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[narrator] they were the family
that seemed to have it all.
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00:00:11,111 --> 00:00:13,178
It's a robot!
3
00:00:13,180 --> 00:00:14,780
Every morning we'd wake up
and you know,
4
00:00:14,848 --> 00:00:16,648
We'd say we're the kohnles.
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00:00:16,717 --> 00:00:19,352
We had the four-car garage.
We had the pool.
6
00:00:19,420 --> 00:00:23,922
His business went gangbusters.
He had tons of clients.
7
00:00:23,991 --> 00:00:26,859
And he was the kindest,
most gentle man
8
00:00:26,927 --> 00:00:30,295
You'll ever meet in your life.
9
00:00:31,732 --> 00:00:35,601
[narrator] until a fire
left their lives in ruins.
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00:00:35,603 --> 00:00:37,470
[zac] it's what they refer
to as a full alarm.
11
00:00:37,538 --> 00:00:40,672
Dispatch three engines and a
ladder truck, and an ems unit.
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00:00:40,741 --> 00:00:42,274
One day we're living the dream,
and the next day,
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We don't know what
we're going to do.
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00:00:44,545 --> 00:00:47,346
[narrator] as authorities try
to make sense of this tragedy,
15
00:00:47,348 --> 00:00:51,216
Secrets soon emerge
from the ashes.
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Having this illness,
he's not able to work as much,
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00:00:53,420 --> 00:00:55,353
Can't provide for the family.
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00:00:55,422 --> 00:00:58,424
They were close to the house
going into foreclosure.
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It was very bleak for them.
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00:01:01,495 --> 00:01:03,162
[narrator] was this the last act
21
00:01:03,230 --> 00:01:05,964
Of a devoted
and desperate father
22
00:01:06,033 --> 00:01:08,634
Or a cold-blooded betrayal?
23
00:01:13,173 --> 00:01:15,373
Her affairs had been
going on for a while.
24
00:01:15,442 --> 00:01:17,410
He caught her several times.
25
00:01:17,478 --> 00:01:20,846
Once actually in the act
of cheating on him.
26
00:01:20,848 --> 00:01:22,581
[adam] she would benefit highly
if you have a fire
27
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That takes out the home
and the husband.
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[theme music]
29
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[narrator] June 29, 2007,
ringgold, georgia.
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00:01:47,875 --> 00:01:52,412
It's 9:34 am in the quiet town
along the tennessee border,
31
00:01:52,479 --> 00:01:55,480
When a proprietor of a local
grocery store sees smoke
32
00:01:55,549 --> 00:01:58,017
Rising from a nearby home.
33
00:01:59,420 --> 00:02:01,686
Gary carlock
owned his family store,
34
00:02:01,755 --> 00:02:03,422
Carlock's grocery.
35
00:02:03,424 --> 00:02:06,559
He was the one that first saw
the flames and the smoke,
36
00:02:06,627 --> 00:02:09,061
And called it in.
37
00:02:10,898 --> 00:02:13,765
[narrator] seven miles away,
firefighters with engine eight
38
00:02:13,834 --> 00:02:17,903
Are starting their day
when they get the call.
39
00:02:17,971 --> 00:02:19,772
[bell ringing]
40
00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:22,374
[zac] it's what they refer
to as a full alarm.
41
00:02:22,442 --> 00:02:24,776
Dispatch three engines
and a ladder truck
42
00:02:24,778 --> 00:02:26,511
And an ems unit.
43
00:02:26,580 --> 00:02:28,380
They'll relay,
there's now flames visible.
44
00:02:28,448 --> 00:02:29,915
So you're trying
to get your game plan,
45
00:02:29,983 --> 00:02:32,051
Trying to think your
way through it.
46
00:02:32,920 --> 00:02:35,955
[narrator] firefighters
arrive at 9:42 am to learn
47
00:02:36,023 --> 00:02:39,791
From command they can't
contain this from the outside.
48
00:02:39,860 --> 00:02:42,327
They are going in.
49
00:02:43,464 --> 00:02:46,064
The fire looked like it was
on the rear side of the home.
50
00:02:46,133 --> 00:02:48,533
We come in from
the unburnt side.
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00:02:48,535 --> 00:02:51,003
[zac] so when we talk about
the importance of priorities,
52
00:02:51,071 --> 00:02:52,804
You think you may be
putting a fire out,
53
00:02:52,806 --> 00:02:56,742
You may also be having
a victim in there.
54
00:02:57,678 --> 00:02:59,277
We go through
this first hallway,
55
00:02:59,346 --> 00:03:01,279
And we're immediately met
with extreme heat
56
00:03:01,281 --> 00:03:03,683
And smoke conditions.
57
00:03:03,750 --> 00:03:08,820
The visibility was pretty low.
We made it to the back bedroom.
58
00:03:08,822 --> 00:03:12,258
We'd realized that was
the fire room for sure.
59
00:03:13,361 --> 00:03:17,029
We had suppressed that fire back
and one of the guys with us,
60
00:03:17,097 --> 00:03:19,831
He was using a thermal
imaging camera.
61
00:03:19,901 --> 00:03:22,201
[narrator] the technology is
capable of picking up a person'
62
00:03:22,270 --> 00:03:26,371
Heat signature through smoke.
63
00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:29,709
As the fireman scans the room,
an unsettling shape
64
00:03:29,776 --> 00:03:32,744
Appears on the screen.
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00:03:34,381 --> 00:03:36,782
[zac] he notified us that
he did see what looked like
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00:03:36,850 --> 00:03:40,686
To be a victim towards
the backside of the bed.
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00:03:42,589 --> 00:03:45,590
[drew] when we made it around
to him, from what I remember is
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00:03:45,659 --> 00:03:48,794
He was kneeling by the bed
in a sense, um,
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00:03:48,862 --> 00:03:52,864
Almost as if he was
praying or something.
70
00:03:52,933 --> 00:03:54,266
He was unconscious,
71
00:03:54,335 --> 00:03:56,402
But he didn't appear
to have thermal burns.
72
00:03:56,470 --> 00:03:58,670
He definitely had, you know,
smoke on his clothes,
73
00:03:58,739 --> 00:04:00,305
On his skin.
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00:04:02,843 --> 00:04:06,078
[zac] usually victims are found
very close to the door.
75
00:04:06,146 --> 00:04:08,680
They succumb or they just
physically can't exert any more
76
00:04:08,749 --> 00:04:10,950
Energy while they're trying to,
to remove their selves
77
00:04:11,018 --> 00:04:13,151
From an environment.
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00:04:14,087 --> 00:04:17,289
[narrator] they preliminarily id
the victim as the homeowner,
79
00:04:17,357 --> 00:04:19,958
James kohnle.
80
00:04:20,494 --> 00:04:24,430
Jim kohnle was a
local chiropractor
81
00:04:24,498 --> 00:04:28,233
Who had a practice
in dalton, georgia nearby.
82
00:04:33,574 --> 00:04:36,708
[narrator] although jim kohnle
wasn't from north georgia,
83
00:04:36,777 --> 00:04:39,511
He found it the perfect place
to build a career
84
00:04:39,580 --> 00:04:42,514
As a small-town chiropractor.
85
00:04:42,582 --> 00:04:44,249
[caleb] my dad kind of grew up
all over the place.
86
00:04:44,317 --> 00:04:47,119
We come from a kind of
a wealthy background.
87
00:04:47,187 --> 00:04:49,054
My great-grandfather was
frederick kohnle,
88
00:04:49,122 --> 00:04:51,189
Who founded monarch markings
89
00:04:51,258 --> 00:04:54,526
And invented one of the
first price tag machines.
90
00:04:54,528 --> 00:04:57,263
They have over 300 patents.
91
00:04:59,533 --> 00:05:01,866
[narrator] however,
jim bucked the family business
92
00:05:01,935 --> 00:05:05,470
And the money that came with it
to make a name for himself
93
00:05:05,539 --> 00:05:08,673
In a new profession.
94
00:05:08,742 --> 00:05:11,877
[bonnie] the first time I met
him, he had just started out.
95
00:05:11,879 --> 00:05:15,413
And he was in the back
of a beauty shop.
96
00:05:15,482 --> 00:05:18,751
He had his chiropractor
business back there.
97
00:05:18,819 --> 00:05:21,153
And I went in there
for adjustments.
98
00:05:21,221 --> 00:05:22,554
I did his books.
99
00:05:22,622 --> 00:05:24,289
And he did the
chiropractic adjustments
100
00:05:24,357 --> 00:05:27,560
For all my kids
and grandchildren.
101
00:05:30,831 --> 00:05:32,632
[narrator]
from those humble beginnings,
102
00:05:32,699 --> 00:05:38,002
Jim worked hard to build a
successful and caring practice.
103
00:05:38,071 --> 00:05:44,042
Jim's business went gangbusters.
He had tons of clients.
104
00:05:44,111 --> 00:05:47,445
When he worked on you, you felt
good just being around him.
105
00:05:47,514 --> 00:05:50,582
Jim was the kindest,
most gentle man
106
00:05:50,650 --> 00:05:53,052
You'll ever meet in your life.
107
00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:55,453
[narrator] with his business
growing by the year,
108
00:05:55,522 --> 00:05:58,656
Jim knew he needed
additional employees.
109
00:05:58,726 --> 00:06:01,193
The woman that answered
his help wanted ad
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00:06:01,261 --> 00:06:05,130
Was 21-year-old teresa boggs.
111
00:06:05,132 --> 00:06:10,536
As his business started growing,
teresa was his receptionist.
112
00:06:15,008 --> 00:06:18,743
[narrator] by 1994, teresa
and jim's working relationship
113
00:06:18,812 --> 00:06:21,646
Had evolved into a new
kind of partnership.
114
00:06:23,316 --> 00:06:25,483
There's a more than
20-year age difference
115
00:06:25,552 --> 00:06:28,286
Between teresa and jim.
116
00:06:28,355 --> 00:06:31,624
Teresa is in her 20's.
He's in his 50's.
117
00:06:31,691 --> 00:06:34,092
But they were in love
with each other.
118
00:06:34,161 --> 00:06:37,362
And the two of them
embark on a life together.
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00:06:38,231 --> 00:06:43,501
[narrator] in 1996, jim and
teresa welcomed a son, caleb.
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00:06:43,570 --> 00:06:46,771
I think it was love at first
sight when he seen caleb.
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00:06:46,773 --> 00:06:51,176
That became his entire world.
He was a fantastic dad.
122
00:06:51,178 --> 00:06:54,512
They had me, got married
a year later and opened up
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00:06:54,581 --> 00:06:58,383
Their practice together,
the alpha wellness center.
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00:06:58,718 --> 00:07:00,051
[nameeta]
the two of them embarked
125
00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:05,724
On this life goal together, of
building a successful business.
126
00:07:05,726 --> 00:07:09,861
It was an all-inclusive health
and well-being center.
127
00:07:09,863 --> 00:07:12,330
Teresa upgraded
her own education
128
00:07:12,399 --> 00:07:15,600
And became a trained
massage therapist.
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00:07:15,669 --> 00:07:17,736
[caleb] my mom,
she was from harlan, kentucky.
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00:07:17,738 --> 00:07:20,473
Harlan's more of like
a small-town mindset, ya know.
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00:07:20,540 --> 00:07:22,208
Women stay home
and take care of their man,
132
00:07:22,275 --> 00:07:23,742
And that was just never
for my mom.
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00:07:23,744 --> 00:07:25,677
My mom always wanted
to take care of herself,
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00:07:25,679 --> 00:07:27,947
Go off and do bigger,
better things.
135
00:07:28,014 --> 00:07:31,015
She was a great massage
therapist, she really was.
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00:07:31,084 --> 00:07:32,651
They were both great.
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00:07:35,889 --> 00:07:38,089
[narrator] as their business
continued to grow,
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00:07:38,158 --> 00:07:39,959
So did their family.
139
00:07:40,026 --> 00:07:43,828
Their second child,
allyson, was born in 2000.
140
00:07:43,897 --> 00:07:45,830
The family settled
into a pretty house
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00:07:45,899 --> 00:07:49,701
On an expansive lot in ringgold
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00:07:49,770 --> 00:07:52,370
Growing up was probably
like any little kid's dream.
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00:07:52,439 --> 00:07:55,574
My parents' business was
just booming at the time.
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00:07:55,642 --> 00:07:57,176
Every morning, we'd wake up
and, you know, we'd say,
145
00:07:57,244 --> 00:07:59,177
We're the kohnles.
146
00:07:59,246 --> 00:08:02,981
We had the four-car garage.
We had the pool.
147
00:08:02,983 --> 00:08:05,316
It's a robot!
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00:08:05,385 --> 00:08:08,786
Jim and teresa were very doting.
149
00:08:08,855 --> 00:08:12,457
The kids did just about
everything they wanted.
150
00:08:12,459 --> 00:08:15,326
If they wanted it,
they had it.
151
00:08:15,395 --> 00:08:17,662
They made me grow up believing
that I could be anything,
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00:08:17,664 --> 00:08:20,398
Everything, you know.
It was amazing.
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00:08:20,467 --> 00:08:23,135
It really was.
They were great parents.
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00:08:28,108 --> 00:08:31,477
[narrator] but on the morning
of June 29, 2007,
155
00:08:31,545 --> 00:08:34,545
That charmed life comes
to an abrupt end
156
00:08:34,615 --> 00:08:37,883
When a fire breaks out
in the kohnles' home.
157
00:08:39,820 --> 00:08:41,152
[zac] at this point,
we immediately conduct
158
00:08:41,221 --> 00:08:42,688
A quick search
of making sure
159
00:08:42,756 --> 00:08:45,290
That there is
no other victims in there.
160
00:08:45,358 --> 00:08:46,625
[narrator] fortunately,
161
00:08:46,693 --> 00:08:50,862
There's no sign of
any additional victims.
162
00:08:50,864 --> 00:08:55,767
But the fight to save jim
kohnle's life isn't so lucky.
163
00:08:55,769 --> 00:08:57,101
[drew] after we made entry,
164
00:08:57,170 --> 00:09:00,104
He was unconscious when
we had carried him out.
165
00:09:00,173 --> 00:09:03,942
They tried to resuscitate him,
but they were unsuccessful.
166
00:09:05,312 --> 00:09:08,480
[narrator] jim kohnle is
pronounced dead at the scene.
167
00:09:13,186 --> 00:09:17,188
Jim's 34-year-old wife, teresa,
is traveling with their two kid
168
00:09:17,190 --> 00:09:20,391
To visit her parents out of
state when she gets the call
169
00:09:20,393 --> 00:09:24,262
From georgia authorities.
170
00:09:24,931 --> 00:09:27,065
[caleb] my mom's friend, robin,
answered the phone.
171
00:09:27,067 --> 00:09:28,833
And I remember robin screamin'
at my mom, you know,
172
00:09:28,835 --> 00:09:31,002
Teresa, pull over the car.
Teresa, pull over the car.
173
00:09:31,071 --> 00:09:33,004
You know, and she's just
like, why? Why?
174
00:09:33,073 --> 00:09:35,474
Just tell me.
Just tell me.
175
00:09:36,176 --> 00:09:37,742
And we pulled over.
176
00:09:37,811 --> 00:09:40,112
My mom just fell to the ground
screaming and crying.
177
00:09:43,516 --> 00:09:45,149
[narrator] coming up...
178
00:09:45,218 --> 00:09:49,721
Investigators sift through
the ashes of a life upended.
179
00:09:49,723 --> 00:09:51,022
[buzz] at the time of the fire ,
180
00:09:51,092 --> 00:09:53,257
They had got behind
on their mortgage.
181
00:09:53,326 --> 00:09:56,595
Their finances were not
in good shape at all.
182
00:10:09,109 --> 00:10:11,710
[music]
183
00:10:21,922 --> 00:10:26,257
[narrator] June 29, 2007.
A house fire has claimed
184
00:10:26,326 --> 00:10:29,394
The life of beloved
husband and father,
185
00:10:29,462 --> 00:10:33,332
57-year-old jim kohnle.
186
00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:37,870
News of the tragedy has reached
jim's 34-year-old wife, teresa,
187
00:10:37,937 --> 00:10:43,342
Who is racing back home from
a trip to knoxville, tennessee.
188
00:10:43,410 --> 00:10:45,143
My mom couldn't even talk.
189
00:10:45,211 --> 00:10:47,412
And I remember them telling me
that my dad had died
190
00:10:47,414 --> 00:10:49,013
And that our house was gone.
191
00:10:49,082 --> 00:10:51,950
And I just, I don't know,
I just kind of went numb.
192
00:10:55,689 --> 00:10:57,021
[narrator]
at the scene of the fire,
193
00:10:57,090 --> 00:11:00,759
Investigators from the catoosa
county sheriff's office arrive
194
00:11:00,761 --> 00:11:04,095
And examine the victim's body.
195
00:11:04,097 --> 00:11:07,965
[buzz] he had burns on the soles
of his feet.
196
00:11:08,034 --> 00:11:11,836
He could have burned his feet
by trying to put out the fire.
197
00:11:11,838 --> 00:11:14,705
Or his feet were exposed
to the super-heated air
198
00:11:14,775 --> 00:11:17,909
From lying there on the bed.
199
00:11:17,978 --> 00:11:22,313
It appeared that the cause of
death was smoke inhalation.
200
00:11:22,382 --> 00:11:26,551
But they want to send the body
for an autopsy.
201
00:11:29,322 --> 00:11:31,723
[drew] any time we have a,
you know, a house fire
202
00:11:31,791 --> 00:11:34,125
With a fatality,
it's automatically investigated,
203
00:11:34,194 --> 00:11:37,096
So the fire marshal
was called out at that time.
204
00:11:38,498 --> 00:11:41,265
Based on the amount
of material that's been burned
205
00:11:41,334 --> 00:11:44,470
In the residence
and the scope that the smoke
206
00:11:44,537 --> 00:11:47,106
Has taken over the house,
207
00:11:47,173 --> 00:11:52,878
It was established that the fire
started around 9 o'clock.
208
00:11:52,946 --> 00:11:55,880
They want to look for a point
of origin of the fire
209
00:11:55,882 --> 00:11:58,649
To determine whether it was
some sort of accidental cause
210
00:11:58,718 --> 00:12:02,086
Or a non-accidental cause.
211
00:12:02,155 --> 00:12:05,757
You can determine that often
by looking by the fire markings
212
00:12:05,825 --> 00:12:07,926
On the walls.
213
00:12:09,362 --> 00:12:11,362
[narrator] as the fire marshal
walks through the home,
214
00:12:11,431 --> 00:12:14,299
Two things in the kitchen
catch his attention.
215
00:12:16,036 --> 00:12:17,169
[buzz] the oven was on.
216
00:12:17,237 --> 00:12:21,906
And toast was in the little
toaster oven on the countertop.
217
00:12:21,908 --> 00:12:24,175
But it appeared the oven
hadn't really been used,
218
00:12:24,244 --> 00:12:26,245
Although it was on.
219
00:12:26,980 --> 00:12:28,546
Could there have been
a fire started here, you know,
220
00:12:28,615 --> 00:12:31,115
Or is it just coincidental?
221
00:12:31,851 --> 00:12:33,185
[narrator] the fire marshal
moves on to the back
222
00:12:33,253 --> 00:12:36,955
Of the house, where
the damage is more severe.
223
00:12:37,023 --> 00:12:38,924
[zac] the bulk of the fire
was in the master bedroom
224
00:12:38,992 --> 00:12:41,793
And a side, like,
office sitting area
225
00:12:41,795 --> 00:12:44,462
Where you had a lot
of fire damage.
226
00:12:44,464 --> 00:12:47,866
The arson investigators decided
the origin of the fire
227
00:12:47,934 --> 00:12:51,737
Was along a common wall
between the office
228
00:12:51,805 --> 00:12:55,106
And the bedroom
where the victim was found.
229
00:12:58,478 --> 00:13:01,946
[narrator] teresa arrives
at the scene just after 4:00 pm
230
00:13:01,948 --> 00:13:05,149
With 11-year-old caleb
and teresa's best friend,
231
00:13:05,218 --> 00:13:08,019
Robin simmons.
232
00:13:08,088 --> 00:13:09,487
[caleb] my mom was
just so distraught.
233
00:13:09,556 --> 00:13:10,588
I mean, she was just like me.
234
00:13:10,590 --> 00:13:12,958
Her whole life
was gone in a day.
235
00:13:13,026 --> 00:13:15,960
[narrator] detectives at the
scene start by asking teresa
236
00:13:15,962 --> 00:13:19,363
To lay out her timeline
of the morning.
237
00:13:19,432 --> 00:13:21,233
[buzz] teresa kohnle indicated
she and her friend,
238
00:13:21,301 --> 00:13:23,634
Robin simmons,
and her two children
239
00:13:23,703 --> 00:13:26,504
Left her home around 8:15.
240
00:13:26,506 --> 00:13:28,707
And she was on her way
to meet her parents
241
00:13:28,775 --> 00:13:31,576
In knoxville to pick up a car.
242
00:13:31,644 --> 00:13:33,912
Shortly after
she left her residence,
243
00:13:33,980 --> 00:13:38,950
They went to chick-fil-a
in fort oglethorpe, georgia.
244
00:13:40,653 --> 00:13:43,454
[narrator] teresa says they
then dropped her daughter, ally
245
00:13:43,523 --> 00:13:45,056
Off with a babysitter
246
00:13:45,058 --> 00:13:49,393
And started the two-hour drive
to her parents' house.
247
00:13:49,462 --> 00:13:53,799
Robin simmons confirms teresa's
story with one difference.
248
00:13:56,769 --> 00:14:01,539
Teresa said they
left 8:10 to 8:15 am.
249
00:14:01,608 --> 00:14:06,879
Her driver, robin simmons,
said it was at least 8:45 am.
250
00:14:08,147 --> 00:14:12,149
[buzz] her time was a little bit
different from teresa kohnle's,
251
00:14:12,218 --> 00:14:14,852
But you wouldn't expect people
who had just gone through
252
00:14:14,921 --> 00:14:18,090
Such trauma as that
to have a precise timeline.
253
00:14:22,162 --> 00:14:24,897
[narrator] investigators intend
to follow up with both women
254
00:14:24,964 --> 00:14:26,430
At a later date.
255
00:14:26,499 --> 00:14:28,100
For now,
256
00:14:28,167 --> 00:14:33,571
They give teresa time to grieve
with her family and friends.
257
00:14:33,640 --> 00:14:35,306
[caleb] I mean, here
everything's falling apart.
258
00:14:35,375 --> 00:14:37,508
We don't know what
we're going to do.
259
00:14:37,510 --> 00:14:39,710
We stayed with my mom's friend,
robin, that night, um,
260
00:14:39,779 --> 00:14:41,379
That it happened.
261
00:14:41,447 --> 00:14:44,048
[narrator] as the kohnles
grapple with their loss,
262
00:14:44,117 --> 00:14:49,020
Inside the family home, the fir
investigation continues.
263
00:14:50,323 --> 00:14:51,923
[zac] the georgia state
fire marshal's office,
264
00:14:51,991 --> 00:14:53,791
Those guys are trained
to an extremely high level
265
00:14:53,793 --> 00:14:56,261
In locating the cause
of these fires.
266
00:14:56,329 --> 00:14:58,664
They can look for, you know,
naturally caused fires,
267
00:14:58,731 --> 00:15:00,998
Gases, fuels, lightning strikes,
268
00:15:01,067 --> 00:15:04,202
Things that are
in electrical wires.
269
00:15:04,204 --> 00:15:07,271
They're trained
to look for accelerants.
270
00:15:07,273 --> 00:15:09,007
[narrator]
a specially-trained dog
271
00:15:09,075 --> 00:15:12,944
Named smokey is brought
to the scene.
272
00:15:12,946 --> 00:15:16,381
Within moments, he makes
a startling discovery.
273
00:15:18,084 --> 00:15:20,084
[buzz] he found presence
of an accelerant placed
274
00:15:20,153 --> 00:15:22,553
In that location
where he determined
275
00:15:22,555 --> 00:15:25,556
The fire had originated.
276
00:15:25,558 --> 00:15:27,625
It was pretty clear
that it was an arson
277
00:15:27,694 --> 00:15:30,963
As opposed to an accidental
origin for the fire.
278
00:15:34,567 --> 00:15:38,569
Authorities start to realize
this is, in fact, an arson case.
279
00:15:38,638 --> 00:15:42,039
And carpet samples are taken
and sent off to the lab.
280
00:15:42,108 --> 00:15:44,442
Authorities don't initially
know who set the fire
281
00:15:44,510 --> 00:15:47,244
And why somebody would
set a fire at the home.
282
00:15:47,313 --> 00:15:51,649
And naturally, authorities
want to talk to teresa.
283
00:15:51,718 --> 00:15:55,786
[narrator] on July 5th, six days
after the death of jim kohnle,
284
00:15:55,855 --> 00:15:58,055
Investigators bring
his wife, teresa,
285
00:15:58,124 --> 00:16:00,993
Into the sheriff's office
for questioning.
286
00:16:02,662 --> 00:16:06,063
Investigators tell teresa
they need an exact chronology
287
00:16:06,132 --> 00:16:08,400
For the morning of the 29th.
288
00:16:46,839 --> 00:16:49,074
The timeline is pretty critical.
289
00:16:49,141 --> 00:16:52,109
They can give a fairly
accurate indication
290
00:16:52,111 --> 00:16:54,579
Of when the fire started,
291
00:16:54,581 --> 00:17:00,051
And it was established that the
fire started around 9 o'clock.
292
00:17:00,053 --> 00:17:03,722
If they had left around
8 o'clock to 8:30,
293
00:17:03,790 --> 00:17:06,057
As teresa kohnle
originally said,
294
00:17:06,125 --> 00:17:09,061
Then she would have been
on the road
295
00:17:09,128 --> 00:17:12,430
At the time the fire was
likely to have been started.
296
00:17:16,903 --> 00:17:18,736
[narrator]
investigators press teresa
297
00:17:18,738 --> 00:17:20,939
About the state of her marriage
298
00:17:37,124 --> 00:17:39,290
[narrator]
teresa reveals that recently
299
00:17:39,358 --> 00:17:42,693
The family has been under
quite a bit of strain.
300
00:17:43,563 --> 00:17:45,896
[buzz] at the time of the fire,
the kohnles had
301
00:17:45,965 --> 00:17:47,698
Got behind on their mortgage.
302
00:17:47,767 --> 00:17:51,302
Their finances were not
in good shape at all.
303
00:17:51,370 --> 00:17:52,703
[caleb]
both of my parents' vehicles
304
00:17:52,772 --> 00:17:54,105
Had just been repossessed.
305
00:17:54,107 --> 00:17:56,374
And my grandparents were
giving my mom a car.
306
00:17:56,376 --> 00:17:58,242
So we were meeting them
in knoxville that morning
307
00:17:58,311 --> 00:18:00,578
Halfway so that they could
give us the car.
308
00:18:00,646 --> 00:18:03,781
And we were driving
the rental car.
309
00:18:03,850 --> 00:18:06,385
[narrator] teresa explains
that their financial problems
310
00:18:06,452 --> 00:18:10,955
Began when jim contracted lyme
disease a few years earlier.
311
00:18:32,712 --> 00:18:34,812
[narrator]
45 minutes into the interview,
312
00:18:34,814 --> 00:18:37,482
Detectives put their cards
on the table.
313
00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:56,902
[narrator]
teresa seems dumbfounded.
314
00:18:56,969 --> 00:18:59,370
She tells investigators
she has no idea
315
00:18:59,438 --> 00:19:02,473
Who started the fire
inside their home.
316
00:19:16,255 --> 00:19:17,721
[narrator] coming up...
317
00:19:17,790 --> 00:19:22,059
How a debilitating disease
undermined a happy life.
318
00:19:22,929 --> 00:19:25,796
The fact that he felt that he
couldn't take care of his family
319
00:19:25,798 --> 00:19:27,998
Was more than he could take.
320
00:19:28,935 --> 00:19:34,205
[narrator] and could a grieving
wife be hiding her own secrets?
321
00:19:34,207 --> 00:19:35,940
There were whispers
that there was some infidelity
322
00:19:36,008 --> 00:19:38,710
Going on,
her seeing other men.
323
00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:44,548
[music]
324
00:19:54,227 --> 00:19:55,626
[narrator]
a week has passed since
325
00:19:55,695 --> 00:19:58,629
The sudden death of jim kohnle.
326
00:19:58,698 --> 00:20:02,366
After locating an accelerant
inside the kohnle residence,
327
00:20:02,368 --> 00:20:05,202
The case is officially
labeled arson,
328
00:20:05,204 --> 00:20:06,837
Leaving detectives questioning,
329
00:20:06,906 --> 00:20:10,908
Who would have motive
to set the fire?
330
00:20:11,377 --> 00:20:13,111
When the fire marshal
looked at this one,
331
00:20:13,179 --> 00:20:15,512
He said, yeah, this is an arson.
332
00:20:15,581 --> 00:20:18,984
Somebody poured the accelerant
and set it up.
333
00:20:19,852 --> 00:20:21,452
[narrator]
during the days that follow,
334
00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:25,189
Investigators find that jim's
finances had been in decline
335
00:20:25,191 --> 00:20:28,125
After a recent diagnosis.
336
00:20:28,996 --> 00:20:31,061
[caleb] my dad was diagnosed
with lyme disease.
337
00:20:31,063 --> 00:20:32,263
He received it from a tick,
338
00:20:32,331 --> 00:20:34,466
Either running in the woods
or camping.
339
00:20:34,533 --> 00:20:37,868
We're not really exactly
for sure where he got it at.
340
00:20:37,870 --> 00:20:39,870
His work days went
from five days a week,
341
00:20:39,872 --> 00:20:42,874
Sometimes six, to two or three,
sometimes none.
342
00:20:47,447 --> 00:20:49,079
[narrator]
and when jim didn't work,
343
00:20:49,081 --> 00:20:51,882
He didn't get paid.
344
00:20:51,951 --> 00:20:55,786
Friends say he fell
into a deep depression.
345
00:20:56,823 --> 00:20:59,424
[bonnie]
his business started dying down
346
00:20:59,492 --> 00:21:01,026
People started going
to other chiropractors
347
00:21:01,093 --> 00:21:04,028
That they could see.
348
00:21:04,096 --> 00:21:07,698
They were close to the house
going into foreclosure.
349
00:21:07,767 --> 00:21:11,035
It was very bleak for them.
350
00:21:11,103 --> 00:21:13,038
The fact that things were
happening the way they were
351
00:21:13,105 --> 00:21:15,639
For my dad
killed him inside.
352
00:21:15,641 --> 00:21:18,242
The fact that he felt that he
couldn't take care of his famil
353
00:21:18,311 --> 00:21:20,611
Was more than he could take.
354
00:21:23,783 --> 00:21:27,719
[narrator] was jim so depressed
that he took his own life?
355
00:21:31,390 --> 00:21:32,924
The theory gains momentum
356
00:21:32,992 --> 00:21:37,594
When a friend of jim's
contacts detectives.
357
00:21:37,663 --> 00:21:41,465
[mccracken] there was an issue
of a crude will
358
00:21:41,534 --> 00:21:45,870
That jim supposedly wrote
and sent to a friend.
359
00:21:45,938 --> 00:21:49,606
Now, it had no value as a will
because it wasn't properly
360
00:21:49,675 --> 00:21:52,943
Executed under georgia law.
361
00:21:53,012 --> 00:21:55,479
But I think had he really
wanted it to be effective,
362
00:21:55,548 --> 00:21:58,749
He would have done it
properly with counsel.
363
00:21:58,751 --> 00:22:01,151
But it did have
some value potentially
364
00:22:01,153 --> 00:22:03,887
As to show his intent.
365
00:22:03,956 --> 00:22:06,990
[narrator] the handwritten will
is dated may 2nd,
366
00:22:07,059 --> 00:22:11,495
Less than two months
before jim's death.
367
00:22:11,564 --> 00:22:15,900
It threw some fuel
toward the fact that perhaps
368
00:22:15,968 --> 00:22:17,769
He knew he was going to die.
369
00:22:21,674 --> 00:22:24,041
[narrator] however,
there's one stumbling block
370
00:22:24,110 --> 00:22:25,709
For investigators.
371
00:22:25,711 --> 00:22:27,978
Even if jim was suicidal,
372
00:22:28,047 --> 00:22:32,584
Self-immolation is a rare
and extreme act.
373
00:22:32,651 --> 00:22:34,385
[buzz] I've never seen
anyone intentionally
374
00:22:34,453 --> 00:22:36,420
Commit suicide by fire.
375
00:22:37,189 --> 00:22:41,325
That seems to be a real stretch.
376
00:22:41,327 --> 00:22:42,594
If you're gonna commit suicide,
377
00:22:42,661 --> 00:22:45,797
There are a lot
easier ways to do it.
378
00:22:49,735 --> 00:22:52,469
[narrator] when jim's
autopsy report is completed,
379
00:22:52,538 --> 00:22:57,641
The findings raise
even more suspicion.
380
00:22:57,643 --> 00:23:00,744
[nameeta] the mode of death
is smoke inhalation.
381
00:23:00,813 --> 00:23:05,349
But toxicology results come back
and there were antidepressants
382
00:23:05,418 --> 00:23:08,986
And sedatives in jim's system.
383
00:23:09,055 --> 00:23:12,156
When we factor that in
with where the burn was
384
00:23:12,158 --> 00:23:15,960
On his body, most significantly
at the soles of his feet,
385
00:23:16,028 --> 00:23:20,230
That could be because he tried
to stamp out the fire.
386
00:23:20,299 --> 00:23:22,767
These things don't quite add up
to somebody who was going
387
00:23:22,835 --> 00:23:26,170
To kill themselves
and going to do so by fire.
388
00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:30,375
[narrator] the coroner rules
jim's death a homicide.
389
00:23:34,648 --> 00:23:37,114
When detectives interview
jim and teresa's co-workers
390
00:23:37,183 --> 00:23:42,653
At the wellness center,
they uncover more secrets.
391
00:23:42,722 --> 00:23:44,054
[adam] there were whispers
392
00:23:44,056 --> 00:23:45,455
That there was some
infidelity going on,
393
00:23:45,525 --> 00:23:47,658
Her seeing other men.
394
00:23:47,726 --> 00:23:49,594
[bonnie]
everybody kind of knew it.
395
00:23:49,662 --> 00:23:51,795
Her affairs had been
going on for a while,
396
00:23:51,797 --> 00:23:55,799
But it got worse
as time went on.
397
00:23:55,801 --> 00:23:58,670
[narrator] co-workers also
report inappropriate emails
398
00:23:58,737 --> 00:24:02,540
Between teresa and the
business's former accountant.
399
00:24:03,943 --> 00:24:07,945
Witnesses talked about times
when teresa and this individual
400
00:24:07,947 --> 00:24:10,681
Would go into a
massage room for somewhere
401
00:24:10,750 --> 00:24:12,216
Between two and three hours,
402
00:24:12,284 --> 00:24:15,453
Far longer than any massage
clients were ever seen.
403
00:24:21,026 --> 00:24:23,026
[narrator]
it's an important clue.
404
00:24:23,095 --> 00:24:24,495
Detectives wonder,
405
00:24:24,563 --> 00:24:29,367
Did this love triangle
turn violent?
406
00:24:29,435 --> 00:24:31,569
[buzz] when they interview
the accountant,
407
00:24:31,637 --> 00:24:34,905
He basically says that
408
00:24:34,974 --> 00:24:38,543
He did become close
to teresa kohnle.
409
00:24:39,845 --> 00:24:42,646
But he denied a
sexual relationship,
410
00:24:42,648 --> 00:24:45,183
But he did admit that
they had had some sort of
411
00:24:45,250 --> 00:24:47,117
Romantic connection.
412
00:24:47,186 --> 00:24:49,720
And that's the reason that
he stopped coming over there
413
00:24:49,788 --> 00:24:52,789
To dr. Kohnle's office.
414
00:24:52,858 --> 00:24:56,060
Teresa kohnle denied
having the affair as well.
415
00:24:57,329 --> 00:24:59,263
[narrator] the accountant
claims he hasn't been in contac
416
00:24:59,331 --> 00:25:04,435
With teresa in years and has
no reason to want jim dead.
417
00:25:08,274 --> 00:25:11,074
With no evidence that the
accountant had any involvement
418
00:25:11,143 --> 00:25:13,711
In the crime,
and autopsy results
419
00:25:13,779 --> 00:25:16,748
Indicating jim could not
have done this himself,
420
00:25:16,815 --> 00:25:20,350
Investigators must determine
who was the last person
421
00:25:20,419 --> 00:25:23,420
To leave the kohnle home
that morning.
422
00:25:24,290 --> 00:25:26,223
[buzz] during the course
of an investigation,
423
00:25:26,292 --> 00:25:28,493
You consider all possibilities.
424
00:25:28,561 --> 00:25:31,828
They looked at teresa kohnle
and robin simmons,
425
00:25:31,897 --> 00:25:34,832
Since the timeline
was pretty far off.
426
00:25:34,834 --> 00:25:38,636
I don't think they were free
to ignore any discrepancies.
427
00:25:42,441 --> 00:25:45,310
[narrator] investigators circle
back to robin simmons
428
00:25:45,377 --> 00:25:50,147
And press her further about
their conflicting timelines.
429
00:25:51,383 --> 00:25:54,519
Robin said she and the kids,
they were in the driveway
430
00:25:54,587 --> 00:25:59,123
For 15, 20 minutes
waiting on teresa.
431
00:25:59,125 --> 00:26:02,526
She had gone back in to do,
they did not know what,
432
00:26:02,595 --> 00:26:05,196
But had gone back in.
433
00:26:05,999 --> 00:26:08,599
[buzz] again, she claimed
they left at a much later time
434
00:26:08,601 --> 00:26:11,301
Than what teresa kohnle
had been saying.
435
00:26:11,370 --> 00:26:14,872
And she said teresa was
trying to convince her
436
00:26:14,874 --> 00:26:17,741
That they left at 8:15
437
00:26:17,810 --> 00:26:21,878
And she wants robin to say that
as well to investigators.
438
00:26:21,947 --> 00:26:24,414
[narrator] investigators ask
robin point blank,
439
00:26:24,483 --> 00:26:26,950
Did you see the fire?
440
00:26:27,019 --> 00:26:29,019
Robin simmons
never indicated that
441
00:26:29,021 --> 00:26:32,957
She saw any fire or smoke
at the residence.
442
00:26:34,226 --> 00:26:36,960
Shortly after they
left her residence,
443
00:26:37,029 --> 00:26:40,965
They went to chick-fil-a
in fort oglethorpe, georgia.
444
00:26:43,703 --> 00:26:46,571
[narrator] investigators head to
the restaurant hoping to obtain
445
00:26:46,639 --> 00:26:50,107
Video surveillance
from the day of the fire.
446
00:26:51,443 --> 00:26:54,846
The cameras at the chick-fil-a
in fort oglethorpe,
447
00:26:54,913 --> 00:26:57,280
Which is less than
10 minutes away,
448
00:26:57,349 --> 00:27:02,052
Showed them driving through
at 9:17 am.
449
00:27:02,688 --> 00:27:04,054
[narrator]
investigators time the drive
450
00:27:04,123 --> 00:27:06,724
From the kohnle residence
multiple times.
451
00:27:06,792 --> 00:27:11,194
And not once does it take
more than eight minutes.
452
00:27:11,263 --> 00:27:14,898
She claims they're leaving
around 8:15,
453
00:27:14,967 --> 00:27:17,868
And then video surveillance
says that she's there
454
00:27:17,936 --> 00:27:21,406
More than an hour later,
around 9:20 or so.
455
00:27:22,541 --> 00:27:25,208
As the officers kept
investigating the timeline,
456
00:27:25,277 --> 00:27:27,545
They discovered teresa would've
been at the house about
457
00:27:27,613 --> 00:27:30,581
The time the fire had started.
458
00:27:33,352 --> 00:27:36,286
[narrator] having punched a hole
in teresa's timeline,
459
00:27:36,355 --> 00:27:41,225
Investigators obtain a warrant
to search the home.
460
00:27:41,227 --> 00:27:44,095
[mccraken] fire investigators
are really smart.
461
00:27:44,163 --> 00:27:47,165
They look for
what isn't there--
462
00:27:47,232 --> 00:27:52,035
Personal photos,
things that are irreplaceable.
463
00:27:52,037 --> 00:27:53,970
They found out in the garage,
464
00:27:53,972 --> 00:27:57,709
A lot of the clothes for the
kids had been put out there,
465
00:27:57,776 --> 00:28:01,712
So they weren't smoke damaged
or fire damaged.
466
00:28:01,714 --> 00:28:05,115
She had taken stuff
that arsonists take.
467
00:28:05,184 --> 00:28:09,353
Pictures of the children.
Stuff that you can't replace.
468
00:28:12,157 --> 00:28:13,992
[narrator] as investigators
continue their search
469
00:28:14,059 --> 00:28:18,662
Of the home, they find more
incriminating evidence.
470
00:28:18,731 --> 00:28:21,466
[buzz] they found an insurance
policy for a lot of money
471
00:28:21,533 --> 00:28:24,067
On dr. Kohnle's life.
472
00:28:24,069 --> 00:28:27,338
And there was also some
divorce papers that apparently
473
00:28:27,406 --> 00:28:31,007
Had never been filed that were
found there in the residence.
474
00:28:31,076 --> 00:28:34,544
He had papers drawn up
several times for divorce.
475
00:28:34,613 --> 00:28:36,880
And he was gonna leave her.
476
00:28:36,949 --> 00:28:39,416
[adam] if you have a fire
that takes out the home
477
00:28:39,418 --> 00:28:40,751
And the husband,
478
00:28:40,819 --> 00:28:43,420
Teresa would benefit
highly from jim being gone
479
00:28:43,422 --> 00:28:45,623
And the house being in shambles.
480
00:28:47,826 --> 00:28:49,359
[narrator] coming up...
481
00:28:49,428 --> 00:28:52,697
Suddenly teresa's story
starts to change.
482
00:28:58,437 --> 00:29:00,070
[narrator] and devastating
allegations
483
00:29:00,072 --> 00:29:02,974
Come hurling teresa's way.
484
00:29:03,041 --> 00:29:05,375
[buzz] several months
prior to the arson,
485
00:29:05,444 --> 00:29:08,245
Teresa kohnle had a miscarriage.
486
00:29:08,247 --> 00:29:10,381
After she lost the baby,
she got real depressed
487
00:29:10,449 --> 00:29:12,950
And started doing the drugs.
488
00:29:15,087 --> 00:29:18,088
[music]
489
00:29:28,133 --> 00:29:31,268
[narrator] 10 days after
the death of jim kohnle,
490
00:29:31,337 --> 00:29:34,805
Georgia authorities are
homing in on one suspect,
491
00:29:34,873 --> 00:29:38,076
His wife, teresa.
492
00:29:38,143 --> 00:29:41,012
[nameeta] teresa has presented
them as a happy couple
493
00:29:41,079 --> 00:29:43,480
With no problems,
no difficulties,
494
00:29:43,482 --> 00:29:45,949
But authorities have located
documentation that they were,
495
00:29:46,018 --> 00:29:48,352
In fact,
going to file for divorce.
496
00:29:50,088 --> 00:29:53,090
[narrator] detectives widen the
scope of their investigation,
497
00:29:53,092 --> 00:29:55,559
Interviewing several
former employees,
498
00:29:55,627 --> 00:29:58,829
Starting with bonnie white.
499
00:29:58,897 --> 00:30:00,498
The detectives learned that
several months
500
00:30:00,566 --> 00:30:03,567
Prior to the arson,
501
00:30:03,635 --> 00:30:07,437
Teresa kohnle had a miscarriage.
502
00:30:07,506 --> 00:30:10,240
[bonnie] after teresa
had the miscarriage,
503
00:30:10,309 --> 00:30:13,577
She wasn't working
for three or four months.
504
00:30:13,645 --> 00:30:17,514
And she got real depressed
and started doing the drugs.
505
00:30:18,118 --> 00:30:21,919
[buzz] according to people who
worked at dr. Kohnle's office,
506
00:30:21,921 --> 00:30:26,290
She was using marijuana
and methamphetamine.
507
00:30:29,528 --> 00:30:32,262
[narrator] according to bonnie,
it was around that time
508
00:30:32,331 --> 00:30:37,601
She noticed that teresa
was embezzling money.
509
00:30:37,669 --> 00:30:39,269
[bonnie] I went to jim.
510
00:30:39,271 --> 00:30:42,339
And I said, I think teresa's
stealing from you.
511
00:30:42,407 --> 00:30:47,879
One month she had wrote
16 checks to herself.
512
00:30:47,946 --> 00:30:50,213
He confronted her
in front of me.
513
00:30:50,282 --> 00:30:53,617
And she said,
no, those checks were voided.
514
00:30:53,685 --> 00:30:55,887
And I said, well, voided checks
don't clear the bank.
515
00:30:55,954 --> 00:30:59,090
Here's the bank statement.
They're highlighted.
516
00:31:02,895 --> 00:31:07,097
[narrator] bonnie says she quit
her job after that incident.
517
00:31:07,166 --> 00:31:09,967
While detectives find that
teresa was never charged
518
00:31:09,969 --> 00:31:12,569
With embezzlement,
other past employees
519
00:31:12,638 --> 00:31:16,973
Come forward with even more
alarming allegations.
520
00:31:17,042 --> 00:31:19,243
Teresa has told
several witnesses
521
00:31:19,311 --> 00:31:23,780
That she has been putting
lithium in her husband's coffee.
522
00:31:23,849 --> 00:31:28,019
She says this basically keeps
him quiet and sedates him.
523
00:31:28,086 --> 00:31:31,955
Dr. Kohnle himself has suspected
that she's doing this.
524
00:31:31,957 --> 00:31:33,857
And has told people
that he thinks teresa
525
00:31:33,859 --> 00:31:36,059
Has been drugging him.
526
00:31:36,128 --> 00:31:39,696
So it seems pretty certain
that this has been going on
527
00:31:39,698 --> 00:31:41,999
For several months.
528
00:31:42,534 --> 00:31:44,601
[narrator] lithium can be
used as a medical treatment
529
00:31:44,670 --> 00:31:46,204
In small amounts,
530
00:31:46,271 --> 00:31:48,405
But if not
carefully administered,
531
00:31:48,407 --> 00:31:51,675
It's highly toxic.
532
00:31:51,743 --> 00:31:53,677
For a person
who is being given
533
00:31:53,745 --> 00:31:57,949
Higher than normal doses over
a cumulative period of time,
534
00:31:58,016 --> 00:32:01,051
Lithium toxicity can
be incredibly damaging
535
00:32:01,119 --> 00:32:05,289
To the internal organ
functioning of a human being.
536
00:32:05,357 --> 00:32:07,691
Authorities now start
to ask the question,
537
00:32:07,759 --> 00:32:10,026
Did she intend to kill him?
538
00:32:10,495 --> 00:32:12,162
Maybe she thought
if she slowly poisoned him
539
00:32:12,230 --> 00:32:14,899
And his system
and his health slowly declined,
540
00:32:14,967 --> 00:32:17,334
Maybe he would
eventually just die,
541
00:32:17,402 --> 00:32:19,971
And people would assume
it was lyme disease.
542
00:32:23,575 --> 00:32:25,242
[narrator] on June 9th,
543
00:32:25,244 --> 00:32:29,913
Investigators bring teresa in
again and demand the truth.
544
00:32:30,315 --> 00:32:31,848
Much to their surprise,
545
00:32:31,850 --> 00:32:35,518
She agrees to a
lie detector test.
546
00:32:35,587 --> 00:32:38,455
[david] I explained that nobody
can make her take a polygraph.
547
00:32:38,457 --> 00:32:40,658
And that if she
tells me the truth,
548
00:32:40,726 --> 00:32:42,325
That she'll pass the polygraph.
549
00:32:42,327 --> 00:32:45,129
If she does not, she'll
absolutely fail the polygraph.
550
00:32:51,203 --> 00:32:54,471
In georgia,
polygraphs are inadmissible
551
00:32:54,539 --> 00:32:58,276
Unless you sign
a stipulation first
552
00:32:58,343 --> 00:33:01,411
That says it will be admissible.
553
00:33:01,480 --> 00:33:04,047
And they convinced
her to do that.
554
00:33:23,035 --> 00:33:24,501
[narrator]
after administering the exam,
555
00:33:24,569 --> 00:33:28,071
Detective scroggins
studies the results.
556
00:33:39,317 --> 00:33:43,453
Polygraph chart scoring
is a mathematical kind of thing
557
00:33:43,455 --> 00:33:46,724
The computer indicated
her level of deception
558
00:33:46,792 --> 00:33:49,993
Was in excess of 100%.
559
00:33:51,196 --> 00:33:54,198
People come in thinking,
I can beat this test.
560
00:33:54,266 --> 00:33:58,268
I can go in here and convince
them I didn't do anything wrong.
561
00:33:58,270 --> 00:34:01,271
And I'll tell ya,
you can't.
562
00:34:01,873 --> 00:34:05,442
[narrator] and then teresa
drops a bombshell.
563
00:34:44,583 --> 00:34:49,519
Almost immediately,
within the first 60, 90 seconds,
564
00:34:49,521 --> 00:34:52,322
She makes her first admission.
565
00:34:56,261 --> 00:34:57,727
[narrator]
detective scroggins brings in
566
00:34:57,796 --> 00:35:00,131
The two lead investigators,
who reveal another
567
00:35:00,198 --> 00:35:03,633
Shocking piece of information.
568
00:35:04,870 --> 00:35:07,203
The detectives at the
catoosa county sheriff's office
569
00:35:07,272 --> 00:35:10,674
Had sent out subpoenas
for the telephone records
570
00:35:10,742 --> 00:35:13,344
Of teresa kohnle's cell phone.
571
00:35:41,039 --> 00:35:43,374
[narrator]
the accusation is clear.
572
00:36:12,204 --> 00:36:13,937
[narrator]
investigators arrest teresa
573
00:36:14,005 --> 00:36:18,609
And charge her with malice
murder and first-degree arson.
574
00:36:23,281 --> 00:36:25,783
[caleb]
I'll never forget this day.
575
00:36:25,850 --> 00:36:27,083
She reaches up to me.
576
00:36:27,152 --> 00:36:29,219
She's got her handcuffs on,
so she puts 'em around my neck,
577
00:36:29,287 --> 00:36:30,754
And she's just bawling.
578
00:36:30,822 --> 00:36:32,321
And you know, she's just like,
it's okay, baby.
579
00:36:32,391 --> 00:36:33,890
It's okay.
Everything's going to be okay.
580
00:36:33,892 --> 00:36:35,426
You know, you've got to be
strong for your little sister.
581
00:36:35,493 --> 00:36:36,693
We're going to get through this.
582
00:36:36,695 --> 00:36:37,894
You know we're the
kohnles, remember?
583
00:36:37,896 --> 00:36:39,162
We can handle anything.
584
00:36:39,231 --> 00:36:41,564
And then they walked her back
585
00:36:41,633 --> 00:36:44,401
And put me and my sister
both in interrogation rooms.
586
00:36:55,981 --> 00:36:58,748
[narrator] caleb is
decidedly closed mouthed.
587
00:37:00,185 --> 00:37:02,852
Caleb's traumatized.
He's grieving.
588
00:37:02,854 --> 00:37:06,656
He's clinging to the parent
that he knows and loves.
589
00:37:06,725 --> 00:37:08,792
And initially,
he gives them nothing.
590
00:37:11,796 --> 00:37:13,129
[narrator] coming up...
591
00:37:13,198 --> 00:37:15,298
A stunning admission.
592
00:37:20,438 --> 00:37:22,739
She told me not to worry
about it, and she said, okay.
593
00:37:22,807 --> 00:37:24,808
So we just kept driving.
594
00:37:26,044 --> 00:37:28,845
[music]
595
00:37:39,691 --> 00:37:43,227
[narrator] six-year-old allyson
and 11-year-old caleb kohnle
596
00:37:43,295 --> 00:37:44,627
Are placed in the care
597
00:37:44,696 --> 00:37:46,896
Of georgia's children
and family services
598
00:37:46,965 --> 00:37:52,836
On July 9, 2007 following the
arrest of their mother, teresa.
599
00:37:54,172 --> 00:37:57,707
On July 16th, investigators
obtain permission to speak
600
00:37:57,709 --> 00:38:03,379
To caleb again, this time
with the help of an expert.
601
00:38:03,849 --> 00:38:07,251
Forensic examiners at the
children's advocate center
602
00:38:07,319 --> 00:38:10,454
Are specially trained in how
to interview children
603
00:38:10,522 --> 00:38:12,789
And know how
to establish that rapport
604
00:38:12,857 --> 00:38:16,327
And to make
the child comfortable.
605
00:38:58,503 --> 00:39:01,237
[caleb] we would burn stuff
every day out in the yard.
606
00:39:01,306 --> 00:39:03,773
My mom was big on burning boxes
607
00:39:03,775 --> 00:39:06,576
My mom would go around and pile
them all up and burn them.
608
00:39:06,578 --> 00:39:08,978
She told me not to worry
about it, and she said, okay.
609
00:39:09,047 --> 00:39:10,547
So we just kept driving.
610
00:39:26,464 --> 00:39:28,399
[buzz] it, of course,
made absolutely no sense
611
00:39:28,466 --> 00:39:31,668
That she would've chosen
that time to burn some papers
612
00:39:31,670 --> 00:39:33,604
That early in the morning,
when you're getting ready
613
00:39:33,671 --> 00:39:37,941
To go on a trip out of town.
614
00:39:37,943 --> 00:39:41,077
[nameeta] by him being satisfied
by his mother's explanation
615
00:39:41,079 --> 00:39:42,278
That they were burning trash,
616
00:39:42,280 --> 00:39:46,850
That allows caleb to preserve
his affection for his mom.
617
00:39:50,688 --> 00:39:51,888
[narrator] for investigators,
618
00:39:51,957 --> 00:39:54,490
It's the final
piece of the puzzle.
619
00:39:54,559 --> 00:40:00,164
They believe they know what
happened on June 29, 2007.
620
00:40:00,231 --> 00:40:05,636
I think teresa had probably
planned this out for some time.
621
00:40:05,703 --> 00:40:07,971
They were in financial straits.
622
00:40:07,973 --> 00:40:10,973
If she killed her husband,
she would get insurance money
623
00:40:11,042 --> 00:40:13,510
For the loss of her husband.
624
00:40:13,578 --> 00:40:16,513
She wouldn't have to worry
about the dangers of a divorce,
625
00:40:16,515 --> 00:40:18,449
Where she might possibly
lose her kids
626
00:40:18,516 --> 00:40:22,819
Because she was having affairs
and using drugs herself.
627
00:40:26,658 --> 00:40:28,858
She gets jim up that morning.
628
00:40:28,927 --> 00:40:33,630
She knows she's going to be
leaving to establish her alibi.
629
00:40:34,666 --> 00:40:38,701
She drugs him
through the coffee.
630
00:40:39,737 --> 00:40:42,439
He ends up going back to bed.
631
00:40:45,076 --> 00:40:49,913
She then sets the fire
immediately before she goes out
632
00:40:51,349 --> 00:40:55,752
Then they drive off with
the house burning behind them.
633
00:40:59,224 --> 00:41:02,092
All indications were
that he had enough in him,
634
00:41:02,160 --> 00:41:04,961
Even under the sedation,
to move about a little bit,
635
00:41:05,029 --> 00:41:07,630
So he ended up
getting off the bed.
636
00:41:07,699 --> 00:41:10,099
But that was as far as
he was able to make it
637
00:41:10,168 --> 00:41:13,103
When he died from
the smoke inhalation.
638
00:41:17,709 --> 00:41:19,710
[narrator] with the evidence
stacked against her,
639
00:41:19,777 --> 00:41:22,112
Teresa's defense team
does all they can
640
00:41:22,180 --> 00:41:25,014
To delay her day in court.
641
00:41:26,584 --> 00:41:27,985
[mccraken]
the state put together
642
00:41:28,052 --> 00:41:30,853
What I felt was an
almost insurmountable
643
00:41:30,855 --> 00:41:34,658
Circumstantial evidence case.
644
00:41:34,726 --> 00:41:37,660
I advised her
that it was very bleak,
645
00:41:37,729 --> 00:41:40,664
But that she had
the right to a trial.
646
00:41:40,732 --> 00:41:44,134
And that's what every,
every defendant has.
647
00:41:45,403 --> 00:41:47,603
[adam] they were supposed
to go to trial on Monday.
648
00:41:47,672 --> 00:41:51,741
And the Friday before,
I get this call.
649
00:41:51,810 --> 00:41:54,644
And well, hey,
we've got a plea deal.
650
00:41:58,416 --> 00:42:00,216
[narrator]
in lieu of malice murder,
651
00:42:00,218 --> 00:42:03,553
Teresa agrees to plead guilty
to felony murder
652
00:42:03,555 --> 00:42:07,356
And first
and second-degree arson.
653
00:42:08,427 --> 00:42:11,761
[buzz] teresa kohnle ended up
claiming in her plea of guilty
654
00:42:11,830 --> 00:42:14,497
That she was involved
in setting the fire
655
00:42:14,499 --> 00:42:17,834
That ultimately
killed her husband.
656
00:42:17,836 --> 00:42:21,505
Her husband decided that
he would save the family
657
00:42:21,573 --> 00:42:24,641
By burning the residence down,
658
00:42:24,643 --> 00:42:27,777
And then getting
the insurance money.
659
00:42:27,846 --> 00:42:32,114
And he accidentally killed
himself in doing this.
660
00:42:32,718 --> 00:42:34,517
[mccraken] she admitted
taking instructions
661
00:42:34,585 --> 00:42:40,122
From jim to help
set the fire, essentially.
662
00:42:40,191 --> 00:42:43,326
She denied,
and still denies to this day,
663
00:42:43,394 --> 00:42:46,095
Killing jim with any intent.
664
00:42:47,332 --> 00:42:49,198
[nameeta] when we start
to ask the question about,
665
00:42:49,267 --> 00:42:51,535
Did she intend to kill him?
666
00:42:51,603 --> 00:42:54,070
The fact that she made the
decision to systematically
667
00:42:54,139 --> 00:42:55,872
And slowly poison him,
668
00:42:55,874 --> 00:42:58,208
It seems only reasonable
that her primary focus
669
00:42:58,276 --> 00:43:02,379
In this situation and goal
was to end jim's life.
670
00:43:02,882 --> 00:43:05,014
[narrator] in December of 2010,
671
00:43:05,083 --> 00:43:08,017
Teresa is sentenced to
life in prison
672
00:43:08,019 --> 00:43:12,589
With the possibility of parole
after 30 years.
673
00:43:16,294 --> 00:43:20,963
[caleb] I lost both my parents.
I was just 11 years old.
674
00:43:20,965 --> 00:43:22,832
My dad loved helping people.
675
00:43:22,900 --> 00:43:25,969
He just, he just loved putting
a smile on someone else's faces
676
00:43:26,037 --> 00:43:29,039
And I think that's how most
people remember my father.
677
00:43:29,107 --> 00:43:31,741
And I think that's how anybody
should want to be remembered.
678
00:43:35,380 --> 00:43:38,948
[music]