>> SHE HAS A WAY OF MAKING YOU
FEEL REALLY IMPORTANT. WHEN SHE'S THE GIRL THAT YOU
FALL IN LOVE WITH, SHE'S AN AMAZING PERSON
>> Reporter: YOU COULD WALK RIGHT INTO THAT LITTLE SPIDERS
WEB. >> YES
I THINK I REALLY TRULY DID DODGE A BULLET
>> MY MOM SAID THAT HE HAD HAD A STROKE
>> SHE HAD POSTED THAT HE HAD COLLAPSED AND HE WAS IN A COMA
>> SOMEBODY CALLED THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE
>> Reporter: IT APPEARED THAT HE MAY HAVE BEEN POISONED
>> YES THIS WAS HER FIFTH MARRIAGE.
>> Reporter: SHE'D BEEN MARRIED FIVE TIMES
>> FIVE TIMES. >> I STARTED GOOGLING AND IT WAS
JUST SNOWBALL AFTER SNOWBALL >> SHE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A
SHOOTING I BELIEVE HE WAS A FIANCE.
>> I'M GETTING A PHONE CALL SAYING, "YOUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE."
>> I STARTED FEARING FOR MY LIFE
>> DID SHE ACTUALLY DO THESE HORRIBLE THINGS?
>> THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THOUSAND-PIECE PUZZLES
>> IT'S TWO VERY DIFFERENT PEOPLE
I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE IS THE REAL ONE
>> FIVE HUSBANDS, TWO DEAD BODIES
IS THIS WIDOW A KILLER I'M LESTER HOLT, AND THIS IS
"DATELINE. HERE'S KEITH MORRISON WITH
"ALONG CAME SARAH. >> Reporter: WHO WERE THEY
SEEING WHEN THEY SAW HER ANGEL?
PROTECTOR? BEST FRIEND?
WHAT WAS TRUE? OR WAS THERE A TRUTH AT ALL
BEHIND THE SMILE THAT MIGHT ALSO BE DEADLY?
THIS IS A STORY ABOUT CHARM AND CHARISMA AND WHAT LIVED IN THE
DARK PLACE BEHIND. THE DISTRAUGHT WOMAN IN THE RED
SWEATSHIRT IS SARAH JEAN HARTSFIELD.
THE MAN ON THE GURNEY, HER HUSBAND JOE, A DIABETIC.
WHEN JOE WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL IN BAYTOWN, TEXAS,
UNCONSCIOUS, HIS BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS WERE DANGEROUSLY LOW.
SO THE MEDICAL STAFF WENT TO WORK, PUT JOE ON A GLUCOSE DRIP,
AND WAITED FOR HIM TO BOUNCE BACK
BUT HE DIDN'T. HIS BROTHER TONY AND MOTHER
HELEN GOT THE NEWS IN A PHONE CALL
>> AIN'T NOTHIN' YOU WANT TO HEAR
"HURRY UP AND GET DOWN THERE AS QUICK AS YOU CAN."
'CAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENIN'.
>> Reporter: WHAT WAS THE SITUATION WHEN YOU ARRIVED
>> HE WAS UNRESPONSIVE IN ICU. >> Reporter: THE MEDICAL STAFF
WAS BAFFLED. FOR HOURS THEY WORKED ON HIM
NOTHING HELPED ALL THE WHILE A WORRIED
SARAH JEAN POSTED MEDICAL UPDATES ON FACEBOOK.
>> SHE HAD POSTED THAT HE HAD COLLAPSED AND HE WAS IN A COMA
SO I MESSAGED LIKE, "ARE YOU -- LIKE, HOW'S IT GOING
WHAT ARE THE DOCTORS SAYING? >> Reporter: SARAH'S FRIEND
EVANGELINE KELSALL WASN'T JUST BEING NOSEY.
SHE'S A NURSE WHO HAD RECENTLY BEEN INSTRUCTING SARAH AS TO HOW
BETTER MANAGE JOE'S DIABETES WITH A DIGITAL GLUCOSE MONITOR
>> THAT ATTACHED TO HIM THAT WOULD ALARM ON HIS PHONE
AND TO MAKE SURE YOUR ALARMS ARE LOUD ENOUGH THAT IT'LL WAKE YOU
UP, SO THAT IF HE GOES TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW, YOU CAN CATCH IT
QUICKLY. >> Reporter: SOMEHOW, SARAH
SAID, SHE AND JOE SLEPT THROUGH THE ALARMS DURING THE NIGHT.
JOE WENT INTO A DIABETIC COMA. >> THAT HIS SUGAR HAD DROPPED
WAY TOO LOW. >> Reporter: AND THEN, A FEW
DAYS LATER, SARAH POSTED A CHANGE IN JOE'S DIAGNOSIS.
>> SHE SAID THAT HE'D HAD AN ISCHEMIC STROKE.
>> SHE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD A COMPLETELY CLOGGED ARTERY.
>> Reporter: SARAH'S OLDEST CHILD, ASHLEY.
>> SHE SAID THAT HE HAD HAD A STROKE AND THAT HE MIGHT NOT BE
ABLE TO COME BACK FROM IT. AND THEN SHE WAS LIKE, "THEY
PRONOUNCED HIM BRAIN DEAD. AND THEN, YEAH, SHE WAS VERY
UPSET ABOUT THAT >> Reporter: THEN, AFTER EIGHT
DAYS IN ICU, SARAH FINALLY MADE THE DECISION TO DISCONNECT JOE'S
VENTILATOR AND LET HIM DIE PEACEFULLY
SHE ARRANGED THE DONATION OF HIS ORGANS AND LATER HAD HIM
CREMATED BUT FROM THE NIGHT
JOE HARTSFIELD WAS WHEELED INTO THE E.R., THE DOCTORS AND NURSES
HAD BEEN UNEASY. WHY HADN'T HIS BODY RESPONDED TO
STANDARD TREATMENTS? WHY WAS HE GETTING WORSE WHEN HE
SHOULD BE GETTING BETTER AMID QUIET BUT GROWING ALARM, A
NURSE SLIPPED AWAY, MADE A PHONE CALL
>> AN E.R. NURSE CALLED OUR DISPATCH FACILITY.
>> Reporter: THIS IS BRIAN HAWTHORNE, THE SHERIFF OF
CHAMBERS COUNTY. >> I THINK EVERYBODY AT THE
HOSPITAL WAS POTENTIALLY SEEING IT AS FOUL PLAY.
>> Reporter: SO THE SHERIFF SENT OVER A NEWLY MINTED DETECTIVE
NAMED SKYLER ROCZ WHO, CONSCIENTIOUS AND BY THE BOOK,
HAD DECLINED OUR REQUEST FOR AN INTERVIEW.
BUT BACK THEN SHE CERTAINLY TALKED TO CHAMBERS COUNTY
DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHERYL LIECK >> THE STORY THAT WAS BEING
GIVEN TO MEDICAL STAFF ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED WAS NOT REALLY
LINING UP WITH WHAT THE MEDICAL STAFF SAW.
>> Reporter: WHAT WAS SARAH JEAN'S STORY ABOUT WHAT
HAPPENED >> THAT SHE WOKE UP AND FOUND
HIM THAT WAY AND TRIED TO REVIVE HIM TO NO AVAIL AND EVENTUALLY
CALLED 911 AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS WHEN
THEY BROUGHT HIM IN VIA AMBULANCE, THEY --
THEY KNEW WHEN THEY TOOK ONE LOOK AT HIM THAT HE WASN'T GOING
TO MAKE IT >> Reporter: IN HER REPORT,
DETECTIVE ROCZ WROTE THAT JOE'S BODY WAS REACTING TO TREATMENT
LIKE THERE WAS TOO MUCH INSULIN IN HIS SYSTEM.
CLASSIC SIGNS OF AN OVERDOSE IT APPEARED TO THE NURSES OR TO
THE ATTENDING PEOPLE AT THE EMERGENCY THAT HE MAYBE BEEN
POISONED >> YES
>> Reporter: NOW WITH JOE DEAD, D.A. LIECK WONDERED IF SHE HAD A
MURDER CASE ON HER HANDS WHEN DID YOU START LOOKING INTO
SARAH JEAN AS A POSSIBLE SUSPECT?
>> IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THEY WERE THE ONLY TWO
LIVING IN THE HOUSE TOGETHER >> Reporter: AND YET, THIS SARAH
JEAN HAD BEEN SO APPARENTLY LOVING, WORRIED, ATTENTIVE
WAS THIS GRIEVING WIDOW REALLY CAPABLE OF KILLING HER HUSBAND
>> SHE DOES NOT HAVE A CRIMINAL HISTORY.
>> Reporter: THERE WAS NO BIG LIFE INSURANCE PAYOFF FOR SARAH.
NO OBVIOUS MOTIVE. WHAT THEN?
CHERYL LIECK TAKES SOME PRIDE IN HER OWN PERSONAL B.S. DETECTOR
AND THIS CHARMING WOMAN, THIS SARAH JEAN HARTSFIELD, D.A.
LIECK WAS SURE THERE WAS SOMETHING DISTURBING ABOUT THAT
WOMAN, SOMETHING SHE WAS HIDING. AND LIECK WAS DETERMINED TO FIND
OUT WHAT IT WAS. >> I MEAN, EVERY DAY IS NEW.
EVERY DAY I'M FINDING OUT SOMETHING NEW, EVERY SINGLE DAY.
THIS WAS HER FIFTH MARRIAGE. >> Reporter: WAIT.
HOW OLD WAS SHE? >> 48, I BELIEVE
>> Reporter: 48 AND SHE'D BEEN MARRIED 5 TIMES?
>> FIVE TIMES. >> Reporter: WOW
>> AND SHE HAD LIVED IN ABOUT 39 DIFFERENT PLACES.
AND SHE'S VERY SMART >> Reporter: THE PROBLEM FOR
LIECK WAS, WHILE SHE SUSPECTED JOE HARTSFIELD WAS MURDERED BY
HIS WIFE SARAH, HOW COULD SHE PROVE IT
HOW COULD SHE PROVE JOE, A DIABETIC WHO DIED FROM
COMPLICATIONS OF HIS OWN DISEASE, WAS EVER MURDERED IN
THE FIRST PLACE? GOOD QUESTION.
BUT AS FOR US, WE DECIDED TO CONDUCT OUR OWN INVESTIGATION
INTO SARAH JEAN, AN INVESTIGATION THAT TOOK US ON A
ZIG-ZAG COURSE ACROSS THE COUNTRY FROM RURAL MISSOURI.
>> THE DRAPES WERE ON FIRE AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
IT JUST ROARED RIGHT THROUGH THE HOUSE.
>> Reporter: TO FORT HOOD, TEXAS.
>> I REALLY FEARED FOR MY LIFE >> Reporter: WE WENT TO
VIRGINIA, FLORIDA. >> IT TORE ME UP
>> Reporter: AND UP INTO NORTHERN MINNESOTA
>> IT WAS LIKE A SCENE OUT OF A BAD ACTION MOVIE
>> Reporter: WE HEARD SO MANY STRANGE AND CONFLICTING STORIES,
FOR A WHILE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE
>> I FIRMLY BELIEVE SHE COULD KILL SOMEBODY RIGHT IN FRONT OF
A POLICE OFFICER AND MAKE HIM BELIEVE THAT SHE DID NOT DO IT
I THINK SHE HAS THAT ABILITY >> Reporter: WE HEARD ABOUT THIS
SARAH. >> FOUR GREAT KIDS
NICE HOUSE I MEAN, THEY WERE LIVING THE
AMERICAN DREAM >> Reporter: AND THIS SARAH TOO.
>> AND SHE CONTINUED BEATING ME FOR WHAT FELT LIKE HOURS
>> Reporter: WE LEARNED SARAH WAS A MOTHER OF FOUR, A FOSTER
KID WHO BOOTSTRAPPED HER WAY INTO AN ARMY INTELLIGENCE
CAREER, ONCE HAD A TOP SECRET SECURITY CLEARANCE, AND HAD ONCE
SHOT A FIANCE TO DEATH WE WERE TOLD SHE WAS VIOLENT,
CONTROLLING, CHARISMATIC, INTELLIGENT.
>> SHE'S SMART AS A WHIP AND CAN MANIPULATE A SITUATION TO HER
ADVANTAGE IN A HEARTBEAT >> Reporter: WHICH OF THE MANY
FACES OF SARAH JEAN WAS REAL FINDING OUT WOULD BE A LONG,
>> Reporter: IT WAS TOLSTOY WHO WROTE THE FAMOUS LINE ABOUT
FAMILIES "ALL HAPPY FAMILIES ARE ALIKE.
BUT AN UNHAPPY FAMILY IS UNHAPPY IN ITS OWN WAY."
IN THE CASE OF YOUNG SARAH JEAN'S BENIGHTED FAMILY,
MAKE THAT MANY WAYS. RELATIVES, NEIGHBORS, AND
FRIENDS HERE IN THE ROLLING FARMLAND OF MISSOURI WHERE WE
STARTED OUR JOURNEY TELL STORIES STILL ABOUT A MULTIGENERATIONAL
DYNASTY OF DYSFUNCTION WITH A LEGACY OF VIOLENCE, SUSPICIOUS
DEATHS, AND ABUSE. >> MY FATHER, THOMAS SMITH, WAS
INCARCERATED FOR A WHILE >> Reporter: THIS IS CODY LEE
SMITH, OLDEST OF SARAH'S THREE BROTHERS, DESCRIBING THEIR DAD
>> I JUST LEARNED TO STAY OUT OF HIS WAY.
AND I LEARNED NOT TO SAY ANYTHING UNLESS HE SAID
SOMETHIN' TO ME BECAUSE IF YOU DID, YOU GONNA GET KNOCKED ON
THE FLOOR. >> Reporter: CODY SAID HIS DAD
NEVER STRUCK SARAH, THOUGH NO, HE BELIEVES SHE WAS ABUSED
IN AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT WAY >> HE HAD MOLESTED HER AT A VERY
YOUNG AGE LIKE THAT, AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES.
>> Reporter: SARAH'S MOM, JANIE, KICKED THE DAD OUT OF THE HOUSE
AND FILED FOR DIVORCE AND THEN MARRIED A NEW GUY NAMED RICHARD
WHO JUST HAPPENED TO BE FRESH OUT OF MISSOURI STATE PRISON
AFTER SERVING HIS SENTENCE FOR MURDER
AND A FEW YEARS LATER, SARAH CAME FORWARD WITH NEW
ACCUSATIONS OF ASSAULT SAYING -- >> MY STEPDAD, RICHARD, HAD
TOUCHED MY SISTER, SARAH, IN THE WRONG WAY.
>> Reporter: DIDN'T BELIEVE HER THAT TIME, SAID CODY
>> I SAID, "SO I'M NOT BUYIN' YOUR STORY
BECAUSE I WAS THERE AND, YOU KNOW, HE DIDN'T -- HE DIDN'T DO
ANYTHING TO YOU. >> Reporter: THERE WAS A TRIAL
RICHARD WAS ACQUITTED. AND SARAH, CLAIMING SHE DIDN'T
FEEL SAFE AT HOME, DEMANDED TO BE PLACED IN FOSTER CARE
>> SHE WANTED TO BE AWAY FROM THE FAMILY, HAD NO DESIRE TO
COME BACK, AND DID NOT WANT ANY CARE GIVEN AS FAR AS FROM MY
STEPDAD OR MY MOTHER OR ANYBODY THAT WOULD HAVE HER FACILITATED
BACK INTO THE HOME WITH US >> HER MOTHER BROUGHT INTO CHILD
SERVICES AND BASICALLY DUMPED OFF AND SAID, "I CAN'T HANDLE
HER. >> Reporter: FOSTER PARENTS
BARBARA STUART AND HER HUSBAND STEVE WELCOMED 12-YEAR-OLD SARAH
INTO THEIR HOME. >> WE WERE VERY CLOSE.
SHE FIT INTO THE ENTIRE FAMILY AND EVERYBODY IN OUR FAMILY
ACCEPTED HER >> I FELT LIKE, "MAN, SHE IS ONE
LUCKY GIRL." >> Reporter: SARAH'S FRIEND
CHARISSA FARRIS ENVIED HER >> SHE HIT THE GOLD MINE OF --
OF GETTING REALLY GOOD PARENTS WHO REALLY ADVOCATED FOR HER
>> Reporter: BUT CHARISSA, THOUGH SHE LIKED SARAH, WAS
NEVER QUITE SURE IF THE THINGS SARAH SAID WERE ACTUALLY TRUE.
>> I KNEW SHE HAD BEEN MOLESTED OR SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY A
STEPDAD OR HER REAL DAD OR BOTH. SOMETIMES THE STORY WOULD
CHANGE I JUST KNOW THAT SHE'S SMART AS
A WHIP AND CAN MANIPULATE A SITUATION TO HER ADVANTAGE IN A
HEARTBEAT. >> Reporter: BARBARA SAW THAT
SIDE OF SARAH A LOT. LIKE THE TIME WHEN SARAH WAS
ANGRY ABOUT A PUNISHMENT AND BARBARA SAID SARAH RESPONDED BY
ACCUSING HER HUSBAND STEVE >> SHE GOES, "WELL, YOU DON'T
KNOW HOW HE TOUCHES ME WHEN YOU'RE NOT HERE.
AND I'M LIKE, "YOU KNOW, YOU'VE DONE THIS BEFORE TO OTHER
FAMILIES AND NOT EVERY FAMILY IN THE
WORLD DOES THAT. AND I KNOW BETTER.
AND SHE GOT MAD, WENT TO HER ROOM, SLAMMED THE DOOR
NEVER SAID IT AGAIN. >> Reporter: STILL, BARBARA AND
STEVE STOOD BY SARAH AND SHE THRIVED UNDER THEIR CARE
IN HIGH SCHOOL SARAH WORKED ON THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER, WAS IN
THE BAND AND WAS VERY POPULAR. >> SHE WAS A VERY PRETTY GIRL.
>> Reporter: BILL MAY AND SARAH WERE GOOD FRIENDS IN HIGH
SCHOOL THEY EVEN DATED FOR A BIT,
THOUGH BILL CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD HE WAS JUST ONE GUY IN A LONG
LINE >> SARAH WAS JUST WILD
YOU KNOW, SHE'D SNEAK OUT OF THE HOUSE AND, YOU KNOW, MESS
AROUND THERE WAS NOT A MALE THAT SHE
DID NOT LIKE SHE JUST WAS A FLIRT
I MEAN, JUST A FLIRT I WOULD SAY.
>> Reporter: BUT WHEN IT CAME TO FLIRTING WITH SHY JOCK
TITUS KNOERNSCHILD, SARAH PUT HER WILD CHILD SELF ON THE SHELF
AND NESTLED UP TO HIM LIKE A GIRL NEXT DOOR
>> WE'D GO TO THE MOVIES WE WENT ON A COUPLE OF PICNICS
UH, WE'D DRIVE AROUND. I PLAYED A LOT OF SPORTS IN HIGH
SCHOOL >> Reporter: YEAH.
>> SO SHE SHOWED UP TO THE SPORTS GAMES, AND THEN WE TALKED
AFTER OR WHATEVER. >> Reporter: AND YOU FIND
YOURSELF FALLING IN LOVE WITH HER GRADUALLY?
>> YES, SIR. SHE WAS THIS REAL SWEET, NICE
PERSON, CARING, YOU KNOW, EASY TO BE WITH
>> Reporter: FOSTER DAD STEVE WALKED SARAH DOWN THE AISLE WHEN
SHE MARRIED TITUS RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF '93 AND
JUST 18 YEARS OLD. A MONTH AFTER THE WEDDING, AS
THEY HAD PLANNED, TITUS JOINED THE ARMY
AND NO SOONER WAS HE OFF TRAINING THEN SARAH WAS OFF WITH
ANOTHER GUY. >> AND WHEN I CAME BACK, SHE WAS
PREGNANT I ACTUALLY HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE
COME UP TO ME AND TOLD ME THEY WERE HAVING AFFAIRS WITH HER
BUT ONE GENTLEMAN THAT SAID, "YES, I WAS WITH HER DURING THIS
TIMEFRAME AND SHE TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY MY BABY."
>> Reporter: THE PREGNANCY ENDED IN A MISCARRIAGE, SAID TITUS
AND IN 1995, AFTER JUST 2 YEARS OF MARRIAGE, THEY GOT A DIVORCE.
GOOD RIDDANCE, THOUGHT TITUS >> I FIGURED I WAS OUT OF IT
I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HER ANYMORE.
WE ARE DIVORCED. GAME OVER.
>> Reporter: BUT THAT'S ONLY TRUE IF YOUR OPPONENT LEAVES THE
FIELD. TITUS'S NEW GIRLFRIEND ANGELA,
WHOM HE LATER MARRIED, SAID SARAH STARTED STALKING HER AS
SOON AS SHE AND TITUS STARTED DATING
STRANGE THINGS BEGAN TO HAPPEN ANGELA'S CAR WAS VANDALIZED
REPEATEDLY >> ALL FOUR OF MY TIRES WERE
FLAT LAUNDRY DETERGENT IN THE GAS
TANK OF MY CAR SOME CHOICE WORDS IN THE BACK OF
MY CAR WITH EXPLETIVES EVERYWHERE
>> Reporter: AND EVERY TIME SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENED,
THEY SAID THEY'D CALL POLICE AND TELL THEM THEY WERE SURE IT WAS
SARAH. >> A FEW PEOPLE, THEY HAD SEEN
HER OUT THERE DOING IT >> Reporter: WE TALKED TO TWO OF
TITUS AND ANGELA'S FRIENDS FROM THAT TIME WHO SAID THEY SAW THE
VANDALIZED CAR AND ONE OF THEM SAID THEY
WITNESSED SARAH VERBALLY ABUSE ANGELA
BUT IN A TEXT MESSAGE, SARAH TOLD US THAT WAS NONSENSE, THAT
SHE "NEVER VANDALIZED ANYONE'S CAR.
IF ANYTHING, THEY HARASSED ME. SHE ALSO SAID POLICE NEVER
TALKED TO HER ABOUT VANDALIZING THE CAR.
TITUS AND ANGELA, THOUGH, SAID POLICE DID TALK TO HER BUT
SEEMED TO TAKE HER SIDE. >> SHE WOULD ALWAYS GET IT
TURNED BACK WHERE IT WAS OUR FAULT.
>> Reporter: SOMEHOW PERSUADE THE POLICE
>> YES >> YES
>> Reporter: YOU WERE AT FAULT, NOT HER?
>> RIGHT >> YES
>> Reporter: AND THEY'D BUY THAT
>> YES >> EVEN TO THE POINT, UH, WE
WERE TOLD IF ANYONE INITIATED CONVERSATION, WE'D BE ARRESTED
FOR HARASSMENT >> Reporter: OH, WHAT DID YOU
THINK WHEN YOU HEARD THAT? >> THERE WAS NOTHING THE POLICE
WILL EVER DO TO HELP US. >> Reporter: THEY SAID THE
HARASSMENT, WHICH WENT ON FOR CLOSE TO A YEAR, ESCALATED OVER
TIME >> I WAS BABYSITTING MY FRIEND'S
SON WHILE SHE WAS WORKING AN OVERNIGHT SHIFT, AND TITUS AND I
WERE ON THE COUCH WITH THEIR CHILD IN THEIR HOME.
AND I SMELLED GASOLINE, AND I THOUGHT, "WHERE'S THAT COMING
FROM?" AND I COULD SMELL IT WAS COMING
FROM, LIKE, THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE.
AND SO I THOUGHT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH ONE OF THE CARS
SO I GOT TITUS AND WE WENT OUT THERE, AND THERE WAS A GAS CAN
THERE WAS GASOLINE SPLASHED ALL OVER THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE, AND
I SEE HER LEAVING THE VICINITY >> Reporter: WOW
>> AND AT THAT POINT, I WAS LIKE, "SHE WAS GONNA SET THAT
HOUSE ON FIRE. >> Reporter: THIS TIME, THEY
THOUGHT, SARAH HAD GONE TOO FAR. SURELY THERE'D BE A RECKONING
FOR SARAH JEAN >> Reporter: FINALLY
THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD HER DEAD TO RIGHTS.
FOR SO LONG, SARAH JEAN HAD MADE TITUS AND ANGELA KNOERSCHILD
MISERABLE BUT NOW, THEY FELT SURE THEY'D CAUGHT HER RED
HANDED POURING GASOLINE ON A HOUSE WITH THEM IN IT.
NO DOUBT IN THEIR MINDS, SARAH WAS INTENDING TO BURN THE PLACE
DOWN SO -
>> WE WENT TO THE POLICE, TOLD THEM THE STORY, AND THEY SAID,
WELL, IT'S EITHER ARSON OR IT'S NOT.
>> APPARENTLY, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS -
>> ATTEMPTED ARSON >> ATTEMPTED ARSON
>> Reporter: SARAH WAS NEVER ARRESTED, NEVER CHARGED WITH
ANYTHING AND IN A TEXT MESSAGE TO US SAID SHE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE
OF ANYTHING THAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED AT THE HOUSE.
WE ASKED THE POLICE FOR REPORTS OF THESE INCIDENTS, BUT WERE
TOLD RECORDS FROM THAT TIME PERIOD ARE LONG GONE
ANYWAY, BACK THEN, MUCH TO TITUS AND ANGELA'S RELIEF, THEY SAID,
SARAH TOOK HER ANGER ELSEWHERE SHE MOVED ON AND MARRIED ONE OF
TITUS'S FRIENDS BUT HE SOON DUMPED HER AFTER HE CAUGHT HER
CHEATING WITH A FELLOW SOLDIER AND THEN AFTER TWO FAILED
MARRIAGES SARAH DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO SHAKE UP HER LIFE AND AT
THE AGE OF TWENTY-TWO, SHE JOINED THE ARMY AS A TRUCK
DRIVER >> SHE CALLED ME AND SAID, "I
JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW I'VE JOINED THE SERVICE."
I'M LIKE, "WELL, GOOD. THAT'LL BE GOOD FOR YOU.
AND AFTER I GOT OFF THE PHONE, I THOUGHT, HM, YOU'RE GONNA KNOW
WHAT THE RULES ARE NOW >> Reporter: SARAH FOUND HERSELF
STATIONED WAY UP NORTH AT ALASKA'S FORT WAINWRIGHT
WHERE SHE MET A FELLOW SOLDIER NAMED CHRIS DONONUE.
>> HE WAS A COUPLE YEARS YOUNGER THAN HER AND I THINK HE WAS ONE
OF THOSE GUYS THAT WAS JUST VERY INNOCENT AND TRUSTING AND THEN
THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, SHE'S PREGNANT AND YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A
BABY >> Reporter: WOULD THEY HAVE
MARRIED WERE IT NOT FOR THAT WHO KNOWS, CHRIS ALSO POLITELY
DECLINED THE CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT SARAH ON CAMERA.
BUT THAT'S WHEN ASHLEY WAS BORN AND, EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER, SON
RYAN, FOLLOWED IN DUE COURSE BY TWO MORE DAUGHTERS
HER YEARS WITH CHRIS PERHAPS SARAH'S MOST STABLE.
IN FACT, IN 2005 WHILE CHRIS WAS AWAY AND WITH FOUR YOUNG
CHILDREN TO LOOK AFTER, SARAH TOOK IN HER SICKLY DAD
YES, THE SAME MAN SHE CLAIMED HAD MOLESTED HER
>> Reporter: AND SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS GONNA GO GET HIM
AND BRING HIM HOME I SAID, "THIS IS THE GUY THAT
YOU'VE HATED ALL YOUR LIFE AND YOU TALKED ABOUT SO TERRIBLY,
AND YOU'RE" -- "WELL, SOMEBODY HAS TO."
AND IT DID NOT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME
ASHLEY'S MEMORY OF HER GRANDFATHER'S BRIEF TIME WITH
THEM IS VERY VIVID. HOW COULD IT BE OTHERWISE?
>> HE WAS AT OUR HOUSE FOR, LIKE, TWO OR THREE DAYS, AND
I -- HE DIED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME
>> Reporter: HE DIED RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU
>> YEAH. I WAS SITTING RIGHT THERE WHEN
IT HAPPENED, UM -- AND SHE HAD GIVEN HIM HIS MEDICINE, LIKE, HE
HAD A -- A LIQUID MEDICINE TO TAKE, AND LIKE, HE GRABBED HIS
CHEST LIKE THIS, AND HE JUST -- HE STARTED TO COUGH A LITTLE
BIT, AND LIKE, HE'S HAVING A HARD TIME BREATHING, AND THEN
AFTER THAT >> Reporter: JUST DIED
>> LIKE, YEAH. >> Reporter: SARAH TEXTED US
THAT HER, "FATHER DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES, HE WAS GIVEN
MEDICATION PRESCRIBED TO HIM NOTHING ELSE."
IN 2007, AFTER EIGHT YEARS IN THE RESERVES, SARAH RETURNED TO
ACTIVE DUTY, BECAME SOMETHING OF A SOLDIER SOCCER MOM
>> THE NEIGHBORS WOULD COMPLIMENT HER AND MY DAD AS
PARENTS BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS SAW ALL OF US OUTSIDE WORKING
TOGETHER IN THE YARD SO I THINK THEY THOUGHT THAT WE
WERE NICE KIDS WITH A -- A GREAT FAMILY
>> WHENEVER WE HAD PEOPLE OVER, SHE'D GO CRAZY IN THE KITCHEN.
>> Reporter: SARAH'S SON, RYAN -
>> HONESTLY, THERE -- THOSE ARE MY FAVORITE MEMORIES OF MY MOM,
JUST MAKIN' FOOD YOU KNOW, SHE WAS REALLY GOOD AT
IT, LIKE, THANKSGIVING, SHE'D GO NUTS, CHRISTMAS SHE WOULD GO
NUTS, LIKE, THERE'S DECORATIONS EVERYWHERE
>> SHE WAS VERY FAMILY ORIENTED. SHE ADORED HER CHILDREN.
>> Reporter: EVANGELINE KELSALL AND HER FAMILY WERE FORT HOOD
NEIGHBORS. >> SHE WOULD BRAG UP ONE SIDE
AND DOWN THE OTHER ABOUT HOW WONDERFUL HER KIDS WERE.
>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, SARAH'S MILITARY CAREER TOOK OFF
SHE WAS ASSIGNED TO INTELLIGENCE, ROSE TO THE RANK
OF SERGEANT FIRST- CLASS SHE HAD A TOP SECRET SECURITY
CLEARANCE. AND LATER, WHEN THE WAR IN IRAQ
GOT HOT, RESULTING IN A MASSIVE SURGE OF U.S. TROOPS TO THE
REGION, BOTH SARAH AND CHRIS, WERE DEPLOYED.
>> I KNOW THEY HAD SOME HEAVY, SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES, AND
THEY WERE EXECUTING THEM WELL. >> Reporter: FORMER ARMY OFFICER
KEVIN ROBINSON, WHO SERVED WITH THE DONOHUES IN IRAQ, SAID SARAH
WAS A RESPECTED SOLDIER. >> SHE HAD A VERY GOOD
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH EVERYONE THERE IN THE DIVISION
HEADQUARTERS, BECAUSE SHE WAS SELECTED, ESSENTIALLY, TO BE THE
PERSON THAT WAS THE GO-BETWEEN BETWEEN THE INTELLIGENCE SECTION
OF THE HEADQUARTERS TO EVERYONE ELSE IN THE STAFF.
>> Reporter: WITH BOTH PARENTS GONE THE KIDS WERE FARMED OUT TO
RELATIVES. >> HOW WAS THAT?
>> IT WAS ALL RIGHT. LIKE, THEY WERE GONE FOR I -- I
THINK A YEAR BUT YEAH, IT -- IT WAS
DEFINITELY A BIG CHANGE WHEN WE WENT BACK.
>> Reporter: WHICH IS ONE WAY TO PUT IT
SARAH'S RETURN FROM IRAQ WOULD BE NO HAPPY HOMECOMING FOR THE
KIDS MORE LIKE A HORROR MOVIE
>> I FELT LIKE SHE WAS A TICKING >> Reporter: WHAT WAS TRUE, AND
WHAT WAS NOT TO THE PUBLIC, SARAH SEEMED LIKE
SOME SORT OF SUPER SOLDIER MOM WITH A FINE CAREER, HANDLING TOP
SECRET INTELLIGENCE, A CHARMING HUSBAND, A SPOTLESS HOUSE, AND
OBEDIENT CHILDREN. >> WE WERE REALLY BIG ON
PRESENTATION SO HOW YOU DRESS IS IMPORTANT,
HOW YOU ACT IS IMPORTANT, LIKE, WHAT -
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SEE FROM THE OUTSIDE IS VERY IMPORTANT.
>> Reporter: BUT INSIDE? WELL, THAT WAS VERY DIFFERENT.
ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT >> THE BIGGEST RULE WE HAD WAS,
YOU KNOW, "WHAT-- WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HOUSE STAYS IN THE
HOUSE. >> THE NEIGHBORS, THEY DIDN'T
KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
>> Reporter: INSIDE, SAID HER CHILDREN, SARAH WAS A DIFFERENT
PERSON >> I FELT LIKE SHE WAS A TICKING
TIME BOMB. >> IF WE DID SOMETHIN' THAT HAD
UPSET HER, LIKE IT WAS KIND OF ZERO TO A HUNDRED.
>> Reporter: BIG TEMPER? >> YEAH.
>> Reporter: THEY LEARNED TO BE WARY, TO WATCH HER MOOD,
ESPECIALLY WHEN THEIR SOLDIER-MOM PUT ON HER UNIFORM
>> I FELT LIKE SHE WAS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PERSON WHEN
SHE HAD HER HAIR UP IN A BUN AND HAD A UNIFORM ON
I HATED THAT >> Reporter: HOW WAS SHE
DIFFERENT? W -- IN WHAT WAY
>> I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DESCRIBE IT
I THINK IT WAS JUST THE LOOK THAT SHE HAD ON HER FACE, AND
THE WAY HER HAIR WOULD BE PULLED BACK SO TIGHT.
I'M LIKE, "PLEASE TAKE IT DOWN." >> WELL, WHENEVER -- WHENEVER
YOU GOT IN TROUBLE, SHE'D LET YOU KNOW
AND IT WAS -- IT WAS SOMETHIN' THAT THE WHOLE HOUSE KNEW.
LIKE, EVEN -- EVEN AS KIDS, YOU KNOW, WHEN THE OTHER PERSON'S
GETTIN' HIT IN THE OTHER ROOM, YOU COULD HEAR EVERY HIT THROUGH
THE HOUSE, 'CAUSE IT WOULD ECHO. >> Reporter: RYAN SAID THE WORST
BEATING HE TOOK WAS AFTER HE BROKE A WALL HOOK IN A HOUSE
THEY WERE RENTING. >> SHE HAD THE BELT IN HER HAND,
SHE WAS JUST SWINGIN', DOIN' HER THING.
AND AFTER A WHILE, SHE THROWS THE BELT TO THE SIDE, AND SHE
JUST STARTS PUNCHING ME IN THE FACE
AND IT WAS SO BAD THAT I HAD BRUISES FROM MY WHOLE FACE DOWN,
AND FROM MY SHOULDERS TO MY ANKLES
AND I MISSED SCHOOL FOR A WHOLE WEEK
>> Reporter: HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN THAT HAPPENED
>> I'D SAY LIKE, I'D SAY 10. AND THAT WAS WHEN I REALIZED I
WAS SCARED OF MY MOM BECAUSE, RIGHT AFTER EVERYTHING
HAPPENED, THE WHOLE BEATING THING, WE WENT DOWNSTAIRS AND,
YOU KNOW, SHE WAS BEING ALL NICE, SHE -- LIKE, SHE WAS
CUTTIN' ME UP ORANGES AND STUFF, YOU KNOW, TALKIN' ALL SWEET, AND
WHAT NOT >> SHE'S HIT ME IN THE FACE
MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE AS A CHILD, ALSO AS A TEENAGER.
THERE WAS A TIME THAT IT WAS SO BAD I TOLD HER I WAS GONNA CALL
CPS. >> Reporter: THAT WOULD BE CHILD
PROTECTIVE SERVICES. >> AND SHE SAID IF I WAS GONNA
CALL CPS, SHE WAS GONNA GIVE ME A REASON TO CALL CPS
AND SHE CONTINUED BEATING ME FOR WHAT FELT LIKE HOURS
'CAUSE SHE WOULD STOP, SHE'D BE TALKING, AND SHE'D BE YELLING.
AND THEN, ALL OF SUDDEN, SHE'D PICK UP A BELT, AND SHE'D START
WAILING ON ME AGAIN. AND I'M JUST, "IS THIS EVER
GONNA BE DONE? AND I WAS COVERED IN BRUISES
I HAD BRUISES ALL OVER MY LEGS I HAD A BRUISE ON MY FACE.
I HAD 'EM ALL OVER MY ARMS AND MY BACK.
>> Reporter: DID YOU COMPLAIN TO CPS?
>> NO, BECAUSE I WAS TOO SCARED OF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN
I DIDN'T TELL ANYBODY TO CALL CPS.
I DIDN'T ASK ANY OF MY FRIENDS, BUT CPS DID GET CALLED, AND
POLICE SHOWED UP AT THE DOOR ONE DAY AFTER SCHOOL
>> Reporter: AND HERE IS THE REPORT ABOUT THAT VISIT FROM THE
BELL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IT SAYS A FATHER OF ONE OF
ASHLEY'S FRIENDS CALLED THEM SAYING ASHLEY "WAS BEATEN PRETTY
BAD, HAD A BLACK EYE, LOOKED LIKE HER FINGERS WERE POSSIBLY
BROKEN AND HAD WHIP/LACERATIONS ALL OVER HER BACK.
>> AND I WAS LIKE, "OH MY GOSH," BECAUSE THEN THAT WOULD MEAN IT
WOULD GO TO CPS, AND MY MOM COULD GET IN TROUBLE, AND THEN
SHE WOULD USE IT AGAINST ME. >> Reporter: YOU DIDN'T SEE THE
POLICE AS A SAVIOR YOU SAW THEM AS GETTING YOU IN
TROUBLE EVEN MORE? >> YES
I WAS VERY UPSET THAT THEY CAME TO THE HOUSE
>> Reporter: SO MUCH SO, ASHLEY SAID SHE LIED.
AND SURE ENOUGH, THE REPORT QUOTED ASHLEY TELLING THE
DEPUTIES HER BLACK EYE, "WAS AN ACCIDENT."
THE REPORT CONCLUDED WITH, "THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ONGOING
ABUSE. WHEN WE ASKED SARAH ABOUT THIS,
SHE WROTE, "I'M SURE MY KIDS WOULD CALL IT A BEATING, BUT NO,
NO ONE WAS BEATEN. >> Reporter: BUT BARBARA STUART
SAID SHE HEARD ABOUT THIS INCIDENT, AND OTHERS
>> THE KIDS WERE THREATENED. THEY BETTER NOT SAY ANYTHING
THEY'D BETTER NOT ADMIT ANY OF THIS HAPPENED.
AND FAMILY SERVICES WOULD ALWAYS BELIEVE HER.
SHE WOULD ALWAYS TALK HER WAY OUT OF IT.
>> Reporter: ASHLEY SAID HER DAD, CHRIS DONOHUE, SEEMED
POWERLESS WITH SARAH >> THERE WAS ONLY SO MUCH HE
COULD DO, BECAUSE IF HE STOOD UP FOR US, SHE WOULD GET VERY, VERY
ANGRY AT HIM I THINK HE WANTED TO DO ANYTHING
TO MAKE IT WORK AND KEEP HIS FAMILY TOGETHER.
AND HE REALLY DID -- HE REALLY DID TRY.
AND SHE JUST MADE IT DIFFICULT >> Reporter: IN 2014, SARAH AND
CHRIS BOUGHT AN IMPRESSIVE, BIG CUSTOM-BUILT PLACE ON A LAKE,
NOT FAR FROM FORT HOOD AND THERE THEY RECONNECTED WITH
KEVIN ROBINSON AND HIS WIFE, MELISSA.
>> EVERYBODY JUST LOVED 'EM, 'CAUSE THEY WERE JUST LIKE A
GREAT COUPLE THEY SEEMED, LIKE, HAPPY, HAD IT
TOGETHER FOUR GREAT KIDS, NICE HOUSE.
I MEAN, THEY WERE LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM
>> Reporter: BUT MONEY WAS TIGHT, AND THEN, JUST THREE
MONTHS AFTER BUYING THEIR HOME, SARAH GOT A CALL FROM HER
BROTHER CODY THEIR GRANDMOTHER, MERLE REPPER,
HAD DIED LEAVING BEHIND A HOUSE AND
325 ACRES OF PRIME FARMLAND. THERE WAS BOUND TO BE A BIG
INHERITANCE, AND SARAH, WITH FAMILY IN TOW, RUSHED OFF TO
MISSOURI WHERE SHE WAS ABOUT TO GET SOME BAD NEWS.
BAD NEWS FOR HER, ANYWAY >> AFTER SHE SCREAMED AND YELLED
AT MY WIFE THAT DAY ON THE PORCH, I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN,
RIGHT THEN, IT WAS N -- IT WAS NOT GONNA BE ANY KINDA PEACEFUL,
AMICABLE, ANYTHING WITH MY >> Reporter: YOU CAN'T WATCH
SARAH'S LONG SUFFERING OLDER BROTHER, CODY, AMBLE ABOUT HIS
LAND IN MISSOURI AND NOT BE REMINDED OF JOB.
LIVING ALONE IN A SINGLE-WIDE, NO CAR, NO INTERNET, THE FAMILY
FARM LONG GONE HIS WIFE AND MOTHER AND YOUNGEST
BROTHER DEAD SAD.
IT WASN'T ALWAYS LIKE THIS CODY HAD DONE SO WELL, DESPITE
HIS MESSED UP FAMILY, HIS TROUBLED UPBRINGING.
LIFE WAS PRETTY GOOD UNTIL THE DAY HIS GRANDMOTHER
MERLE PASSED AWAY. IT WAS AUGUST, 2014.
THERE WAS A FUNERAL, OF COURSE AND SARAH CAME, LIKE SOME DARK
PRODIGAL CHILD >> SHE STAYED THE NIGHT AT THE
HOUSE WITH US. AND I GUESS IT WAS -- I DON'T
KNOW, THAT IT -- MAYBE A COUPLE DAYS LATER, SHE -- SHE WANTED TO
KINDA LOOK THROUGH THINGS. AND I SAID, "WELL," I SAID, "THE
WILL DOESN'T HAVE YOU IN IT. >> Reporter: CODY AND HIS WIFE,
MARY NANCY, HAD BEEN TENDING TO GRANDMOTHER MERLE AND HER FARM
FOR YEARS. ONLY ONES IN THE FAMILY TO DO
SO WHICH IS WHY MERLE, IN HER WILL,
LEFT EVERYTHING -- THE FARM, THE HOUSE, THE FURNITURE -- ALL OF
IT TO CODY AND NOTHING TO SARAH. >> IT JUST BECAME MORE OR LESS A
SCREAMING MATCH. SHE SAID SHE WAS GONNA FIGHT ME
FOR THE HOUSE AND THE LAND AND EVERYTHING BECAUSE SHE OWED
$200,000-SOMETHING ON HER PLACE WHEREVER --
WHEREVER SHE WAS LIVING AT THE TIME
AND THIS, WELL, EVERYTHING SHE SOLD OUT HERE, THAT WOULD --
THAT WOULD PAY FOR IT. THAT WAS THE STORY I GOT
>> Reporter: SARAH UP AND LEFT AFTER THAT
BUT CODY SAID SHE CAME BACK LATER THAT DAY
>> THE NEXT THING I KNOW, THEY -- THEY'VE GOT TRUCKS AND
TRAILERS AND THEY'RE TRYING TO -- THEY'RE
HAULING EVERYTHING AND THEN LOOKING ON HER LAPTOP
TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WAS WORTH AND I TOLD MY WIFE, I SAID,
"WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT, REALLY
I MEAN, I'M JUST GONNA LET HER HAVE WHAT SHE WANTS TO HAVE.
AND MAYBE THEN SHE'LL LET US ALONE.
>> Reporter: SARAH'S SON RYAN WAS THERE.
HE SAW IT ALL. >> CODY, HE LET HER TAKE
WHATEVER SHE WANTED. MY MOM TOOK A WHOLE U-HAUL FULL
OF STUFF >> Reporter: ASHLEY WAS THERE
TOO. >> MY MOM CLEARED OUT A LOT OF
THINGS LIKE, HAD MYSELF, MY BROTHER, MY
DAD, A BUNCH OF PEOPLE HELPING HER CARRY STUFF UP OUT OF THE
BASEMENT LIKE, WE DON'T REALLY NEED ALL
THIS STUFF BUT TO HER, IT WAS THE MOST
IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD BECAUSE SHE SAID HER GRANDMOTHER
WAS THE ONLY PERSON THAT EVER TRULY LOVED HER.
>> Reporter: OR AND SHE FELT ENTITLED TO IT
>> SHE DID SHE FELT ENTITLED TO A LOT OF
THINGS >> Reporter: BY NIGHTFALL SARAH
WAS GONE AND CODY AND HIS WIFE CURLED UP ON THE COUCH WITH
THEIR 8-YEAR-OLD NEPHEW, ZANDER, WHO WAS SPENDING THE NIGHT
>> I WANNA SAY IT WAS ABOUT 2:00 IN THE MORNING.
I'M NOT CERTAIN. BUT I -- I KNOW WHEN I GOT UP, I
SMELLED SMOKE. I KNEW THAT WASN'T GOOD.
>> Reporter: CODY OPENED THE DOOR AND SAW A BROKEN WINDOW,
BURNING DRAPES, AND FLAMES SPREADING RAPIDLY ACROSS THE
PINE FLOORS. >> I MEAN, AS FAST AS YOU SNAP
YOUR HAND, IT JUST ROARED RIGHT THROUGH THE HOUSE, THE SMOKE
JUST BILLOWING YOU KNOW
AND, I MEAN, IT WAS THICK. AND IT WAS BLACK
AND IT -- WHEN IT COME, IT COME. AND I COULDN'T SEE -- I COULDN'T
SEE MY HAND IN FRONT OF MY FACE, HONESTLY
>> Reporter: CODY SAID HE PASSED OUT BUT CAME TO AFTER HITTING
THE FLOOR. >> WHEN I CAME TO, ALL I -- ALL
I COULD DO WAS CRAWL OUT THE DOOR
AND I COULD HEAR ZANDER BEHIND ME
AND I KEPT HOLLERING FOR HIM TO GRAB MY HAND
AND HE WOULDN'T GRAB MY HAND SO ALL I COULD DO -- I GOT OUT
THE DOOR I TOOK IN A DEEP BREATH, AND I
RAN DOWN TO MY BROTHER'S PLACE AND I WOKE HIM UP, GRABBED HIM
UP, AND UP TO THE HOUSE WE CAME. AND MY BROTHER DOVE IN THE
HOUSE. AND, OF COURSE, HE STARTS
CHOKING IMMEDIATELY. AND, "JUST SEE IF YOU CAN GRAB
HIM. IF YOU CAN'T GRAB HIM, THEN GET
BACK OUT HERE. OTHERWISE AIN'T ANY OF US GONNA
MAKE IT. SO HE WENT BACK IN AND
SOMEHOW -- SOMEHOW GRABBED A HOLD OF SOMETHING THAT WAS -- HE
THOUGHT WAS HIM AND GRABBED HIM AND JERKED HIM
AND OUT HE CAME. AND THAT WAS ROUGH 'CAUSE I LOVE
THAT LITTLE BOY. >> Reporter: THEY RUSHED ZANDER
OFF TO THE HOSPITAL, SUFFERING FROM SMOKE INHALATION, WHERE HE
FINALLY DID RECOVER. BUT CODY'S HOUSE WAS A TOTAL
LOSS >> WE GOT TO WATCH EVERYTHING WE
HAD GO IN A MATTER OF JUST HOURS.
THE FIRST THING I DID AFTER THAT FIRE, THE NEXT MORNING WHEN IT
GOT TO BE DAYLIGHT, I CALLED HER.
>> Reporter: "HER" BEING HIS SISTER SARAH
>> BECAUSE I WANTED HER TO KNOW THAT I HAD SURVIVED AND THE BIG
PLAN OF TAKING THE HOUSE OUT AND LEAVING ME WITH NOTHING DIDN'T
WORK SO WELL FOR HER THAT'S WHY I CALLED HER.
AND I SAID, "I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU IT DIDN'T WORK.
I'M STILL HERE." I SAID, "I'M HERE.
THE WIFE'S HERE. ZANDER'S DOING OKAY AS WELL.
AND THE FIRST THING SHE SAID WAS, "WELL, WHAT WAS ZANDER
DOING HERE?" >> Reporter: SARAH DENIED ANY
INVOLVEMENT, OF COURSE >> SHE DENIED IT TO THE FIRE
INVESTIGATOR SHE DENIED IT TO THE POLICE.
SHE DENIED IT TO EVERYBODY, INCLUDING HER LAWYER
SHE DENIED IT IN A TEXT MESSAGE TO US TOO, SAYING, "I DID NOT
SET MY GRANDMA'S HOUSE ON FIRE AND WAS NEVER SUSPECTED OR
QUESTIONED." BUT ACCORDING TO RYAN, NOT
EVERYONE BELIEVED SARAH'S DENIALS.
NOT EVEN HER OWN CHILDREN. >> THE CONSENSUS THROUGHOUT THE
FAMILY WAS SHE WAS PISSED OFF THAT HE GOT THE HOUSE AND SHE
DIDN'T >> Reporter: WAS IT THE FAMILY
CONSENSUS THAT SHE STARTED THE FIRE
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT. >> Reporter: THE SHERIFF'S
DEPARTMENT SAID THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THE SAME
BUT ACCORDING TO CODY'S FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR BILLY MAY, THE FIRE
MARSHALL DID FIND SOMETHING NOTEWORTHY
>> WHERE THE FIRE HAD STARTED, THERE WAS POISON IVY IN THE BACK
OF THE HOUSE AND THE FIRE MARSHAL SAID WHEN
THEY WENT AND VISITED SARAH THAT HER FACE WAS COVERED IN POISON
IVY. AND THAT HE COULDN'T PROVE FOR
CERTAIN, BUT HE PRETTY WELL THOUGHT THAT SHE PROBABLY
STARTED THE FIRE >> Reporter: CODY HEARD THE SAME
THING FROM HIS BROTHER WHO SAW SARAH RIGHT BEFORE SHE LEFT
TOWN >> HE SAID SHE HAD POISON IVY
ALL OVER HER FACE. >> Reporter: BUT IT WASN'T QUITE
PROOF, WAS IT, SAID CODY, RATHER SADLY.
>> I SAID, "I -- I'D LOVE TO TELL YOU THAT I KNEW WHAT
HAPPENED, AND I'D LOVE TO SAY WHAT SHE'S GONNA GET HERS FOR
THIS." BUT I CAN'T.
>> Reporter: AND SARAH WAS NEVER CHARGED WITH ANYTHING.
AND DESPITE ALL THE TALK AROUND HERE ABOUT SARAH AND THE FIRE,
IT NEVER STOPPED HER FROM COMING BACK TIME AND AGAIN TO SEE A GUY
WHO IS ABOUT TO EXPLAIN WHY HE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE IT ALL BACK
>> I THINK I REALLY, TRULY DID >> Reporter: WHEN SARAH JEAN
DE-FURNISHED HER BROTHER CODY'S HOUSE, SHE GOT MORE THAN A
TRUCK-LOAD OF OLD FURNITURE AND FAMILY KEEPSAKES
SHE ALSO PICKED UP HER NEXT BOYFRIEND.
NOT TO MENTION A CONVENIENT PLACE TO STORE ALL THAT STUFF.
IT WENT INTO THIS GUY'S GARAGE >> I MEAN, IT GOT TO THE POINT
WHERE I WAS LIKE, "HOW MUCH MORE CRAP DO YOU REALLY WANT?
'CAUSE MY GARAGE WAS GETTING FULL
>> Reporter: BRIAN ALTIS IS AN OLD CHILDHOOD CHUM OF SARAH'S.
THEY RECONNECTED DURING THE GRANDMOTHER'S FUNERAL.
AND THE VERY NIGHT CODY'S HOUSE BURNED DOWN, SARAH CRAWLED INTO
BRIAN'S BED. JUST TO SLEEP, HE TOLD US.
AND IF SHE STARTED THE FIRE HE SAID, HE WASN'T AWARE OF IT.
ANYWAY, THAT'S HOW THE AFFAIR AND BRIAN'S TWO YEAR
ROLLER-COASTER RIDE WITH SARAH BEGAN.
AND THE INCONVENIENT FACT THAT SHE WAS VERY MARRIED TO
CHRIS DONOHUE? >> SHE INFORMED ME THAT SHE AND
CHRIS WERE GONNA GET DIVORCED -- >> Reporter: BRIAN FELL HARD
THERE WAS SOMETHING IRRESISTIBLE ABOUT THAT WOMAN
>> WHEN SHE'S THE GIRL THAT YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH, IF SHE COULD
BE THAT PERSON DAY IN AND DAY OUT, WHAT -- IT'S -- SHE'S AN
AMAZING PERSON >> Reporter: WHAT DID YOU LOVE
ABOUT HER BACK THEN? >> SHE HAS A WAY OF MAKIN' YOU
FEEL REALLY IMPORTANT, LIKE YOU MATTER.
WHEN I BROUGHT HER AROUND SOME OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS AND SOME OF
MY FRIENDS, AND THEY'RE LIKE, "I'M GLAD FOR YOU.
AND -- SHE'S JUST A VERY LIKABLE PERSON AT FIRST IMPRESSION
>> Reporter: WAS SHE ATTRACTIVE? WAS SHE GOOD IN BED?
WAS SHE ENTICING -- WAS SHE -- >> YES
YES TO PRETTY MUCH ABOUT EVERYTHING I THINK YOU JUST
SAID >> Reporter: SO SHE COULD
PERSUADE THAT UP WAS DOWN AND DOWN WAS UP, AND -
>> OH, YEAH. SHE HAS A WAY OF TALKIN' TO
PEOPLE TO MAKE YOU BELIEVE EVERYTHING
AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE SHE COULD KILL SOMEBODY RIGHT IN FRONT OF
A POLICE OFFICER AND MAKE HIM BELIEVE THAT SHE DID NOT DO IT
I THINK SHE HAS THAT ABILITY >> Reporter: YOU MIGHT WANT TO
REMEMBER THAT. BUT FOR TWO YEARS BRIAN WAS AS
HAPPY AS HE'D EVER BEEN AND AS MISERABLE.
>> THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN BE THIS PERSON THAT EVERYBODY LOVES
TO BE AROUND AND GOT TO KNOW, TO BE DOWNRIGHT MEAN AND HATEFUL IN
A MATTER OF SECONDS. BASICALLY THE DEVIL'S DAUGHTER,
IF YOU ASK ME. >> Reporter: THINGS GOT
CONTENTIOUS BETWEEN THEM THEY EVEN FILED FOR RESTRAINING
ORDERS AGAINST EACH OTHER. THEN ONE DAY, WHEN BRIAN WAS IN
COURT, SARAH HAD AN ENVELOPE DELIVERED TO HIM
>> SO I OPEN IT UP AND I LOOK AT IT
AND I REMEMBER THE SMELL OF URINE.
AND IT WAS A PREGNANCY TEST. >> Reporter: OH MY
>> AND IT SAID IT WAS POSITIVE AND I'M LIKE, "NO, THIS AIN'T
LEGIT. >> Reporter: STILL, BRIAN AGREED
TO MEET WITH SARAH AT HIS HOUSE TO HASH THINGS OUT
HE BROUGHT HIS SISTER FOR SUPPORT.
>> AND I SAID, "LET'S GO DO OUR OWN TEST TOGETHER SO THAT I CAN
SEE FOR SURE THAT YOU'RE PREGNANT."
AND SHE WOULDN'T DO IT >> Reporter: THEY STOOD OUTSIDE
THE HOUSE AND ARGUED ABOUT EVERYTHING THEN.
AND FINALLY SARAH AGREED TO LEAVE.
FOR GOOD. BUT SHE MADE ONE LAST REQUEST.
>> "CAN I USE THE BATHROOM BEFORE I LEAVE?"
I'M LIKE, "SURE, NO PROBLEM SHE WAS IN THERE FOR A WHILE."
I REMEMBER THAT 'CAUSE MY SISTER AND I BOTH LOOKED AT EACH OTHER.
WE'RE LIKE, "WOW." >> Reporter: MM-HMM.
>> "WHAT THE HELL? AND FINALLY, SHE CAME OUT.
SHE WENT HER WAY I WENT DOWN TO THE LOCAL BAR IN
TOWN TO MEET UP WITH SOME CO-WORKERS
20 TO 40 MINUTES LATER, I'M GETTING A PHONE CALL FROM THE
LOCAL POLICE STATION SAYING, "YOUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE."
>> Reporter: YEAH, WELL. DO YOU THINK SHE STARTED THE
FIRE >> YOU'LL NEVER HEAR ME SAY
THAT >> DO I BELIEVE THERE'S A
POSSIBILITY? YES.
BUT I WILL NEVER, EVER, "YES, SHE DID IT."
I CAN'T PROVE IT NOBODY PROVED IT
>> Reporter: SARAH TOLD US BY TEXT SHE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH
THE FIRE ANYWAY, SHE WAS OUT OF BRIAN'S
LIFE FINALLY AND WHAT DID SHE LEAVE HIM WITH
NO, NOT A CHILD, BUT PERSPECTIVE.
>> YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY JOKED ABOUT THE FIRE, YOU KNOW, HOW I
WAS LUCKY TO SURVIVE THAT. BUT "I THINK I REALLY, TRULY DID
DODGE A BULLET." AND -- AND -- AND I MEANT THAT,
LITERALLY -- >> Reporter: THE NEXT FELLA
SARAH JEAN SET HER EYES ON WOULDN'T BE SO LUCKY
>> Reporter: CAN WE TALK ABOUT DAVID?
>> YES >> Reporter: WHAT HE WAS LIKE?
>> HE WAS A BIG TEDDY BEAR ANYTIME HE WALKED INTO A ROOM,
HE'D HAVE A BIG GRIN AND HE'D GIVE YOU A BIG HUG
>> Reporter: CARL AND LAURA BRAGG TOLD US THEIR SON --
DAVID BRAGG WAS THIS "TEDDY BEAR."
AN AIR FORCE VETERAN KNOWN FOR TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE, MAYBE
BECAUSE HE WAS THE ELDEST OF EIGHT SIBLINGS, FIVE OF THEM
ADOPTED, INCLUDING DANIEL AND RONALD BRAGG
WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP, HOW DO YOU REMEMBER HIS PRESENCE IN
YOUR LIFE? >> I REMEMBER HIM BEING VERY
TALL, JUST LIKE MY DAD. SO, HE HAD A PRESENCE TO HIM.
>> HONESTLY, SPITTING IMAGE OF OUR DAD.
IT'S KIND OF WEIRD YOU SEE THEM SIDE-BY-SIDE AND
IT'S LIKE WELL WHO'S WHO SOMETIMES --
>> Reporter: WAS HE WELCOMING TO ALL YOU YOUNGER ONES
>> YEAH. YOU KNOW, MY MOM USED TO TELL ME
STORIES ABOUT HOW HE'D WALK AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH,
YOU KNOW, HIS LITTLE, YOU KNOW, MIXED RACE BROTHER TO TRY TO GET
THE LADIES TO LOOK AT HIM -- >> Reporter: LADIES WOULD LOOK
AT DAVID, AND SOMETIMES DAVID LOOKED BACK.
HE WAS MARRIED WHEN HE MET SARAH, HAD TWO KIDS.
BUT HE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THE ROAD, WORKING IN
CONSTRUCTION AND WHILE ABSENCE IS SAID TO
MAKE THE HEART GROW FONDER, DISTANCE FROM HIS WIFE DID NOT
HAVE THAT EFFECT ON DAVID. WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THEM
>> SARAH HAPPENED BETWEEN THEM >> Reporter: SARAH HAPPENED.
YEAH WELL, BRIAN WAS OUT OF HER LIFE
AND DAVID BRAGG WAS ON A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT RIGHT AT
FORT HOOD WHERE SARAH WAS STATIONED.
THEY HID THEIR RELATIONSHIP FROM HER HUSBAND CHRIS UNTIL HE WAS
STATIONED IN KOREA AND THEN EVERYTHING CHANGED.
>> AND THE DAY HE LEFT DAVID, WAS OVER AT THE HOUSE.
>> Reporter: IN FACT HE WAS AT THE HOUSE A LOT, OVERNIGHT, TOO,
SOMETIMES. >> MY MOM WOULD TELL ME THAT UM
HE WAS SLEEPING IN THE FRONT ROOM
AND I DIDN'T BELIEVE IT. ONE TIME I WALKED TO THE FRONT
OF THE HOUSE AND I PEEKED IN THE BEDROOM THAT DAVID WAS
SUPPOSEDLY STAYING IN. AND IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEBODY WAS
LAYING UNDER THE COVERS. SO I WENT IN THERE, AND I YANKED
THE COVERS BACK, AND THERE WAS PILLOWS.
AND I WAS LIKE, "OH MY GOD." >> Reporter: WHILE CHRIS
SUSPECTED HIS WIFE HAD BEEN RUNNING AROUND ON HIM FOR YEARS,
THIS WAS IT FOR HIM. IT MADE HIM SO MAD, HE FLEW HALF
WAY AROUND THE WORLD TO CONFRONT HER.
>> AND SO MY DAD GOT PERMISSION TO COME BACK TO THE STATES FROM
HIS BOSS. AND I BASICALLY HELPED HIM CATCH
HER CHEATING ON HIM. >> Reporter: SHE HELPED HER DAD
BY ENSURING THE GARAGE DOOR WAS UNLOCKED AND ONCE IN HIS HOUSE,
CHRIS WENT TO HIS BEDROOM, AND MADE A SHOCKING DISCOVERY IN HIS
BED. >> THEY WERE IN BED TOGETHER
AND SHE'S MADE A WHOLE BUNCH OF EXCUSES ABOUT IT, DIDN'T KNOW
WHAT TO SAY. >> Reporter: THE MARRIAGE WAS
EFFECTIVELY OVER, BUT SARAH WAS ALL-IN WITH DAVID BRAGG NOW.
SHE EVEN WENT TO MEET HIS DEEPLY RELIGIOUS PARENTS.
WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF SARAH
>> WE KIND OF LIKED HER. >> YEAH.
>> Reporter: KIND, CHARISMATIC SARAH, INTENT ON BEING A GOOD
WIFE TO THEIR SON. OR SO IT SEEMED TO CARL.
>> WE WERE CONVINCED FOR A LONG TIME THAT, YOU KNOW, UH, SHE HAD
BEEN WRONGED IN HER FIRST MARRIAGE -
>> Reporter: THAT IS, HER MARRIAGE TO CHRIS WHICH OF
COURSE WAS ACTUALLY HER THIRD THOUGH THEY DIDN'T TELL THE
PARENTS THAT >> WE LOVED HER.
WE LOVED HER KIDS, SHE'S GOT BEAUTIFUL KIDS
>> Reporter: SARAH DEFINITELY HAD DAVID HOOKED BUT THEN WORK
HAD DAVID ON THE MOVE AGAIN, THIS TIME SOME TWELVE-HUNDRED
MILES AWAY TO A TINY HAMLET CALLED GARFIELD, MINNESOTA
SO HE AND SARAH MADE A PLAN -- A LIFE PLAN.
>> HE ENDED UP GOING TO MINNESOTA AND I BELIEVE THE IDEA
OR WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN WAS THAT SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO
COME UP THERE AND LIVE, YOU KNOW, HAPPILY EVER AFTER, OF
COURSE >> Reporter: THE ONLY PROBLEM
WITH HAPPILY EVER AFTER IS THAT IT TENDS TO BE THE PROVENANCE OF
FAIRY TALES. AND THE STORY DAVID BRAGG WAS
LIVING IN WAS GOING TO BE MORE BROTHERS GRIMM
>> SHE HAD A TEMPER THAT SHE COULD BE REALLY SWEET ONE MINUTE
AND JUST CRAZY IN THE NEXT MINUTE
>> Reporter: SADLY FOR DAVID, CRAZY WAS JUST AROUND THE
CORNER
>> Reporter: IN THE WINTER OF 2017, THE WOMAN, STILL KNOWN AS
SARAH DONOHUE, HAD SETTLED IN WITH DAVID BRAGG IN TINY
GARFIELD, MINNESOTA. HER PLAN WAS TO MAKE HIM HER
FOURTH HUSBAND MIND YOU, DAVID WAS NO STRANGER
TO STARTING OVER HIMSELF >> Reporter: NOW, HE'S GOING TO
BE MARRIED TO WOMAN NUMBER THREE.
>> YEAH, NUMBER THREE. AND THEY WERE TOGETHER FOR ABOUT
SIX -- SIX AND A HALF MONTHS AND ENGAGED.
>> Reporter: IT WASN'T VERY LONG
>> VERY LONG AT ALL. YEAH
>> Reporter: DID YOU SEE THEM TOGETHER AT ALL?
>> NO. SEE, IT WAS SO QUICK, AND THEY'RE THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY.
>> Reporter: YEAH. >> I ACTUALLY MET SARAH,
FACE-TO-FACE, OVER FACETIME ONE TIME, JUST A NORMAL, HAPPY LADY.
AND MY BROTHER LOVED HER, AND WE TRUSTED HIM.
>> Reporter: TO BE CLEAR, SARAH WAS STILL MARRIED TO
CHRIS DONOHUE WHEN DAVID AND SARAH JEAN FOUND AN OLD WHITE
FARMHOUSE IN WHICH TO START THEIR NEW LIFE TOGETHER.
THE IDEA WAS, THEY'D RENT TO BUY AND FIX IT UP AS THEY WENT
ALONG. JEFF WOOD WOULD BE THEIR
LANDLORD >> UH, A REALLY NICE COUPLE.
UH, DAVID WAS VERY GENTLEMANLY, UH, HAD THAT SOUTHERN THING
ABOUT HIM. I THOUGHT THEY'RE A GREAT
COUPLE >> Reporter: AT THE BEGINNING,
THAT IS. EVERYTHING FRESH AND PERFECT,
THE WAY NEW LOVE FEELS >> SEEMED TO BE IN LOVE, UH,
THAT KIND OF CHANGED AS THE TIME MOVED ON WITH THEM WORKING ON
THE HOUSE AND STUFF. UH, SHE STARTED GETTING VERY
AGITATED, REALLY SHORT, BECAUSE DAVID WASN'T GETTING THE HOUSE
DONE FAST ENOUGH >> Reporter: PART OF THE DEAL
WAS THAT DAVID WOULD REMODEL THE KITCHEN OF THE OLD FARMHOUSE,
BUT -- WELL, HE HAD HIS OWN IDEA OF HOW
LONG IT SHOULD TAKE AND WANTED TO SURPRISE HER, PERHAPS
>> SHE HAD GONE DOWN TO TEXAS FOR TWO AND A HALF WEEKS
AND WHEN SHE CAME BACK, DAVID HAD HIRED SOMEBODY TO MAKE A
PATH THROUGH THE WOODS INSTEAD OF WORKING ON THE HOUSE.
AND OH, SHE WAS JUST IRATE, BECAUSE HE HAD WASTED ALL THAT
MONEY ON THIS GUY AND NOT PUT IT INTO THE HOUSE
SO, SHE HAD A TEMPER THAT SHE COULD BE REALLY SWEET ONE MINUTE
AND JUST CRAZY IN THE NEXT MINUTE
>> Reporter: IF SOME ALARM WENT OFF IN DAVID'S MIND, HE SEEMED
TO SHOW NO SIGN OF IT, BUT RATHER, TRIED HARDER TO PLEASE
HER, AT LEAST, THAT'S HOW HIS PARENTS SAW IT
>> Reporter: I WONDERED WHETHER HE WOULD BE SOMEBODY WHO WOULD
ALWAYS TRY TO SEE THE GOOD SIDE IN PEOPLE, EVEN MAYBE IF OTHER
PEOPLE DIDN'T. >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> YES >> Reporter: THAT HE WAS ALWAYS
TRYING TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT IN A RELATIONSHIP
>> HE HAD FAILED RELATIONSHIPS, AND HE KEPT TRYING TO GIVE THIS
WOMAN CHANCES, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT ANOTHER FAILED
RELATIONSHIP >> Reporter: BUT IT WASN'T LONG
BEFORE, DAVID HAD TO STOP LIVING IN DENIAL.
HE TOLD HIS FAMILY THE REAL SARAH WASN'T AT ALL THE WOMAN HE
THOUGHT HE'D FALLEN IN LOVE WITH
>> YOU KNOW WHEN THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM, HE KIND OF WANTED OUT
YOU KNOW, HE WASN'T AS HAPPY AS -
>> Reporter: DAVID WANTED OUT. OKAY
>> MM-HMM. I REMEMBER VERY VIVIDLY MY DAD
TELLING ME THAT HE REACHED OUT AND WAS LIKE, "I DON'T HAVE A
GOOD FEELING ABOUT THIS. >> Reporter: "MAYBE I MADE A
MISTAKE. >> YEAH, I MADE A MISTAKE, BUT
JUST HEARING THAT, IT GAVE -- IT GAVE ME GOOSEBUMPS
EVEN TALKING ABOUT IT MAKES THE HAIR ON YOUR NECK STAND UP
>> Reporter: AND THEN ONE SPRING DAY IN MAY, 2018 -
>> WE HEARD IT COME ACROSS OUR SCANNER.
>> Reporter: AL EDENLOFF IS EDITOR IN CHIEF OF THE LOCAL
NEWSPAPER. SOMETHING HAPPENING AT THAT OLD
WHITE FARM HOUSE FEW MINUTES LATER, LANDLORD,
JEFF WOOD'S, PHONE RANG TOO. >> ONE OF MY COWORKERS CALLED ME
AT WORK, AND SAID I BETTER GET OVER TO THE HOUSE, BECAUSE
THERE'S SQUAD CARS ALL AROUND THE HOUSE.
>> THE SHERIFF TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A SHOOTING, AND THAT
THERE WAS A BODY FOUND IN, UH, IN THE DOWNSTAIRS PORTION OF THE
HOUSE, THE DOWNSTAIRS LIVING ROOM
>> Reporter: WHAT IN THE WORLD HAD HAPPENED IN THAT OLD
>> Reporter: IT WAS DAVID BRAGG IN THE LIVING ROOM, SHOT DEAD.
AND THE SHOOTER? WELL, THAT WOULD BE SARAH JEAN,
AND SHE EVEN ADMITTED IT, TELLING DETECTIVES THAT THERE
HAD BEEN AN ARGUMENT AND BRAGG PULLED A GUN
IN A STRING OF TEXTS SHE TOLD US, "I WAS LOOKING DOWN THE
BARREL OF A .45 THINKING THIS MAN IS REALLY GOING TO KILL ME
HE'S GOING TO KILL ALL OF US HE FIRED AT ME FIRST
HAD I NOT DOVE INTO THE FLOOR AT THE BASE OF THE STAIRS HE WOULD
HAVE SHOT ME IN THE HEAD." SHE HAD TO SHOOT BACK, SHE SAID.
IT WAS SELF-DEFENSE. >> Reporter: SARAH'S SON, RYAN,
WAS LIVING AT THE FARMHOUSE THEN, BUT WAS OUT WHEN IT
HAPPENED AND WHEN HE GOT HOME, SHE TOLD
HIM MORE OR LESS THE SOME STORY SHE TOLD POLICE, BUT WITH A FEW
EXTRA BITS ADDED DETAILS THAT MADE RYAN WONDER.
>> SHE SAID HE F -- HE FIRED AT HER FIRST.
>> Reporter: THAT HIS GUN WAS FIRED FIRST.
>> AS SHE'S COMIN' DOWN THE STAIRS, SHE DROPPED IN PLACE AND
HAD HER ARM OVER THE RAILING AND FIRED THAT WAY
SO, YOUR -- JUST PICTURE YOURSELF CROUCHED DOWN
ARM OVER THE RAILING AND JUST SHOOTING BLINDLY.
SHE HIT HIM CENTER MASS LIKE, THERE'S -- THERE'S NO WAY.
>> Reporter: THE STORY COULDN'T BE TRUE.
>> NO. LIKE THERE WASN'T A LOTTA BLOOD
THERE. THERE WAS -- IT WAS PROBABLY --
LIKE, MAYBE, LIKE, THIS BIG, THAT MUCH BLOOD.
>> Reporter: CAUSE SHE HIT HIS HEART RIGHT OFF THE BAT.
>> AND THEN ONE OF MY YOUNGER SISTERS CAME IN.
SHE'S LIKE, "I HEARD BUBBLING. LIKE THIS BUBBLE NOISE
AND HE -- HE JUST DIED THERE." >> Reporter: WHEN JEFF WOOD, THE
LANDLORD, HEARD THAT VERSION OF EVENTS STRAIGHT FROM SARAH JEAN,
HE TOO HAD DOUBTS. >> I DON'T BUY IT BECAUSE THE
WAY SHE EXPLAINED IT IT WAS LIKE OUT OF A BAD ACTION
MOVIE. I MEAN, SHE EXPLAINED HOW SHE
DOVE ON TO THE -- THE LANDING OF THE STEPS.
AND SHE PULLED HER GUN, AND SHOT BETWEEN THE SPINDLES OF THE
STEPS GOING UPSTAIRS AND -- AND SHOT HIM AND RETURNED
FIRE, WHICH I JUST DON'T BUY SO I THINK IF DAVID WANTED TO
SHOOT HER, HE WOULD HAVE SHOT HER.
I DON'T BUY IT AT ALL. >> Reporter: WHATEVER THE ACTUAL
STORY WAS, THE SAD FACT REMAINED THAT SARAH'S FIANCE WAS DEAD
SO AFTER THE CHAOS, AND THE COPS WERE GONE, RYAN GRABBED A BUCKET
AND A RAG. >> I CLEANED UP THE MESS AND
SWITCHED AROUND THE ROOM >> Reporter: YOU CLEANED UP THE
BLOOD AND THE MESS FROM HIS BODY
>> YEAH. >> Reporter: OF COURSE THERE WAS
AN INVESTIGATION IT INVOLVED THE DOUGLAS COUNTY
SHERIFF, THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR, AND EVEN STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT
IT WENT ON FOR MONTHS. AND THEN THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
RELEASED A STATEMENT THAT THERE WAS SOME BALLISTIC EVIDENCE TO
SUPPORT A CASE OF "SELF DEFENSE.
>> THEY DETERMINED THEY WOULD NOT BE FILING CHARGES.
THAT THERE JUST WASN'T ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO JUSTIFY, OR SAY,
THERE WAS ANYTHING ELSE AND IT WAS A JUSTIFIED, UH, SHOOTING.
>> Reporter: DAVID'S FAMILY CAN NEVER FORGET HEARING ABOUT HOW
THEIR SON HAD BEEN KILLED. WHAT WAS IT LIKE FOR YOU, CARL
>> IT TORE - >> JUST BREATHE.
>> IT TORE ME UP >> Reporter: STILL TEARS YOU UP,
THESE YEARS LATER. YEAH, I'M SORRY, CARL.
DAVID'S BROTHER, DANIEL, BELIEVES THOSE INVESTIGATORS GOT
PLAYED BY SARAH. >> THAT'S THE THING THAT GOT US
WAS THE FACT THAT LIKE, ALL RIGHT, WELL, LET'S -- LET'S LET
THE POLICE FIGURE IT OUT YOU KNOW, LET'S LET LAW
ENFORCEMENT FIGURE IT OUT. THEY DIDN'T PROSECUTE IT
>> Reporter: BUT SARAH'S DAUGHTER, ASHLEY, ALSO HAD A
STORY TO TELL. IT STARTED A FEW MONTHS BEFORE
THE SHOOTING SARAH'S HUSBAND, CHRIS, HAD
FILED FOR DIVORCE. IT WOULD BE FINALIZED SOON
WHEN SARAH GOT WORD THAT CHRIS HAD BEGUN DATING AGAIN
>> SHE GOT REALLY SAD, AND UPSET ABOUT MY DAD BECAUSE MY DAD HAD
STARTED TALKING WITH SOMEBODY. AND SHE HATED THAT
>> Reporter: SO WHAT DID SHE DO? ASHLEY SAID HER MOTHER TOLD HER
SHE WAS SENDING A TEXT TO DAVID BRAGG.
>> SAYING THAT HOW IT WAS OVER, AND SHE DIDN'T WANNA BE ENGAGED
TO HIM ANYMORE >> Reporter: SO SHE'S PULLING
AWAY FROM DAVID NOW? >> SUPPOSEDLY.
BUT I THINK THAT SHE WAS PLAYING HOUSE WITH DAVID AT HOME BUT
THEN, LIKE, STILL TRYING TO GET WITH MY DAD BEHIND DAVID'S BACK.
>> Reporter: OOF, COMPLICATED. >> SHE AND COMPLICATED GO ALONG
VERY WELL. >> Reporter: DID SARAH ACTUALLY
SEND THAT "BREAK UP TEXT?" ASHLEY COULDN'T SAY FOR SURE,
BUT SHE DID SEE HER MOTHER PACK UP HER CAR AND HEAD NORTH TO
KEEP "PLAYING HOUSE" WITH DAVID BRAGG.
BUT BEFORE SHE LEFT TEXAS, SHE SAID SOMETHING ASHLEY THOUGHT
WAS VERY STRANGE OR, IN RETROSPECT, DOWNRIGHT
OMINOUS. >> SHE TOLD ME, "IF ANYTHING
HAPPENS WHEN I GO BACK TO MINNESOTA, AND I HAVE TO DEFEND
MYSELF, CALL THIS PERSON AND TELL THEM TO COME PICK UP THE
GIRLS. AND I WAS JUST, LIKE, "WHY?"
AND I TOLD HER, I WAS, LIKE, "MOM, I DON'T THINK ANYTHING'S
GONNA HAPPEN LIKE THAT." AND SHE WAS, LIKE, "WELL, IF --
IF IT DOES," SHE'S, LIKE, "CALL THEM, AND TELL THEM TO COME PICK
UP THE GIRLS." AND I WAS, LIKE, "OKAY."
AND THEN I GET A CALL A COUPLE DAYS LATER AND I WAS, LIKE,
"WHOA. >> Reporter: THAT'S HOW ASHLEY
LEARNED DAVID BRAGG WAS DEAD IN YOUR HEART OF HEARTS, WHAT DO
YOU THINK HAPPENED IN THERE? >> WITH DAVID?
>> Reporter: YEAH. >> I PERSONALLY THINK THAT SHE
PROVOKED A FIGHT, AND SHE THOUGHT THAT SHE WOULD BE ABLE
TO GET MY DAD BACK AND HE WOULD WANT HER BACK IF
DAVID WAS NO LONGER IN THE PICTURE.
I'M, LIKE, "MY DAD DOESN'T WANT TO BE WITH YOU ANY -- LIKE, HE'S
COMPLETELY DETACHED HIMSELF FROM >> Reporter: SARAH JEAN SETTLED
RIGHT BACK INTO LIFE AT THE OLD WHITE FARMHOUSE IN TINY
GARFIELD, MINNESOTA. THE VERY HOUSE IN WHICH SHE HAD
JUST SHOT HER FIANCE DAVID SELF-DEFENSE, SHE'D SAID
AND THE AUTHORITIES FINALLY AGREED--OFFICIALLY
THEIR MONTHS LONG INVESTIGATION ENDED WITH NO CHARGES AGAINST
SARAH JEAN IN ANY CASE, IF IT SEEMED ODD TO
SOME THAT SHE'D GO ON LIVING IN THE VERY PLACE WHERE SHE'D
KILLED HER MAN, IT CERTAINLY SEEMED TO SUIT SARAH
SHE MADE HERSELF AT HOME -- IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
>> THE ONE DAY I WAS OVER THERE, I WAS TALKING TO HER AND GETTING
THE RENT AND THE PROPANE GUY DROVE UP AND CAME IN THE HOUSE
AND, WELL, APPARENTLY SHE'S DATING HIM NOW
AND IT WAS PRETTY SHORT TIME AFTER SHE HAD SHOT DAVID
AND SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS KIND OF -- KIND OF ODD.
>> Reporter: THE "PROPANE GUY" WAS ANOTHER DAVID.
DAVID GEORGE NOT JUST A PROPANE GUY, BY THE
WAY, BUT A LOCAL FARMER. AND BEFORE LONG, HE WAS
SARAH JEAN'S FOURTH HUSBAND. >> I THOUGHT THAT WAS A PRETTY
QUICK MARRIAGE AFTER, YOU KNOW, KILLING HER FIANCE
>> Reporter: SARAH'S SON RYAN GOT ON QUITE WELL WITH HIS NEW
STEPDAD. WHAT WAS HE LIKE
>> HE WAS A GREAT GUY. I GOT NOTHIN' BUT GOOD THINGS TO
SAY ABOUT HIM. >> Reporter: MM-HMM.
>> HE REALLY CARED ABOUT US. UM, HE -- HE TRIED HELPIN' US
EVERY WAY HE COULD I THINK HIS ONLY FLAW -- IT
DOESN'T MAKE HIM A BAD GUY, IS THE FACT THAT YOU KNOW, MY MOM
WAS HIS WIFE AND, EVEN WHEN SHE'S WRONG -- HE SIDES WITH
HER. AND I DON'T THINK HE KNEW SHE
WAS IN THE WRONG BUT HE -- HE TRULY LOVED HER,
AND, YOU KNOW, HE'D -- STAND BY YOUR WIFE.
YOU KNOW >> Reporter: WHICH IS SOMETHING
TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN YOU HEAR WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
-- OR WHAT DIDN'T QUITE HAPPEN BUT FIRST, TO BRING YOU UP TO
DATE -- EX-HUSBAND CHRIS HAD MARRIED AGAIN, TOO, TO A WOMAN
NAMED HEATHER. THEY SEEMED VERY HAPPY
EXCEPT FOR ONE BIG PROBLEM CHRIS AND SARAH HAD A CUSTODY
AGREEMENT FOR THEIR TWO YOUNGEST DAUGHTERS, BUT SARAH WASN'T
HONORING IT, ACCORDING TO CHRIS, SHE REFUSED TO LET HIM GET
ANYWHERE NEAR THE GIRLS. AND THEN ONE DAY, ONE OF THOSE
GIRLS, HANNAH, TEXTED ASHLEY AND TOLD HER SHE WANTED TO SEE HER
>> SO I GOT READY, DROPPED EVERYTHING
>> Reporter: BUT WHEN ASHLEY MET HER THEN 16-YEAR-OLD SISTER,
HANNAH WAS SUDDENLY RELUCTANT TO TALK
SO ASHLEY PRESSED HER. SHE'S, LIKE, "I CAN'T TELL YOU."
SHE WAS, LIKE, "GEORGE TOLD ME NOT TO SAY ANYTHING.
AND I WAS, LIKE, "HANNAH, IF IT HAS TO DO WITH DAD OR HEATHER'S
SAFETY, I KNOW YOU DON'T KNOW HEATHER, BUT SHE'S A NICE
PERSON, LIKE -- AND SHE MEANS A LOT TO DAD."
BUT YOU KNOW DAD, AND DAD IS A GOOD PERSON, AND I WAS, LIKE,
"IF IT HAS TO DO WITH THEIR SAFETY I NEED TO KNOW.
>> Reporter: HEATHER, REMEMBER, WAS CHRIS DONOHUE'S NEW WIFE
>> I WAS, LIKE, "I'M NOT GONNA RUN BACK TO MOM OR TELL HER THAT
YOU SAID ANYTHING. AND SO SHE TELLS ME, AND SHE,
LIKE, WHISPERED IT TO ME >> Reporter: THE SECRET WAS
UNBELIEVABLE, AND ASHLEY KNEW SHE COULD NOT LET IT REMAIN
SECRET >> I TEXTED MY DAD, AND I WAS,
LIKE, "I NEED YOU AVAILABLE TO TALK AS SOON AS I LEAVE THIS
PLACE, BECAUSE THERE'S SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU NEED
TO KNOW. >> Reporter: WHAT DID HANNAH
TELL YOU WAS GONNA HAPPEN? >> GEORGE HAD TOLD HER THAT MY
MOM WOULDN'T LET GEORGE BACK IN THE HOUSE UNTIL HE KILLED
HEATHER. SHE WANTED HIM TO SHOOT HER, AND
HANNAH WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE ME WITH DETAILS ABOUT THIS CAR.
THAT'S THE CAR THAT GEORGE WAS SUPPOSED TO DRIVE DOWN THERE,
AND HE WAS SUPPOSED TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR, HEATHER WAS SUPPOSED
TO ANSWER, AND THEN HE WAS SUPPOSED TO SHOOT HER.
HE DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT, AND MY MOM KEPT PRESSURING HIM TO DO
IT >> Reporter: WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO
HEAR THAT? >> UM, IT HONESTLY MADE ME SICK.
LIKE, I FELT LIKE THERE WAS A PIT IN MY CHEST, I JUST KEPT
THINKING, SHE ALWAYS USED TO SAY TO ME WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, "IF
THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY." AND IF SHE REALLY WANTED THAT TO
BE DONE, SHE WOULD FIND A WAY FOR IT TO GET CARRIED OUT.
>> Reporter: ASHLEY GOT HER DAD ON THE PHONE
WOW. HOW DID YOUR DAD REACT TO WHAT
YOU TOLD HIM >> UM, I THINK IT REALLY, REALLY
STRESSED HIM OUT I THINK IT WORRIED HIM
BECAUSE HIS MAIN CONCERN WAS MAKING SURE HIS WIFE WAS SAFE.
>> Reporter: CHRIS AND HEATHER WERE A NEARLY A THOUSAND MILES
AWAY IN ARIZONA -- A SEEMINGLY SAFE DISTANCE.
BUT SARAH HAD A WAY OF MAKING MEN DO WHAT SHE WANTED
AND DAVID GEORGE SEEMED QUITE INTENT ON PLEASING HER
EVEN IF SHE ASKED HIM TO BE HER "HITMAN.
>> Reporter: FAR AWAY IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA CHRIS DONOHUE
HAD JUST LEARNED THAT HIS EX-WIFE SARAH JEAN WAS
SUPPOSEDLY COOKING UP A PLOT TO KILL HIS NEW WIFE, HEATHER
HE KNEW HE HAD TO ACT FAST >> FIRST IT WAS MAKING SURE
HEATHER WAS SAFE, THEN IT WAS TALKING TO THE PERSON THAT TOLD
HANNAH THIS, AND THEN IT WAS TALKING TO HIS LAWYERS SO THAT
HE COULD TRY TO GET HIS DAUGHTERS OUT OF THAT HOUSE.
BECAUSE THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO HOME TO A WOMAN THAT, YOU
KNOW, ONE OF 'EM KNOWS WANTS TO KILL SOMEBODY ELSE, OR WANTS
SOMEBODY ELSE KILLED ON THEIR BEHALF
>> Reporter: JUST THE IDEA >> YEAH HE WAS ALREADY TRYIN' TO
GET THEM OUT OF THE HOUSE. HE WASN'T EVEN TRYING TO TAKE
THEM FROM MY MOM, HE JUST WANTED TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEM
HE HADN'T SEEN THEM IN ALMOST FOUR YEARS
BECAUSE SHE WOULDN'T LET HIM >> Reporter: THE URGENCY
INTENSIFIED FOR CHRIS AND HEATHER, ONCE CHRIS REALIZED HE
HAD ALREADY BEEN FACE TO FACE WITH DAVID GEORGE, SARAH'S
CURRENT HUSBAND AND THE WOULD-BE HITMAN
AS YOU CAN SEE YOURSELF. THIS "DELIVERY MAN" ON DOOR BELL
VIDEO AT THE DONOHUE RESIDENCE IS DAVID GEORGE.
>> YES, HELLO. >> YEAH, I HAVE SOME FLOWERS FOR
DONOHUES >> Reporter: THE FLOWERS WERE
ADDRESSED TO CHRIS'S WIFE, HEATHER.
>> OKAY. PERFECT.
>> Reporter: BUT THEN, SOMETHING CURIOUS.
>> NO CARD OR ANYTHING >> Reporter: WAS THERE A HINT OF
NERVOUSNESS IN THE DELIVERYMAN'S VOICE?
>> UM LET ME CHECK AND SEE IF I -- IF I GOT IT
>> OKAY. THANK YOU.
>> Reporter: CHRIS WAITED, BUT THE MYSTERIOUS DELIVERY MAN
NEVER RETURNED AND A FEW MINUTES LATER CHRIS
SAW A BLACK HONDA ACCORD DRIVE OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE MAN BEHIND THE WHEEL WAS DAVID GEORGE
IT'S ALL DOCUMENTED, EVERY BIT OF IT, IN COURT FILINGS.
IN A SIGNED AFFIDAVIT, CHRIS DONOHUE DESCRIBED A PHONE
CALL IN WHICH GEORGE TOLD HIM HE'D BEEN SENT TO DELIVER MORE
THAN JUST FLOWERS. HE'D BEEN SENT TO KILL HEATHER
>> HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD A PISTOL THAT WAS GIVEN TO HIM BY
SARAH TO CARRY OUT THIS ACT. HE ALSO SAID THAT "HE CAME TO MY
HOUSE 16 NOVEMBER 2020 AND HAD FLOWERS.
>> Reporter: CHRIS WENT ON TO SAY THAT, DAVID GEORGE SAID HE
ULTIMATELY REFUSED TO DO SARAH'S BIDDING.
>> DAVID TOLD ME THAT HE EVEN TOLD SARAH ONCE OVER THE PHONE
TO CALL WHAT SHE WANTED DONE WHAT IT WAS, MURDER.
HE TOLD ME THAT SHE GOT MAD AT HIM AND HUNG UP --
>> Reporter: MAD AT HIM IS ONE WAY TO PUT IT.
AFTER DAVID GEORGE RETURNED FROM ARIZONA SAID LANDLORD JEFF,
DAVID TOLD HIM, SARAH REFUSED TO LET HIM BACK INTO HER HOUSE OR
HER LIFE AT ALL. >> HE WAS BASICALLY REALLY MAD,
BITTER THAT, YOU KNOW, SHE DID THAT
I MEAN, TO PUT SOMEBODY IN THAT POSITION WHERE IF YOU DON'T KILL
SOMEBODY, I'M GOING TO LEAVE YOU.
I MEAN, THAT'S KIND OF SOMETHING YOU DON'T REALLY WANT TO HEAR.
>> Reporter: AS FOR CHRIS, HE FILED FOR SOLE CUSTODY OF HIS
TWO YOUNGEST DAUGHTERS AND SOUGHT A PROTECTIVE ORDER
BARRING SARAH FROM GETTING ANYWHERE NEAR HIM OR HIS
CHILDREN AND, PERHAPS NOT SURPRISING
AFTER ALL THAT, THE JUDGE GRANTED HIS REQUESTS
BOTH OF THEM AND THAT, SAID ASHLEY, THAT
SEEMED TO SEND HER MOTHER RIGHT OVER THE EDGE.
>> OF COURSE SHE, LIKE, LOST HER MIND ON HIM WHEN SHE LOST
CUSTODY OF MY SISTERS. >> Reporter: SO WHAT WAS YOUR
MOM'S MOTIVATION WHAT DID SHE WANT OUT OF THIS?
>> SHE DOESN'T LIKE HEATHER, SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO LIKE HEATHER,
BECAUSE HEATHER'S THE OTHER WOMAN THAT SHE HAS TO SHARE HER
CHILDREN WITH, AND SHE DOESN'T LIKE THAT.
>> Reporter: BUT EVEN THOUGH SHE'D FINALLY LOST CHRIS DONOHUE
FOR GOOD AND HAD DUMPED DAVID GEORGE AND FINALLY HAD NO
MAN IN HER LIFE. WELL, IT WASN'T LIKE SHE WAS A
NUN, AFTER ALL >> I THINK DURING THAT TIME SHE
HAD ALSO STARTED SEEING OTHER MEN THAT SHE MET ON, LIKE,
CHRISTIAN MINGLE OR SOMETHING IS WHAT MY SISTER TOLD ME
>> Reporter: CHRISTIAN MINGLE? >> YEAH, MY SISTERS HAVE SAID
THERE WAS A FEW GUYS THAT WOULD COME OVER TO THE HOUSE AFTER
GEORGE LEFT. >> Reporter: DAVID GEORGE
DECLINED OUR REQUEST FOR AN ON-CAMERA INTERVIEW.
BUT HE TOLD US THAT SARAH GAVE HIM A GUN, THOUGH HE SAID HE
DIDN'T HAVE IT ON HIM AT THE DONOHUES' FRONT DOOR
HE ALSO SAID HE HAD NO INTENTION OF KILLING HEATHER AND QUOTE
"HOPED SARAH JEAN WOULD COME TO HER SENSES AND KNOW THAT WAS NOT
GOING TO HAPPEN. >> SARAH TEXTED US TO SAY, "IT'S
NOT TRUE" AND THAT SHE, "NEVER GAVE GEORGE ANY KIND OF GUN
EVER." GEORGE SAID HE'S NOT IN TOUCH
WITH SARAH ANYMORE, BUT HE STILL TALKS TO RYAN DONOHUE.
>> Reporter: DOES HE TALK ABOUT THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE OF HAVING
BEEN WITH YOUR MOM >> YEAH, HE SAYS HE'LL ALWAYS --
HE'LL ALWAYS HAVE SOME SORT OF LOVE FOR MY MOM.
BUT HE'S HAPPY HE'S GOT AWAY FROM IT.
>> Reporter: HAPPY TO BE RID OF SARAH JEAN
INDEED HE TOLD US, THAT WHILE HE WAS
ONCE ENTRANCED BY HER, IN HIS WORDS "I GOT BURNED, I GOT
BURNED HARD. BUT THERE MAY BE MORE TO THIS
STORY. 4 MONTHS BEFORE HE MOVED IN WITH
SARAH, GEORGE'S PARTNER OF 25 YEARS, REBECCA KUNZE, DIED
SUDDENLY AND A FEW MONTHS LATER THE HOUSE
THEY HAD SHARED BURNED DOWN. COINCIDENCE?
HER BROTHER DANA DOESN'T THINK SO
>> I THINK THAT THERE WAS A POINT IN THEIR LIFE WHERE THEY
HAD A HAPPY RELATIONSHIP BUT I FEEL AS THOUGH THERE WAS
ALSO A POINT WHEN -- WHEN THAT ALL STOPPED.
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, NOT TOO LONG AFTER THAT, SHE'S DEAD
AND NOT TOO LONG AFTER THAT, NOW THEY'RE MARRIED.
THE WHOLE PICTURE TOGETHER, THAT ALONE MADE US WONDER AND
QUESTION THAT WHOLE RELATIONSHIP AT THE END
AND NOW, OF COURSE, LEARNING WHAT WE'VE LEARNED, YOU KNOW,
HAS JUST MADE THOSE QUESTIONS EVEN HARDER TO SWALLOW
>> Reporter: WE HAD QUESTIONS, TOO, AND WE ASKED THE TODD
COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS CONCERNING
REBECCA KUNZE'S DEATH AND THAT HOUSE FIRE
THEIR RESPONSE THEY'RE RE-OPENING BOTH
INVESTIGATIONS "IN LIGHT OF NEW INFORMATION.
WHAT THAT MIGHT BE THEY WOULDN'T SAY.
DAVID GEORGE TOLD US REBECCA DIED OF A HEART VALVE PROBLEM
AND HE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH HER DEATH.
AND HE SAID SARAH AND HE WERE BOTH OUT OF THE STATE AT THE
TIME OF THE FIRE AS FOR SARAH, SHE PUT IT ALL
BEHIND HER WHEN SHE DUMPED DAVID GEORGE, AND LEFT
GARFIELD, MINNESOTA, THEN MOVED BACK TO TEXAS.
WHERE SHE SET HER SIGHTS ON A BRAND NEW MAN.
BUT SOON SOMEONE WOULD BE SETTING THEIR SITES ON HER
>> YA KNOW THANK GOD SOMEBODY WAS PAYING ATTENTION
YOU KNOW, THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN, THE NURSES THAT WERE
ON STAFF THAT NIGHT, THEY KNEW >> Reporter: BY JULY 2021, SARAH
JEAN'S CAREFULLY CRAFTED FAÇADE, HIGH- FUNCTIONING MOM AND
SOLDIER, WAS IN RUINS. SINCE LEAVING THE ARMY, SARAH
HAD DUMPED HER HUSBAND, KILLED A FIANCE, WAS IMPLICATED IN AN
ALLEGED PLOT TO KILL THE NEW WIFE OF HER EX-HUSBAND, LOST
CUSTODY OF HER CHILDREN, AND HAD BEEN BLOCKED FROM EVEN SEEING
THEM >> IT ALWAYS SEEMED LIKE SHE WAS
THE MOST UNLUCKY WOMAN IN THE WORLD.
>> Reporter: EVANGELINE KELSALL, SARAH'S OLD FRIEND FROM
FORT HOOD, STAYED IN TOUCH THROUGH ALL THAT EMOTIONAL
CHAOS. >> IT ALWAYS SEEMED LIKE SHE
WOULD START GETTING TO A GOOD SPOT, AND THEN A RELATIONSHIP
WOULD END OR SHE WOULD GET SICK OR SHE WAS TRYING TO FIGHT FOR
HER KIDS OR WHATEVER >> Reporter: BUT SARAH WAS
NOTHING IF NOT RELENTLESSLY RESILIENT.
BY NOVEMBER OF 2021, AFTER 4 FAILED MARRIAGES AND ONE DEAD
BOYFRIEND, SARAH WAS ON A DATING WEBSITE TROLLING FOR A NEW GUY,
WHICH IS HOW SHE MET JOE HARTSFIELD
>> WE TALKED ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME BECAUSE SHE STARTED DATING
HIM A FEW MONTHS AFTER I STARTED DATING MY NOW BOYFRIEND.
>> Reporter: EVANGELINE SAID WITHIN WEEKS OF MEETING JOE,
SARAH MARRIED HIM. >> AND IT WAS LIKE VERY, VERY
QUICK. LIKE, I THINK FROM PROPOSAL TO
WALKING DOWN THE AISLE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A MONTH.
>> Reporter: WHICH NOW BRINGS OUR STORY FULL CIRCLE.
EH, SORT OF. DURING OUR JOURNEY THROUGH
SARAH'S LIFE, WE ALSO LEARNED NEW THINGS ABOUT HOW JOE'S
ENDED. LEARNED, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT BY
DECEMBER 2022, JUST WEEKS BEFORE SHE RUSHED HIM TO THE HOSPITAL
SARAH WAS LETTING IT BE KNOWN SHE WAS DONE WITH JOE.
>> SHE SAID HER HOUSE WAS DESTROYED AND HE LEFT MESS
EVERYWHERE THERE WAS FOOD OUT, ALL KINDS OF
STUFF. >> Reporter: EVANGELINE, A NURSE
WHO'D BEEN GIVING SARAH ADVICE ABOUT TREATING JOE'S DIABETES,
SAID SARAH'S TEXTS ABOUT HIM QUITE SUDDENLY WENT FROM CARING
TO COMPLAINING >> AND SHE WAS LIVID
SHE WAS ABSOLUTELY LIVID AND SHE SAID THAT SHE WAS GOING
TO SIT HIM DOWN AND HAVE A COME TO JESUS MOMENT ABOUT, "THIS IS
MY HOUSE THESE ARE MY THINGS.
HOW DARE YOU THIS ISN'T GOING TO WORK UNLESS
YOU KIND OF FALL INTO STEP WITH ME."
>> Reporter: ANOTHER FRIEND, WHO DID NOT WANT TO BE IDENTIFIED,
SHARED A TEXT FROM SARAH DATED DECEMBER 19th, 2022, SAYING,
"JOE HAS TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE.
I CAN'T TAKE THE LEVEL OF FINANCIAL IRRESPONSIBILITY
HE WAS JUST LOOKING FOR A MEAL TICKET AND WAY BACK TO A
LIFESTYLE HE COULD NEVER ATTAIN ON HIS OWN
I HAVE TO SAVE MYSELF AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO RECOVER
I HAVE A PLAN. IT'S NOW A MATTER OF
IMPLEMENTING, EXECUTING, AND FINDING A PLACE TO GO.
BY CHRISTMAS, ASHLEY SAID HER MOTHER'S HATRED OF JOE HAD
REACHED SUCH A BOIL IT WAS ALL SHE COULD TALK ABOUT
>> AND HOW SHE WAS SO OVER HER MARRIAGE, AND SHE JUST -- "HE'S
THIS, HE'S THAT. AND IT'S LIKE, "IT'S CHRISTMAS
CAN YOU JUST -- CAN YOU JUST CHILL?
AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS
IT WAS LIKE A FLIP OF A SWITCH SHE COMES STORMING IN THE ROOM
WITH THE GIFTS THAT I WRAPPED AND STARTS UNWRAPPING THEM
AND SHE GOES, LIKE, "HE'S NOT GETTING THIS."
SHE'S LIKE, "I'M SENDING IT ALL BACK TOMORROW.
SHE'S LIKE, "I'M SO DONE WITH HIM.
>> Reporter: 11 DAYS LATER, JOE TOLD HIS FAMILY HE WAS THE ONE
WHO WANTED OUT OF THE MARRIAGE THAT ACCORDING TO A REPORT BY
DETECTIVE SKYLER ROCZ WHO WROTE, "I SPOKE WITH NUMEROUS FAMILY
MEMBERS OF JOSEPH WHO ADVISE JOSEPH WAS PLANNING ON DIVORCING
SARAH AND HE WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY, THINKING SARAH MIGHT
TRY TO KILL HIM. AND THEN TWO DAYS AFTER TELLING
HIS FAMILY THAT, JOE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL AND SARAH WAS ON
FACEBOOK POSTING THAT JOE'S CONDITION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH
HIS INSULIN OR BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS
OH, NO SHE WAS SAYING JOE HAD A STROKE
FROM A CLOGGED ARTERY AFTER YEARS OF EATING TOO MUCH JUNK
FOOD >> IT SEEMED LIKE SHE WAS
BLAMING HIM FOR HAVING A STROKE. ALMOST PATIENT SHAMING
>> Reporter: AND WHEN EVANGELINE HEARD JOE DIED, HER MIND WENT TO
A VERY DARK PLACE. SHE WONDERED IF SARAH JEAN HAD
BEEN PLAYING HER ALL ALONG >> I WASN'T SURE IF SHE HAD
TAKEN MY INFORMATION AND USED IT THE WRONG WAY.
>> Reporter: IT WAS ALMOST LIKE EVANGELINE WAS READING DETECTIVE
ROCZ'S MIND.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY, CHERYL LIECK, HAD A PROBLEM, A BIG ONE
NO MATTER HOW SUSPICIOUS SARAH'S BEHAVIOR, OR STRANGE THE
CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH JOE HARTSFIELD DIED, THE CASE
AGAINST HER SIMPLY WASN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO MAKE AN ARREST
>> WE DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ENOUGH. WE HAD TO WAIT FOR MORE
INFORMATION TO COME IN >> Reporter: STILL, D.A. LIECK
WENT TO WORK HOW COULD SHE NOT, GIVEN WHAT
SHE LEARNED ABOUT SARAH'S BACKGROUND, AND THE ALLEGED PLOT
TO KILL CHRIS DONOHUE'S WIFE, AND ESPECIALLY THE DAVID BRAGG
SHOOTING LIECK THOUGHT THAT SHOULD HAVE
BEEN PROSECUTED. >> I CAN SEE IT CLEARLY, THAT IT
NEEDS FURTHER INVESTIGATION. >> Reporter: FEARING SARAH WAS
CLOSE TO MOVING AWAY FROM CHAMBERS COUNTY, AND THUS, HER
JURISDICTION, D.A. LIECK BROKE THE GLASS.
SHE CONVENED AN EMERGENCY SESSION OF THE COUNTY GRAND JURY
TO SEE IF SHE COULD GET SARAH INDICTED NOW, BEFORE THE
INVESTIGATION INTO JOE'S DEATH WAS COMPLETED.
>> SO, WE PRESENTED EVERYTHING WE HAD AT THAT POINT
AND THEY INDICTED HER. AND THEN SHE WAS ARRESTED AFTER
THAT >> Reporter: SHE WILL GO ON
TRIAL CHARGED WITH WHAT? >> MURDER.
>> Reporter: SARAH WAS BOOKED INTO THE CHAMBERS COUNTY JAIL ON
A $4.5 MILLION BOND AND WAS SOON ON THE PHONE TO HER DAUGHTER,
ASHLEY >> I WAS GETTING MY HAIR DONE,
AND I SAW THAT I WAS GETTING A CALL
AND IT SAID, "PRISON/JAIL," AND THEN IT SAID CHAMBERS COUNTY,
AND I WAS, LIKE, "WHERE IS CHAMBERS C -- WHO IS CALLING
ME?" LIKE, I D -- I DIDN'T KNOW
ANYBODY ELSE THAT COULD'VE WENT TO JAIL.
AND SHE ANSWERED, AND I WAS, LIKE, "WHAT DID YOU DO?"
>> AND WHAT'D SHE SAY? >> SHE SAID, "THEY ARRESTED ME."
AND I WAS, LIKE, "FOR WHAT?" AND SHE SAID, "MURDER.
>> Reporter: WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO HEAR THAT?
>> I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW HOW TO FEEL ABOUT IT, BECAUSE MY PHONE
WAS ON SPEAKER, SO MY HAIR LADY HEARD IT
>> Reporter: OH, BOY >> UM, IT DIDN'T REALLY HIT ME,
'CAUSE AT FIRST, IT WAS JUST VERY CHAOTIC
UM, I HAD A LOT OF THINGS RUSHING THROUGH MY MIND, BUT
THEN LATER THAT NIGHT, LIKE, IT REALLY -- IT REALLY WAS JUST
HEAVY ON ME. AND I -- I THINK I -- I CAME TO
THE REALIZATION THAT I HAD TO ACCEPT THAT SOMETHING WAS REALLY
WRONG, BECAUSE YOU DON'T ARREST SOMEBODY AND CHARGE THEM WITH
MURDER IF THEY DID NOTHING, UNLESS YOU HAVE, LIKE,
SOMETHING. >> Reporter: HAVE YOU GONE TO
SEE HER IN JAIL? >> I HAVE NOT.
I DON'T THINK I WANT TO. >> Reporter: JUST YESTERDAY,
ASHLEY WAS ONLY A BLOCK AWAY FROM THE JAIL IN CHAMBERS
COUNTY, BUT SHE WAS NOT IN TOWN TO VISIT HER MOM
NO, ASHLEY WAS THERE TO TESTIFY ABOUT HER MOM BEFORE A GRAND
JURY AND UP IN MINNESOTA, WHERE
THEY'VE RE-OPENED THE DAVID BRAGG SHOOTING CASE, A
SPOKESPERSON FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TOLD US THEY
EXPECT A DECISION ON POSSIBLE CHARGES WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE
OF WEEKS WE WANTED TO HEAR WHAT SARAH HAD
TO SAY ABOUT HARTSFIELD, BRAGG, AND THE ALLEGED PLOT TO MURDER
HEATHER, CODY'S HOUSE FIRE, THE WHOLE LOT OF IT.
WE VISITED HER IN JAIL, TWICE, WHERE SHE TOLD US SHE WANTED TO
APPEAR ON OUR PROGRAM TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS I MIGHT HAVE AND
THAT ONCE SHE HAD DONE THAT, WE'D ALL UNDERSTAND THAT SHE WAS
INNOCENT BUT THEN, THE DAY BEFORE WE WERE
TO TALK, SHE CONSULTED HER ATTORNEY AND CHANGED HER MIND.
BUT SHE DID SEND US A WHOLE SLEW OF TEXT MESSAGES, HUNDREDS OF
THEM SHE WROTE THAT SHE, "IS A
20-YEAR COMBAT VETERAN OF THE ARMY WHO HAD A TOP SECRET
SECURITY CLEARANCE SHE IS COMPLETELY INNOCENT, HAS
ALWAYS LOVED HER HUSBAND, JOSEPH, AND IS DEVASTATED AT THE
LOSS OF HIM. SARAH SAID SHE "NEVER KNEW
ANYTHING ABOUT JOE'S INSULIN, SPECIFICALLY HOW MUCH HE TOOK
AND WHEN." AND SHE SAID SHE WAS
DISAPPOINTED AND HEARTBROKEN HER TWO OLDEST CHILDREN AREN'T
SUPPORTING HER AFTER ALL SHE DID FOR THEM
AS FOR PEOPLE IN SARAH JEAN'S PAST, THOSE WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO
SPEAK TO, THEY ALL SAID THEY WERE SURPRISED BY HER ARREST,
BUT FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. >> I HONESTLY THOUGHT SHE WON'T
GET CAUGHT, AND SHE'LL GET AWAY WITH IT.
>> I WAS LIKE, "[ BLEEP ] YEAH ABOUT TIME."
>> I WAS LIKE, "WHAT WHAT ARE YOU TALKIN' ABOUT
ARRESTED FOR WHAT? "WELL, APPARENTLY IT'S MURDER OR
SOMETHIN'. I SAID, "MURDER?
WHO? >> IT DIDN'T MATCH THE PERSON
THAT WE HAD MET AND WE HAD KNOWN FOR THOSE YEARS.
>> MY SADNESS IS DIRECTED TOWARDS THE HARTSFIELD'S,
BECAUSE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.
>> YEAH. >> OUR BIGGEST FEAR, THE WHOLE
TIME, HAS BEEN THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE
>> IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME IF SHE DID DO IT.
>> SOMEBODY HAD POSTED THE NEWS ARTICLE WITH HER MUG SHOT, AND I
HONESTLY THOUGHT IT WAS A JOKE, BECAUSE THE PERSON I KNEW, I
DIDN'T THINK COULD -- COULD HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF THAT
>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, EVIDENCE IS ASSEMBLED
>> IT'S A PUZZLE THAT IS CONTINUING TO BE PUT TOGETHER,
THE PIECES, AND THIS IS A BIG PUZZLE
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THOUSAND-PIECE PUZZLES
>> Reporter: SHORTLY BEFORE WE SAT DOWN FOR OUR INTERVIEW WITH
ASHLEY, THE MEDICAL EXAMINER MADE PUBLIC THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF
JOSEPH HARTSFIELD'S DEATH. IT WAS "COMPLICATIONS OF TOXIC
EFFECTS OF INSULIN." IN OTHER WORDS, AN INSULIN
OVERDOSE, JUST AS THE MEDICAL TEAM SUSPECTED
BUT NOT AT ALL WHAT SARAH HAD POSTED ON FACEBOOK
>> SHE SAID IT WAS FROM A STROKE
>> Reporter: THOSE ARE NOT THE SAME, ARE THEY
>> NO. >> Reporter: JOE'S MOTHER AND
BROTHER, POTENTIAL WITNESSES, BOTH OF THEM, ARE AFRAID TO SAY
ANYTHING ABOUT SARAH BEFORE THE TRIAL.
>> Reporter: WHAT DID IT FEEL LIKE, WHEN YOU HEARD THAT SARAH
HAD BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED? >> I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO TALK
ABOUT THAT >> YEAH.
I -- I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT
>> Reporter: WHILE D.A. CHERYL LIECK BUILDS A MURDER
CASE AGAINST SARAH JEAN. >> Reporter: IT SOUNDS TO ME
LIKE YOU DON'T THINK YOU KNOW EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW
ABOUT HER YET. >> I REALLY DO NOT THINK THAT WE
DO >> Reporter: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN
THE PRESS RELEASE ABOUT HER ARREST WAS POSTED ON FACEBOOK?
>> OH, IT WENT CRAZY IT JUST WAS LIKE BUGS HITTING A
WINDSHIELD IT JUST WENT CRAZY, WENT
EVERYWHERE WE STARTED GETTING PHONE CALLS
AND MESSAGES ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND THAT'S WHY I'M TALKING TO
YOU RIGHT NOW. IT'S BECAUSE WE'RE JUST ASKING
EVERYBODY THAT KNOWS HER OR THAT KNEW HER, TO COME FORWARD, UM,
EVEN IF YOU WERE HER BEST FRIEND, I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT
HER. I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR
EXPERIENCE WITH HER. >> Reporter: D.A. LIECK MIGHT
WANT TO GIVE SARAH'S SON, RYAN, A CALL
>> Reporter: DO YOU SUSPECT THAT THERE ARE OTHER INCIDENTS IN
YOUR MOTHER'S LIFE WHICH THE POLICE WILL END UP BEING
INTERESTED IN AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR INVESTIGATION?
>> 100%, YEAH. THERE'S SOME THAT I HAVE IN MIND
THAT I'M KINDA WAITIN' FOR THEM TO COME TO LIGHT
>> Reporter: SO MAYBE THE STORY OF SARAH JEAN ISN'T FULLY
TOLD -- YET. >>> THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION
OF "DATELINE." WE'RE OFF THIS SUNDAY, BUT 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.