*
>>> THE DISAPPEARANCE OF RAY
WRIGHT WAS A COMPLETE MYSTERY.
THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION OF WHY
HE WAS GONE.
>> THE FIRST REAL BREAK IS WHEN
YOUR UNCLE DEAN WENT TO YOUR
FATHER'S HOUSE AND FOUND AN
INTRUDER IN THE HOUSE.
DID IT STRIKE YOU ALL AS, OKAY,
THAT SEEMS TOO COINCIDENTAL?
OUR DAD IS MISSING AND THERE IS
A GUY IN HIS HOUSE?
>> YEAH.
100%.
BECAUSE IT WAS JUST, IT WAS
SCARY.
>> RAY WRIGHT HAS BEEN MISSING
SINCE FRIDAY WHEN HE FAILED TO
SHOW UP FOR A MEETING AT WORK.
>> THIS CASE WAS A SERIES OF
MYSTERIES.
YOU HAVE AN AM/PM SODA CUP LIKE
WOULD YOU PICK UP AT THE GAS
STATION.
>> THAT WAS THE ONE PIECE OF
EVIDENCE LEFT BY THE BURGLAR AT
THE VICTIM'S RESIDENCE.
>> IN WHICH WE GET SOME KEY
FORENSIC EVIDENCE.
AND THEN THAT EVIDENCE IS LINKED
TO A CAR WRECK AND AS GROUND
UNITS ARRIVED, IT WAS LIKE THE
SCENE OUT OF A MOVIE.
>> INSIDE THAT VAN IS JUST A
TREASURE TROVE OF EVIDENCE.
>> A RAIN JACKET COVERED IN
BLOOD --
>> AND A LETTER.
I HAND-DELIVERED YOU YOUR
REVENGE.
NOW IT'S TIME TO PAY ME.
>> ALL THAT ADDED UP TO SOMEONE
HAS GOT RAY.
>> I KNEW SOMETHING BAD WAS
HAPPENING TO HIM.
I FELT IT.
>> IT WAS WEEKS TO MONTHS TO
THEN YEARS WITHOUT REALLY
KNOWING, RIGHT?
YEARS OF NOT KNOWING.
YEP.
>> THROUGHOUT THE CASE IT WAS
CLEAR THAT MANY OF THE WITNESSES
WERE AFRAID TO COME FORWARD.
>> I'M TERRIFIED OF THEM.
ALL OF THEM.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO IT GOOD ME
KILLED.
>> I CAN'T HELP YOU.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO GET ME
KILLED.
>> 100% OF THE TRUTHFUL WHAT
HAPPENED TO RAY?
>> I DON'T KNOW.
>> WHAT HAPPENED TO RAY?
>> I DON'T KNOW.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO
RAY.
>> OFFICERS IN THE FAMILY ARE
LEFT WITH ESSENTIALLY A PERSON
THAT HAS VANISHED OFF THE FACE
OF THE EARTH.
*
>>> DEAN WRIGHT WAS NERVOUS.
>> WHERE'S RAY?
>> IT WAS SATURDAY MORNING,
JANUARY 13th, 2018, IN
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.
>> I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHERE
RAY IS.
>> DEAN HADN'T HEARD FROM HIS
YOUNGER BROTHER RAY IN TWO DAYS.
HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR BROTHERS WHO
SPOKE EVERY DAY WITHOUT FAIL.
>> ALL OF A SUDDEN, MIDDLE OF
JANUARY, THERE IS JUST NOTHING.
>> NOTHING.
>> NO PHONE CALL.
NO TEXTS, NO SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS.
>> NOTHING.
>> RAY WRIGHT, 55, HAD MISSED
WORK.
NO ONE HAD SEEN OR HEARD FROM
HIM INCLUDING HIS DAUGHTERS
HALEY AND KENNEDY.
>> SHE CALLED ME AND SAID HAVE
YOU HEARD FROM DAD?
NO ONE HAS HEARD FROM HIM.
>> I IMMEDIATELY HUNG UP AND
CALLED HIM AND I CALLED AND I
CALLED AND I CALLED.
STRAIGHT TO VOICEMAIL EVERY
TIME.
>> SO I WAS GETTING INCREASINGLY
CONCERNED.
>> DEAN HAD REPEATEDLY CHECKED
HIS BROTHER'S HOUSE IN ROCKLIN,
A SACRAMENTO SUBURB.
AND THE SHOP RAY RENTED IN RIO
LINDA FOR HIS WORK AS A MASTER
CARPENTER.
NOTHING SEEMED UNUSUAL EXCEPT
THE SILENCE OF RAY'S ABSENCE.
>> AND YOU DIDN'T SEE HIS TRUCK.
>> NO.
HIS TRUCK WAS NOT THERE.
>> YOU'RE PANICKED AT THIS
POINT.
>> RIGHT.
>> I THINK THE FIRST COUPLE DAYS
WAS WHEN IT REALLY STARTED TO
GET REAL AND SERIOUS.
>> I FELT REALLY POWERLESS OVER
THE SITUATION.
IT WAS REALLY SCARY.
IT WAS THE WORST THING THAT
COULD HAVE EVER HAPPENED.
>> RAY'S EX-WIFE PEGGY WRIGHT
WAS ALSO UPSET.
>> I KNEW RIGHT AWAY WHEN HE WAS
OUT OF TOUCH THAT THERE WAS
SOMETHING WRONG.
>> ALTHOUGH THEY WERE NO LONGER
MARRIED, PEGGY STILL CONSIDERED
RAY TO BE THE LOVE OF HER LIFE.
>> WAS HE ROMANTIC?
>> HE WAS SUPER ROMANTIC.
>> THEY MARRIED IN JUNE OF 994.
AND RAY BECAME AN INSTANT DAD TO
STEP DAUGHTER HALEY.
THEN 3 YEARS OLD.
>> HE WAS MEANT TO BE A FATHER
AND HE WAS SO GOOD WITH HER.
>> HE WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME.
FIRST MALE ROLE MODEL, AND HE
ALWAYS DID EVERYTHING TO THE
FULLEST.
>> ALONG CAME KENNEDY, NEARLY
THREE YEARS LATER.
SHE SAID HER FATHER, A LOVING
HANDS-ON DAD, WOULD NEVER JUST
UP AND DISAPPEAR.
>> HE WAS LIKE A T-BALL DAD.
AND HE WOULD LIKE TAKE ME
FISHING.
>> SOCCER.
>> SOCCER DAD.
SWIM MEETS.
HE COULD DO IT ALL.
>> YEAH.
>> HE COULD DO IT ALL.
HE WAS GOOD AT EVERYTHING.
>> BUT AFTER SEVERAL GOOD YEARS,
PEGGY SAYS, THE COUPLE FOUND
THEMSELVES DRIFTING APART.
>> HE WAS SO BUSY WORKING.
I WAS BUSY PARENTING AND I ALSO
WORKED.
>> THEY DIVORCED IN 2001.
RAY REMARRIED AND DIVORCED AGAIN
IN 2009.
>> IT IT WAS THE END OF HIS
SECOND MARRIAGE THAT KIND OF PUT
HIM OVER THE EDGE.
THAT'S WHEN HE FELL OFF THE
WAGON AT ALMOST 20 YEARS SOBER.
>> RAY WRIGHT, A RECOVERING
ALCOHOLIC, HAD STAYED SOBER FOR
MOST OF HIS ADULT LIFE.
WHEN HE WENT MISSING, PEGGY
WORRIED HE WAS IN TROUBLE.
>> YOU THINK, OH, GOSH, MAYBE HE
HAD A SETBACK OR SOMETHING.
>> HE WAS SOBER DURING YOUR
MARRIAGE.
>> OH, YEAH.
>> IT WAS RAY'S RELAPSE AFTER
HIS SECOND MARRIAGE THAT SPARKED
A DOWNWARD SPIRAL, EXPLODING ONE
NIGHT IN NOVEMBER 2011, WHEN RAY
GOT IN A CAR AND DROVE DRUNK.
HE SLAMMED HEAD-ON INTO A
VEHICLE, SEVERELY INJURING A
HUSBAND AND WIFE.
RAY THEN 49, WAS CONVICTED OF
FELONY DUI AND SENTENCED TO 18
MONTHS IN JAIL.
>> I THINK THAT WAS ROCK BOTTOM
FOR HIM.
>> YEAH.
ROCK BOTTOM WAS GETTING IN THIS
DEVASTATING ACCIDENT, YEAH.
>> AND HURTING PEOPLE IN THE
MIDST OF IT.
>> RAY IMMEDIATELY STOPPED
DRINKING, REJOINED ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS AND CHECKED IN WITH
HIS SPONSOR EVERY DAY.
>> THE RAY AFTER THAT TIME WAS
EVEN BETTER THAN THE RAY PRIOR
TO THAT TIME.
BECAUSE HE WANTED TO BE THE BEST
VERSION OF RAY WRIGHT THAT HE
COULD BE.
>> JUST WEEKS BEFORE HE WENT
MISSING --
>> THIS IS THE LAST
THANKSGIVING --
>> RAY SPENT THANKSGIVING AND
CRISTMAS WITH HIS GROWING
FAMILY, CELEBRATIONS THAT
INCLUDED RAY'S FIRST
GRANDDAUGHTER, ASHTYN.
>> THAT'S ASHTYN WHEN SHE WAS
REALLY SMALL.
>> PROUD MOM HALEY WAS THRILLED
FOR HER DAD.
>> HE WAS SUPER EXCITED.
HE BUILT HER A CUSTOM CRIB.
HE LOVED BEING A GRANDPA AND SHE
LOVED GRANDPA.
>> RAY WAS AT SUCH A GREAT SPOT
IN HIS LIFE.
HE HAD IT ALL.
>> AND THEN HE DISAPPEARED.
BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON, ON
JANUARY 13th, MORE THAN 48 HOURS
HAD PASSED WITHOUT A SINGLE SIGN
OF RAY.
DEAN WRIGHT WENT BACK TO HIS
BROTHER'S HOUSE YET AGAIN,
KNOCKED ON THE DOOR, THEN LET
HIMSELF IN.
>> I SAID HELLO, HELLO.
AND IMMEDIATELY I SMELLED
MARIJUANA SMOKE, AND THAT'S WHEN
I KNEW, THIS IS COMPLETELY
WRONG.
BECAUSE HE DIDN'T LIKE THAT.
AND I'M GETTING INCREASINGLY
TENSE ABOUT IT.
SO AS I WALK FORWARD, I SAW A
CUP AND THAT HAD NOT BEEN THERE.
I TOOK ANOTHER STEP AND A
HALF --
>> THAT'S WHEN A BACK DOOR BURST
OPEN --
>> AND A GUY YELLED AT ME.
GET OUT OF HERE.
AND I SAID WHO ARE YOU?
WHERE'S RAY?
>> THE MAN TOOK A STEP TOWARD
DEAN, HE SAYS.
THEN TURNED AWAY AND RAN OUT THE
BACK DOOR.
>> I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911.
>> ROCK LYNNE POLICE ARRIVED.
DEAN SHAKEN, FILED A MISSING
PERSONS REPORT AND POINTED TO A
CUP ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER AND
EXPLAIN THE INTRUDER MUST HAVE
LEFT IT.
>> IT IS FULL OF ICE.
FULL OF SODA.
>> Reporter: THE PROSECUTOR MATT
CHISHOLM.
>> IT HAS A LID AND A STRAW AND
IT'S SWEATING SO IT'S FRESH.
>> WHEN DID YOU START TO FEAR
THE WORST?
>> THEN.
RIGHT THEN.
IT WAS CRUSHING.
>>> AND YOU SUSPECTED FOUL PLAY?
>> YES.
>>> RAY WRIGHT, MUCH ADMIRED AND
LOVED BY FRIENDS AND FAMILY,
DESCRIBED AS GENEROUS, CREATIVE
AND VIBRANT, HAD SEEMINGLY
VANISHED WITH THE SNAP OF A
FINGER.
>> NO ONE HAS ANY LEADS AS TO
WHERE HE IS OR WHAT HAPPENED TO
HIM.
>> IT WAS THE FRIGHTENING HOME
INVASION JUST TWO DAYS AFTER RAY
HAD DISAPPEARED THAT SEEMED TOO
COINCIDENTAL, SAYS PROSECUTOR
MATT CHISHOLM.
>> I THINK THAT RAISED
EVERYONE'S CONCERN TO A
DIFFERENT LEVEL.
>> AS DAYS GO BY, IT BECOME MORE
SUSPICIOUS.
>> ROCKLIN POLICE SERGEANT
LOOKED INTO HISTORY OF ALCOHOL
ABUSE BUT DISMISSED THE
POSSIBILITY OF A RELAPSE.
>> WE CHECKED HIS BANK ACCOUNTS.
THERE WAS NO ACTIVITY IN HIS
BANK.
WE COULDN'T FIND HIS VEHICLE
ANYMORE.
HIS PHONE WASN'T WORKING.
ALL THOSE THINGS LED US TO
BELIEVE IT WAS MORE THAN JUST
HIM NOT CALLING FAMILY MEMBERS
BACK AND DRINKING.
>> RAY'S FAMILY IMMEDIATELY
ORGANIZED A SEARCH.
>> WE ALL MET UP AT A TARGET
PARKING LOT.
AND PASS OUT FLYERS.
>> THEN WE JUST SPREAD OUT AND
WENT IN ALL DIFFERENT
DIRECTIONS.
>> WE WERE DOING EVERYTHING WE
COULD AND EXHAUSTING EVERYTHING
WE COULD DO.
>> THE RESOUNDING QUESTION FOR
THE WRIGHT FAMILY ECHOING AT ALL
HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT,
WHERE WAS RAY?
>> VANISHED WITHOUT A TRACE.
>> HE WAS LAST SEEN A WE CAN AGO
TODAY.
>> TEN DAYS AFTER HIS
DISAPPEARANCE, POLICE DISCOVERED
HIS ABANDONED PICKUP TRUCK IN A
NORTH HIGHLANDS APARTMENT
COMPLEX.
>> THIS REALLY HIGH CRIME AREA.
>> THE RADIO AND LICENSE PLATES
HAD BEEN STRIPPED.
FOR POLICE, FINDING RAY'S
VEHICLE WAS A BREAK IN THE CASE.
FOR HALEY, IT WAS JUST
HEARTBREAKING.
>> THAT WAS THE FIRST REAL PIECE
OF EVIDENCE.
OKAY.
WE KNOW SOMETHING BAD HAPPENED
TO HIM.
>> ROCKLIN PD SEIZED THE CAR AND
COLLABORATED WITH THE FBI TO
HAVE IT PROCESSED FOR TRACE
EVIDENCE.
>> IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK,
BROWN STAINS BARELY VISIBLE ON
BLACK CARPET LINER WERE LATER
DETERMINED TO BE HUMAN BLOOD.
>> THAT WAS TESTED FOR DNA
AGAINST RAY WRIGHT'S
TOOTHBRUSHES, SINCE WE DON'T
HAVE A BODY, AND IT WAS A MATCH.
>> 16 DAYS AFTER RAY'S
DISAPPEARANCE, SOMETHING
HAPPENED THAT WOULD SHIFT THE
INVESTIGATION INTO OVERDRIVE.
IT ALL BEGAN WITH A HARROWING
HIGH-SPEED POLICE CHASE THROUGH
SACRAMENTO.
>> IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS
HIGH-SPEED CHASE.
SPEEDS OF UP TO 100 MILES AN
HOUR.
THERE WAS A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AT
THE END OF THAT PURSUIT.
>> THIS IS ONE OF THOSE CHASES
THAT YOU WATCH ON TV AND IT'S
LIKE, WHOA, EXCEPT IN THIS CASE,
THE GUY WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR
THAT IS MUCH MORE DANGEROUS THAN
WE EVEN KNOW.
>> THE DRIVER PENNED INSIDE THE
VEHICLE WITH A BROKEN LEG WAS
UNABLE TO MOVE.
CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL
OFFICERS CUFFED THE DRIVER WHO
APPEARED TO BE INTOXICATED.
THE MAN'S NAME, VICTOR GRAY.
HE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LAW
BEFORE AND POLICE ARRESTED HIM
THIS TIME FOR FELONY EVASION AND
DUI.
>> HE'S TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL FOR
TREATMENT AND IS UNDER GUARD AND
BOOKED IN THE SACRAMENTO COUNTY
JAIL.
>> IT WAS GRAY'S EXPIRED
REGISTRATION WITH CURRENT
REGISTRATION STICKER TABS THAT
CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF A POLICE
OFFICER.
>> LIKE A STOLEN VEHICLE?
IS THAT WHAT THEY'RE THINKING?
>> POSSIBLY.
OR SOMEBODY STOLE A REGISTRATION
TAB AND JUST STUCK IT ON THEIR
LICENSE PLATE.
>> A GLF RECORD SEARCH SHOWS THE
REGISTRATION TAG ACTUALLY
BLOCKED TO A 2016 FORD PICKUP
TRUCK THAT HAD RECENTLY BEEN
REPORTED MISSING ALONG WITH ITS
OWNER.
RAYMOND WRIGHT.
>> THE REGISTRATION TAB IS
ACTUALLY RAY WRIGHT'S
REGISTRATION TAG OFF HIS LICENSE
PLATE.
SO THAT IS THE FIRST CONNECTION
THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO MAKE
BETWEEN VICTOR GRAY AND RAY
WRIGHT'S DISAPPEARANCE.
>> AND THEN THREE MONTHS AFTER
RAY'S DISAPPEARANCE, ANOTHER
TURNING POINT IN THE CASE.
INVESTIGATORS GOT A DNA HIT OFF
THAT SODA STRAW IN THE CUP LEFT
BEHIND BY THE FLEEING INTRUDER
WHO FINALLY HAD A NAME.
AND IT'S ONE THE POLICE ALREADY
KNEW.
VICTOR GRAY.
>> NOW WE HAVE TWO PIECES OF
EVIDENCE LINKING HIM TO RAY
WRIGHT.
>> THE DNA MATCH PLACED VICTOR
GRAY INSIDE RAY'S HOME, AND AT
THE CENTER OF THE EXPANDING
INVESTIGATION.
TURNED OUT THINGS WERE ABOUT TO
GET A LOT WORSE FOR GRAY BECAUSE
HIS WRECKED SMOKING VAN WAS A
SMOKING GUN.
>> HERE YOU'VE GOT A TREASURE
TROVE OF EVIDENCE.
WHERE IS ALL OF THIS FOUND?
>> ALL THIS WAS LOCATED IN THE
VEHICLE THAT VICTOR GRAY WAS
DRIVING.
>> IN THE VAN'S CLUTTERED CARGO
AREA, ROCKLIN PD AND
INVESTIGATORS UNWRAPPED A BLACK
PLASTIC TARP.
INSIDE, DISTURBING EVIDENCE
DEEPENED THE RAY WRIGHT MYSTERY.
>> THE HAT.
YOU PULL THAT HAT OUT.
RAY WRIGHT DESIGN.
>> IT WAS A HOLY [ BLEEP ]
MOMENT.
>> THAT'S RAY WRIGHT'S JACKET.
WHAT WAS FOUND ON THAT?
>> HIS DNA WAS FOUND ON THAT
JACKET.
>> THE GLASSES.
HEARTBREAKING.
>> YEAH.
IT BROKE INTO A BUNCH OF PIECES.
HIS WALLET WHICH IT APPEARED
THEY TRIED TO BURN.
>> A CELL PHONE THAT'S CLEARLY
BEEN DESTROYED.
LIKE SOMEBODY TOOK A HAMMER TO
IT.
>> THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE.
WE HAD TO RUN THE SERIAL NUMBER
ON THE BACK AND IT WAS
REGISTERED THE RAY WRIGHT'S CELL
PHONE CARRIER.
WE WERE NOW DEFINITELY ABLE TO
TIE VICTOR GRAY TO RAY WRIGHT
GOING MISSING.
>> BUT POLICE HAD NOT FOUND RAY.
THERE WAS STILL A SLIVER OF
HOPE.
>> REALLY HARD BEING PATIENT.
>> IT'S STILL A HOT
INVESTIGATION.
THERE'S STILL MANY DETAILS LEFT
TO FIGURE OUT.
>> PERHAPS NONE MORE SIGNIFICANT
THAN VICTOR GRAY'S CELL PHONE.
WASN'T JUST RAY'S PHONE IN THE
VAN.
VICTOR GRAY'S WAS THERE, TOO.
THE VIOLENT COLLISION ENDING THE
POLICE CHASE SENT GRAY'S CELL
PHONE SLIDING UNDER THE CENTER
CONSOLE.
>> THE FBI FOUND THAT AND WAS
ABLE TO PROCESS IT FOR ITS
CONTENTS.
AND INSIDE THAT CELL PHONE WAS
ALSO A TREASURE TROVE OF
EVIDENCE.
>> ASTONISHINGLY, THERE WAS A
PHOTO OF A HANDWRITTEN
THREE-PAGE LETTER, PROSECUTORS
SAY, FROM VICTOR GRAY TO SOMEONE
NAMED BOB.
>> AT THIS POINT WE DON'T KNOW
WHO BOB IS.
>> IT WAS DATED JANUARY 27th.
THE SAME DAY AS GRAY'S ILL-FATED
CHASE WITH POLICE.
>> AND IT'S CLEAR THAT VICTOR
HAS GRIEVANCES WITH BOB.
AND THE GRIEVANCES STEM ABOUT
NOT BEING PAID FOR DELIVERING
THE DUDE TO YOU.
>> THOSE ARE HIS WORDS, THE
DUDE.
>> YEAH.
I HAND-DELIVERED YOU YOUR
REVENGE.
NOW IT'S TIME TO PAY ME.
>>> LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT WAS
FOUND IN THAT PHONE.
TEXT MESSAGES THAT SEEMED TO
REFER TO RAY WRIGHT'S POSSIBLE
KIDNAPPING AT THAT POINT, RIGHT?
>> YES.
>> IT TOOK MONTHS BUT
INVESTIGATORS EVENTUALLY DUG UP
A GOLD MINE OF EVIDENCE FROM
VICTOR GRAY'S CELL PHONE.
>> THERE WAS A TEXT CONVERSATION
WITH A WOMAN WHO APPEARED TO BE
WORKING AS A LOOKOUT FOR MR.
GRAY.
>> RAY IS OUTFRONT IS SHOP,
TEXTED THE WOMAN, KALIFORNIA
KATIE, IN A SERIES OF MISSPELLED
TEXTS.
IT WAS 9:50 A.M., JANUARY 11th,
2018.
YES, I'M WATCHING OUT FRONT FOR
ANYTHING.
TRACING KALIFORNIA KATIE'S
NUMBER FOUND IN GRAY'S CELL
PHONE, POLICE IDENTIFIED HER AS
KATIE BERNARD.
>> THE TEXT MESSAGES WERE
INVALUABLE.
>> Reporter: THOSE MESSAGES WERE
SENT THE VERY MORNING RAY WRIGHT
WENT MISSING, LAST SEEN AT HIS
WORK SHOP.
THEY REVEALED A PLAN OF SORTS.
SAYS PLACER COUNTY DISTRICT
ATTORNEY ASHLEY ENGLEFIELD.
>> HIS HOUSE IS PROBABLY 30, 40
MINUTES EAST OF HERE.
>> Reporter: THE INVESTIGATOR
SHOWED US RAY WRIGHT'S FORMER
WORK SHOWN AND ITS CLOSE
PROXIMITY TO A NEIGHBOR, KATIE
BERNARD.
>> SHE HAPPENED TO BE LIVING IN
A TRAILER NEXT TO RAY WRIGHT'S
SHOP.
THAT'S WHERE SHE WAS STAYING.
>> Reporter: THAT MORNING
ENGLEFIELD BELIEVES SHE WAS
WATCHING HIS WORKSHOP FROM JUST
JARDS AWAY.
>> SHE WAS IN A PRIME SPOT TO BE
A SOURCE OF INTELLIGENCE FOR
VICTOR GRAY.
>> SHE'S LACK OUT THAT WINDOW
AND LOOKING AT THE SHOP.
>> SO WHERE DO WE THINK VICTOR
GRAY IS ON THAT MORNING?
>> DURING THE COURSE OF THAT
TEXT CONVERSATION, WE THINK
VICTOR IS OUT THERE ON THE ROAD.
HE'S WAITING FOR THE TEXT FROM
KATIE.
>> THE ONE THAT WOULD TELL HIM
WHEN RAY WRIGHT WAS ALONE AT HIS
SHOP.
IT CAME JUST BEFORE 10:00 A.M.
JUST YOU AND HIM, HON.
A FEW HOURS LATER, RAY WRIGHT
WOULD DISAPPEAR.
>> BE RIGHT WITH YOU, ALL RIGHT?
>> ENGLEFIELD BROUGHT IN KATIE
BERNARD FOR QUESTIONING ON
OCTOBER 2018.
RAY WRIGHT HAD BEEN MISSING FOR
NEARLY 300 DAYS.
>> WE DON'T HAVE REASONS FOR WHY
YOU DID CERTAIN THINGS.
>> OKAY.
>> AND YOU LIED TO US ABOUT
DOING THE THINGS WE KNOW YOU
DID.
IT MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE A KILLER.
>> OKAY.
>> ARE YOU A KILLER?
>> NO.
>> KATIE BERNARD WOULD
GRUDGINGLY BECOME A PIVOTAL
WITNESS.
>> WHAT DID SHE THINK SHE WAS
DOING THIS FOR.
>> SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS ONLY
INVOLVED BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT RAY
WRIGHT WANTED TO STEAL HIS
TRUCK.
>> THIS DOESN'T START AND END
WITH VICTOR GRAY.
IT STARTS WITH BE SOME ELSE.
YOU WERE ABOUT TO SAY IT.
>> WHO, BOB?
>> KATIE KNEW THE KEY PLAYERS
INCLUDING THE MYSTERIOUS BOB
NAMED IN THAT LETTER.
>> WHO IS BOB?
>> BOB IS APPLY EX-BOYFRIEND.
>> WHAT IS BOB'S FULL NAME.
>> ROBERT, BOBBY, MANOR.
>> WHAT'S THE STORY?
WHAT'S THE WHOLE BACK STORY?
>> THEY WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT.
>> WHEN RAY WRIGHT DROVE DRUNK
SIX YEARS EARLIER IN HAVE NO
2011, THE MARRIED COUPLE HE
STRUCK WAS ROBERT MANOR AND HIS
WIFE.
SHE NEARLY DIED AND MANOR
SUFFERED MULTIPLE BROKEN BONES
THAT LEFT HIM WITH A PERMANENT
LIMP AND LINGERING PAIN.
>> HE WAS REMINDED ABOUT IT ON A
DAILY BASIS FROM HIS INJURIES
AND HE COULD NEVER LET IT GO.
>> AFTER RAY'S DUI CONVICTION,
HE WAS ORDERED TO PAY MORE THAN
$275,000 IN RESTITUTION TO MANOR
AND HIS WIFE.
>> HE HAD OCCASIONALLY MADE
PAYMENTS BUT NOT VERY MUCH.
>> POLICE SAY ROBERT MANOR WAS
NOT A MAN TO STIFF.
HE WAS A FEARED METHAMPHETAMINE
DEALER IN NORTH SACRAMENTO,
AUTHORITIES SAY, WHO HAD DONE
TIME FOR ASSAULT AND SELLING
DRUGS ARMED WITH A GUN.
AND WITNESSES TOLD POLICE THAT
MANOR WAS ENRAGED AND WANTED
REVENGE AGAINST RAY WRIGHT.
>> THAT GIVES YOU A MOTIVE,
RIGHT?
>> THE MONEY AND THE REVENGE,
MOSTL
MOSTLY.
>> A FEW MONTHS BEFORE RAY WENT
MISSING, IN A STAGGERING
COINCIDENCE, POLICE BELIEVE THAT
MANOR, WHILE VISITING KATIE,
JUST HAPPEN TO SEE THE MAN WHO
HAD SMASHED INTO HIM DRIVING
DRUNK YEARS AGO.
THE MAN HE BLAMED FOR SHATTERING
HIS LIFE.
>> RAY WAS THERE.
>> RAY WRIGHT WAS WORKING IN A
SHOP ABOUT 30 FEET AWAY.
THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE MOMENT,
ENGLEFIELD SAYS, WHEN MANOR LIT
THE FUSE, IGNITING HIS PLOT FOR
REVENGE THAT HAD SMOLDERED FOR
YEARS.
>> THE TRUCK IS GONE.
>> YES.
>> KATIE TOLD POLICE WHEN SHE
HEARD THE NEWS THAT RAY WAS
MISSING, SHE REALIZED THIS
WASN'T JUST ABOUT STEALING HIS
TRUCK.
>> I'M FREAKING OUT.
>> WHY?
>> BECAUSE IT'S OBVIOUS, YOU
CAN --
>> THAT WHAT?
>> THAT HE'S BEEN TAKEN OR HURT
OR SOMETHING.
>> VICTOR AND BOB.
>> KATIE SAYS VICTOR GRAY LATER
TOLD HER THAT MORNING, ARMED
WITH A GUN, HE APPROACHED RAY
WRIGHT AND PUNCHED HIM.
>> I THINK HE THEN SOMEHOW
SECURED RAY'S HANDS AND WAS ABLE
TO PUT RAY INTO HIS OWN TRUCK.
>> THEN ENGLEFIELD SAID HE DROVE
THE TRUCK WITH A BLOODIED RAY
WRIGHT IN THE BACK TO MANOR'S
HOUSE A FEW MAILS AWAY.
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DID
WITH RAY.
>> AFRAID SHE MAYBE IMPLICATED
IN RAY WRIGHT'S DISAPPEARANCE,
KATIE TOLD INVESTIGATORS SHE
CONFRONTED ROBERT MANOR.
>> SHE ASKED HIM ABOUT WHETHER
HE KILLED RAY WRIGHT AND HE
TELLS HER THAT HE DID.
MANOR THEN GRABBED HER AROUND
THE NECK, CHOKED HER, AND TOLD
HER NEVER TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS
AGAIN.
>> ACCORDING TO CHISHOLM,
MANOR'S CHILLING ADMISSION CAME
IN JUST THREE WORDS.
>> HE SAYS, I GOT HIM.
>> I GOT HIM.
WE HEARD THAT QUOTE FROM MR.
MANOR FROM MULTIPLE WITNESSES.
>> I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.
>> I'M NOT SAYING YOU DID.
>> LIKE TESSA TRIMBLE.
>> I'M NOT INVOLVED.
>> IN AN AUDIO ONLY INTERVIEW,
HE SPOKE TO A MASSAGE THERAPY
HEIST HAD TREATED HIS INJURIES
FROM THE ACCIDENT.
SHE SAID THEY EVENTUALLY BECAME
ROMANTICALLY INVOLVED.
>> TESSA WAS VERY HESITANT TO
SPEAK AND SHE WAS VERY AFRAID OF
BOBBY.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO GET ME
KILLED.
I HAVE TO GO.
I HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE.
>> IT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME BUT
TESSA BEGAN TO TALK.
>> SHE RECEIVED A PHONE CALL
FROM BOBBY AND BOBBY HAD TOLD
HER, COME OVER TO THE HOUSE.
WE NEED TO TALK.
ACCORDING TO HER, WHAT SHE
THOUGHT AT THE TIME WAS THEY
WERE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THEIR
RELATIONSHIP.
>> WHEN SHE SAW MANOR, TESSA
SAID THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE ON
HIS MIND.
>> WHAT DID HE TALK TO YOU
ABOUT?
>> HE TOLD ME -- HE WAS TRYING
TO TAKE CARE OF FOR A LONG TIME.
HE DIDN'T GIVE ME DETAILS.
HE JUST TOLD ME THAT HE TOOK
CARE OF IT.
HE FELT GOOD ABOUT THAT.
>> WHEN HE SAID THAT, WHO DID
YOU THINK HE WAS TALKING ABOUT?
>> RAY WRIGHT.
>> WHY WOULD YOU THINK HE WAS
TALKING ABOUT RAY WRIGHT?
>> BECAUSE HE HAD A PROBLEM WITH
THAT GUY.
HE MENTIONED ON NUMEROUS
OCCASIONS, HE WANTED TO GET THAT
GUY.
>> IT SOUNDED TO ME LIKE ONE OF
THE PEOPLE THAT HE COULD TELL
ABOUT THIS WAS TESSA, SO HE DID.
>> BOBBY IS TELLING YOU, WHAT?
HE GOT HIM?
>> UH-HUH.
>> IS THAT WHAT HE SAID?
I GOT HIM?
>> YEAH.
>> EVERYONE KNEW THAT MANOR WAS
TALKING ABOUT RAY WRIGHT.
THE FIRST TIME THEY SEE HIM
AFTER THE DISAPPEARANCE, SEE
MANOR, HE SAYS, I GOT HIM.
>> IN MARCH 2021, PROSECUTORS
CHARGED ROBERT MANOR AND VICTOR
GRAY WITH THE KIDNAPPING AND
MURDER OF RAY WRIGHT, EVEN
THOUGH POLICE HAD YET TO FIND
RAY.
BOTH MEN PLEADED NOT GUILTY.
MANOR FACING A LIVE SENTENCE
WITHOUT PAROLE --
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
> HAD A VERY DIFFERENT STORY TO
TELL.
>> I'M INNOCENT.
>> YOU HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH
THE MURDER OF RAY WRIGHT.
>> NOTHING TO DO WITH WITH IT.
>>> IT WAS A HOMICIDE.
>> DID THEY TELL YOU AT ANY
POINT, WE BELIEVE YOUR BROTHER
IS DEAD?
>> YES.
MAYBE THREE AND A HALF YEARS IN.
>> DURING THOSE AGONIZING YEARS,
RAY WRIGHT'S FAMILY, ONE BY ONE,
EVENTUALLY CAME TO THE SAME
CONCLUSION.
RAY WAS NO LONGER ALIVE.
AND THEIR GRIEF WAS COMPOUNDED
BY NOT HAVING HIS BODY TO BURY.
>> THAT'S DEFINITELY STILL A
SOURCE OF PAIN FOR US.
THERE WAS NO LAYING HIM TO REST.
LIKE HE DOESN'T GET THE SENDAWAY
THAT HE DESERVES.
>> THE PROSECUTOR HOPED TO
PROVIDE THE FAMILY A MEASURE OF
JUSTICE BY CONVICTING ROBERT
MANOR AND VICTOR GRAY.
APPROACHING TRIAL, CHISHOLM'S
CRUCIAL CONCERN WAS THE
CREDIBILITY OF HIS WITNESSES.
>> YOU'VE GOT WITNESSES WHO HAVE
HISTORY OF DRUGS AND DRUG USEFUL
DOES THAT CREATE A COMPLICATION
WITH THE JURY?
>> YES.
ALL THESE WITNESSES HAD
SIGNIFICANT CREDIBILITY ISSUES.
>> INCLUDING ANOTHER WITNESS WHO
HAD COME FORWARD.
VICTOR GRAY'S CELL MATE CHRIS
MITCHELL.
>> WELL, I STARTED OFF TALKING
TO HIM AND I'M REAL COMFORTABLE
TALKING TO HIM.
>> IN AN AUDIO-ONLY INTERVIEW,
MITCHELL SAYS VICTOR GRAY TOLD
HIM ABOUT RAY WRIGHT'S TORTURED
FINAL HOURS IN BOB MANOR'S
HOUSE.
>> WHAT DID GRAY TELL YOU?
>> HE DELIVERED DUDE TO BOBBY.
ALIVE THOUGH.
>> HE SAYS VICTOR GRAY TOLD HIM
THERE WAS PLASTIC SHEETING
LAYING ON THE FLOOR.
>> PLASTIC EVERYWHERE.
>> ACCORDING TO MITCHELL, GRAY
SAID MANOR HAD RAY WRIGHT
POISONED.
>> HE POISONED HIM.
>> MITCHELL SAYS GRAY ALSO TOLD
HIM THAT MANOR HAD RAY'S BODY
DISMEMBERED.
>> CUT THE BODY UP.
>> AT THE TELL YOU WHAT THEY DID
WITH IT?
>> NO.
HE DIDN'T TELL ME NONE OF THAT.
>> VICTOR WAS YOUR ACCOMPLICE IN
THIS KIDNAPPING AND MURDER PLOT.
>> THERE IS NO CONNECTION
WHATSOEVER WITH ME AND VICTOR
BEFORE THE INCIDENT.
>> ROBERT MA'NOR SPOKE TO US FROM
JAIL.
>> THEY TORE MAY HOUSE UP.
TORE THE CARPET UP.
THERE WAS NO DNA FOUND.
>> YOU PUT PLASTIC ALL OVER THE
FLOOR.
>> HE WAS GOOD AT COVERING HIS
TRACKS.
HE GOT OTHER PEOPLE TO DO THE
DIRTY WORK.
>> PEOLE LIKE VICTOR GRAY, SAYS
CHISHOLM.
>> WE FIND ALL THE EVIDENCE OF
RAY WRIGHT'S DEATH.
>> IN VICTOR GRAY'S VAN.
>> THE CLEAN-UP IS DONE.
AND VICTOR GRAY TELLS THAT YOU
ON THE JAIL CALL.
>> IN A JAIL HOUSE VISIT WITH
HIS WIFE AFTER THE HIGH-SPEED
CHASE WITH POLICE, VICTOR GRAY
MADE A POWERFUL ADMISSION, SAYS
CHISHOLM.
>> HE ALMOST CONFESSES TO HIS
WIFE AND BRINGS HIS WIFE INTO
THE KNOW.
>> HE SAID I HAD TO CLEAN UP THE
SCENE.
AS IF HE WAS ALMOST BITTER ABOUT
IT.
>> WE BELIEVE VICTOR WAS
SUPPOSED TO BE PAID $10,000.
>> HE WAS PISSED OFF BECAUSE HE
DIDN'T GET PAID BY BOB.
>> THAT'S WHY THEY BELIEVE
VICTOR GRAY WROTE THE THREE-PAGE
LETTER FOUND ON HIS CELL PHONE.
IN IT HE SAID I'M DONE WAITING
AND NEED A FAT PACKAGE TODAY.
MEANING THE MONEY GRAY BELIEVED
HE WAS OWED.
HE TOLD BOB MANOR TO TAKE CARE
OF HIM BECAUSE HE HAD
HAND-DELIVERED YOU YOUR REVENGE.
BUT MANOR NEVER PAID, CHISHOLM
SAID.
SO VICTOR GRAY DECIDED TO
DELIVER SOME REVENGE OF HIS OWN.
HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO MANOR'S
HOUSE WITH ALL THE RAY WRIGHT
EVIDENCE STILL INSIDE THE VAN,
ACCORDING TO CHISHOLM.
THAT'S WHEN POLICE TRIED PULLING
GRAY OVER.
>> HAD VICTOR GRAY BEEN PAID,
THEN MAYBE HE'S NOT DRIVING
ACROSS TOWN WITH THIS TREASURE
TROVE OF EVIDENCE IN THE BACK OF
THE VAN.
>> THE TRIAL FINALLY BEGAN IN
MARCH 2023.
MORE THAN FIVE YEARS AFTER
RAYMOND WRIGHT WENT MISSING.
SINCE THERE WAS STILL NO BODY,
THE CASE HAD BECOME A NO-BODY
HOMICIDE.
>> NO-BODY HOMICIDES ARE TOUGH
TO PROVE.
YOU LOSE A LOT OF INFORMATION BY
LOSING THE BODY.
WE DEVELOPED EVERY SINGLE LEAD
POSSIBLE TO PROVE THIS CASE.
>> AS CHISHOLM FULLY EXPECTED,
THE CREDIBILITY OF HIS WITNESSES
CAME UNDER RELENTLESS FIRE.
>> THE THRUST OF THE DEFENSE
WAS, THESE WITNESSES ARE SAYING
WHATEVER THE COPS WANT THEM TO
SAY IN ORDER TO HELP THEMSELVES.
>> DANGEROUS PEOPLE.
>> BUT KATIE BERNARD WHO WAS
GRANTED IMMUNITY AND NEVER
CHARGED WITH A CRIME EMERGED AS
A STAR WITNESS FOR HER DAMAGING
TESTIMONY ABOUT GRAY'S
INVOLVEMENT AND MANOR'S
ADMISSION.
>> IT WAS SOMETHING THAT MANOR
WAS TRYING TO KEEP UNDER WRAPS,
EVEN THOUGH HE SAID IT TO HER,
IT WAS SOMETHING THAT SHE WAS TO
TAKE TO HER GRAVE.
>> IN RT CORKS MANOR AND GRAY'S
DEFENSE TEAMS ZEROED IN ON THE
LACK OF DIRECT PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
AGAINST ROBERT MANOR AND THE
ABSENCE OF A BODY.
>> I REMINDED THE JURY THAT IT
HAD BEEN 1,889 DAYS AND NO ONE
ON THE FACE OF THIS EARTH HAD
SEEN RAY WRIGHT.
>> AND THIS ONE WAS MAGICAL.
HE SPENT HOURS ON THAT.
>> THE TRIAL SAYS PEGGY LEFT HER
IMAGINING THE UNIMAGINABLE.
RAY'S FINAL MOMENTS.
>> IT'S EVEN WORSE TO FIND OUT
WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE AT
THE END FOR HIM.
HOW SCARED HE MUST HAVE BEEN.
HE KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO
HAPPEN.
>> AFTER AN EIGHT-DAY TRIAL, THE
JURY GOT THE CASE.
>> I REMEMBER SQUEEZING HALEY'S
HAND AND THINKING I WAS GOING TO
THROW UP WHILE WE WERE WAITING
FOR THE VERDICT.
>> WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE
EVIDENCE AGAINST MANOR AND GRAY?
SEE A
>>> HOW LONG BEFORE YOU GOT WORD
THERE'S A VERDICT?
>> THE JURY WAS OUT ABOUT FOUR
HOURS.
>> IT WAS LATE AFTERNOON ON
MARCH 17th, 2023.
THE VERDICT WAS IN.
>> IT WAS THE MOST GUT-WRENCHING
DAY OF MY LIFE.
>> ROBERT MANOR AND VICTOR GRAY
WERE FOUND GUILTY OF
FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND
KIDNAPPING.
>> BUT IT DIDN'T BRING HIM BACK.
SO IT WAS LIKE, IT WAS A
BITTERSWEET VICTORY.
>> IT'S UNTHINKABLE THAT SOMEONE
WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT
LIKE YOU CAN'T IMAGINE, THAT
YOUR LOVED ONE WOULD BE SWEPT
OFF THE EARTH LIKE THAT.
>> APRIL 28th, THE DAY OF
RECKONING FOR MANOR AND GRAY.
BEFORE HEARING THEIR SENTENCE,
THEY HEARD FROM RAY WRIGHT'S
FAMILY.
>> I SAID MY DAD WILL BE IN
HEAVEN LIKE AMONGST THE ANGELS
WHERE HE BELONGS AND YOU'LL BE
IN PRISON FOR LIFE WHERE YOU
BELONG.
>> WE'LL NEVER BE THE SAME.
NONE OF US.
YOU JUST CAN'T IMAGINE HOW IT
IMPACTS THE FAMILY.
>> MANOR AND GRAY WERE SENTENCED
TO LIFE WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY
OF PAROLE.
GRAY NEVER RESPONDED TO OUR
REQUEST FOR AN INTERVIEW.
BUT ROBERT MANOR INSISTED THERE
HAD BEEN A MISCARRIAGE OF
JUSTICE.
>> I DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO
WITH ROY WRIGHT'S DISAPPEARANCE.
>> RAY WRIGHT'S BODY HAS NEVER
BEEN FOUND.
WHERE DID YOU BURY HIM?
>> I NEVER CHOPPED HIM UP.
I NEVER HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH
RAY WRIGHT'S DISAPPEARANCE OR
MURDER.
NOTHING.
>> HE HAS A FAMILY THAT DESERVES
ANSWERS.
THEY WANT TO KNOW WHY.
WHY DID YOU DO THIS?
>> I DIDN'T.
I DID NOT DO THIS.
>> THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE
MANOR WANTED TO SAY.
HE CLAIMED IT WAS VICTOR GRAY
AND KATIE BERNARD WHO HAD
PLOTTED TO SET HIM UP BY
KIDNAPPING AND KILLING RAY
WRIGHT.
>> THEY CAME UP WITH THIS AND
TRIED TO ASK ME FOR MONEY.
>> GRAY AND BERNARD TRIED TO
EXTORT HIM FOR $20,000, HE SAYS.
A CLAIM THAT WAS NEVER RAISED IN
COURT.
MANOR WAS MAKING IT FOR THE
FIRST TIME DURING OUR INTERVIEW.
>> WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT
ARGUMENT?
>> THAT'S A WHOPPER, RIGHT?
THERE IS NO PROOF OF ANYTHING
LIKE THAT.
>> CHISHOLM ARGUES IT MAKES MUCH
MORE SENSE THAT MANOR WAS THE
MASTERMIND.
>> YOU HAVE THIS MONSTER MOTIVE.
REVENGE.
>> LET THE EVIDENCE SPEAK FOR
ITSELF.
IT'S NOT THE PEOPLE SAYING THE
SAME EXACT PHRASE.
I GOT HIM.
I DIDN'T GET NOBODY.
>> THE REMNANTS OF RAY WRIGHT'S
LIFE.
THESE SILENT WITNESSES DID SPEAK
LOUD AND CLEAR.
>> HIS FAMOUS YELLOW RAINCOAT
THAT HE'D HAD FOR LIKE 15 YEARS
SOAKED IN BLOOD.
>> YEAH.
I THINK SEEING HIS BROKEN
GLASSES --
>> IS WHAT KILLED US.
>> SEALED THE DEAL FOR ME.
>> HALEY SAID EVEN HER YOUNG
DAUGHTER ASHTON WAS OVERWHELMED
BY LOSING GRANDPA RAY.
>> SHE ALWAYS THOUGHT PEOPLE
WERE GOING TO GO MISSING.
I CAUGHT HOME RUN SINGING IN THE
DARK SONGS SHE WOULD MAKE UP
ABOUT WHERE HER GRANDPA WENT.
>> UNTIL WE FIND THE BODY, IT IS
STILL AN OPEN MISSING PERSONS
CASE WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, DO YOU
BELIEVE JUSTICE WAS SERVED?
>> YES.
JUSTICE WAS SERVED.
>> IT GIVES THIS FAMILY
SOMEWHERE TO START OVER.
>> CONSUMED BY RAY'S
DISAPPEARANCE AND DEATH FOR
YEARS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY
DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO CELEBRATE
HIS LIFE.
>> WE'RE HERE TO SHARE THESE
TIMES WITH US.
>> RAY WAS TO ME MY FIRST BEST
AND FOREVER FRIEND.
>> ON THIS DAY, JUNE 17th, DAY
1,983, SINCE HE WENT MISSING,
RAY WRIGHT'S PRESENCE FILLED THE
ROOM AND THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO
LOVED HIM.
>> WE LOVE YOU, RAY.
>> HOW DO YOU WANT YOUR DAD TO
BE REMEMBERED?
HALEY?
>> EXACTLY HOW HE IS REMEMBERED.
LOVABLE, ACCOUNTABLE, CREATIVE,
THOUGHTFUL.
>> I NEVER MET ANYONE LIKE MY
DAD.
>> I DEFINITELY USED THIS WHOLE
EVENT AS MOTIVATION TO DO
BETTER.
IT'S ALL LIKE A TESTAMENT TO MY
DAD.
>> I HOPE HE'S FREE AS A BIRD.