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00:00:07,907 --> 00:00:10,843
[narrator] when a fire rages
in a fort worth apartment,
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00:00:10,911 --> 00:00:14,646
Horror awaits
beneath the flames.
3
00:00:14,648 --> 00:00:18,450
This is not just a fire.
We actually have a crime scene.
4
00:00:18,519 --> 00:00:20,452
Firefighters immediately
discovered a body--
5
00:00:20,521 --> 00:00:23,922
Bound, bludgeoned,
stabbed, blood everywhere.
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00:00:23,991 --> 00:00:25,524
This was not a stranger.
7
00:00:25,526 --> 00:00:28,760
This was somebody who
killed her out of anger.
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00:00:28,829 --> 00:00:30,629
This was torture.
9
00:00:31,932 --> 00:00:33,465
[narrator] a young
life snuffed out
10
00:00:33,467 --> 00:00:36,735
Just as it was getting started.
11
00:00:36,804 --> 00:00:40,872
She was the really cute,
fun, outgoing person.
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00:00:40,941 --> 00:00:42,607
A lot of people were
attracted to her
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00:00:42,676 --> 00:00:45,411
Regardless of whether or not
they were a boy or a girl.
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00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:48,647
They found what can only
be described as a grave.
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00:00:50,551 --> 00:00:54,319
[narrator] burning vengeance
and insatiable greed.
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00:00:54,388 --> 00:00:56,054
If you got on her bad side,
17
00:00:56,123 --> 00:00:58,356
There was kind of no
coming back from it.
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00:00:58,425 --> 00:01:00,191
[stephanie] it takes
a really evil person
19
00:01:00,261 --> 00:01:03,696
To be able to commit
a crime that elaborate.
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00:01:03,764 --> 00:01:08,368
The level of planning, you don't
often get all this intrigue.
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00:01:08,435 --> 00:01:11,370
She was motivated
by greed, by hatred,
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00:01:11,438 --> 00:01:14,507
And finally, she was
motivated by the thrill of it.
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She loved doing this.
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00:01:18,579 --> 00:01:24,450
[theme music]
25
00:01:31,258 --> 00:01:34,392
[narrator] November 28, 2014.
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00:01:34,461 --> 00:01:37,330
It's just before
8 am on black Friday
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00:01:37,397 --> 00:01:39,798
In a suburb of
fort worth, texas,
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When all hell breaks loose
29
00:01:41,268 --> 00:01:44,003
At the river ranch
apartment complex.
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00:01:57,952 --> 00:02:00,820
[narrator] another neighbor,
25-year-old jeff kayser,
31
00:02:00,888 --> 00:02:02,621
Notices the smoke outside
32
00:02:02,623 --> 00:02:05,957
And immediately runs upstairs
to check on his friend,
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00:02:06,026 --> 00:02:08,460
31-year-old ashlea harris.
34
00:02:09,630 --> 00:02:10,963
Ashlea lived in
apartment complex
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00:02:11,031 --> 00:02:12,864
With a lot of friends nearby,
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00:02:12,866 --> 00:02:15,534
And he was really worried
she might be inside.
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00:02:16,837 --> 00:02:19,038
[narrator] jeff doesn't wait
for the fire department.
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00:02:20,507 --> 00:02:21,840
[casey] he got with
a maintenance man
39
00:02:21,842 --> 00:02:23,709
And kicked in the door.
40
00:02:25,646 --> 00:02:27,612
And both went into
the apartment.
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00:02:27,681 --> 00:02:30,515
When they did kick in the
door, ashlea's dog ran out.
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00:02:30,584 --> 00:02:32,451
They were looking for
ashlea, calling her name.
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00:02:32,453 --> 00:02:34,220
She wasn't answering.
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00:02:34,287 --> 00:02:35,988
The two men couldn't
really get to the bedroom,
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00:02:36,056 --> 00:02:39,926
It was too smoky and dangerous,
so they exited the apartment.
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By that time, the firefighters
had, ah, arrived on the scene,
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00:02:43,063 --> 00:02:45,197
And they went in with equipment.
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[narrator] as the smoke clears,
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00:02:46,667 --> 00:02:49,735
It appears firefighters
are too late.
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00:02:52,272 --> 00:02:54,239
The firefighters immediately
discovered a body.
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00:02:57,211 --> 00:02:59,345
So they called the
fort worth police right away.
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00:03:00,814 --> 00:03:02,948
[narrator] firefighters
quickly realize the death
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00:03:03,016 --> 00:03:05,384
Wasn't the result of the blaze.
54
00:03:06,553 --> 00:03:10,622
They find a young woman bound,
55
00:03:10,691 --> 00:03:13,425
Hands and feet on the
floor of her bedroom,
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00:03:13,494 --> 00:03:17,163
Bludgeoned, stabbed,
blood everywhere.
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00:03:17,231 --> 00:03:18,363
[ashlea] it was immediately
apparent
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00:03:18,432 --> 00:03:19,832
This is not just a fire.
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00:03:19,900 --> 00:03:21,767
We actually have a crime scene.
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00:03:27,374 --> 00:03:29,374
[jerry] I was the on-call
detective for our unit
61
00:03:29,443 --> 00:03:32,044
For the thanksgiving weekend.
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00:03:32,112 --> 00:03:33,846
Upon entering the apartment,
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00:03:33,914 --> 00:03:37,450
My immediate attention
was in the living room.
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00:03:37,517 --> 00:03:42,053
Nothing really appeared to be
ransacked or, uh, disturbed
65
00:03:42,122 --> 00:03:45,123
As, you know, indication
of a struggle.
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00:03:45,192 --> 00:03:46,792
I then walked into the bedroom,
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00:03:46,860 --> 00:03:49,361
Where I immediately saw the
victim laying on the floor.
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00:03:51,732 --> 00:03:53,865
[ashlea] her wallet
was there at the scene,
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00:03:53,934 --> 00:03:58,002
With her id that they could
tell looked like this person,
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00:03:58,072 --> 00:03:59,304
Ashlea harris.
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00:04:02,542 --> 00:04:04,277
[narrator] news of the
fire spreads quickly
72
00:04:04,344 --> 00:04:06,145
Throughout fort worth.
73
00:04:07,147 --> 00:04:08,880
[stephanie] our friend called me
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00:04:08,882 --> 00:04:12,150
And said that ashlea's
apartment was on fire.
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00:04:12,219 --> 00:04:13,518
I said, what?
76
00:04:13,587 --> 00:04:16,688
What do you mean ashlea's
apartment's on fire?
77
00:04:16,757 --> 00:04:19,624
[narrator] a crowd is
gathering in the parking lot.
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00:04:19,693 --> 00:04:24,362
Concerned family and friends
are desperate for information.
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00:04:24,431 --> 00:04:26,364
[ernie] they were wanting
to know, is that ashlea?
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00:04:26,433 --> 00:04:29,101
Is that ashlea?
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00:04:29,169 --> 00:04:32,305
We will often withhold
that identification
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00:04:32,372 --> 00:04:35,107
For the medical examiner
to confirm that identity
83
00:04:35,175 --> 00:04:39,478
Either with dental records
or with dna.
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00:04:41,448 --> 00:04:43,715
[stephanie] I said, "can
tell you tell me anything?"
85
00:04:43,784 --> 00:04:46,051
He said, "I'll ask
you a question."
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00:04:46,119 --> 00:04:50,455
He said, "does jeremiah
29:11 mean anything to you?"
87
00:04:50,524 --> 00:04:52,657
And I just fell down.
88
00:04:52,659 --> 00:04:56,062
I mean, my knees just gave out.
89
00:04:56,129 --> 00:04:57,730
I said, "it's ashlea's tattoo."
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00:05:00,267 --> 00:05:02,934
It was like someone,
like, pulled the rug out
91
00:05:03,003 --> 00:05:06,204
From underneath you, you know?
92
00:05:06,273 --> 00:05:09,341
And then we knew.
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00:05:11,478 --> 00:05:13,478
[ernie] I put myself
in their position,
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00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:15,014
And that was the
best thing I could do
95
00:05:15,082 --> 00:05:18,684
To let the friends and family--
to let them know something.
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00:05:24,525 --> 00:05:26,491
[narrator] born in 1983,
97
00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:30,630
Ashlea harris came from
a loving blended family.
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00:05:30,697 --> 00:05:33,164
She was a texas girl,
born and raised.
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00:05:33,233 --> 00:05:36,034
Her parents divorced.
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00:05:36,036 --> 00:05:37,636
[ernie] ashlea harris' father,
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00:05:37,638 --> 00:05:39,771
He was a fort worth
police officer at one time.
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00:05:39,773 --> 00:05:42,574
He was friends with my father.
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00:05:42,642 --> 00:05:46,778
[narrator] ashlea's vivacious
spirit drew everyone in.
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00:05:46,847 --> 00:05:49,181
Ashley struck me as
one as one of those
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00:05:49,249 --> 00:05:52,450
Larger-than-life personalities.
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00:05:52,519 --> 00:05:55,721
She had a huge
circle of friends.
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00:05:55,789 --> 00:05:59,859
She was the really cute,
fun, outgoing person,
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00:05:59,926 --> 00:06:02,727
And so a lot of people
were attracted to her,
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00:06:02,729 --> 00:06:05,497
Regardless of whether or not
they were a boy or a girl.
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00:06:09,269 --> 00:06:10,869
[narrator] in her
early twenties,
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00:06:10,937 --> 00:06:16,375
An unexpected romantic spark
changed ashlea's life forever.
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00:06:16,444 --> 00:06:20,011
When she met laura,
she was, she was straight.
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00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:22,413
You know, she was pursuing men.
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00:06:22,483 --> 00:06:25,417
And laura just kind of
took her by surprise.
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00:06:25,419 --> 00:06:28,620
And they really just
became very, very close
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00:06:28,688 --> 00:06:32,692
Very, very quickly, and
then they moved in together.
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00:06:34,094 --> 00:06:37,629
[narrator] in 2004, ashlea was
ready to share this revelation
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00:06:37,698 --> 00:06:40,899
About her identity
with her loved ones.
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00:06:40,901 --> 00:06:42,767
[stephanie] when she did
finally come out, you know,
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00:06:42,836 --> 00:06:44,903
Everyone welcomed that decision.
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00:06:44,971 --> 00:06:48,040
The lgbtq community
welcomed ashlea,
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00:06:48,108 --> 00:06:51,443
And she thrived--
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00:06:51,511 --> 00:06:53,979
Like, really, really thrived.
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[narrator] while her
relationship with laura
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00:06:56,917 --> 00:07:00,519
Brought ashlea new friends
and self-exploration,
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00:07:00,521 --> 00:07:02,921
It wasn't meant to last.
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00:07:02,923 --> 00:07:05,056
There was a pretty
big age difference.
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00:07:05,125 --> 00:07:09,961
Laura had a full-time job,
and laura had her own place.
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00:07:10,030 --> 00:07:14,265
And ashlea was just still
trying to find her way.
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00:07:14,334 --> 00:07:16,768
But they never
stopped being friends.
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[narrator] as a young adult,
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00:07:21,875 --> 00:07:25,610
Ashlea struggled to
decide on a career path.
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[stephanie] when she
was in her mid 20's
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00:07:28,215 --> 00:07:30,815
Is when she got into retail,
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00:07:30,884 --> 00:07:32,884
And then ultimately ended
up in american eagle
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00:07:32,953 --> 00:07:36,688
That she really, really,
really, really loved.
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00:07:36,756 --> 00:07:38,890
[narrator] ashlea worked
her way up the ranks,
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00:07:38,959 --> 00:07:43,295
Making assistant manager
by the fall of 2011.
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00:07:43,363 --> 00:07:45,630
[casey] she worked
at hulen mall.
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00:07:45,632 --> 00:07:49,301
Her manager loved her, the
store employees loved her.
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00:07:49,369 --> 00:07:51,503
Overall, she was
great at her job.
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00:07:51,571 --> 00:07:54,372
People said that she
looked out for her staff,
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00:07:54,441 --> 00:07:57,242
Kind of helpful, mentoring them.
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00:07:57,244 --> 00:07:58,778
What ashlea loved about retail
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00:07:58,845 --> 00:08:01,780
Is that she got to meet
new people every single day.
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00:08:01,782 --> 00:08:05,184
She finally found,
like, her place in life.
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00:08:06,453 --> 00:08:10,121
[narrator] just as 31-year-old
ashlea is coming into her own,
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00:08:10,190 --> 00:08:13,058
Her future is cut short.
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00:08:16,463 --> 00:08:20,365
We have a thirty-one-year-old
female who has been murdered.
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00:08:20,367 --> 00:08:22,268
Everyone spoke
very highly of ashlea.
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00:08:22,335 --> 00:08:24,269
She was this great person.
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00:08:24,337 --> 00:08:25,337
For us, that's important.
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00:08:25,405 --> 00:08:28,274
It's like, who would
want to hurt her?
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00:08:28,341 --> 00:08:30,742
[ashlea] it was horrific.
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00:08:30,810 --> 00:08:33,111
It's very rare we see a case
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00:08:33,179 --> 00:08:38,017
Where a person is bound
in their own house.
157
00:08:38,084 --> 00:08:40,719
And, of course, there was fire
that was set to the house.
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00:08:44,357 --> 00:08:48,828
Her bedroom was the point of
origin for the fire it appeared.
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00:08:48,895 --> 00:08:51,296
The bed was partially burned,
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00:08:51,298 --> 00:08:55,767
And her body appeared to
have been burned partially.
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00:08:55,836 --> 00:08:57,903
There were some type
of trauma to her body.
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00:08:57,971 --> 00:08:59,704
Uh, you could see
signs of blood,
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00:08:59,773 --> 00:09:02,575
Um, you could see some bruising.
164
00:09:02,642 --> 00:09:05,610
This is not your typical
fire investigation.
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00:09:10,784 --> 00:09:12,317
[narrator] and
arson investigators
166
00:09:12,385 --> 00:09:15,387
Notice something peculiar.
167
00:09:15,455 --> 00:09:19,324
The accelerant that we saw
was a bottle of alcohol,
168
00:09:19,392 --> 00:09:21,459
Rubbing alcohol.
169
00:09:21,461 --> 00:09:23,695
That's not a very
flammable liquid.
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00:09:24,798 --> 00:09:26,731
[ashlea] if you're going
to set something on fire,
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00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:29,868
The normal household alcohol
doesn't really burn as fast
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00:09:29,870 --> 00:09:32,937
And is not a very good
accelerant at all.
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00:09:32,939 --> 00:09:35,640
For that reason, the fire seemed
like an afterthought to me.
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00:09:39,346 --> 00:09:40,678
[narrator] coming up,
175
00:09:40,747 --> 00:09:43,949
Detectives have their
work cut out for them.
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00:09:44,017 --> 00:09:47,752
The impression that I got
was no, this was not a stranger.
177
00:09:47,754 --> 00:09:49,854
Who would wanna hurt ashley?
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00:09:49,923 --> 00:09:53,091
[narrator] could a surprise
witness hold the answer?
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00:09:53,093 --> 00:09:56,194
She was one of the last
persons to see her alive.
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00:09:58,733 --> 00:10:02,734
[theme music]
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00:10:11,778 --> 00:10:15,848
[narrator] Friday,
November 28, 2014.
182
00:10:15,915 --> 00:10:18,916
Homicide investigators
in fort worth, texas
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00:10:18,985 --> 00:10:21,452
Are combing through
the scorched apartment
184
00:10:21,521 --> 00:10:25,123
Of 31-year-old ashlea harris.
185
00:10:25,125 --> 00:10:27,859
[ernie] she had been
bound with duct tape.
186
00:10:27,928 --> 00:10:31,463
There was, uh, trauma
to the head and face area.
187
00:10:31,531 --> 00:10:34,133
The body was partially burned.
188
00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:37,102
There was evidence of a
pretty violent struggle.
189
00:10:41,408 --> 00:10:42,540
[narrator] beyond the bedroom,
190
00:10:42,609 --> 00:10:47,145
Investigators find a
home eerily undisturbed .
191
00:10:47,213 --> 00:10:49,614
[ashlea] there's still
money in her wallet
192
00:10:49,682 --> 00:10:51,516
And her credit cards
are still there.
193
00:10:51,584 --> 00:10:53,084
And so that was odd to them,
194
00:10:53,154 --> 00:10:55,420
That if maybe it's
a home invasion or a robbery,
195
00:10:55,488 --> 00:10:59,458
You would expect to see
tvs taken, electronics taken,
196
00:10:59,526 --> 00:11:00,960
And they didn't see that.
197
00:11:03,830 --> 00:11:05,897
One of the neighbors
and a friend had come over
198
00:11:05,966 --> 00:11:09,767
And tried to get in, make
entry into the apartment.
199
00:11:09,769 --> 00:11:11,903
Jeff said that he ended
up kicking the door in,
200
00:11:11,972 --> 00:11:15,039
And our victim's dog ran out.
201
00:11:15,108 --> 00:11:17,508
He described the
door as being locked,
202
00:11:17,577 --> 00:11:19,444
Which that was
interesting to us.
203
00:11:19,446 --> 00:11:21,246
How was the door locked?
204
00:11:21,314 --> 00:11:24,783
[ashlea] we don't know how they
accessed ashlea's apartment.
205
00:11:24,785 --> 00:11:27,518
We just feel like by
deducing all of that,
206
00:11:27,587 --> 00:11:29,154
There's no
lock-picking evidence.
207
00:11:31,191 --> 00:11:33,992
The impression that I got was
no, this was not a stranger.
208
00:11:37,263 --> 00:11:41,466
[narrator] and investigators
are faced with another mystery.
209
00:11:41,534 --> 00:11:44,470
We knew that ashlea had a pickup
that was parked at the scene,
210
00:11:44,537 --> 00:11:46,004
And it was a white dodge pickup.
211
00:11:46,006 --> 00:11:47,139
So for us, that was important,
212
00:11:47,207 --> 00:11:48,773
Because we wanted to
search that vehicle.
213
00:11:49,876 --> 00:11:51,142
[narrator] the problem is
214
00:11:51,211 --> 00:11:54,146
Detectives can't
find ashlea's keys.
215
00:11:55,348 --> 00:11:56,414
The keys are missing,
216
00:11:56,416 --> 00:11:58,082
But it doesn't look like
anything else is missing.
217
00:11:58,151 --> 00:12:00,385
It didn't look like a robbery.
218
00:12:00,387 --> 00:12:03,422
[ernie] once we realized,
hey, the keys aren't even here,
219
00:12:03,490 --> 00:12:06,691
Well, whoever did this could
have easily used the keys
220
00:12:06,693 --> 00:12:08,026
And locked the deadbolt.
221
00:12:11,498 --> 00:12:14,232
[narrator] investigators
continue to process the scene,
222
00:12:14,301 --> 00:12:17,836
While another team
searches for witnesses.
223
00:12:17,904 --> 00:12:19,303
[jerry] our job as detectives
224
00:12:19,372 --> 00:12:22,107
Is to speak to anyone
that's close to ashlea,
225
00:12:22,175 --> 00:12:24,777
Whether it's family, friends,
co-workers, neighbors,
226
00:12:24,844 --> 00:12:28,846
Anyone that could possibly
have a issue with ashlea.
227
00:12:28,915 --> 00:12:30,648
So, when we were on the scene,
228
00:12:30,717 --> 00:12:35,386
I had interviewed alexis torres,
who was a friend of ashlea's,
229
00:12:35,455 --> 00:12:38,857
And she was one of the last
persons to see her alive.
230
00:12:42,462 --> 00:12:44,195
[narrator] friends tell
detectives that ashlea
231
00:12:44,264 --> 00:12:46,597
Had been working
around the clock,
232
00:12:46,599 --> 00:12:49,400
Getting ready for black Friday.
233
00:12:49,469 --> 00:12:54,339
[stephanie] ashlea was going
to work that thanksgiving.
234
00:12:54,341 --> 00:12:56,073
And her friends
had a little party,
235
00:12:56,142 --> 00:12:59,076
Because they wanted to
make sure that ashlea was fed
236
00:12:59,145 --> 00:13:01,346
Prior to having to go work.
237
00:13:01,414 --> 00:13:04,283
[kevin] alexis had come over
to take care of ashlea's dog
238
00:13:04,350 --> 00:13:05,883
While ashlea was working,
239
00:13:05,952 --> 00:13:08,352
Because ashlea had to
work late that night,
240
00:13:08,421 --> 00:13:10,556
And then had to be at work
early the next morning.
241
00:13:11,758 --> 00:13:14,825
[jerry] alexis torres came over
on three occasions that night,
242
00:13:14,895 --> 00:13:17,562
The last being, uh
shortly after 3 am.
243
00:13:17,564 --> 00:13:20,698
And when she arrived,
ashlea was already home.
244
00:13:20,767 --> 00:13:22,166
[ashlea] it was,
like, 3 in the morning
245
00:13:22,235 --> 00:13:23,502
When ashlea got home from work.
246
00:13:23,570 --> 00:13:25,703
And the plan was ashlea
was gonna take a nap,
247
00:13:25,705 --> 00:13:29,173
Take a couple hours, get back
up early, 7-8 in the morning,
248
00:13:29,242 --> 00:13:31,709
And go back in to
american eagle.
249
00:13:31,711 --> 00:13:34,712
[jerry] actually, ashlea wanted
alexis to stay the night,
250
00:13:34,781 --> 00:13:38,216
And alexis couldn't because
she had her father's pickup
251
00:13:38,284 --> 00:13:39,651
And she had to return it to him
252
00:13:39,719 --> 00:13:41,253
Because he had to
work the next morning.
253
00:13:42,789 --> 00:13:45,122
[narrator] alexis tells police
that she hung out with ashlea
254
00:13:45,191 --> 00:13:49,193
For about an hour and a
half before heading home.
255
00:13:49,195 --> 00:13:50,929
[casey] according to alexis,
256
00:13:50,931 --> 00:13:54,766
She left about 4:40 or
maybe 4:45 in the morning.
257
00:13:54,768 --> 00:13:56,435
[ashlea] alexis
remembered when she left
258
00:13:56,502 --> 00:13:58,269
And she told ashlea goodbye,
259
00:13:58,271 --> 00:14:00,371
Ashlea locked the
door behind alexis.
260
00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:03,674
She remembers
hearing that noise.
261
00:14:03,743 --> 00:14:05,076
[narrator] alexis also offers up
262
00:14:05,144 --> 00:14:08,412
Another key piece
of information.
263
00:14:08,481 --> 00:14:11,082
[casey] ashlea usually left
her keys on this counter,
264
00:14:11,150 --> 00:14:14,151
And she always keeps your
truck keys with her store keys,
265
00:14:14,220 --> 00:14:16,288
And it looks like
those are missing.
266
00:14:20,326 --> 00:14:22,026
[narrator] ashlea's
body is transported to
267
00:14:22,095 --> 00:14:24,562
The tarrant county
medical examiner's office
268
00:14:24,564 --> 00:14:27,498
For an autopsy.
269
00:14:27,567 --> 00:14:30,903
Meanwhile, the crowd outside
ashlea's apartment complex
270
00:14:30,970 --> 00:14:33,304
Is growing.
271
00:14:33,373 --> 00:14:34,907
[ernie] there was a lot
of friends and family.
272
00:14:34,974 --> 00:14:36,707
Ashlea was very loved.
273
00:14:36,776 --> 00:14:38,309
They all started gathering.
274
00:14:38,378 --> 00:14:41,212
Coworkers from american
eagle started showing up.
275
00:14:44,317 --> 00:14:47,118
[narrator] as investigators
talk to potential witnesses,
276
00:14:47,186 --> 00:14:49,387
One of ashlea's
neighbors comes forward
277
00:14:49,389 --> 00:14:51,990
And reports that around
7:00 that morning,
278
00:14:52,058 --> 00:14:57,161
He saw something suspicious.
279
00:14:57,230 --> 00:14:58,830
Steven lee had lived at
that apartment complex
280
00:14:58,832 --> 00:15:01,799
For several years, so he was
very familiar with the people
281
00:15:01,801 --> 00:15:02,935
That lived nearby.
282
00:15:03,002 --> 00:15:05,737
He turns out to be a retired,
uh, law enforcement officer
283
00:15:05,805 --> 00:15:09,208
From california,
so he was very observant.
284
00:15:09,275 --> 00:15:11,743
[ernie] steven lee he had a
pretty structured routine.
285
00:15:11,811 --> 00:15:15,279
Each morning, he would, uh,
step out, smoke a cigarette,
286
00:15:15,348 --> 00:15:18,082
And take note of who
was home and who wasn't
287
00:15:18,151 --> 00:15:20,184
By where their cars were.
288
00:15:21,421 --> 00:15:23,287
[jerry] steven lee
noticed a specific vehicle
289
00:15:23,289 --> 00:15:25,556
That he'd never seen before.
290
00:15:25,625 --> 00:15:29,560
He described that vehicle to
be a two-door black infiniti,
291
00:15:29,629 --> 00:15:32,096
Which he thought was a g35.
292
00:15:32,165 --> 00:15:33,898
[kevin] it was not a car
that he was familiar with.
293
00:15:33,966 --> 00:15:35,299
He'd lived there for a while,
294
00:15:35,301 --> 00:15:38,036
And he--he knew his
neighbor's vehicles.
295
00:15:38,104 --> 00:15:39,570
[ashlea] everyone in that
apartment has kind of
296
00:15:39,639 --> 00:15:41,106
Assigned parking spots.
297
00:15:41,174 --> 00:15:43,909
It's not technically assigned,
but everybody has their spot
298
00:15:43,977 --> 00:15:46,911
They park in.
And so he noticed that car.
299
00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:50,315
[narrator] more importantly,
steve says the black sedan
300
00:15:50,383 --> 00:15:53,151
Had been parked
next to ashlea's truck.
301
00:15:57,457 --> 00:15:59,391
[jerry] the crowd was
asked about an infiniti
302
00:15:59,459 --> 00:16:02,593
That may have been
visiting ashlea.
303
00:16:02,662 --> 00:16:04,463
[narrator] ashlea's boss,
chris cravey,
304
00:16:04,530 --> 00:16:06,798
Is also standing by.
305
00:16:06,866 --> 00:16:08,099
[ashlea]
chris cravey was actually
306
00:16:08,167 --> 00:16:09,800
One of the managers at the time.
307
00:16:09,869 --> 00:16:11,202
He was also very
close to ashlea.
308
00:16:11,204 --> 00:16:12,537
They were friends,
309
00:16:12,539 --> 00:16:14,272
And so he immediately
went to her apartment
310
00:16:14,274 --> 00:16:15,807
When he was hearing
all about this.
311
00:16:15,876 --> 00:16:19,945
And when he hears
that a infiniti g35
312
00:16:20,013 --> 00:16:23,748
Had been at the scene,
he immediately thinks,
313
00:16:23,750 --> 00:16:27,518
I know an employee that
drives that type of infiniti.
314
00:16:28,821 --> 00:16:30,888
[narrator] chris tells police
the name of the employee
315
00:16:30,957 --> 00:16:34,459
Is 25-year-old carter cervantez
316
00:16:38,932 --> 00:16:40,232
Carter cervantez had
been working with
317
00:16:40,299 --> 00:16:43,567
American eagle outfitters
for quite some time.
318
00:16:43,636 --> 00:16:45,236
[leticia] the first
time I met carter,
319
00:16:45,238 --> 00:16:48,106
She was the store manager
in amarillo, texas.
320
00:16:48,174 --> 00:16:53,845
She actually interviewed me
for a sales associate job.
321
00:16:53,913 --> 00:16:55,847
She was the one that
you wanted to like you
322
00:16:55,915 --> 00:16:57,849
Because if you got
on her bad side,
323
00:16:57,917 --> 00:16:59,383
There was kind of no
coming back from it.
324
00:16:59,452 --> 00:17:01,053
She would always kind
of find a way at work
325
00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:03,388
To make it harder on you.
326
00:17:06,659 --> 00:17:09,393
[narrator] while carter was
managing the amarillo store,
327
00:17:09,395 --> 00:17:13,531
She also hired
19-year-old david mallory.
328
00:17:13,533 --> 00:17:15,933
Sometime during their
working together,
329
00:17:15,935 --> 00:17:20,337
Carter and david became
involved in a relationship.
330
00:17:20,406 --> 00:17:21,873
[leticia] david was
the stock manager.
331
00:17:21,941 --> 00:17:23,342
They weren't
supposed to be dating
332
00:17:23,409 --> 00:17:25,543
Because she controlled his pay,
333
00:17:25,545 --> 00:17:27,812
She controlled how
much he worked.
334
00:17:27,814 --> 00:17:31,616
And she would just give him
more preferential treatment.
335
00:17:31,684 --> 00:17:35,152
And our district manager
basically gave her the option
336
00:17:35,221 --> 00:17:37,989
To quit or to get transferred.
337
00:17:41,828 --> 00:17:43,895
[casey] david is 19, very young.
338
00:17:43,963 --> 00:17:47,499
Carter is 24 or 25, older.
339
00:17:47,567 --> 00:17:49,233
The managers discovered
they had a relationship
340
00:17:49,302 --> 00:17:51,435
That was against the rules.
341
00:17:51,437 --> 00:17:52,503
Carter and her
manager worked out
342
00:17:52,572 --> 00:17:55,973
That they were going to
transfer her to fort worth.
343
00:17:55,975 --> 00:17:59,911
[leticia] she moved about
six hours away to fort worth.
344
00:17:59,979 --> 00:18:04,181
David was still on
our schedule in amarillo.
345
00:18:04,250 --> 00:18:06,917
He didn't show up for
three shifts in a row,
346
00:18:06,919 --> 00:18:12,389
Which meant that he was fired
and now considered un-rehirable.
347
00:18:12,458 --> 00:18:13,991
So, we made sure put
him in our system
348
00:18:14,060 --> 00:18:15,192
So that it would show that
349
00:18:15,261 --> 00:18:18,563
He was not allowed to work
at an american eagle anymore.
350
00:18:22,769 --> 00:18:25,470
[narrator] however, carter
knew how to cheat the system
351
00:18:25,538 --> 00:18:30,208
And didn't let that stop her
from hiring david in fort worth
352
00:18:30,276 --> 00:18:32,344
[casey] she and david
moved in together.
353
00:18:32,411 --> 00:18:34,945
Carter got him employed by
354
00:18:35,014 --> 00:18:36,781
Changing his
social security number.
355
00:18:36,783 --> 00:18:39,951
So in the system, it looked
like this was a new employee
356
00:18:40,019 --> 00:18:42,219
With a different
social security number.
357
00:18:42,288 --> 00:18:45,089
So that do not hire, um, note
358
00:18:45,091 --> 00:18:47,091
Didn't come up
with corporate hr.
359
00:18:50,563 --> 00:18:52,296
[narrator] while
talking to detectives,
360
00:18:52,365 --> 00:18:56,567
Ashlea's boss reveals
another crucial detail.
361
00:18:56,569 --> 00:18:58,435
[ashlea] in August of 2014,
362
00:18:58,504 --> 00:19:01,772
Months prior to the
murder in November,
363
00:19:01,841 --> 00:19:03,308
There had been an individual
364
00:19:03,376 --> 00:19:06,645
That had gone into american
eagle and stolen over $18,000.
365
00:19:08,314 --> 00:19:09,848
[narrator] coworkers
tell detectives
366
00:19:09,916 --> 00:19:13,484
That ashlea was the one
who discovered the theft.
367
00:19:16,456 --> 00:19:19,524
[jerry] a thin individual,
possibly a male, comes in,
368
00:19:19,592 --> 00:19:21,860
Goes straight to the
safe, unlocks the safe,
369
00:19:21,928 --> 00:19:26,697
And takes the money from
the safe and walks out.
370
00:19:26,699 --> 00:19:31,535
The back door was left unlocked,
which is how he got in.
371
00:19:31,604 --> 00:19:33,737
You have to have
a key to open it.
372
00:19:33,806 --> 00:19:35,072
It's not a digital safe.
373
00:19:35,141 --> 00:19:38,276
It was obviously somebody who
had worked at an american eagle,
374
00:19:38,344 --> 00:19:43,280
Because they didn't
search around.
375
00:19:43,349 --> 00:19:46,017
It was clear to ashlea
that this is david mallory
376
00:19:46,085 --> 00:19:47,886
That's entering in
and taking the money.
377
00:19:47,954 --> 00:19:50,020
The person that would
have left the door open
378
00:19:50,089 --> 00:19:54,292
Would've been his girlfriend
at the time, carter cervantez.
379
00:19:54,360 --> 00:19:56,161
So, we believe, when it
was time to close up,
380
00:19:56,229 --> 00:19:58,529
She gave him the
key for the safe.
381
00:20:00,500 --> 00:20:01,633
[narrator] coming up,
382
00:20:01,701 --> 00:20:04,101
Could one of ashlea's
former coworkers
383
00:20:04,103 --> 00:20:07,104
Have reason to kill her?
384
00:20:07,173 --> 00:20:08,639
[leticia] carter did
hold this against ashlea
385
00:20:08,641 --> 00:20:11,108
Because ashlea was the
one that turned them in.
386
00:20:11,177 --> 00:20:14,145
[narrator] and investigators
learn the horrific details
387
00:20:14,147 --> 00:20:16,981
Of ashlea's last moments.
388
00:20:17,049 --> 00:20:20,452
Ashlea harris had a tremendous
amount of injuries on her body.
389
00:20:20,519 --> 00:20:22,520
She had, basically,
more injuries
390
00:20:22,522 --> 00:20:24,189
Than anyone I've ever seen.
391
00:20:26,926 --> 00:20:30,361
[theme music]
392
00:20:39,739 --> 00:20:42,406
[narrator] hours after
discovering the brutalized body
393
00:20:42,408 --> 00:20:45,009
Of 31-year-old ashlea harris--
394
00:20:45,077 --> 00:20:48,480
The assistant manager at
a popular retail store--
395
00:20:48,547 --> 00:20:52,783
Investigators in fort worth,
texas get their first big lead.
396
00:20:54,020 --> 00:20:57,821
So back in 2014, in August,
there was this robbery
397
00:20:57,890 --> 00:21:00,891
That occurred inside
of american eagle.
398
00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:03,160
It was the tax-free weekend.
399
00:21:03,162 --> 00:21:05,863
An individual had
stolen over $18,000.
400
00:21:07,633 --> 00:21:10,034
[narrator] a fter reviewing
the surveillance footage,
401
00:21:10,036 --> 00:21:14,239
Ashlea identified one of her
coworkers as the perpetrator:
402
00:21:14,307 --> 00:21:17,374
David mallory.
403
00:21:17,443 --> 00:21:19,510
The record showed that
the alarm was not tripped,
404
00:21:19,578 --> 00:21:21,979
But the door was ajar.
405
00:21:22,048 --> 00:21:24,315
Carter cervantez, as one
of the assistant managers,
406
00:21:24,383 --> 00:21:26,784
Would be one of the only
people that would have a key
407
00:21:26,853 --> 00:21:29,353
To both the safe and
to the back door.
408
00:21:30,756 --> 00:21:33,391
[jerry] earlier that night,
carter cervantez had gone out
409
00:21:33,393 --> 00:21:36,060
To take out trash, which
is not typically something
410
00:21:36,128 --> 00:21:37,594
That she normally does.
411
00:21:37,663 --> 00:21:39,663
But on this specific night,
she did take out trash,
412
00:21:39,665 --> 00:21:42,933
And she left the
door propped open.
413
00:21:43,002 --> 00:21:45,903
And that's where this individual
later that night made entry.
414
00:21:49,809 --> 00:21:52,776
[narrator] when detectives pull
the police report on the theft,
415
00:21:52,845 --> 00:21:56,480
They find that it's
still an active case.
416
00:21:56,549 --> 00:21:58,148
[kevin] from the police
department's perspective,
417
00:21:58,217 --> 00:22:00,284
It was still an open case.
418
00:22:00,353 --> 00:22:02,287
From american eagle's
perspective,
419
00:22:02,355 --> 00:22:04,489
They were satisfied that
they knew who had done it.
420
00:22:06,092 --> 00:22:08,959
[jerry] carter cervantez
was terminated after that,
421
00:22:09,028 --> 00:22:11,096
And david mallory never
showed up to work,
422
00:22:11,163 --> 00:22:13,264
So he was obviously
also terminated.
423
00:22:14,634 --> 00:22:16,100
Carter did hold
this against ashlea,
424
00:22:16,102 --> 00:22:17,902
Because ashlea was the
one that turned them in.
425
00:22:21,707 --> 00:22:24,108
[narrator] detectives
become even more suspicious
426
00:22:24,176 --> 00:22:28,580
When they receive the
results of ashlea's autopsy.
427
00:22:28,647 --> 00:22:32,116
Ashlea harris had a tremendous
amount of injuries on her body.
428
00:22:32,184 --> 00:22:33,984
She had, basically,
more injuries
429
00:22:34,053 --> 00:22:36,453
Than anyone I've ever seen.
430
00:22:36,522 --> 00:22:39,857
[kevin] she had a deep cut
to one side of her neck,
431
00:22:39,859 --> 00:22:43,460
Numerous injuries
on her face and head
432
00:22:43,529 --> 00:22:46,797
From being struck
with a hard object.
433
00:22:46,799 --> 00:22:49,567
She had what we believed
to be a stomp mark
434
00:22:49,635 --> 00:22:51,670
On one of her lower legs.
435
00:22:51,737 --> 00:22:53,871
There was
evidence of ligature
436
00:22:53,873 --> 00:22:56,073
Where, uh, something had
been wrapped around her neck
437
00:22:56,142 --> 00:22:58,542
And pulled tight, uh, to, uh,
438
00:22:58,544 --> 00:23:01,879
Result in
strangulation, as well.
439
00:23:01,947 --> 00:23:06,484
This was somebody who'd
killed her out of anger.
440
00:23:06,552 --> 00:23:08,419
This was torture.
441
00:23:08,487 --> 00:23:11,556
This looked like somebody
who was mad at her.
442
00:23:12,825 --> 00:23:15,692
[narrator] the cause of
death is listed as asphyxia
443
00:23:15,761 --> 00:23:19,497
And blunt force trauma
to the head and neck.
444
00:23:19,499 --> 00:23:22,466
She was deceased shortly
before the fire started.
445
00:23:25,905 --> 00:23:27,704
[narrator] it becomes
clear to authorities
446
00:23:27,773 --> 00:23:30,107
That this was a rage killing,
447
00:23:30,176 --> 00:23:34,646
And that alexis torres
is not their suspect.
448
00:23:34,713 --> 00:23:38,782
Alexis was very cooperative, and
she was cleared pretty quickly.
449
00:23:38,851 --> 00:23:40,250
[jerry]
alexis turned out not to be
450
00:23:40,319 --> 00:23:42,319
The best person to look at
at that time
451
00:23:42,388 --> 00:23:44,555
After we developed two
additional suspects.
452
00:23:47,927 --> 00:23:49,259
[narrator] investigators
at the scene
453
00:23:49,328 --> 00:23:51,196
Immediately start tracking down
454
00:23:51,263 --> 00:23:54,666
Carter cervantez
and david mallory.
455
00:23:55,267 --> 00:23:56,668
[ernie] we found
through our research
456
00:23:56,735 --> 00:23:58,536
That they lived in
an apartment complex
457
00:23:58,604 --> 00:24:02,873
Near hulen mall
and near the crime scene,
458
00:24:02,942 --> 00:24:07,277
And, uh, that they
did have a, uh, g35,
459
00:24:07,279 --> 00:24:10,682
The exact kind of vehicle seen
parked next to ashlea's truck,
460
00:24:10,749 --> 00:24:12,950
Registered to carter cervantez.
461
00:24:13,886 --> 00:24:15,886
[jerry] I contacted one
of our undercover units
462
00:24:15,955 --> 00:24:18,288
To maintain constant
surveillance on this apartment,
463
00:24:18,357 --> 00:24:21,492
Roughly from about 3
til' about midnight.
464
00:24:21,560 --> 00:24:24,495
There was a white cadillac
that was parked nearby
465
00:24:24,497 --> 00:24:27,297
Registered to david mallory.
466
00:24:27,299 --> 00:24:29,299
But the black two-door infiniti
467
00:24:29,368 --> 00:24:31,035
Wasn't in the parking
lot at that time.
468
00:24:34,306 --> 00:24:35,672
[narrator] in the
early morning hours of
469
00:24:35,741 --> 00:24:37,975
Saturday, November 29th,
470
00:24:37,977 --> 00:24:42,746
Detective cedillo returns to ru
surveillance on the apartment.
471
00:24:42,748 --> 00:24:47,785
It's been nearly 24 hours since
ashlea was found murdered.
472
00:24:47,787 --> 00:24:49,920
[jerry] upon driving
near the building,
473
00:24:49,922 --> 00:24:53,991
I now see the black
two-door infiniti backed in.
474
00:24:53,993 --> 00:24:57,194
Approximately 7:45, and the
sun's starting to come up,
475
00:24:57,263 --> 00:25:00,865
I see the lights on the
vehicle blink on and off
476
00:25:00,933 --> 00:25:03,200
As if someone has
unlocked the vehicle,
477
00:25:03,202 --> 00:25:05,002
Which gets my attention.
478
00:25:05,871 --> 00:25:07,539
[kevin] david mallory and carter
cervantez both came outside.
479
00:25:07,606 --> 00:25:09,507
They got into her car,
480
00:25:09,575 --> 00:25:12,443
And he followed them as
they left the parking lot.
481
00:25:13,746 --> 00:25:16,281
He follows them just a
couple of miles to hulen mall,
482
00:25:16,348 --> 00:25:17,481
Which is very interesting.
483
00:25:17,550 --> 00:25:19,551
Why are they going to
hulen mall early in the morning?
484
00:25:23,289 --> 00:25:24,955
[narrator] the detective watches
485
00:25:24,957 --> 00:25:29,626
As carter cervantez exits the
vehicle and enters the mall.
486
00:25:29,695 --> 00:25:31,629
[jerry] she was
wearing dark clothing.
487
00:25:31,631 --> 00:25:33,630
Why would they be coming
back to a location
488
00:25:33,699 --> 00:25:35,300
Where they used to work
489
00:25:35,367 --> 00:25:37,367
And where ashlea harris
used to work?
490
00:25:37,369 --> 00:25:38,770
It's 7:45 in the morning.
491
00:25:38,837 --> 00:25:40,237
The only people
that are in the mall
492
00:25:40,306 --> 00:25:41,973
Are mall walkers or employees.
493
00:25:42,708 --> 00:25:44,708
[narrator] detective
cedillo calls for backup
494
00:25:44,710 --> 00:25:47,878
Before following
carter into the mall.
495
00:25:47,880 --> 00:25:49,314
[jerry] I went into the mall.
496
00:25:49,381 --> 00:25:51,049
As I'm walking,
I run into chris cravey,
497
00:25:51,116 --> 00:25:52,849
Who is standing outside
of american eagle
498
00:25:52,918 --> 00:25:55,185
With the gate still closed.
499
00:25:55,254 --> 00:25:59,790
I say, "hey, by chance did you
see carter cervantez walk by?"
500
00:25:59,792 --> 00:26:02,059
[narrator] chris says he
hasn't seen cervantez,
501
00:26:02,061 --> 00:26:04,061
But is anxious to
get inside the store
502
00:26:04,063 --> 00:26:08,800
To collect a large sum of money
in the safe from black Friday.
503
00:26:08,867 --> 00:26:11,668
I asked him, "well, what are you
doing still standing out here?"
504
00:26:11,737 --> 00:26:14,671
And he says, "well, we changed
the locks to the gates,
505
00:26:14,740 --> 00:26:17,007
After we learned
of ashlea's death."
506
00:26:17,076 --> 00:26:19,743
So he was waiting on his
bosses to show up with the key
507
00:26:19,812 --> 00:26:21,679
So they can go in.
508
00:26:21,681 --> 00:26:23,880
At that point, no one other
than law enforcement knew
509
00:26:23,882 --> 00:26:25,682
That there was any keys missing.
510
00:26:25,751 --> 00:26:26,883
The locks were changed
at american eagle
511
00:26:26,952 --> 00:26:28,686
For precautionary reasons.
512
00:26:32,758 --> 00:26:34,224
[leticia] on tax-free
weekend and black Friday,
513
00:26:34,226 --> 00:26:37,495
Those were our
highest deposit days.
514
00:26:37,563 --> 00:26:42,566
Sometimes two or three deposits
would be left inside of the safe
515
00:26:42,635 --> 00:26:44,368
Until they could take it.
516
00:26:44,436 --> 00:26:46,037
Carter would always joke that
517
00:26:46,105 --> 00:26:47,904
If I were ever going
to steal a deposit,
518
00:26:47,973 --> 00:26:51,908
It would be black Friday
or tax-free weekend.
519
00:26:51,977 --> 00:26:56,446
And we always thought,
oh, ha, ha, that's funny.
520
00:26:56,515 --> 00:26:59,249
Black Friday and
special events are huge.
521
00:26:59,318 --> 00:27:00,784
Stores can bring in 50, 60, a--
522
00:27:00,786 --> 00:27:03,320
Sometimes almost
even 70k in cash.
523
00:27:03,322 --> 00:27:07,457
Carter knew the process,
the timing, who did what when,
524
00:27:07,526 --> 00:27:09,026
How they made deposits.
525
00:27:09,028 --> 00:27:11,194
She knew there'll be a
lot of money in there.
526
00:27:11,263 --> 00:27:13,131
So for me, in my
mind, I'm thinking
527
00:27:13,198 --> 00:27:16,800
That david and carter
are there to rob the money
528
00:27:16,802 --> 00:27:18,235
From Thursday night
and Friday night.
529
00:27:21,874 --> 00:27:23,740
[narrator] outside,
officers confront
530
00:27:23,809 --> 00:27:26,077
19-year-old david mallory,
531
00:27:26,145 --> 00:27:29,280
Who appears to be waiting
on carter to exit the mall.
532
00:27:30,416 --> 00:27:31,749
[ernie] he didn't wanna talk.
533
00:27:31,751 --> 00:27:33,950
That's whenever we arrested him
534
00:27:34,019 --> 00:27:37,422
For not having his
driver's license on his person.
535
00:27:37,489 --> 00:27:39,956
Our goal was to talk to david
536
00:27:40,025 --> 00:27:44,228
And also to get that vehicle to
search for forensic evidence.
537
00:27:44,296 --> 00:27:45,495
We took the car.
538
00:27:45,497 --> 00:27:47,864
But we don't have a right
to search the vehicle legally
539
00:27:47,933 --> 00:27:49,701
Until we obtain
a search warrant.
540
00:27:53,972 --> 00:27:56,707
[narrator] meanwhile, detective
cedillo is having no luck
541
00:27:56,709 --> 00:28:00,244
Locating carter inside the mall
542
00:28:00,312 --> 00:28:01,980
At this point, the mall's
starting to open up
543
00:28:02,047 --> 00:28:03,980
And customers are
starting to come in.
544
00:28:04,049 --> 00:28:06,516
Now it's goanna be even more
impossible to locate carter.
545
00:28:06,585 --> 00:28:10,053
So, I decided to go and maintain
surveillance at her apartment
546
00:28:10,055 --> 00:28:12,590
A couple of miles from the mall.
547
00:28:12,658 --> 00:28:14,391
Shortly after, the
undercover officer
548
00:28:14,460 --> 00:28:16,059
Had spotted carter cervantez
549
00:28:16,128 --> 00:28:19,497
In the business
office of the complex.
550
00:28:19,565 --> 00:28:21,866
The officers mention that she
was wearing pink scrubs which,
551
00:28:21,934 --> 00:28:24,067
You know, that didn't
make any sense to me,
552
00:28:24,136 --> 00:28:26,536
Because when I saw her go in,
553
00:28:26,605 --> 00:28:28,538
I never saw her
wearing any pink.
554
00:28:28,607 --> 00:28:31,341
She agreed to come down to
our office to be interviewed.
555
00:28:31,410 --> 00:28:33,478
She volunteered of her
own volition, went down,
556
00:28:33,545 --> 00:28:35,145
And so now the detectives
have both of them
557
00:28:35,147 --> 00:28:36,814
To at least start
getting information.
558
00:28:51,764 --> 00:28:54,564
[kevin] when they
asked david mallory about
559
00:28:54,633 --> 00:28:56,434
Why he was at the
mall that morning,
560
00:28:56,502 --> 00:28:59,836
He told them that he brought
carter to the mall,
561
00:28:59,905 --> 00:29:02,038
And that she was supposed
to be doing some,
562
00:29:02,107 --> 00:29:04,207
Uh, new employee paperwork,
563
00:29:04,209 --> 00:29:05,876
And that he was waiting
for her to finish.
564
00:29:19,658 --> 00:29:21,125
[narrator] coming up,
565
00:29:21,193 --> 00:29:25,362
Investigators finally
confront carter cervantez.
566
00:29:25,431 --> 00:29:28,064
We asked where she'd
been the last two days.
567
00:29:28,133 --> 00:29:29,801
She mentions that she
cooked thanksgiving dinner,
568
00:29:29,868 --> 00:29:31,702
For her and david.
569
00:29:44,817 --> 00:29:48,285
[theme music]
570
00:29:57,829 --> 00:30:01,031
[narrator] November 29, 2014.
571
00:30:01,100 --> 00:30:03,367
It's been a little over 24 hour
572
00:30:03,435 --> 00:30:08,238
Since the brutal murder of
31-year-old ashlea harris.
573
00:30:08,307 --> 00:30:12,042
Now, investigators in fort wort
are gearing up to interview
574
00:30:12,044 --> 00:30:14,077
Their prime suspect,
575
00:30:14,146 --> 00:30:17,448
Ashlea's former co-worker,
carter cervantez.
576
00:30:18,950 --> 00:30:20,718
Carter cervantez is
super nice and friendly
577
00:30:20,786 --> 00:30:22,786
At the police department, uh,
578
00:30:22,855 --> 00:30:25,723
And looking them in the
eye, answering questions.
579
00:31:09,168 --> 00:31:11,434
[jerry] we asked where
she'd been the last two days.
580
00:31:11,503 --> 00:31:14,771
She mentions that she cooked
thanksgiving dinner, uh,
581
00:31:14,840 --> 00:31:16,373
For her and--and david,
582
00:31:16,375 --> 00:31:18,843
And they had a quiet dinner
there at the apartment,
583
00:31:18,911 --> 00:31:20,311
Where they watched movies.
584
00:31:24,049 --> 00:31:25,649
[narrator] after
just half an hour,
585
00:31:25,717 --> 00:31:28,819
Detectives decide to
take a break and regroup.
586
00:31:30,923 --> 00:31:32,656
[jerry] we gave carter
a bottle of water,
587
00:31:32,724 --> 00:31:35,058
And detective pate and I
step out.
588
00:31:35,060 --> 00:31:36,660
And we're sitting in our office,
589
00:31:36,662 --> 00:31:40,397
But we're watching the interview
room through a monitor.
590
00:31:40,466 --> 00:31:44,267
She got a tissue, and she wiped
the mouth of the bottle off.
591
00:31:44,269 --> 00:31:45,536
And she wiped the bottle down,
592
00:31:45,604 --> 00:31:49,339
And she used the tissue
to put the cap back on.
593
00:31:49,408 --> 00:31:52,809
She never touched
the bottle again.
594
00:31:52,878 --> 00:31:55,178
So at that point I'm thinking,
595
00:31:55,180 --> 00:31:57,681
She thinks we're goanna try
to grab dna from the bottle,
596
00:31:57,749 --> 00:32:01,152
Which, you know, is only making
her look more suspicious.
597
00:32:02,154 --> 00:32:04,621
[casey] so if you're
perfectly innocent,
598
00:32:04,690 --> 00:32:07,425
Why are you wiping down a water
bottle at the police station?
599
00:32:10,162 --> 00:32:11,628
[narrator] when
detectives ask carter
600
00:32:11,697 --> 00:32:15,332
About her trip to the mall
that morning, she denies it.
601
00:32:37,256 --> 00:32:39,122
She continues to deny that
602
00:32:39,124 --> 00:32:41,057
She ever went to the
mall that morning.
603
00:32:41,126 --> 00:32:43,593
We thought she'd
be the weakest link.
604
00:32:43,662 --> 00:32:45,128
Boy, were we wrong.
605
00:32:45,130 --> 00:32:47,030
She was actually the
tougher one to interview.
606
00:32:50,268 --> 00:32:53,536
[narrator] after the interviews,
carter is free to leave.
607
00:32:53,605 --> 00:32:57,875
But david is booked on the
misdemeanor and sent to jail.
608
00:32:57,943 --> 00:32:59,142
[ernie] david was arrested.
609
00:32:59,211 --> 00:33:02,412
But then it's just like
getting a no seat belt ticket
610
00:33:02,481 --> 00:33:05,883
Or a moving violation ticket,
you get out pretty quickly.
611
00:33:05,951 --> 00:33:07,684
So, he was out.
612
00:33:07,753 --> 00:33:09,686
[casey] they didn't have
enough to charge them yet,
613
00:33:09,755 --> 00:33:12,923
But the investigators were
narrowing in quite quickly.
614
00:33:16,361 --> 00:33:17,694
[jerry] after the interviews,
615
00:33:17,763 --> 00:33:21,431
I obtained a search warrant for
carter and david's apartment.
616
00:33:21,433 --> 00:33:22,700
Initially, we
weren't sure exactly
617
00:33:22,768 --> 00:33:23,967
What we were looking for.
618
00:33:23,969 --> 00:33:25,568
But we found some receipts.
619
00:33:25,637 --> 00:33:26,903
She was using credit cards,
620
00:33:26,972 --> 00:33:28,572
Which turned out to be
a bad mistake for her.
621
00:33:31,043 --> 00:33:33,977
We began to do
follow-up investigation
622
00:33:33,979 --> 00:33:35,645
At those locations.
623
00:33:35,714 --> 00:33:37,781
We obtained some video.
624
00:33:37,849 --> 00:33:42,318
[narrator] what they see on the
surveillance video is shocking.
625
00:33:42,387 --> 00:33:44,322
[kevin] on November the 21st,
626
00:33:44,389 --> 00:33:47,923
Carter cervantez
went and purchased
627
00:33:47,925 --> 00:33:50,727
A pair of short-handled shovels,
628
00:33:50,796 --> 00:33:53,330
And she purchased, uh,
629
00:33:53,332 --> 00:33:57,067
What I'm going to
describe as a murder kit.
630
00:33:57,069 --> 00:33:59,536
She had rope.
631
00:33:59,605 --> 00:34:02,071
She had, uh, gloves.
632
00:34:02,141 --> 00:34:06,077
She purchased a tarp
and, uh, duct tape.
633
00:34:09,881 --> 00:34:11,549
[narrator] when authorities
pull the surveillance footage
634
00:34:11,616 --> 00:34:14,684
From the mall on
Saturday, November 29th,
635
00:34:14,753 --> 00:34:19,989
The day after ashlea's murder,
they see a familiar figure.
636
00:34:20,058 --> 00:34:21,758
[ashlea] it's carter cervantez.
637
00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:24,427
We have her going into the
mall around 8 in the morning
638
00:34:24,429 --> 00:34:26,429
That next day, after the murder.
639
00:34:26,498 --> 00:34:27,764
[jerry] she's walking
through the mall.
640
00:34:27,833 --> 00:34:31,435
She is wearing a gray sweater,
the black pants and black hat.
641
00:34:31,503 --> 00:34:35,505
[ernie] carter actually goes
up to the roll-down door,
642
00:34:35,507 --> 00:34:40,244
And she tries to unlock
the bottom of that door.
643
00:34:40,312 --> 00:34:42,712
That's when we knew
she had ashlea's keys,
644
00:34:42,781 --> 00:34:45,583
But she was unable to
gain entry into the store.
645
00:34:45,650 --> 00:34:48,051
American eagle, out of
an abundance of caution,
646
00:34:48,119 --> 00:34:50,387
Had changed the
locks at the store.
647
00:34:51,490 --> 00:34:52,723
The second that they got word
648
00:34:52,791 --> 00:34:55,325
That there had been an
employee that was killed,
649
00:34:55,394 --> 00:34:57,595
Corporate immediately
changed the locks
650
00:34:57,662 --> 00:34:59,195
In this fort worth store.
651
00:34:59,264 --> 00:35:00,664
She did not bank on that.
652
00:35:01,900 --> 00:35:05,069
Later, when she walks from
the mall towards her house,
653
00:35:05,137 --> 00:35:06,804
She is wearing pink scrubs.
654
00:35:06,872 --> 00:35:09,672
So, our theory is that
655
00:35:09,741 --> 00:35:13,476
She has the pink scrubs
underneath the dark clothing.
656
00:35:13,545 --> 00:35:15,679
And once the offense
was committed,
657
00:35:15,681 --> 00:35:17,747
I think she was gonna
shed those clothes
658
00:35:17,816 --> 00:35:19,382
And now be wearing pink scrubs.
659
00:35:20,619 --> 00:35:22,085
[narrator]
investigators' suspicions
660
00:35:22,153 --> 00:35:24,187
Are finally validated.
661
00:35:25,691 --> 00:35:28,426
[jerry] at that point, it's
where it all becomes apparent
662
00:35:28,493 --> 00:35:31,762
That this is the reason why
they killed ashlea harris--
663
00:35:31,830 --> 00:35:33,364
They were there to get the keys.
664
00:35:36,434 --> 00:35:39,369
[narrator] coming up,
new evidence surfaces,
665
00:35:39,438 --> 00:35:42,372
A nd it's quite damning.
666
00:35:42,440 --> 00:35:44,442
[jerry] upon searching
carter's vehicle,
667
00:35:44,509 --> 00:35:48,378
There was a loaded glock
underneath the driver's seat.
668
00:35:48,446 --> 00:35:50,848
When we opened the trunk
of david mallory's car,
669
00:35:50,916 --> 00:35:52,983
Those two shovels
that she bought
670
00:35:53,051 --> 00:35:55,218
Were sitting in the
back of his trunk.
671
00:35:56,788 --> 00:36:00,390
[theme music]
672
00:36:09,835 --> 00:36:13,671
[narrator] following the
November 29, 2014 interviews
673
00:36:13,738 --> 00:36:17,874
With murder suspects carter
cervantez and david mallory,
674
00:36:17,943 --> 00:36:20,209
Investigators in
fort worth, texas
675
00:36:20,279 --> 00:36:23,546
Are inching toward
justice for ashlea harris,
676
00:36:23,615 --> 00:36:27,083
And the evidence is mounting.
677
00:36:27,085 --> 00:36:31,888
Upon searching carter's vehicle,
there was, a, uh, loaded glock
678
00:36:31,957 --> 00:36:34,023
Underneath the driver's seat.
679
00:36:34,092 --> 00:36:37,894
We located, uh, several knives
that were in the vehicle,
680
00:36:37,896 --> 00:36:40,496
And we seized two cell phones,
681
00:36:40,498 --> 00:36:42,332
Which belonged to
carter and david.
682
00:36:43,769 --> 00:36:45,902
[ashlea] when we opened the
trunk of david mallory's car,
683
00:36:45,971 --> 00:36:50,440
Those two shovels, the exact
same shovels that she bought,
684
00:36:50,508 --> 00:36:52,375
Were sitting in the
back of his trunk.
685
00:36:53,512 --> 00:36:56,245
[jerry] they had bungee cords,
and zip ties, and a tarp.
686
00:36:56,315 --> 00:36:57,847
And to me, all
that's indications
687
00:36:57,916 --> 00:37:00,450
They are trying to
wrap up a body somehow.
688
00:37:00,452 --> 00:37:02,253
But, you know, they
weren't able to do that.
689
00:37:06,258 --> 00:37:08,591
[narrator] the nail in
the proverbial coffin
690
00:37:08,593 --> 00:37:12,530
Comes with the dna results.
691
00:37:12,597 --> 00:37:16,866
Carter's vehicle, the floor
mat in that vehicle would, uh--
692
00:37:16,935 --> 00:37:19,936
We ended up getting forensic
evidence off of that.
693
00:37:19,938 --> 00:37:23,273
We found blood on the floor mat
694
00:37:23,275 --> 00:37:25,608
That had been transferred
from david's boot
695
00:37:25,677 --> 00:37:27,878
To the, uh, floor
mat of the car.
696
00:37:31,983 --> 00:37:36,219
[ashlea] sure enough, it did
match ashlea harris' dna.
697
00:37:36,221 --> 00:37:38,021
So that was a big,
big piece of evidence
698
00:37:38,023 --> 00:37:40,291
That we were able to get.
699
00:37:40,358 --> 00:37:42,692
In addition, we got
ashlea's dna on this gun
700
00:37:42,762 --> 00:37:46,696
That was found in carter
cervantez's car under the seat.
701
00:37:46,765 --> 00:37:50,433
Ashlea had a star-shaped
injury behind one ear
702
00:37:50,502 --> 00:37:52,435
That's purely the
result of impact.
703
00:37:52,504 --> 00:37:55,572
And she had another one
on the bridge of her nose.
704
00:37:55,574 --> 00:37:58,441
Eventually, we determined
that the most likely thing
705
00:37:58,510 --> 00:38:01,311
That caused that was
being pistol whipped.
706
00:38:01,313 --> 00:38:04,013
The arrest warrants
for capital murder
707
00:38:04,082 --> 00:38:06,450
Were obtained on December 4th.
708
00:38:08,053 --> 00:38:10,720
David was arrested
in west texas.
709
00:38:11,923 --> 00:38:15,458
Once carter learned that there
was an arrest warrant for her,
710
00:38:15,460 --> 00:38:18,862
She tried to turn herself
in with her attorney.
711
00:38:18,930 --> 00:38:20,797
Her lawyer was adamant that
we couldn't speak to her
712
00:38:20,865 --> 00:38:22,799
And was upset that
she was getting arrested.
713
00:38:28,006 --> 00:38:31,374
[narrator] david, however,
agrees to answer some questions
714
00:38:39,084 --> 00:38:42,885
He did admit that carter stole
the tax-free weekend money
715
00:38:42,954 --> 00:38:45,255
Back in August, but wouldn't
admit to the murder.
716
00:38:59,637 --> 00:39:02,339
[narrator] when detectives pull
the couple's phone records,
717
00:39:02,407 --> 00:39:06,409
They find a blueprint
for ashlea's murder.
718
00:39:06,478 --> 00:39:08,646
Once we were able to
forensically analyze
719
00:39:08,713 --> 00:39:10,780
Those phones, the entire case
720
00:39:10,849 --> 00:39:12,882
And their plan was--
was spelled out.
721
00:39:14,853 --> 00:39:18,387
The planning and the prep for
this horrible, horrific event
722
00:39:18,457 --> 00:39:20,723
Is just kind of part of
their daily life almost
723
00:39:20,725 --> 00:39:23,059
In their text messages,
like, back and forth.
724
00:39:23,128 --> 00:39:25,528
What's for lunch, what's for
dinner, let's go to a movie.
725
00:39:25,530 --> 00:39:28,865
Oh, yeah, I got
the duct tape and the shovels.
726
00:39:28,933 --> 00:39:32,668
It was evident to us that carter
was the mastermind behind this,
727
00:39:32,737 --> 00:39:35,938
And I think david
was the muscle.
728
00:39:36,007 --> 00:39:37,607
She's the one that
coordinated everything
729
00:39:37,676 --> 00:39:39,276
And came up with the plan.
730
00:39:42,881 --> 00:39:46,483
[narrator] on Friday,
November 28, 2014,
731
00:39:46,485 --> 00:39:49,552
Authorities believe carter
and david laid in wait
732
00:39:49,554 --> 00:39:51,487
Outside ashlea's apartment
733
00:39:51,556 --> 00:39:55,691
Until she returned home
from her retail shift.
734
00:39:55,760 --> 00:39:56,893
To this day, we still don't know
735
00:39:56,961 --> 00:39:58,227
Whether or not the
door was locked
736
00:39:58,296 --> 00:40:00,030
And how the suspects
actually got in.
737
00:40:01,166 --> 00:40:02,966
[casey] she fought for her life.
738
00:40:03,034 --> 00:40:06,369
Duct taped hand and foot,
stabbed, bludgeoned,
739
00:40:06,437 --> 00:40:08,704
Ah, asphyxiated.
740
00:40:08,706 --> 00:40:12,642
The fire was, uh, set to try
to cover up other evidence.
741
00:40:12,710 --> 00:40:15,311
[kevin] we believe
that carter cervantez
742
00:40:15,380 --> 00:40:17,046
Locked the door on the way out.
743
00:40:17,048 --> 00:40:19,316
I mean, they had her keys.
744
00:40:20,585 --> 00:40:22,185
And if they want
the place to burn,
745
00:40:22,187 --> 00:40:24,720
It makes more sense to
lock the door behind you.
746
00:40:24,789 --> 00:40:27,457
She was motivated by greed.
She wanted money.
747
00:40:27,459 --> 00:40:31,928
She was motivated by
revenge, uh, hatred.
748
00:40:31,997 --> 00:40:36,132
And finally, though, she was
motivated by the thrill of it.
749
00:40:36,201 --> 00:40:38,635
She loved doing this.
750
00:40:41,172 --> 00:40:43,740
[narrator] and that's not all.
751
00:40:43,742 --> 00:40:45,809
[ernie] I kept going
through the phone records,
752
00:40:45,877 --> 00:40:48,411
And I found they had
text messaged each other
753
00:40:48,413 --> 00:40:50,481
Gps coordinates.
754
00:40:50,548 --> 00:40:54,083
These coordinates flew out
into the middle of nowhere,
755
00:40:54,152 --> 00:40:55,752
North of abilene.
756
00:40:55,754 --> 00:40:56,754
[kevin] david mallory
sent this text,
757
00:40:56,821 --> 00:41:00,589
These coordinates to carter,
on November the 25th,
758
00:41:00,659 --> 00:41:02,760
Four days after she
purchased these shovels.
759
00:41:04,829 --> 00:41:08,564
[narrator] what they find
at that spot is chilling.
760
00:41:08,633 --> 00:41:10,967
[kevin] they walked
directly to the spot
761
00:41:10,969 --> 00:41:15,238
Where these coordinates,
uh, directed them.
762
00:41:15,240 --> 00:41:19,776
And they found what can only
be described as a grave.
763
00:41:19,778 --> 00:41:23,913
We believe that david used
those shovels to dig that grave,
764
00:41:23,982 --> 00:41:28,184
And the intent was to have
transported ashlea's body there
765
00:41:28,253 --> 00:41:30,387
And buried her,
766
00:41:30,455 --> 00:41:32,856
And that the plan
just didn't work out.
767
00:41:35,860 --> 00:41:37,795
[jerry] they put a lot
of planning into this.
768
00:41:37,862 --> 00:41:40,529
I don't think they expected that
ashlea was gonna put up a fight.
769
00:41:40,599 --> 00:41:42,465
Their plan fell
apart very quickly,
770
00:41:42,533 --> 00:41:44,133
And they--they got desperate.
771
00:41:44,202 --> 00:41:47,470
My opinion is, it was
harder to move a dead body
772
00:41:47,539 --> 00:41:49,272
Than they thought it was.
773
00:41:49,274 --> 00:41:52,875
And for that reason, they tried
to destroy the crime scene
774
00:41:52,944 --> 00:41:57,347
And destroy evidence
with the fire.
775
00:41:57,415 --> 00:41:59,415
[kevin] carter cervantez
fancied herself
776
00:41:59,417 --> 00:42:01,484
I presume a criminal mastermind.
777
00:42:01,553 --> 00:42:04,220
But in reality,
she was an amateur
778
00:42:04,289 --> 00:42:08,826
And she was, uh--she left a
trail of evidence a mile wide.
779
00:42:14,766 --> 00:42:17,833
[narrator] on may 26, 2016,
780
00:42:17,902 --> 00:42:20,704
Carter is convicted
of capital murder
781
00:42:20,772 --> 00:42:24,774
And receives a mandatory
sentence of life without parole
782
00:42:27,245 --> 00:42:31,781
Ultimately, the jury
in david's 2017 trial
783
00:42:31,850 --> 00:42:36,453
Holds him just as
responsible as carter.
784
00:42:36,521 --> 00:42:39,523
Both carter and david
are doing life in prison
785
00:42:39,591 --> 00:42:41,258
Without the
possibility of parole.
786
00:42:41,326 --> 00:42:43,226
They will both die in prison.
787
00:42:48,333 --> 00:42:49,999
It takes a really evil person
788
00:42:50,068 --> 00:42:54,670
To be able to commit
a crime that elaborate.
789
00:42:54,739 --> 00:42:56,607
It's unfathomable.
790
00:42:56,674 --> 00:42:58,609
As swift as the
life without parole
791
00:42:58,676 --> 00:43:01,010
Was given on both defendants,
792
00:43:01,079 --> 00:43:04,814
We'll never be able to
give her back to the family.
793
00:43:04,816 --> 00:43:07,683
All of us that experienced it
will never be the same person
794
00:43:07,752 --> 00:43:12,722
That we were before
November 28th, ever.
795
00:43:14,959 --> 00:43:17,093
The mark ashlea
left on this earth
796
00:43:17,095 --> 00:43:19,295
And the happiness and joy
that she brought everyone,
797
00:43:19,364 --> 00:43:22,331
Myself included, never leaves.
798
00:43:22,400 --> 00:43:25,902
I think that there's a piece
of her that's with me sometimes.
799
00:43:29,474 --> 00:43:35,578
[music]