>>> I'M LESTER HOLT.
TONIGHT ON "DATELINE" -- A HOME FULL OF FRIENDS, FAMILY,
AND LOVERS WHICH ONE WAS A KILLER
>> 911, HOW CAN I HELP YOU >> SOMEONE TRIED TO KILL ME.
>> DO YOU NEED AN AMBULANCE? >> YES
>> A BREAK-IN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, STABBED MULTIPLE
TIMES. >> I CAN SEE BLOOD EVERYWHERE.
IT IS A HORRIFIC CRIME SCENE >> ONE OF THE SCARIEST CASES
I'VE EVER SEEN >> ANNIE PARTICIPATED IN PIRATE
PARTIES OR DUNGEON PARTIES >> Reporter: SO WE'RE WAY PAST
LOVE TRIANGLE HERE THIS IS, LIKE, LOVE TRAPEZOID.
>> LOVE SPIDER WEB >> I ENDED UP CHEATING ON HER.
>> UH-HUH. >> NOT VERY GOOD AT THIS
RELATIONSHIP THING >> THERE WAS A LOT OF ANGER.
IT STARTED GOIN', LIKE, SIDEWAYS REAL QUICK
>> THEY AGREED TO A SUM OF $10,000 TO $50,000 TO COMMIT THE
MURDER >> ANY CHANCE THAT MATTHEW
COULD'VE GONE ANYWHERE SOMETIME DURING THE NIGHT
>> OH, GOD, EVERY TIME HE MOVES, HE WAKES ME UP
>> SOMEBODY LEFT THAT HOME TO COMMIT THE MURDER.
>> Reporter: CAN YOU TELL WHO'S DRIVING?
>> NO. >> IF I HAD KNOWN, I COULD'VE
DONE SOMETHING MAYBE THAT WOMAN WOULD BE ALIVE.
>> HERE'S JOSH MANKIEWICZ WITH "THE UNDOING."
>> Reporter: IT WAS JUNE, 2016, AROUND 3:30 A.M., AND A CAR WAS
ROARING DOWN A HIGHWAY NEXT TO THE COLUMBIA RIVER
MINUTES BEFORE, THE POLICE DETECTIVE AT THE WHEEL,
AARON TURNAGE WAS LIKE MOST OF US IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT --
DEAD ASLEEP. >> AND I GOT A PHONE CALL ASKIN'
ME TO RESPOND IN -- IT WAS AN ASSAULT THAT HAD OCCURRED -- AND
THAT THIS WAS LIKELY GONNA TURN INTO A MURDER INVESTIGATION.
>> Reporter: DETECTIVE TURNAGE LIVED IN WASHINGTON STATE.
HIS JOB WAS ACROSS THE RIVER, IN THE PORTLAND, OREGON, SUBURB OF
GRESHAM. AND THAT WAS THE SCENE OF THE
CRIME. >> IF I'M GETTING THE CALL, THAT
MEANS I'M GONNA BE THE ONE LEADING THE INVESTIGATION.
I'M TRYING TO THINK WHAT I CAN DO TODAY TO ASSIST ME FIVE, SIX,
EIGHT, TEN YEARS DOWN THE ROAD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A
SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION >> Reporter: THAT'S THE WAY THE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WORKS TODAY.
YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT NOT ONLY INVESTIGATION, BUT TRIAL, AND
THEN EVENTUAL APPEAL >> YOU HAVE TO START THINKIN'
ABOUT THAT ON THE FRONT END. BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T, YOU'LL
NEVER GET THERE ON THE BACK END. >> Reporter: AS IT TURNED OUT,
HIS THOUGHTS THAT NIGHT FORETOLD THE FUTURE
AND 30 MINUTES AFTER HE'D BEEN STARTLED AWAKE,
DETECTIVE TURNAGE ARRIVED AT THE CRIME SCENE -- A GROUND FLOOR
UNIT IN THE EAST PARK APARTMENTS
PARAMEDICS HAD ALREADY TAKEN THE VICTIM TO THE HOSPITAL -- A
WOMAN IN HER MID-30s HER NAME WAS ANNASTASIA HESTER,
KNOWN AS "ANNIE. >> Reporter: WHEN YOU GET THERE,
WHAT DO THE FIRST OFFICERS WHO WERE ON SCENE TELL YOU
>> THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT DOOR WAS UNLOCKED, AND WHEN THEY
WENT INSIDE, THEY IMMEDIATELY SAW BLOODY SHOE PRINTS
>> Reporter: CAREFULLY, THOSE OFFICERS SIDESTEPPED THE
SHOEPRINTS >> AND THEY COULD SEE ANNIE
LAYING DOWN ON THE FLOOR, TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE
APARTMENT. >> Reporter: WHEN POLICE ARRIVE,
ANNIE'S STILL ALIVE? >> CORRECT
>> Reporter: SO HOW TO GET ANNIE TO A HOSPITAL WITHOUT
CONTAMINATING THAT CERTAIN TO BE KEY EVIDENCE NEAR THE FRONT
DOOR BECAUSE THOSE FOOTPRINTS SAY THE
KILLER LEFT THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR
>> CORRECT THE DETERMINATION WAS MADE THAT
THEY'RE GONNA TAKE ANNIE OUT OF THE REAR SLIDING DOOR OF THIS
APARTMENT. SO THE NEXT SET OF RESPONDING
OFFICERS TORE DOWN A SIX-FOOT WOODEN FENCE, AND THEY WERE ABLE
TO EXTRICATE ANNIE OUT AND GET HER OUT TO MEDICAL CARE.
BEHIND THE APARTMENT, THAT THE DETECTIVE SAW A BACK WINDOW TO
ANNIE'S PLACE. >> ON THE GROUND IS A CINDER
BLOCK, AND IT APPEARED THAT THE CINDER BLOCK WAS USED TO GAIN
ACCESS TO THAT ELEVATED WINDOW >> Reporter: THE WINDOW LED TO
THE BEDROOM OF A CHILD THE DETECTIVE WENT INSIDE.
YOU SEE A CHILD'S BEDROOM. BUT NO CHILD
>> CORRECT THE INITIAL THOUGHT WAS A
KIDNAPPING OR AN ABDUCTION THAT HAD OCCURRED
SO THERE WAS IMMEDIATE EFFORTS TO TRY TO IDENTIFY WHO THE CHILD
WAS AND THEN TRY TO DETERMINE IF THE CHILD WAS SAFE OR NOT.
>> Reporter: DETECTIVE TURNAGE QUICKLY MADE SOME CALLS.
THE GIRL WAS ALICE SHE WAS ANNIE'S DAUGHTER AND
JUST 4 YEARS OLD >> THAT'S WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO
IDENTIFY THAT MATTHEW HESTER WAS HER FATHER
AND WE STARTED LOOKING TO TRY TO CONTACT HIM AND FIND OUT IF HE
HAD HIS DAUGHTER >> Reporter: SOME GOOD NEWS.
THEY FOUND MATT. HE HAD ALICE AT HIS PLACE IN
PORTLAND THIS WAS, LIKE, A CUSTODY
SHARING ARRANGEMENT, AND THAT NIGHT WAS MATT'S NIGHT TO HAVE
ALICE? >> THAT IS CORRECT
>> Reporter: ONCE YOU REALIZE THAT ALICE IS NOT IN ANY DANGER,
NOW WHAT >> SO NOW WE HAVE TO START
TAKIN' A LOOK AT THE SCENE >> Reporter: THE APARTMENT HAD
ONLY ONE BEDROOM -- THE LITTLE GIRL'S
ANNIE, IT TURNED OUT, HAD BEEN FOUND ON THE LIVING ROOM FLOOR,
NEXT TO A SOFA BED, WHERE, BY THE LOOKS OF IT, SHE HAD BEEN
SLEEPING WHEN SHE WAS ATTACKED >> IT IS A HORRIFIC AND VERY --
OBVIOUSLY A VERY VIOLENT CRIME SCENE.
>> Reporter: WHILE YOU'RE EXAMINING THE SCENE, YOU GET A
CALL THAT ANNIE DIDN'T SURVIVE >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> Reporter: ANNIE HESTER HAD BEEN MURDERED AT ONLY 34
AND STEPS FROM WHERE ANNIE HAD BEEN FOUND ON THE FLOOR, THE
DETECTIVE SAW A KNIFE. A FOLDING POCKETKNIFE.
AND NEAR THE KITCHEN, TWO MORE KNIVES
BIGGER KNIVES. IT LOOKED AS IF THEY HAD ONCE
RESIDED IN THE BUTCHER BLOCK IN ANNIE'S KITCHEN.
I WOULD GUESS THAT IN A MURDER LIKE THAT, YOU MIGHT EXPECT TO
FIND A MURDER WEAPON BUT NOT THREE OF THEM.
>> CORRECT IT'S THE ONLY TIME I'VE SEEN IT
WHERE A KILLER WENT INTO THE KITCHEN AND GOT TWO BUTCHER
KNIVES TO FINISH THE STABBING. >> Reporter: IT WAS AN ASSAULT
SO SAVAGE THAT A FACT THE DETECTIVE WOULD LATER LEARN
STILL TROUBLES HIM TO THIS DAY WHAT DOES IT SAY TO YOU WHEN THE
MURDERER TRIES TO CUT THE VICTIM'S HEAD OFF?
>> THE AMOUNT OF PASSION AND INTENSITY IN THIS CRIME IS VERY,
VERY UNIQUE. >> Reporter: THE RAGE.
THE BLOODY SHOE PRINTS THE KNIVES
THE CINDER BLOCK SO MUCH EVIDENCE TO CONSIDER
USING THE CINDER BLOCK TO TAKE THE AIR CONDITIONER OUT AND GO
IN THAT WAY SUGGESTS THAT ANNIE MAYBE DIDN'T KNOW HER KILLER
OR AT LEAST DIDN'T LET THEM IN THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR
>> I AGREE, YES. >> Reporter: THAT KINDA FIGHTS
THE WHOLE RAGE-PASSION ANGLE I MEAN, SOMEBODY RANDOM, LESS
LIKELY TO HAVE ALL THIS FURY AGAINST ANNIE?
>> HOW SO? >> Reporter: A MURDER COMMITTED
WITH THAT MUCH PASSION -- THAT SAYS PERSONAL.
BUT SOMEBODY WHO GOES IN THROUGH A WINDOW -- THAT SUGGESTS NOT
PERSONAL >> YEAH, IT COULD BE RANDOM.
YOU KNOW, MAYBE THEY WERE INVITED IN ONE DAY BUT NOT
INVITED THE SECOND SO THE SECOND DAY THEY CAME IN
THROUGH THE WINDOW TO COMMIT THE ACT OF VIOLENCE.
>> Reporter: BEFORE LONG, DETECTIVE TURNAGE LEFT THE SCENE
TO HOLD A BRIEFING WITH HIS TEAM AT THE GRESHAM POLICE
DEPARTMENT THAT'S WHEN HE HEARD THE
RECORDING OF THE 911 CALL THAT HAD LED POLICE TO THE APARTMENT.
THE CALL WAS NOT FROM A NEIGHBOR
NOT FROM A FAMILY MEMBER IT CAME FROM THE VICTIM HERSELF.
A 911 CALL CAPTURING THE LAST WORDS OF ANNIE HESTER.
>>> WHEN WE COME BACK -- A DESPERATE AND DYING ANNIE BEGS
FOR HELP >> 911
>> HELP. SOMEONE TRIED TO KILL ME
>> DO YOU NEED AN AMBULANCE? >> YES, NOW!
>> I DON'T THINK THERE ARE WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE LEVEL OF
INTENSITY IN THAT 911 CALL >> AND THE KILLER LEAVES A
TERRIFYING CALLING CARD. >> Reporter: SOME SORT OF
MESSAGE? >> COULD'VE BEEN
AARON TURNAGE DID NOT HAVE TO GO FAR FROM ANNIE HESTER'S
APARTMENT TO GATHER WITH HIS TEAM OF INVESTIGATORS.
THE CRIME SCENE IS ONLY ABOUT TEN BLOCKS FROM THE GRESHAM
POLICE DEPARTMENT. >> IT'S IN THE HEART OF GRESHAM.
IT'S CLOSE TO SCHOOLS. IT'S CLOSE TO RESTAURANTS AND
BUSINESSES THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL PLACE
WHERE WE SEE VIOLENT CRIMES ERUPT IN THE CITY OF GRESHAM
>> Reporter: AND IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR NEWS OF A MURDER ON
UNCOMMON GROUND TO SPREAD ACROSS THE PORTLAND AREA.
>> POLICE SAY THE WOMAN STABBED AT THE APARTMENTS WAS IN
HER 30s. >> I WAS JUST CRYING AND HOWLING
AND, YOU KNOW, JUST LIKE AN ANIMAL
>> Reporter: NICOLE PALAZUELOS CONSIDERED ANNIE HER BEST
FRIEND THEY WORKED TOGETHER AT A CALL
CENTER WHERE ANNIE TRAINED NICOLE
YOU WERE A LITTLE SCARED OF HER AT FIRST
>> YEAH, SHE WAS INTIMIDATING AT FIRST BECAUSE IF YOU DIDN'T DO
YOUR JOB WELL, SHE WOULD CALL YOU OUT ON IT.
I NEVER MET ANYBODY WHO COULD DO SO MANY JOBS AT ONCE AND DO THEM
ALL WELL >> Reporter: ANNIE HAD ALWAYS
HAD THAT "TAKE CHARGE" ATTITUDE AS THE BIG SISTER IN HER FAMILY.
HER PARENTS DIVORCED WHEN SHE WAS JUST 7
AS SHE GREW, ANNIE DEVELOPED A REPUTATION FOR RELIABILITY
SHE WORKED AT AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN BEFORE
STARTING AT THE CALL CENTER, WHERE SHE ROSE TO SUPERVISOR
IN 2008, WHEN SHE WAS 26, SHE MARRIED MATT HESTER.
HE WORKED AS A SALESMAN AT A WIRELESS STORE
MATT LOVED VIDEO GAMES HALF-SISTER TONYA AND
SISTER-IN-LAW DYANNA SAY ANNIE WAS FOCUSED ON A MORE SERIOUS
GAME >> SHE HAD TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT
HE WAS "WINNING THE GAME OF LIFE" BECAUSE HE WAS THE FIRST
TO MOVE INTO A HOUSE, TO BUY A NEW CAR, TO GET MARRIED, TO HAVE
A KID. >> Reporter: ANNIE SAW THIS AS
SOME KIND OF COMPETITION >> YEAH.
>> SHE FELT, BEING THE OLDEST, THAT THOSE THINGS SHOULD COME TO
HER FIRST, NATURALLY >> Reporter: AND WHEN YOU FEEL
THAT WAY, THAT'S WHEN PEOPLE SETTLE
>> UH-HUH. YEAH
>> Reporter: ANNIE HESTER WAS NOT THE FIRST WOMAN IN HISTORY
TO SETTLE AND MARRY A MAN HER FAMILY WASN'T CRAZY ABOUT.
AND AT LEAST FOR AWHILE, IT DID WORK
>> SHE WANTED TO FEEL LIKE SHE WAS STAYING WITH EVERYBODY ELSE.
>> Reporter: AND THREE YEARS INTO THE MARRIAGE, ANNIE FINALLY
WAS, WHEN ANNIE AND MATT HAD A LITTLE GIRL.
DID HAVING THE BABY LIVE UP TO THE EXPECTATION OF HAVING THE
BABY FOR ANNIE >> SHE WAS ECSTATIC HAVING
ALICE. >> HER WORLD REVOLVED AROUND
ALICE. >> Reporter: THE SAME COULD NOT
BE SAID FOR HER RELATIONSHIP WITH HER HUSBAND
LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER ALICE WAS BORN, MATT AND ANNIE DIVORCED
AND ANNIE BECAME A SINGLE MOM. >> SHE'D ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO GO
AND GET THEIR PHOTOS DONE FOR EASTER AND CHRISTMAS
THEY ALWAYS HAD CUTE OUTFITS AND HER HAIR DONE UP AND -
>> Reporter: SOUNDS LIKE SHE WAS REALLY DEVOTED TO HER DAUGHTER
>> OH, SHE WAS >> Reporter: MATT AND ANNIE
WORKED OUT A PEACEFUL CUSTODY ARRANGEMENT WITH ALICE
AND IN ADDITION TO HER 9:00-TO-5:00 WEEKDAY JOB, ANNIE
STARTED A SIDE JOB AS A FACE PAINTER WITH HER BEST FRIEND
NICOLE >> WE WERE WORKING TOGETHER ON
THE WEEKENDS THAT SHE DIDN'T HAVE HER DAUGHTER.
AND SHE WORKED SO HARD, AND SHE REALLY WORKED EVERY OPPORTUNITY
THAT SHE COULD TO MAKE THE EXTRA MONEY.
SHE DID SUCH A GREAT JOB >> Reporter: ALONG WITH ANNIE'S
LIFE, THAT ALL ENDED EARLY ONE MORNING IN JUNE, 2016.
IT WAS NOW DETECTIVE TURNAGE'S JOB TO FIND OUT WHO'D KILLED
ANNIE AND WHY. IN THE FIRST FEW HOURS OF
DAYLIGHT, OFFICERS FROM THE SCENE WERE REPORTING BACK TO THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH WHAT THEY'D LEARNED
THERE WERE, AS IT TURNED OUT, PLENTY OF POTENTIAL WITNESSES.
>> WE FOUND MULTIPLE NEIGHBORS SAYING ESSENTIALLY THE SAME
THING. ABOUT 11:00 P.M., THEY HEAR, UH,
SOUNDS OF A WOMAN SCREAMING. SOMEBODY ELSE HEARS A THUD ON
THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING DIRECTLY BELOW
ANOTHER WITNESS HEARS WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A CONVERSATION AND
MOANING. AND THAT PERSON ACTUALLY TURNED
UP THEIR BATHROOM FAN AND TURNED ON THE MUSIC TO DROWN OUT THE
SOUND. >> Reporter: AND FOUR HOURS
LATER -- >> AT ABOUT 3:00 IN THE MORNING,
ANOTHER SET OF WITNESSES ARE HEARING A WOMAN SCREAMING, A
DOOR SLAM, A CAR LEAVE >> Reporter: OKAY, TWO THINGS
FROM THAT. ONE, NOBODY CALLS 911?
>> NOT ONE NEIGHBOR CALLED 911 >> Reporter: SECONDLY, SO THIS
ATTACK TOOK FOUR HOURS >> YEAH, ABOUT 3 1/2
>> Reporter: SO THIS ISN'T JUST A MURDER
THIS IS TORTURE. >> THIS IS TORTURE
>> Reporter: AND THEN TURNAGE FINALLY HEARD WHO DID CALL FOR
HELP YOU MAY WELL FIND IT WRENCHINGLY
HARD TO LISTEN TO. DETECTIVE TURNAGE DEFINITELY
DID. >> I DON'T THINK THERE ARE WORDS
TO DESCRIBE THE LEVEL OF INTENSITY IN THAT 911 CALL
>> Reporter: THAT'S BECAUSE THE CALL WAS MADE BY ANNIE AT
2:59 A.M IT'S A CHILLING, SIX-MINUTE-LONG
CRY FOR HELP, MADE SHORTLY AFTER HER ATTACKER LEFT THOSE BLOODY
SHOE PRINTS BEHIND ON THE WAY OUT.
>> 911 >> HELP, SOMEONE TRIED TO KILL
ME >> 911, HOW CAN I HELP YOU
>> SOMEONE TRIED TO KILL ME. >> WHAT HAPPENED
>> SOMEONE STARTED STABBING ME >> SOMEBODY TRIED --
[ UNINTELLIGIBLE ] >> WHERE IS THIS PERSON AT -- AT
NOW? >> NOT HERE.
>> DO YOU NEED AN AMBULANCE? >> YES, NOW!
>> DO YOU KNOW THE NAME OF THE PERSON THAT DID THIS TO YOU?
>> NO. >> Reporter: WHEN YOU HEAR THAT
SHE DOESN'T KNOW THIS PERSON, WHAT'S THAT SAY TO YOU
>> I BELIEVE THERE'S AN ELEMENT OF SURPRISE WHEN THE ATTACK TOOK
PLACE. I KNOW THAT ANNIE IS SLEEPING.
AND IF SHE'S TAKEN BY SURPRISE, IT MAKES SENSE TO ME SHE CAN'T
IDENTIFY WHO HER ATTACKER IS >> AND YOU'RE BLEEDING A LOT
>> YEAH. >> Reporter: AT ANNIE'S AUTOPSY,
TURNAGE UNDERSTOOD WHY ANNIE WAS IN SUCH PAIN
THERE WERE MORE THAN 60 STAB WOUNDS, SOME AS DEEP AS
8 INCHES AND STRANGELY, SOMETHING WAS
CARVED INTO HER SHOULDER >> IT WAS A "V," AN "X," AND
THEN ANOTHER "V. AND THAT'S NOT A ROMAN NUMERAL
BUT THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE. >> Reporter: SOME SORT OF
MESSAGE? SOME SORT OF SIGNATURE
>> COULD'VE BEEN THAT'S WHAT WE WERE THINKING
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAUNTS ME ABOUT THIS CASE IS JUST THE
LEVEL OF PAIN THAT ANNIE HAD TO ENDURE FOR 3 1/2 HOURS
AND STILL, ANNIE HAS THE WHEREWITHAL TO FIGHT FOR
HERSELF, CALL 911, AND GET OUT THE INFORMATION TO GET LAW
ENFORCEMENT THERE. >> Reporter: IT WAS TIME FOR
DETECTIVE TURNAGE TO START GETTING FACE-TO-FACE WITH THOSE
WHO MIGHT KNOW WHO HAD DONE THIS TO ANNIE
>>> COMING UP -- A TWO-TIMING EX-HUSBAND IS
ALWAYS A GOOD PLACE TO START >> I ENDED UP CHEATING ON HER.
>> UH-HUH. >> NOT VERY GOOD AT THIS
RELATIONSHIP THING >> WILL MATT'S CURRENT WIFE
VOUCH FOR HIM? >> ANY CHANCE THAT MATTHEW
COULD'VE GONE ANYWHERE SOME -- SOME TIME DURING THE NIGHT
>> OH, GOD, EVERY TIME HE MOVES, HE WAKES ME UP
>> Reporter: START CLOSE CLOSE TO THE VICTIM.
THAT'S IN EVERY HOMICIDE DETECTIVE'S BIBLE OF MURDER
INVESTIGATION. AND SINCE ANNIE WASN'T MARRIED
DETECTIVE TURNAGE STARTED WITH THE NEXT BEST THING.
HER FORMER HUSBAND MATT HESTER >> YEAH, GO AHEAD AND HAVE A
SEAT, I'LL BE WITH YOU IN A MINUTE
>> Reporter: MATT WAS 35 BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, HE MOVED AS
IF HE WERE MUCH OLDER. THANKS, HE MAINTAINED, TO SOME
UNDIAGNOSED MEDICAL PROBLEMS THAT HAD LEFT HIM IN NEARLY
CONSTANT PAIN. AND, UNABLE TO WORK FOR A
LIVING WHEN HE COMES IN, HOW DOES HE
STRIKE YOU >> MATT STRUCK ME AS AN ACTOR HE
NEEDED AN ACADEMY AWARD FOR THE ACTING JOB THAT HE DID WHEN HE
SHOWED UP AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT DAY.
>> SO I GUESS UM, OBVIOUSLY I TOLD YOU AT THE HOUSE THAT YOUR
EX-WIFE IS DECEASED -- >> BUT YOU DIDN'T SAY-
>> DIDN'T SAY HOW OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE OR TWO.
>> OK. >> Reporter: IF YOU THINK MATT
SEEMED A LITTLE DISINTERESTED IN LEARNING HOW THE MOTHER OF HIS
DAUGHTER HAD BEEN KILLED YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
MINUTES LATER, ANOTHER DETECTIVE TOLD MATT WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO
ANNIE -- AND, ABOUT HER 9-1-1 CALL
>> SHE SAID THAT SHE HAD BEEN STABBED.
OFFICERS RESPONDED DOWN THERE, UM, SHE HAD BEEN INJURED, SHE
WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SHE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT
THE HOSPITAL >> OK.
>> AND AT THIS POINT WE'RE INVESTIGATING THIS AS A
HOMICIDE UH, DID YOUR WIFE SAY ANY --
EX-WIFE-SAY ANYTHING ABOUT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH ANYONE?
>> I DON'T TALK ABOUT HER PERSONAL LIFE.
>> OK. >> Reporter: THEN, AS DETECTIVES
DO, THEY STARTED LOCKING MATT INTO A STORY ABOUT HIS HISTORY,
WITH ANNIE >> WHEN DID YOU AND ANN FIRST
MEET >> UH, WE FIRST MET IN 1999, UH,
THROUGH A MUTUAL FRIEND. >> Reporter: NOT LONG AFTER THAT
MEETING, THERE WAS A WEDDING NOT BETWEEN MATT AND ANNIE
HE MARRIED SOMEONE ELSE. THAT UNION LASTED JUST A COUPLE
OF YEARS >> WHY DID YOU GUYS, UH, GET
DIVORCED >> I CHEATED ON HER.
>> OK. >> Reporter: SO IT WAS, LESS
THAN TWO YEARS AFTER HIS FIRST DIVORCE, THAT IN 2008, MATT,
ADMITTEDLY ON THE REBOUND MARRIED ANNIE.
AND THEN, THREE YEARS LATER, IN 2011, AFTER ALICE WAS BORN, THIS
MARRIAGE TOO, WAS DISSOLVING >> I ENDED UP CHEATING ON HER.
>> UH-HUH. >> I'M NOT VERY GOOD AT THIS
RELATIONSHIP THING >> Reporter: I'M NOT GOOD AT
THIS RELATIONSHIP THING, IS THAT KIND OF CANDOR UNUSUAL IN A
POLICE INTERVIEW, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE
PERSON YOU'RE TALKIN' ABOUT HAS NOW BEEN MURDERED?
>> IT IS, YEAH >> Reporter: HE WAS GOOD AT ONE
THING. BY MANY ACCOUNTS, MATT WAS A
LOVING FATHER TO ALICE >> I LOVE BEING A DAD.
>> Reporter: AND FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER THE DIVORCE, MATT
AND ANNIE AMICABLY SHARED CUSTODY OF THEIR DAUGHTER.
THEN IN 2014, MATT MARRIED FOR THE THIRD TIME, TO A WOMAN NAMED
ANGELA. SHE HAD CHILDREN OF HER OWN.
IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE A CUSTODY AND SUPPORT BATTLE BEGAN OVER
ALICE. >> HOW ARE YOUR FEELINGS TOWARDS
ANN? >> MOSTLY INDIFFERENT.
I JUST -- I WANT TO DEAL WITH HER AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE.
>> Reporter: FEELINGS ARE ONE THING.
FOR THE MOMENT, POLICE HAD MORE IMMEDIATE QUESTIONS.
>> SO WHAT WERE YOU AND ANGELA DOING LAST NIGHT
>> SLEEPING. >> OK.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WENT TO BED
>> UM, I USUALLY GET INTO BED AROUND 10 O'CLOCK.
>> OK. AND WAS ANGELA WITH YOU OR WAS
SHE STAYIN' UP DOIN' OTHER THINGS OR --
>> SHE WAS WITH ME IN BED. >> Reporter: THEY HAD FOUR
CHILDREN UNDER THEIR ROOF, THERE WAS ALICE, WHO WAS THERE
PART-TIME, AS WELL AS THREE CHILDREN FROM ANGELA'S PREVIOUS
MARRIAGES. THOSE KIDS WERE A HANDFUL, MATT
SAID, AND HE AND ANGELA WERE WORN OUT
SHE ALSO HADN'T BEEN FEELING WELL
>> HAVE A SEAT, UH, RIGHT THERE. >> OK.
>> Reporter: IN ANOTHER ROOM JUST DOWN THE HALL, ANGELA WAS
BEING QUESTIONED LIKE MATT, ANGELA TOLD
DETECTIVES THEY WERE IN BED BY ALTHOUGH SHE SAID, THEY WERE
BOTH AWAKE MATT, SCROLLING ON HIS PHONE
AND ANGELA, WATCHING TV. >> I WAS ON THE VERGE OF FALLIN'
ASLEEP TO SOME CRIMINAL MINDS. >> WHEN YOU GUYS WERE SLEEPIN'
WHO GETS THE INSIDE AND WHO GETS THE OUTSIDE?
>> MATT'S AGAINST THE WALL >> ANY CHANCE THAT, UH, MATTHEW
COULD'VE GONE ANYWHERE SOME -- SOMETIME DURING THE NIGHT?
>> OH GOD, EVERY TIME HE MOVES HE WAKES ME UP
SO IT'S NOT A POSSIBILITY AND I SLEEP, LIKE LITERALLY RIGHT UP
AGAINST HIM IN HIS ARMS. >> IF HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN UP
OUT OF BED YOU WOULD, YOU WOULD KNOW IT.
>> MOST DEFINITELY >> Reporter: WHEN THE INTERVIEWS
WERE OVER, ANGELA, AND MATT BOTH WILLINGLY HANDED OVER THEIR CELL
PHONES, BECAUSE POLICE SAID THEY WANTED TO DOWNLOAD GPS AND OTHER
INFORMATION. >> MATT'S ALIBI IS ANGELA.
AND ANGELA'S ALIBI IS MATT >> CORRECT
>> Reporter: THAT'S NOT MUCH -- BUT IT WAS THE MIDDLE OF THE
NIGHT. SO POLICE WONDERED -- WHO ELSE
COULD ALIBI ANGELA AND MATT THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER.
AND IT TURNED OUT, THERE WERE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO COULD
>> COMING UP - THREE'S COMPANY.
IT'S COMPLICATED >> THAT'S A THING IN PORTLAND?
>> IT WAS IN THAT HOUSE. >> CAUSE THAT'S KINDA WEIRD.
>> THAT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU SEE EVERYDAY
>> Reporter: IN AN ORDINARY HOUSEHOLD, A HUSBAND MIGHT OFFER
AN ALIBI FOR A WIFE. AND A WIFE MIGHT OFFER AN ALIBI
FOR HER HUSBAND. AND ONLY CHILDREN, UNRELIABLE
WITNESSES FOR THE MOST PART, WOULD BE LEFT.
BUT NONE OF THAT WAS TRUE IN THE RATHER UNORTHODOX HOUSEHOLD OF
MATT AND ANGELA HESTER THEY HAD ROOMMATES
AND YOU SPOKE WITH THE ROOMMATES?
>> YEAH, WE SPOKE TO ALL THE ROOMMATES THERE.
>> Reporter: ALL THREE ROOMMATES TO BE EXACT.
IT'S LIKE A SITCOM, EXCEPT IT'S NOT FUNNY.
>> YEAH, OUR RELATIONSHIP IS A LITTLE WEIRD
>> Reporter: ROOMMATE NUMBER ONE, AARON McCRAW.
IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO KEEP YOUR SCORECARDS HANDY, BECAUSE AARON
WAS ANGELA'S HUSBAND BEFORE SHE MARRIED MATT
NOW, HE'S HER EX, AND THE FATHER OF TWO OF HER CHILDREN
AND AARON WAS A TENANT OF HIS EX AND HER NEXT
THAT'S A THING IN PORTLAND >> IT WAS IN THAT HOUSE.
>> Reporter: 'CAUSE THAT'S KIND OF WEIRD
>> IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU SEE EVERYDAY
>> Reporter: AARON TOLD POLICE HE CRASHED AT MATT AND ANGELA'S
MOST OF THE TIME, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WAY TO PUT IT, WHEN HE
DIDN'T HAVE A BETTER OFFER LUCKY FOR HIM THAT THE NIGHT OF
THE MURDER, AARON SAID, HE DID HAVE A BETTER OFFER, THAT IS
>> YOU WERE STAYING AT YOUR GIRLFRIEND'S
>> I WAS >> OR WERE YOU STAYING AT HOME
>> I WAS NOT AT HOME I WAS AT MY GIRLFRIEND'S
>> Reporter: OKAY, SO AARON IS BASICALLY NO HELP TO YOU
HE WASN'T THERE. >> CORRECT
>> Reporter: YOU MIGHT WANT TO REMEMBER AARON McCRAW.
YOU'LL BE SEEING HIS FACE AGAIN. ROOMMATE NUMBER TWO, WHAT DOES
HE SAY >> HE WAS OUT THE EVENING OF THE
MURDER AND THAT HE CAME HOME, AND THAT HE SAW MATT AND ANGELA
LAYING IN THEIR BED. >> Reporter: AT WHAT TIME DID HE
SEE MATT AND ANGELA IN BED TOGETHER
>> HE THOUGHT IT WAS AROUND MIDNIGHT
>> Reporter: AND IT WAS AROUND 11:00 P.M. THAT THE FIRST
WITNESSES SAID THEY HEARD SCREAMS COMING FROM ANNIE'S
APARTMENT. >> CORRECT, ABOUT 11:00, 11:15
>> Reporter: SO IF THAT ROOMMATE'S TELLIN' THE TRUTH, HE
ALIBIS MATT AND ANGELA AT LEAST FOR THE BEGINNING OF THAT
ATTACK AND PRESUMABLY, IF THEY WEREN'T
THERE AT THE BEGINNING, THEY WEREN'T THERE AT THE MIDDLE OR
END. >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> Reporter: AND THERE WAS ALSO A THIRD POSSIBLE ALIBI WITNESS
>> I -- I LIVE WITH MATT AND ANGELA
>> Reporter: A THIRD ROOMMATE. HER NAME
KORINA WALTERS KORINA HAD BEEN ANGELA'S BEST
FRIEND SINCE HIGH SCHOOL AFTER A DIVORCE OF HER OWN, EVEN
WITH A DECENT JOB, PORTLAND'S SOARING RENT PRICES HAD LEFT
KORINA HOMELESS UNTIL ANGELA INVITED HER TO LIVE IN THEIR
GARAGE SO ON THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER,
THE FAMILY'S ONLY VEHICLE, THIS SILVER MAZDA, WAS PARKED JUST A
FEW FEET FROM WHERE KORINA SLEPT.
>> DO YOU EVER HEAR THEM COMING AND GOING?
>> YEAH, UH, MY -- LIKE I SAID, I LIVE IN THE GARAGE
>> UH-HUH. >> AND THE GARAGE DOOR IS REALLY
THIN, SO IF THEIR CAR STARTS UP -- I DON'T KNOW, YOU -- YOU
HAVEN'T HEARD THEIR CAR, OF COURSE NOT
>> NO. >> UM, IT MAKES THIS REALLY
GOD-AWFUL RATTLING NOISE WHEN IT STARTS UP.
>> OKAY. >> AND IF THEY WERE TO GO
ANYWHERE IT WOULD -- I'M PRETTY POSITIVE IT WOULD WAKE ME UP,
BUT THEY NEVER GO ANYWHERE >> DID MATT LEAVE LAST NIGHT AT
ALL? >> NO.
>> DID ANGELA LEAVE AT ALL >> NO.
>> Reporter: WHAT'S MORE, KORINA TOLD POLICE SHE'D USED THE
BATHROOM BETWEEN 3:00 AND 4:00 A.M., AND ON THE WAY THERE,
SHE HAD TO PASS BY THE BED IN THE LIVING ROOM WHERE MATT AND
ANGELA SLEPT >> THEY WERE ASLEEP.
ANGELA SNORES. >> IF ANGELA OR MATT WERE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AND YOU KNEW IT --
>> I WOULD TURN THEM IN, IN A HEARTBEAT.
>> OKAY. YOU WOULDN'T PROTECT THEM IN ANY
ASPECT >> HELL NO
>> OKAY. >> Reporter: IN MOST POLICE
INTERVIEWS, THAT WOULD BE THAT EXCEPT IN THIS ONE,
INVESTIGATORS KEPT GOING AND ASKED KORINA ONE MORE QUESTION,
ONE INFORMED BY SOME DIGGING POLICE HAD ALREADY DONE.
>> ARE MATT AND ANGELA INTO THREESOMES, GROUPIES, GIRL ON
GIRL, GUY ON GUY, ANYTHING LIKE THAT, OR IS IT ALL PRETTY
NORMAL >> IT'S VERY NORMAL WITH THEM.
>> Reporter: MOST OF US HAVE OUR OWN DEFINITION OF WHAT NORMAL
IS ANNIE HAD HER OWN.
>> I JUST KNOW THAT THE GUY SHE IS SEEING WAS IN A RELATIONSHIP,
AND SHE, ANN, WAS IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH BOTH OF THEM
THE GUY AND THE GIRL >> SO ANN WAS, UH, DATING BOTH
THE FEMALE AND THE MALE? >> CORRECT
>> Reporter: THE CIRCLE OF THOSE CLOSEST TO ANNIE WAS WIDENING.
AND, OH YES, THERE WAS ONE MORE THING THAT WAS MENTIONED
PIRATES. >>> COMING UP --
>> Reporter: PIRATES LOVE KNIVES
>> I'VE HEARD. >> AND THE SUSPECT POOL WAS
ABOUT TO EXPLODE >> WE LEARNED THAT ANNIE
PARTICIPATED IN PIRATE PARTIES OR DUNGEON PARTIES
>> Reporter: SO WE'RE WAY PAST LOVE TRIANGLE HERE
THIS IS LIKE LOVE TRAPEZOID. >> LOVE SPIDER WEB, YES.
>> WHEN DATELINE CONTINUES
THE MURDER OF ANNIE HESTER, GRESHAM, OREGON, POLICE
DETECTIVE AARON TURNAGE SOON FOUND HIMSELF IN A PLETHORA OF
POLYAMORY. AND THE MORE WITNESSES HIS TEAM
TALKED WITH, THE DEEPER POLICE FOUND THEMSELVES IN THE RABBIT
HOLE THAT WAS ANNIE'S PERSONAL LIFE
BECAUSE MAYBE THE DEVIL WAS IN THE DETAILS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENS IN MURDER INVESTIGATIONS IS THAT
EVERYBODY'S SECRETS GET LAID BARE
DID ANYTHING THAT CAME OUT ABOUT ANNIE SHOCK YOU?
>> NO, I KNEW MOST OF IT ALREADY.
SHE SHARED PLENTY OF DETAILS AND INFORMATION WITH ME THAT I
DIDN'T REALLY NEED TO KNOW BUT IT'S LIKE, "OKAY, COOL."
SHE FELT LIKE SHE COULD TELL ME PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING, AND SHE
TOLD ME A LOT. >> Reporter: POLICE SOON LEARNED
ANNIE EXPLORED THE FULL POLYAMORY EXPERIENCE
MULTIPLE RELATIONSHIPS MULTIPLE PARTNERS.
SHE WASN'T SHY ABOUT IT OR ASHAMED.
AND WHILE INVESTIGATORS DID HAVE TO EXPLORE SOME PREVIOUSLY
UNHEARD OF, KINKY FETISHES, THE PRIMARY RESULT OF LEARNING ABOUT
ANNIE'S PRIVATE LIFE WAS THAT DETECTIVES HAD MORE AND MORE
LEADS TO CHASE DOWN. SO SHE WAS INVOLVED WITH A
COUPLE, A MAN AND A WOMAN, AND SOME OTHER PEOPLE.
>> CORRECT >> Reporter: AND SHE WAS IN THAT
KINK WORLD >> CORRECT
>> Reporter: AND SHE HAD AN EX WITH WHOM SHE SHARED A CHILD
SO WE'RE WAY PAST LOVE TRIANGLE HERE
THIS IS, LIKE, LOVE TRAPEZOID. THIS IS, LIKE, LOVE RHOMBUS.
>> LOVE SPIDER WEB, YES. >> Reporter: AND YOU GOTTA TALK
TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE? >> CORRECT
>> Reporter: THE FIRST PEOPLE ON THE LIST
THAT POLYAMOROUS COUPLE WITH WHOM ANNIE HAD HAD A
RELATIONSHIP THEY ASKED US NOT TO SHOW THEIR
FACES. THEY LIVED 90 MINUTES SOUTH OF
PORTLAND AND WERE PART OF A GROUP ANNIE BELONGED TO AND
LOVED. A GROUP THAT TOOK PART IN
ROLE-PLAY AS PIRATES >> HONESTLY, I WAS UNAWARE THAT
PIRATE THINGS WERE A THING >> Reporter: WAIT A MINUTE
SO THEY ALL GOT TOGETHER AND DRESSED UP AS PIRATES?
>> THEY DID. AND ANNIE WAS A PART OF THAT
YOU KNOW, WE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THEIR LIVES
AS PIRATES SO WE HAD TO EXPLORE THAT A
LITTLE BIT >> Reporter: AND INVESTIGATORS
DID EXPLORE THAT, KEEPING IN MIND HOW ANNIE HAD BEEN STABBED
TO DEATH WITH THREE DIFFERENT KNIVES
PIRATES LOVE KNIVES. >> I'VE HEARD THERE'S A SUBSET
OF THE PIRATE WORLD THAT DEALS WITH --
IT'S A KINK OR A SEXUAL WORLD. SO PEOPLE WILL TAKE KNIVES, AND
THEY WILL USE THEM DURING SEX ACTS
WE LEARNED THAT ANNIE PARTICIPATED IN PIRATE PARTIES
OR DUNGEON PARTIES AND COLLECTIVELY, WHEN WE SPOKE
TO ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE, IT WAS PRETTY CLEAR ANNIE WAS NOT INTO
THE KNIFE PLAY THAT BECAME PRETTY RELEVANT
PRETTY QUICKLY SHE HAD DABBLED IN IT, BUT IT
WASN'T HER THING >> Reporter: WHAT'S MORE
DETECTIVES SOON LEARNED THAT HUSBAND AND WIFE ANNIE HAD BEEN
SEEING HAD BROKEN UP WITH HER SIX WEEKS BEFORE THE MURDER.
THERE HAD BEEN TEARS BUT NO HARD FEELINGS
THAT COUPLE HAD AN ALIBI FOR THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER?
>> THEY HAD AN ALIBI THEY WERE QUICKLY ELIMINATED
FROM SUSPICION IN THIS CASE. >> Reporter: DETECTIVES WERE NOT
JUST LOOKING INTO ANNIE'S PERSONAL LIFE.
THEY ALSO HAD TO CONSIDER WHERE THE CRIME OCCURRED
THE KILLER HAD ENTERED BY SCALING A FENCE, THEN STANDING
ON A CINDER BLOCK TO REMOVE AN AIR CONDITIONER, THEN CLIMBING
INTO A WINDOW IN THE BACK OF ANNIE'S APARTMENT.
JUST BEYOND THAT FENCE, THERE WAS A SIDEWALK, A BUSY ROAD.
AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD, A HEAVILY TRAVELED PATH
CALLED THE SPRINGWATER TRAIL HOW LONG BEFORE YOU GUYS ARE OUT
WALKIN' THE TRAIL? >> IMMEDIATELY
IT'S ONE OF OUR FIRST SEARCHES THAT WE DO WITH A LOT OF
SEARCHERS OVER SEVERAL DAYS. >> Reporter: THE DETECTIVE
WONDERED, "COULD THIS HAVE BEEN A RANDOM KILLING
A ROBBERY? AFTER ALL, ON THAT 911 CALL
ANNIE MADE BEFORE SHE DIED, SHE'D SAID A COUPLE OF TIMES
THAT SHE DIDN'T KNOW HER KILLER. >> DID YOU RECOGNIZE THIS PERSON
AT ALL >> NO.
>> WE HAD THOUGHT, LIKE, MAYBE A TRANSIENT.
OR SHE LIVED RIGHT OFF OF THE SPRINGWATER TRAIL.
LOTS OF HOMELESS >> Reporter: THIS IS
KORINA WALTERS, ANGELA'S BEST FRIEND WHO LIVED IN THE GARAGE
AT MATT AND ANGELA'S PLACE, WHO TOLD POLICE SHE WOULD DEFINITELY
HAVE HEARD THE FAMILY'S SILVER MAZDA PULL AWAY IF IT HAD BEEN
TAKEN FROM THE DRIVEWAY THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER.
SHE SAYS THE "RANDOM ROBBER FROM THE TRAIL" ANGLE WAS THE
PREVAILING THEORY OVER AT THEIR PLACE.
>> THAT WAS HONESTLY WHAT WE THOUGHT.
THE AIR CONDITIONER HAD BEEN REMOVED.
SOMEBODY CAME IN, KILLED HER, TOOK A BUNCH OF STUFF, AND LEFT.
>> Reporter: SO WAS THAT WHAT HAD HAPPENED
IT WAS A THEORY THE DETECTIVE HAD TO CONSIDER.
>> THIS COULD'VE BEEN A ROBBERY OR A BURGLARY GONE BAD
ANNIE MIGHT'VE BEEN COLLATERAL DAMAGE IN A ROBBERY.
>> Reporter: OKAY. BUT A BURGLAR DOESN'T STAB YOU
THAT MANY TIMES AND CARVE MYSTERIOUS LETTERS INTO YOU.
>> YEAH, NOT TYPICALLY I WOULD AGREE, NOT TYPICALLY
IS IT OUTSIDE THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY?
NO, IT'S NOT >> Reporter: ANYTHING MISSING
FROM THE APARTMENT >> NOT THAT WE COULD TELL.
ALL THE BIG STUFF THAT YOU WOULD GO FOR, THE JEWELRY, THE PHONES,
THE WALLET, THE PURSE, ALL THAT STUFF WAS STILL THERE.
SO WE WERE PRETTY QUICKLY ABLE TO RULE OUT THE IDEA OF A
BOTCHED BURGLARY OR A BOTCHED ROBBERY.
>> Reporter: NO ONE DESERVES TO DIE THE WAY ANNIE DID.
AND NO MATTER WHICH TRAILS OR AVENUES DETECTIVES EXPLORED,
THEY FOUND NO EVIDENCE THAT ANY OF THE CHOICES ANNIE MADE IN HER
PERSONAL LIFE OR ANYWHERE ELSE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH HER
DEATH. EXCEPT MAYBE IN ONE AREA
HER CHOICE OF FRIENDS. >>> COMING UP --
MATT ISSUES A CHALLENGE TO DETECTIVES
>> IF YOU THOUGHT I DID IT, YOU WOULD CHARGE ME.
>> NO, NOT NECESSARILY >> I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH HER
>> Reporter: ABOUT 12 HOURS AFTER POLICE FIRST INTERVIEWED
ANNIE HESTER'S EX-HUSBAND MATT AND HIS CURRENT WIFE ANGELA THE
COUPLE WAS BACK AT THE GRESHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR A LATE
NIGHT, ROUND TWO MATT WAS STILL DISPLAYING
DIFFICULTY WALKING FROM THOSE UNEXPLAINED MEDICAL PROBLEMS
HE'D TOLD POLICE ABOUT DETECTIVE TURNAGE THOUGHT THEY
REPRESENTED SOMETHING OTHER THAN ILLNESS.
YOU'RE CONVINCED THAT'S FOR YOUR BENEFIT?
HE'S NOT ACTUALLY IN PAIN? >> I BELIEVE IT'S LAYING A
FOUNDATION THAT HE'S INCAPABLE OF COMMITTING SUCH A VIOLENT
ACT, BECAUSE HE CAN BARELY MOVE ACROSS OUR WAITING ROOM.
>> Reporter: SURE, MATT AND ANGELA HAD TWO ROOMMATES WHO'D
ALIBIED THEM, AND SAID THEY WERE HOME DURING THE NIGHT OF ANNIE'S
MURDER THAT DIDN'T QUITE DO IT.
TO DETECTIVES, MATT WAS STILL A PERSON OF THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE
INTEREST >> I MEAN OBVIOUSLY, WE GOTTA
CONSIDER ALL POSSIBILITIES HERE. AND I'M SURE YOU'VE SEEN TV.
WHEN WE HAVE SITUATIONS LIKE THIS, Y'KNOW, EVERYBODY POINTS
TO, "THE EX HUSBAND DID IT!" >> YEAH.
I WANT TO HELP YOU GUYS 'CAUSE -- 'CAUSE THE --
>> Y'KNOW I WANNA -- >> SORRY
THE THING I'M WORRIED ABOUT IS MY DAUGHTER.
>> I HEAR YOU. MATT, IF YOU HAD ANYTHING TO DO
WITH ANN'S DEATH, I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW
>> I DID NOT I WOULD NEVER DO ANYTHING THAT
WOULD ENDANGER MY CHILD. >> OKAY.
AND I'M GLAD TO HEAR YOU SAY THAT 'CAUSE THAT TELLS ME WHAT
KINDA PARENT YOU ARE IS THERE ANY REASON I'M GONNA
FIND YOUR DNA -- >> NO.
>> -- INVOLVED IN THAT MURDER SCENE?
>> NO. >> Reporter: DETECTIVES ASKED
MATT TO TAKE OFF HIS SHIRT, KNOWING THAT IF HE'D BEEN
INVOLVED IN SUCH A VIOLENT STABBING, HIS BODY WOULD SHOW
SOME SIGN OF IT. THEY FOUND NOTHING
THEN, THEY ASKED ABOUT THOSE BLOODY SHOE PRINTS PRESUMABLY
LEFT BY THE KILLER FLEEING ANNIE'S APARTMENT.
SOMEONE WHO WORE A SIZE 9 1/2 OR TEN.
>> DO YOU KNOW WHAT KINDA SHOES YOU HAVE
ARE THEY BOOTS >> THESE ARE BOOTS, YEAH
>> WHAT SIZE >> UH, 11 1/2 WIDE
>> OKAY. >> Reporter: THAT DIDN'T FIT
EITHER NONETHELESS, DETECTIVE TURNAGE
TRIED A TACTIC YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH --
SUGGESTING TO MATT THAT POLICE HAD MORE THAN THEY REALLY DID,
TRYING TO RATTLE HIM >> I NEED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT
MY INVESTIGATION CLEARLY SHOWS THAT YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR
ANN'S DEATH, AND YOU'RE INVOLVED IN IT INTIMATELY
THERE'S ONLY - >> WELL, THEN YOU WOULD'VE
CHARGED ME SO -
>> NO, NO I WOULDN'T, I WOULDN'T -
>> IF YOU THOUGHT I DID IT, YOU WOULD CHARGE ME --
>> NO, NOT NECESSARILY - >> I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH HER
DEATH. >> HE MADE THE COMMENT IN THE
INTERVIEW, "IF YOU HAD ENOUGH ON ME, YOU WOULD ARREST ME RIGHT
NOW. YOU KNOW, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A
VERY, VERY ARROGANT COMMENT SO THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A RED
FLAG FOR ME. >> Reporter: ALSO, DO INNOCENT
PEOPLE SAY TO YOU HISTORICALLY, WELL, IF YOU HAD ENOUGH, YOU
WOULD ARREST ME? >> NOT AT ALL.
>> Reporter: THEY SAY, YOU'RE CRAZY.
I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS. I COULDN'T KILL ANYBODY.
>> THERE IS STRONG DENIALS, ABSOLUTELY HAVE THE WRONG
PERSON THEY GET MAD, YEAH
I WOULD EXPECT ANGER AND FRUSTRATION.
THOSE ARE THE SIGNS OF A TRUTHFUL PERSON THAT TOLD ME AS
THE INVESTIGATOR AND THE DETECTIVE, "I NEED TO DIG A
LITTLE BIT DEEPER AND LOOK A LITTLE BIT MORE INTO THIS
CONVERSATION." >> Reporter: DOWN THE HALL,
DETECTIVES WERE ALSO QUESTIONING MATT'S CURRENT WIFE ANGELA
SHE WASN'T FEELING WELL, SHE SAID
BUT SHE WAS WILLING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT ANNIE'S MURDER
>> I'M JUST GONNA KEEP MY EYES SHUT AND MY HEAD DOWN.
>> OKAY. HOW DID IT MAKE YOU FEEL WHEN
YOU HEARD ABOUT HER BEING KILLED
>> SHOCKED >> UH-HUH.
>> NON-BELIEVING UM, EXTREMELY SAD, BECAUSE ALICE
HAD LOST HER MOM >> Reporter: THEN, AS DETECTIVES
ONCE AGAIN TOOK ANGELA THROUGH THE TIMELINE OF ANNIE'S MURDER,
SHE VOLUNTEERED SOMETHING THAT MADE HER INTERROGATORS SIT UP
STRAIGHT >> DID YOU GUYS SLEEP WELL
WHAT HAPPENED? DID YOU GET THROUGH THE NIGHT
OR - >> FOR THE MOST PART WE SLEPT
JUST FINE UNTIL MY DOG STARTED WHINING.
>> Reporter: GUESS WHAT TIME ANGELA SAID THE DOGS WOKE HER
UP REMEMBER, NEIGHBORS HEARD
SCREAMS, AND ANNIE CALLED 911 ALL ABOUT 3:00 A.M
>> DO YOU REMEMBER LOOKING AT A CLOCK OR -
>> I HALF OPENED MY EYE TO LOOK AT THE CLOCK SLIGHTLY AND SEE
THAT IT WAS AROUND 3:00. >> OKAY.
DID YOU ACTUALLY END UP HAVING TO GET OUT OF BED TO LET 'EM OUT
OR - >> YEAH, I GOT UP AND WALKED
DOWNSTAIRS, PUT THEIR LEASHES ON, TOOK 'EM POTTY, CAME BACK
UPSTAIRS, PUT 'EM IN THEIR KENNELS.
>> UH-HUH. >> AND THEN I WENT TO GO POTTY
AND END UP -- I END UP PUKING AND [ BLEEP]
MYSELF AT THE SAME TIME. >> OH, THAT'S HORRIBLE
I'M SORRY. >> AND THAT'S WHEN I CALLED MATT
TO HELP ME, AND HE CAME AND HELPED ME.
WE TOOK A SHOWER TO HELP GET THE POOP OFF AND RINSE SOME OF THE
SWEAT OFF ME BECAUSE APPARENTLY I WAS SWEATING
>> Reporter: SO NOW, ACCORDING TO ANGELA, THEY'RE BOTH
SHOWERING AT, COINCIDENTALLY, THE TIME THE MURDER WAS
COMMITTED. THAT'S NOT SUSPICIOUS.
>> NO, NOT AT ALL. AND IT WASN'T SUSPICIOUS WHEN I
SPOKE TO MATT AND ASKED MATT ABOUT THAT, AND MATT SAID HE
WOKE UP AT 3:00 A.M. AND HEARD HER GOING TO LET THE DOGS OUT
BUT HE NEVER GOT OUT OF BED. MATT DIDN'T REMEMBER IT, SAYS HE
NEVER GOT OUT OF BED ANGELA'S SAYING SHE GOT OUT OF
BED AND MATT HELPED HER TAKE A SHOWER
SO THINGS JUST WEREN'T ADDING UP
>> Reporter: THE FOCUS WAS NARROWING.
ANNIE'S POLYAMOROUS RELATIONSHIPS HADN'T GENERATED
ANY MURDEROUS RAGE HER FRIENDS IN THE PIRATE
COMMUNITY HAD NO INTENTION OF MAKING HER WALK THE PLANK.
AND THIS DIDN'T FEEL LIKE A BURGLARY OR SOMETHING RANDOM
WELL, THOUGHT DETECTIVE TURNAGE, NOW WE'RE GETTING SOMEWHERE.
>>> COMING UP -- WAS MONEY BEHIND THE TUG OF WAR
OVER LITTLE ALICE? >> IT SOUNDS LIKE MATT AND HIS
WIFE SAW ALICE AS ALMOST LIKE AN ATM CARD
>> YEAH, A MEAL TICKET >>HE
>> Reporter: A WEEK AFTER ANNIE HESTER'S MURDER, FAMILY AND
FRIENDS GATHERED TO SAY GOODBYE AT THIS FUNERAL HOME IN GRESHAM,
OREGON AND AMONG THE MOURNERS -
>> WE HAD TEN, 12 DETECTIVES SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE
PROPERTY THERE >> Reporter: DETECTIVES TOOK
THIS VIDEO OF ANNIE'S FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, ALICE.
THERE WITH HER STEPMOTHER ANGELA AND FATHER MATT.
THE COUPLE CONSIDERED BY POLICE AND BY ANNIE'S FAMILY TO BE
PRIME SUSPECTS >> IT HAD TO BE STRANGE TO SEE
ALICE BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY PEOPLE THAT YOU AT LEAST
SUSPECTED OF POSSIBLY HAVING SOME INVOLVEMENT IN HER MURDER
>> IT WAS HARD KNOWING THAT SHE WAS WITH SOMEBODY THAT WE DIDN'T
WANT HER TO BE WITH AND THERE WAS VERY LITTLE THAT WE COULD DO
AT THAT POINT IN TIME. BUT JUST HOPE THAT SHE'S SAFE.
>> Reporter: INSIDE THE CHAPEL MORE DETECTIVES.
INCLUDING ONE UNDERCOVER OFFICER WHO SAT RIGHT NEXT TO MATT AND
ANGELA, AND WHO MADE A GAME-CHANGING OBSERVATION.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE DETECTIVE NOTICED ON THE BACK OF
ANGELA'S RIGHT HAND SHE HAS -- ABOUT A ONE AND A HALF INCH CUT
ON THE, YOU KNOW, TOPSIDE OF THE WEBBING BETWEEN THE THUMB AND
THE INDEX FINGER >> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS WHO'D
SO FAR FOCUSED MORE ON MATT, NOW HAD ANOTHER DIRECTION.
DID SEEING ANGELA WITH THAT CUT ON HER HAND AT THE FUNERAL
CHANGE THE LEVEL OF SUSPICION THAT SHE WAS UNDER
>> ABSOLUTELY IT DID >> Reporter: SO THEN WHAT WOULD
MAKE ANGELA ANGRY ENOUGH, TO DRIVE ACROSS TOWN IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE NIGHT AND TORTURE ANNIE FOR HOURS BEFORE KILLING HER
AND, HOW WOULD ANGELA AND PRESUMABLY MATT, BENEFIT FROM
ANNIE'S DEATH? WELL, THEREIN, LIES A TALE
POLICE SOON FOUND OUT THAT MATT AND ANNIE HAD AN AMICABLE
DIVORCE. IN 2012, AND SHARED CUSTODY OF
ALICE. MATT PAID ABOUT TWO-HUNDRED
DOLLARS A MONTH IN CHILD SUPPORT.
TWO YEARS LATER, WHEN MATT MET ANGELA AND THEY MARRIED, THE
GOOD RELATIONSHIP CONTINUED. KORINA WALTERS, WHO LIVED WITH
MATT AND ANGELA. >> LIKE, THEY ALL HAD THIS GREAT
RELATIONSHIP ALL TOGETHER. LIKE, WE TOOK VACATIONS
TOGETHER >> Reporter: WHAT CHANGED?
>> I'M NOT 100%. BUT LIKE THE ONLY CATALYST THAT
I'VE BEEN ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER IS THAT ANNIE WANTED HER MOM TO
WATCH ALICE MORE OFTEN AND MATT DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE UP
THAT TIME. >> Reporter: THAT DOESN'T SEEM
LIKE A HUGE ISSUE, BUT IT PROVOKED A HUGE PROBLEM.
>> YEAH, SO THEN THERE ENDED UP BEING THE 'CUSTODY' WORD LIKE
BEING THROWN BACK AND FORTH. >> Reporter: AS OFTEN HAPPENS, A
TUG OF WAR INVOLVING A CHILD ENDED UP IN COURT.
WAS THE CUSTODY BATTLE NASTY >> IT GOT PRETTY NASTY
>> IT GOT BAD. >> Reporter: HOW BAD?
ANGELA SOON CALLED OREGON'S DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO
REPORT ANNIE FOR CHILD NEGLECT IN RESPONSE, ANNIE SENT THIS
EMAIL TO A FRIEND, WRITING - AND I'LL PARAPHRASE -- I JUST
CANNOT COMPREHEND WHAT I DID TO DESERVE THIS LEVEL OF -- IN MY
LIFE I AM SOOOOOO DONE DEALING WITH
THIS --" THE STATE FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF
NEGLECT. THEN, ANGELA STARTED TAKING A
LARGER ROLE IN THE CHILD EXCHANGES AFTER MATT SUDDENLY
CLAIMED TO REMEMBER THAT ANNIE HAD ABUSED HIM DURING THEIR
MARRIAGE THAT SEEM REASONABLE TO YOU?
>> NO, IT WASN'T AND REALLY WHAT IT WAS WAS THEY
WERE TRYING TO BUILD THIS CASE SO THAT MATT COULD GET ALICE
>> Reporter: MATT STOPPED PAYING CHILD SUPPORT.
AND ANNIE, WHO FRIENDS SAID HAD INITIALLY SOUGHT A RESOLUTION
EVERYONE COULD LIVE WITH, NOW DUG IN HER HEELS
IN AN E-MAIL, ANNIE CALLED MATT "ANTAGONISTIC, UNCOOPERATIVE."
AND MORE AS DETECTIVES DUG DEEPER INTO
THE CASE FILE THEY DISCOVERED ONE POSSIBLE REASON MATT AND
ANGELA SEEMED DESPERATE TO GAIN CUSTODY OF ALICE
AND IT WAS THIS -- NEITHER MATT NOR ANGELA, HAD A JOB.
>> MATT SAID HE CONSIDERED HIMSELF A, "PROFESSIONAL
PARENT." HE AND ANGELA RECEIVED BENEFITS
FROM THEIR CHILDREN. THEIR CHILDREN HAD BEEN
DIAGNOSED WITH VARIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS WHICH GET STATE
BENEFITS OR PAYOUTS. SO THEY REAP THOSE BENEFITS TO
THE SUM OF APPROXIMATELY $2,000 A MONTH TOTAL
AND THAT IS THEIR PAYMENT FOR BEING PROFESSIONAL PARENTS
>> Reporter: AND IF MATT AND ANGELA SAW CHILDREN, AS A MEANS
OF EARNING MONEY, WHAT WOULD GAINING CUSTODY OF ALICE MEAN
FOR THEM WELL, DETECTIVES SOON FOUND OUT
THE COUPLE SEEMED TO HAVE PLANS FOR ALICE, TOO
A COURT ORDERED CUSTODY EVALUATION FOUND OUT THAT
3-YEAR-OLD ALICE WAS HAVING SOME TROUBLE ADJUSTING TO GOING BACK
AND FORTH BETWEEN TWO HOUSEHOLDS
THAT'S COMMON FOR CHILDREN OF DIVORCE.
MATT AND ANGELA BOTH SAID THEY BELIEVED ALICE'S BEHAVIORAL
PROBLEMS COULD BE RELATED TO BIPOLAR DISORDER.
ANNIE'S LAWYERS SUGGESTED IN COURT FILINGS IT WAS ALL PART OF
A SCHEME -- MORE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES EQUALED MORE MONEY
FROM THE STATE IT SOUNDS LIKE MATT AND HIS WIFE
SAW ALICE LESS AS HIS DAUGHTER, AND MORE AS ALMOST LIKE AN ATM
CARD >> YEAH, A MEAL TICKET
I MEAN, THAT WAS THE WORD THAT WAS THROWN AROUND AT THE TIME.
>> Reporter: IN THE END, A JUDGE HAD NO DOUBTS ABOUT WHO WAS THE
BETTER PARENT. SIX MONTHS BEFORE HER MURDER,
ANNIE WAS AWARDED FULL CUSTODY OF ALICE
MATT GOT SOMETHING TOO A BILL
$29,000 IN COURT AND LAWYERS FEES
AND ABOUT 13 THOUSAND IN BACK CHILD SUPPORT.
THE TOTAL, A LITTLE MORE THAN $42,000.
DID ANNIE EVER EXPECT TO SEE ANY OF THAT MONEY?
>> NOT REALLY, 'CAUSE HE DIDN'T WORK
>> Reporter: AND IF THINGS COULD GET WORSE FOR MATT, THEY SOON
DID. IN OREGON, ONE OF THE PENALTIES
FOR NOT PAYING CHILD SUPPORT IS LOSING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE.
THEN, A MONTH BEFORE ANNIE'S MURDER, A WARRANT WAS ISSUED FOR
MATT'S ARREST. WHAT WAS THE REACTION TO THAT IN
THE HOUSE YOU WERE LIVING IN >> A LOT OF BANGING AND A LOT OF
SCREAMING AND ANGELA WAS CRYING ABOUT HOW THE F'ING COURTS
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE F'ING TALKING ABOUT AND HOW ARE WE
GONNA PAY THIS WHAT I THOUGHT WAS WEIRD, WAS
MATT'S REACTION. BECAUSE THERE WAS NONE
THERE WAS NOTHING. HE WASN'T EVEN -- IT WAS LIKE HE
WASN'T EVEN PAYING ATTENTION >> Reporter: REALLY?
ANGELA WAS FURIOUS HE WAS LIKE 'WHATEVER?
>> YEAH THAT BOTHERED ME THIS TO ME WAS A DAD WHO GAVE UP, WHO
DIDN'T CARE ANYMORE. >> Reporter: WELL -- IF MATT
DIDN'T CARE, ANGELA SEEMED TO CARE MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR BOTH
OF THEM. IN FACT, THE DAY OF THE COURT
JUDGMENT, ANGELA MADE A REMARK KORINA WON'T FORGET.
AT ONE POINT ANGELA SAYS 'IF I KILLED HER, NOBODY WOULD EVEN
MISS HER >> YEAH AND I WAS LIKE, OKAY
YOU'RE MAD, YOU'RE ANGRY I GET IT
>> Reporter: IT'S INFLAMMATORY IT'S A STUPID THING TO SAY
BUT IT'S NOT EXACTLY SOMEBODY PLOTTING A CRIME
>> NO. JUST THOUGHT SHE WAS MAD
>> Reporter: JUST BLOWING OFF STEAM.
NO REASON FOR KORINA TO CALL POLICE OR MENTION IT TO ANNIE.
WAS THERE? >> COMING UP -
A KILLER'S CAR CAUGHT ON CAMERA. >> NO QUESTION THAT'S MATT AND
ANGELA'S SUV >> NO QUESTION
SOMEBODY FROM THAT HOUSE LEFT THAT HOME TO COMMIT THE MURDER
AND THEN RETURNED TO THAT HOME AFTER THE MURDER
>> CAN YOU TELL WHO'S DRIVING? >> NO.
DETECTIVE, AARON TURNAGE AND HIS TEAM HAD SOLID SUSPICIONS ABOUT
MATT AND ANGELA HESTER'S POSSIBLE ROLES IN THE MURDER OF
ANNIE HESTER THEY ALSO HAD NO SOLID EVIDENCE.
THAT WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE, STARTING WITH A SEARCH FOR
SECURITY VIDEO THAT NIGHT AROUND THEIR HOME
JUST BEFORE 11:00 P.M. OH -- LOOK AT THAT
>> THEIR NEIGHBOR HAD A VIDEO CAMERA THAT RECORDED THE STREET
IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE. THAT CAMERA CAPTURED A LIGHT
COLORED OR SILVER SUV, UH, COMING OUT OF THE AREA OF MATT
AND ANGELA'S DRIVEWAY. >> Reporter: THERE IT WAS.
NO QUESTION THAT'S MATT AND ANGELA'S SUV
>> THERE'S NO QUESTION >> Reporter: CAN YOU TELL WHO'S
DRIVING? >> WE CAN'T TELL WHO'S DRIVING,
NO >> Reporter: SO THIS ISN'T LIKE
TV WHERE YOU CAN BLOW IT UP AND SEE EXACTLY WHO IT IS.
>> ENHANCE, ENHANCE, ENHANCE, ZOOM
NO, IT'S NOT LIKE TELEVISION >> Reporter: STILL, FOR
INVESTIGATORS, THIS WAS ASTOUNDING, BECAUSE THAT SILVER
MAZDA SUV HAD A CAMEO ON EACH OF NINE MORE CAMERAS ON ITS WAY
ACROSS PORTLAND TO THE SUBURB OF GRESHAM.
>> VIDEO CAMERAS ESSENTIALLY CAPTURED THAT CAR ALL THE WAY TO
THE DRIVEWAY OF ANNIE'S APARTMENT.
>> Reporter: THE TRIP TOOK 26 MINUTES, PUTTING THE SILVER
MAZDA AT ANNIE'S AT 11:23 P.M. RIGHT AROUND THE TIME NEIGHBORS
REPORTED HEARING SCREAMS THEN, ABOUT FOUR HOURS LATER,
ABOUT 3:00 A.M., THE TIME OF ANNIE'S 911 CALL REPORTING HER
ATTACKER HAD JUST LEFT DO YOU SEE THAT SILVER MAZDA
RETURNING TO MATT AND ANGELA'S HOUSE?
>> WE DO WE WERE ABLE TO FOLLOW IT
ESSENTIALLY RIGHT BACK TO THE VERY FIRST CAMERA THAT WE
STARTED WITH AT THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE.
>> Reporter: THE DRIVER, AS YOU CAN SEE, TURNED OFF THE
HEADLIGHTS BEFORE STOPPING APPARENTLY, TRYING TO SNEAK THE
MAZDA BACK INTO ITS DRIVEWAY WELL, THERE GO MATT AND ANGELA'S
ALIBIS >> INDEED.
>> Reporter: WHAT ARE YOU THINKIN' WHEN YOU'RE LOOKIN' AT
THAT VIDEO >> I THINK THAT I DON'T KNOW WHO
THE KILLER IS, BUT SOMEBODY FROM THAT HOUSE LEFT THAT HOME TO
COMMIT THE MURDER AND THEN RETURNED TO THAT HOME AFTER THE
MURDER >> Reporter: SO THEN WHAT ABOUT
THAT ALIBI GIVEN BY ANGELA'S BEST FRIEND, KORINA, WHO SAID
FROM HER BED IN THE GARAGE SHE WAS CERTAIN SHE WOULD HAVE HEARD
A VEHICLE START UP AND DRIVE AWAY
>> I THINK THAT WHEN THEY PULLED OUT, THEY DIDN'T START THE CAR
>> Reporter: HOW DID YOU MISS IT
HOW DID YOU NOT HEAR IT? >> I DON'T KNOW.
HOW COULD I HAVE NOT KNOWN IF I HAD KNOWN, I COULD HAVE
DONE SOMETHING IF I HAD EVEN REMOTELY THOUGHT,
I COULD'VE DONE SOMETHING. >> Reporter: IF YOU HAD NOTICED
SOMETHING, IT WOULD'VE BEEN TOO LATE
I DON'T THINK YOU COULD'VE SAVED ANNIE'S LIFE
>> IF I HAD TAKEN THOSE THREATS SERIOUSLY, MAYBE I COULD'VE.
>> Reporter: DETECTIVE TURNAGE, AS YOU MIGHT GUESS, HAS A
SLIGHTLY MORE CYNICAL EXPLANATION.
>> I THINK SHE WAS LYING TO PROTECT HER FRIEND
>> Reporter: YOU DON'T THINK SHE COULD JUST BE WRONG?
>> I DON'T THINK SHE WAS WRONG KORINA'S STATEMENT OF THE CAR IS
LOUD "I WOULD HAVE HEARD IT LEAVE,
AND IT NEVER LEFT," I THINK THAT'S A BLATANT LIE
>> Reporter: WE MAY NEVER KNOW THE TRUTH.
BUT WITH THAT DAMNING SECURITY CAMERA FOOTAGE IN HAND,
DETECTIVES NEXT STARTED COMBING THROUGH MATT AND ANGELA'S CELL
PHONES, WHICH THE COUPLE HAD VOLUNTARILY SURRENDERED.
THERE, THEY FOUND ANOTHER CLUE THIS ONE, ABOUT THE BLOODY
SHOE PRINTS FOUND LEADING FROM ANNIE'S APARTMENT.
>> AND WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE PICTURES IN
BOTH OF THEIR PHONES AND WE SAW THAT ON NOVEMBER 8th,
MATT SENT ANGELA A PAYLESS SHOES COUPON TO SAVE MONEY OFF OF A
PURCHASE ABOUT AN HOUR LATER, ANGELA SENT
MATT A PICTURE TAKEN AT A SHOE STORE, BASED ON THE BACKGROUND
AND THERE WERE TWO BOOTS IN THAT PICTURE.
WE SHOWED THE PICTURE TO A MANAGER AT PAYLESS SHOES, AND
THE MANAGER SAID, "YES, THOSE ARE AIRWALK MYRAS.
SO WE KNOW, BASED ON OUR INVESTIGATION, THAT IS THE TREAD
PATTERN THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR >> Reporter: THEN THE MANAGER
TOLD DETECTIVES SOMETHING THEY HADN'T EXPECTED.
>> AND THE MANAGER SAID, "THAT PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT OUR
CLACKAMAS, OREGON LOCATION AND THE REASON WE KNOW THAT, IS
BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY STORE IN OUR DISTRICT THAT DIDN'T HAVE
THE CARPET REPLACED. AND THAT'S THE OLD CARPET YOU
SEE IN THAT PICTURE. >> Reporter: THAT PAYLESS STORE
WAS ABOUT 10 MINUTES FROM MATT AND ANGELA'S APARTMENT
>> AND THE DETECTIVES WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO WALK OVER AND
FIND THE EXACT TILE SQUARE WHERE THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN.
>> Reporter: DETECTIVES PULLED RECORDS SHOWING THAT ON THAT
DAY, NOVEMBER 8th, 7 MONTHS BEFORE ANNIE'S MURDER, ONLY ONE
PAIR OF AIRWALK MYRAS WAS SOLD THEY WERE PURCHASED WITH A
CREDIT CARD. >> THE CREDIT CARD HOLDER WAS
ANGELA McCRAW-HESTER SO OUR INVESTIGATION SHOWS THAT
ANGELA McCRAW-HESTER PURCHASED A PAIR OF NINE -- SIZE NINE AND A
HALF AIRWALK MYRAS THAT IS THE SAME SHOE DESIGN
THAT WAS STAMPED AT OUR CRIME SCENE IN BLOOD
>> Reporter: THAT'S PRETTY GOOD POLICE WORK.
>> SOLID, IT SEEMS >> Reporter: SOLID GOLD, THAT
IS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO GET A JUDGE TO ISSUE AN
ARREST WARRANT >>> COMING UP --
>> WHY AM I BEING ARRESTED, YOU >> Reporter: DETECTIVES HAD
POWERFUL NEW EVIDENCE TYING SOMEONE IN MATT AND ANGELA'S
HOUSEHOLD TO THAT SILVER MAZDA CAUGHT ON CAMERA DRIVING TO
ANNIE'S APARTMENT ON THE NIGHT OF THE MURDER.
AND NOW IT LOOKED AS IF ANGELA HESTER HAD BEEN WEARING
THE BOOTS THAT HAD MADE THOSE SIZE 9 1/2 BLOODY SHOE PRINTS.
THE QUESTION WAS WHETHER ANYONE HAD HELPED HER
IT SOUNDS AS IF YOU CAN PRETTY DEFINITIVELY TIE ANGELA TO
ANNIE'S MURDER AT THAT POINT >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> Reporter: BUT NOT MATT? >> WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ON
MATT AT THAT POINT >> Reporter: THE MURDER VICTIM
IS HIS EX. HE'S ON THE HOOK FOR
40-SOMETHING LARGE HE'S JUST THE INNOCENT
BYSTANDER? OR HE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING
YOU BUY THAT >> NOT AT ALL.
AT THIS POINT, I KNOW HE HAD SOMETHIN' TO DO WITH IT.
I CAN'T PROVE IT >> Reporter: SO INVESTIGATORS
KEPT LOOKING, AND THE CALENDAR KEPT FLIPPING.
>> HELLO TODAY IS SEPTEMBER 5th, 2016,
AND THIS IS MY WEEKLY WRITING VIDEO LOG OF WHAT I'VE BEEN UP
TO >> Reporter: MATT HAD BEGUN
POSTING UPDATES ABOUT HIS LIFE ON YOUTUBE
AND WHAT HE HAD BEEN UP TO WAS EXACTLY WHAT DETECTIVES WANTED
TO KNOW. STILL, SIX MONTHS, A YEAR, NO
ARREST ANNIE'S DAUGHTER ALICE
CELEBRATED HER 5th BIRTHDAY IN THE CARE OF MATT AND ANGELA, THE
PRIME SUSPECTS IN HER MOTHER'S MURDER
>> I WAS VERY FEARFUL FOR ALICE. I WAS ALSO FEARFUL FOR MY OWN
FAMILY I WAS FEARFUL FOR MYSELF
I STARTED WALKING AROUND WITH PEPPER SPRAY IN MY PURSE AND A
STUN GUN AND A KUBOTAN BECAUSE I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE
AND I DEFINITELY DIDN'T FEEL LIKE MY NIECE WAS SAFE
>> IT'S HARD TO WAIT AND NOT KNOW AND KIND OF BE IN THAT
LIMBO STATE. >> Reporter: THAT LIMBO WENT ON
BECAUSE DETECTIVES WERE WAITING ON DNA RESULTS
NOTHING HAD MATCHED MATT OR ANGELA
UNTIL A LAB ANALYST TOLD POLICE ABOUT AN ADVANCE IN FORENSIC
TECHNOLOGY THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE TO GENERATE A DNA PROFILE WITH A
SMALLER SAMPLE OF MATERIAL BINGO.
IT WAS IN OCTOBER OF 2017 THAT DETECTIVE TURNAGE WAS FINALLY
READY TO MAKE HIS MOVE BY THAT TIME, MATT AND ANGELA
HAD MOVED THEIR FAMILY, INCLUDING YOUNG ALICE, 650 MILES
FROM THE PORTLAND AREA TO A NEW HOME HERE IN POCATELLO, IDAHO.
FIRST, THOUGH, INVESTIGATORS DID SOME SURVEILLANCE AND NOTICED
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN AIR MUST HAVE HAD SOME MAGICAL HEALING POWERS
FOR MATT HESTER. >> THEY'RE GOIN' TO COSTCO
MATT IS SLINGIN' CASES OF WATER AND SODA ALL OVER THE PLACE
WITHOUT ANY KIND OF AILMENTS OR ISSUES
>> Reporter: IN FACT, THE MAN WHO WANTED POLICE TO BELIEVE HE
COULD BARELY WALK WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA DOING CHORES LIKE MOWING
HIS LAWN AND THEN ON OCTOBER 4th, LAW
ENFORCEMENT MOVED IN ANGELA HESTER WAS ARRESTED
BAREFOOT AND IN HER PAJAMAS. SHE WAS CHARGED WITH ANNIE'S
MURDER AND SHE DID NOT GO QUIETLY
>> IN THE CAR. >> NO!
>> IN THE CAR. >> I HAVE KIDS WHO ARE GOING TO
BE COMING HOME TELL ME WHY YOU'RE ARRESTING ME.
WHY AM I BEING ARRESTED? I HAVE KIDS AND DOGS
I DON'T UNDERSTAND >> Reporter: THEN, AT THE POLICE
STATION DURING QUESTIONING, DETECTIVE TURNAGE OBSERVED A
TELLING CLUE REMEMBER AT ANNIE'S FUNERAL, AN
UNDERCOVER DETECTIVE SAW A LARGE CUT ON THE BACK OF ANGELA'S
RIGHT HAND >> THE MORE WE SPOKE, THE MORE
SHE BECAME FOCUSED ON WHAT IS NOW A SCAR ON THE BACK OF HER
HAND SHE IS SUBCONSCIOUSLY MASSAGING
THAT SCAR AS WE'RE HAVIN' THIS CONVERSATION
AND THAT NONVERBAL WAS A TELLTALE SIGN AS TO WE WERE
TALKIN' TO THE RIGHT PERSON. >> AND I'M GONNA CUT TO THE
CHASE. OKAY
YOU ARE UNDER ARREST FOR ANNASTASIA'S MURDER.
>> SO YOU'RE SAYING THAT I KILLED HER
>> YEAH. >> OKAY, I WOULD LIKE A LAWYER
IF THAT'S THE CASE >> OKAY.
ALL RIGHT. >> BECAUSE I DIDN'T.
I WAS AT HOME. >> Reporter: BY NOW DETECTIVES
KNEW THAT WASN'T TRUE. USING THAT NEW TESTING METHOD,
THEY'D ALREADY MATCHED DNA FROM ANGELA TO BLOOD LEFT ON THE
KNIFE BLOCK IN ANNIE HESTER'S KITCHEN AND TO BLOOD STAINS IN
THE SILVER MAZDA STILL, ANGELA HADN'T SEEMED TO
UNDERSTAND THAT DNA HAD BEEN HER UNDOING.
>> WE PROVIDED ANGELA SOME WATER DURING THIS INTERVIEW.
AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW, ANGELA TOOK THE WATER CUP AND A
TISSUE THAT SHE HAD, AND SHE HELD THE CUP BY THE RIM.
SHE USED THE TISSUE TO WIPE WHAT WOULD ESSENTIALLY BE HER DNA
OFF, AND THEN USED THE TISSUE TO HOLD THE CUP AS SHE THREW IT
DOWN INTO THE GARBAGE CAN. >> Reporter: SHE'S ALREADY GIVEN
YOU HER DNA AT THAT POINT, RIGHT?
>> CORRECT BUT SHE'S HAD 18 MONTHS OR 16 --
18 MONTHS OF WIPING HER DNA AND CLEANIN' UP HER TRAILS
AND THE SWITCH JUST DIDN'T FLIP INSIDE HER MIND.
AND SHE WIPED HER DNA LIKE SHE'D BEEN DOIN' FOREVER
>> Reporter: NOT OFTEN THAT YOU SEE A MURDER SUSPECT TRYIN' TO
DISPOSE OF EVIDENCE RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU IN THE INTERVIEW
ROOM >> IT'S NOT OFTEN.
>> Reporter: POLICE HAD SUSPECTED MATT AND ANGELA OF
MURDER NOW THEY HAD A CASE AGAINST
ANGELA OH, AND SPEAKING OF MATT
HE WAS AT THE POLICE STATION, TOO.
SHUFFLING AROUND AS USUAL, WITH GREAT EFFORT
>> I JUST WANNA BE DONE SO I CAN GET HOME TO THE KIDS
>> Reporter: IT SEEMS FAIR TO SAY THAT MATT HESTER HAD NO IDEA
WHAT HE WAS IN FOR >> HERE'S THE DEAL, OKAY
OUR INVESTIGATION CLEARLY SHOWS THAT ANGELA COMMITTED THE MURDER
AGAINST ANNASTASIA WE'RE NOT HERE TO DISCUSS IF
THAT HAPPENED. I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK.
IN FACT, YOU'VE BEEN UNDER SURVEILLANCE FOR THE LAST TWO
WEEKS BY THE U.S. MARSHALLS. SO WE GOT YOU WALKING ACROSS THE
PARKING LOT AT COSTCO, TAKING OUT SODA BOXES AND WATER BOTTLES
AND WHATEVER ELSE YOU WERE DOING.
YOU'RE NOT LIMPING YOU'RE NOT WALKING WITH A CANE
I'M NOT BUYING THE FIBROMYALGIA. I'M NOT BUYING IT.
OKAY >> OKAY.
>> Reporter: THE DETECTIVES PULLED OUT PHOTOS OF ANNIE'S
AUTOPSY. >> THAT'S HER.
SHE'S CUT TO - ANGELA TRIED TO DECAPITATE HER,
CUT ALL THE WAY THROUGH HER JAW, STABBED ALL OVER HER FACE,
CARVED A ROMAN NUMERAL ON HER CHEST.
>> Reporter: USING KNIVES TO MAKE THOSE NUMERALS FELT TO
POLICE LIKE AN ATTEMPT BY THE KILLER OR KILLERS TO FOCUS
INVESTIGATORS ON ANNIE'S FRIENDS IN THE PIRATE COMMUNITY.
IF THAT'S WHAT IT WAS, IT DIDN'T WORK
AND BEFORE LONG, MATT HESTER HAD AN EPIPHANY ABOUT ANGELA
>> BASED ON THE EVIDENCE, I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO
ACCEPT THAT SHE DID IT >> Reporter: FROM THERE, MATT
FOLDED FASTER THAN THE OVERNIGHT CREW AT THE GAP, ADMITTING THAT
ON THE EVENING OF THE MURDER, HE WAS SLEEPING WHEN, SOMETIME
AROUND 3:00 A.M., ANGELA WOKE HIM UP
>> LIKE, I JUST WOKE UP. MY WIFE'S PANICKING.
ALL I'M THINKING IS, "OKAY, WHATEVER YOU NEED, LET'S GO GET
YOU TAKEN CARE OF. SO WE GO UPSTAIRS.
I HELP HER GET IN THE SHOWER SHE'S BLEEDING
>> WHAT ARE YOU ASKING HER, AND WHAT IS SHE SAYING?.
>> SHE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING SHE WAS JUST SHAKING
>> OKAY. DID YOU ASK HER WHAT HAPPENED TO
HER? WHY WAS SHE BLEEDING
>> NO, I WAS JUST WORRIED ABOUT GETTING HER CALMED DOWN.
>> Reporter: WAIT A MINUTE HE'S WASHING BLOOD OUT OF HER
HAIR BLOOD'S POOLING IN THE BOTTOM OF
THE SHOWER BUT AT NO TIME DO THE WORDS,
"HONEY, WHAT HAPPENED," CROSS HIS LIPS
>> THAT IS CORRECT IF -- ACCORDING TO HIS STORY
>> SO THE NEXT DAY COPS KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR.
THEY TELL YOU ANNASTASIA'S DEAD. OKAY
YOU KNOW THAT YOUR WIFE CAME HOME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,
CUT UP AND BLOODY. AND YOU HELP HER TAKE A SHOWER
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? IN YOUR MIND, EVEN THOUGH YOU
DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE IT, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING
>> IT'S POSSIBLE THAT SHE HAD DONE IT.
>> Reporter: THAT DAY, THE DAY AFTER THE MURDER, MATT ADMITTED
CLEANING BLOOD STAINS FROM THE SILVER MAZDA AND LYING TO POLICE
ABOUT ALL OF IT. HE CONTINUED TO DENY ANY PART IN
THE PLANNING OF THE MURDER UNTIL THAT STORY CHANGED, TOO.
>> WHO ELSE WAS INVOLVED IN THIS
AND THIS IS WHERE YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT IT
BECAUSE IF IT WASN'T YOU, IT WAS SOMEBODY ELSE.
WHO ELSE WAS INVOLVED IN THIS? >> SHE TALKED ABOUT HIRING
SOMEONE. >> Reporter: AND THE NAME MATT
MENTIONED, WELL, IT WAS ONE THAT HAD CROSSED HIS WIFE'S LIPS
BEFORE SOMETHING ABOUT "IN GOOD TIMES
AND BAD. >>> COMING UP --
HAD ANGELA BEEN SHOPPING FOR A HITMAN
>> LIKE, SHE TALKED ABOUT HIRING HER EX-HUSBAND
>> OKAY. AARON?
>> YEAH.
AARON TURNAGE HAD JUST ABOUT HAD IT WITH MATT HESTER'S EVASIVE
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO MIGHT HAVE HELPED HIS CURRENT
WIFE, ANGELA, MURDER HIS EX-WIFE ANNIE.
THEN, ABOUT 90 MINUTES INTO THE INTERROGATION, MATT DROPPED
THIS >> LIKE, SHE TALKED ABOUT HIRING
HER EX-HUSBAND >> OKAY, AARON
>> YEAH. >> Reporter: AARON McCRAW.
REMEMBER HIM ANGELA'S EX-HUSBAND.
THE FATHER OF TWO OF HER CHILDREN, AND, AN OCCASIONAL
ROOMMATE AT MATT AND ANGELA'S PLACE.
SOMEONE POLICE HAD ALREADY ASKED ABOUT HIS WHEREABOUTS ON THE
NIGHT OF THE MURDER. >> I WAS NOT AT HOME
I WAS AT MY GIRLFRIEND'S >> Reporter: IT MADE SENSE THEN.
NOW? POLICE WEREN'T SURE.
ACCORDING TO MATT, WHAT WAS THE REASONING BEHIND HIRING
AARON McCRAW TO DO THE MURDER? IS HE A KILLER
>> HE'S NOT A KILLER, YOU KNOW, ACCORDING TO MATT.
BUT HE WAS SOMEBODY THEY KNEW AND TRUSTED AND WOULD AGREE TO
DO IT. >> I CAN RECALL THAT WE TALKED
ABOUT MURDER FOR HIRE. >> Reporter: MATT TOLD POLICE
THE DISCUSSIONS WITH AARON HAPPENED MONTHS BEFORE THE
MURDER, IN THE THICK OF THE CHILD CUSTODY FIGHT OVER ALICE
HE SAID HE WAS ABLE TO RECALL SOME OF WHAT THEY'D TALKED
ABOUT. >> DRESS ALL IN BLACK.
I CAN RECALL THE NUMBER THAT WAS THROWN OUT WAS LIKE $15,000.
>> Reporter: ULTIMATELY, MATT SAID THE PLAN FELL APART,
BECAUSE GIVEN THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION, HE AND ANGELA DIDN'T
ACTUALLY HAVE THE CASH TO HIRE A KILLER
AND ACCORDING TO MATT, THAT'S THE ONLY REASON THE PLAN FAILED,
NOT THAT AARON SAID, "I WON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT.
>> MATT THREW ANGELA UNDER THE BUS ON THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND
SAID SHE IS THE ONE THAT DID ALL THE TALKING.
>> Reporter: THE THING WAS, NOBODY REALLY SEEMED TO KNOW IF
ANGELA COMMITTED THE MURDER ON HER OWN.
AND THAT GAVE THE DETECTIVE AN IDEA
>> HERE'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO DO.
>> Reporter: WITH AARON McCRAW AND HIS FIANCEE ON THEIR WAY TO
IDAHO, AT THAT VERY MOMENT, TO PICK UP THE KIDS HE SHARED WITH
ANGELA, THE DETECTIVE ASKED MATT TO GET ON THE PHONE AND GET
AARON TO TALK. >> YOU CALL HIM, DISCUSS THE
MURDER FOR HIRE PLOT, MEANING, "WERE YOU DRIVING?
WHAT DO YOU KNOW I GOT TO KNOW WHAT TO TELL THE
COPS." >> Reporter: MATT AGREED
AND MINUTES LATER -- >> HELLO
>> HEY, IS AARON THERE >> YEAH.
HOLD ON. >> THANKS.
>> LET ME PUT YOU ON SPEAKER >> YEP
>> OKAY, WHAT'S UP >> HEY, UM, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU
GUYS KNOW, BUT, UH, ANGELA GOT ARRESTED
>> I HEARD YOU WERE ARRESTED >> NO ANGELA'S THE ONE WHO GOT
ARRESTED I JUST GOT OUT OF THE POLICE
STATION. I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR STORY IS
THE SAME, UM, WHEN I GO IN AND TALK TO THEM AGAIN
SO, I -- I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOU KNOW, BUT LIKE, DID SHE TALK TO
YOU AT ALL >> I KNOW NOTHING.
>> YOU KNOW NOTHING. SO -
>> NO. >> SO YOU WEREN'T INVOLVED IN
THIS AT ALL? >> NO.
>> DIDN'T HELP HER DRIVE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT
>> NO. >> I JUST WANNA KNOW IF -- IF
ANGELA GOT AHOLD OF SOMEONE TO HELP HER OR IF SHE DID IT ON HER
OWN, SO I KNOW WHAT TO TELL THE COPS WHEN THEY ASK ME.
AARON? AARON?
>> HE HUNG UP. >> AFTER WE HUNG UP, I WAS
GOING, "THAT'S A REALLY WEIRD CONVERSATION
I BET HE'S STILL IN POLICE CUSTODY.
>> Reporter: THIS IS EMILY, NOW AARON McCRAW'S WIFE.
AND AARON McCRAW - WHAT'S IT BEEN LIKE TO BE CAUGHT
IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS? >> IT'S BEEN VERY MUCH LIKE
BEING CAUGHT IN A TORNADO. >> Reporter: AARON
>> I'M JUST TRYING NOT TO HAVE A PTSD MOMENT AT THE MOMENT.
>> Reporter: YOU DIDN'T HAVE PTSD BEFORE ALL THIS
>> NO, I HAVE PANIC ATTACKS. >> Reporter: THAT'S RIGHT.
AARON McCRAW SAYS AFTER THAT CALL, POLICE BROUGHT HIM IN FOR
AN INTERROGATION AND A POLYGRAPH.
AND THAT'S WHAT GAVE HIM PTSD, FOR WHICH HE SAYS HE'S BEEN
DIAGNOSED AND TAKES MEDICATION >> I DON'T REMEMBER ANY OF
THE -- THE INTERVIEW OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN POCATELLO LIKE, MY
BRAIN HAS COMPLETELY BLOCKED IT OUT.
>> Reporter: YOU DIDN'T GET THE PTSD IN THE MILITARY, AND YOU
DIDN'T GET IT FROM SOME VIOLENT EVENT IN YOUR OWN LIFE
>> NO. >> Reporter: YOU GOT IT FROM
BEING ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT MURDER JUST LIKE I'M ASKING YOU
NOW? >> UH-HUH.
>> Reporter: THE DIFFERENCE IS I'M NOT THREATENING TO ARREST
YOU AFTERWARDS >> UH-HUH.
>> Reporter: UH-HUH. YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE CALL
WHERE MATT SAYS TO YOU, "REMEMBER THAT TIME I TRIED TO
GET YOU TO KILL ANNASTASIA?" >> NO.
>> Reporter: HM. BUT YOU REMEMBER THAT THAT
DIDN'T HAPPEN? >> YEAH.
>> Reporter: YOU NEVER HAD ANY CONVERSATION WITH MATT ABOUT
KILLING ANYBODY? >> NO.
>> Reporter: OKAY. THAT'S -- I JUST WANT TO BE
CLEAR. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU
DON'T REMEMBER YOU REMEMBER THAT THAT DIDN'T
HAPPEN >> UH-HUH.
>> Reporter: AARON, HYPOTHETICALLY, IF MATT EVER HAD
ASKED YOU TO KILL ANNASTASIA, ANNIE, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE SAID?
>> HELL NO END OF STORY, WALKED AWAY.
>> Reporter: WHY WOULD HE MAKE THAT UP?
WHY WOULD HE DRAG YOU INTO THIS? >> THE ONLY THING I CAN THINK
OF, IS TO KEEP THE KIDS FROM ME. >> THROUGH THIS WHOLE PROCESS,
THEY'VE NEVER WANTED AARON TO HAVE CUSTODY OF THE KIDS
>> Reporter: SO YOU THINK THIS WHOLE THING ABOUT YOU BEING A
PROPOSED HIT MAN IS JUST MADE UP FROM THEM?
>> YES >> Reporter: DETECTIVE TURNAGE
DOES NOT BUY AARON'S DENIALS >> I DO BELIEVE THERE WERE
CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN MATT AND ANGELA AND AARON McCRAW ABOUT
THE MURDER >> Reporter: WELL, DEPENDING ON
WHEN AND HOW YOU ASK HIM, AARON EITHER SAYS THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN,
OR HE SAYS, "IF IT DID HAPPEN, I DON'T REMEMBER IT.
AND HE SAYS HE HAS PTSD FROM YOU ASKING HIM QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.
DO YOU BELIEVE ANY OF THAT >> NO.
>> Reporter: YOU THINK HIS PTSD IS AN ACT?
>> I DO THINK IT'S AN ACT TO GET AWAY FROM ANSWERING THE TOUGH
QUESTIONS. >> Reporter: POLICE ADMIT THERE
IS NO EVIDENCE, NONE, OTHER THAN THE CLAIMS MADE BY MATT HESTER,
THAT AARON McCRAW TALKED ABOUT HIRING ON AS A HITMAN TO KILL
ANNIE. >> Reporter: WHY DO YOU THINK
THEY WOULD JUST TAKE MATT'S WORD
>> I HAVE NO IDEA. >> Reporter: THEY DID BELIEVE
MATT IN FACT, THEY THINK YOU'RE LYIN'
NOW. NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT THAT, I
GUESS? >> NO.
>> Reporter: NO. A LOT OF QUESTIONS
NOT AS MANY ANSWERS. AND SO, BOTH AARON McCRAW AND
MATT HESTER WALKED OUT OF THE POLICE STATION AS FREE MEN
SO -- THE END? NOT BY A LONG SHOT
>>> COMING UP -- >> YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY,
"FOLLOW THE MONEY. >> MATT HESTER WANTED TO KNOW
HOW HE COULD GET A PAYOUT OF THE >>> WHY DON'T YOU JUST HANG OUT
HERE FOR JUST A SECOND >> Reporter: ANGELA HESTER WAS
UNDER ARREST IN IDAHO. AND THEN INVESTIGATORS SERVED A
SEARCH WARRANT AND COLLECTED FROM HER ANY EVIDENCE THEY
NEEDED FOR THEIR CASE. BEFORE LONG, ANGELA WAS ON HER
WAY BACK TO OREGON, IN HANDCUFFS, ON A CHARGE THAT
CARRIED THE DEATH PENALTY. >> IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST BRUTAL
CRIMES THAT I'VE EVER PARTICIPATED IN, IN THE
INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION. >> Reporter: PROSECUTOR DAVID
HANNON >> IT WAS A HOME INVASION, A
BREAK-IN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
SOMEONE'S STARTLED FROM THEIR SLEEP, STABBED MULTIPLE TIMES.
IT'S ONE OF THE SCARIEST CASES I'VE EVER SEEN
>> Reporter: AND NOT JUST MURDER
LIKE, TORTURE. >> THAT'S HOW WE CHARGED IT,
ABSOLUTELY THE AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE THAT
ANNIE HAD TO ENDURE IS REALLY UNSPEAKABLE.
>> Reporter: ANGELA WAS FACING A LETHAL INJECTION
AND MATT WELL, HE WASN'T FACING MUCH OF A
LIFE CHANGE AT ALL IN FACT, EVEN THOUGH HE'D
ADMITTED TO PARTICIPATING IN DISCUSSIONS RELATED TO ANNIE'S
MURDER, CLEANING UP BLOOD AFTERWARD, AND THEN LYING TO
POLICE, MATT FACED ONLY A RESISTING ARREST CHARGE, WHICH
WAS LATER DISMISSED, AND RETURNED TO THE HOUSE HE'D
SHARED WITH ANGELA IN POCATELLO. THE PLACE WAS MOSTLY EMPTY, ALL
FOUR KIDS DUMPED INTO FOSTER CARE
INCLUDING LITTLE ALICE ONLY THEIR VERY COMMITTED
ROOMMATE, ANGELA'S BEST FRIEND KORINA, WAS STILL THERE.
WHAT'S GOIN' ON WITH HIM >> ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
>> Reporter: HE'S STILL SITTIN' IN HIS RECLINER PLAYIN' VIDEO
GAMES? >> NO, HE SAT ON HIS BED, PLAYED
VIDEOGAMES THE WHOLE TIME, WHILE I WORKED AND WORKED OVERTIME
>> Reporter: I MEAN, LOOK, IF YOU THINK HE'S INVOLVED, THEN
WHY ARE YOU LETTING HIM LIVE WITH YOU
>> BECAUSE I HAD MY COMPUTER ON AND I WAS HOPIN' HE WOULD SAY
SOMETHIN' SO HE'D GO AND TURNED OUT TO BE ALL HE DID
WAS SIT IN HIS ROOM. >> Reporter: FINALLY, SAID
KORINA, SHE KICKED HIM OUT MATT WENT TO LIVE WITH A FRIEND
IN WASHINGTON STATE. AS FOR POLICE IN GRESHAM, THEY
KEPT WORKING TRYING TO FIND EVIDENCE TYING MATT TO ANNIE'S
MURDER AND NOW WOULD SEEM LIKE A GOOD
TIME TO TELL YOU THEY DID FIND THIS
A WEEK AFTER THE MURDER, DETECTIVE TURNAGE RECEIVED A
PHONE CALL FROM A WOMAN WHO WORKED AT A LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY. >> SHE SAID THAT SHE'D RECEIVED
A CALL FROM MATT HESTER. AND MATT HESTER WANTED TO KNOW
HOW HE COULD GET A PAYOUT OF THE $100,000 LIFE INSURANCE POLICY
THAT ANNIE HAD THAT HE BELIEVED HE WAS THE BENEFICIARY OF.
>> Reporter: 100K. OKAY, MINUS THE MONEY MATT OWED
IN BACK CHILD SUPPORT AND LEGAL FEES
I'LL DO THE MATH FOR YOU MATT APPARENTLY THOUGHT HE'D
COME AWAY WITH A CLEAN SLATE AND MORE THAN $50,000.
IT'S A LOT OF MONEY IF YOU'RE IN HIS SHOES.
A PIECE OF KNOWLEDGE THAT SOMEHOW ELUDED MATT WAS THAT
ANNIE ACTUALLY HAD TWO LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES
ONE FROM WORK. ANOTHER, PERSONAL.
TOTAL VALUE OF BOTH POLICIES >> I BELIEVE $125,000.
>> Reporter: THE SURPRISE FOR MATT
HE WAS ENTITLED TO NEITHER WHO WAS THE BENEFICIARY?
>> WELL, WHEN THE POLICY WAS ORIGINALLY INITIATED, IT WAS
MATT THEY WERE MARRIED AT THE TIME.
BUT AFTER THEY GOT DIVORCED, ANNIE WENT IN AND HAD IT
CHANGED. THE MAIN ONE IS ANNIE'S MOM --
BENEFICIARY. THE WORK ONE OF $25,000 WAS IN
THE DAUGHTER'S NAME. >> Reporter: AND THE WOMAN FROM
THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOLD YOU THAT MATT CLEARLY HAD NOT KNOWN
THAT HE WAS NO LONGER THE BENEFICIARY?
>> CORRECT >> Reporter: TO A SUSPICIOUS GUY
LIKE DETECTIVE TURNAGE, THE IDEA THAT MATT THOUGHT ANNIE'S DEATH
MIGHT GET HIM OUT OF DEBT FELT SIGNIFICANT.
AND TOGETHER WITH ALL THE OTHER EVIDENCE, WHAT IT FELT LIKE WAS
MOTIVE AND SO IN JUNE 2019, A FULL
3 YEARS AFTER ANNIE'S MURDER, INVESTIGATORS FINALLY MADE THEIR
MOVE AND TOOK MATT HESTER INTO CUSTODY.
>> I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON YET, SO
>> Reporter: IF THAT WAS TRUE, IT MIGHT HAVE MEANT ONLY THAT
MATT DIDN'T YET KNOW THE SPECIFIC CHARGE HE'D BE FACING
>> YOU ARE UNDER ARREST FOR CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MURDER AND
SOLICITATION TO COMMIT MURDER, THE MURDER OF ANNASTASIA HESTER.
THAT IS WHY WE'RE HERE TALKING TO YOU
>> SIGNATURE ON THAT LINE, PLEASE, IF YOU CHOOSE TO WAIVE
YOUR RIGHTS. >> NO, I WOULD LIKE A LAWYER
>> WE CHARGED MATT FOR SOLICITATION BASED ON HIS OWN
ADMISSIONS THAT HE SOLICITED AARON McCRAW TO KILL ANNIE
WE HAD CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE TO THAT CONFESSION, BASED ON HIS
BEHAVIOR BEFORE THE HOMICIDE WITH HIS MOTIVE, AND AFTER THE
MURDER BASED ON HIM TRYING TO COLLECT ON WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS
THE BENEFICIARY OF THE LIFE INSURANCE POLICY, AS WELL AS THE
FACT THAT WE KNEW PHYSICAL EVIDENCE WAS DESTROYED AND HIM
ADMITTING TO IT BY CLEANING UP ANGELA AFTER THE MURDER.
>> ALL RIGHT, MATT THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT WAS NICE SEEING YOU AGAIN >> Reporter: MATT AND
ANGELA HESTER WOULD SOON BE UNDER ONE ROOF AGAIN
NOT AT THEIR HOME. AT A PORTLAND AREA SLAMMER
SO NOW THE QUESTION WAS, "WHO'D TURN ON WHO?
YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW IT GOES FIRST SQUEAL GETS THE DEAL
>>> COMING UP -- WHO, IF ANYONE, TALKS FIRST?
>> Reporter: LOVE'S A WONDERFUL THING.
>> IT'S A TIGHT BOND
SAYING IN CRIMINAL LAW WHOEVER GETS TO THE COURTHOUSE
FIRST WINS MEANING THE FIRST ONE TO SPILL
CAN CUT A DEAL IN EXCHANGE FOR COOPERATION AND MAYBE LESS TIME
IN THE JOINT SO MATT GETS LOCKED UP, AND
ANGELA'S LOCKED UP THIS IS THE TIME WHEN ONE OF
THEM ROLLS ON THE OTHER. RIGHT?
>> CORRECT >> Reporter: MATT HAD PLEADED
NOT GUILTY TO CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY TO MURDER ANNIE, AS
WELL AS TO SOLICITATION IN CONNECTION WITH WHAT PROSECUTORS
SAID WAS A PLOT TO HIRE A HITMAN, AND TO HINDERING
PROSECUTION. ANGELA HAD PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO
CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED MURDER SHE FACED THE DEATH PENALTY.
>> WE BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS A VERY STRONG CASE THAT WE FELT
VERY COMFORTABLE TAKING TO TRIAL.
>> Reporter: THE BIG DEVELOPMENT CAME FROM OREGON'S STATE
CAPITOL. BEFORE ANGELA COULD BE TRIED,
STATE LEGISLATORS IN 2019 NARROWED THE CRIMES
ELIGIBLE FOR THE DEATH PENALTY >> WHEN THE LEGISLATURE CHANGED
THE MURDER STATUTE PRIOR TO OUR TRIAL, OUR CHARGES DID NOT
QUALIFY AS AGGRAVATED MURDER WHEN THE LAW CHANGED, IT
QUALIFIED AS MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE
SO IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE LAW CHANGED, THE DEATH PENALTY WAS
NEVER A POSSIBILITY IN THIS CASE
>> Reporter: THAT WAS ONE COMPLICATION
THE OTHER WAS THIS ANGELA WASN'T TALKING WITH
POLICE OR PROSECUTORS ABOUT A PLEA DEAL OR ANYTHING ELSE
>> WE ACTUALLY NEVER HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HER.
>> Reporter: AS FOR MATT, WHO WAS FACING ONLY 8 1/2 YEARS
BEHIND BARS? >> I ABSOLUTELY THOUGHT THAT BY
THE TIME, YOU KNOW, MATT'S DEFENSE COUNSEL READ THROUGH
DISCOVERY, THAT THERE WOULD BE A CONVERSATION
>> Reporter: AND THAT CONVERSATION WOULD HAVE BEEN,
"IF YOU TESTIFY AGAINST YOUR WIFE, YOU MIGHT KNOCK SOME YEARS
OFF. >> CORRECT
BUT WHEN WE WENT TO THOSE INTERVIEWS WITH MATT, MATT
CONTINUED TO TELL OBVIOUS LIES, THINGS THAT JUST DEFIED REALITY.
AND WE DECIDED THAT HE WAS NOT WILLIN' TO HAVE AN HONEST
CONVERSATION WITH US >> Reporter: BUT HE WON'T ROLL
ON HER AND SHE WON'T ROLL ON HIM.
>> CORRECT >> Reporter: LOVE'S A WONDERFUL
THING. >> IT'S A TIGHT BOND
>> Reporter: AND SO THE FIRST SHOE FELL IN NOVEMBER 2020
IF YOU'VE BEEN KEEPING TRACK, IT WAS A SIZE 9 1/2
ANGELA HESTER PLEADED GUILTY TO MURDERING ANNIE.
HER SENTENCE -- 25 TO LIFE SHE'LL BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR
PAROLE IN 2042, WHEN SHE'LL BE 60.
>> FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, GIVEN THE BRUTALITY OF THIS OFFENSE,
WE FELT THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE WAS FAR MORE REMOTE THAN
OTHER TYPES OF CASES >> Reporter: YOU'RE GONNA SHOW
UP AT HER PAROLE HEARING 25 YEARS LATER
>> I HOPE SO, IF I'M STILL WALKING AROUND ON THIS EARTH,
ABSOLUTELY >> Reporter: ANGELA HAS NOT
RESPONDED TO OUR MANY REQUESTS FOR AN INTERVIEW
HOWEVER, HER BEST FRIEND KORINA STILL VISITS ANGELA IN THE BIG
HOUSE AND SAYS THAT WHEN SHE ASKS ANGELA ABOUT THE CASE, SHE
GETS THIS ANSWER >> SHE SAID SHE WASN'T TALKING
ABOUT THAT THAT WAS BETWEEN HER AND GOD
>> Reporter: AS FOR ANNIE'S BEST FRIEND NICOLE, SHE HAS TAKEN A
PERHAPS UNORTHODOX AND SYMPATHETIC VIEW TOWARD ANGELA
>> I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT ANGELA WOULD LET HERSELF GET PLAYED
LIKE THAT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, SHE'S A VICTIM HERE IN THIS TOO,
IN A SENSE >> Reporter: ANGELA IS
>> YEAH. SHE DID MATT'S DIRTY WORK, AND
NOW HER LIFE IS RUINED AS WELL >> Reporter: I MEAN, ANGELA WAS
IN ANNIE'S APARTMENT ANGELA DID THE STABBING.
BUT YOU THINK IT MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN MATT'S HAND ON THE
KNIFE? >> ABSOLUTELY.
ANGELA WAS MATT'S WEAPON >> Reporter: AND MATT?
HE DIDN'T RESPOND TO OUR REQUESTS FOR INTERVIEWS EITHER
BUT HE DID EVENTUALLY TAKE A DEAL, ONE THAT DID NOT REQUIRE
FLIPPING ON HIS BETTER HALF. IN AUGUST 2021, PROSECUTORS
DROPPED THE CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MURDER CHARGE IN AN EFFORT TO
PRESERVE THEIR SHOT AT MAYBE ONE DAY FILING MURDER CHARGES
AGAINST HIM AND AVOIDING ANY ISSUES WITH DOUBLE JEOPARDY.
IN EXCHANGE, MATT PLEADED GUILTY TO HINDERING PROSECUTION AND TO
SOLICITING AARON McCRAW TO KILL ANNIE.
A JUDGE SENTENCED MATT TO LESS THAN FIVE YEARS IN PRISON.
HE'LL BE ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE IN MARCH 2023, LESS THAN A YEAR
FROM NOW IT'S AN OUTCOME THAT LEFT MANY
FEELING AS IF JUSTICE WAS BOTH DELAYED AND DENIED
YOU THINK MATT'S GETTIN' AWAY WITH MURDER HERE
>> I REALLY DO HE SHOULD'VE ALSO BEEN CHARGED
WITH MURDER. >> Reporter: DETECTIVE TURNAGE
STILL HOPES THAT DAY WILL COME YOU THINK WE'VE SEEN THE LAST
CHARGES FILED IN THIS? >> I DON'T THINK SO.
>> Reporter: YOU DON'T THINK SO, OR YOU HOPE NOT?
>> BOTHM THE COURTS HAVE LEFT IT OPEN WHERE IF WE FIND MORE
EVIDENCE, SPECIFICALLY, MATT HESTER COULD BE CHARGED,
YOU KNOW, WITH MURDER. IF WE FIND EVIDENCE SHOWING THAT
HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HER -- OR KNEW ABOUT OR PARTICIPATED AHEAD
OF TIME. >> Reporter: YOU THINK THAT'S
WHAT HAPPENED? >> I THINK MATT HESTER HAD A LOT
MORE TO DO WITH THIS MURDER THAN HE HAS LET ON.
>> Reporter: HERE'S WHAT POLICE THINK HAPPENED THAT NIGHT.
AFTER LOSING THE CUSTODY CASE, MATT AND ANGELA WERE ANGRY DUE
TO BOTH THE DECISION AND THE DEBTS THEY NOW OWED.
DETECTIVES BELIEVE THEY TRIED AND FAILED TO HIRE A HITMAN
BEFORE ANGELA DECIDED TO JUST DO IT HERSELF
THERE'S NO SIGN ANYONE BUT ANGELA WAS IN ANNIE'S APARTMENT.
SO DID MATT OR SOMEONE ELSE HELP HER, ADVISE HER, OR DRIVE HER
ACROSS TOWN? RIGHT NOW, THERE'S NO WAY TO
KNOW AS FOR ALICE, THE NOW
10-YEAR-OLD PRODUCT OF MATT AND ANNIE'S MARRIAGE
IT TOOK YEARS OF FIGHTING IN COURT, BUT ANNIE'S MOM WAS
ALLOWED TO ADOPT HER ALICE, WE ARE TOLD, IS A HAPPY
AND WELL ADJUSTED LITTLE GIRL. AND AFTER THE PARENTAL WHIRLWIND
SHE WAS CAUGHT IN, WHERE THE LINES BETWEEN LOVE AND HATE AND
MONEY WERE BLURRED AGAIN AND AGAIN, MAYBE COMING THROUGH IT
IN ONE PIECE IS THE BEST POSSIBLE NEWS.
SO WE SAVED IT FOR LAST. >>> 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. FOR ALL OF US AT NBC NEWS, GOOD
NIGHT.