♪
>>> 911, WHAT IS THE ADDRESS OF
YOUR EMERGENCY?
>> IT'S A DAY I DON'T THINK I'LL
EVER THINK I'LL FORGET.
>> IS SHE ALIVE?
IS SHE BREATHING?
>> NO, NO!
NO!
>> A SHERIFF'S VEHICLE PULLED
UP, AND SHE INFORMED US THAT
ALEX WAS DEAD.
>> I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT I DID
OTHER THAN FALL TO MY KNEES.
>> WHAT'S HER NAME?
>> ALEXAN ALEXANRA.
>> ALEX LOVED PEOPLE.
SHE SAY VERY CARING.
>> SHE LOVED ANIMALS.
>> SHE'D BRING HOME A STRAY.
SHE LIKED ALL THINGS.
>> SHE TRULY WANTED TO BECOME A
NURSE.
>> THANK YOU TO MY FAMILY FOR
NEVER ONCE GIVING UP ON ME WHEN
MANY TIMES I'M SURE YOU WANTED
TO.
>> I TALKED TO HER AT 6:00 THAT
EVENING VIA TEXT.
SHE WAS DOING GREAT.
AND THAT WAS KIND OF THE LAST
THING.
>> IS THIS YOUR APARTMENT OR
HERS?
>> IS IT MATTHEW?
AND WHAT'S YOUR LAST NAME?
>> ECKER.
>> MATTHEW ECKER WAS A
NURSE-PRACTITIONER.
HE WAS WELL-EDUCATED,
GOOD-LOOKING GUY.
>> WE HAVE A LOT OF NURSES IN MY
FAMILY, AND HE IS ONE OF THE
BEST NURSES I KNOW.
>> HE WAS A FRIEND THAT SHE HAD
MET THROUGH THIS PART-TIME JOB
SHE HAD.
SHE HAD CALLED HIM, THAT SHE
NEEDED HIS HELP, THAT SHE WAS IN
TROUBLE.
>> SHE HAD BEEN IN A DOMESTIC
DISPUTE WITH HER THEN-BOYFRIEND,
AND MATTHEW ECKER THOUGHT SHE
WAS BEING ASSAULTED SO HE CAME
DOWN.
>> HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO WORK AND
DETOURED AND CAME RIGHT TO HER
APARTMENT.
HE HAD BROUGHT A GUN.
>> HE BROUGHT IT WITH HIM
EVERYWHERE HE WENT.
HE HAD A PERMIT TO CARRY.
>> WE WERE BRIEFED BY THE
RESPONDING OFFICERS AS WE WERE
ENTERING THE APARTMENT, AND THEY
WERE TELLING US THEIR
OBSERVATIONS AND WHAT MATTHEW
ECKER HAD TOLD THEM.
>> WERE YOU GUYS ARGUING OR
SOMETHING?
>> NO.
NO, SHE JUST POINTED THE GUN TO
HER HEAD.
>> ALEX IS LAYING ON HER BACK.
SHE HAD A GUNSHOT WOUND TO HER
HEAD.
>> THE HANDGUN WAS FACING THIS
WAY.
IT WAS ON HER LEFT SHOULDER LIKE
THIS.
>> IT JUST DIDN'T LOOK RIGHT.
THE SCENE DIDN'T LOOK RIGHT.
HOW DID SHE GET IN THAT
POSITION?
IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE.
>> THEY'RE THINKING THEY'RE NOT
GETTING THE WHOLE STORY FROM MR.
ECKER.
>> HE'S THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN
TELL US WHAT HAPPENED.
HE WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT WAS
THERE.
>> THE ONLY EVIDENCE IS THAT SHE
TOUCHED THE GUN.
THERE WAS GUNSHOT RESIDUE ON HER
LEFT HAND.
>> JUST AS A MOM AND KNOWING
YOUR KID, I DIDN'T -- IT DIDN'T
FIT.
>> HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY MOSIVE TO
KILL HER.
I MEAN, HE WAS COMING DOWN TO
PROTECT HER.
>> THERE'S NO WAY HE DID THIS.
I WOULD BET MY ENTIRE LIFE ON
THE FACT THAT HE IS INNOCENT.
>> THE FIRST THING HE SAID TO ME
IS, MOM, I DID NOT DO THIS.
>> WHAT HAPPENED?
♪
>>> THE OVERNIGHT HOURS, IT'S
DECEMBER 16, 2022.
WHAT TIME DO YOU GET THAT CALL?
>> ON THAT NIGHT THE CALL CAME
IN AROUND 2:50.
>> IT WAS A WEEK BEFORE
CHRISTMAS IN 2022 WHEN ST. PAUL
POLICE OFFICER CHING BENG AND
HIS PARTNER, OFFICER JUSTINA
HSER SETOFF ON THEIR REGULAR
PATROL OF THE CITY.
>> DISPATCHER STATED THAT A
FEMALE WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD.
MY PARTNER AND I, WE WENT LIGHTS
AND SIRENS HEADED TOWARDS THAT
CALL.
>> AND IS IT ALL UNITS IN THE
VICINITY CALLED IN AT THAT TIME?
>> YES.
PRETTY MUCH EVERY UNIT HOPPED ON
THAT CALL TO COME AND ASSIST.
>> WITHIN MINUTES BENG, HSER,
AND SEVERAL OTHER OFFICERS BODY
CAMERAS ROLLING ARRIVED AT THE
LOCATION, A RESIDENTIAL
APARTMENT BUILDING.
ATHUE ECKER, THE MAN WHO HAD
PLACED THE 911 CALL, LET THEM
IN, AND DIRECTED THEM TO AN
APARTMENT ON THE SECOND FLOOR.
OFFICER BENG WAS THE FIRST TO
ENTER THE APARTMENT.
>> I REMEMBER WALKING IN.
THE BATHROOM WAS TO THE RIGHT,
THE VERY FIRST DOOR.
>> 32-YEAR-OLD ALEX PENNIG WAS
LYING FACE-UP WITH A SINGLE
GUNSHOT WOUND TO HER LEFT
TEMPLE.
>> I NOTICED A LOT OF BLOOD
AROUND HER HEAD.
>> THE OFFICER HAD IMMEDIATELY
SPOTTED THE GUN LAYING ON ALEX'S
LEFT SHOULDER, HER HAND RESTING
ON TOP.
A TEAM OF OFFICERS LOOKED AROUND
THE SMALL STUDIO APARTMENT AND
QUESTIONED NEIGHBORS.
NO ONE HAD HEARD ANYTHING.
IN THE HALLWAY OFFICER HSER WAS
TALKING TO MATTHEW ECKER.
>> HE WAS ON THE FLOOR BY
HIMSELF, SO I WENT AND
APPROACHED HIM AND JUST START
TALKING TO HIM.
>> ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT HIM?
>> I WAS.
BECAUSE THAT AT THE TIME WE
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.
I JUST TOLD HIM TO JUST SLOW
DOWN, TAKE YOUR TIME.
WE'RE NOT IN A RUSH.
WHENEVER YOU'RE READY, I'M READY
TO LISTEN.
>> MATTHEW DID EVENTUALLY CALM
DOWN, AND HE STARTED TALKING.
>> WERE YOU GUYS ARGUING OR
SOMETHING?
>> TELLING OFFICERS HE LIVED
ALMOST 3 HOURS AWAY BUT DROVE TO
ALEX AFTER SHE PLACED A FRANTIC
CALL TO HIM EARLIER.
>> SO I CAME HERE TO HELP HER
FEEL SAFE.
>> ATHUE TOLD POLICE ALEX HAD
GOTTEN INTO A FIGHT WITH HER
CURRENT BOYFRIEND.
HIS NAME WAS SHANE ANDERSON, AND
THAT THINGS HAD GOTTEN PHYSICAL
AND THAT SHE WAS SCARED WHAT HE
MIGHT DO.
SO MATTHEW TOOK HIS GUN AND
BROUGHT IT WITH HIM TO ALEX'S
APARTMENT.
>> BECAUSE I WAS WORRIED THAT
HER BOYFRIEND WOULDCOME.
>> SO HE WAS GOING THERE, HE
SAID, TO PROTECT HER?
>> YES.
>> MATTHEW ARRIVED AT ALEX'S
AROUND 2:00 P.M.
SHANE WASN'T THERE.
THAT EVENING, HE SAID, THEY WENT
OUT TO LOCAL BARS.
WHEN THEY WALKED INTO A PLACE
CALLED CAMP BAR, SHANE WAS
INSIDE.
>> HE CAME TO HER.
THEY WERE ARGUING, AND I CAME
ACROSS AND STOOD BETWEEN THEM,
AND THEN HE PUNCHED ME.
>> SHANE HIT THEM, HE SAYS, AND
THEN WAS KICKED OUT OF THE BAR.
>> AND I SAT THERE AND TALKED TO
WITH OTHER PEOPLE FOR ANOTHER 45
MINUTES.
WE CAME BACK HERE AND I THOUGHT
EVERYTHING WAS FINE.
AND THEN SHE JUST GRABBED THE
GUN.
>> DID SHE MAKE ANY THREAT
BEFORE THAT, THAT SHE WAS GOING
TO KILL HER SNFL.
>> NO.
SHE JUST GRABBED IT AND PUT IT
TO HER HEAD.
>> AND WITH A GUN IN HER HAND,
SHE BACKED INTO THE BATHROOM, HE
SAID, AND LOCKED THE DOOR.
MOMENTS LATER, A SINGLE SHOT
RANG OUT.
MATTHEW SAYS HE QUICKLY BROKE
THE DOOR OPEN AND SAW ALEX ON
THE FLOOR.
HE TOLD THE OFFICERS HE TRIED
USING HIS NURSING SKILLS TO STOP
THE BLEEDING BY PUTTING PRESSURE
ON THE WOUND.
>> I TRIED TO DO WHAT I COULD.
>> OKAY.
>> AND THEN I WASHED MY HANDS.
>> AND THEN YOU WASHED YOUR
HANDS?
>> CORRECT.
THAT'S WHY I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING
ON MY HANDS.
>> AND THEN YOU -- THEN YOU
CALLED THE POLICE?
>> YES.
>> THE NEWS THAT ALEX HAD FIRED
A GUN, TAKING HER OWN LIFE, WAS
UNFATHOMABLE TO ALEX'S PARENTS,
MARY JO AND JIM.
>> THAT JUST WAS COMPLETELY OUT
OF CHARACTER FOR ALEX.
>> SHE'D NEVER SHOT A GUN,
DIDN'T LIKE GUNS, SO IT DIDN'T
MAKE ANY SENSE.
>> AND ALEX'S MOM, MARY JO, HAD
JUKS TEXTED WITH HER DAUGHTER A
FEW HOURS EARLIER, AND SHE
DIDN'T SEEM DEPRESSED AT ALL.
>> SHE WAS DOING WELL, YOU KNOW,
AND THAT'S WHAT'S SO HARD.
>> DID YOU SEE THIS?
SEE THAT PART?
>> DETECTIVES ABBY DeSANTO AND
JENNIFER O'DONNELL WERE CALLED
TO THE SCENE.
>> YOU GET A CALL IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE NIGHT SO YOU KNOW IT'S
NOT GOOD.
>> INSIDE THE APARTMENT THERE
WAS ALCOHOL AND SIX BOTTLES OF
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
INCLUDING ANTI-DEPRESSANTS AND
AMPHETAMINES, ALL PRESCRIBED TO
ALEX.
BUT IF THAT SUGGESTED MAYBE ALEX
HAD BEEN DEPRESS ASKED TOOK HER
OWN LIFE, THERE WERE OTHER
THINGS THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO ADD
UP IN MATTHEW'S ACCOUNT.
THE FIRST WAS THE POSITION OF
ALEX'S BODY, SAYS THE
INVESTIGATORS.
SHOWN HERE IN THIS CBS NEWS
ANIMATION.
>> THE DOOR TO THE BATHROOM WAS
AJAR, AND YOU IMMEDIATELY SEE
ALEX'S FEET ON EITHER SIDE OF
THE DOOR.
>> IF MATTHEW HAD BROKEN DOWN
THE BATHROOM DOOR AFTER HEARING
THE GUNSHOT, AS HE TOLD OFFICERS
HE HAD --
>> WE THINK THAT IF THAT HAD
BEEN THE CASE, HER LEGS WOULD
HAVE BEEN SWEPT BEHIND THE DOOR.
>> AND EVEN THOUGH MATTHEW HAD
SAID HE WASHED HIS HANDS BEFORE
CALLING 911 --
>> WHEN RESPONDING OFFICERS
ARRIVED, THE SINK WAS DRY.
AND IF HE'D SAID HE CALLED THE
POLICE RIGHT AWAY, THAT SINK
PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN STILL
WET.
>> THE DETECTIVES DECIDED TO
TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT MATTHEW'S
STORY.
HE HAD TOLD POLICE HIS ONLY
MISSION THAT DAY WAS TO PROTECT
ALEX FROM SHANE ANDERSON, THE
BOYFRIEND HE CLAIMED WAS
VIOLENT.
AND, IN FACT, THERE WERE THESE
HOLES IN THE CLOSET DOOR.
>> ACROSS FROM THE BATHROOM KIND
OF LIKE PUNCH MARKS.
>> HOLES, MATTHEW SAID SHANE WAS
RESPONSIBLE FOR.
THE DETECTIVES WERE NOW EAGER TO
SPEAK WITH SHANE.
>>> IT'S THE MOST DEVASTATING
KNOCK ON MY DOOR I'VE EVER HAD
IN MY LIFE.
>> HEY, THE ST. PAUL POLICE.
>> HOURS AFTER ALEX PENNIG WAS
FOUND DEAD, POLICE WERE AT HER
BOYFRIEND, SHAYNE ANDERSON'S
FRONT DOOR.
>> DID YOU HEAR WHAT HAPPENED?
>> TWO POLICE OFFICERS, THEY
ASKED ME WHO ALEX WAS, AND I
SAID THAT'S MY GIRLFRIEND.
>> IS SHE OKAY?
>> SHE JUST PASSED AWAY.
>> NO?
ALEX PENNIG?
YOU'RE KIDDING ME.
AND I -- I DON'T KNOW, BLACKED
OUT PRETTY MUCH AFTER THAT.
>> SHANE SAID HE WAS DESPERATE
FOR ANSWERS AND WILLINGLY WENT
TO THE POLICE STATION TO SPEAK
WITH DETECTIVES.
>> I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO
HER.
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO
FIGURE OUT.
>> SHANE TOLD DETECTIVES HE'D
BEEN DATING ALEX AROUND FOUR
MONTHS AND PAINTED A ROSY
PICTURE.
>> SHE WAS SWEET.
LIKE, SHE WAS FUN.
EVERYTHING THAT YOU'D WANT IN A
WOMAN.
>> ACCORDING TO SHANE, THEY
SPENT NEARLY EVERY DAY TOGETHER
AND LOVED TO LOUNGE AROUND WITH
HER TWO CATS.
>> I'M NOT A CAT PERSON.
I'M MORE OF A DOG PERSON TO BE
HONEST, BUT SHE KIND OF MADE ME
A CAT PERSON.
>> HE TOLD THE DETECTIVES THAT
ALTHOUGH IT WAS EARLY IN THEIR
RELATIONSHIP, THEY WERE PLANNING
A FUTURE TOGETHER.
>> LITERALLY YESTERDAY WE WERE
TALKING ABOUT, LIKE, ME BREAKING
MY LEASE AND MOVING INTO HER
PLACE.
>> WE BOTH WANTED FAMILIES.
>> YOU IMAGINED YOURSELF WITH
HER?
>> 100%.
>> SHANE'S DESCRIPTION WAS IN
STARK CONTRAST TO WHAT MATTHEW
ECKER HAD TOLD POLICE.
MATTHEW SAID ALEX TOLD HIM SHE
WAS FIGHTING WITH SHANE AND
SCARED OF HIM.
BUT WHEN THE DETECTIVES ASKED,
SHANE DENIED IT.
>> SO DID THE ARGUMENT THAT YOU
GUYS HAD ON THAT MORNING, DID IT
GET PHYSICAL AT ALL?
>> NO, NOT AT ALL.
GOD NO.
>> IT WAS BASICALLY ABOUT WHY I
HADN'T MOVED IN YET AND WHY IT
WAS TAKING SO LONG.
>> BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE PUNCH
MARKS IN ALEX'S APARTMENT?
>> THAT WAS A FEW WEEKS BACK.
IT WAS ME.
I WAS DRUNK.
I DIDN'T PUT MY HANDS ON HER,
THOUGH.
>> WE ARGUED LIKE A MARRIED
COUPLE.
IT WASN'T ANYTHING CRAZY OR LIKE
VIOLENT OR WEIRD.
>> BUT REMEMBER MATTHEW TOLD
DETECTIVES SHANE WAS ARGUING
WITH ALEX JUST HOURS BEFORE HER
DEATH AT CAMP BAR, AND SHANE
EVEN PUNCHED MATTHEW.
>> I CAME ACROSS AND I STOOD
BETWEEN THEM AND HE PUNCHED ME.
>> SHANE DIDN'T DENY HITTING
MATTHEW.
HE SAID SEEING ALEX WITH ANOTHER
MAN UPSET HIM.
>> ALEX SHOWED UP WITH A LIKE A
GUY.
HE DOESN'T LOOK FAMILIAR.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHO THE [ BLEEP ]
THIS GUY WAS.
>> I WAS WONDER WHY THIS GUY IS
HANGING OUT WITH MY GIRLFRIEND,
AND I DECIDED TO THROW A PUNCH,
WHICH IS NOT IN MY CHARACTER.
BUT IT JUST FELT LIKE THE THING
TO DO AT THE TIME.
>> SO CAMP BAR IS THE LAST BAR
THAT ALEX AND MATTHEW WENT TO.
>> DETECTIVES DeSANTO AND
O'DONNELL REVIEWED SECURITY
FOOTAGE FROM INSIDE CAMP BAR.
>> SO AS ALEX AND MATT WALKED
IN, SHANE WAS SITTING RIGHT
ACROSS FROM THE BAR.
>> THEY TOOK US THROUGH THE
ALTERCATION, AND WE ZOOMED IN
FOR A CLOSER LOOK.
>> MATT WAS SITTING HERE WHEN
THEY WALKED IN, AND REALLY ODDLY
ALEX WALKED AROUND THE BAR AND
SAT ACROSS THE BAR OVER THERE.
>> SHANE WALKED OVER TO HER
FIRST AND THEN SHE IS TALKING TO
SHANE AND MATT COMES OVER, AND
IF IT APPEARS HE IS INTRODUCING
HIMSELF BECAUSE HE HOLDS OUT HIS
HANDS TO SHAKE HANDS WITH SHANE.
THEN THERE'S A CONFRONTATION,
SHANE ENDED UP ASSAULTING MATT.
>> NO, NO.
NO.
WE'RE NOT DOING THAT.
WE ARE NOT DOING THAT.
>> SHANE THEN IS ASKED TO LEAVE.
>> YES.
>> I HAD NO IDEA THAT THAT WAS
GOING TO BE THE LAST TIME THAT I
EVER SAW HER.
>> AFTER SHANE LEFT, THE FOOTAGE
SHOWED ALEX HANGING AT THE BAR
WITH MATTHEW FOR ABOUT ANOTHER
HOUR, DRINKING AND CHATTING.
DETECTIVES WERE NO CLOSER TO
UNDERSTANDING WHY JUST A LITTLE
WHILE LATER SHE WOULD, AS
MATTHEW TOLD THEM, TAKE HER OWN
LIFE.
AND THE MEDICAL EXAMINER RULED
THAT ALEX'S MANNER OF DEATH
COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
SO DETECTIVES DUG INTO HER PAST
LOOKING FOR ANYTHING THAT COULD
EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED.
>> SHE'S BEEN EVERY HAIR COLOR.
BRUNET AND THEN BLONDE AND THEN
BLACK HAIR.
>> PUT SOME RED IN THERE.
>> PUT A LITTLE RED IN THERE.
AND IT WAS JUST LIKE SHE'D BE
EVERY COLOR.
>> THEY HAVE KNOWN ALEX SINCE
GRADE SCHOOL.
TELL ME ABOUT ALEX AS YOU KNEW
HER BACK THEN.
>> SPUNKY, A LITTLE CHILD, FULL
OF ENERGY.
ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING.
>> JILLIAN PLAYED ICE HOCKEY
WITH ALEX, AND TOGETHER THEY WON
A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHAT WAS SHE LIKE?
>> FIRE ON ICE.
LUCKILY I WAS ON HER TEAM SO I
NEVER HAD TO PLAY AGAINST HER,
BUT SHE WAS FEISTY.
>> SHE WAS SO FUN.
I DON'T REALLY REMEMBER ANYTHING
OTHER THAN HAPPINESS, REALLY,
ESPECIALLY IN THE YOUNGER YEARS.
>> BUT DETECTIVES LEARNED THAT
AS A YOUNG ADULT, ALEX
STRUGGLED.
HER PARENTS MARY JO AND JIM SAID
THAT IN COLLEGE ALEX WOULD GET
DEPRESSED, AND SHE GOT HOOKED ON
PRESCRIPTION PILLS.
>> IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT.
>> ONE DAY IN 2016 --
>> SHE WENT UP TO HER ROOM AND
TOOK A HANDFUL OF MEDS, AND THEN
HAD TOLD HER MOM THAT SHE WAS
ATTEMPTING SUICIDE BY MEDS AND
THEN PROMPTLY THREW IT UP.
STUCK HER FINGER IN HER THROAT
AND THREW IT UP.
>> I FELT LIKE IT WAS A CRY FOR
HELP.
>> AND THEY GOT ALEX THAT HELP.
INSPIRED BY THE NURSES WHO
HELPED HER RECOVER, IN 2019 SHE
GOT HER LICENSE PRACTICAL
NURSING DEGREE AND WAS CHOSEN TO
SPEAK AT GRADUATION.
>> I HAVE CLIMBED OUT OF THE
DARKNESS WITH PERMANENT SCARS
BUT A HEART OF GOLD AND A
PROMISE THAT AS A NURSE, I WILL
TRY MY BEST FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME
TO NOT BE ALONE AND HELP THEM
LIKE THOSE NURSES THAT HELPED
ME.
>> ALEX DID MAKE THAT CHOICE TO
GET WELL, AND SHE DID.
>> HER LIFE WAS BACK ON TRACK.
>> HER LIFE WAS ON TRACK.
>> RIGHT.
>> AND WE WATCHED THE CAMP BAR
VIDEO, WRIGHT?
>> DETECTIVES ALSO LEARNED ALL
ABOUT ALEX'S HISTORY WITH
MATTHEW ECKER.
SHE MET HIM IN 2020 WHEN SHE GOT
A JOB AT A WALK-IN CLINIC.
HER PARENTS SAY THEIR DAUGHTER
DESCRIBED MATTHEW A GUY SHE
WORKED WITH.
BUT THERE WAS A LOT MORE THAN
JUST FRIENDSHIP.
ALEX AND MATTHEW, THEY SAY, WERE
HAVING AN AFFAIR BACK THEN EVEN
THOUGH MATTHEW WAS MARRIED WITH
FOUR KIDS.
>> SHE KNEW HE WAS MAREDE.
SHE KNEW HE HAD FOUR CHILDREN.
>> TERRY SAYS THE ROMANCE DIDN'T
LAST.
IN THE SUMMER OF 2022 --
>> THEY HAD ENDED THE PHYSICAL
PART OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP AND
WERE JUST FRIENDS.
>> STILL, SHE SAYS, HER SON WAS
A SOURCE OF SUPPORT FOR ALEX.
SHE SAYS MATTHEW TOLD HER ALEX
WAS DRINKING HEAVILY, AND AS A
RESULT, LOST SEVERAL JOBS.
>> SHE WOULDN'T SHOW UP.
SHE'D GO ON A BINGE.
>> WITHOUT A JOB, MATTHEW'S
FAMILY SAYS ALEX STRUGGLED TO
PAY HER BILLS.
SO UNBEKNOWNST TO HER PARENTS,
MATTHEW STEPPED IN.
HE GAVE ALEX MONEY AND HELPED
HER PAY HER RENT.
MATTHEW'S SISTERS, MOLLY AND
AMY, AREN'T SURPRISED THEIR
BROTHER WANTED TO HELP.
>> HE CARED FOR HER.
HE HAS A BIG HEART, AND HE
DIDN'T WANT TO JUST WALK AWAY.
HE COULDN'T WALK AWAY.
>> AND JUST THREE DAYS BEFORE
ALEX DIED, ALEX SENT MATTHEW
THESE TEXT MESSAGES.
"I SHUT MYSELF OUT TO THE WORLD.
I NEEDED A MENTAL HEALTH BREAK.
AND I'M NOT VERY HOPEFUL AT THE
MOMENT ABOUT LIFE."
EVEN WITH THOSE TEXTS, THOUGH,
AND ALEX'S PAST ATTEMPT YEARS
EARLIER, DETECTIVES STILL
WEREN'T CONVINCED SHE TOOK HER
OWN LIFE.
>> JUST BECAUSE YOU SAY I NEED A
MENTAL HEALTH DAY OR IT'S NOT A
GOOD DAY, DOESN'T MEAN YOUR
SUICIDAL.
>> DETECTIVES SUSPECTED MATTHEW
WAS LYING TO THEM.
AND HERE'S WHY.
REMEMBER THE GUN WAS FOUND ON
ALEX'S CHEST WITH HER LEFT HAND
ON IT.
TURNS OUT, ALEX WAS
RIGHT-HANDED.
>>> WHEN DETECTIVES ABBY DeSANTO
AND JENNIFER O'DONNELL REVIEWED
SECURITY FOOTAGE FROM ALEX'S
APARTMENT BUILDING, THEY WERE
ABLE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AFTER
MATHEW AND ALEX LEFT CAMP BAR.
>> SO THAT'S ALEX AND MATT, AND
THERE'S THE VIEW OF ALEX'S
APARTMENT WALKING IN.
>> ABOUT 2:00 IN THE MORNING OR
SO TIME FRAME.
>> YES.
>> YOU CAN SEE MATHEW AND ALEX
WALK OUT OF VIEW.
A SHORT TIME LATER THEY WALK OUT
THE DOOR.
MATTHEW WOULD SAY IT WAS TO GET
HIS HEADPHONES OUT HIS CAR.
ALEX RETURNS TO THE LOBBY AND
WAITS.
FOR THE DETECTIVES, WHAT HAPPENS
NEXT IS KEY.
>> SHE SEEMS IMPATIENT, JUST
LOOKING AT HER BODY LANGUAGE.
>> THEY NOTE HOW WHEN MATTHEW
RETURNS, ALEX DOESN'T HOLD THE
DOOR FOR HIM.
AND HOW HE SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS
AS HE AFOLLOWS BEHIND HER.
THE DETECTIVES WONDER IF MATTHEW
AND ALEX HAD GOTTEN INTO A
FIGHT.
>> SOMETHING WAS GOING ON WITH
THEM.
>> THAT'S HUGE BECAUSE THAT'S
THE LAST TIME WE SEE ALEX ALIVE.
>> 20 MINUTES LATER AT 2:50 A.M.
MATTHEW PLACED THAT CALL TO 911.
>> A GIRL WHO SHOT HERSELF IN
THE HEAD.
>> THE LOBBY SECURITY FOOTAGE
HAD NO AUDIO, SO THERE WAS NO
WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE IF THE TWO
HAD GOTTEN INTO A FIGHT.
BUT WHEN ALEX'S FAMILY AND
FRIENDS SAW IT --
>> YOU COULD TELL THAT SHE WAS
MAD.
YOU COULD TELL THE WAY SHE
RIPPED OPEN THAT DOOR, YOU COULD
TELL ALEX STOMPING IN.
>> WHENEVER SHE WAS MAD, SHE'D
LIKE STOMP.
AND IT WAS VISIBLE IN THIS
VIDEO.
>> SO THEY WERE DEFINITELY IN A
FIGHT.
>> BUT WHEN DETECTIVES
QUESTIONED MATTHEW, HE DENIED
ANY PROBLEMS.
>> WE WERE LAUGHING ON THE WAY
HOME.
EVERYTHING WAS FINE.
>> YOU GUYS WEREN'T ARGUING OR
ANYTHING?
THERE NO FIGHT WITH YOU TWO?
>> NOT BETWEEN US.
>> AND MATTHEW'S FAMILY BELIEVES
THERE COULD BE A DIFFERENT
REASON FOR THE CHANGE IN ALEX'S
DEMEANOR.
IN THE FOOTAGE ALEX IS ON HER
PHONE.
THEY WONDER IF SHE WAS MESSAGING
SHANE AND ARGUING WITH HIM ABOUT
THE ALTERCATION THAT HAD JUST
HAPPENED AT CAMP BAR.
>> I TRULY BELIEVE THERE'S A LOT
OF INFORMATION --, A LOT OF
TEXTING.
AND WE THINK HAVING GOTTEN THOSE
INTERACTIONS WOULD HAVE GIVEN A
LOT MORE INSIGHT INTO HER STATE
OF MIND.
>> BUT DETECTIVES COULDN'T GET
INTO ALEX'S PHONE BECAUSE NO ONE
KNEW HER PAS CODE, AND SHANE
SAID HE'D LOST HIS PHONE THE
NIGHT BEFORE.
>> WAS SHE TALKING TO YOU AT
ALL?
>> I DIDN'T HAVE A PHONE SO --
>> FACEBOOK MESSAGE OR ANYTHING
LIKE THAT?
>> NO.
>> UNABLE TO KNOW FOR SURE WHAT
WAS REALLY HAPPENING IN THE
LOBBY WHEN DETECTIVE DeSANTO AND
HER COLLEAGUE INTERVIEWED HIM,
THEY ASKED ABOUT THE APARTMENT.
>> SHE HAD DOWN HERE FIRST AND
THEN SHE COCKED IT.
SHE ENDED UP HOLDING IT TO HER
LEFT TEMPLE IS WHAT I REMEMBER.
>> OKAY.
>> IS SHE LEFT-HANDED?
>> SHE'S NOT.
THAT'S WHAT WAS WEIRD.
>> HE SAID SHE DID ALL THIS WITH
HER LEFT HAND BUT THEN TOLD US
SHE WAS RIGHT HANDED.
>> YOU DON'T USE A WEAPON WITH
YOUR NONDOMINANT HAND.
JUST ANOTHER INCONSISTENCY OR
ANOTHER PART OF THE PUZZLE THAT
DOESN'T MATCH.
>> THERE WAS ALSO THE NAGGING
QUESTION ABOUT THE SINK BEING
DRY.
MATTHEW HAD TOLD FIRST
RESPONDERS HE WASHED HIS HANDS
AFTER TRYING TO HELP ALEX, WHICH
IS WHY HIS HANDS WERE CLEAN.
BUT THE SINK WAS DRY WHEN POLICE
ARRIVED.
DeSANTO ASKED IF HE DID, IN
FACT, CALL POLICE RIGHT AWAY.
>> AND THEN YOU CALLED THE
POLICE RIGHT AWAY?
>> I GOT UP AND CALLED THE
POLICE, YEAH.
>> SO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU GET
BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS AND THEN YOU
GO TO THE SINK AND YOU --
>> YEAH.
>> OR THE HANDLE TO THE SINK.
THERE SHOULD BE BLOOD ON THAT.
THERE'S NOTHING IN THE SINK.
>> I RINSED MY HAND.
>> THE SINK'S DRY.
THERE'S NO WATER OR ANYTHING.
>> NO, I WASHED MY HANDS IN THE
SINK.
I DID.
>> BUT DeSANTO THOUGHT MATTHEW
WAS LYING.
EITHER HE HADN'T HELPED ALEX AND
DIDN'T WASH HIS HANDS, OR HE HAD
NOT CALLED 911 RIGHT AWAY.
>> RIGHT NOW ALL THIS EVIDENCE
DOES NOT ADD UP.
>> I CAN'T --
>> I JUST WANT YOU TO JUST
THINK.
I JUST WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT
THIS AND WHAT YOU'RE --
>> YOU'RE ASKING ME TO CONFESS
TO SOMETHING THAT I DIDN'T DO.
>> NO, I'M NOT.
WE'RE JUST GOING TO GIVE YOU
SOME TIME HERE TO THINK.
WE'VE GOT TO GRAB THAT STUFF
ANYWAY.
THINK ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT WE
DISCUSSED WITH YOU.
>> BUT SOON MATTHEW CALLED THEM
BACK IN.
IT WAS MORE THAN TWO HOURS INTO
HIS INTERVIEW, AND HE WANTED TO
CHANGE HIS STORY.
>> SO THE CHANGE THAT I HAVE, I
DID TAKE THE GUN AND I PUT IT IN
MY SUITCASE.
I PUT IT IN THE SUITCASE, WENT
BACK, LOOKED TO HER AND SAID,
YEP, WENT BACK TO THE SUITCASE,
GRABBED THE GUN AND PUT IT BACK
THERE.
>> WHY WOULD YOU MOVE THAT GUN?
>> DID HE EXPLAIN WHY HE MOVED
THE GUN?
>> HE WAS SCARED.
>> WHEN MATTHEW PUT THE GUN
BACK, HE SAID HE PUT IT ON ALEX,
THE WAY FIRST RESPONDERS FOUND
IT, WITH HER HAND ON TOP.
>> WHY WOULD YOU LAY HER HAND
BACK ON THE GUN?
>> I WAS MOVING HER, I WAS
LOOKING AT HER.
>> AT THAT POINT WE'RE LIKE WHAT
INNOCENT PERSON WOULD DO THIS?
>> YET MATTHEW CONTINUED TO
INSIST HE WAS INNOCENT.
>> I DID NOT SHOOT HER.
>> AND HE KEPT SAYING THE DOOR
TO THE BATHROOM WAS SHUT, I
DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.
BUT YOU DIDN'T BUY IT?
>> NO.
>> AND NEITHER DID THE
DETECTIVE?
>> NO.
>> BUT THE DETECTIVE ITS DIDN'T
KNOW HOW THEY COULD PROVE IT.
THEN THEY DISCOVERED A BIG PIECE
OF EVIDENCE.
>> THIS IS A BIG PIECE OF THE
PUZZLE FOR YOU?
>> YES.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ALEX AND
MATTHEW'S BODY LAN
>>> FOR HOURS MATTHEW ECKER
INSISTED HE DID NOT KILL ALEX,
THAT SHE LOCKED HERSELF IN THE
BATHROOM AND FIRED THE SHOT.
HE SAID HE HAD BROKEN OPEN THE
DOOR ONLY AFTER THE GUN WENT
OFF.
>> I HEARD THE GUN GO OFF, AND
THAT'S WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR.
>> BUT THEN DETECTIVE O'DONNELL
GOT A CALL FROM THE FORENSIC
UNIT PROCESSING THE SCENE.
>> ONCE ALEX WAS MOVED, THEY
FOUND UNDERNEATH WHERE ALEX HAD
BEEN LAYING WAS A ROUND, METAL
PIECE.
>> WHICH IS THIS PIECE RIGHT
HERE?
>> YES.
>> O'DONNELL SAYS IT'S A PIECE
OF THE BATHROOM DOOR LOCK.
AND BECAUSE IT WAS DISCOVERED ON
THE FLOOR UNDER ALEX'S HEAD, AS
SEEN IN THIS CBS NEWS ANIMATION,
IT HAD TO HAVE GOTTEN THERE
WHILE ALEX WAS STILL ALIVE.
>> FOR US IT MEANT THAT THE DOOR
WAS FORCED OPEN BEFORE SHE WAS
SHOT.
>> THE DETECTIVES SUSPECTED ALEX
HAD LOCKED THE DOOR TO GET AWAY
FROM MATTHEW.
>> I BELIEVE THAT ALEX AND
MATTHEW GOT IN AN ARGUMENT.
I BELIEVE THAT SHE WENT INTO THE
BATHROOM TO BE ALONE, NOT
WANTING TO BE WITH HIM.
>> BUT WHEN HE BROKE OPEN THE
DOOR, THEY SAY, THAT SMALL PIECE
OF METAL FROM THE LOCK, LANDED
ON THE BATHROOM FLOOR.
>> HE FORCED HIS WAY IN AND SHOT
HER.
>> SHOT, THEY SAY, ALEX FELL ON
TOP OF THE METAL PIECE.
TO THE DETECTIVES, IT WAS THE
ONLY WAY THE PIECE COULD HAVE
ENDED UP UNDER HER.
MATTHEW ECKER WAS CHARGED WITH
SECOND DEGREE MURDER.
HIS FAMILY WAS STUNNED.
>> IT'S LIKE, NO, THERE'S GOT TO
BE A MISTAKE.
>> IT'S JUST NOT HIS CHARACTER.
HE'S NOT GOING TO HARM SOMEBODY
ON PURPOSE.
>> THEY HIRED CRIMINAL DEFENSE
ATTORNEY BRUCE RIVERS.
>> THERE'S REASONABLE DOUBT ALL
OVER THE PLACE THAT THIS WAS A
HOMICIDE.
>> RIVERS SAYS THERE'S ANOTHER
EXPLANATION FOR HOW THAT METAL
PIECE GOT UNDER ALEX.
HE SAID IT COULD HAVE ENDED UP
UNDER HER HEAD WHEN MATTHEW
ECKER ATTEMPTED TO HELP HER.
>> BECAUSE HE DID LIFT HER HEAD
UP.
>> BUT DETECTIVES POINT TO THE
WAY ALEX WAS FOUND WITH HER LEGS
STRADDLING THE DOOR.
IF MATTHEW ECKER HAD BROKE OPEN
THE DOOR AFTER HEARING THE
GUNSHOT, DETECTIVES SAY ALEX'S
LEGS WOULD HAVE BEEN PUSHED TO
THE SIDE.
BUT ECKER'S DEFENSE ATTORNEY
SAYS THERE WAS ENOUGH SPACE IN
THE BATHROOM THAT WHEN THE DOOR
WAS BROKEN OPEN --
>> IT WENT IN BETWEEN HER LEGS.
THAT IS CONSISTENT, IN MY
OPINION, WITH HER LAYING THERE
AND HAVING SHOT HERSELF.
>> AND IMPORTANTLY, CLAIMS
RIVERS, IF HIS CLIENT HAD SHOT
ALEX, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN
BLOOD SPLATTER ON HIM, AND
THAT'S NOT THE CASE.
>> THERE WAS NOT ONE SPECK OF
BLOOD ON HIS SHIRT, ON HIS
PANTS, ON HIS FACE, ANYWHERE
WHATSOEVER.
>> THE DETECTIVES SAY THAT'S
BECAUSE ECKER MOST LIKELY HAD
REACHED AROUND THE DOOR WHILE HE
WAS TRYING TO FORCE HIS WAY IN
AND FIRED THE SHOT.
>> I BELIEVE THE DOOR SHIELDED
HIM FROM THE INITIAL BLOOD
SPLATTER.
>> BUT RIVERS SAYS IT MAKES MUCH
MORE SENSE THAT ALEX TOOK HER
OWN LIFE.
AND HE SAYS FORENSIC TESTING
PROVES ECKER WASN'T THE ONE WHO
FIRED THE GUN.
IT WAS ALEX.
>> THERE WAS GUNSHOT RESIDUE ON
HER LEFT HAND.
>> AND WAS HER DNA FOUND ON THE
GUN?
>> IT WAS.
>> THERE WAS ALSO NO GUNSHOT
RESIDUE ON ECKER.
AND HIS DNA WAS NOT FOUND ON THE
GUN.
>> DETECTIVES SUSPECT THAT'S
BECAUSE HE WIPED IT CLEAN BEFORE
PUTTING IT ON ALEX.
>> THERE SHOULD BE HIS DNA.
IT'S YOUR GUN.
YOU TOLD US IN AN INTERVIEW THAT
YOU GRABBED THE GUN.
YOUR HANDS ARE OVER THAT GUN,
BUT IT WAS VERY CLEAN.
>> HE ADMITTED TO HAVING HELD
THE GUN AND MOVING THE GUN AFTER
THE FACT, YET NONE OF HIS DNA
WAS FOUND ON THE GUN.
HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT?
>> THAT'S NOT UNCOMMON.
JUST BECAUSE YOU TOUCH SOMETHING
DOESN'T MEAN THAT DNA IS GOING
TO BE THERE.
>> AT THE TIME OF HER DEATH,
ALEX HAD ALMOST THREE TIMES THE
LEGAL LIMIT OF ALCOHOL AND FOUR
DIFFERENT PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATIONS IN HER SYSTEM
INCLUDING PROZAC AND VALIUM.
ALTHOUGH IT WASN'T THE CAUSE OF
HER DEATH, TO RIVERS, IT SHOWED
SHE WAS STRUGGLING.
AS DID THOSE TEXTS SHE HAD SENT
ECKER JUST A FEW DAYS BEFORE HER
DEATH.
>> SHE WAS DEPRESSED BECAUSE OF
HER FINANCIAL CONDITION,
DEPRESSED BECAUSE OF HER JOB
SITUATION.
ALL THESE THINGS COMPOUNDED
THEMSELVES.
>> BUT DETECTIVES WOULD DISCOVER
SOMETHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THOSE
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS FOUND
IN ALEX'S BODY.
IT TURNS OUT MATTHEW ECKER HAD
PRESCRIBED THEM.
>> HE DIDN'T TELL US THAT HE WAS
PRESCRIBING HER MEDICATION.
>> DURING THE INVESTIGATION YOU
FOUND THAT OUT.
>> YES.
>> YEAH.
>> AS A LICENSED
NURSE-PRACTITIONER, ECKER HAD
THE AUTHORITY TO WRITE
PRESCRIPTIONS, THOUGH NORMALLY
THAT AUTHORITY IS USED FOR A
PATIENT.
ALEX WAS NOT.
>> YOU WOULD THINK YOU WOULD
SEND HER TO A DOCTOR AND HAVE
HER SEE SOMEONE ELSE.
>> WAS HIS PRESCRBING
MEDICATION CONSIDERED ILLEGAL,
THOUGH?
>> NO.
IT'S UNETHICAL, BUT IT WAS NOT
ILLEGAL.
>> ACCORDING TO ECKER'S FAMILY,
MATTHEW HAD GOOD REASON.
>> SHE WAS PRESCRIBED THOSE
MEDICATIONS ORIGINALLY BY A
MEDICAL DOCTOR, SO SHE HAD ASKED
MATT IF HE COULD REFILL THEM.
SHE WOULD BADGER HIM.
>> AND THEY POINT TO MULTIPLE
TEXTS ALEX SENT HIM DAYS BEFORE
HER DEATH ASKING HIM TO REFILL
MEDICATIONS INCLUDING, "I NEED
YOU TO SEND IN MY IMMEDIATE
RELEASE ADDERALL SCRIPT."
I HAVE LIKE THREE BOTTLES OF
PROZAC, SO I'M GOOD WITH THAT.
STILL, ALEX'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS
SAY THERE IS NO EXCUSE.
>> I CAN'T GET OVER THAT.
AS A NURSE-PRACTITIONER, HE
SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER.
>> SO HIS FEELING SORRY FOR YOUR
DAUGHTER OR FEELING LIKE HE WAS
DOING THIS IN THE BEST WAY TO
TRY TO HELP HER, YOU DON'T
BELIEVE THAT'S THE CASE?
>> I DON'T BELIEVE IT AT ALL.
>> ESPECIALLY FOR SOMEONE THAT
HAS A HISTORY OF ADDICTION, YOU
DON'T PRESCRIBE IT.
>> AS A NURSE-PRACTITIONER, YOU
SAY NO.
>> IN FEBRUARY 2024, MATTHEW
ECKER'S TRIAL BEGAN.
THE DETECTIVES WERE CONFIDENT
THEY HAD AN IDEA OF WHY MATTHEW
ECKER WOULD HAVE WANTED ALEX
DEAD.
AND IT CENTERED AROUND THEIR
PAST ROMANCE.
>> MAYBE SHE SAID THAT SHE WAS
GOING TO CALL HIS WIFE AND TELL
HIS WIFE EVERYTHING.
>> AND AS FAR AS THE MOTIVE,
WHAT WOULD BE THE MOTIVE?
>> KEEP HER QUIET SO THE WIFE
DOESN'T FIND OUT.
>> SURE WOULD BE NICE IF THERE
WAS SOME EVIDENCE OF THAT.
I MEAN, IT WAS JUST SHEER
SPECULATION.
THERE'S NOTHING, NOT ONE
SCINTILLA OF EVIDENCE THAT THEY
WERE IN ANY KIND OF DISPUTE
WHATSOEVER.
>> INSTEAD, RIVERS SAID HE'S
SURE THAT NIGHT EVERYTHING CAME
TO A HEAD FOR ALEX AND SHE
COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.
>> SO WHEN IT BOILS DOWN TO IT,
THIS IS A CASE ABOUT WHAT THE
JURY'S GOING TO BELIEVE.
>> WHETHER IT'S SUICIDE OR
HOMICIDE.
>> AND BECAUSE THE MEDICAL
EXAMINER HAD RULED ALEX'S MANNER
OF DEATH COULD NOT BE
DETERMINED, RIVERS BROUGHT IN A
SECOND ONE WHO CAME TO THE SAME
CONCLUSION.
UNDETERMINED.
>> IF THEY CAN'T DETERMINE IT
WAS A HOMICIDE, NEITHER CAN YOU.
>> BUT WHAT WOULD THE JURY
THINK?
WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR
DELIBERATIONS, EVERYONE WAS
NERVOUS.
>> IT WAS OBVIOUS TO ME MATT WAS
CONCERNED.
>> SELFISHLY AS A PARENT OF
ALEX, WE WANTED TO BELIEVE THAT
HE WAS GUILTY.
BUT BELIEVING IT AND PROVING IT
ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
>>> WE GOT A CALL THAT THERE HAD
BEEN A VERDICT.
>> YOU JUST TAKE THIS HUGE, DEEP
BREATH LIKE, OH, GOSH.
>> IN FEBRUARY 2024 AFTER 9
HOURS OF DELIBERATION, THE JURY
CAME TO A DECISION ABOUT MATTHEW
ECKER.
>> MATTHEW WAS GUILTY.
>> GUILTY OF SECOND DEGREE
MURDER.
>> ONCE WE HEARD THAT, WE
WERE -- WE WERE VERY HAPPY.
WE WERE SAD.
>> A HUGE RELIEF.
>> WE WERE SAD BECAUSE IT DIDN'T
BRING ALEX BACK, BUT AT LEAST
THERE WAS SOME JUSTICE SERVED.
>> BUT FOR MATTHEW ECKER'S
FAMILY --
>> IT WAS LIKE A KNIFE IN THE
HEART.
I COULDN'T EVEN FUNCTION.
>> WHAT DID YOU SEE IN YOUR
BROTHER IN THAT MOMENT WHEN THE
JURY READ THE VERDICT?
>> JUST ABSOLUTE TRAGEDY.
>> IT WAS AWFUL.
>> YEP.
>> TWO MONTHS LATER ON APRIL 3,
2024, MATTHEW ECKER WAS BACK IN
COURT FOR SENTENCING.
>> ALL RISE.
COURT IS NOW IN SESSION.
>> I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE PEOPLE
WHO WISH TO MAKE STATEMENTS
TODAY.
>> ALEX'S FRIEND, JILLIAN,
ADDRESSES THE COURT.
>> HOW MUCH TIMES I PICKED UP
THE PHONE TO CALL ALEX ONLY TO
REALIZE I WON'T EVER HEAR HER
VOICE AGAIN.
>> I REMEMBER, SARAH, YOU WERE
GIVING YOUR STATEMENT AND,
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT MEANT I WAS
AT THE LEVEL OF WHERE MATT WAS.
HE WAS SITTING AND I WAS
STANDING, AND JUST KEPT LOOKING
OVER AT HIM JUST TRYING TO FEEL
SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO
FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'RE FEELING.
AND THERE WAS JUST NOTHING.
NOTHING.
>> ALEX'S PARENTS, MARY JO AND
JIM, IMPLORED THE JUDGE TO
IMPOSE A STIFF SENTENCE.
>> OUR HEARTS HAVE BEEN BROKEN
BEYOND REPAIR AND THE FUTURE
TRAJECTORY OF OUR LIVES HAS BEEN
CHANGED FOREVER.
AND THE WORLD LOST A SPECIAL
SOUL, AND WE LOST OUR BABY.
>> BUT MATTHEW ECKER'S FAMILY
APPEALED FOR LENIENCY.
>> MATT IS ONE OF THE KINDEST
AND MOST COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE WE
KNOW.
HE HAS SPENT MOST OF HIS ADULT
LIFE HELPING PEOPLE AND CARING
FOR PEOPLE.
I TRULY BELIEVE THAT MATT HAS SO
MUCH MORE TO OFFER TO THIS
WORLD.
>> IN THE END --
>> IT IS THE SENTENCE OF THE LAW
AND THE JUDGMENT OF THE COURT
THAT YOU SERVE 360 MONTHS WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.
>> THE JUDGE SENTENCED MATTHEW
ECKER TO 30 YEARS FOR KILLING
ALEX.
>> YOU AR REMANDED TO THE
CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS.
>> I MEAN, HIM SITTING IN PRISON
FOR 30 YEARS IS JUST -- IT'S
JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE.
>> HE'S NOT A MURDERER.
HE DIDN'T DO THIS.
>> WE WILL FIGHT UNTIL IT'S MADE
RIGHT.
AND WE WILL NOT GIVE UP ON HIM.
>> ECKER AND HIS WIFE ARE NOW
DIVORCED, AND SHE HAS FULL
CUSTODY OF THEIR FOUR CHILDREN.
HIS FAMILY SAYS THEY HAVE NOT
BEEN ALLOWED ANY CONTACT WITH
THE KIDS.
>> THAT HAS TO BE VERY HARD, AS
GRANDPARENTS, NOT HAVING THAT
CONNECTION.
>> YEAH.
>> ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE.
>> I MISS THEM SO MUCH.
>> IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WOULD
WANT THEM TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR
DAD?
>> HE LOVES THEM AND CARES FOR
THEM AND MISSES THEM, AND WE
LOVE THEM.
>> AS FOR ALEX'S FAMILY, THERE
ARE QUESTIONS THEY'D STILL LIKE
ECKER TO ANSWER.
>> WHY'D YOU DO IT?
WHY?
>> QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS THAT
MAY NEVER COME.
WHAT THEY DO KNOW IS HOW THEY
CHOOSE TO HONOR ALEX.
ONE WAY IS THROUGH HER LOVE FOR
ANIMALS INCLUDING A
SERENDIPITOUS ENCOUNTER.
>> SOMEBODY HAD DUMPED OFF A
LITTLE BABY ROOSTER, AND SOMEHOW
IT JUST MIGRATED TO OUR HOUSE.
SO WE BUILT A CHICKEN COOP, AND
WE NOW HAVE 12 CHICKENS AT HOME.
>> AND IT'S PROPERLY NAMED
ALEX'S COOP.
I HAVE A FEELING THAT ALEX HAD A
HAND IN BRINGING YOU THAT
ROOSTER.
>> AND EVERY MONTH THE PENNIGS
GET TOGETHER WITH SARAH AND
JILLINA.
>> AND WE JUST SIT THERE AND
TALK AND CRY AND TELL STORIES
AL WOULD NOT WANT US TO BE
TELLING MARROW JOE,
TELLING MARY JO, BUT WE TELL
THEM BECAUSE WE GET TO RELIVE
THESE STORIES.
>> ALEX'S'S BOYFRIEND, SHANE, ALSO
STRUGGLES.
>> IT'S HEART BREAKING BECAUSE I
LOVE THAT GIRL, AND SHE DESERVES
TO BE HERE.
SHE ABSOLUTELY DESERVES TO BEAL
HERE.
>> THE CEMETERY WHERE ALEX WAS
BURIED IS A SHORT DRIVE FROM
WHERE HER PARENTS LIVE, AND THEY
VISIT HER AS OFTEN AS THEY CAN.
>> HEY, AL.
>> I MISS YOU, KID.
YEAH.
>> IT'S TOUGH.
LOVE YOU, HONEY.
>> FINALLY AT PEACE.
WE MISS YOU SWEETHEART.