1 00:00:08,241 --> 00:00:10,409 [female narrator] when shots ring out in rural new jersey, 2 00:00:10,477 --> 00:00:14,112 A beloved father is left for dead. 3 00:00:14,182 --> 00:00:17,116 There was bullet holes under his arms, 4 00:00:17,184 --> 00:00:19,584 Blood stained on his shirt. 5 00:00:19,653 --> 00:00:22,722 The ford explorer had been stolen from the backyard 6 00:00:22,790 --> 00:00:24,256 After the shooting. 7 00:00:24,324 --> 00:00:26,259 [narrator] now, investigators must determine 8 00:00:26,326 --> 00:00:29,261 If this a random act of violence... 9 00:00:29,263 --> 00:00:32,799 Or something much more sinister 10 00:00:32,866 --> 00:00:34,867 The area is beautiful. 11 00:00:34,935 --> 00:00:38,270 You would not anticipate a carjacking. 12 00:00:38,339 --> 00:00:41,907 The circumstances were very strange, to say the least. 13 00:00:41,975 --> 00:00:43,609 They were having this affair. 14 00:00:48,949 --> 00:00:54,419 [narrator] a woman willing to do anything to get her way. 15 00:00:54,421 --> 00:00:56,889 This woman was gonna have everybody killed. 16 00:00:56,957 --> 00:00:58,624 "you got to be kidding me." 17 00:00:58,692 --> 00:01:02,495 He felt if he followed along, that he would win her back. 18 00:01:09,970 --> 00:01:13,105 He was extremely concerned about having to wear a wire. 19 00:01:13,173 --> 00:01:16,475 She kept questioning, "why won't you come over here?" 20 00:01:16,543 --> 00:01:18,510 When you're in love with somebody that much, 21 00:01:18,579 --> 00:01:21,514 There's no telling what you'll do for somebody. 22 00:01:24,451 --> 00:01:33,192 [music] 23 00:01:35,429 --> 00:01:38,463 [narrator] April 16, 2000. 24 00:01:38,465 --> 00:01:41,666 It's 9:00 pm in hamilton township, new jersey, 25 00:01:41,735 --> 00:01:46,004 When a homeowner calls 911 to report a possible shooting. 26 00:01:46,073 --> 00:01:50,842 [police radio chatter] [siren wailing] 27 00:01:50,912 --> 00:01:53,412 [narrator] seasoned officers marcello simone 28 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:57,049 And rich destefani arrive within minutes. 29 00:01:57,051 --> 00:02:01,419 It was starting to rain on our arrival. 30 00:02:01,488 --> 00:02:04,389 It was a dark night. It was difficult to see. 31 00:02:05,559 --> 00:02:08,294 [marcello] this location was very rural. 32 00:02:08,862 --> 00:02:11,163 It's a quiet street with just a few houses 33 00:02:11,231 --> 00:02:13,232 And a lot of wooded area. 34 00:02:15,035 --> 00:02:16,635 [narrator] since it's a small township, 35 00:02:16,704 --> 00:02:20,772 Officers notice a few familiar faces. 36 00:02:20,841 --> 00:02:23,976 I recognized one of the females as susan gigliotti 37 00:02:24,044 --> 00:02:28,513 And an older woman, susan's mother, ruth jones. 38 00:02:28,582 --> 00:02:31,249 This was susan gigliotti's mother's house. 39 00:02:31,318 --> 00:02:33,318 And it was her family who was there, 40 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:36,254 And they were the ones who called in 911. 41 00:02:36,323 --> 00:02:40,225 Susan told me that her estranged husband, joe, 42 00:02:40,294 --> 00:02:43,863 Was there to drop off the children. 43 00:02:43,930 --> 00:02:46,932 [chris] joseph gigliotti's girlfriend, sue mcchesney, 44 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:48,800 Was present also. 45 00:02:48,802 --> 00:02:52,938 She arrived with joe at the house with the children. 46 00:02:53,007 --> 00:02:54,806 Sue requested to use the bathroom 47 00:02:54,875 --> 00:02:58,744 And went inside the house with joseph gigliotti. 48 00:03:01,081 --> 00:03:05,484 [narrator] that's when susan says she asked joe for a favor. 49 00:03:05,486 --> 00:03:08,620 Susan asked her estranged husband, joe, 50 00:03:08,689 --> 00:03:12,691 To check the transmission on her ford explorer 51 00:03:12,693 --> 00:03:15,827 Behind the house toward the garage. 52 00:03:15,896 --> 00:03:19,031 Susan had then said while she was inside with her mother, 53 00:03:19,099 --> 00:03:22,767 Ruth, they heard the shots. 54 00:03:22,836 --> 00:03:25,303 The bathroom was at the rear of the residence. 55 00:03:25,372 --> 00:03:27,973 And sue, the girlfriend, had said that 56 00:03:28,041 --> 00:03:30,041 While she was using the restroom, 57 00:03:30,043 --> 00:03:31,777 She also heard the shots. 58 00:03:33,447 --> 00:03:36,382 Shortly after, they heard the explorer go peeling backwards 59 00:03:36,450 --> 00:03:38,518 Out of the driveway. 60 00:03:41,187 --> 00:03:43,588 [narrator] susan gigliotti tells police she immediately 61 00:03:43,590 --> 00:03:46,491 Went out back to look for joe. 62 00:03:46,493 --> 00:03:49,962 Susan gigliotti called joe's name and couldn't find him. 63 00:03:50,030 --> 00:03:51,464 It was dark, and it was raining. 64 00:03:51,531 --> 00:03:53,866 It would have been hard to see in those conditions. 65 00:03:53,934 --> 00:03:56,468 So she came back in the house 66 00:03:56,536 --> 00:03:59,738 Because they heard what sounded like gunshots, 67 00:03:59,807 --> 00:04:03,508 They called the police for shots fired. 68 00:04:03,510 --> 00:04:06,878 The general reaction from everyone that was in the house 69 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:08,814 Was surprise and shock. 70 00:04:11,852 --> 00:04:14,687 [narrator] as police begin to inspect the property, 71 00:04:14,755 --> 00:04:19,891 Officer simone makes a gruesome discovery. 72 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:25,697 As I was going, I saw a body laying on the ground. 73 00:04:25,766 --> 00:04:30,502 I approached the body and I, uh, I recognized it was joe. 74 00:04:32,572 --> 00:04:36,441 The area that we patrol, you get to know your residents. 75 00:04:36,510 --> 00:04:38,777 I knew joseph gigliotti. 76 00:04:38,779 --> 00:04:43,115 And he was always cordial and say hi and you'd say hello back. 77 00:04:43,183 --> 00:04:45,850 There was bullet holes under his arms, 78 00:04:45,919 --> 00:04:48,520 Blood stained on his shirt. 79 00:04:48,588 --> 00:04:51,190 It was determined that at that moment joe is deceased. 80 00:04:56,030 --> 00:04:59,464 [marcello] we had a crime scene and we had to secure it. 81 00:04:59,466 --> 00:05:01,000 It was scary. 82 00:05:01,068 --> 00:05:05,137 We didn't know if there was somebody still around. 83 00:05:05,205 --> 00:05:10,509 We knew that at least one person had left with a ford explorer. 84 00:05:10,577 --> 00:05:13,312 [rich] we do know now what the shots were for. 85 00:05:13,380 --> 00:05:16,548 Joe gigliotti was dead. 86 00:05:16,616 --> 00:05:19,084 We didn't know where the vehicle was. 87 00:05:19,086 --> 00:05:22,254 Getting to know the victim is what we needed to do. 88 00:05:28,562 --> 00:05:31,363 [narrator] born in December 1967, 89 00:05:31,431 --> 00:05:34,566 Joe gigliotti was a new jersey native. 90 00:05:34,568 --> 00:05:36,634 The eldest of eight children, 91 00:05:36,636 --> 00:05:39,504 He took on the role of caretaker at a young age-- 92 00:05:39,573 --> 00:05:43,309 A trait that became a defining quality. 93 00:05:43,377 --> 00:05:46,177 [lauren] I think being an older brother 94 00:05:46,179 --> 00:05:50,182 Is probably what gave him his sense of responsibility. 95 00:05:50,250 --> 00:05:52,250 Joseph was a social butterfly. 96 00:05:52,319 --> 00:05:56,322 He would talk to anybody about anything. 97 00:05:58,859 --> 00:06:01,927 [kelley] at 16, joe's charisma attracted 98 00:06:01,929 --> 00:06:04,462 The interest of a classmate, susan jones. 99 00:06:04,531 --> 00:06:09,000 And like joe, susan was compassionate and well liked. 100 00:06:09,069 --> 00:06:11,871 They went together through part of high school, 101 00:06:11,938 --> 00:06:16,141 And then got married not long after. 102 00:06:16,209 --> 00:06:18,143 [narrator] the high school sweethearts tied the knot 103 00:06:18,211 --> 00:06:20,645 In June 1986. 104 00:06:20,647 --> 00:06:24,149 Within a year, the young couple welcomed a baby boy. 105 00:06:24,217 --> 00:06:28,286 In 1997, a second son followed. 106 00:06:28,355 --> 00:06:31,556 Joseph was really great with his kids. 107 00:06:31,558 --> 00:06:35,293 He helped them pursue their dreams. 108 00:06:35,295 --> 00:06:38,698 They were the sunshine of his life. 109 00:06:41,101 --> 00:06:42,434 [narrator] the young couple worked hard 110 00:06:42,503 --> 00:06:45,036 To make ends meet. 111 00:06:45,038 --> 00:06:47,706 [cynthia] I met susan through our job driving a school bus. 112 00:06:47,708 --> 00:06:49,641 It was atlanta county special services. 113 00:06:49,710 --> 00:06:52,578 It was for special needs kids-- 114 00:06:52,646 --> 00:06:55,781 Kids in wheelchairs, kids with autism. 115 00:06:55,849 --> 00:06:58,583 And she cared for the kids a lot. 116 00:06:58,652 --> 00:07:01,654 [frank] joe worked for a company that removed asbestos. 117 00:07:01,721 --> 00:07:05,323 And, um, he wanted to get out of that just for health reasons 118 00:07:05,392 --> 00:07:07,726 And just get into something a little safer. 119 00:07:08,862 --> 00:07:09,961 [narrator] in the late '90s, 120 00:07:10,030 --> 00:07:12,096 Joe enrolled in accounting classes 121 00:07:12,165 --> 00:07:16,602 At stockton university in galloway township, new jersey. 122 00:07:16,670 --> 00:07:18,670 [frank] joe, he was a great student. 123 00:07:18,738 --> 00:07:21,005 He was doing this basically for his kids, 124 00:07:21,074 --> 00:07:23,342 So they'd be financially better off. 125 00:07:26,346 --> 00:07:28,412 [narrator] but eventually, joe's efforts 126 00:07:28,414 --> 00:07:30,549 To build a better life for his kids 127 00:07:30,551 --> 00:07:33,752 Took a toll on his marriage. 128 00:07:33,754 --> 00:07:39,691 When he started going to school, it left more for her to do. 129 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:45,630 And I don't think she really wanted to do that kind of stuff. 130 00:07:45,699 --> 00:07:48,967 [narrator] in early 1998, joe moved out. 131 00:07:49,035 --> 00:07:51,703 But susan didn't officially file for divorce 132 00:07:51,772 --> 00:07:55,840 Until September of 1999. 133 00:07:55,909 --> 00:07:58,243 [lynn] their breakup was not good. 134 00:07:58,311 --> 00:08:00,912 He was just so devastated 135 00:08:00,981 --> 00:08:05,317 And didn't know what to do with himself. 136 00:08:05,385 --> 00:08:07,987 Part of that agreement that they were working on, 137 00:08:08,054 --> 00:08:11,724 Uh, included their custody sharing. 138 00:08:12,993 --> 00:08:15,293 [narrator] the boys lived with susan after the split, 139 00:08:15,362 --> 00:08:19,063 But joe remained an active part of their lives. 140 00:08:19,132 --> 00:08:20,598 He loved his boys. 141 00:08:20,667 --> 00:08:22,668 They were with him a lot, like on the weekends. 142 00:08:22,736 --> 00:08:25,738 And on his days off, they were out with him. 143 00:08:28,742 --> 00:08:31,609 [narrator] it wasn't long before joe found love again 144 00:08:31,678 --> 00:08:34,746 With one of his classmates in school. 145 00:08:34,748 --> 00:08:37,650 We just spent a lot of time together studying. 146 00:08:37,717 --> 00:08:39,952 And you spend that much time together with somebody 147 00:08:40,020 --> 00:08:42,754 That has similar goals, similar dreams 148 00:08:42,822 --> 00:08:45,724 And it just-- we just connected. 149 00:08:48,195 --> 00:08:50,963 [narrator] joe wasn't the only one who moved on. 150 00:08:51,031 --> 00:08:56,701 Susan attracted the attention of 36-year-old richard debow. 151 00:08:56,770 --> 00:08:59,571 [cynthia] rich got hired as an aide on the bus. 152 00:08:59,639 --> 00:09:01,239 We had aides to help us with the wheelchairs 153 00:09:01,308 --> 00:09:04,575 And to help take care of the kids on the bus. 154 00:09:04,645 --> 00:09:07,680 [davon] my uncle rich was head over heels for susan. 155 00:09:07,747 --> 00:09:10,648 My uncle was always either staying at her house 156 00:09:10,717 --> 00:09:14,986 Or they were communicating on the phone. 157 00:09:15,055 --> 00:09:16,721 [narrator] however, friends say susan 158 00:09:16,790 --> 00:09:19,057 Wasn't ready to settle down. 159 00:09:19,125 --> 00:09:22,460 She broke it off with rich after a couple of months. 160 00:09:22,529 --> 00:09:24,262 Rich was easygoing and very quiet, 161 00:09:24,331 --> 00:09:29,200 And she was very, like, uh, rough, not his type. 162 00:09:29,202 --> 00:09:30,802 [laughs] 163 00:09:30,870 --> 00:09:33,639 So, I knew that wasn't gonna last. 164 00:09:37,077 --> 00:09:39,611 [narrator] by 2000, joe and lauren's relationship 165 00:09:39,679 --> 00:09:42,748 Was also hitting the rocks. 166 00:09:42,816 --> 00:09:45,150 His divorce had not been finalized. 167 00:09:45,218 --> 00:09:47,519 Joseph and susan gigliotti were still fighting 168 00:09:47,521 --> 00:09:49,822 For custody of the children. 169 00:09:49,889 --> 00:09:54,892 He proposed to me no less than three times. 170 00:09:54,961 --> 00:09:59,364 But joseph was helping susan out financially with the house, 171 00:09:59,366 --> 00:10:03,501 And he wasn't able to contribute to our household. 172 00:10:03,503 --> 00:10:07,773 Until that got figured out, I wasn't ready to go there. 173 00:10:10,544 --> 00:10:14,647 [narrator] the couple split, but joe wasn't alone for long. 174 00:10:14,714 --> 00:10:18,516 In March of 2000, while preparing for his cpa exam, 175 00:10:18,585 --> 00:10:21,719 He met sue mcchesney. 176 00:10:21,788 --> 00:10:25,256 [sue] I met him online in a chatroom for singles. 177 00:10:25,258 --> 00:10:27,492 We hit it off right away. 178 00:10:27,560 --> 00:10:30,094 He started bringing his children over. 179 00:10:30,163 --> 00:10:32,930 I could tell he was an extremely good father 180 00:10:32,999 --> 00:10:35,634 And wanted to spend as much time as possible with them. 181 00:10:37,370 --> 00:10:40,405 [narrator] but sadly, joe gigliotti's time with his sons 182 00:10:40,473 --> 00:10:42,541 Would be cut short. 183 00:10:45,245 --> 00:10:47,845 April 16, 2000. 184 00:10:47,914 --> 00:10:50,349 After discovering the gunshot-riddled body 185 00:10:50,417 --> 00:10:52,183 Of joe gigliotti, 186 00:10:52,252 --> 00:10:54,919 Hamilton township officers call for backup. 187 00:10:56,089 --> 00:10:58,156 [rich] our next actions are to control the scene 188 00:10:58,225 --> 00:11:00,960 And keep the residents inside the property, 189 00:11:01,027 --> 00:11:03,428 Whether they live there or not. 190 00:11:03,496 --> 00:11:05,497 Not let anybody in the backyard. 191 00:11:05,565 --> 00:11:08,000 We didn't want anything contaminated. 192 00:11:08,068 --> 00:11:09,901 [narrator] initially, detectives keep the news 193 00:11:09,969 --> 00:11:13,771 Of joe's death quiet from the family. 194 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:16,775 Nobody really understood why they didn't keep searching 195 00:11:16,777 --> 00:11:20,545 For joe in the backyard, but they said they didn't. 196 00:11:20,613 --> 00:11:22,346 That's suspicious. 197 00:11:22,415 --> 00:11:25,817 You have to assume that everybody is a suspect. 198 00:11:28,355 --> 00:11:29,854 [narrator] coming up-- 199 00:11:29,856 --> 00:11:32,558 Crime scene evidence paints a chilling picture of 200 00:11:32,625 --> 00:11:36,128 Joe gigliotti's final moments. 201 00:11:36,196 --> 00:11:39,964 It appeared somebody may have been laying in wait. 202 00:11:40,033 --> 00:11:41,399 [narrator] and officers discover 203 00:11:41,468 --> 00:11:43,535 A key piece of evidence. 204 00:11:43,603 --> 00:11:45,903 We did find computers at her home, 205 00:11:45,972 --> 00:11:48,340 And the computers were actually stolen from the government. 206 00:11:50,110 --> 00:11:53,746 [music] 207 00:12:04,024 --> 00:12:06,824 [narrator] April 16, 2000. 208 00:12:06,893 --> 00:12:09,894 Within an hour of joe gigliotti's murder, 209 00:12:09,896 --> 00:12:11,596 Investigators are on the scene 210 00:12:11,665 --> 00:12:14,233 In hamilton township, new jersey. 211 00:12:15,034 --> 00:12:15,968 [rich] being a small town, 212 00:12:16,035 --> 00:12:19,771 We don't do the homicide investigation on our own. 213 00:12:19,839 --> 00:12:21,140 That's turned over to 214 00:12:21,207 --> 00:12:24,275 The atlantic county prosecutor's office. 215 00:12:24,344 --> 00:12:26,310 Once we were contacted by the department, 216 00:12:26,379 --> 00:12:29,547 We then arrive and take over that scene. 217 00:12:29,549 --> 00:12:31,050 I came in with my team, 218 00:12:31,117 --> 00:12:35,186 And we began processing and started talking to witnesses. 219 00:12:35,255 --> 00:12:38,690 [sue] I kept asking, "do you know anything about joe? 220 00:12:38,692 --> 00:12:40,858 Have you heard about him? Is he okay?" 221 00:12:40,927 --> 00:12:42,861 And no one would answer me. 222 00:12:47,133 --> 00:12:49,934 [marcello] when susan was describing the incident, 223 00:12:50,003 --> 00:12:54,605 She thought it was a, uh, carjacking, a robbery. 224 00:12:54,674 --> 00:12:57,675 [narrator] but detectives aren't so sure. 225 00:12:57,677 --> 00:13:01,012 It'd be very unusual for that to happen in this location 226 00:13:01,014 --> 00:13:04,082 Because it is so out of the way, 227 00:13:04,084 --> 00:13:07,285 As far as somebody passing through. 228 00:13:10,423 --> 00:13:12,223 [narrator] as the hours tick by, 229 00:13:12,292 --> 00:13:15,159 Sue mcchesney, joe's current girlfriend, 230 00:13:15,161 --> 00:13:19,964 Is growing impatient as she awaits any news of joe. 231 00:13:19,966 --> 00:13:23,368 I told joseph junior, "something's not right. 232 00:13:23,436 --> 00:13:25,970 "I would like you to call your grandfather 233 00:13:26,039 --> 00:13:28,172 And, uh, let me talk to him." 234 00:13:28,241 --> 00:13:31,108 I said, "joe's not here, something happened. 235 00:13:31,177 --> 00:13:32,877 Could you come pick up the kids?" 236 00:13:32,879 --> 00:13:35,114 So he said, "sure." 237 00:13:35,181 --> 00:13:39,917 At some point, police officers showed up and each one of us-- 238 00:13:39,986 --> 00:13:42,186 Myself, susan and her mother-- 239 00:13:42,255 --> 00:13:44,022 They took us to the police station. 240 00:13:46,426 --> 00:13:48,559 [narrator] with the occupants of the house away, 241 00:13:48,561 --> 00:13:52,464 Investigators are free to focus on the scene. 242 00:13:52,532 --> 00:13:55,333 [chris] you can see that the victim had some type of wound 243 00:13:55,335 --> 00:14:00,204 To his arm, and he had blood, uh, in his chest area. 244 00:14:00,273 --> 00:14:02,907 There were no shell casings found, 245 00:14:02,909 --> 00:14:06,877 Which indicates that this may have been a revolver. 246 00:14:06,947 --> 00:14:09,347 There really wasn't much of a outdoor crime scene 247 00:14:09,415 --> 00:14:11,082 Beyond the body. 248 00:14:11,150 --> 00:14:16,021 The reality is that we don't have any indicators of anything. 249 00:14:17,991 --> 00:14:19,724 The medical examiner determined that, uh, 250 00:14:19,792 --> 00:14:22,493 Mr. Gigliotti was shot five times. 251 00:14:22,562 --> 00:14:25,096 The cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds. 252 00:14:28,034 --> 00:14:29,500 [narrator] joe's body is transported to 253 00:14:29,569 --> 00:14:31,436 The medical examiner's office, 254 00:14:31,438 --> 00:14:35,239 While detectives chase their only lead. 255 00:14:35,308 --> 00:14:38,376 [chris] the victim's ex-wife, susan gigliotti, 256 00:14:38,445 --> 00:14:39,812 Had a ford explorer, 257 00:14:39,879 --> 00:14:42,648 And the explorer had been stolen from the backyard 258 00:14:42,715 --> 00:14:44,282 After the shooting. 259 00:14:46,186 --> 00:14:48,319 [narrator] authorities immediately release a bolo 260 00:14:48,388 --> 00:14:50,788 For the explorer. 261 00:14:50,857 --> 00:14:53,190 We put that information out countywide 262 00:14:53,259 --> 00:14:56,461 As a possibly armed and dangerous individual 263 00:14:56,463 --> 00:14:58,063 With a description of the vehicle. 264 00:14:59,198 --> 00:15:00,931 [narrator] within an hour, police get a hit 265 00:15:01,001 --> 00:15:03,401 After an officer in a neighboring town 266 00:15:03,403 --> 00:15:06,071 Spots the suv. 267 00:15:08,474 --> 00:15:11,409 [chris] susan gigliotti's car was located at the train station 268 00:15:11,411 --> 00:15:15,214 About three miles away from the gigliotti residence 269 00:15:15,281 --> 00:15:18,282 By an egg harbor city, uh, police officer. 270 00:15:18,351 --> 00:15:21,485 The keys were in the vehicle, the vehicle was unlocked. 271 00:15:21,554 --> 00:15:25,490 The officer indicated that he had seen a white male 272 00:15:25,558 --> 00:15:30,094 Exit the vehicle and go into the train station. 273 00:15:30,096 --> 00:15:33,030 Back in 2000, there was no surveillance video 274 00:15:33,099 --> 00:15:35,433 At the train station. 275 00:15:35,435 --> 00:15:37,436 [narrator] what's more, when they sweep the vehicle 276 00:15:37,503 --> 00:15:41,106 For evidence, they come up empty handed. 277 00:15:41,174 --> 00:15:43,174 The vehicle was processed. 278 00:15:43,176 --> 00:15:44,977 There was nothing that was left in the vehicle 279 00:15:45,044 --> 00:15:46,477 That we could see. 280 00:15:49,248 --> 00:15:50,715 [narrator] with little to go on, 281 00:15:50,783 --> 00:15:54,586 Investigators turn to their witnesses for answers, 282 00:15:54,654 --> 00:15:59,390 Starting with joe's girlfriend, sue mcchesney. 283 00:15:59,459 --> 00:16:04,529 A detective finally told me that joe was dead. 284 00:16:04,597 --> 00:16:08,733 I did not find out he had been killed until that interview. 285 00:16:08,801 --> 00:16:10,202 I had no idea at that point. 286 00:16:10,269 --> 00:16:14,171 I couldn't believe, you know, that's what happened. 287 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:16,007 [chris] the girlfriend, sue mcchesney, 288 00:16:16,075 --> 00:16:18,076 Was very affected by this incident. 289 00:16:18,144 --> 00:16:20,745 Uh, she showed, uh, quite a bit of shock 290 00:16:20,813 --> 00:16:23,448 And, uh, disbelief and confusion. 291 00:16:26,286 --> 00:16:28,419 [narrator] despite the shocking news, 292 00:16:28,421 --> 00:16:30,688 Sue mcchesney pulls herself together 293 00:16:30,757 --> 00:16:34,492 To provide some crucial context 294 00:16:34,561 --> 00:16:37,963 Joe had the two boys almost every weekend. 295 00:16:38,031 --> 00:16:42,366 Joe never really told me very much about his ex-wife. 296 00:16:42,435 --> 00:16:45,369 I had not met susan until that night. 297 00:16:45,371 --> 00:16:48,774 I understood that that joe had a difficult time 298 00:16:48,841 --> 00:16:50,708 Returning the children. 299 00:16:50,777 --> 00:16:53,578 I could tell that there was a lot of tension there. 300 00:16:57,250 --> 00:16:59,718 [narrator] sue mcchesney says on the day of the murder, 301 00:16:59,786 --> 00:17:02,787 Everything felt off. 302 00:17:02,855 --> 00:17:07,458 [sue] christian became sick and, uh, was running a fever, 303 00:17:07,527 --> 00:17:09,794 And he started crying and whining 304 00:17:09,862 --> 00:17:11,463 That he wanted his mother. 305 00:17:11,531 --> 00:17:15,733 So, uh, I pretty much insisted that joe give her a call 306 00:17:15,802 --> 00:17:18,537 And ask if we could return the children early. 307 00:17:18,604 --> 00:17:21,473 She declined and said, "don't bring them back any earlier 308 00:17:21,541 --> 00:17:25,075 Than when you're supposed to bring 'em back". 309 00:17:25,145 --> 00:17:26,745 I couldn't understand why any mom 310 00:17:26,813 --> 00:17:31,115 Would turn away a child that's sick and wanting them. 311 00:17:34,687 --> 00:17:39,156 When I got there, I asked susan to use the bathroom. 312 00:17:39,225 --> 00:17:43,095 So the four of us went into her mother's house. 313 00:17:43,162 --> 00:17:44,895 [narrator] as they were exchanging the kids, 314 00:17:44,964 --> 00:17:48,766 Joe's ex-wife asked him for a favor. 315 00:17:48,768 --> 00:17:51,836 Susan gigliotti asked joe to go in the back yard 316 00:17:51,904 --> 00:17:53,372 And check the transmission. 317 00:17:53,439 --> 00:17:56,640 She said she was having problems with the transmission. 318 00:17:56,642 --> 00:17:59,510 [sue] at that point, I went to the bathroom. 319 00:17:59,579 --> 00:18:03,747 While I was in there, I started hearing a couple noises. 320 00:18:03,816 --> 00:18:05,983 They sounded like bangs to me. 321 00:18:05,985 --> 00:18:09,954 I became very concerned, and I came out, and I asked susan, 322 00:18:10,022 --> 00:18:12,289 "did anyone hear the noises?" 323 00:18:12,358 --> 00:18:16,227 At that point, a car drove past the house. 324 00:18:16,295 --> 00:18:20,264 It just seemed like it was, like, flying past the house. 325 00:18:20,333 --> 00:18:21,799 You know, joe's outside. 326 00:18:21,868 --> 00:18:26,270 I wanna go take a look and see if everything's okay. 327 00:18:26,272 --> 00:18:29,273 But susan stopped me at the door, and she goes, 328 00:18:29,342 --> 00:18:34,079 "no, no, don't go out there. You do not know the property. 329 00:18:34,147 --> 00:18:35,680 I'll go out and check." 330 00:18:37,750 --> 00:18:40,284 [chris] susan gigliotti ran outside 331 00:18:40,353 --> 00:18:45,289 And looked for joe gigliotti, or to see what the disturbance was. 332 00:18:45,358 --> 00:18:49,293 Did not find him. Came back in the house. 333 00:18:49,362 --> 00:18:52,963 When susan came back, she said, "I couldn't find him." 334 00:18:52,965 --> 00:18:58,969 And I said to her, I go, "how is that even possible? 335 00:18:58,971 --> 00:19:01,305 How could you not find him?" 336 00:19:01,374 --> 00:19:04,975 And I said, you know, "something's not right." 337 00:19:05,044 --> 00:19:07,578 I thought, maybe joe got injured. 338 00:19:07,647 --> 00:19:10,649 Maybe joe is driving himself, you know, to the hospital 339 00:19:10,716 --> 00:19:12,383 Or something like that. 340 00:19:12,452 --> 00:19:14,585 I insisted that they call the police. 341 00:19:14,587 --> 00:19:16,554 So they did. 342 00:19:18,858 --> 00:19:21,525 [narrator] police allow sue mcchesney to go home 343 00:19:21,594 --> 00:19:25,663 And call susan gigliotti into the room. 344 00:19:25,665 --> 00:19:27,199 [kelley] based on information from other witnesses 345 00:19:27,266 --> 00:19:28,933 About her contentious divorce, 346 00:19:29,001 --> 00:19:32,069 Police asked susan if she had anything to do with the murder, 347 00:19:32,071 --> 00:19:33,804 And she denied it. 348 00:19:33,873 --> 00:19:36,340 [chris] susan gigliotti downplayed the fact 349 00:19:36,409 --> 00:19:39,877 That they had a contentious situation going on. 350 00:19:39,946 --> 00:19:41,346 She didn't seem overwhelmed 351 00:19:41,414 --> 00:19:44,482 Or overly affected with joe's murder. 352 00:19:44,484 --> 00:19:47,752 But she indicated that she had no idea 353 00:19:47,820 --> 00:19:49,754 Why this would have happened. 354 00:19:49,822 --> 00:19:52,424 Interviewers now wanna know who could've been responsible 355 00:19:52,491 --> 00:19:54,592 For bringing harm to joe. 356 00:19:56,896 --> 00:19:59,163 [narrator] that's when susan gigliotti reveals 357 00:19:59,232 --> 00:20:03,235 She has a new boyfriend, steve ferman. 358 00:20:03,302 --> 00:20:05,770 Steve ferman and susan met each other 359 00:20:05,838 --> 00:20:08,372 Through a online chatroom, 360 00:20:08,374 --> 00:20:11,241 And then they eventually met in person. 361 00:20:11,311 --> 00:20:12,477 [narrator] without any prompting, 362 00:20:12,545 --> 00:20:17,115 Susan admits the two have a side business...An illegal one. 363 00:20:18,552 --> 00:20:20,985 [chris] she said her boyfriend, steve ferman, 364 00:20:21,053 --> 00:20:22,453 Worked for the federal government, 365 00:20:22,521 --> 00:20:25,322 And they had a warehouse in brooklyn. 366 00:20:25,391 --> 00:20:27,992 They stored computers up there. 367 00:20:28,060 --> 00:20:31,328 And they were interested in getting as many computers 368 00:20:31,397 --> 00:20:33,197 As they could out of there 369 00:20:33,265 --> 00:20:35,532 And bringing them back to susan's house 370 00:20:35,601 --> 00:20:38,135 With the intention of selling those computers. 371 00:20:39,172 --> 00:20:42,139 [narrator] what's more, susan says joe recently found out 372 00:20:42,141 --> 00:20:43,908 About the operation. 373 00:20:44,977 --> 00:20:47,678 [chris] joe gigliotti had found the stolen items 374 00:20:47,747 --> 00:20:51,081 In susan's house during one of his, uh, drop-offs 375 00:20:51,150 --> 00:20:54,318 For visitation and was not happy with it. 376 00:20:56,155 --> 00:20:58,956 [narrator] susan admits she worried that joe would use 377 00:20:59,025 --> 00:21:00,691 This discovery against her 378 00:21:00,760 --> 00:21:05,162 And file for sole custody of their children. 379 00:21:05,164 --> 00:21:08,699 Joseph had an opportunity to call the police 380 00:21:08,768 --> 00:21:14,171 And have susan removed from the home because of it. 381 00:21:14,173 --> 00:21:15,839 I told him to do it. 382 00:21:15,908 --> 00:21:18,709 And he said to me, "I can't do that to her, lauren, 383 00:21:18,711 --> 00:21:21,279 She's the mother of my children." 384 00:21:21,347 --> 00:21:23,315 He wanted whatever was best for the kids, 385 00:21:23,382 --> 00:21:26,584 Which he felt was staying in their home. 386 00:21:26,586 --> 00:21:28,787 He did not want to disrupt their lives, 387 00:21:28,854 --> 00:21:31,555 So he wasn't trying to take them anywhere. 388 00:21:34,460 --> 00:21:35,994 [narrator] investigators obtain a warrant 389 00:21:36,062 --> 00:21:39,998 To search susan gigliotti's home for evidence. 390 00:21:40,066 --> 00:21:42,400 [timothy] we did find computers at susan's home. 391 00:21:42,468 --> 00:21:43,735 We were able to establish that the computers 392 00:21:43,803 --> 00:21:47,271 Were actually stolen from the government. 393 00:21:47,340 --> 00:21:50,542 So steve ferman is another person of interest. 394 00:21:50,609 --> 00:21:54,211 We suspected that steve ferman had some aspect of involvement 395 00:21:54,213 --> 00:21:56,881 In the death of joe gigliotti. 396 00:21:59,085 --> 00:22:03,020 [narrator] coming up, rumors of a jilted lover. 397 00:22:03,022 --> 00:22:04,755 There was some belief that he may have been 398 00:22:04,757 --> 00:22:07,691 Stalking susan at one point. 399 00:22:07,693 --> 00:22:09,626 For the ex-boyfriend to be in the picture, 400 00:22:09,695 --> 00:22:12,530 He obviously became someone we immediately wanna speak with. 401 00:22:12,598 --> 00:22:14,031 [narrator] and investigators uncover 402 00:22:14,100 --> 00:22:16,800 A big break in the case. 403 00:22:16,870 --> 00:22:20,771 The man was extremely nervous, sweating profusely. 404 00:22:27,980 --> 00:22:31,716 [music] 405 00:22:41,660 --> 00:22:45,129 [narrator] within a few hours of the murder of joe gigliotti, 406 00:22:45,197 --> 00:22:48,198 His soon to be ex-wife, susan, tells investigators 407 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:54,138 That joe recently found out about her illegal side business 408 00:22:54,206 --> 00:22:58,342 [chris] there was a ongoing dispute between susan and joe 409 00:22:58,411 --> 00:23:01,044 Regarding this. 410 00:23:01,114 --> 00:23:03,815 She did confess that she participated in this theft 411 00:23:03,883 --> 00:23:06,684 With her boyfriend, steven ferman. 412 00:23:06,686 --> 00:23:08,319 He needed to be interviewed. 413 00:23:10,690 --> 00:23:12,489 [narrator] when steve sits down with investigators 414 00:23:12,558 --> 00:23:18,295 On April 17, he reveals another twist. 415 00:23:18,364 --> 00:23:20,564 The fact the steve ferman was married 416 00:23:20,633 --> 00:23:22,098 Did come up in our interview. 417 00:23:22,168 --> 00:23:25,569 Steven told me that he was having this affair 418 00:23:25,638 --> 00:23:28,039 And that he deeply cared for susan gigliotti. 419 00:23:29,241 --> 00:23:30,974 [chris] he says he's in love with her, 420 00:23:31,043 --> 00:23:33,644 That they've been seeing each other for quite a while, 421 00:23:33,646 --> 00:23:36,680 And that eventually he would like to start a life with her. 422 00:23:40,252 --> 00:23:42,720 [narrator] detectives push steve for more information 423 00:23:42,722 --> 00:23:44,789 About the stolen computers. 424 00:24:12,985 --> 00:24:14,819 [narrator] while steve admits to the theft, 425 00:24:14,887 --> 00:24:18,155 He's avoiding the elephant in the room. 426 00:24:18,224 --> 00:24:21,425 He really wasn't talking about the homicide very much. 427 00:24:21,493 --> 00:24:23,260 And when he did talk about the relationship between 428 00:24:23,329 --> 00:24:26,164 Susan gigliotti and joe gigliotti, 429 00:24:26,232 --> 00:24:28,632 It was always how terrible joe is. 430 00:24:28,701 --> 00:24:30,701 That is an immediate red flag. 431 00:24:30,770 --> 00:24:32,570 In my mind, my immediate response was 432 00:24:32,638 --> 00:24:33,905 It was a misdirection. 433 00:24:56,462 --> 00:24:59,563 [narrator] detectives believe steve may be hiding something, 434 00:24:59,633 --> 00:25:03,033 But release him for now. 435 00:25:06,105 --> 00:25:09,139 When detectives question susan's family members, 436 00:25:09,208 --> 00:25:13,011 Suddenly a new person of interest surfaces-- 437 00:25:13,078 --> 00:25:15,946 Richard debow. 438 00:25:16,015 --> 00:25:18,816 [chris] we always ask in a situation such as this, 439 00:25:18,818 --> 00:25:19,951 Who were prior boyfriends? 440 00:25:20,019 --> 00:25:22,019 Was there anybody that might be jealous? 441 00:25:22,021 --> 00:25:26,623 And, uh, rich debow's name came up through a family member 442 00:25:26,692 --> 00:25:32,362 As a former friend or lover of susan gigliotti. 443 00:25:32,364 --> 00:25:35,633 And family members indicated that there was some belief 444 00:25:35,635 --> 00:25:38,068 That he may have been stalking susan at one point. 445 00:25:39,772 --> 00:25:41,371 [timothy] for the ex-boyfriend to be in the picture, 446 00:25:41,373 --> 00:25:42,639 He obviously became someone 447 00:25:42,708 --> 00:25:44,808 We immediately wanna speak with as well. 448 00:25:44,877 --> 00:25:46,644 We were able to pick him up, bring him in. 449 00:25:49,848 --> 00:25:51,782 [narrator] investigators press rich debow 450 00:25:51,850 --> 00:25:55,720 About his whereabouts the day of the shooting. 451 00:25:55,788 --> 00:25:59,323 Rich told us that day that he followed his normal routine. 452 00:25:59,391 --> 00:26:02,659 I believe he worked, he walked the boardwalk in atlantic city, 453 00:26:02,728 --> 00:26:05,128 And then he caught the train back to egg harbor city. 454 00:26:05,197 --> 00:26:07,999 And from there he went home, and that was the end of his day. 455 00:26:09,268 --> 00:26:12,336 [narrator] although authorities need to verify rich's alibi, 456 00:26:12,338 --> 00:26:14,538 He seems harmless. 457 00:26:14,607 --> 00:26:16,206 [timothy] he wanted to cooperate. 458 00:26:16,275 --> 00:26:19,009 He didn't have extensive violent criminal history. 459 00:26:19,078 --> 00:26:20,677 There was no indication in the world 460 00:26:20,746 --> 00:26:22,547 For us to believe that he was involved. 461 00:26:25,184 --> 00:26:28,018 [narrator] with no leads from their initial interviews, 462 00:26:28,087 --> 00:26:31,155 Investigators seek out joe's friends and family, 463 00:26:31,223 --> 00:26:33,824 Looking for more clues. 464 00:26:33,826 --> 00:26:36,293 All the information that everyone provided was that 465 00:26:36,362 --> 00:26:38,896 He was a nice guy that nobody had a problem with, 466 00:26:38,898 --> 00:26:40,898 That nobody was aware that he had any issues with anyone 467 00:26:40,900 --> 00:26:43,834 Other than his ex-wife. 468 00:26:43,836 --> 00:26:46,503 [maddy] there was that custody battle between them 469 00:26:46,572 --> 00:26:49,773 For their two children, 470 00:26:49,842 --> 00:26:54,045 So it was not a good situation. 471 00:26:55,914 --> 00:26:57,848 [narrator] the family tells investigators 472 00:26:57,916 --> 00:27:01,185 At one point, susan claimed joe had abused her 473 00:27:01,187 --> 00:27:03,854 During their marriage. 474 00:27:03,922 --> 00:27:07,391 [chris] susan had alleged a number of assaults. 475 00:27:07,459 --> 00:27:09,394 At one point, she said, I think, 476 00:27:09,461 --> 00:27:12,930 That she had a broken nose caused by joe 477 00:27:12,932 --> 00:27:15,266 During a domestic dispute. 478 00:27:15,334 --> 00:27:20,270 [narrator] however, detectives find no record of abuse. 479 00:27:20,272 --> 00:27:22,940 There was no proof submitted to the court that would sustain 480 00:27:22,942 --> 00:27:26,010 A charge of domestic abuse. 481 00:27:29,281 --> 00:27:31,950 [narrator] they do uncover threats of violence. 482 00:27:32,017 --> 00:27:36,353 However, they didn't come from joe. 483 00:27:36,422 --> 00:27:40,091 [chris] friends indicated that susan gigliotti was aware that 484 00:27:40,159 --> 00:27:43,695 Joseph gigliotti had an insurance policy, 485 00:27:43,762 --> 00:27:46,330 And had made statements to them that it would be easier 486 00:27:46,332 --> 00:27:49,633 If joe was dead, that she wouldn't have to go through 487 00:27:49,635 --> 00:27:52,035 The aggravation of a divorce. 488 00:27:52,104 --> 00:27:53,771 [narrator] could susan have followed through 489 00:27:53,773 --> 00:27:55,105 With her threats? 490 00:27:55,107 --> 00:27:58,075 Or did someone intervene on her behalf? 491 00:28:01,280 --> 00:28:05,715 Detectives suspect steve ferman knows much more than he claims. 492 00:28:05,785 --> 00:28:10,053 So they circle back to him on April 19th. 493 00:28:10,055 --> 00:28:11,922 [chris] during the first interview with steve ferman, 494 00:28:11,924 --> 00:28:16,326 He was very evasive and very vague in his answers. 495 00:28:16,328 --> 00:28:19,463 We brought him back in, and then we brought up our belief 496 00:28:19,531 --> 00:28:24,868 That this was an arranged murder, that he knew about it. 497 00:28:24,870 --> 00:28:28,605 The man was extremely nervous, sweating profusely. 498 00:28:28,674 --> 00:28:30,808 He just was a mess. 499 00:28:33,011 --> 00:28:35,813 [narrator] eventually, the pressure pays off. 500 00:29:22,594 --> 00:29:25,862 [narrator] steve may not know the name of the alleged shooter 501 00:29:25,931 --> 00:29:29,599 However, investigators believe they do. 502 00:29:29,601 --> 00:29:32,669 Rich debow, her former lover. 503 00:29:32,738 --> 00:29:35,206 Rich debow would do anything for her. 504 00:29:38,277 --> 00:29:41,479 [narrator] while steve denies any involvement in the murder, 505 00:29:41,546 --> 00:29:44,681 He's not in the clear just yet. 506 00:29:44,750 --> 00:29:48,018 [chris] at the point that steve ferman admitted his knowledge, 507 00:29:48,020 --> 00:29:50,153 He's now a conspirator. 508 00:29:50,222 --> 00:29:52,823 We felt as though he'd be an asset to us 509 00:29:52,891 --> 00:29:54,958 If he would cooperate. 510 00:29:55,027 --> 00:29:57,494 [narrator] on April 19, 2000, 511 00:29:57,496 --> 00:29:59,163 Steve agrees to wear a wire 512 00:29:59,231 --> 00:30:01,364 In an effort to get susan to confess 513 00:30:01,433 --> 00:30:04,702 And to reveal the alleged gunman's identity. 514 00:30:05,872 --> 00:30:07,637 [chris] steve ferman was nervous. 515 00:30:07,639 --> 00:30:09,941 He was gonna try to confirm with her 516 00:30:10,008 --> 00:30:12,742 That rich debow was the shooter. 517 00:30:12,811 --> 00:30:15,312 He needed her to admit and say names 518 00:30:15,381 --> 00:30:19,282 And prove what steve had said was true. 519 00:30:19,351 --> 00:30:22,118 Steve was concerned that she was going to figure it out. 520 00:30:22,187 --> 00:30:24,187 It's an extremely dangerous situation 521 00:30:24,189 --> 00:30:26,390 Where you're putting a wire on someone's body. 522 00:30:28,327 --> 00:30:32,529 [narrator] coming up, steve puts his life on the line. 523 00:30:32,598 --> 00:30:35,665 We can't eliminate all risk in situations like this. 524 00:30:35,667 --> 00:30:37,801 It becomes apparent that susan may be sensing 525 00:30:37,803 --> 00:30:40,804 That ferman's up to something. 526 00:30:40,873 --> 00:30:42,739 [narrator] as detectives close in, 527 00:30:42,808 --> 00:30:46,076 One man can't handle the pressure. 528 00:30:46,145 --> 00:30:47,410 [timothy] he threw his hands in the air, 529 00:30:47,479 --> 00:30:51,014 And he said "ok, ok, ok, I'm gonna tell you what happened." 530 00:30:51,083 --> 00:30:53,951 If looks could kill, he'd be dead right there in the chair. 531 00:30:56,154 --> 00:30:59,756 [music] 532 00:31:08,901 --> 00:31:11,936 [narrator] April 19, 2000. 533 00:31:12,003 --> 00:31:14,371 Authorities in hamilton township, new jersey 534 00:31:14,439 --> 00:31:16,840 Are closing in on the main suspects 535 00:31:16,909 --> 00:31:19,442 In the murder of joe gigliotti. 536 00:31:19,511 --> 00:31:22,379 After his ex-wife's lover steve ferman 537 00:31:22,381 --> 00:31:25,415 Agrees to cooperate with investigators. 538 00:31:28,921 --> 00:31:30,821 [timothy] we had to give mr. Ferman 539 00:31:30,823 --> 00:31:32,656 Explicit instructions. 540 00:31:32,724 --> 00:31:35,191 He was extremely concerned about having to wear a wire. 541 00:31:35,260 --> 00:31:38,027 He was concerned for his safety. 542 00:31:38,097 --> 00:31:40,263 We're actually sending steve ferman in with a person 543 00:31:40,332 --> 00:31:44,334 Who we believe had a hand in committing homicide. 544 00:31:44,403 --> 00:31:47,170 And we can't eliminate all risk in situations like this, 545 00:31:47,239 --> 00:31:49,473 And that's why it's voluntary. 546 00:31:49,475 --> 00:31:51,341 [chris] steve ferman was made aware of the fact 547 00:31:51,343 --> 00:31:53,677 That we would maintain surveillance. 548 00:31:53,745 --> 00:31:56,479 And we also provided him with a code word 549 00:31:56,548 --> 00:31:59,417 Should anything go wrong. 550 00:31:59,484 --> 00:32:02,218 [timothy] we have teams in place that can respond 551 00:32:02,287 --> 00:32:05,022 If it becomes extremely dangerous. 552 00:32:07,759 --> 00:32:10,228 [narrator] on April 19th, aroun 5:00 pm, 553 00:32:10,295 --> 00:32:13,630 Investigators take their places 554 00:32:13,632 --> 00:32:14,965 [chris] I have a van, 555 00:32:14,967 --> 00:32:17,467 Which is equipped with monitoring devices. 556 00:32:17,536 --> 00:32:21,172 In this particular case, the house could be surveilled. 557 00:32:21,239 --> 00:32:24,642 We then sent steve ferman in his own vehicle 558 00:32:24,710 --> 00:32:27,310 To susan gigliotti's house. 559 00:32:27,379 --> 00:32:29,446 He pulled in to the driveway, 560 00:32:29,515 --> 00:32:32,582 And ms. Gigliotti came out of her house. 561 00:32:32,584 --> 00:32:35,118 She was very guarded. She did attempt to hug him. 562 00:32:35,120 --> 00:32:38,121 He was able to rebuff that attempt. 563 00:32:38,190 --> 00:32:41,191 She kept questioning, "why won't you come over here? 564 00:32:41,260 --> 00:32:45,196 Are you wired? Let me pat you down." 565 00:32:45,263 --> 00:32:47,431 Mr. Ferman started requesting to know 566 00:32:47,499 --> 00:32:51,068 What mrs. Gigliotti had said to authorities, 567 00:32:51,136 --> 00:32:55,339 That he was very concerned that he was going to go to jail. 568 00:32:55,407 --> 00:32:58,875 Ms. Gigliotti indicated that you don't have to worry about that, 569 00:32:58,944 --> 00:33:01,912 You weren't involved, it was rich debow. 570 00:33:06,418 --> 00:33:09,552 That was the first time we got any confirmation 571 00:33:09,621 --> 00:33:11,222 From mrs. Gigliotti 572 00:33:11,289 --> 00:33:16,227 That mr. Ferman was telling the truth. 573 00:33:16,294 --> 00:33:20,664 They said their goodbyes, and mr. Ferman left in the vehicle. 574 00:33:23,402 --> 00:33:26,170 [narrator] investigators immediately locate rich debow 575 00:33:26,238 --> 00:33:29,639 And bring him back in for questioning. 576 00:33:29,708 --> 00:33:32,710 We brought rich back in for a second interview. 577 00:33:32,778 --> 00:33:34,711 We couldn't find any evidence at all 578 00:33:34,780 --> 00:33:37,381 That he did what he claimed he had done on that day. 579 00:33:38,650 --> 00:33:41,252 [narrator] before investigators lay out their cards, 580 00:33:41,319 --> 00:33:44,322 They first confront rich about his shaky alibi 581 00:33:44,389 --> 00:33:47,657 For the night of joe's murder. 582 00:33:47,726 --> 00:33:50,527 Initially, rick debow had indicated that he was, uh, 583 00:33:50,529 --> 00:33:54,397 In atlantic city, and nobody could verify it. 584 00:33:54,399 --> 00:33:56,867 That's all it took for mr. Debow 585 00:33:56,935 --> 00:34:01,539 To decide it was time to tell the truth. 586 00:34:01,606 --> 00:34:04,175 Rich threw his hands in the air, and he said, literally, 587 00:34:04,242 --> 00:34:06,443 "ok, ok, ok, I'm gonna tell you what happened." 588 00:34:08,346 --> 00:34:11,214 He said the murder plot was actually discussed 589 00:34:11,216 --> 00:34:14,752 Several months before it occurred. 590 00:34:14,820 --> 00:34:18,489 Rich debow believed everything susan gigliotti told him, 591 00:34:18,557 --> 00:34:22,358 That she's being abused by joe gigliotti, 592 00:34:22,427 --> 00:34:25,196 That she wants to be with him, rich debow, 593 00:34:25,263 --> 00:34:30,167 For the rest of his life, because that's who he is. 594 00:34:30,169 --> 00:34:33,304 He wants to hear these things, so he believes them. 595 00:34:34,439 --> 00:34:35,705 [narrator] rich tells detectives 596 00:34:35,774 --> 00:34:39,443 That susan gigliotti first approached him months earlier 597 00:34:39,511 --> 00:34:41,378 With her plan. 598 00:34:41,380 --> 00:34:43,213 He proceeded to tell us how he committed the murder 599 00:34:43,281 --> 00:34:45,515 And what he did after. 600 00:34:45,517 --> 00:34:47,984 Every time he would respond, he would end it with, 601 00:34:48,053 --> 00:34:49,520 "I'm not a cold-hearted monster." 602 00:34:53,825 --> 00:34:58,027 On April 16th, it was around 8:30 that susan gigliotti came 603 00:34:58,096 --> 00:35:02,566 And picked him up and drove home to susan's parents' house. 604 00:35:04,102 --> 00:35:07,204 [narrator] rich says that susan handed him a black revolver 605 00:35:07,272 --> 00:35:09,139 And left the keys in the explorer 606 00:35:09,207 --> 00:35:11,342 So he could make his escape. 607 00:35:14,313 --> 00:35:17,680 [maddy] joe came to the house to drop off the children. 608 00:35:17,749 --> 00:35:23,487 Susan asked him to change her transmission fluid in her car. 609 00:35:23,555 --> 00:35:26,756 He went out there, and that's when richard debow 610 00:35:26,825 --> 00:35:29,959 Was laying in wait. 611 00:35:29,961 --> 00:35:32,428 He said when gigliotti bent down 612 00:35:32,497 --> 00:35:35,599 To look in the engine compartment, he shot him. 613 00:35:39,204 --> 00:35:41,104 [timothy] rich shot him a couple times. 614 00:35:41,173 --> 00:35:43,641 Joe was begging for his life, asking rich, 615 00:35:43,708 --> 00:35:45,575 "please, please stop." 616 00:35:48,380 --> 00:35:50,981 And when we asked rich, "what did you do next?" 617 00:35:51,049 --> 00:35:53,384 His response was, "I shot him again." 618 00:35:54,953 --> 00:35:59,088 And with that, rich took a long breath, and he paused, 619 00:35:59,157 --> 00:36:02,592 And then he looked at us, and he says, 620 00:36:02,594 --> 00:36:04,261 "I guess I am a cold-hearted monster." 621 00:36:09,601 --> 00:36:11,935 [narrator] rich explains that after shooting joe, 622 00:36:12,003 --> 00:36:16,873 He took off in the ford explore as susan had planned. 623 00:36:16,942 --> 00:36:19,409 [timothy] he then made his way back to egg harbor city. 624 00:36:19,478 --> 00:36:21,945 He went to the train station, 625 00:36:22,014 --> 00:36:23,547 And then he proceeded to go home. 626 00:36:23,615 --> 00:36:26,482 Mr. Debow said that he had gloves on 627 00:36:26,551 --> 00:36:28,486 At the time of the murder. 628 00:36:28,553 --> 00:36:31,621 That he took the gloves, he took the weapon, 629 00:36:31,690 --> 00:36:36,359 And he threw them in a trash can as he walked towards his house. 630 00:36:36,428 --> 00:36:38,695 He said that he didn't know what trash can 631 00:36:38,697 --> 00:36:42,599 He dropped the items in, and we never recovered the weapon. 632 00:36:44,169 --> 00:36:45,836 [narrator] to detectives, rich's motive 633 00:36:45,904 --> 00:36:49,440 Is one as old as time. 634 00:36:49,507 --> 00:36:52,642 [chris] rich debow felt if he followed along 635 00:36:52,711 --> 00:36:56,613 And did what susan asked him to do, that he would win her back. 636 00:36:57,916 --> 00:37:01,451 He did it because he wanted to be with susan gigliotti, 637 00:37:01,519 --> 00:37:03,520 And she asked him, and that's all it took. 638 00:37:06,992 --> 00:37:09,592 [narrator] but debow isn't done talking just yet 639 00:37:09,661 --> 00:37:12,862 And makes another shocking confession. 640 00:37:12,931 --> 00:37:14,464 [timothy] that's when rich started telling us about 641 00:37:14,532 --> 00:37:18,935 The plan to murder steve ferman's wife, carrie, 642 00:37:19,004 --> 00:37:20,803 Which was news to us. 643 00:37:20,872 --> 00:37:24,207 It was a, "you gotta be kidding me." 644 00:37:24,209 --> 00:37:25,609 That murder was to occur 645 00:37:25,677 --> 00:37:29,345 Two weeks after the murder of joe gigliotti. 646 00:37:29,414 --> 00:37:31,381 It was a very bone-chilling moment. 647 00:37:35,954 --> 00:37:39,356 [narrator] investigators charge rich debow with murder 648 00:37:39,424 --> 00:37:44,361 And issue a warrant for susan gigliotti's arrest. 649 00:37:44,363 --> 00:37:46,496 A team brought susan gigliotti in. 650 00:37:46,564 --> 00:37:48,966 When susan came in, she saw rich, 651 00:37:49,034 --> 00:37:51,568 At which point she stopped at the door 652 00:37:51,636 --> 00:37:56,974 And rich said, "I told 'em everything." 653 00:37:57,042 --> 00:37:58,641 [chris] susan gigliotti said, 654 00:37:58,710 --> 00:38:00,643 "who do you think you're talking to? 655 00:38:00,712 --> 00:38:03,580 I told you keep your mouth shut." 656 00:38:03,582 --> 00:38:06,049 Rich debow responded by saying, "it's too late. 657 00:38:06,117 --> 00:38:08,451 We're both going down together." 658 00:38:08,520 --> 00:38:10,721 If looks could kill, he'd be dead right there. 659 00:38:13,458 --> 00:38:15,591 [narrator] coming up, investigators determine 660 00:38:15,660 --> 00:38:18,228 If another arrest is needed. 661 00:38:24,269 --> 00:38:28,538 [narrator] and susan's fate is left in the hands of the jury. 662 00:38:28,607 --> 00:38:30,807 [cynthia] she didn't pull a trigger, but she planned it. 663 00:38:30,875 --> 00:38:33,477 I don't understand. I still to this day don't. 664 00:38:35,080 --> 00:38:38,515 [music] 665 00:38:47,492 --> 00:38:49,960 [narrator] April 19, 2000. 666 00:38:50,028 --> 00:38:53,564 As new jersey authorities close in on susan gigliotti 667 00:38:53,631 --> 00:38:56,165 For the murder of her ex-husband, joe, 668 00:38:56,234 --> 00:38:59,636 They have just learned of another stunning murder plot. 669 00:39:01,439 --> 00:39:03,940 [timothy] in addition to rich debow confessing to, 670 00:39:04,009 --> 00:39:06,776 Uh, murdering joe gigliotti, 671 00:39:06,845 --> 00:39:10,781 He was also slated to murder stephen ferman's wife, carrie. 672 00:39:12,717 --> 00:39:15,185 [maddy] susan wanted to be with steve. 673 00:39:15,252 --> 00:39:16,986 She wanted his wife dead, 674 00:39:16,988 --> 00:39:19,522 And she wanted just everybody out of the way 675 00:39:19,524 --> 00:39:21,424 So she could have her new life. 676 00:39:24,996 --> 00:39:27,797 [narrator] in the interrogation room, unlike rich 677 00:39:27,799 --> 00:39:30,934 Susan keeps her mouth shut. 678 00:39:31,002 --> 00:39:33,604 She's under arrest. She's not saying a word. 679 00:39:33,671 --> 00:39:35,338 If we didn't know her name, 680 00:39:35,407 --> 00:39:37,273 We probably wouldn't have got that out of her. 681 00:39:37,342 --> 00:39:39,442 We got no information from her. 682 00:39:42,514 --> 00:39:44,180 [narrator] now the burning question is 683 00:39:44,182 --> 00:39:47,784 Whether steve ferman was part of the deadly scheme. 684 00:40:21,686 --> 00:40:23,319 [narrator] in the end, authorities decide 685 00:40:23,388 --> 00:40:29,058 Not to press conspiracy charges against steve ferman. 686 00:40:29,060 --> 00:40:30,660 [timothy] charges were filed against steve ferman 687 00:40:30,728 --> 00:40:32,929 For the computer theft. 688 00:40:32,931 --> 00:40:36,333 As far as his conspiracy in the death of joe gigliotti, 689 00:40:36,401 --> 00:40:38,668 We didn't have a strong case against him 690 00:40:38,670 --> 00:40:40,536 Based on the evidence we had. 691 00:40:40,605 --> 00:40:43,072 In addition, he was cooperating with us. 692 00:40:43,074 --> 00:40:44,941 [chris] there was no pursuit of charges, 693 00:40:45,009 --> 00:40:47,076 Because mr. Ferman was 694 00:40:47,078 --> 00:40:50,580 Very instrumental in us solving this case. 695 00:40:54,986 --> 00:40:59,889 [narrator] in March 2002, the case finally goes to trial. 696 00:40:59,958 --> 00:41:02,225 [timothy] rich debow, steve ferman, 697 00:41:02,293 --> 00:41:05,761 All of 'em turn against susan gigliotti. 698 00:41:05,830 --> 00:41:07,363 [narrator] on March 21st, 699 00:41:07,365 --> 00:41:10,166 After only 90 minutes of deliberation, 700 00:41:10,235 --> 00:41:13,169 The jury reaches a verdict. 701 00:41:13,238 --> 00:41:16,439 They did what they needed to do, hour and a half, 702 00:41:16,507 --> 00:41:18,675 And she was guilty of murder. 703 00:41:20,011 --> 00:41:23,379 [lauren] susan was convicted of murder in the first degree, 704 00:41:23,448 --> 00:41:26,049 Various other weapons charges, 705 00:41:26,051 --> 00:41:29,719 And I believe stolen goods charges. 706 00:41:29,788 --> 00:41:31,521 And she was sentenced to life, 707 00:41:31,589 --> 00:41:34,257 But she does, uh, have the option for parole 708 00:41:34,325 --> 00:41:35,726 After 30 years. 709 00:41:38,463 --> 00:41:40,931 [chris] I-I think she got what she deserved. 710 00:41:40,999 --> 00:41:43,934 She's evil and she's a manipulator. 711 00:41:47,572 --> 00:41:49,739 [narrator] in January of 2003, 712 00:41:49,807 --> 00:41:53,943 Rich debow is convicted of joe gigliotti's murder, 713 00:41:53,945 --> 00:41:57,680 Conspiracy to commit murder, and weapons charges. 714 00:41:57,749 --> 00:42:02,451 He's sentenced to 40 years in prison. 715 00:42:02,521 --> 00:42:03,554 [davon] I feel bad for him, you know? 716 00:42:03,621 --> 00:42:07,824 He was manipulated by this woman to do this crazy act, 717 00:42:07,826 --> 00:42:11,762 To take a man's life. 718 00:42:11,829 --> 00:42:14,096 When you're in love with somebody that much 719 00:42:14,165 --> 00:42:17,700 And they take advantage of that, you know, 720 00:42:17,769 --> 00:42:20,737 There's no telling what you'll do for somebody. 721 00:42:23,975 --> 00:42:26,242 [narrator] the shockwaves of susan's manipulation 722 00:42:26,311 --> 00:42:29,179 Are widespread. 723 00:42:29,247 --> 00:42:30,848 She didn't care about the kids of ferman's. 724 00:42:30,915 --> 00:42:32,581 She didn't care about her children. 725 00:42:32,651 --> 00:42:35,252 She didn't care about, about debow's family. 726 00:42:35,320 --> 00:42:36,919 Joe gigliotti is dead, 727 00:42:36,921 --> 00:42:39,889 And his family mourns his death every single day. 728 00:42:42,060 --> 00:42:44,660 [cynthia] she didn't pull a trigger, but she planned it. 729 00:42:44,729 --> 00:42:47,798 She took a great dad from them. 730 00:42:47,865 --> 00:42:50,699 He was a fantastic father. 731 00:42:50,769 --> 00:42:53,503 I don't understand. I still to this day don't. 732 00:42:57,008 --> 00:42:58,808 [lauren] joseph's legacy is his kids. 733 00:42:58,876 --> 00:43:03,946 They are amazing kids that have had to grow up through this, 734 00:43:04,015 --> 00:43:09,552 And still have been able to succeed and thrive, 735 00:43:09,621 --> 00:43:13,156 And are both doing extremely well. 736 00:43:13,224 --> 00:43:15,559 And that is, 737 00:43:15,627 --> 00:43:19,963 That's his legacy, 100%, 738 00:43:20,031 --> 00:43:21,931 And a worthy one. 739 00:43:24,268 --> 00:43:30,140 [music]