SHE SAID, "NO, NO, NO.
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND IT'S AN ILLNESS.
HE CAN'T HELP IT." >> Reporter: A DISEASE OF
STALKING >> IN NURSING SCHOOL, WE LEARN
ABOUT ALL THE PERSONALITY DISORDERS.
I DON'T EVER REMEMBER LEARNING THAT IT WAS ANY KIND OF AN
ILLNESS. >> Reporter: SO, "MY HUSBAND IS
A GUY WHO FOLLOWS WOMEN AROUND." >> RIGHT
>> Reporter: CAROL LET THE STUNNING REMARK SLIDE AS SHE AND
TINA WENT TO A CLUB THAT NIGHT AND THEIR FRIENDSHIP WAS BORN.
THE TOPIC OF HER ABOUT-TO-BE EX'S SO-CALLED DISEASE CAME UP
AGAIN. >> AND I SAID, "SO DO YOU THINK
THAT JOHN EVER WATCHES YOU?" AND SHE SAID, "YEAH.
SAME THING REAL CALM ABOUT IT
AND I SAID -- YOU KNOW, SHE SAID -- SHE WOULD LOOK OUT OVER
HER BALCONY. SHE SAID HIS CAR WOULD BE THERE
FOR HOURS, JUST WATCHING >> Reporter: HIS CAR
>> HIS CAR >> Reporter: THEY'RE SEPARATED
>> UH-HUH. >> Reporter: BUT HE'S CHECKING
HER OUT? HE'S STALKING HER.
>> RIGHT >> Reporter: DID THAT CREEP HER
OUT? >> YOU KNOW, SHE SAID IT
MATTER-OF-FACTLY SHE DIDN'T SEEM AFRAID AT THE
TIME >> Reporter: ONCE SHE'D MADE THE
DECISION TO LEAVE, TINA TOLD THE SAME STORIES TO HER SISTER,
SUSAN. TINA FINALLY CONFIDED SHE HAD
MARRIED A PEEPING TOM. HE'D LEAVE THEIR BED IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, SHE SAID, TO CRAWL BACKYARDS AND SOMETIMES
BRING BACK TROPHIES -- WOMEN'S UNDERWEAR.
BUT TINA ALSO CONFIDED SOMETHING ELSE
SHE WAS MOVING ON FROM JOHN, DRAWING CLOSER TO OLD FRIENDS,
INCLUDING JOHN'S COUSIN, JESSE, THE SILENT BEST MAN AT THEIR
WEDDING. JESSIE IN PARTICULAR, THE
COUSIN, DID HE BECOME MORE OF A DATE
WAS HE AN INTIMATE FRIEND OF HERS, DO YOU THINK
>> YOU KNOW, I NEVER KNEW FOR SURE
I KNEW THEY WERE TALKING, THAT HE WOULD COME OVER TO HER
APARTMENT SOMETIMES. >> Reporter: 'CAUSE YOU WONDER
IF IT KINDLED JEALOUSY >> RIGHT
RIGHT. BUT SHE WAS ALSO TALKING TO
OTHER PEOPLE LIKE, MY OLDER SISTER'S FRIEND,
KEVIN, WAS ANOTHER PERSON THAT SHE WAS TALKING TO WHO WOULD
ALSO COME AND CHECK ON HER AND THEY WOULD SOMETIMES GO OUT
AND DO THINGS TOGETHER SO DEFINITELY NOT SETTLING IN ON
ANYBODY IN PARTICULAR. AND HE WAS LETTING HER KNOW THAT
HE WAS WATCHING HER AND FOLLOWING HER.
HE EVEN HAD JUMPED ONTO THE DECK OF HER APARTMENT FROM THE
STAIRCASE THAT LED UP TO HER FRONT DOOR AND WAS WATCHING HER
IN THERE AND TOLD HER EVERYTHING HE SAW
>> Reporter: SO WHERE WAS JOHN AS THIS SUMMER ROLLED ON
HE WAS WORKING AT A LOCAL CALL CENTER
HE'D RENTED A HOUSE IN DOWNTOWN GREELEY AND SUBLET THE BASEMENT
TO HIS AUNT GABBY. BUT HE WAS TELLING FRIENDS AND
FAMILY THAT HE WAS LEAVING GREELEY, GETTING OUT OF DODGE
FOR AWHILE BUT, FIRST, THERE WAS SOME FINAL
DIVORCE BUSINESS TO SETTLE WITH TINA
>>> COMING UP -- >> SHE SAID, "WELL, I'M GOING
WORKING THE NIGHT SHIFT TONIGHT. AND I'M GONNA BE MEETING JOHN IN
THE MORNING. AND I TOLD HER I WAS REALLY
CONCERNED. >> TINA'S SISTER HAD GOOD REASON
TO BE WORRIED. >> MY MOM SAID, "WE NEED TO GO
TO THE POLICE STATION. >> WE WENT INTO FULL
1995 TINA CLOCKED INTO THE OVERNIGHT NURSING SHIFT AT THE
ONCOLOGY UNIT -- 7:00 P.M. TO 7:00 A.M.
THAT LAST NIGHT, WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT IT?
>> I THINK THAT WAS ONE OF THOSE CRAZY BUSY NIGHTS, FOR ME AT
LEAST, THAT WE TALKED ABOUT BECAUSE I WASN'T PART OF THE
CONVERSATION THAT I KNOW SHE HAD WITH SOME OF THE OTHER NURSES.
>> Reporter: THE CONVERSATION -- TINA WAS DISTRACTED THAT NIGHT
BECAUSE, AS SHE TOLD HER FELLOW NURSES, WHEN SHE GOT OFF SHIFT
IN THE MORNING, SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE A BIG CONVERSATION WITH
JOHN AT HIS HOUSE ABOUT BRINGING THE DIVORCE TO A CLOSE
FINAL MONEY ISSUES, FINAL LEGAL PAPERWORK.
SHE WAS APPREHENSIVE THAT NIGHT? >> SHE WAS
SHE HAD TOLD A COUPLE OF THE OTHER NURSES THAT SHE WAS
NERVOUS ABOUT MEETING WITH JOHN. AND, YOU KNOW, I KNOW ONE OF 'EM
SAID, YOU KNOW, "I THINK YOU SHOULD GO TO A PUBLIC PLACE IF
YOU'RE NERVOUS ABOUT MEETING WITH HIM."
>> Reporter: CAROL RAN INTO TINA THAT MORNING AT THE END OF HER
SHIFT. A MOMENT SHE'LL NEVER FORGET
AND I THINK ONCE SOMEBODY DIES OR DISAPPEARS, YOU ALWAYS
REMEMBER YOUR LAST TIME THAT YOU SAW THEM AND -
WHAT IS YOURS? >> SO SHE WAS -- THERE'S A LONG
CORRIDOR THAT WE WORKED ON AND WHICHEVER NURSE IT WAS THAT WAS
NEXT TO ME HAD SAID, "WELL, GOOD LUCK," YOU KNOW.
AND SHE SAID, "THANK YOU," YOU KNOW
WHATEVER AND THEN SHE TURNED AND, IN MY
MIND, IT'S KIND OF ALMOST LIKE A SLOW MOTION TURN
SHE ALWAYS HAD THIS BEAUTIFUL BLONDE PONYTAIL, AND HER
PONYTAIL FOLLOWED HER AROUND AND SHE WALKED OUT THE DOOR.
>> LAST LIVING MEMORY? >> UH-HUH.
>> Reporter: EARLIER TINA HAD CALLED HER SISTER SUSAN ABOUT
THAT MEETING WITH JOHN HOW DID SHE FRAME IT
WHAT WAS GONNA HAPPEN? >> SHE SAID, "WELL, I'M WORKING
THE NIGHT SHIFT TONIGHT. AND I'M GONNA BE MEETING JOHN IN
THE MORNING. AND I TOLD HER I WAS REALLY
CONCERNED BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING THAT HE'D BEEN DOING, ABOUT
FOLLOWING HER AND ACTING UP WITH THE OTHER WOMEN AGAIN.
I JUST WAS REALLY WORRIED. AND I DID ASK HER IF SHE COULD
TAKE SOMEONE SHE ASKED ME TO GO
AND I COULDN'T >> Reporter: SUSAN COULDN'T
SHAKE HER OWN GROWING FEARS ABOUT THE MEETING.
AND SINCE SHE COULDN'T BE THERE, SHE SET UP A PRECAUTIONARY PLAN.
WHAT'D YOU TELL HER? >> I TOLD HER SHE NEEDED TO CALL
ME WHEN SHE WAS DONE WHEN I GOT OFF WORK AROUND THE
LUNCH HOUR I WANTED TO HEAR FROM HER AND
KNOW THAT SHE WAS OKAY >> Reporter: AND DID SHE
UNDERSTAND WHY YOU WERE SAYING THAT
>> YES YEAH
AND SHE PROMISED ME SHE WOULD. >> Reporter: SO IT'S -- IT'S,
"CALL ME AT NOON WHEN THIS IS OVER"?
>> RIGHT >> Reporter: AND THE PHONE
DOESN'T RING >> RIGHT
>> Reporter: SUSAN BECAME MORE APPREHENSIVE AS THE AFTERNOON
DRAGGED ON AND STILL NOTHING HEARD FROM TINA.
WHEN -- WHEN DO YOU GET WORRIED? >> I WAS PRETTY WORRIED BY THE
TIME I WAS DONE WITH MY FIRST APPOINTMENT AND I STILL HADN'T
HEARD FROM HER AFTER THE SECOND APPOINTMENT, I
WAS JUST SCREAMING INSIDE. LIKE I NEED TO JUST DO
SOMETHING. >> Reporter: AND SO, LISTENING
TO THAT URGENT VOICE, SHE CALLED HER MOTHER AND ASKED THAT SHE
DRIVE BY BOTH TINA'S AND JOHN'S HOMES TO SEE IF THEIR CARS WERE
THERE. THEY WEREN'T
TINA'S MOTHER DID STOP AT JOHN'S PLACE, WHICH HE WAS SHARING WITH
HIS AUNT GABBY THE AUNT SAID SHE DIDN'T KNOW
WHERE JOHN OR TINA HAD GONE. BUT BEFORE LEAVING, TINA'S MOM
SPOTTED SOMETHING THAT SET OFF ALARM BELLS.
>> SHE SAW TINA'S JACKET ON THE KITCHEN CHAIR.
AND SHE SAID, "HERE, TAKE THE JACKET."
AND MY MOM HAD JUST BOUGHT THAT JACKET FOR TINA MAYBE TWO WEEKS
BEFORE >> Reporter: SO WHY WOULD SHE BE
SEPARATED FROM HER JACKET? THAT MADE NO SENSE
>> EXACTLY >> Reporter: SUSAN AND HER
MOTHER KNEW THE PIECES JUST WEREN'T ADDING UP.
DISAPPEARING WAS NOT LIKE THEIR TINA
>> YEAH, AND SO WE -- MY MOM SAID, "WE NEED TO GO TO THE
POLICE STATION." >> Reporter: A SHAKEN MOTHER AND
DAUGHTER TROOPED DOWN TO THE GREELEY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND
WERE INTRODUCED TO TWO FIGURES, DETECTIVES KEITH OLSON AND LATER
BRAD GOLDSCHMIDT TWO COPS WHO WOULD BECOME PART
OF THEIR FAMILY HISTORY OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS.
HOW DO YOU GUYS FIND OUT SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED TO A
WOMAN NAMED TINA >> TINA'S MOTHER AND HER SISTER
CAME INTO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. AND THEY CONTACTED THE DESK
OFFICER AND REPORTED THAT THEIR DAUGHTER'S MISSING, AND THEY
BELIEVE SOMETHING MAY HAVE HAPPENED TO HER.
AND THEY NAMED THEIR DAUGHTER'S ESTRANGED HUSBAND AS
JOHN SANDOVAL. >> Reporter: AND WHEN YOU HEARD
THAT NAME? >> WELL, WE HAD A LENGTHY
HISTORY OF JOHN SANDOVAL WE KNEW THAT HE WAS A PERVERT.
>> Reporter: GREELEY COPS KNEW SANDOVAL HAD RUN-INS WITH THE
LAW DATING BACK TO THE 1980s, INCLUDING CONVICTIONS FOR
HARASSMENT AND BURGLARY. SO THEY WEREN'T ABOUT TO WAIT TO
SEE IF TINA TURNED UP. >> JOHN SANDOVAL'S CONNECTION TO
THIS CASE SET OFF THE ALARMS I MEAN, WE -- WE WENT INTO FULL
INVESTIGATION IMMEDIATELY. >> Reporter: WHERE WAS SANDOVAL
AT THIS VERY MOMENT? WHERE WAS HIS VEHICLE?
AND WHERE OH WHERE WAS TINA?
>> HE SAYS, "BRAD, YOU GOTTA COME OVER HERE AND SEE THIS.
>> Reporter: JOHN SANDOVAL'S CAR WITH DISTURBING EVIDENCE INSIDE.
THE HUNT IS ON >> I SAID, "STEP ASIDE, WE'RE
COMING IN. >>> Reporter: TINA'S FAMILY HAD
REPORTED HER MISSING GREELEY, COLORADO, DETECTIVES
WERE LOOKING FOR HER ESTRANGED HUSBAND, JOHN SANDOVAL
AND HE IS A GUY KNOWN TO AUTHORITIES, AS THEY SAY
>> YES, FOR -- FOR MANY YEARS. I THINK AT THAT TIME, I'D
PROBABLY BEEN AT GREELEY POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR 15 YEARS.
AND I'D BEEN DEALING WITH HIM FROM THE FIRST YEAR I STARTED
THERE. >> Reporter: DETECTIVE
KEITH OLSON SAYS SANDOVAL WAS REGARDED AS GREELEY'S USUAL
SUSPECT WHEN IT CAME TO PEEPING TOM COMPLAINTS
BUT WAS HE CAPABLE OF ABDUCTION OR EVEN MURDER
THAT WAS THE QUESTION ON THE DETECTIVES' MINDS AS THEY WENT
OUT LOOKING FOR HIM AT 10:00 THAT NIGHT
>> KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND -- AND IT WAS ANSWERED BY --
JOHN'S AUNT, AUNT GABRIELLA. AND SHE LET US INTO THE HOUSE.
THEN ASKED US TO LEAVE SO WE LEFT
SHE SAID THAT SHE HADN'T SEEN JOHN SINCE, LIKE, 6:30 THAT
EVENING. >> Reporter: SO IT WAS OFF TO
TINA'S FOR A CHECK OF THE APARTMENT SHE'D MOVED INTO AFTER
LEAVING JOHN WHAT DO YOU FIND
ANYTHING IN DISARRAY >> WELL, IT'S -- IT'S -- ALL THE
EVIDENCE IS MATCHING WHAT WE KNOW
SHE GOT OFF OF WORK TO GO MEET WITH -- WITH JOHN ON A
PRESCHEDULED APPOINTMENT AND - >> Reporter: SO SHE'S CHANGED
OUT OF HER WORK CLOTHES, I GUESS, HUH
>> YEAH. HER -- HER NURSING UNIFORM -
HER NURSE'S BLOUSE WITH THE NAME TAG, I.D. TAG STILL ATTACHED IS
LYING ON THE GROUND WITH THE WHITE -- WHITE -
UNIFORM PANTS. >> Reporter: BUT NO DRAWERS ARE
OPEN, NO JEWELRY BOXES MESSED WITH, NOTHING LIKE THAT, HUH
>> CORRECT CORRECT.
>> Reporter: SO THIS TELLS YOU, WHATEVER HAPPENED DIDN'T REALLY
HAPPEN HERE. >> RIGHT
>> Reporter: OTHER THAN SHE CAME HOME
>> YEP SHE CAME HOME QUICKLY, CHANGED,
AND WENT TO MEET WITH JOHN >> Reporter: A CRITICAL QUESTION
EARLY ON WAS, WHERE'S TINA CAR >> WE STARTED LOOKING, CHECKING
THE NEIGHBORHOODS FOR LIKELY SPOTS.
PARKING LOTS OF APARTMENT COMPLEXES.
AND WE FOUND HER CAR RIGHT AWAY. >> Reporter: IT HAD BEEN
ABANDONED BY AN APARTMENT PARKING LOT.
THROUGH THE GLASS INSPECTION - >> YEAH.
>> Reporter: -- YOU SEEING ANYTHING
>> YEAH. HER WALLET WAS INSIDE THE CAR.
>> Reporter: THAT'S NOT GOOD >> WHICH WAS IMPORTANT TO US
>> Reporter: NOT GOOD AT ALL >> NOT GOOD.
>> Reporter: IT WAS WELL AFTER MIDNIGHT, AND STILL NO SIGN OF
TINA BACK AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS,
DETECTIVE BRAD GOLDSCHMIDT WAS AT HIS DESK DOING A LITTLE
RESEARCH ON JOHN SANDOVAL. >> AND I HAPPEN TO COME ACROSS A
REPORT THAT HAD BEEN MADE ABOUT FOUR WEEKS EARLIER THAN -- THAN
THIS DATE WE'RE ON AND A WOMAN HAD COME HOME AND
KNEW JOHN SANDOVAL, JUST KNEW HIM THROUGH A ROOMMATE THAT USED
TO LIVE WITH HER >> Reporter: THE DETECTIVE
DISCOVERED JOHN HAD RECENTLY BEEN BUSTED FOR TRESPASSING IN A
FORMER CO-WORKER'S TOWNHOUSE THE CITATION MENTIONED A PAIR OF
MEN'S SHOES LEFT OUTSIDE THE SLIDER DOOR.
>> AND SHE WALKS UP INTO HER BEDROOM, AND WHO DOES SHE SEE
IN -- HIDING IN HER CLOSET IS A SHOELESS JOHN SANDOVAL
AND SHE CONFRONTS HIM, YOU KNOW, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOIN'
HERE?" AND HE SAYS, "OH, WELL, I CAME
TO SEE SO-AND-SO WHO USED TO LIVE HERE.
"WELL, YOU KNOW HE'S -- THAT SHE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE.
YOU KNOW, GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE.
>> Reporter: SOMETIMES YOU GET LUCKY EVEN WITH MISTAKES
THE OFFICER WHO'D TAKEN THE OFFENSE REPORT HAD WRITTEN IT UP
AS A MISDEMEANOR HE WAS INCORRECT
SANDOVAL HAD ALLEGEDLY COMITTED A FELONY CRIME AND IT CARRIED
SERIOUS PRISON TIME UPON CONVICTION
NOW GOLDSCHMIDT COULD ARREST SANDOVAL FOR THAT OUTSTANDING
CRIME IF ONLY HE COULD FIND HIM. THE COPS DECIDED TO STAKE OUT A
SURVEILLANCE OFFICER IN AN UNMARKED CAR OUTSIDE SANDOVAL'S
HOME BINGO!
AT 4:45 A.M. OFFICER JOY HEMBY RADIOED IN
>> AND SHE GOES, "CAR JUST PULLED UP.
MALE SUBJECT JUST GOT OUT, AND HE'S WALKING INTO THE HOUSE
CARRYING A WHITE BAG." SO CLAY BUCKINGHAM AND I JUMP IN
OUR CARS, AND WE FLY OUT TO JOHN'S HOUSE
IT TOOK US FOUR MINUTES TO GET THERE.
I KNOCK ON THE DOOR. AND AUNT GABBY COMES TO THE
DOOR AND I SAID, "HEY, I KNOW JOHN
JUST GOT HERE. I NEED TO TALK TO HIM RIGHT
NOW. SHE GOES, "WELL, HE'S IN THE
SHOWER." AND I WENT -- I WAS LIKE, "OH,
MY GOD, HE'S IN THE SHOWER ALREADY.
>> Reporter: THERE GOES ALL YOUR TRACE EVIDENCE MAYBE -
>> ANY TRACE EVIDENCE -- >> Reporter: SUSPECT FOR YOU,
RIGHT? >> THAT -- THAT HE WAS -- THAT
HE HAD ON HIM IS BEING WASHED DOWN THE DRAIN RIGHT NOW
AND -- I -- OKAY AND THEN CLAY HAD WALKED OVER TO
JOHN'S CAR AND HE SHOWED -- SHINED HIS
FLASHLIGHT IN THE CAR. AND HE -- HE SAYS, "BRAD, YOU
GOT TO COME OVER HERE AND SEE THIS."
>> Reporter: INSIDE THE HATCHBACK THEY COULD SEE A WET
SHOVEL, A PAIL, SOME ROPE AND A FLASHLIGHT ATTACHED TO A
LANYARD. >> AND SO I RUN BACK TO THE
HOUSE, I POUND ON THE DOOR AGAIN.
AUNT GABBY COMES TO THE DOOR AND I SAID, "HEY, I NEED TO TALK
TO JOHN RIGHT NOW. GET HIM OUT OF THE SHOWER.
SHE WALKS BACK THE -- THE HOUSE IS DARK
THERE'S ONLY A DIM LIGHT ON IN THE KITCHEN.
AND I'M STANDING BY THE BACK DOOR
AND I SEE A FIGURE THAT I ASSUMED TO BE A MAN WALK PAST
GABBY INTO A DIFFERENT PART OF THE HOUSE.
SHE COMES BACK TO THE DOOR, AND SHE SAYS, "OH, I'M SORRY, I -- I
MADE A MISTAKE JOHN'S NOT HERE AFTER ALL.
SO SHE - >> Reporter: HE'S NOT THERE.
>> YEAH, SHE LIED TO ME. >> Reporter: LAW ENFORCEMENT
CAREERS ARE SOMETIMES MADE - AND LOST -- IN FLEETING MOMENTS
OF DECISION. THIS WAS ONE FOR DETECTIVE
BRAD GOLDSCHMIDT YOUR DASHBOARD IS WARNING YOU --
>> YEAH, YEAH -- >> Reporter: -- "I GOTTA GET A
SEARCH WARRANT." >> I GOTTA GET A SEARCH WARRANT
OR - >> Reporter: "I WANNA GET IN,
BUT I NEED A WARRANT." >> I'M WEIGHING ALL THIS STUFF
IN MY HEAD, YOU KNOW AND I'M THINKING, HERE'S WHAT I
KNOW TINA WAS LAST SEEN THERE
JOHN WAS GONE. HE CAME BACK IN THE MIDDLE OF
THE NIGHT. THERE'S A WET SHOVEL IN HIS CAR.
TINA'S EITHER DEAD OR IN REALLY BAD TROUBLE.
AND IF I DON'T GO IN AND COLLECT SOME EVIDENCE NOW THAT MAY LEAD
US TO HER, IF SHE'S STILL ALIVE, SHE'S GONNA BE DEAD SOON
SO I MADE THE DECISION THAT WE'RE GOING IN THE HOUSE
AND I GRAB CLAY BUCKINGHAM AND ANOTHER OFFICER WHO HAD ARRIVED
ON SCENE >> Reporter: THAT PRE-DAWN
DECISION WOULD CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION
>> AND I SAID, "STEP ASIDE, GABBY, WE'RE COMING IN."
AND SHE'S TRYING TO STOP ME. AND I PUSHED -- PUSHED MY WAY
IN I GET INSIDE
I ANNOUNCE, "JOHN SANDOVAL, GREELEY POLICE
I NEED TO TALK TO YOU RIGHT NOW, WE'RE COMING IN.
AND AS I GET BACK TO THE HALLWAY, I HEAR THIS SCRAPING
ON -- IT SOUNDED LIKE KICKING OR SCRAPING ON A WALL
SO WE JUMP IN, WE BURST INTO THE THE BEDROOM.
AND THE WINDOW'S OPEN, AND THE DRAPES ARE FLAPPING.
SO JOHN BAILED OUT THE WINDOW. >> Reporter: HE'S -- HE'S --
HE'S OUT THE WINDOW? >> HE'S OUT THE WINDOW
SO THE THREE OF US GO RUNNING OUTSIDE.
FORTUNATELY, THE OFFICER WHO HAD BEEN SURVEILLING THE HOUSE
POSITIONED HERSELF IN -- IN A PART OF THE HOUSE THAT WE
WEREN'T GONNA BE IN AT THAT -- WHEN -- WHEN WE MADE OUR ENTRY
AND WE RUN OUTSIDE, AND SHE'S GOT JOHN SANDOVAL ON HIS KNEES
AT GUNPOINT. >> PARTIALLY CLOTHED
>> HE'S -- HE'S WEARIN' -- HE -- >> LATE OCTOBER.
IT'S, LIKE, 20 DEGREES OUTSIDE
HE'S WEARIN' A T-SHIRT AND BLUE JEANS.
>> Reporter: AND YET WHAT ARE YOU GONNA CHARGE HIM WITH,
RIGHT? HE'S GONNA STAND UP AND SAY,
"FELLAS, WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT?
>> WE CUFF HIM OUTSIDE, WALK HIM INTO THE HOUSE, AND
CLAY BUCKINGHAM AND I LOOK AT EACH OTHER
AND CLAY IS LIKE, "WHAT ARE WE GONNA CHARGE HIM WITH, BRAD?
>> Reporter: REMEMBER, DETECTIVE GOLDSCHMIDT HAD DONE SOME
RESEARCH A FEW HOURS BEFORE AND COME UPON THAT POLICE OFFICER'S
CHARGING ERROR AND NOW, HE WOULD PLAY THAT
CARD >> WELL, CLAY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT
WHAT I HAD BEEN DOING. HE WAS OUT SEARCHING FOR
VEHICLES AND SO FORTH. AND I SAID, "TRESPASS.
>> Reporter: YOU HAD THAT UNSERVED WARRANT IN YOUR BACK
POCKET, HUH? >> I HAD THAT UNSERVED CHARGE IN
MY BACK POCKET SO I JUST -- AND CLAY HAD NO
IDEA "TRESPASS?
WHAT -- OKAY, WHATEVER." SO I JUST SAID, "TRESPASS,
YOU'RE UNDER ARREST FOR TRESPASS."
>> Reporter: SO JOHN SANDOVAL WAS ON HIS WAY TO A POLICE
INTERVIEW ROOM IT WASN'T ABOUT TRESPASSING.
IT WAS ALL ABOUT TINA. AND HE WAS GIVING UP NOTHING
>>> COMING UP -- >> AND WHY WOULD I KNOW WHERE
SHE'S AT >> JOHN SANDOVAL PLAYS IT COOL,
AND CONCERN PLAGUES THE DETECTIVES
>> WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIPS AND LEADS.
I REALLY DID FEEL LIKE WE WERE >>> JOHN, HOW YOU DOING?
>> DO YOU KNOW WHY I'M HERE AND WHY I DIDN'T GET TO CALL MY
LAWYER >> I PROMISE YOU THEY'LL LET YOU
KNOW AS SOON -- AS SOON AS THEY CAN.
I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING. OKAY
>> Reporter: JOHN SANDOVAL WAS DOWN AT THE GREELEY POLICE
STATION AFTER BEING ARRESTED ON A TRESPASSING CHARGE
BUT COPS REALLY WANTED TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT HIS MISSING WIFE,
TINA >> THEY'RE TALKING RIGHT NOW FOR
INVESTIGATION IN THE MISSING PERSON, YOUR ESTRANGED WIFE.
>> AND WHY WOULD I KNOW WHERE SHE'S AT
>> Reporter: HE WAS HAVING NONE OF IT, CLAIMING HE'D INJURED
HIMSELF WHEN HE JUMPED OUT THE WINDOW TO AVOID ARREST
>> I'D JUST LIKE TO SEE A DOCTOR AND TELL THEM WHEN EXACTLY -
>> I DON'T KNOW. THEY DON'T TELL ME ANYTHING.
OKAY >> Reporter: AND HE WASN'T A
COOPERATIVE WITNESS DURING THIS INTERVIEW, RIGHT
>> WELL -- WELL, JOHN IS NEVER A COOPERATIVE WITNESS.
JOHN ALWAYS SAYS, "I'M NOT TALKING TO YOU
I GOT NOTHING TO SAY." >> Reporter: HE KNOWS THE DRILL,
HUH? >> "WHAT AM I HERE FOR?"
YOU KNOW "WHAT AM I HERE FOR?
WHAT AM I HERE FOR?" >> WELL, THEN I'M NOT GONNA
COOPERATE EITHER WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH YOU
YOU KNOW, YOU GOTTA -- YOU ARREST -- YOU --
>> YEAH, YOU'RE UNDER ARREST, ALL RIGHT?
>> YOU GOT ME TIED UP, OKAY? WANT ME -- OKAY, YOU GOT ME TIED
UP, WHICH -- WHAT? WHY?
>> JOHN, YOU KNOW WHY.
OKAY >> I DON'T KNOW WHY.
WHY WOULD I -- BE ASKING YOU WHY IF I KNEW WHY?
THERE MUST BE SOMEBODY HAS A PHONE.
I'D LIKE TO CALL MY LAWYER >> Reporter: DETECTIVES KEPT
SANDOVAL IN JAIL ON THAT TRESPASSING CHARGE, BUT HE
LAWYERED UP. NOW OLSON AND GOLDSCHMIDT WERE
LEFT ON THEIR OWN TO POSE THE QUESTION, WHERE WAS TINA
>> YOU STILL CAN'T DISCOUNT THAT SHE HAS A PERVERTED HUSBAND AND
MAYBE SHE JUST LEFT. YOU KNOW, INITIALLY, THOSE ARE
THOUGHTS YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER. >> Reporter: "BAJA, HERE I COME.
I'M OUTTA TOWN." >> YEAH, YEAH, "I'M OUT OF TOWN.
>> Reporter: IT'S HARD TO DISPROVE THAT SHE DIDN'T DO
THAT, RIGHT? >> IT'S -- IT'S HARD TO DISPROVE
IT BUT, YOU KNOW, WE SENT PEOPLE
DOWN TO THE BUS STOP, "DID YOU SEE THIS WOMAN THE OTHER DAY?"
"NOPE, DIDN'T SEE HER. CHECK AIRLINE RECORDS.
COULD SHE HAVE BOUGHT A PLANE TICKET AND GONE ONE-WAY
SOMEWHERE? THEN AS THE DAYS WENT ON, THE
THEORY THAT SHE MAY HAVE JUST DISAPPEARED BECAME LESS LIKELY
>> Reporter: OF COURSE THEY CONSIDERED OTHER POSSIBLE
SUSPECTS, LIKE SANDOVAL'S COUSIN, JESSE -- BEST MAN AT THE
WEDDING -- THE GUY WHO GAVE TINA'S SISTER THE CREEPS
TINA WAS SEEING JESSE AFTER HER SPLIT WITH JOHN.
AND THERE WAS ANOTHER GUY AT THE MEDICAL CENTER WHO SHOWED AN
INTEREST IN HER. >> WE -- WE VETTED THE
BOYFRIENDS WE ONLY FOUND THE TWO, JESSE AND
THE PERSON SHE WORKED WITH ALIBIED THEM
THEY DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT SHE HAD PLANNED
>> Reporter: COULD IT HAVE BEEN THE DRIFTER WHO WALKED UP FROM
THE BUS STATION? >> POSSIBLE.
YOU DON'T WANT TO EXCLUSION ANY -- ANY ALTERNATIVE SUSPECTS.
BUT WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING FOR ANY ALTERNATIVE SUSPECTS, AND ALL
THE EVIDENCE GOES RIGHT BACK TO JOHN, HOW DO YOU DISCOUNT THAT
>> Reporter: IF YOU HEAR HOOF BEATS, DON'T THINK ZEBRAS.
>> RIGHT, RIGHT. >> Reporter: GO FOR THE OBVIOUS.
AND THE EVIDENCE WAS PILING UP ON SANDOVAL.
WHEN INVESTIGATORS SEARCHED HIS HOUSE, ALONG WITH HIS WET,
SWEATED OUT CLOTHES -- >> WE FIND THREE CREDIT CARDS
BELONGING TO TINA SANDOVAL IN JOHN'S HOUSE
>> Reporter: IN SANDOVAL'S CAR, SOMETHING THEY COULDN'T EXPLAIN.
ALONG WITH THAT BUCKET, THE WET SHOVEL AND THE FLASHLIGHT ON A
LANYARD, THEY FOUND SOMETHING ODD.
>> A CARPENTER'S LEVEL, 48-INCH CARPENTER'S LEVEL THAT WE NEVER
UNDERSTOOD AT THAT TIME. WHY DOES HE HAVE THIS
CARPENTER'S LEVEL? >> RIGHT
>> Reporter: DESPITE ALL THEIR EVIDENCE, THE WELD COUNTY D.A.
TOLD DETECTIVES THAT IT WASN'T ENOUGH
>> WE FELT WE HAD A LOT OF EVIDENCE
CIRCUMSTANTIAL, BUT A LOT OF DAMNING EVIDENCE AGAINST JOHN.
BUT OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY AT THE TIME SAID, "YOU DON'T HAVE A
BODY YOU DON'T HAVE A CRIME SCENE
YOU DON'T HAVE STATEMENTS. YOU DON'T HAVE A CONFESSION.
SO IF YOU GUYS DON'T COME UP WITH A BODY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT
GONNA DO ANYTHING WITH THIS CASE."
>> Reporter: NOW, IT SEEMED EVERYONE IN GREELEY WAS UNITED
IN ONE PURPOSE, FINDING TINA HER SISTER SUSAN REMEMBERS
>> EVERYONE FROM THIS AREA WAS REALLY IMPACTED BY WHAT HAPPENED
TO HER IT WAS REALLY SCARY.
LIKE, IT'S THAT TYPE OF THING THAT YOU HEAR ON NATIONAL NEWS
BUT IT'S LIKE, NO, NOT HERE. >> Reporter: AND SO, TOGETHER
WITH THE TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY, THRONGS OF PEOPLE BEGAN LOOKING
FOR MISSING TINA >> WE STARTED SEARCHING FOR HER.
JUST, WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GO
BUT WE JUST STARTED SEARCHING. LIKE, YOU JUST START DRIVING
AROUND THE COUNTRY AND LOOKING AND CALLING HER NAME OUT
>> Reporter: UP ONE ROAD AND DOWN ANOTHER
>> YEAH. JUST, LIKE, CALLING HER NAME,
CALLING HER NAME AND JUST GOING ALL OVER
>> Reporter: TINA'S CO-WORKERS, LIKE CAROL SJERVEN, WERE OUT ON
THOSE SEARCHES TOO >> I THINK I WENT ON AT LEAST
THREE OR FOUR. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY WEEKS OR
HOWEVER LONG IT WENT ON. I USED TO HAVE NIGHTMARES THAT
WHOLE TIME I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE HOW THE
FAMILY DEALT WITH THIS >> Reporter: DETECTIVE
BRAD GOLDSCHMIDT REMEMBERS DRIVING THE COUNTY ROADS DAY
AFTER DAY WITH TINA'S DAD MIKE TOURNAI BESIDE HIM, AN
EX-COP HIMSELF >> I SPENT HOURS WITH
MIKE TOURNAI -- IN MY -- IN MY CAR.
HE AND I DRIVE AROUND IN THE COUNTY
>> Reporter: HOW -- HOW DID HER DAD TAKE IT?
>> OH, NOT GOOD. >> Reporter: AND HERE YOU ARE --
>> NO, HE'S -- AND HE'S A BIG, STRONG, PROUD MAN.
AND HE WAS IN MY CAR CRYING -- >> Reporter: AND YOU TWO ARE
LOOKING -- >> -- ON MANY OCCASIONS.
>> Reporter: LOOKING FOR THE REMAINS OF HIS DAUGHTER?
>> YEAH, UH-HUH. >> Reporter: HARD -- HARD TO
SEE. >> YEAH, HARD TO SEE
HARD -- HARD FOR HIM TO DEAL WITH
AND -- AND THERE'S NOTHING I COULD'VE DONE TO MAKE IT BETTER.
>> Reporter: DETECTIVES FOLLOWED EVERY TIP, EVERY LEAD, WENT DOWN
EVERY RABBIT HOLE, LIKE THIS RESERVOIR WHERE SANDOVAL USED TO
TAKE TARGET PRACTICE >> SO -- SO WE SEARCHED THIS
AREA, AMONG MANY OTHER PLACES. AND WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF, YOU
KNOW, TIPS AND LEADS AND YOU KNOW, I -- I REALLY DID
FEEL LIKE WE WERE NEVER GOING TO FIND TINA SANDOVAL
>> Reporter: BACK AT THE HOSPITAL WHERE TINA WORKED, THEY
KEPT HOPE ALIVE AS LONG AS THEY COULD.
>> YOU KNOW, WE HAD A BOOK AND IF YOU HAD AN "X," YOU KNOW,
THAT DAY, YOU WORKED AND I THINK IT WAS TWO OR THREE
MONTHS BEFORE FINALLY SOMEONE SAID, "I GUESS WE SHOULD TAKE
HER NAME OFF THE BOOK. >> Reporter: FIVE MONTHS PASSED.
JOHN SANDOVAL WAS SAYING NOTHING ABOUT TINA, BUT HE WAS STILL
FACING THAT CRIMINAL TRESPASS CHARGE
>> AND JOHN JUST PLED GUILTY TO IT
I THINK HE JUST WANTED TO GET OUT OF DODGE
MAYBE OUT OF GREELEY, EVEN IF IT'S A FEW YEARS IN PRISON
>> Reporter: THE JUDGE SENTENCED SANDOVAL TO SIX YEARS.
TINA'S CASE WENT ICE COLD, BUT DETECTIVES GOLDSCHMIDT AND OLSON
NEVER GAVE UP, AND COULDN'T LET GO
>> A MURDER CASE IS A ROLLER COASTER RIDE
THERE ARE SO MANY HIGHS AND SO MANY LOWS.
AND THE HIGHS ARE -- CAN BE REALLY HIGH.
AND THE LOWS CAN BE REALLY LOW >> Reporter: YOU DON'T LEAVE IT
AT THE OFFICE. >> Both: NO.
>> Reporter: THE ENTIRE CITY OF GREELEY SEEMED TO FEEL TINA'S
LOSS WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT YOUR
HOMETOWN >> THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE.
WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE COME HELP US SEARCH.
THEY TOOK CARE OF MY FAMILY. THEY TOOK CARE OF MY PARENTS
WHEN WE WERE KIND OF ALL FALLING APART.
>> Reporter: AS FOR JOHN SANDOVAL?
WELL, HE WAS A MODEL PRISONER, OUT ON PAROLE IN JUST OVER FOUR
YEARS AND NOW LIVING IN LAS VEGAS.
A MAN WITH A LENGTHY HISTORY OF PEEPING AND TRESPASSING HAD
RELOCATED HIMSELF TO PERHAPS THE MOST CARNAL CITY IN AMERICA.
>>> COMING UP -- THE CASE GETS A NEW TEAM, WITH A
BOLD, NEW PLAN >> Reporter: YOU GUYS ROLLED THE
DICE HERE. >> WE REALLY DID
>> Reporter: YOU WERE JUMPING OFF THE HIGH DIVING BOARD
TOGETHER >> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> AND LATER - ANOTHER WOMAN WITH A HARROWING
STORY. >> I DIDN'T KNOW IF HE JUST
WANTED TO SHOOT ME, OR TAKE ME, KIDNAP ME, WHAT?
>> WHEN "DATELINE" CONTINUES
SISTER, MISSING DAUGHTER, WAS A HOLE IN THEIR UNIVERSE THAT THE
TOURNAI FAMILY SIMPLY COULDN'T REPAIR
>> WE FELT A LITTLE BROKEN THERE'S A LITTLE SADNESS
MAYBE A LITTLE GUILT IN JOY BECAUSE THAT PERSON ISN'T THERE
TO EXPERIENCE IT WITH YOU. >> IT REALLY CHANGED US.
MY PARENTS WERE JUST CONSTANTLY TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS, TRYING
TO FIND HER. >> Reporter: FOR YEARS, SUSAN
SAYS HER PARENTS SPENT WEEKENDS DRIVING THE PRAIRIE, SEARCHING
FOR ANY SIGN OF THEIR LOST DAUGHTER, OFTEN WITH THEIR
YOUNGEST GIRLS IN TOW. THAT'S THEIR CHILDHOOD MEMORY IS
LOOKING FOR THEIR MISSING SISTER
>> LOOKING FOR THEIR MISSING SISTER AND TAKING CARE OF
THEMSELVES BECAUSE MY PARENTS WERE JUST OVERWHELMED WITH THE
SITUATION. >> Reporter: THE TRUTH WAS
STARK. TINA WASN'T JUST MISSING
NO ONE WAS LOOKING FOR A BETTER ALTERNATIVE BY THAT POINT?
>> NO. I THINK THERE WAS A FEW THAT -
OF COURSE YOU'RE HOPING THAT YOU CAN JUST BE MAD AT HER AND THAT
SHE JUST RAN AWAY. BUT THEY KNEW.
>> Reporter: IN 2002, 7 YEARS AFTER HER DISAPPEARANCE, TINA'S
FAMILY HAD HER DECLARED LEGALLY DEAD
>> IT DIDN'T GET US THE CLOSURE THAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE
I FEEL, LIKE, WITHOUT ACTUALLY KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED TO HER -
>> Reporter: WHAT HAPPENED TO HER AND WHERE IS SHE
>> YEAH. EXACTLY.
>> Reporter: TWO QUESTIONS YOU COULDN'T GET ANSWERS TO.
>> UH-HUH. YEAH
>> Reporter: TINA'S FRIENDS AND FAMILY SEARCHED THESE COUNTY
ROADS FOR YEARS, ALL IN VAIN THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUED AND
THE POLICE STILL HAD THEIR PRIME SUSPECT.
BUT WITHOUT A BODY, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY RULED THE
CIRCUMSTANTIAL CASE SIMPLY WASN'T JURY READY.
STILL, GREELEY'S DETECTIVES WOULDN'T LET GO.
FOR THEM, TINA'S DISAPPEARANCE HAD ALWAYS FELT LIKE A HOMICIDE.
EVEN THOUGH THEIR PRIME SUSPECT HAD LEFT COLORADO FOR LAS VEGAS.
WITH A NEW CHAPTER OF HIS LIFE >> BUT WE ALWAYS KNEW WHERE HE
WAS. >> Reporter: OH, YOU HAD EYES ON
HIM, HUH >> WE NEVER FORGOT ABOUT HIM -
>> YES, NEVER FORGOT ABOUT HIM >> NEVER
>> Reporter: ALWAYS WANTED TO NAIL HIM FOR TINA'S MURDER
THEN, IN 2009, OPPORTUNITY ARRIVED --
A NEW MAN WAS RUNNING FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
>> KEITH AND I WENT AND MET WITH HIM DURING HIS -
>> YEAH. >> -- CAMPAIGN FOR D.A
>> AND SAID, "WOULD YOU CONSIDER PROSECUTING THIS CASE?
>> Reporter: AND HE SAID >> HE SAID -
>> HE SAID HE WOULD -- >> -- "I WILL CERTAINLY GIVE YOU
YOUR -- YOUR DUE TIME TO PRESENT IT."
>> Reporter: HE WAS ELECTED. NOW, OLSON AND GOLDSCHMIDT, WITH
THEIR GROWING RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE P.D., NEEDED TO HAND
THEIR OLD CASE FILES OFF TO A FRESH DETECTIVE.
THEY NEEDED SOMEONE WHO COULD BUILD A MURDER CASE, WITHOUT A
BODY, THAT WAS STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE NEW D.A. TO PROSECUTE.
>> SO I TAKE MIKE PRILL, WHO'S A GANG UNIT DETECTIVE.
I TAKE HIM OUTTA THE -- OUTTA THE GANG UNIT.
>> Reporter: WHY HIM, BRAD >> WELL, MY ATTENTION TO DETAIL
PALES IN COMPARISON TO MIKE PRILL
HE IS JUST -- HE IS JUST WAY UP HERE WHEN IT COMES TO THAT
>> Reporter: ENTER "DESERT STORM" DEPLOYED U.S. ARMY VET
DETECTIVE MIKE PRILL >> BOTH OF 'EM CAME TO ME AND
SAID, "LOOK, WE WANNA -- WE WANNA ENTRUST THIS CASE OVER TO
YOU. THIS WAS SOMETHING THEY HAD
LIVED SINCE '95, UP TO 2009. SO IT WAS QUITE -- QUITE THE
HONOR FOR ME >> Reporter: WHAT'S THE ORDER OF
BATTLE HOW DO YOU START TO DIVE INTO
IT >> THE BEST WAY TO BEGIN IS JUST
TO ORGANIZE IT MAKE SURE THAT EACH PIECE OF
EVIDENCE COLLECTED IS STILL IN EVIDENCE
MAKE SURE -- >> Reporter: WAS IT?
>> IT WAS. >> Reporter: 'CAUSE IT HAD BEEN
A LONG TIME. >> IT WAS.
>> Reporter: AND AS HE SORTED THROUGH EACH FILE, IN BOXES UPON
BOXES, HIS HEART SANK A LITTLE THE CASE HAD ALL THE PROBLEMS
THAT MADE THE PREVIOUS D.A CAUTIOUS
>> THERE WAS NO BODY, THERE WAS NO CRIME SCENE, THERE WAS NO
WITNESSES, THERE WAS NO CONFESSION
>> Reporter: AND THE CYNICAL MAXIM IN YOUR BUSINESS IS "NO
BODY, NO CRIME." >> SOMETIMES, RIGHT.
I MEAN, THAT'S - >> Reporter: THAT'S A TOUGH HILL
TO CLIMB >> THAT'S WHAT KINDA STALLS
THESE INVESTIGATIONS AT TIMES, WHEN THERE'S, YOU KNOW, NO BODY.
QUITE HONESTLY, IS IT POSSIBLE SHE IS ALIVE
AND SHE'S LIVING SOMEWHERE ELSE. >> Reporter: HE TEAMED WITH THEN
ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR MICHAEL ROURKE
TASK NUMBER ONE, PROVE THAT TINA WAS DEAD
>> WE'VE GOTTA BE ABLE TO SHOW A JURY THAT IT'S NOT HER JUST
SIMPLY RUNNING AWAY FROM A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATIONSHIP,
AND RUNNING OFF TO THE MIDDLE OF MONTANA AND HIDING OUT IN THE
WOODS. >> AS THE INVESTIGATION
PROGRESSED OVER THAT YEAR IN 2009, IT BECAME IRREFUTABLE --
YOU KNOW, THERE WAS NO RENEWAL ON HER DRIVER'S LICENSE, NO
ADDITIONAL TAXES FILED >> Reporter: NO ACTIVITY ON HER
CREDIT CARDS OR BANK ACCOUNT SINCE OCTOBER, 1995.
>> EVERY YEAR THAT GOES BY, EVERY MONTH THAT GOES BY IS A
BENEFIT TO US BECAUSE WE CAN SHOW TO THE JURY, ANY PERSON -
ANY REASONABLE PERSON CAN'T STAY OFF THE RADAR SCREEN THAT LONG
>> Reporter: SO YOU REALLY COULDN'T PROSECUTE THE CASE
GIVEN WHAT YOU HAD IN, SAY, 1996, THE YEAR AFTER SHE'S GONE.
>> OH, NO, I THINK THAT WE HAD IN 2009 AND 2010 THE BENEFIT OF
TIME >> Reporter: STILL, THEY HAD TO
CONVINCE THE D.A. TO PURSUE A MURDER CHARGE WITHOUT A VICTIM'S
BODY >> THE D.A.'S OFFICE WAS
AGGRESSIVE AND THEY MADE THE ULTIMATE
DECISION TO GO FORWARD, KNOWING --
>> Reporter: SO YOU GOT -- YOU GOT YOUR GREEN LIGHT
THAT WAS IT. >> -- FROM THE D.A
>> Reporter: NEXT, THEY HAD TO MAKE THEIR CASE TO A JUDGE, TO
GET AN ARREST WARRANT FOR JOHN SANDOVAL.
THE DETECTIVE'S TEAM DRAFTED A NINE PAGE DOCUMENT, DETAILING
THE ANXIOUS LAST HOURS OF TINA'S LIFE, FINDING HER JACKET AT HIS
PLACE, THE WET SHOVEL IN HIS CAR, HIM DIVING OUT THE WINDOW
ELUDING THE COPS I'M THINKING OF THAT BRILLIANT
AFFIDAVIT THAT YOU GUYS PULLED TOGETHER, WHICH READS LIKE A
CRIME THRILLER >> SURE.
WE WANTED THIS TO BE A VERY FACTUAL READING OF EXACTLY WHAT
WE BELIEVED HAPPENED WHEN YOU GET DONE YOU THINK, "WE
KNOW JOHN SANDOVAL COMMITTED THIS HOMICIDE.
>> Reporter: THEN AGAIN, THE JUDGE MIGHT READ THE WORDS
"MISSING PERSON" IN THE AFFIDAVIT AND DECIDE THERE WAS,
IN FACT, NO MURDER, NO CRIME AT ALL.
YOU GUYS ROLLED THE DICE HERE. >> WE REALLY DID
>> Reporter: MIKE PRILL REMEMBERS WAITING AS THE JUDGE
READ THROUGH THE DOCUMENT. >> SO NOW I HAVE THAT GRUELING
EXPERIENCE OF SITTING IN A HALLWAY, JUST DRUMMING MY
FINGERS, WONDERING WHAT HE'S THINKING
HE STEPPED OUT AT ONE POINT AND ASKED ME ONE QUESTION.
AND THAT WAS, "WHY DID THE D.A.'S OFFICE REJECT THIS YEARS
BEFORE?" >> I THINK HIS FEAR IN BY ASKING
THAT QUESTION WAS "HAS SOME OTHER JUDGE LOOKED AT THIS,
REJECTED IT, AND NOW YOU BROUGHT IT TO ME?"
>> Reporter: ARE YOU JUDGE SHOPPING HERE?
>> ARE -- ARE WE JUDGE SHOPPING? >> Reporter: GOOD QUESTION
WHAT'D YOU SAY >> WELL, I REASSURED HIM, WE HAD
NEVER PRESENTED THIS CASE, EVER, TO THE D.A.'S OFFICE
>> WHEN DETECTIVE PRILL ANSWERED THAT QUESTION THE JUDGE
IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT HIS PEN, SIGNED THE ARREST WARRANT.
>> Reporter: SO ALL THREE OF YOU, THE DETECTIVE, JUDGE, AND
YOU, YOU WERE -- YOU WERE JUMPING OFF THE HIGH DIVING
BOARD TOGETHER >> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> Reporter: MORE THAN A DECADE AFTER TINA'S DISAPPEARANCE THERE
WAS FINALLY A BREAKTHROUGH IN THE CASE
GREELEY WAS COMING FOR JOHN SANDOVAL.
>>> COMING UP -- A STUNNING DISCOVERY INSIDE
SANDOVAL'S HOME. >> I FOUND WELL OVER 100 VHS
TAPES. >> SECRET VIDEOS -- STRIKING
EVIDENCE >> Reporter: TAKE A GUESS, HOW
MANY OTHER VICTIMS DO YOU THINK THERE WERE
>> HUNDREDS. HUNDREDS
SOMEONE LIKE JOHN DOESN'T DO >>> Reporter: IT HAD BEEN A LONG
TIME IN COMING -- JOHN SANDOVAL'S NAME ON A MURDER
ARREST WARRANT DID SANDOVAL, OUT IN LAS VEGAS,
KNOW THE HEAT WAS ON HIM >> NO.
NO >> Reporter: EXCEPT THAT
MIKE PRILL WOULD NOT BE THE ONE TO MAKE THE ARREST
THAT HONOR WOULD FALL TO KEITH OLSON AND
BRAD GOLDSCHMIDT, THE ORIGINAL DETECTIVES ON THE CASE
>> I WAS IN CHARGE OF THE DETECTIVE BUREAU
AND I JUST SAID, "HEY, KEITH AND I ARE GOING TO VEGAS TO GET
HIM. AND --
>> Reporter: NO QUESTIONS ABOUT IT
>> YEAH, YEAH. HE SAID, "OKAY, FINE."
THE SERGEANT ON THE LAS VEGAS METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS A GUY
THAT USED TO WORK WITH US. WE TOLD STEVE WE'RE COMING OUT
TO ARREST JOHN SANDOVAL. AND HE SAYS, "GREAT, I'LL GET
MY -- I'LL GET A TEAM TOGETHER FOR YOU GUYS."
>> Reporter: THE LOCAL NBC AFFILIATE, KSNV TV, RECORDED THE
MOMENT POLICE SNAPPED THE CUFFS ON JOHN SANDOVAL
>> WANNA TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR WIFE 14 YEARS
AGO? >> UH, CAN YOU GET HER AWAY FROM
ME >> AND JOHN'S STANDING THERE
LIKE THIS UP AGAINST THE CAR AND I WALK UP TO HIM ON HIS
RIGHT. AND HE LOOKS OVER AT ME.
AND HE DOES A DOUBLE TAKE. AND THEN HE IMMEDIATELY GOES
LIKE THIS. LIKE -- LIKE, "IF I CAN'T SEE
YOU, YOU CAN'T SEE ME," RIGHT? SO I WALK UP TO JOHN
I SAID, "HEY, JOHN, REMEMBER US?"
HE GOES, "OH, NO." I SAID, "OH, BRAD GOLDSCHMIDT,
KEITH OLSON, GREELEY P.D YOU'RE UNDER ARREST FOR FIRST
DEGREE MURDER OF CHRISTINA SANDOVAL."
>> Reporter: DID YOU THINK YOU'D EVER SAY THOSE WORDS
>> I DIDN'T THINK I WAS EVER GONNA BE ABLE TO SAY THOSE
WORDS. >> Reporter: TINA'S LITTLE
SISTER, ANNIE, GOT THE NEWS FROM HER PARENTS.
>> I WAS HAPPY 'CAUSE I THOUGHT PEOPLE HAD FORGOTTEN
AND I DIDN'T KNOW IF WE'D EVER GET JUSTICE FOR TINA
>> Reporter: NOW IT WAS BACK TO WORK FOR DETECTIVE PRILL
>> I REALIZED, AS I OFTEN DO, ONCE AN ARREST IS MADE, THE
INVESTIGATION REALLY BEGINS ANEW
>> Reporter: AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, PRILL QUICKLY LEARNED THAT
JOHN SANDOVAL WAS MAKING CALLS ON THE JAILHOUSE PHONE AS HE
AWAITED EXTRADITION TO COLORADO. WHO'S HE TALKING TO?
ANYONE INTERESTING >> YES
A GUY NAMED MAX MATA >> Reporter: WHO'S HE?
>> AT THE TIME I HAD NO IDEA >> Reporter: IT TURNED OUT MAX,
A SOFTBALL AND BARBECUE BUDDY, HAD BEFRIENDED JOHN YEARS
EARLIER. SO PRILL FLEW OUT TO MEET THE
MAN WHO SAID JOHN LIKED TO TALK ABOUT HIS MISSING WIFE, TINA
>> MAX SAID THAT IN HIS CONVERSATIONS WITH JOHN, JOHN
RELATED THAT HIS WIFE HAD RUN OUT ON HIM, KINDA LEFT HIM FOR A
WILD LIFE, JOINED A BIKER GANG, FELL INTO DRUGS.
WAS, YOU KNOW, RUNNING AMOK ACROSS THE NATION.
>> Reporter: "SHE LEFT ME, BUT SHE'S STILL ALIVE.
>> YEAH. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A THEORY THAT
PERHAPS TINA DID RUN OFF BUT IT -- IT'S NOT JIVING
WITH -- WITH WHAT I BELIEVE. SO A SEARCH WARRANT WAS
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THIS INVESTIGATION, TO GET INTO HIS
HOUSE AND GET WHATEVER EVIDENCE THAT MAY BE IN THE HOME, PROVING
TINA WAS ALIVE, IF THAT'S TRUE >> Reporter: AND HE DID JUST
THAT ONCE INSIDE JOHN'S HOUSE, HE SAW
IT -- AN EERIE SHRINE OF SORTS TO TINA.
>> TWO DIFFERENT PICTURES OF TINA IN A LITTLE BLACK DRESS
HE HAD BOTH OF THOSE HANGING ON HIS WALL
AND SO I WANTED THAT TYPE OF STUFF COLLECTED, AND WE DID.
WE PHOTOGRAPHED IT, COLLECTED THE PHOTOS
>> Reporter: WHAT HE DIDN'T FIND WAS ANY PROOF THAT TINA WAS
STILL ALIVE. NO RECENT PHOTOS OR LETTERS FROM
THAT LONG ROAD TRIP JOHN CLAIMED SHE WAS ON
BUT MIKE DID UNCOVER SOMETHING ELSE
>> I ALSO FOUND WELL OVER 100 VHS TAPES AND ANOTHER 70 OR
SO MINI-VHS TAPES. >> Reporter: JOHN SANDOVAL, IT
SEEMED, HAD BEEN A BUSY AMATEUR VIDEOGRAPHER DURING HIS YEARS IN
VEGAS, PUTTING PICTURES TO A STALKING AND PEEPING M.O. HE
PRACTICED SO WELL. EVERYTHING OLD WAS NEW AGAIN,
RIGHT? >> HE WAS A DRUNK IN -- IN A
LIQUOR STORE FOR THOSE MANY YEARS HE LIVED OUT THERE
>> Reporter: PRILL FOUND THE HOMEMADE SPY CAM VIDEOS
DISGUSTING >> HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF
HOURS THAT I WOULD END UP SPENDING REVIEWING, SHOOTING UP
THE SKIRTS OF THOUSANDS OF WOMEN, ALL UP AND DOWN THE
LAS VEGAS STRIP FROM 2000 TO 2009
>> Reporter: ONE OF THOSE TAPES SHOWED A PERVERT'S VIEW OF NEW
YEAR'S 2007 ON THE STRIP - DISEMBODIED LEGS, HIGH HEELS AND
SHORT SKIRTS INSIDE A CASINO, A TIPSY WOMAN
IS RECORDED STUMBLING AND FALLING ON THE WAY TO HER ROOM
WE'VE ALTERED HER VOICE TO PROTECT HER IDENTITY
>> YOU GUYS, I NEED TO GO HOME >> Reporter: SHE DOESN'T KNOW
SHE'S BEING FOLLOWED BY A GUY WITH A BAG CAM
>> HAVE A GOOD NIGHT HAPPY NEW YEAR'S
HERE WE GO, PARTY PEOPLE >> SHE DIDN'T LATCH THE DOOR
LIGHTS ARE OFF IN THE ROOM NOW HE'S TAKEN THE CAMERA OUT.
IT'S IN HIS HAND HE CREEPS INTO THIS DARK ROOM
WITH THE INFRARED LIGHT ACTIVATED ON HIS CAMCORDER
PROVES THAT THERE'S FOUR WOMEN IN THIS ROOM, TWO GIRLS IN EACH
BED. >> Reporter: CONCEALED IN THE
DARKNESS OF THE HOTEL ROOM, HE ROLLS TAPE FOR 17 MINUTES.
>> FILMS ALL OF THEM AND THEN SELECTS HIS BLONDE THAT'S
NEAREST THE DOOR SLOWLY REMOVES THE SHEETS AND
BLANKETS FROM HER AS SHE SLEEPS. THEN, HE SEXUALLY ASSAULTS THE
SLEEPING WOMAN NEITHER THE VICTIM, NOR ANY OF
THE OTHER WOMEN IN THAT HOTEL ROOM, STIRRED.
AND THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE THE CAMERA CAUGHT THAT NIGHT -- A
GLIMPSE OF THE ALLEGED ASSAILANT'S FACE
ACCORDING TO THE DETECTIVE, THERE IS NO DOUBT.
IT WAS NONE OTHER THAN JOHN SANDOVAL.
BECAUSE NONE OF THE WOMEN EVER REPORTED THE INCIDENT, SANDOVAL
HAS NEVER BEEN CHARGED WITH ANYTHING RELATING TO THE VIDEO
TAKE A GUESS HOW MANY OTHER VICTIMS DO YOU
THINK THERE WERE >> HUNDREDS.
HUNDREDS SOMEONE LIKE JOHN DOESN'T DO
THIS JUST ONCE AND NEVER AGAIN I MEAN, HE -- HE'S -- HE IS
DEMONSTRATING HIS DEPRAVITY WHILE HE'S FREE AND NOT IN
CUSTODY FOR MURDER >> Reporter: THAT DIDN'T MEAN
ALL HIS ALLEGED VICTIMS HAD STAYED QUIET OVER THE YEARS.
SOME HAD COME FORWARD ONLY TO HAVE THEIR STORIES FORGOTTEN
BUT MIKE PRILL KNOWS HOW TO DIG INTO THE PAST.
>>> COMING UP -- >> I GOT INTO MY CAR, AND HE
FOLLOWED ME. >> ANOTHER TERRIFYING ENCOUNTER
WITH JOHN SANDOVAL >> MY HEART JUST SUNK.
DETECTIVE PRILL FOUND IN SANDOVAL'S VEGAS HOME WERE
DEEPLY DISTURBING. BUT THEY WEREN'T GOING TO HELP
HIM BUILD A MURDER CASE. SO HE STARTED LOOKING DEEPER
INTO SANDOVAL'S PAST, PRE-1995 HE DIDN'T HAVE TO GO VERY FAR
BEFORE DISCOVERING THE CASE OF LORI BUCKLEN
>> I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A MAN IN A CAR PARKED IN THE LINES
OF CARS. >> Reporter: IN 1992, 3 YEARS
BEFORE TINA VANISHED, LORI WAS WORKING AT A STATE FARM OFFICE
IN NEARBY EVANS, COLORADO. SHE SAYS A STRANGE MAN STARTED
SHOWING UP ON A REGULAR BASIS IN THE EMPLOYEE LOT
>> I GOT INTO MY CAR AND WENT OUT THE EXIT, AND HE FOLLOWED
ME THERE WOULD BE TIMES THAT I
WOULD TRY TO DRIVE QUICKLY TO MY HOUSE, GET IN THE GARAGE, SHUT
THE DOOR, NOT KNOWING IF HE HAD FOUND MY HOUSE
>> Reporter: STATE FARM QUICKLY LEARNED HIS NAME -
JOHN SANDOVAL. AT THAT POINT, HE WAS NEWLY
MARRIED TO TINA. YET HERE HE WAS CRUISING A
PARKING LOT, LOOKING AT ANOTHER WOMAN.
STATE FARM ORDERED HIM TO STAY AWAY
HE DIDN'T. >> I SAW JOHN UP ON THIS
OVERPASS, AND HE WAS PARKED THERE.
HE WAS HOLDING SOMETHING -- I ASSUMED BINOCULARS -- LOOKING
THIS WAY >> Reporter: ANOTHER TIME, SHE
SAID, HE FOLLOWED AS SHE DROVE TO A PARTY
>> I DIDN'T KNOW IF HE JUST WANTED TO SHOOT ME, OR TAKE ME,
KIDNAP ME, WHAT. >> Reporter: FOR THREE YEARS, IT
WENT ON -- SANDOVAL TERRORIZING LORI BUCKLEN
AT ONE POINT, HE WAS ARRESTED AND PLEADED NO CONTEST TO
MISDEMEANOR HARASSMENT TO THIS DAY, SHE SAYS, SHE
DOESN'T KNOW WHY HE SINGLED HER OUT.
>> NOBODY REALLY LISTENED. THEY DID LISTEN, BUT I DIDN'T
THINK THEY RESPONDED LIKE THEY SHOULD, I GUESS.
I GUESS YOU CAN'T PUT SOMEBODY IN JAIL JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE A
CREEP. >> Reporter: THE LAST TIME SHE
SPOTTED SANDOVAL WAS JULY, 1995. HE WAS BACK CRUISING
STATE FARM'S PARKING LOT >> HE CAME DOWN THIS ROW AND
DROVE BY ME, BUT I WAS PRETTY SCARED
>> Reporter: SHE REPORTED IT AGAIN.
WHEN POLICE QUESTIONED HIM, SANDOVAL SAID HE'D HAD A MOMENT
OF WEAKNESS CAUSED BY AN IMPENDING DIVORCE.
THREE MONTHS LATER, HIS WIFE, TINA, DISAPPEARED.
>> AND MY HEART JUST SUNK. I JUST KNEW HE HAD FINALLY DONE
SOMETHING REALLY BAD I JUST FELT LIKE I HAD BEEN
TELLING PEOPLE FOR SO LONG THAT HE WAS -- HE WAS THE DEVIL
>> Reporter: AND, AS THE COP SAW IT, HE HAD BEEN FOR MANY YEARS
MIKE PRILL EVENTUALLY COMPILED A 33-PAGE DOCUMENT OF SANDOVAL'S
RUN-INS WITH THE POLICE, INCLUDING ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND
ACCUSATIONS MADE AGAINST HIM, OVER A PERIOD OF NEARLY
30 YEARS >> THE MANY WOMEN THAT I TALKED
TO THAT WERE HIS VICTIMS OF PEEPING AND STALKING, THE
MAJORITY OF THE WOMEN HAD AN INSTINCTUAL BELL RINGING IN
THEIR HEAD THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH JOHN.
BUT SO MANY OF THE WOMEN WERE AFRAID TO ACT ON IT.
>> Reporter: ONE STORY, IN PARTICULAR, SEEMED TO FORESHADOW
TINA'S FATE. BACK IN THE 1980s, A WOMAN FILED
A COMPLAINT AGAINST JOHN SANDOVAL.
>> IT WAS AN EX-GIRLFRIEND OF HIS, OR AT LEAST ONE THAT HAD
FINALLY SAID, "ENOUGH WITH YOU." >> Reporter: A DECADE BEFORE
TINA DISAPPEARED, THE WOMAN DESCRIBED WHAT HAPPENED WHEN SHE
TRIED TO BREAK UP WITH SANDOVAL. >> HE KIDNAPPED HER AT
KNIFEPOINT, DRUG HER DOWN TO HER CAR, THREATENING TO TAKE HER
INTO THE COUNTY AND KILL HER SHE BROKE FREE, SCATTERED HER
PURSE CONTENTS ACROSS THE GROUND AND RAN.
>> Reporter: THAT WAS OMINOUS ENOUGH
ALSO TROUBLING, WHY POLICE AT THE TIME SEEMED UNFAZED.
>> SHE WASN'T TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY THE INVESTIGATORS.
>> Reporter: WAS THAT A MIXED -- MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THIS
GUY OFF THE STREETS? >> YES
AND SO HE -- YOU KNOW, HE'S SUCCESSFUL
HE'S YET AGAIN BEAT ANOTHER COUNT OR BEAT A CHARGE THAT HE'S
COMMITTED. >> Reporter: AGAIN AND AGAIN AND
AGAIN. >> YES
>> Reporter: NOW PRILL WAS HOPING HE COULD USE THAT CREEPY,
VIOLENT PAST AGAINST SANDOVAL IN COURT.
HE AND MICHAEL ROURKE KNEW THE LOOMING TRIAL WOULD BE
EXCRUCIATING FOR TINA'S FAMILY IT WOULD ALSO LIKELY BE THEIR
ONE AND ONLY CHANCE TO HOLD JOHN SANDOVAL ACCOUNTABLE.
>> IT WAS SCARY 'CAUSE WE WERE LOOKING AT A FOUR-WEEK TRIAL
AND WE KNEW WE STILL WERE IN THE SAME BOAT THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE A
BODY >> Reporter: CAN WE PROVE TO A
JURY THAT IN FACT YOUR SISTER IS DEAD
>> RIGHT >> I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT
THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT IF WE TOOK THIS CHANCE, IF WE FILED THESE
CHARGES, AND IF THE TRIAL DIDN'T GO WELL, AND HE WAS ACQUITTED,
AND THEN A YEAR FROM NOW WE FOUND TINA'S REMAINS, WE'RE
DONE >> WE WANTED TO PURSUE IT,
ESPECIALLY AS THE YEARS WENT ON AND IT WAS MORE AND MORE OBVIOUS
TINA WAS NOT COMING BACK THEY DON'T WANNA COME TO TRIAL
AND HAVE IT FAIL AND THEN YOU CAN'T CHARGE --
>> Reporter: ONLY ONE CHANCE >> ONLY ONE CHANCE
CAN'T DO DOUBLE JEOPARDY
>>> MY PARTNERS AND I WERE SITTING AROUND AND MY QUESTION
IS, "HOW ARE W GONNA PROVE THAT SHE'S DEAD?
>> JUST BEFORE TRIAL, A SUDDEN BOLT FROM THE BLUE
>> A HIT CAME BACK ON TINA'S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, AND IT
LISTED TO A WOMAN WORKING AS A NURSE.
>> Reporter: SOMETHING WAS ACTIVE IN TINA'S SOCIAL SECURITY
ACCOUNT? THAT'S GOTTA BE A PIT OF YOUR
STOMACH MOMENT >>> Reporter: THE WELD COUNTY
COURTHOUSE IN GREELEY, COLORADO, WAS PREPARING FOR THE FIRST
DEGREE MURDER TRIAL OF JOHN SANDOVAL.
>> WE WERE LOOKING AT HIM AS HE COMMITTED A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
HOMICIDE, AND NOW WE'RE SEEING A PATTERN OF CONDUCT THAT HAS NOW
SPANNED 26 YEARS, 27 YEARS AND ALMOST EVERY WOMAN THAT HE
ENCOUNTERS THAT WE HAVE FOUND HE'S TURNED INTO A VICTIM IN
SOME WAY, SHAPE OR FORM. >> Reporter: YOU'VE DONE THIS A
LONG TIME. HOW BAD A CHARACTER IS SANDOVAL?
>> HE'S ABOUT AS BAD A DEFENDANT AS WE'VE EVER HAD.
>> Reporter: PROVING IT, HOWEVER, WOULD BE DICEY.
PROSECUTORS STILL WEREN'T SURE WHAT A JUDGE WOULD ALLOW THE
JURY TO HEAR THE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND UP-SKIRT
VIDEOS FROM LAS VEGAS WERE OUT OF BOUNDS BECAUSE THOSE WERE
ACTS THAT TOOK PLACE AFTER TINA DISAPPEARED.
AND REMEMBER THAT IMPROMPTU SEARCH OF SANDOVAL'S HOUSE ON
THE NIGHT HE WAS ARRESTED? THE ONE IN WHICH DETECTIVE
GOLDSCHMIDT FOUND TINA'S CREDIT CARDS?
SINCE GOLDSCHMIDT HAD GONE IN WITHOUT A SEARCH WARRANT, THE
PROSECUTOR FEARED THAT EVIDENCE MIGHT BE BARRED AS WELL.
BUT BY FAR, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WAS PROVING THAT TINA SANDOVAL
HAD BEEN MURDERED. >> THERE WAS A MOMENT AFTER WE
HAD FILED THE CHARGES WHERE DETECTIVES, MY PARTNERS AND I,
WERE SITTING AROUND IN OUR -- IN OUR WAR ROOM, AND ALL OF A
SUDDEN, THE QUESTION IS, "HOW ARE WE GONNA PROVE THAT SHE'S
DEAD?" AND EVERYBODY JUST GOT REALLY
WIDE EYED. >> Reporter: TALK ABOUT A BASIC
QUESTION >> PROBABLY ONE WE SHOULD HAVE
TALKED A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT BEFORE WE FILED IT
BUT -- BUT WE SPENT ABOUT THE NEXT TWO DAYS JUST LISTING OFF
EVERYTHING THAT WE DO TO TRY TO FIND PEOPLE.
WE KNEW THAT WE HAD TO DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND THEN 50% MORE
BECAUSE WE HAD TO PROVE TO A JURY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT
THAT SHE WAS DECEASED. >> Reporter: SISTER SUSAN WAS
READY FOR TRIAL, BUT NONE IN HER FAMILY LOOKED FORWARD TO IT.
>> IT WAS HARD I MEAN WE'RE ALL HAVING TO GO
BACK YEARS AND YEARS AND RECALL EXACTLY WHAT WE ALL INDIVIDUALLY
EXPERIENCED. >> Reporter: TINA'S FRIEND AND
COLLEAGUE, CAROL SJERVEN, WOULD ALSO TESTIFY
WERE YOU A LITTLE INTIMIDATED BY THAT, WHEN YOU WERE PUT ON A
WITNESS LIST >> I WAS, YEAH
>> Reporter: HAD YOU EVER BEEN IN A COURTROOM ENVIRONMENT
BEFORE >> NO, UH-UH
I DON'T EVEN WATCH COURT TV, AND I WAS PRETTY NAIVE
>> Reporter: EVERYTHING WAS READY.
THEN A FEW MONTHS BEFORE TRIAL, A ROUTINE COMPUTER SEARCH TURNED
UP SOMETHING THAT CAUSED THE HAIR TO STAND UP ON
DETECTIVE PRILL'S NECK >> A HIT CAME BACK ON TINA'S
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND IT LISTED TO A WOMAN WORKING
AS A NURSE DOWN IN SOUTHERN COLORADO
>> Reporter: SOMETHING WAS ACTIVE IN TINA'S SOCIAL SECURITY
ACCOUNT? >> IT APPEARED, YEAH
>> Reporter: WHAT'D YOU DO >> MY PARTNER WENT DOWN AND MET
WITH THE WOMAN THAT WAS USING THIS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
AND IT SIMPLY TURNED OUT IN THE END THAT IT WAS A TRANSPOSITION
OF NUMBERS >> Reporter: 3-5 BECAME 5-3,
SOMETHING LIKE THAT? >> EXACTLY
>> Reporter: FINALLY, IN JULY 2010, ALMOST 15 YEARS AFTER TINA
DISAPPEARED, A JURY WAS SEATED IT WAS TIME FOR OPENING
ARGUMENTS. SANDOVAL HAD PLEADED NOT GUILTY.
THE TOURNAI FAMILY BEGAN BY TELLING THE JURY THE BACKSTORY
OF A TROUBLED MARRIAGE THE PROSECUTOR WOULD ADD THE
SORDID DETAILS OF SANDOVAL'S FETISH AS A PEEPING TOM, SOME OF
HIS HISTORY WITH WOMEN TELL ME ABOUT COMING INTO COURT,
SUSAN. HE'S RIGHT THERE
YOU'RE FEET APART. >> HE WAS JUST SMILING
IT WAS KIND OF LIKE HE WAS TRYING TO INTIMIDATE ME.
JUST, YOU KNOW, LIKE, "I -- I GOT YOU.
I GOT YOU," TRYING TO -- KIND OF A SMILE.
AND I -- I DIDN'T WANNA LOOK AT HIM.
I WAS JUST REALLY FOCUSED ON THE ATTORNEYS AND -- AND ANSWERING
THE QUESTIONS. I WASN'T GONNA GIVE HIM
ANYTHING >> Reporter: HIS ANGER -
THE COURT HEARD HOW SANDOVAL ONCE PULLED A GUN AND THREATENED
SUICIDE IF TINA WERE TO LEAVE HIM.
MANIPULATIVE - >> A BUILDING, GROWING FEAR OF
WHAT JOHN WOULD DO AS THE RESULT OF THIS PENDING DIVORCE, TINA'S
EXPRESSION OF THE NATURE OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, NOT REALLY
PHYSICAL, NECESSARILY, BUT CERTAINLY PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND
EMOTIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GOING ON INSIDE THE HOME, HER
DESIRES TO DISTANCE HERSELF FROM HIM AND LIVE HER OWN LIFE.
>> Reporter: THANKS TO SOME FAVORABLE PRE-TRIAL RULINGS, THE
JUDGE FOUND THAT THE JURY COULD HEAR ABOUT SOME OF THE CRIMINAL
ACTS JOHN SANDOVAL HAD COMMITTED AGAINST WOMEN IN COLORADO PRIOR
TO TINA'S DISAPPEARANCE IN 1995. THE JUDGE HAD ALSO RULED THAT
EVIDENCE TAKEN DURING THAT WARRANTLESS SEARCH OF SANDOVAL'S
HOME AND CAR WAS ADMISSIBLE -- THE SHOVEL AND THE BUCKET, A
HANDGUN, TINA'S CREDIT CARDS, AND SOME OF SANDOVAL'S SWEATED
THROUGH CLOTHING THAT WAS COVERED WITH SOIL, AS THOUGH IT
HAD BEEN FLUNG OVER HIS HEAD AND RAINED DOWN ON HIM
>> I'D LIKE TO TALK TO MY LAWYER THERE --
HELLO. >> Reporter: AND THE JURY SAW
THIS - SANDOVAL IN THE INTERVIEW ROOM
FROM THAT FIRST NIGHT. HERE HE'D LEARNED THAT
INVESTIGATORS WANTED TO CHECK HIS FINGERNAILS FOR SIGNS OF
FOREIGN DNA. >> HE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE
ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT, SO INSTEAD OF ALLOWING LAW
ENFORCEMENT TO CUT HIS FINGERNAILS, HE SAT THERE AND
MANIACALLY CHEWED ON HIS FINGERNAILS.
>> Reporter: TRYING TO DESTROY EVIDENCE, PRESUMABLY, HUH?
>> HE WOULD -- HE WOULD CHEW THEM OFF
WE COULD SEE THEM ON THE VIDEO BITING 'EM OFF, AND THEN HE
WOULD SPIT WHATEVER HE HAD CHEWED OFF ONTO THE FLOOR.
>> HOLD YOUR HEAD STILL, JOHN. >> Reporter: THEN POLICE TRIED
TO PHOTOGRAPH SOME DEEP SCRATCHES SEEN ON HIS FACE AND
CHEST. >> THEY HAVE TO PHYSICALLY PUT
HIM IN A POSITION WHERE THEY CAN TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THESE
INJURIES BEFORE THEY DISAPPEAR >> Reporter: YOU'VE GOT TO,
WHAT TURN HIS HEAD AND RESTRAIN HIM
AND -- >> TURN HIS HEAD, HOLD HIS HEAD
TO THE SIDE. THEY ENDED UP CUTTING HIS SHIRT
OFF OF HIM SO THAT THEY COULD GET AT THE REST OF THE -- WHAT
WE BELIEVED TO BE SCRATCH MARKS. HE WAS WHOLLY UNCOOPERATIVE WITH
THAT ENTIRE PROCESS. >> YOU GUYS ARE -- INSANE, MAN
SO WHAT? WHY CAN'T YOU JUST CALL MY
LAWYER >> Reporter: AND THEN THERE WAS
THE FASCINATING STORY TOLD BY DAISY THE POLICE K-9 AND HER
HANDLER -- A SEARCH THAT BEGAN AT TINA'S ABANDONED CAR.
>> SO WHAT DOES THE DOG DO IT GOES THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD
AND TRACKS RIGHT UP TO JOHN'S HOUSE.
>> Reporter: FROM TINA'S ABANDONED VEHICLE TO HIS BACK
DOOR >> CORRECT
SO JOHN IS AT THE HOSPITAL I THINK WE HAVE HIM UP THERE FOR
GATHERING OF ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
>> RIGHT >> HAIRS, PLUCKINGS AND STUFF.
SO SHE THEN TAKES HER DOG UP TO THE HOSPITAL
AND JOHN'S IN ONE OF THE ROOMS SHE SENDS THE DOG ON THE TRACK
>> Reporter: GOING PAST NURSING STATIONS AND JUST --
>> YEAH. AND THE DOG GOES RIGHT UP TO -
THE ROOM JOHN'S IN AND GOES UP AND -- AND NUDGES
HIS FOOT, I BELIEVE IT WAS AND SITS DOWN.
>> Reporter: THE DEFENSE ARGUED THAT JOHN SANDOVAL WAS ONCE
AGAIN THE USUAL SUSPECT. A MAN WITH A PAST WHOSE
ESTRANGED WIFE JUST HAPPENED TO DISAPPEAR SHORTLY AFTER TELLING
FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT SHE WAS GOING TO MEET WITH HIM
IN THE END, THE JURY DIDN'T BUY IT
DELIBERATIONS LASTED SEVEN HOURS.
>> AND AS SOON AS THEY READ, "GUILTY OF THE FIRST DEGREE," WE
JUST GASPED. IT WAS JUST, LIKE, A HUGE SIGH
OF RELIEF. ALL THE EMOTION CAME OUT, KINDA
HAD BEEN KEEPING THE STOIC FACE FOR A LONG TIME.
SO - >> Reporter: DID YOU SEE ANY
REMORSE IN HIM >> NO.
NO HE HAD NO REMORSE.
VERY NEXT DAY HE WAS CALLING THE ATTORNEY THAT I WORKED FOR THAT
WAS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND ASKING HIM TO FILE AN APPEAL
>> Reporter: AT THE VERY FIRM WHERE YOU WERE WORKING
>> HE DIDN'T KNOW I WAS THERE. HE WAS CALLING ALL THE ATTORNEYS
AROUND TOWN ASKING THEM TO FILE AN APPEAL.
AND MOST OF THEM WERE TURNING HIM DOWN
>> Reporter: SANDOVAL WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT THE
POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE. >> AND IT WAS ONE OF THE MORE
REWARDING POINTS OF MY CAREER. >> Reporter: CONVICTION MEANT
THE TOURNAIS WOULD NO LONGER HAVE TO LOOK OVER THEIR
SHOULDERS IN FEAR OF THIS ANGRY MAN'S RETRIBUTION.
>> AS TIME WENT ON, IT WAS A LITTLE EASIER TO SETTLE IN AND
FEEL LIKE EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. >> Reporter: THEY DIDN'T HAVE
TINA, DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE'D DONE WITH HER
BUT IT SEEMED ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT HE WAS GONE AWAY FOREVER.
YOU'D THINK, WOULDN'T YOU?
>> I CALLED SUSAN. AND ALL I COULD SAY IS, "I HAVE
BAD NEWS." >> IT WAS A PRETTY BIG BLOW.
>> A STUNNING RULING FROM THE COURT LEADS TO A STUNNING OFFER
FROM JOHN SANDOVAL >> IS HE FINALLY GONNA TELL US
WHERE TINA IS? >> MY MOM WANTED TO KNOW WHERE
SHE WAS. >> OKAY.
>>> SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING OVER THIS
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN >> Reporter: IN THE SPRING OF
2016, JOHN SANDOVAL WAS NEARLY SEVEN YEARS INTO A LIFE SENTENCE
AT A COLORADO STATE PRISON FOR THE MURDER OF HIS WIFE TINA.
NEARLY 200 MILES AWAY IN GREELEY, HIS ONE-TIME IN-LAWS,
THE TOURNAIS, WERE STILL PIECING THEIR LIVES BACK TOGETHER.
>> LIFE HAS TO GO ON EVERYBODY'S GETTING MARRIED.
EVERYBODY'S HAVING KIDS. AND, YOU KNOW AGAIN, LIKE THE
RELIEF OF KIND OF HAVING HIM PUT AWAY LET EVERYBODY SETTLE IN
KIND OF THEIR OWN PLACE. >> Reporter: THEN ON MARCH 17th,
ON WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN TINA'S 44th BIRTHDAY, THE VILLAIN
THEY'D THOUGHT THEY'D SEEN THE LAST OF CRASHED BACK INTO THEIR
LIVES. >> THE COLORADO COURT OF APPEALS
REVERSED HIS CONVICTION. >> Reporter: AND WHAT WAS THE
NARROW ISSUE THAT THEY RULED ON? >> THE COURT OF APPEALS THEY
FOUND THAT SOME OF THAT PRIOR BAD-ACT EVIDENCE -- NOT ALL OF
IT, BUT SOME OF IT -- SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ADMITTED
THEY ALSO FOUND THAT SOME OF THE TESTIMONY THAT WE HAD ELICITED
FROM OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EXPERT WENT TOO FAR AND THEY
SENT IT BACK FOR A NEW TRIAL >> Reporter: SANDOVAL WOULD HAVE
TO REMAIN IN PRISON TILL THEN, BUT THE FIGHT TO KEEP HIM THERE
WAS JUST BEGINNING >> I CALLED SUSAN.
AND ALL I COULD SAY IS, "SUSAN, I HAVE BAD NEWS.
THE COURT OF APPEALS HAS REVERSED HIS CONVICTION AND THE
SUPREME COURT HAS REFUSED TO HEAR IT.
>> IT WAS A PRETTY BIG BLOW BECAUSE JUST A MONTH BEFORE MY
MOM HAD FOUND OUT THAT HER BREAST CANCER HAD COME BACK.
AND THEN THIS WAS HAPPENING. SO THINGS REALLY FELL APART
AGAIN AT THAT POINT 'CAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GONNA
HAPPEN >> Reporter: DID YOU GUYS EVEN
HAVE TO THINK FOR A MOMENT ABOUT GOING FOR A SECOND TRIAL
>> NOT FOR A SECOND. >> Reporter: THE APPEALS COURT
MAY HAVE ORDERED A NEW TRIAL FOR JOHN SANDOVAL, BUT THE D.A. WAS
IN NO HURRY TO SET A TRIAL DATE. PROSECUTOR ROURKE FIGURED THAT
SINCE SANDOVAL HAD BEEN IN PRISON FOR NEARLY SEVEN YEARS
WHERE ALL PHONE CALLS AND VISITS ARE RECORDED, HE MAY WELL HAVE
SAID SOMETHING INCRIMINATING TO SOMEBODY
>> SO WE HAD A FEELING THAT WHEN HE WENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS, HE WOULD THINK "NOBODY'S LISTENING ANYMORE, MY
CASE IS OVER NOW WE CAN TALK WITHOUT HAVING
TO USE CODE WORDS. AND SO I SAID TO THE JUDGE WHEN
HE ASKS HOW LONG OF A TIME WE NEED, I SAID, "JUDGE, WE'RE
ASKING FOR A SIGNIFICANT DELAY BECAUSE WE'RE GETTING EVERY
PHONE CALL AND EVERY VISITATION THAT HE HAS HAD, AND WE'RE GONNA
LISTEN TO 'EM ALL. AND WE'RE --
>> Reporter: SO "SANDOVAL, DON'T MAKE ANY PLANS FOR GETTING OUT
NEXT CHRISTMAS"? >> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> Reporter: "YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE FOR AWHILE.
>> "YOU'RE GONNA BE IN FOR A WHILE, AND, OH, BY THE WAY,
ANYTHING YOU SAID TO YOUR MOM ABOUT KILLING TINA, WE'RE GONNA
FIND." >> Reporter: SO HOW DID THAT
PERCOLATE DOWN IN HIS THINKING AND WITH HIS DEFENSE TEAM?
>> IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG AFTER THAT FOR MY OFFICE PHONE TO
RING AND HIS ATTORNEY SAID, "DO YOU
MIND IF WE COME OVER AND TALK ABOUT MR. SANDOVAL'S CASE?
I SAID, "SURE. >> Reporter: AFTER DISCUSSING
COURT CALENDARS AND RETRIAL LOGISTICS, ROURKE SAYS
SANDOVAL'S ATTORNEY CUT TO THE CHASE.
>> SHE SAID TO ME, "MR. SANDOVAL HAS SOME INFORMATION THAT HE
THINKS WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO YOU, OF INTEREST TO THE GREELEY
POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND NOTABLY INTEREST -- OF INTEREST TO THE
TOURNAI FAMILY." AND I LOOKED ACROSS THE TABLE AT
HER, AND I SAID, "IS HE FINALLY GONNA TELL US WHERE TINA IS?
AND SHE SAID, "POSSIBLY. >> Reporter: LEVERAGE?
>> LEVERAGE. >> Reporter: "I CAN TAKE YOU TO
THE BODY." >> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> Reporter: "BUT WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO FOR ME IN EXCHANGE,"
RIGHT -- >> RIGHT
OH, WE -- THAT WOULD -- THAT - WENT WITHOUT SAYING.
WE KNEW THAT HE WAS ONLY GONNA DO THIS IF WE MADE HIM SOME KIND
OF A PLEA OFFER. >> AND WE WENT INTO THE D.A.'S
OFFICE AND THEY DROPPED THE BOMB THAT
HE SAID, "I WANNA PLEA AND I'LL TELL YOU WHERE TINA IS
IF YOU GIVE ME THIS. AND I DON'T RECALL HOW MUCH TIME
HE WANTED. BUT IT WASN'T ENOUGH
>> Reporter: THE ROUGH PROPOSAL -
KNOCK THE CONVICTION DOWN TO A LESSER CHARGE OF SECOND DEGREE
MURDER WITH A SHORTER SENTENCE TO BE NEGOTIATED
IN EXCHANGE THE FAMILY WOULD GET TINA BACK.
DID YOU HAVE A VOTE? OR WAS THIS JUST A MATTER FOR
THE D.A. TO DECIDE HIMSELF >> NO.
HE LET US DISCUSS IT AS A FAMILY
AND WE DID SO I WAS KINDA FEELING LIKE, NO,
I DON'T WANNA DO THIS. LIKE, I'M WILLING TO GO BACK TO
TRIAL. BUT MY MOM WANTED IT REALLY
BADLY. AND A FEW OF MY OTHER SIBLINGS,
THEY REALLY WANTED TO KNOW WHERE SHE WAS.
AND THEY WANTED THAT CLOSURE >> Reporter: THERE WERE A NUMBER
OF VARIABLES TO CONSIDER - TIME SERVED.
TIME REDUCED FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR FORMULATIONS THAT DETERMINE THE
EARLIEST ELIGIBILITY FOR PAROLE TO A HALFWAY HOUSE
AFTER BEING REASSURED JOHN SANDOVAL WOULD REMAIN IN
PRISON FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 10 YEARS, THE TOURNAI FAMILY HELD
ITS COLLECTIVE NOSE AND AGREED TO A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL
>> OUR HOPE WAS TO MAKE IT SO HE'D BE A VERY OLD MAN WHEN HE
SAW DAYLIGHT >> Reporter: BUT IT'S SOMETHING
THAT'S OUT OF YOUR CONTROL IN A WAY.
>> YEAH. >> Reporter: MARCH 22nd, 2017,
NEARLY A YEAR TO THE DAY AFTER HIS MURDER CONVICTION WAS
OVERTURNED, JOHN SANDOVAL ACCEPTED HIS NEW PLEA DEAL
>> A SOLE CONDITION OF THIS PLEA IS OUR ABILITY TO LOCATE,
RECOVER AND FORENSICALLY DETERMINE THAT THE BODY YOU ARE
GOING TO PRESUMPTIVELY SHOW US THE LOCATION OF TODAY IS, IN
FACT, TINA, OKAY ANY OF THOSE THREE THINGS DO NOT
HAPPEN, AND WE DO NOT HAVE AN AGREEMENT.
YOU UNDERSTAND THAT? >> YES
>> Reporter: THE TIME HAD ARRIVED FOR JOHN SANDOVAL TO
FINALLY REVEAL THE SECRET HE'D BEEN KEEPING FOR MORE THAN
20 YEARS -- WHERE HE'D PUT TINA. >> OKAY, FROM HERE, JOHN, YOU'RE
GONNA HAVE TO GIVE ME DIRECTIONS ON WHERE TO GO
>>> COMING UP -- >> I JUST KEEP FOLLOWING HIM
AROUND >> WAS TINA'S FAMILY ABOUT TO
LEARN THE TRUTH AT LAST? >> I'M NOT SUPER CONFIDENT THAT
NUMBER OF PLACES JOHN SANDOVAL MIGHT HAVE LED THE DETECTIVES
TO ALL THAT PRAIRIE
RUGGED WILDERNESS AREAS. REMOTE RAVINES WHERE HE MIGHT
HAVE DISPOSED OT THE BODY. >> WE NEED TO GO TO 10th STREET.
>> Reporter: BUT IN THIS POLICE VIDEO, RECORDED ON A CHILLY DAY
IN LATE MARCH OF 2017, JOHN SANDOVAL GAVE DIRECTIONS
AND CALMLY GAZED OUT THE CAR WINDOW, WATCHING THE FAMILIAR
STREETS OF THE GREELEY CITYSCAPE GO BY.
>> CROSSING OVER 34. HOOK A LEFT INTO THIS SUNSET
MEMORIAL >> Reporter: THEY TURNED INTO
SUNSET MEMORIAL GARDENS. >> JUST KEEP FOLLOWING THE ROAD.
>> Reporter: A SPRAWLING CEMETERY IN THE HEART OF GREELEY
WAS THEIR DESTINATION. TURNED OUT, SANDOVAL HAD ONCE
WORKED THERE THE IMPLICATION WAS CLEAR.
SOMEWHERE IN THIS VAST CEMETERY, TINA SANDOVAL WAS LIKELY SHARING
A GRAVE. ONCE OUT OF THE CAR, SANDOVAL
SEEMED DISORIENTED >> IS THIS GONNA HELP YOU?
>> I NEED TO KNOW UP TO '95 WHAT WAS UNDEVELOPED.
>> '95 UNDEVELOPED OKAY, THAT MAY TAKE A LITTLE BIT
LONGER >> TREES HAVE GROWN.
MORE GRAVES HAVE BEEN -- HAVE BEEN DUG AND -- AND MORE
HEADSTONES AND -- AND MARKERS ARE LAID OUT
>> Reporter: THE COPS WEREN'T SAYING, BUT THEY KNEW CEMETERY
RECORDS INDICATED THERE WERE THREE FRESHLY DUG GRAVES HERE ON
THE MORNING TINA DISAPPEARED ONE WAS THE RESTING PLACE OF A
U.S. VETERAN >> I KNEW I WAS CLOSE.
RIGHT AT THE APEX OF THIS DRIVE HERE
SO THIS SEEMS ABOUT RIGHT. THIS SEEMS ABOUT RIGHT
COME THIS WAY. >> Reporter: SANDOVAL INDICATED,
HERE, I THINK. >> AND THAT WAS, WHAT, THE NAME
OF THE PERSON WHO WAS ACTUALLY BURIED THERE
>> ARTHUR HERT WAS THE - >> Reporter: THE FAMILY NAME
>> -- VETERAN THAT WAS BURIED THERE.
HE WAS A WORLD WAR II VET. SO WE WENT BACK TO THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND CALLED HIS SON, RICHARD, AND HIS -- HIS WIFE,
DEBORAH, AND JUST HAD THIS REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE BREAKING
THE ICE KINDA THING. EXPLAINED WHO I WAS --
>> Reporter: "YOU'RE NOT GONNA BELIEVE WHAT I'M ABOUT TO TELL
YOU" >> AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I
TOLD HIM I SAID, "MAN, YOU'RE -- YOU'RE
NOT GONNA BELIEVE THIS, BUT WE HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT A
MURDER VICTIM IS BURIED UNDER YOUR DAD AT THE CEMETERY."
AND THOSE TWO REMARKABLE PEOPLE WERE 100% SUPPORTIVE AND
COOPERATIVE. AGREED TO SIGN WHATEVER
DOCUMENTS WERE NECESSARY TO EXHUME HIS DAD
>> Reporter: SANDVOVAL WAS RETURNED TO THE COUNTY JAIL
WHILE PRILL MADE PLANS FOR THE EXHUMATION IN THE MORNING.
HE KNEW HE'D NEED THE EXPERTISE AND HIGH TECH GEAR OF A GROUP OF
BODY RECOVERY EXPERTS KNOWN AS NECROSEARCH.
THEY WOULD DIG IN THE GRAVE. PRILL, A PROUD ARMY VET HIMSELF,
ALSO KNEW HE HAD TO HONOR THE VETERAN WHO, IN A WAY, HAD STOOD
WATCH OVER TINA ALL THOSE YEARS. >> I THOUGHT IT'D BE PROPER TO
AT LEAST HAVE A MILITARY CEREMONY BOTH FOR THE EXHUMATION
AND THEN LATER FOR THE REMAINS TO BE RETURNED INTO THE GRAVE.
>> Reporter: YOU KNOW WHAT, THAT SAYS A LOT ABOUT WHO YOU ARE,
DETECTIVE. >> WELL, I SUPPOSE SO.
I'M FORMER MILITARY. AND THIS FAMILY IS NOW A NEW
VICTIM OF JOHN SANDOVAL, SO HOW CAN WE MAKE IT AS HONORABLE AND
AS RESPECTFUL AND DIGNIFIED AS POSSIBLE
TO POTENTIALLY AND HOPEFULLY FIND TINA UNDERNEATH, 'CAUSE I'M
NOT SUPER CONFIDENT, AT THIS POINT, THAT JOHN'S LED US TO THE
RIGHT -- RIGHT LOCATION. I MEAN, HE'S SUCH A SNAKE, SUCH
A WEASEL YOU -- YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HE
MIGHT BE TRYING TO DO. >> Reporter: THE VETERAN'S
COFFIN AND REMAINS WERE EXHUMED AND TAKEN TO A MORTUARY TO AWAIT
REBURIAL THE FORENSIC EXPERTS WENT INTO
THE GRAVE AND BEGAN THEIR OH-SO-CAREFUL DIGGING.
WHEN THEY CAME UPON A PLASTIC TARP, MIKE PRILL IMMEDIATELY
CALLED DETECTIVE BRAD GOLDSCHMIDT
>> "WE FOUND PLASTIC WE -- IT'S A PLASTIC BAG."
AND HE'S LIKE, "DO YOU THINK WE FOUND HER?
AND I'M LIKE, "YEAH, ABSOLUTELY."
AND THEN THE TARP WAS BROUGHT UP AND OPENED UP BY OUR
PATHOLOGIST. AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, AND WHEN
I SAW HER TEETH AND HER BRACES, I KNEW
>> Reporter: YOU AND THE TEAM HAD FOUND HER?
>> WE'D FOUND HER. >> THE D.A. CALLED ME.
>> Reporter: AND SAID IT'S HER >> AND HE SAID, "IT'S HER.
UH-HUH >> Reporter: WHAT HAPPENS AT
THAT MOMENT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS FOR YOU?
>> IT'S AGAIN THAT RELEASE OF RELIEF OF SOME CLOSURE, OF
SOMETHING BEING FINISHED, OF SOMETHING BEING OVER, A PART OF
THAT -- THAT WE FINALLY KNOW WHERE SHE WAS.
SO I WAS GLAD THAT WE KNEW >> Reporter: TINA'S FRIEND AND
CO-WORKER CAROL SJERVEN, THE ONE WHO'D HAD NIGHTMARES AFTER SHE
VANISHED, WAS UNDERSTANDABLY RELIEVED TO HEAR HER BODY HAD
BEEN RECOVERED TODAY, SHE SAYS SHE UNDERSTANDS
THE TOURNAIS' DETERMINATION TO GET HER BACK, EVEN IF IT MEANT
AGREEING TO A PLEA DEAL FOR HER KILLER
>> MY NIGHTMARES FINALLY WENT AWAY
AND NOW I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS AND I'LL TELL YOU, THE NIGHTMARES
NEVER WOULD GO AWAY IF IT WAS MY CHILD.
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW PAINFUL IT WAS FOR THEM TO THINK, "WHERE
COULD SHE BE?" SO I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND WHY THEY
WANTED TO DO THAT, AT LEAST THAT'S HOW I WOULD FEEL AS A
MOTHER >> Reporter: THE MEDICAL
EXAMINER STUDIED TINA'S REMAINS BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE HOW SHE
WAS KILLED SANDOVAL KNEW BUT HE WASN'T
TALKING. THAT WAS PART OF HIS PLEA DEAL
HE WOULD NOT GIVE UP THE HOW AND WHY OF HIS WIFE'S MURDER
GET DOWN INTO A FRESH GRAVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
>> AND THEN DRAGGING HER - >> Reporter: DRAG HER OVER
>> GET HER DOWN IN THERE FILL IT BACK UP.
LEVEL IT OFF >> Reporter: ON A TRIP BACK TO
THE CEMETERY, DETECTIVE PRILL TOLD ME HE HAS A PRETTY GOOD
IDEA OF WHAT HAPPENED ON THE NIGHT TINA WAS BURIED HERE
THIS IS "X" MARKS THE SPOT WHERE WE'RE STANDING IS THE EDGE
OF THE CEMETERY, JUST ACROSS THESE HEDGES
>> RIGHT >> Reporter: SO I GUESS HE JUST
WHEN IN BOLD AS BRASS THROUGH THAT, UH, PUBLIC DRIVEWAY,
WHATEVER THE ACCESS IS - >> YEAH.
YEAH I MEAN -- >> Reporter: THERE'S NO --
THERE'S NO KEYS. NO BIG GATES, NO "WELCOME TO
HEAVENLY REST" AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF
>> NO. THERE'S NO GATES, NO CONTROLLED
ACCESS AND HE PROBABLY JUST COASTED TO A STOP.
>> Reporter: HE CAME UPON AN EMPTY, FRESHLY DUG GRAVE
>> HE'S NEVER EXPLAINED HOW HE WENT ABOUT IT, BUT IT'S FAIRLY
FLASHLIGHT TIED AROUND HIS - HIS NECK
WE RECOVERED THAT FROM THE CAR JUMPED DOWN IN THE HOLE, DUG THE
HOLE, USED THE BUCKET TO CLIMB OUT --
DRUG TINA'S BODY INTO THE DUG GRAVE, PUT HER DEEPER UNDER THE
GROUND >> Reporter: BECAUSE THE VET'S
FUNERAL WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE NEXT DAY, PRILL IMAGINES
SANDOVAL USING THAT CARPENTER'S LEVEL THEY'D FOUND IN HIS CAR TO
SMOOTH OUT THE DISTRUBED SOIL ON THE BOTTOM OF THE GRAVE SO THAT
SOON-TO-ARRIVE CEMETERY EMPLOYEES WOULDN'T BE
SUSPICIOUS >> THERE'S THE GRADUATE.
>> Reporter: BUT NOW THE TOURNAI FAMILY HAD TINA BACK AND COULD
FINALLY GIVE HER A GRAVE OF HER OWN.
AND YOU HAD HER BACK AND NOW YOU COULD DO A PROPER BURIAL AND
MEMORIAL SERVICE >> YES
YES. IT WAS VERY HEALING I THINK FOR
EVERYBODY, BROUGHT US TOGETHER AGAIN AND KIND OF ZIPPED IT UP
FOR ALL OF US, AS FAR AS SHE'S OKAY NOW AND BACK WITH HER
FAMILY >> Reporter: AS FOR
JOHN SANDOVAL, WHEN HE NEXT APPEARED IN COURT, HE GOT THE
LIGHTER SENTENCE HE'D BEEN LOOKING FOR.
IN RETURN FOR DELIVERING UP HIS MURDER VICTIM'S BODY, HE WOULD
NOW HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE
>> YOU UNDERSTAND THAT, RIGHT? >> I DO.
>> Reporter: BUT THAT'S NOT THE END OF THE STORY
JOHN SANDOVAL CAN APPLY FOR PAROLE AGAIN IN 2026, AND HE HAS
A RELEASE DATE OF 2032 -- WHEN HE WILL BE 70-YEARS OLD.
>> WE'RE WORKING AS A FAMILY TO TRY AND KEEP HIM PUT AWAY.
>> Reporter: DO YOU BELIEVE HE IS REHABILITATED
>> NO. >> Reporter: IF HE WALKS OUT
>> NO. NO
>> Reporter: YOU THINK HE'S A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER
>> YES HE GETS GOOD BEHAVIOR WHEN HE'S
IN PRISON -- >> Reporter: HE'S A MODEL
PRISONER THEY SAY. >> HE -- THERE'S NO WOMEN IN
PRISON THAT'S HIS FAVORITE THING,
COLLECTING WOMEN WE'RE STILL HOPING THAT
SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN WITH VEGAS.
>> Reporter: THAT A FRESH CHARGE MIGHT COME UP?
>> FRESH CHARGE MIGHT COME UP, THAT ONE OF THE WOMEN MIGHT
SPEAK UP >> Reporter: NO ONE HAS COME
FORWARD. SO TINA'S FAMILY HAS BEEN
PROACTIVE, APPEALING TO THE STATE PAROLE BOARD EVERY TIME
SANDOVAL HAS COME UP FOR A HEARING, SAYING DON'T RELEASE
HIM -- NOT THIS TIME, NOT EVER IF TINA WAS SITTING HERE --
DON'T WE WISH SHE WERE -- WHAT WOULD YOU TELL HER ABOUT ALL
THOSE YEARS? >> I'D JUST TELL HER I LOVE HER.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE TRIED OUR HARDEST.
AND WE'RE GONNA KEEP TRYING. JUSTICE IS NOT FULLY SERVED YET.
AND WE'RE GONNA KEEP -- KEEP PUSHING.
>>> THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION OF "DATELINE."
WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT FRIDAY AT 9:00/8:00 CENTRAL
AND OF COURSE, I'LL SEE YOU EACH WEEKNIGHT FOR "NBC NIGHTLY
NEWS." I'M LESTER HOLT.