1 00:00:07,674 --> 00:00:09,508 All community is rattled 2 00:00:09,576 --> 00:00:13,011 When a missing grandmother turns up brutally murdered 3 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:15,280 Off a remote florida highway. 4 00:00:15,849 --> 00:00:19,651 Both of the upper arms were cut around the shoulder areas. 5 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:21,386 [tod] the body had been dismembered. 6 00:00:21,454 --> 00:00:24,689 Just the way that that was done was gruesome. 7 00:00:25,359 --> 00:00:27,425 [narrator] the investigation will take authorities 8 00:00:27,494 --> 00:00:28,693 Across state lines 9 00:00:28,762 --> 00:00:32,564 As a complicated family history surfaces. 10 00:00:32,633 --> 00:00:37,102 Our initial diagnosis was paranoid schizophrenic. 11 00:00:37,170 --> 00:00:39,972 She had taken off in the middle of the night 12 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:41,640 Without any word. 13 00:00:42,309 --> 00:00:44,443 [narrator] as police search for answers, 14 00:00:44,511 --> 00:00:47,446 Suspicion will grow closer to home 15 00:00:47,514 --> 00:00:51,450 And to a couple with desperate secrets of their own. 16 00:00:52,419 --> 00:00:56,188 He snapped in every sense of the word. 17 00:00:57,190 --> 00:00:58,724 You gotta be a little bit off in the mind 18 00:00:58,792 --> 00:00:59,825 To do that type of thing. 19 00:01:06,834 --> 00:01:09,168 If she didn't help, he was gonna dispose of two bodies. 20 00:01:11,805 --> 00:01:14,306 That was rage uncontained. 21 00:01:16,910 --> 00:01:21,080 [music] 22 00:01:26,854 --> 00:01:29,288 [music] 23 00:01:29,356 --> 00:01:31,690 [narrator] brevard county, florida, is an oasis 24 00:01:31,758 --> 00:01:33,926 For residents and visitors alike. 25 00:01:34,595 --> 00:01:37,096 [marlon] brevard county's known as the space coast. 26 00:01:37,164 --> 00:01:38,630 Actually, many years ago, 27 00:01:38,699 --> 00:01:40,865 They changed our area code to 321 28 00:01:40,934 --> 00:01:43,434 Which is countdown related to the space center. 29 00:01:44,404 --> 00:01:46,905 [j.D.] this is where we sent men to the moon. 30 00:01:46,974 --> 00:01:49,674 It's also where we have all types of waterways, 31 00:01:49,743 --> 00:01:52,644 Beautiful beaches, 72 miles of coastland. 32 00:01:56,183 --> 00:01:59,151 [narrator] on may 14, 2013, 33 00:01:59,219 --> 00:02:02,187 Authorities are alerted to a gruesome discovery 34 00:02:02,256 --> 00:02:04,656 Along a remote highway. 35 00:02:04,725 --> 00:02:07,726 A maintenance worker was going to service a cellphone tower 36 00:02:07,794 --> 00:02:08,927 Out in micco. 37 00:02:09,296 --> 00:02:10,862 Now, if you know anything about micco, 38 00:02:10,864 --> 00:02:13,231 It's a vast rural land. 39 00:02:13,567 --> 00:02:16,267 He looked down into a ditch line and saw 40 00:02:16,337 --> 00:02:19,538 What he, at first, thought was possibly a deer or a hog. 41 00:02:21,208 --> 00:02:23,542 As he looked closer, he actually noticed a skull. 42 00:02:23,544 --> 00:02:26,145 And he knew right away that was a human skull. 43 00:02:28,015 --> 00:02:30,015 [tod] at that point, he made a 911 call 44 00:02:30,083 --> 00:02:31,850 Which came to the sheriff's office, 45 00:02:31,919 --> 00:02:33,318 Deputies responded. 46 00:02:35,756 --> 00:02:38,724 In that bottom area of the swale ditch 47 00:02:38,726 --> 00:02:40,792 Were some plastic bags 48 00:02:40,794 --> 00:02:43,228 And then the skeletal remains kind of spread out. 49 00:02:45,398 --> 00:02:47,498 [marlon] appeared to just be the one body. 50 00:02:48,135 --> 00:02:51,770 We saw trash bags containing some of these skeletal remains. 51 00:02:52,573 --> 00:02:54,239 So we had a good idea we were dealing 52 00:02:54,307 --> 00:02:56,307 With a homicide-type investigation. 53 00:02:56,910 --> 00:02:59,311 This wasn't just a natural death where somebody was walking 54 00:02:59,379 --> 00:03:02,247 In a wooded area, and fell, and no one found them. 55 00:03:03,183 --> 00:03:05,350 It appeared someone went through great lengths 56 00:03:05,419 --> 00:03:07,352 To discard these remains 57 00:03:07,420 --> 00:03:10,689 And to hide them away from the general public 58 00:03:10,757 --> 00:03:13,091 So that they'd possibly never be found. 59 00:03:14,261 --> 00:03:17,195 We had really nothing but skeletal remains, 60 00:03:17,264 --> 00:03:20,399 So there were some concerns as to "where do we start? 61 00:03:21,135 --> 00:03:23,267 We don't have an identity and we just have a witness, 62 00:03:23,269 --> 00:03:24,970 And we want to know why he was there." 63 00:03:25,038 --> 00:03:26,538 Generally, the person that finds the body 64 00:03:26,606 --> 00:03:28,507 Is, of course, the fist person we're gonna interview. 65 00:03:29,576 --> 00:03:30,709 [narrator] the technician admits 66 00:03:30,777 --> 00:03:33,578 He wasn't scheduled to be there at all. 67 00:03:33,647 --> 00:03:35,780 There's a cellphone tower at the end of this road 68 00:03:35,849 --> 00:03:39,250 And this man goes out to that tower every six months 69 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:40,551 And does preventative maintenance, 70 00:03:40,621 --> 00:03:42,120 Makes sure that everything's working correctly 71 00:03:42,189 --> 00:03:43,956 For the cellphone companies. 72 00:03:44,024 --> 00:03:45,557 [marlon] as we continued to talk to him, 73 00:03:45,625 --> 00:03:47,692 "when was the last time you serviced the tower?", 74 00:03:47,761 --> 00:03:49,194 "was just three months ago." 75 00:03:49,796 --> 00:03:51,663 "well, why now?" 76 00:03:52,699 --> 00:03:54,265 [narrator] the technician is adamant 77 00:03:54,267 --> 00:03:56,835 That he was only there to do his job. 78 00:03:57,237 --> 00:03:59,804 He explained that he was actually on call-out 79 00:03:59,873 --> 00:04:04,108 To check a tower that was actually south of our county. 80 00:04:04,711 --> 00:04:06,511 He explained the route that he took. 81 00:04:06,580 --> 00:04:09,181 He just decided he'd check this tower too 82 00:04:09,249 --> 00:04:10,815 Since he was in the area. 83 00:04:11,418 --> 00:04:12,717 As he was driving out to the cell site, 84 00:04:12,786 --> 00:04:15,153 He realized that he had to use the bathroom, 85 00:04:15,222 --> 00:04:17,956 So he thought this was a nice deserted area 86 00:04:18,025 --> 00:04:19,424 Where he could stop 87 00:04:19,493 --> 00:04:21,793 And use the restroom without being noticed. 88 00:04:22,562 --> 00:04:24,997 We confirmed the company he worked for, 89 00:04:25,065 --> 00:04:28,199 What their job function was, 90 00:04:28,268 --> 00:04:30,269 What his position was in the company. 91 00:04:30,337 --> 00:04:33,004 And the fact that he was called out 92 00:04:33,073 --> 00:04:34,338 And the route that he takes, 93 00:04:34,340 --> 00:04:38,610 Everything made sense as he explained it. 94 00:04:41,548 --> 00:04:43,982 [narrator] while investigators finish processing 95 00:04:44,051 --> 00:04:45,384 The crime scene, 96 00:04:45,452 --> 00:04:48,553 The skeletal remains are sent in for testing. 97 00:04:49,590 --> 00:04:52,023 The following morning, the medical examiner 98 00:04:52,025 --> 00:04:55,293 Conducts an autopsy to determine more details 99 00:04:55,361 --> 00:04:58,062 About the victim and cause of death. 100 00:04:58,799 --> 00:05:01,966 [sajid] so first thing is that we took out the bones. 101 00:05:02,035 --> 00:05:04,602 We x-rayed them, and after x-raying them, 102 00:05:04,671 --> 00:05:08,307 Then examined every bag of the bones. 103 00:05:09,109 --> 00:05:11,643 It was an advanced state of decomposition, 104 00:05:11,711 --> 00:05:13,644 Mostly a skeletonized. 105 00:05:14,415 --> 00:05:16,881 The medical examiner actually put together 106 00:05:16,950 --> 00:05:18,450 The bones like a puzzle. 107 00:05:19,319 --> 00:05:21,953 It was determined to be a female, 108 00:05:21,955 --> 00:05:24,055 60 to 80 years old. 109 00:05:24,457 --> 00:05:26,190 He was able to identify the fact 110 00:05:26,260 --> 00:05:28,193 That there was blunt force trauma. 111 00:05:29,095 --> 00:05:31,063 [sajid] most of the blunt force injuries 112 00:05:31,131 --> 00:05:34,432 Were to the head area like egg shell fracture. 113 00:05:34,434 --> 00:05:37,168 So looked like some kind of heavy object 114 00:05:37,237 --> 00:05:39,471 Like a ball pin of a hammer. 115 00:05:40,307 --> 00:05:43,007 Both of the upper arms were cut 116 00:05:43,009 --> 00:05:44,743 Around the shoulder areas 117 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:47,445 And then the lower limbs, also. 118 00:05:48,281 --> 00:05:51,450 It was his belief that the body had been dismembered, 119 00:05:51,518 --> 00:05:53,351 That animals had not pulled it, 120 00:05:53,420 --> 00:05:54,753 That it had actually been cut. 121 00:05:54,821 --> 00:05:57,255 And he believed it was cut with some type of saw. 122 00:05:58,392 --> 00:06:01,226 Just the way that that was done is gruesome. 123 00:06:02,429 --> 00:06:05,096 [narrator] at this late stage of decomposition, 124 00:06:05,165 --> 00:06:07,365 Identifying the victim will be difficult, 125 00:06:07,701 --> 00:06:11,302 But the medical examiner notices an important clue. 126 00:06:12,105 --> 00:06:14,172 [j.D.] so when the medical examiner looked at the bones, 127 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:16,875 What they found right around the rib cage 128 00:06:16,943 --> 00:06:18,576 Was a pacemaker. 129 00:06:19,613 --> 00:06:21,245 [sajid] the pacemaker is inserted 130 00:06:21,315 --> 00:06:24,048 Under the skin but over the rib cage. 131 00:06:24,050 --> 00:06:26,251 They are very specific to the patient 132 00:06:26,319 --> 00:06:28,586 At the time of the insertion. 133 00:06:29,622 --> 00:06:31,189 [tod] generally, anything that's implanted 134 00:06:31,258 --> 00:06:34,125 In the human body is categorized 135 00:06:34,127 --> 00:06:35,494 By serial number. 136 00:06:35,562 --> 00:06:37,228 The company has to keep where it went, 137 00:06:37,230 --> 00:06:38,463 What doctor got it, 138 00:06:38,532 --> 00:06:40,532 And, eventually, what patient it was put into. 139 00:06:42,735 --> 00:06:44,435 [marlon] we went to a local hospital 140 00:06:44,505 --> 00:06:46,504 That gave us different companies 141 00:06:46,506 --> 00:06:49,007 That the device could be from. 142 00:06:49,075 --> 00:06:50,542 So we called those companies 143 00:06:50,610 --> 00:06:52,410 And we were able to identify the company 144 00:06:52,478 --> 00:06:53,545 That owned the device. 145 00:06:54,514 --> 00:06:56,214 And the technician we spoke to, 146 00:06:56,282 --> 00:06:57,949 We provided him with the serial numbers. 147 00:06:58,018 --> 00:07:00,819 He was able to provide us with the name of the patient 148 00:07:00,887 --> 00:07:02,320 As maureen riccio. 149 00:07:03,256 --> 00:07:04,790 She was 70 years old. 150 00:07:06,526 --> 00:07:09,894 [narrator] while the pacemaker is sent off for data analysis, 151 00:07:09,963 --> 00:07:11,963 Investigators focus on tracking down 152 00:07:12,032 --> 00:07:16,634 Maureen riccio's next of kin and last known address. 153 00:07:16,703 --> 00:07:20,271 [tod] looking at electric records, water record, 154 00:07:20,340 --> 00:07:23,074 We were able to determine that she was residing 155 00:07:23,143 --> 00:07:25,043 In a house in the city of melbourne. 156 00:07:25,111 --> 00:07:26,444 It was a rental. 157 00:07:26,513 --> 00:07:29,013 Now, the first thing is you go to the landlord, 158 00:07:29,015 --> 00:07:30,581 And talk to the landlord 159 00:07:30,651 --> 00:07:33,018 And find out, what can they tell us? 160 00:07:34,287 --> 00:07:37,488 They found out that maureen was actually staying 161 00:07:37,490 --> 00:07:39,191 With her son, frank riccio, 162 00:07:39,259 --> 00:07:42,060 His girlfriend, ilene, and their children. 163 00:07:42,996 --> 00:07:46,364 [marlon] the landlord said they were decent tenants. 164 00:07:46,433 --> 00:07:48,600 They had paid him for some time in advance 165 00:07:48,668 --> 00:07:51,303 When they first rented the property. 166 00:07:51,705 --> 00:07:53,804 But they moved back to new york in April, 167 00:07:53,874 --> 00:07:55,407 Leaving the house vacant. 168 00:07:56,677 --> 00:07:59,277 [narrator] so how had maureen ended up the victim 169 00:07:59,345 --> 00:08:02,013 Of a brutal crime in florida? 170 00:08:02,749 --> 00:08:04,882 If the remains weren't totally skeletonized, 171 00:08:04,951 --> 00:08:06,517 They were pretty close, 172 00:08:06,519 --> 00:08:08,252 And they'd probably been out there close to two months. 173 00:08:08,322 --> 00:08:09,987 [michael] so the timing was off 174 00:08:10,057 --> 00:08:11,423 Because law enforcement believes 175 00:08:11,491 --> 00:08:13,124 That maureen was killed in March, 176 00:08:13,193 --> 00:08:15,960 And the family moved back to new york in April. 177 00:08:16,763 --> 00:08:19,831 Why hadn't the family reported her missing before that? 178 00:08:20,300 --> 00:08:22,300 We need to speak with her family. 179 00:08:24,705 --> 00:08:27,305 [narrator] coming up, investigators learn 180 00:08:27,374 --> 00:08:30,509 Concerning details about their victim. 181 00:08:36,549 --> 00:08:39,217 She just packed up, then walked out the door, 182 00:08:39,285 --> 00:08:40,552 And they never saw her again. 183 00:08:41,087 --> 00:08:44,122 [narrator] and new evidence will bring authorities closer 184 00:08:44,190 --> 00:08:45,690 To her killer. 185 00:08:45,758 --> 00:08:48,693 There was a pretty significant crime scene at that location. 186 00:08:50,663 --> 00:08:52,597 [music] 187 00:09:00,173 --> 00:09:01,839 [narrator] in brevard county, florida, 188 00:09:01,908 --> 00:09:05,210 Authorities are investigating the murder and dismemberment 189 00:09:05,278 --> 00:09:07,979 Of 70-year-old maureen riccio. 190 00:09:10,216 --> 00:09:11,850 One week into the case, 191 00:09:11,918 --> 00:09:15,319 Homicide investigators contact the new york police department 192 00:09:15,388 --> 00:09:18,656 To track down maureen's son, frank, and his family 193 00:09:18,658 --> 00:09:20,959 After learning they had moved to brooklyn 194 00:09:21,027 --> 00:09:23,795 Nearly six weeks earlier. 195 00:09:24,163 --> 00:09:26,764 We decided not to do a death notification 196 00:09:26,833 --> 00:09:31,169 And just work it as someone else has reported her missing. 197 00:09:31,237 --> 00:09:32,604 We wanted to reach out 198 00:09:32,672 --> 00:09:35,006 To see what their response would be. 199 00:09:36,443 --> 00:09:39,678 We're home. Frank and I were upstairs in our room, 200 00:09:39,746 --> 00:09:42,780 And frankie, my son, happened to be downstairs 201 00:09:42,849 --> 00:09:44,048 On the video game. 202 00:09:44,851 --> 00:09:48,252 Doorbell rings, he goes to answer the door, 203 00:09:48,321 --> 00:09:52,023 And it happens to be an nypd police officer. 204 00:09:53,193 --> 00:09:54,458 I go to the front door. 205 00:09:54,460 --> 00:09:57,028 The nypd officer, he goes, 206 00:09:57,097 --> 00:09:58,463 "do you know anything 207 00:09:58,531 --> 00:10:00,498 About the disappearance of maureen riccio?" 208 00:10:00,567 --> 00:10:01,932 And I said, "what do you mean?" 209 00:10:02,569 --> 00:10:05,637 [marlon] there were talking to ilene at the front door 210 00:10:05,705 --> 00:10:09,073 And were inside the front foyer area of the home. 211 00:10:09,075 --> 00:10:13,311 Frank eventually came out and entered the conversation. 212 00:10:15,215 --> 00:10:17,181 [narrator] frank and ilene tell police 213 00:10:17,250 --> 00:10:19,817 That maureen had been living with them in florida 214 00:10:20,220 --> 00:10:22,754 Until she walked out after an argument 215 00:10:22,822 --> 00:10:25,423 And said she wasn't coming back. 216 00:10:33,299 --> 00:10:36,000 She just packed up and walked out the door, 217 00:10:36,002 --> 00:10:37,769 And they never saw her again. 218 00:10:47,347 --> 00:10:49,280 [narrator] born in 1942, 219 00:10:49,349 --> 00:10:53,184 Maureen had always had a fiery personality. 220 00:10:53,854 --> 00:10:55,986 My mother was afraid of nothing. 221 00:10:56,723 --> 00:10:58,623 When she was younger, she [bleep] to people. 222 00:10:59,459 --> 00:11:01,425 [narrator] when maureen was 18, 223 00:11:01,495 --> 00:11:03,861 Her outgoing nature caught the attention 224 00:11:03,930 --> 00:11:07,032 Of 37-year-old thomas riccio. 225 00:11:07,967 --> 00:11:09,400 [ilene] they started dating. 226 00:11:09,469 --> 00:11:12,804 They formed a relationship and they got married. 227 00:11:12,872 --> 00:11:15,774 Shortly after they got married, christine was born, 228 00:11:15,842 --> 00:11:18,442 July of 1961. 229 00:11:18,745 --> 00:11:20,144 [narrator] six years later, 230 00:11:20,146 --> 00:11:22,781 The couple welcomed their sun, frank, 231 00:11:22,783 --> 00:11:24,615 But by 1970, 232 00:11:24,617 --> 00:11:27,686 Thomas and maureen decided to separate. 233 00:11:28,521 --> 00:11:30,555 Their father went to california. 234 00:11:30,623 --> 00:11:34,025 He would send the money back on a weekly basis 235 00:11:34,093 --> 00:11:36,728 For the care of christine and frank. 236 00:11:37,531 --> 00:11:40,832 But maureen, actually, she didn't want 237 00:11:40,900 --> 00:11:42,333 Frank or his siblings, 238 00:11:42,335 --> 00:11:43,834 So she left. 239 00:11:44,104 --> 00:11:46,237 She abandoned my father when he was a kid. 240 00:11:46,506 --> 00:11:49,207 And so, my grandmother took care of my dad. 241 00:11:49,675 --> 00:11:53,611 Frank was basically raised by his father's sister. 242 00:11:54,714 --> 00:11:56,781 [ilene] frank was out of the house at 16. 243 00:11:56,849 --> 00:11:59,350 He dropped out of high school and started working full-time. 244 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:02,786 He was stable. He had a full-time job. 245 00:12:02,788 --> 00:12:04,088 He had his own apartment. 246 00:12:04,156 --> 00:12:08,660 He did what he had to do. Always did. 247 00:12:09,395 --> 00:12:12,696 [music] 248 00:12:12,766 --> 00:12:15,699 [narrator] growing up without his biological mother, 249 00:12:15,701 --> 00:12:18,503 Frank dreamed of building the strong family 250 00:12:18,571 --> 00:12:20,104 He never had. 251 00:12:20,440 --> 00:12:22,640 When he began dating ilene lazar 252 00:12:22,709 --> 00:12:24,275 In 1994, 253 00:12:24,344 --> 00:12:25,576 He knew he'd found 254 00:12:25,645 --> 00:12:28,279 The future mother of his children. 255 00:12:28,615 --> 00:12:30,548 [ilene] he said he sincerely loved me 256 00:12:30,616 --> 00:12:33,251 And he knew that he wanted to spend my life with me, 257 00:12:33,319 --> 00:12:35,519 And that he would always take care of me. 258 00:12:36,189 --> 00:12:39,156 We did the wining, the dining, we did everything. 259 00:12:39,225 --> 00:12:41,458 Oh, my gosh, he made me feel like a kid again. 260 00:12:41,528 --> 00:12:43,261 He had a way of shutting the world around 261 00:12:43,329 --> 00:12:46,264 And just making it all about me and him. 262 00:12:46,899 --> 00:12:50,235 And eventually, I found out that I was pregnant with andrea. 263 00:12:51,271 --> 00:12:53,237 [narrator] frank and ilene's daughter, andrea, 264 00:12:53,239 --> 00:12:55,439 Was born in 1995, 265 00:12:55,508 --> 00:12:58,976 Followed by their sons, frank jr. And thomas. 266 00:12:59,979 --> 00:13:04,415 In 2006, the family of five relocated to florida. 267 00:13:05,952 --> 00:13:06,985 Frank was always into 268 00:13:07,053 --> 00:13:08,953 The buying, selling, and trading, 269 00:13:09,689 --> 00:13:13,391 Which is how we established our home-based business. 270 00:13:14,027 --> 00:13:15,393 Frank was in florida 271 00:13:15,461 --> 00:13:18,096 Quite a few times over the course of the years 272 00:13:18,164 --> 00:13:19,531 For business. 273 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:22,833 He goes, "we need a fresh start." 274 00:13:22,835 --> 00:13:24,969 So we moved to florida. 275 00:13:27,340 --> 00:13:30,007 [narrator] in 2012, frank and ilene learned 276 00:13:30,076 --> 00:13:34,278 That frank's mother, maureen, had surfaced in new york, 277 00:13:34,347 --> 00:13:36,848 Suffering from a myriad of health concerns. 278 00:13:37,317 --> 00:13:39,350 Maureen was going back and forth 279 00:13:39,419 --> 00:13:41,352 In assisted living facilities up in new york 280 00:13:41,421 --> 00:13:43,521 And frank was becoming worried about that. 281 00:13:48,661 --> 00:13:51,295 [narrator] despite maureen leaving frank as a child 282 00:13:51,364 --> 00:13:53,164 Four decades earlier, 283 00:13:53,233 --> 00:13:54,966 Frank forgave his mother 284 00:13:55,034 --> 00:13:58,869 And invited her to move into their melbourne, florida home. 285 00:13:59,673 --> 00:14:04,542 Maureen came to us right before christmas of 2012. 286 00:14:05,611 --> 00:14:07,478 When she came into our life, she was a very elderly woman 287 00:14:07,547 --> 00:14:10,315 Who just needed care and someone to be there for her. 288 00:14:11,351 --> 00:14:15,519 Frank felt that, being that it was his biological mother, 289 00:14:15,521 --> 00:14:18,790 That he owed it to her to go above and beyond, 290 00:14:18,858 --> 00:14:20,958 And tried to make her as comfortable 291 00:14:21,027 --> 00:14:23,761 And as welcoming as we could, which we did. 292 00:14:24,497 --> 00:14:25,763 [francis] she was always trying to be like grandmother, 293 00:14:25,832 --> 00:14:29,233 Offering drinks, food, watching tv with us in the living room. 294 00:14:30,136 --> 00:14:31,669 [narrator] but the family quickly learned 295 00:14:31,737 --> 00:14:34,872 That maureen's condition was more complicated 296 00:14:34,941 --> 00:14:36,608 Than they'd anticipated. 297 00:14:40,814 --> 00:14:42,646 Frank really didn't understand 298 00:14:42,716 --> 00:14:48,052 What the severity of her diagnosis really was. 299 00:14:49,255 --> 00:14:51,522 [ilene] her initial diagnosis was 300 00:14:51,524 --> 00:14:54,024 Manic-depressive paranoid schizophrenic. 301 00:14:54,094 --> 00:14:58,596 So she was on 12 medications 4 times a day. 302 00:14:59,465 --> 00:15:00,732 Neither him or I 303 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:03,167 Have any experience, expertise, 304 00:15:03,169 --> 00:15:05,403 In dealing with mental health issues. 305 00:15:06,539 --> 00:15:08,640 [narrator] frank and ilene explained to the officer 306 00:15:08,708 --> 00:15:12,043 That the situation had grown increasingly chaotic 307 00:15:12,111 --> 00:15:13,978 Over the next three months. 308 00:15:28,294 --> 00:15:30,894 She started having temper tantrums. 309 00:15:30,896 --> 00:15:32,696 She started having outbursts. 310 00:15:32,965 --> 00:15:35,966 It was like, literally, I felt like 311 00:15:36,036 --> 00:15:37,502 I was dealing with another two-year-old. 312 00:15:39,939 --> 00:15:42,706 [ilene] the couple says, despite their best effort, 313 00:15:42,775 --> 00:15:44,943 Things only got worse. 314 00:15:45,011 --> 00:15:48,679 When maureen walked out in March of 2013, 315 00:15:48,748 --> 00:15:50,181 They let her go. 316 00:16:06,232 --> 00:16:08,432 [ilene] I go to get her meds together 317 00:16:08,501 --> 00:16:10,434 'cause she had to take her meds with food. 318 00:16:10,436 --> 00:16:13,604 I go to hand her her dish and I put it down next to her. 319 00:16:13,673 --> 00:16:14,973 She took the dish, 320 00:16:15,041 --> 00:16:18,309 And freaking picked it up and flung it at me. 321 00:16:18,311 --> 00:16:22,046 The dish broke and freaking splattered. 322 00:16:22,915 --> 00:16:25,016 They said she got mad and left. 323 00:16:28,488 --> 00:16:32,123 Maureen had taken off in the middle of the night 324 00:16:32,191 --> 00:16:34,759 Without any word or any sign 325 00:16:34,827 --> 00:16:36,894 Or any letter or anything. 326 00:16:36,962 --> 00:16:38,362 That was just how maureen was. 327 00:16:38,430 --> 00:16:40,431 Maureen was a fly-by-night kind of person 328 00:16:40,500 --> 00:16:43,767 And a nomad, and she would go from one place to the other. 329 00:16:44,370 --> 00:16:46,770 [tod] she was getting social security, 330 00:16:46,772 --> 00:16:48,372 And she had a monthly check. 331 00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:50,107 She could take care of herself, and I think they were 332 00:16:50,176 --> 00:16:51,542 A little bit glad that she had left. 333 00:17:07,126 --> 00:17:08,793 [narrator] a few weeks later, 334 00:17:08,861 --> 00:17:12,496 Frank and his family decided to move back to new york as well, 335 00:17:12,565 --> 00:17:14,999 Believing maureen would contact them 336 00:17:15,067 --> 00:17:17,301 When she was ready to live with them again. 337 00:17:18,771 --> 00:17:21,172 Frank explains that he had paid the landlord 338 00:17:21,240 --> 00:17:24,074 Several months' rent for their florida home 339 00:17:24,076 --> 00:17:26,277 In case his mother showed back up 340 00:17:26,345 --> 00:17:28,346 After they left for new york. 341 00:17:28,414 --> 00:17:31,448 He expected someone would actually call and say, 342 00:17:31,517 --> 00:17:33,917 "hey, your mom just wandered back, she's home. 343 00:17:33,919 --> 00:17:35,186 Can you come and take care of her?" 344 00:17:35,254 --> 00:17:36,887 But he never received that call. 345 00:17:37,957 --> 00:17:40,624 [ilene] and they asked, did we suspect any foul play? 346 00:17:40,693 --> 00:17:42,359 And we both said, "no, 347 00:17:42,428 --> 00:17:43,995 We don't suspect that there was foul play. 348 00:17:44,063 --> 00:17:47,665 We both suspected that she was just being maureen." 349 00:17:47,733 --> 00:17:49,333 That's just how she was. 350 00:17:58,845 --> 00:18:02,613 [narrator] when the nypd relay frank and ilene's story 351 00:18:02,615 --> 00:18:03,781 To brevard county, 352 00:18:03,849 --> 00:18:05,783 Investigators decide it's time 353 00:18:05,851 --> 00:18:10,154 To search the location maureen was last seen alive. 354 00:18:10,824 --> 00:18:13,024 What investigators needed to find out 355 00:18:13,092 --> 00:18:15,092 Was if what frank and ilene told them, 356 00:18:15,094 --> 00:18:17,561 That maureen walked out of their house in March, 357 00:18:17,563 --> 00:18:18,829 Was true. 358 00:18:19,432 --> 00:18:21,699 [tod] at that point, when we secure a search warrant, 359 00:18:21,767 --> 00:18:24,234 Signed by a judge, to go into that melbourne house 360 00:18:24,304 --> 00:18:26,604 And to search it for evidence. 361 00:18:29,108 --> 00:18:31,075 [j.D.] the agents decided to use luminol 362 00:18:31,143 --> 00:18:32,610 Which is a special chemical agent 363 00:18:32,612 --> 00:18:34,578 That helps to pick up blood spatter 364 00:18:34,580 --> 00:18:36,713 That isn't seen by the human eye. 365 00:18:37,984 --> 00:18:41,119 What the agents find is that there's a lot of hidden blood 366 00:18:41,187 --> 00:18:43,020 In that back bedroom. 367 00:18:44,356 --> 00:18:46,189 [tod] there's a lot of blood and the blood is spread out 368 00:18:46,191 --> 00:18:47,358 Within that room 369 00:18:47,426 --> 00:18:49,360 Which is consistent with somebody being cut up. 370 00:18:50,596 --> 00:18:52,196 [marlon] at that point, we determined 371 00:18:52,265 --> 00:18:54,698 That that had to be our scene of the crime. 372 00:18:54,767 --> 00:18:58,336 That was where maureen had her last breath. 373 00:19:00,773 --> 00:19:02,306 [music] 374 00:19:05,745 --> 00:19:08,012 [music] 375 00:19:09,115 --> 00:19:11,515 [narrator] may 2013, 376 00:19:11,918 --> 00:19:14,518 In the weeks after the dismembered remains 377 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:18,289 Of maureen riccio were found in brevard county, florida, 378 00:19:18,992 --> 00:19:21,792 Investigators have uncovered the presence of blood 379 00:19:21,861 --> 00:19:25,696 Inside the home she once shared with her son, frank riccio, 380 00:19:25,765 --> 00:19:27,431 And his family. 381 00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:29,766 There was a pretty significant crime scene 382 00:19:29,869 --> 00:19:31,502 At that location. 383 00:19:31,571 --> 00:19:34,271 In one of the bedrooms, it was a ceiling fan that was missing. 384 00:19:35,241 --> 00:19:36,940 Some of the doorknobs were missing. 385 00:19:37,010 --> 00:19:38,609 Some of the outlets were missing. 386 00:19:39,012 --> 00:19:40,911 The walls had been repainted, 387 00:19:40,980 --> 00:19:42,313 Which was interesting to us 388 00:19:42,381 --> 00:19:44,081 Because that would cover up blood. 389 00:19:45,651 --> 00:19:47,785 It wasn't a good paint job. 390 00:19:47,853 --> 00:19:49,787 They had actually painted not only the walls 391 00:19:49,855 --> 00:19:53,490 But some of the electric outlets and including the baseboards. 392 00:19:53,559 --> 00:19:56,760 The floor was scrubbed and like, a new coat of wax. 393 00:19:57,229 --> 00:20:00,164 'cause it was cleaner than the other parts. 394 00:20:01,500 --> 00:20:04,000 [narrator] convinced they've discovered the location 395 00:20:04,002 --> 00:20:05,602 Where maureen was killed, 396 00:20:05,671 --> 00:20:08,572 Investigators conduct a neighborhood canvas 397 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:12,075 To determine if anyone has seen suspicious activity 398 00:20:12,145 --> 00:20:14,912 In the six weeks since frank and ilene claimed 399 00:20:14,981 --> 00:20:16,847 Maureen walked out. 400 00:20:17,417 --> 00:20:19,082 There was one neighbor, I believe, that had 401 00:20:19,152 --> 00:20:21,952 Had a little bit of contact with frank. 402 00:20:22,421 --> 00:20:23,821 But for the most part, the neighbors 403 00:20:23,889 --> 00:20:25,356 Really didn't know much 404 00:20:25,424 --> 00:20:26,890 Other than they'd moved in, there was an older lady 405 00:20:26,959 --> 00:20:28,425 And they had some kids. 406 00:20:28,494 --> 00:20:30,328 None of them remembered strange people 407 00:20:30,396 --> 00:20:31,829 Coming in and out of the house, 408 00:20:31,897 --> 00:20:33,564 Just the people who lived there. 409 00:20:34,367 --> 00:20:37,435 One neighbor actually saw frank moving things, 410 00:20:37,437 --> 00:20:39,570 Packings in the back of his truck, 411 00:20:39,639 --> 00:20:41,238 First week of April. 412 00:20:41,307 --> 00:20:43,307 Based on our canvas of the neighborhood, 413 00:20:43,376 --> 00:20:45,243 Some of the neighbors were able to identify the fact 414 00:20:45,311 --> 00:20:48,311 That frank had a red pickup truck. 415 00:20:48,313 --> 00:20:50,647 And we learned that the truck was sold. 416 00:20:50,716 --> 00:20:54,051 Frank had put it, I believe it was, in craigslist at that time 417 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:56,253 And put it up for sale, 418 00:20:56,321 --> 00:20:58,456 And eventually sold it to a person. 419 00:20:59,525 --> 00:21:01,325 [narrator] as detectives continue 420 00:21:01,394 --> 00:21:03,193 Canvassing the neighborhood, 421 00:21:03,195 --> 00:21:05,763 They learn about one telling exchange 422 00:21:05,831 --> 00:21:07,465 Frank had with his neighbor 423 00:21:07,467 --> 00:21:10,801 Right before he and his family moved away. 424 00:21:11,537 --> 00:21:14,772 Another neighbor had actually been approached by frank. 425 00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:16,373 He was trying to figure out 426 00:21:16,442 --> 00:21:20,578 How he could cash one of his mother's social security checks 427 00:21:20,646 --> 00:21:21,979 Without having her present. 428 00:21:22,682 --> 00:21:25,316 [narrator] investigators are beginning to shape the theory 429 00:21:25,384 --> 00:21:29,520 That maureen's murder could be financially motivated. 430 00:21:29,588 --> 00:21:32,356 [music] 431 00:21:32,424 --> 00:21:35,359 [marlon] that information led us to reach out 432 00:21:35,427 --> 00:21:37,160 To the social security administration 433 00:21:37,363 --> 00:21:39,063 To see if we could find out 434 00:21:39,131 --> 00:21:42,266 The status of her checks, both prior and current. 435 00:21:43,836 --> 00:21:45,269 [michael] investigators learned 436 00:21:45,337 --> 00:21:47,638 That when frank took maureen in, 437 00:21:47,706 --> 00:21:50,641 It was a $17,000 stipend, 438 00:21:50,709 --> 00:21:55,012 And then maureen was receiving $700 a month after that. 439 00:21:55,881 --> 00:21:58,382 [marlon] if frank was to take custody of his mother, 440 00:21:58,451 --> 00:22:02,453 He would gain financially, they could care for her, 441 00:22:02,521 --> 00:22:04,822 With the money that they're being provided 442 00:22:04,890 --> 00:22:06,156 Through her social security. 443 00:22:06,626 --> 00:22:09,893 We found out there were still checks being issued 444 00:22:09,962 --> 00:22:11,562 To the melbourne address. 445 00:22:13,732 --> 00:22:16,166 [narrator] because maureen's body was found 446 00:22:16,235 --> 00:22:18,768 Nearly 20 miles away from home, 447 00:22:18,770 --> 00:22:21,271 Investigators know they'll need to track down 448 00:22:21,340 --> 00:22:25,042 Any vehicle that could've transported her remains. 449 00:22:25,644 --> 00:22:29,347 They start with the truck frank sold on craigslist. 450 00:22:31,350 --> 00:22:34,017 [marlon] we were able to find the transfer of title 451 00:22:34,019 --> 00:22:35,586 For the red pickup truck 452 00:22:35,654 --> 00:22:38,121 And we found the person that had purchased it. 453 00:22:38,123 --> 00:22:39,623 The pickup truck driver told him that frank 454 00:22:39,692 --> 00:22:41,759 Gave him a story about having to sell that truck 455 00:22:41,827 --> 00:22:43,361 Because it wasn't big enough. 456 00:22:44,797 --> 00:22:45,830 We did seize the truck 457 00:22:46,399 --> 00:22:48,365 And take the truck out to do some processing 458 00:22:48,434 --> 00:22:51,368 To see if there was any evidence that we could recover. 459 00:22:52,238 --> 00:22:54,938 [marlon] unfortunately, we didn't obtain any evidence 460 00:22:55,007 --> 00:22:56,273 That would help us with our case. 461 00:22:59,212 --> 00:23:01,845 [narrator] thankfully, investigators have better luck 462 00:23:01,914 --> 00:23:05,082 When they receive the results from the data analysis 463 00:23:05,084 --> 00:23:07,218 On maureen's pacemaker. 464 00:23:08,220 --> 00:23:09,953 We were told by the company 465 00:23:10,022 --> 00:23:12,423 The pacemaker is kind of a computer. 466 00:23:12,892 --> 00:23:14,124 And it would be able to tell us 467 00:23:14,193 --> 00:23:16,694 When certain things happened in the body. 468 00:23:17,429 --> 00:23:20,463 [marlon] the technician from the pacemaker company, 469 00:23:20,465 --> 00:23:23,333 He showed us where there was an anomaly 470 00:23:23,335 --> 00:23:26,503 Where there was a spike in the heart rate 471 00:23:26,572 --> 00:23:27,471 For a period of time 472 00:23:27,539 --> 00:23:29,506 Before there was no longer a heart rate, 473 00:23:29,508 --> 00:23:32,175 Which is pretty much what he believed to be 474 00:23:32,245 --> 00:23:34,078 The time of death. 475 00:23:35,280 --> 00:23:36,580 [narrator] based on the report, 476 00:23:36,648 --> 00:23:39,249 Authorities now know maureen was killed 477 00:23:39,318 --> 00:23:43,220 Sometime between March 20th and March 27th, 478 00:23:43,556 --> 00:23:47,158 Raising suspicion's over frank and ilene's sudden move 479 00:23:47,226 --> 00:23:49,392 Back to new york in April. 480 00:23:50,295 --> 00:23:52,829 [tod] the original story, she just went missing. 481 00:23:52,898 --> 00:23:54,965 Is it possible? It's possible. 482 00:23:55,034 --> 00:23:57,868 Is it plausible? No. 483 00:23:59,772 --> 00:24:03,340 [narrator] coming up, police revisit frank and ilene, 484 00:24:03,408 --> 00:24:06,343 Leading to a harrowing confession. 485 00:24:06,412 --> 00:24:09,012 He just sat down and started rocking his knees, 486 00:24:09,081 --> 00:24:10,881 And he's like, "I'm sorry. God forgive me. 487 00:24:10,950 --> 00:24:12,183 I didn't mean it." 488 00:24:13,418 --> 00:24:15,352 I couldn't believe. I didn't wanna believe it. 489 00:24:18,591 --> 00:24:20,124 [music] 490 00:24:23,428 --> 00:24:25,162 [music] 491 00:24:26,432 --> 00:24:29,032 [narrator] two weeks into the murder investigation 492 00:24:29,034 --> 00:24:30,468 Of maureen riccio, 493 00:24:30,536 --> 00:24:33,303 Brevard county investigators have zeroed in 494 00:24:33,305 --> 00:24:35,939 On frank riccio and ilene lazar 495 00:24:36,008 --> 00:24:38,142 As their primary suspects. 496 00:24:39,278 --> 00:24:42,145 We're trying to determine what the motive would be, 497 00:24:42,914 --> 00:24:45,115 [tod] the financial motive is 498 00:24:45,184 --> 00:24:46,416 Something they were contemplating 499 00:24:46,418 --> 00:24:47,684 Because of the social security checks. 500 00:24:47,753 --> 00:24:49,886 And we've seen it happen quite often 501 00:24:49,955 --> 00:24:52,022 Where the death is not reported 502 00:24:52,091 --> 00:24:54,891 And the social security checks continue to come in. 503 00:24:55,494 --> 00:24:57,160 [narrator] before traveling to new york 504 00:24:57,229 --> 00:24:59,997 To confront frank and ilene with the evidence, 505 00:25:00,065 --> 00:25:02,833 Investigators reach out to friends and family 506 00:25:02,902 --> 00:25:06,537 Who elaborate on frank's complicated relationship 507 00:25:06,605 --> 00:25:08,239 With maureen. 508 00:25:08,808 --> 00:25:11,208 Maureen could be very aggressive 509 00:25:11,277 --> 00:25:13,210 And very abusive, verbally, 510 00:25:13,278 --> 00:25:15,846 Emotionally, mentally, and physically. 511 00:25:18,050 --> 00:25:19,249 I knew how my mom was 512 00:25:19,251 --> 00:25:22,019 And I knew my brother had a temper. 513 00:25:23,555 --> 00:25:26,189 [narrator] according to family, frank had tried 514 00:25:26,191 --> 00:25:28,191 To bring maureen back to new york, 515 00:25:28,260 --> 00:25:30,027 But the assisted living facility 516 00:25:30,095 --> 00:25:33,130 Threatened to have him arrested for negligence. 517 00:25:33,198 --> 00:25:35,832 They said, "you bring her back, you drop her off like that," 518 00:25:35,901 --> 00:25:37,468 He goes, "we're gonna charge you." 519 00:25:38,870 --> 00:25:41,404 So at this time, frankie felt trapped. 520 00:25:42,574 --> 00:25:45,142 [j.D.] he was at the end of his rope with his mother. 521 00:25:45,210 --> 00:25:47,344 The relationship had soured long ago. 522 00:25:47,413 --> 00:25:49,914 It was already troubled, but it was getting worse. 523 00:25:51,083 --> 00:25:52,883 [narrator] with the evidence mounting, 524 00:25:52,951 --> 00:25:54,484 Brevard county investigators 525 00:25:54,553 --> 00:25:57,120 Decide it's time to make the trip to new york, 526 00:25:57,189 --> 00:26:00,257 And question frank and ilene themselves. 527 00:26:01,993 --> 00:26:04,494 On may 29, 2013, 528 00:26:04,563 --> 00:26:07,097 The couple is brought in for questioning. 529 00:26:07,599 --> 00:26:09,766 [marlon] we had frank and ilene separated. 530 00:26:09,835 --> 00:26:14,037 They were both telling us basically the same storyline. 531 00:26:14,039 --> 00:26:16,139 They were trying to appease maureen, 532 00:26:16,208 --> 00:26:18,775 But she wasn't happy with anything they did, 533 00:26:18,844 --> 00:26:20,343 And at some point, 534 00:26:20,412 --> 00:26:22,212 She just decided that she didn't wanna be there 535 00:26:22,281 --> 00:26:23,280 And she left. 536 00:26:24,616 --> 00:26:27,851 At that point, we start to confront them with evidence, 537 00:26:27,853 --> 00:26:29,152 Particularly with ilene, 538 00:26:29,221 --> 00:26:30,920 Knowing she might be the weakest link. 539 00:26:31,457 --> 00:26:34,158 Under the circumstances, I was scared. 540 00:26:34,760 --> 00:26:36,059 I was afraid. 541 00:26:36,128 --> 00:26:39,496 I was, my nerves were already shot at that time. 542 00:27:23,843 --> 00:27:26,043 [tod] we ended up saying, "hey, the ending 543 00:27:26,111 --> 00:27:27,678 That you're trying to sell is not the one 544 00:27:27,746 --> 00:27:29,279 That's part of the movie. 545 00:27:32,718 --> 00:27:37,454 [ilene] one detective pulled out photographs of her. 546 00:27:41,927 --> 00:27:47,364 Very detailed images, very detailed photos. 547 00:27:49,034 --> 00:27:51,100 He goes, "tell us what happened to maureen 548 00:27:51,102 --> 00:27:53,637 Because," he goes, "we know what happened to maureen, 549 00:27:53,705 --> 00:27:55,372 Which is why we're here." 550 00:27:57,476 --> 00:27:59,943 And then he used the kid card on me. 551 00:28:00,012 --> 00:28:01,678 "how much do you love your kids?" 552 00:28:01,747 --> 00:28:04,581 And I said, "don't go there." I said, "please don't go there." 553 00:28:04,650 --> 00:28:06,917 He goes, "do you wanna see your kids grow up?" 554 00:28:24,169 --> 00:28:27,037 [narrator] eventually, ilene breaks down. 555 00:28:28,107 --> 00:28:31,909 I said, "I did what I did for the sake of my kids." 556 00:28:32,778 --> 00:28:34,544 "but," I said, "I didn't do it." 557 00:28:34,613 --> 00:28:37,748 And then he goes, "well, what exactly did you do?" 558 00:28:46,058 --> 00:28:48,024 Frank was getting to the point 559 00:28:48,093 --> 00:28:51,462 That he would be out of the house all day, 560 00:28:52,398 --> 00:28:54,264 And I would be behind with the kids. 561 00:28:55,701 --> 00:28:58,201 He was thoroughly intoxicated. 562 00:28:58,203 --> 00:29:01,671 He came in, saw us freaking going at it 563 00:29:01,740 --> 00:29:03,240 Into the altercation, 564 00:29:03,308 --> 00:29:05,476 Told me, "okay, don't worry. I'll take care of it." 565 00:29:06,745 --> 00:29:10,480 Frank told ilene to get the kids and go in the room, 566 00:29:10,549 --> 00:29:13,317 So she went in the room with the kids. 567 00:29:14,987 --> 00:29:18,889 She says she turned the television up in the room 568 00:29:18,957 --> 00:29:21,558 And frank had some type of altercation 569 00:29:22,494 --> 00:29:25,095 With maureen outside of her sight. 570 00:29:38,643 --> 00:29:41,210 Then he's telling her to shut up and shut up, 571 00:29:41,212 --> 00:29:43,981 And "I can't take it and you're killing my family. 572 00:29:43,983 --> 00:29:45,415 I don't know what else to do for you." 573 00:29:45,417 --> 00:29:47,484 And she just kept getting louder and louder. 574 00:29:50,255 --> 00:29:52,088 [narrator] ilene tells investigators 575 00:29:52,157 --> 00:29:54,324 That the altercation seemed to end 576 00:29:54,393 --> 00:29:56,459 As soon as it began. 577 00:29:56,461 --> 00:29:58,161 And then that was it. 578 00:29:58,230 --> 00:30:01,498 I didn't hear anything after that. 579 00:30:01,567 --> 00:30:03,132 I just heard dead silence 580 00:30:03,202 --> 00:30:06,870 Until I heard the door open and I heard the door shut. 581 00:30:06,938 --> 00:30:09,740 And that's when he came into our room, 582 00:30:09,808 --> 00:30:11,341 And I said, "are you okay?" 583 00:30:11,410 --> 00:30:14,144 And he just sat down and started rocking his knees, 584 00:30:14,212 --> 00:30:16,012 And he's like, "I'm sorry. God forgive me. 585 00:30:16,081 --> 00:30:17,214 I didn't mean it." 586 00:30:17,282 --> 00:30:18,949 And I said, "what didn't you mean?" 587 00:30:19,017 --> 00:30:20,217 He's not looking at me, 588 00:30:20,285 --> 00:30:22,853 And I literally got down on my knees, 589 00:30:22,921 --> 00:30:24,321 Face-to-face with him. 590 00:30:24,389 --> 00:30:26,523 I grabbed his cheeks and I said, "tell me what you did." 591 00:30:26,591 --> 00:30:29,292 I said, "I can't help you if you don't tell me what you did." 592 00:30:30,362 --> 00:30:32,596 He motioned for me to go into the room, 593 00:30:32,932 --> 00:30:35,031 And so I did 594 00:30:35,100 --> 00:30:37,401 Because I couldn't get nothing verbal out of him. 595 00:30:41,373 --> 00:30:44,575 I turned on the light because it was dark. 596 00:30:45,944 --> 00:30:47,244 It was bloodshed. 597 00:30:48,647 --> 00:30:53,383 Everything was red, the walls, the blinds, 598 00:30:53,452 --> 00:30:54,717 The ceiling fan, 599 00:30:54,787 --> 00:30:57,621 The bedspread, everything. 600 00:30:58,523 --> 00:31:00,857 There wasn't a drop of white anywhere, 601 00:31:00,926 --> 00:31:02,826 The vents from the ac. 602 00:31:04,630 --> 00:31:06,963 Maureen was on the floor. 603 00:31:07,032 --> 00:31:11,501 I looked at her head and she had one gaping hole 604 00:31:11,570 --> 00:31:13,537 I kneeled down to her and I held her hand. 605 00:31:15,674 --> 00:31:19,776 She took one final gasp. 606 00:31:24,016 --> 00:31:26,950 I went back into my room 607 00:31:27,018 --> 00:31:29,986 And frank is still sitting on the couch, 608 00:31:29,988 --> 00:31:31,087 Rocking back and forth. 609 00:31:31,156 --> 00:31:32,722 I was thinking, "maybe if we go to bed, 610 00:31:32,791 --> 00:31:34,257 It'll just all be over in the morning. 611 00:31:34,326 --> 00:31:36,460 It'll just be a bad dream." 612 00:31:41,700 --> 00:31:45,134 [narrator] ilene insists frank left her no option 613 00:31:45,204 --> 00:31:47,537 But to participate in the cover up. 614 00:31:47,605 --> 00:31:49,305 [ilene] thought that was going through my mind 615 00:31:49,374 --> 00:31:51,475 Was, "I'm gonna lose my kids." 616 00:31:53,979 --> 00:31:56,913 The kids had no idea what had transpired. 617 00:31:56,981 --> 00:31:59,249 We just told them that she's sleeping. 618 00:31:59,317 --> 00:32:02,452 She slept like 12 to 15, if not more, hours a day 619 00:32:02,521 --> 00:32:04,321 And, plus, she liked being locked in her room, 620 00:32:04,389 --> 00:32:06,723 So they didn't think anything of it. 621 00:32:07,125 --> 00:32:08,491 [marlon] frank and ilene decided 622 00:32:08,493 --> 00:32:10,127 That they're gonna get the kids off to school 623 00:32:10,195 --> 00:32:11,227 And then figure out 624 00:32:11,296 --> 00:32:13,530 What the next plan of action would be. 625 00:32:14,199 --> 00:32:16,032 [ilene] we knew that we had to get rid of her. 626 00:32:16,034 --> 00:32:18,068 Frank seemed like he had all the answers 627 00:32:18,136 --> 00:32:20,770 And we went to the store. 628 00:32:21,206 --> 00:32:23,941 They had bought a circular saw, some tape, 629 00:32:24,009 --> 00:32:26,410 Bags, even some cleaning solution. 630 00:32:29,915 --> 00:32:31,548 [j.D.] she got back to the house 631 00:32:31,550 --> 00:32:33,416 And they laid out plastic. 632 00:32:33,485 --> 00:32:34,484 They put the body there. 633 00:32:34,553 --> 00:32:36,553 And they began using the saw 634 00:32:36,621 --> 00:32:39,423 To chop his mother into pieces. 635 00:32:40,959 --> 00:32:43,593 [ilene] he blindfolded my eyes 636 00:32:43,662 --> 00:32:45,595 So I wouldn't see anything. 637 00:32:46,631 --> 00:32:51,935 He didn't want me visibly seeing anything, 638 00:32:52,003 --> 00:32:53,236 But it doesn't matter. 639 00:32:53,304 --> 00:32:57,040 I'm still tormented by the sounds. 640 00:32:58,109 --> 00:33:01,578 I could already hear the saw. 641 00:33:01,646 --> 00:33:05,615 I got splattered with the bone-- with the bone chips. 642 00:33:06,218 --> 00:33:08,185 I think that's what haunts me 643 00:33:08,187 --> 00:33:10,220 More than the actual scene itself. 644 00:33:10,288 --> 00:33:12,723 That's when it became surreal, 645 00:33:13,458 --> 00:33:16,459 That a human being could actually do this 646 00:33:16,461 --> 00:33:18,028 To another... 647 00:33:21,900 --> 00:33:23,400 [narrator] ilene tells investigators 648 00:33:23,468 --> 00:33:25,935 She helped frank clean up the scene 649 00:33:26,004 --> 00:33:28,271 And load everything into his truck. 650 00:33:29,208 --> 00:33:30,740 [j.D.] he rolled it up to the window. 651 00:33:30,809 --> 00:33:34,111 And they began pushing the bags into the pickup truck, 652 00:33:34,179 --> 00:33:37,514 Along with the bloody mattress and other material. 653 00:33:37,582 --> 00:33:39,149 And that's when he decided 654 00:33:39,217 --> 00:33:40,617 To go ahead and just take it, 655 00:33:40,619 --> 00:33:44,521 And drive a short time later to micco to dump the body. 656 00:33:46,859 --> 00:33:48,425 I don't wanna hear details. 657 00:33:48,493 --> 00:33:50,994 I didn't wanna know what was gonna take place. 658 00:33:51,062 --> 00:33:54,164 I wanted--I wanted to forget that it ever happened. 659 00:33:57,903 --> 00:33:59,870 [narrator] it's a harrowing story, 660 00:33:59,938 --> 00:34:02,272 But is ilene telling the truth? 661 00:34:02,340 --> 00:34:06,876 We believed she wasn't involved in the actual act of murder, 662 00:34:06,945 --> 00:34:08,578 But some of the things she did afterwards, 663 00:34:08,647 --> 00:34:10,847 You gotta be a little bit off in the mind 664 00:34:10,916 --> 00:34:12,115 To do that type of thing. 665 00:34:12,884 --> 00:34:15,085 [narrator] now investigators must determine, 666 00:34:15,153 --> 00:34:18,455 Had frank committed an impulsive act of passion 667 00:34:18,523 --> 00:34:21,658 Or did frank and ilene conspire together 668 00:34:21,726 --> 00:34:23,660 To get maureen's money. 669 00:34:24,563 --> 00:34:27,497 [tod] you can deny, deny, deny, but at some point, 670 00:34:27,566 --> 00:34:29,232 We're gonna catch you on it. 671 00:34:30,501 --> 00:34:31,334 [narrator] coming up, 672 00:34:31,403 --> 00:34:34,137 Investigators confront frank riccio 673 00:34:34,205 --> 00:34:38,141 And attempt to prove ilene's true involvement. 674 00:34:42,213 --> 00:34:44,281 [ilene] I basically told him, I said, 675 00:34:44,349 --> 00:34:46,649 "I'm gonna do whatever I have to do 676 00:34:46,718 --> 00:34:48,985 To get home as soon as I can." 677 00:34:50,889 --> 00:34:53,423 [music] 678 00:34:59,030 --> 00:35:00,597 [music] york city, 679 00:35:00,665 --> 00:35:02,398 Ilene lazar has admitted 680 00:35:02,467 --> 00:35:06,135 To helping the father of her children, frank riccio, 681 00:35:06,205 --> 00:35:10,106 Dismember his 70-year-old mother maureen's body 682 00:35:10,175 --> 00:35:13,176 Inside their melbourne, florida, home. 683 00:35:14,179 --> 00:35:16,145 Armed with ilene's confession, 684 00:35:16,147 --> 00:35:18,915 Investigators confront frank. 685 00:35:23,021 --> 00:35:24,821 [j.D.] at some point, he gave in. 686 00:35:24,889 --> 00:35:27,224 And right there, frank confirms everything 687 00:35:27,292 --> 00:35:30,894 That ilene had said, that frank killed his mother. 688 00:36:00,191 --> 00:36:02,159 [marlon] frank, when he tells us, 689 00:36:02,227 --> 00:36:04,661 He didn't get as emotional as ilene. 690 00:36:04,729 --> 00:36:08,097 He was just basically telling it 691 00:36:08,099 --> 00:36:09,900 Like, "okay, this is what happened. 692 00:36:09,968 --> 00:36:11,500 It wasn't planned. 693 00:36:11,570 --> 00:36:16,606 It just got to a point that I couldn't take it anymore." 694 00:36:22,681 --> 00:36:25,448 [narrator] frank insists his girlfriend ilene 695 00:36:25,516 --> 00:36:27,416 Had nothing to do with it. 696 00:36:27,886 --> 00:36:29,786 [marlon] he wanted to take full responsibility. 697 00:36:29,854 --> 00:36:31,387 He gets remorseful about it 698 00:36:31,456 --> 00:36:34,991 And didn't wanna see her get charged with anything at all. 699 00:36:35,927 --> 00:36:38,327 [ilene] he told them whatever he was gonna face, 700 00:36:38,329 --> 00:36:39,462 He was gonna face 701 00:36:39,531 --> 00:36:41,698 But to go as easy on me as possible, 702 00:36:41,766 --> 00:36:44,201 Being that I've never been in trouble. 703 00:36:45,103 --> 00:36:46,636 [narrator] according to frank, 704 00:36:46,705 --> 00:36:49,739 Killing maureen riccio was the tragic result 705 00:36:49,808 --> 00:36:53,342 Of an impulsive decision fueled by anger. 706 00:36:54,212 --> 00:36:56,813 [j.D.] that was rage uncontained. 707 00:36:57,149 --> 00:37:00,183 There is an emotional component to this particular case 708 00:37:00,251 --> 00:37:01,684 That you can't avoid. 709 00:37:01,753 --> 00:37:04,887 This is a person that was dealing with a mom, a mother, 710 00:37:04,956 --> 00:37:08,124 That had ran off and left him, abandoned him. 711 00:37:08,192 --> 00:37:09,759 She wouldn't take her medication. 712 00:37:09,828 --> 00:37:11,627 The children were afraid of her. 713 00:37:11,697 --> 00:37:13,129 Ilene was afraid of her. 714 00:37:13,865 --> 00:37:15,197 [narrator] after questioning frank, 715 00:37:15,267 --> 00:37:17,767 Investigators speak with his children 716 00:37:17,836 --> 00:37:20,503 And learn the person they fear most 717 00:37:20,505 --> 00:37:22,739 Is not maureen. 718 00:37:23,108 --> 00:37:24,707 [tod] the kids eventually admit 719 00:37:24,776 --> 00:37:27,644 They've been tasked into a story too, 720 00:37:27,712 --> 00:37:30,647 Probably provided to them by frank, 721 00:37:30,715 --> 00:37:32,048 And they remember some things 722 00:37:32,117 --> 00:37:34,084 As far as what happened that night. 723 00:37:35,286 --> 00:37:37,720 [francis] my room was next to maureen's. 724 00:37:38,122 --> 00:37:39,856 He left the door open 725 00:37:39,924 --> 00:37:41,724 And, literally, I could see everything. 726 00:37:41,793 --> 00:37:46,062 He just, he kept beating her and hitting her. 727 00:37:46,131 --> 00:37:50,266 And my dad has fists two to three times bigger than mine. 728 00:37:51,169 --> 00:37:53,403 And she was just a small old lady. 729 00:37:53,471 --> 00:37:55,338 It was just merciless. 730 00:37:56,708 --> 00:37:58,174 It was a bloodbath. 731 00:37:59,710 --> 00:38:01,243 I was scared. I was with my sister 732 00:38:01,245 --> 00:38:03,045 And we ran to the other side of the house 733 00:38:03,114 --> 00:38:04,714 'cause we were like, "are we next?" 734 00:38:07,352 --> 00:38:09,018 My dad's 6'4". 735 00:38:09,087 --> 00:38:13,056 It's like 300 pounds, and he's just a brute. 736 00:38:14,025 --> 00:38:15,425 [narrator] the couple's children 737 00:38:15,493 --> 00:38:17,227 Believe their mother had no choice 738 00:38:17,295 --> 00:38:19,863 In the aftermath of maureen's death. 739 00:38:20,565 --> 00:38:21,998 I know my dad. 740 00:38:22,067 --> 00:38:24,167 If she didn't help, he was gonna dispose of two bodies. 741 00:38:26,404 --> 00:38:29,005 [narrator] florida police decide to charge frank 742 00:38:29,073 --> 00:38:31,074 With first-degree murder. 743 00:38:32,310 --> 00:38:35,111 Was it premeditated? I don't believe so. 744 00:38:35,180 --> 00:38:38,915 I believe he was angered and he made a poor decision. 745 00:38:38,917 --> 00:38:42,886 He snapped in every sense of the word. 746 00:38:44,255 --> 00:38:46,923 [marlon] at that point, we weren't sure 747 00:38:46,991 --> 00:38:49,658 How we wanted to approach ilene. 748 00:38:49,660 --> 00:38:51,160 Obviously, the kids were a factor. 749 00:38:51,162 --> 00:38:53,629 So ilene was returned home 750 00:38:53,698 --> 00:38:55,665 To be with her children. 751 00:38:57,469 --> 00:39:00,870 [narrator] but as authorities continue building their case, 752 00:39:00,872 --> 00:39:02,105 Evidence surfaces 753 00:39:02,173 --> 00:39:05,207 That suggests ilene may be more culpable 754 00:39:05,209 --> 00:39:08,278 Than she or frank have led them to believe. 755 00:39:09,013 --> 00:39:11,647 Our investigative analysts 756 00:39:11,716 --> 00:39:15,484 Were able to look up some databases and found 757 00:39:15,554 --> 00:39:20,390 Where ilene had actually pawned some items 758 00:39:20,458 --> 00:39:22,024 Over several different days, 759 00:39:22,093 --> 00:39:24,560 And one of those items, in particular, 760 00:39:24,629 --> 00:39:25,929 Was a circular saw. 761 00:39:27,632 --> 00:39:29,732 So, of course, people have questions 762 00:39:29,801 --> 00:39:31,601 About her involvement. 763 00:39:32,637 --> 00:39:35,472 [marlon] once I presented all the evidence 764 00:39:35,540 --> 00:39:38,274 To the state attorney's office and everything was reviewed, 765 00:39:38,343 --> 00:39:40,042 The decision was made to charge her 766 00:39:40,111 --> 00:39:42,712 As part of the full package of the case. 767 00:39:44,449 --> 00:39:46,716 [narrator] on June 10th, 2013, 768 00:39:46,785 --> 00:39:50,186 Ilene is charged with accessory to murder. 769 00:39:51,256 --> 00:39:55,391 The kids, I sat all three of them down 770 00:39:55,460 --> 00:39:56,993 Downstairs in the living room. 771 00:39:56,995 --> 00:39:58,895 They knew something was not right. 772 00:39:59,964 --> 00:40:02,665 And I basically told them that "I love you. 773 00:40:02,734 --> 00:40:05,034 I don't know if I'm able to see you. 774 00:40:05,103 --> 00:40:07,870 But I'm gonna do whatever I have to do 775 00:40:07,872 --> 00:40:09,672 To get home as soon as I can." 776 00:40:10,441 --> 00:40:12,442 [narrator] the state offers ilene a plea deal 777 00:40:12,510 --> 00:40:16,379 In exchange for her testimony against frank at trial. 778 00:40:16,447 --> 00:40:20,717 She agrees, but the case never makes it in front of a jury. 779 00:40:21,252 --> 00:40:23,453 [marlon] frank plead to the charges that were presented 780 00:40:23,521 --> 00:40:27,490 And he was sentenced to 25 years, florida state prison. 781 00:40:28,526 --> 00:40:32,628 I was looking at the max that florida can issue you, 782 00:40:32,697 --> 00:40:33,897 Which is five years. 783 00:40:36,834 --> 00:40:40,970 Was four years and seven months that I was in. 784 00:40:43,241 --> 00:40:45,074 [marlon] I believe justice was served. 785 00:40:45,310 --> 00:40:47,844 She showed remorse 786 00:40:47,912 --> 00:40:51,180 And was very upset at what happened. 787 00:40:51,249 --> 00:40:54,884 I think, if the family component wasn't at risk, 788 00:40:54,953 --> 00:40:56,786 She probably would've came forward right away. 789 00:40:57,155 --> 00:41:01,524 But it's that mother nature, 790 00:41:01,592 --> 00:41:04,227 Protect the family at all costs. 791 00:41:04,295 --> 00:41:06,529 [christine] I feel sorry for the kids 792 00:41:06,597 --> 00:41:08,664 Because they're the ones getting the raw deal. 793 00:41:08,733 --> 00:41:11,167 No child should go through that. 794 00:41:11,169 --> 00:41:13,636 No child, no adult, no nobody. 795 00:41:15,106 --> 00:41:17,740 [j.D.] frank and ilene, they loved each other. 796 00:41:17,809 --> 00:41:19,742 Ilene was by his side. 797 00:41:20,211 --> 00:41:23,780 And thick and thin, whatever the case may be, 798 00:41:23,848 --> 00:41:26,516 She decided to stick with him 799 00:41:26,584 --> 00:41:29,552 And follow through with his horrific plan 800 00:41:29,620 --> 00:41:32,222 To dispose of the body of his mother. 801 00:41:33,692 --> 00:41:35,792 [christine] I'm pretty sure my brother 802 00:41:35,860 --> 00:41:37,093 Was not in his right mind 803 00:41:37,161 --> 00:41:38,961 'cause anybody who does this 804 00:41:39,030 --> 00:41:40,730 Could not be in their right mind. 805 00:41:40,798 --> 00:41:44,934 I just couldn't picture my brother killing my mom. 806 00:41:45,937 --> 00:41:48,104 I didn't wanna believe it. 807 00:41:48,873 --> 00:41:51,341 Nobody deserves to die the way she died. 808 00:41:53,378 --> 00:41:54,176 My mom is back in my life 809 00:41:54,245 --> 00:41:56,312 And I missed the hell out of her. 810 00:41:56,381 --> 00:41:57,814 So I'm happy about that. 811 00:41:57,882 --> 00:42:00,482 It does affect me sometimes not having a dad. 812 00:42:00,852 --> 00:42:03,386 I just hope that he gets whatever help he needs 813 00:42:03,454 --> 00:42:04,520 While he's incarcerated. 814 00:42:04,589 --> 00:42:07,723 And one day, my dad will come home, hopefully. 815 00:42:08,326 --> 00:42:11,293 He'll never be forgiven, ever, ever. 816 00:42:11,295 --> 00:42:13,129 This is already over 10 years ago. 817 00:42:13,197 --> 00:42:14,497 Our lives are completely different. 818 00:42:14,565 --> 00:42:16,365 We're just trying to move on with everything. 819 00:42:17,035 --> 00:42:20,569 We're doing better now than we ever were before. 820 00:42:21,039 --> 00:42:24,373 We're more functional now that we ever were before. 821 00:42:24,442 --> 00:42:26,576 For the first time in my life, 822 00:42:26,644 --> 00:42:29,978 And the kids', we have stability. 823 00:42:29,980 --> 00:42:31,881 We have a foundation. 824 00:42:32,950 --> 00:42:34,551 We know where we're going. 825 00:42:34,619 --> 00:42:36,853 And that's everything. 826 00:42:38,856 --> 00:42:40,690 [francis] I've always loved my mom. 827 00:42:49,467 --> 00:42:51,233 Mm, sorry. 828 00:42:51,636 --> 00:42:54,002 My mom's an angel and she always will be. 829 00:42:54,004 --> 00:42:55,972 She was just a pawn in a [bleep] game. 830 00:42:56,774 --> 00:42:58,307 She can look past it, 831 00:42:58,375 --> 00:43:02,011 Be greater in life than what she can ever imagine. 832 00:43:04,615 --> 00:43:05,949 I believe in it. 833 00:43:07,752 --> 00:43:10,153 [ilene] I've been to hell and back. 834 00:43:11,189 --> 00:43:14,423 It took me going through what I went through 835 00:43:14,492 --> 00:43:16,859 To prove to myself that, "yeah, 836 00:43:17,828 --> 00:43:20,363 I'm gonna be okay. I've got this. 837 00:43:21,299 --> 00:43:25,201 I'm strong. I'm stronger than I ever thought I was 838 00:43:26,337 --> 00:43:27,837 And will be."