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00:00:07,674 --> 00:00:09,508
All community
is rattled
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00:00:09,576 --> 00:00:13,011
When a missing grandmother
turns up brutally murdered
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00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:15,280
Off a remote florida highway.
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Both of the upper arms were cut
around the shoulder areas.
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[tod] the body
had been dismembered.
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Just the way that that was done
was gruesome.
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[narrator] the investigation
will take authorities
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Across state lines
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00:00:28,762 --> 00:00:32,564
As a complicated family history
surfaces.
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00:00:32,633 --> 00:00:37,102
Our initial diagnosis
was paranoid schizophrenic.
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She had taken off
in the middle of the night
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Without any word.
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[narrator] as police
search for answers,
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Suspicion will grow
closer to home
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And to a couple with
desperate secrets of their own.
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He snapped
in every sense of the word.
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You gotta be a little bit off
in the mind
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To do that type of thing.
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If she didn't help, he was gonna
dispose of two bodies.
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That was rage uncontained.
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[music]
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[music]
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[narrator] brevard county,
florida, is an oasis
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For residents
and visitors alike.
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[marlon] brevard county's known
as the space coast.
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Actually, many years ago,
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They changed our area code
to 321
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Which is countdown
related to the space center.
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[j.D.] this is where
we sent men to the moon.
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It's also where we have
all types of waterways,
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Beautiful beaches,
72 miles of coastland.
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[narrator] on may 14, 2013,
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Authorities are alerted
to a gruesome discovery
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Along a remote highway.
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A maintenance worker was going
to service a cellphone tower
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Out in micco.
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Now, if you know anything
about micco,
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It's a vast rural land.
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He looked down
into a ditch line and saw
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What he, at first, thought
was possibly a deer or a hog.
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As he looked closer,
he actually noticed a skull.
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And he knew right away
that was a human skull.
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[tod] at that point,
he made a 911 call
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Which came
to the sheriff's office,
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Deputies responded.
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In that bottom area
of the swale ditch
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Were some plastic bags
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And then the skeletal remains
kind of spread out.
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[marlon] appeared to just be
the one body.
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We saw trash bags containing
some of these skeletal remains.
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So we had a good idea
we were dealing
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00:02:54,307 --> 00:02:56,307
With a homicide-type
investigation.
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This wasn't just a natural death
where somebody was walking
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In a wooded area,
and fell, and no one found them.
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It appeared someone went through
great lengths
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To discard these remains
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And to hide them
away from the general public
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So that they'd possibly
never be found.
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We had really nothing
but skeletal remains,
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So there were some concerns
as to "where do we start?
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We don't have an identity
and we just have a witness,
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And we want to know
why he was there."
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Generally, the person
that finds the body
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Is, of course, the fist person
we're gonna interview.
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[narrator] the technician admits
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He wasn't scheduled
to be there at all.
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There's a cellphone tower
at the end of this road
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And this man goes out
to that tower every six months
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And does
preventative maintenance,
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Makes sure that everything's
working correctly
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For the cellphone companies.
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[marlon] as we continued
to talk to him,
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00:03:45,625 --> 00:03:47,692
"when was the last time
you serviced the tower?",
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00:03:47,761 --> 00:03:49,194
"was just three months ago."
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"well, why now?"
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[narrator] the technician
is adamant
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That he was only there
to do his job.
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00:03:57,237 --> 00:03:59,804
He explained that he was
actually on call-out
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00:03:59,873 --> 00:04:04,108
To check a tower that was
actually south of our county.
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00:04:04,711 --> 00:04:06,511
He explained the route
that he took.
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00:04:06,580 --> 00:04:09,181
He just decided
he'd check this tower too
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00:04:09,249 --> 00:04:10,815
Since he was in the area.
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00:04:11,418 --> 00:04:12,717
As he was driving out
to the cell site,
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00:04:12,786 --> 00:04:15,153
He realized that
he had to use the bathroom,
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00:04:15,222 --> 00:04:17,956
So he thought this was
a nice deserted area
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Where he could stop
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00:04:19,493 --> 00:04:21,793
And use the restroom
without being noticed.
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00:04:22,562 --> 00:04:24,997
We confirmed the company
he worked for,
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00:04:25,065 --> 00:04:28,199
What their job function was,
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00:04:28,268 --> 00:04:30,269
What his position was
in the company.
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00:04:30,337 --> 00:04:33,004
And the fact
that he was called out
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00:04:33,073 --> 00:04:34,338
And the route that he takes,
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Everything made sense
as he explained it.
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[narrator] while investigators
finish processing
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The crime scene,
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The skeletal remains
are sent in for testing.
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The following morning,
the medical examiner
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Conducts an autopsy
to determine more details
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About the victim
and cause of death.
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[sajid] so first thing is that
we took out the bones.
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00:05:02,035 --> 00:05:04,602
We x-rayed them,
and after x-raying them,
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Then examined
every bag of the bones.
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It was an advanced state
of decomposition,
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Mostly a skeletonized.
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The medical examiner
actually put together
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The bones like a puzzle.
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It was determined to be
a female,
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60 to 80 years old.
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He was able to identify the fact
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That there was
blunt force trauma.
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[sajid] most of
the blunt force injuries
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Were to the head area
like egg shell fracture.
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So looked like some kind
of heavy object
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Like a ball pin of a hammer.
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Both of the upper arms were cut
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Around the shoulder areas
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And then the lower limbs, also.
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It was his belief that the body
had been dismembered,
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That animals had not pulled it,
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That it had actually been cut.
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And he believed it was cut
with some type of saw.
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Just the way that that was done
is gruesome.
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[narrator] at this late stage
of decomposition,
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Identifying the victim
will be difficult,
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But the medical examiner
notices an important clue.
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[j.D.] so when the medical
examiner looked at the bones,
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What they found
right around the rib cage
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Was a pacemaker.
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[sajid] the pacemaker
is inserted
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Under the skin
but over the rib cage.
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They are very specific
to the patient
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At the time of the insertion.
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[tod] generally, anything
that's implanted
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In the human body is categorized
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By serial number.
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The company has to keep
where it went,
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What doctor got it,
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And, eventually, what patient
it was put into.
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[marlon] we went to
a local hospital
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That gave us different companies
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That the device could be from.
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So we called those companies
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And we were able
to identify the company
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That owned the device.
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And the technician we spoke to,
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We provided him
with the serial numbers.
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He was able to provide us
with the name of the patient
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As maureen riccio.
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She was 70 years old.
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[narrator] while the pacemaker
is sent off for data analysis,
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Investigators focus
on tracking down
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Maureen riccio's next of kin
and last known address.
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[tod] looking at
electric records, water record,
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We were able to determine
that she was residing
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In a house
in the city of melbourne.
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It was a rental.
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Now, the first thing
is you go to the landlord,
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And talk to the landlord
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And find out,
what can they tell us?
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They found out that maureen
was actually staying
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With her son, frank riccio,
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His girlfriend, ilene,
and their children.
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[marlon] the landlord said
they were decent tenants.
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They had paid him
for some time in advance
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When they first rented
the property.
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But they moved back
to new york in April,
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Leaving the house vacant.
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[narrator] so how had maureen
ended up the victim
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Of a brutal crime in florida?
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If the remains
weren't totally skeletonized,
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They were pretty close,
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And they'd probably been
out there close to two months.
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[michael] so the timing was off
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00:08:10,057 --> 00:08:11,423
Because law enforcement believes
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That maureen was killed
in March,
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And the family moved back
to new york in April.
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Why hadn't the family reported
her missing before that?
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We need to speak
with her family.
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[narrator] coming up,
investigators learn
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00:08:27,374 --> 00:08:30,509
Concerning details
about their victim.
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She just packed up,
then walked out the door,
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And they never saw her again.
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[narrator] and new evidence
will bring authorities closer
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To her killer.
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There was a pretty significant
crime scene at that location.
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[music]
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[narrator] in brevard county,
florida,
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Authorities are investigating
the murder and dismemberment
189
00:09:05,278 --> 00:09:07,979
Of 70-year-old maureen riccio.
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00:09:10,216 --> 00:09:11,850
One week into the case,
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Homicide investigators contact
the new york police department
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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.
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00:09:24,163 --> 00:09:26,764
We decided not to do
a death notification
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00:09:26,833 --> 00:09:31,169
And just work it as someone else
has reported her missing.
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00:09:31,237 --> 00:09:32,604
We wanted to reach out
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00:09:32,672 --> 00:09:35,006
To see what their response
would be.
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00:09:36,443 --> 00:09:39,678
We're home. Frank and I
were upstairs in our room,
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00:09:39,746 --> 00:09:42,780
And frankie, my son,
happened to be downstairs
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00:09:42,849 --> 00:09:44,048
On the video game.
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00:09:44,851 --> 00:09:48,252
Doorbell rings,
he goes to answer the door,
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00:09:48,321 --> 00:09:52,023
And it happens to be
an nypd police officer.
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I go to the front door.
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00:09:54,460 --> 00:09:57,028
The nypd officer, he goes,
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00:09:57,097 --> 00:09:58,463
"do you know anything
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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?"
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00:10:02,569 --> 00:10:05,637
[marlon] there were talking
to ilene at the front door
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00:10:05,705 --> 00:10:09,073
And were inside the front foyer
area of the home.
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00:10:09,075 --> 00:10:13,311
Frank eventually came out
and entered the conversation.
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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,
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00:10:36,002 --> 00:10:37,769
And they never saw her again.
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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.
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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."