1
00:00:08,374 --> 00:00:10,375
[narrator] a missing persons
case
2
00:00:10,444 --> 00:00:12,344
Rattles the southern coast
of texas.
3
00:00:12,413 --> 00:00:15,480
We are constantly subjected to
hurricanes.
4
00:00:16,550 --> 00:00:18,951
I was like, "hey, guys,
there's a really bad storm
5
00:00:19,019 --> 00:00:21,086
Coming your way,
are you guys okay?"
6
00:00:21,555 --> 00:00:23,255
And no answer.
7
00:00:24,125 --> 00:00:25,490
They were really concerned
8
00:00:25,559 --> 00:00:28,460
Because they hadn't heard from
their parents.
9
00:00:29,563 --> 00:00:31,896
And that they religiously,
without fail,
10
00:00:31,966 --> 00:00:34,199
Contact their
children every day.
11
00:00:35,669 --> 00:00:38,971
[narrator] the investigation
unearths a devastating crime.
12
00:00:39,506 --> 00:00:41,473
Finding two bodies buried in
a shallow grave
13
00:00:41,542 --> 00:00:44,043
Is obvious that that's
a homicide.
14
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I didn't want this nightmare to
be true.
15
00:00:49,082 --> 00:00:50,649
I didn't want
this to be a reality.
16
00:00:53,387 --> 00:00:55,654
[narrator] authorities set
their sights
17
00:00:55,722 --> 00:00:57,589
On an elusive criminal...
18
00:00:58,525 --> 00:01:01,927
[jaime] our fear was if he
travels further into mexico,
19
00:01:01,995 --> 00:01:03,695
We'll never solve this case.
20
00:01:03,764 --> 00:01:06,665
[narrator] and a romance blinded
by devotion
21
00:01:06,733 --> 00:01:08,266
And reckless abandon.
22
00:01:09,102 --> 00:01:12,404
She was caught up in how
he manipulated her.
23
00:01:12,473 --> 00:01:15,607
She was willing to look past it
in the name of love.
24
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They're a couple that did
everything together,
25
00:01:19,246 --> 00:01:20,646
And that includes murder.
26
00:01:23,049 --> 00:01:28,620
[music]
27
00:01:28,689 --> 00:01:30,456
[muffled scream, gasp]
28
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[narrator] stretching more than
a hundred miles down
29
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The texas coastline,
30
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Padre island has long attracted
visitors
31
00:01:42,069 --> 00:01:43,868
With a taste for adventure.
32
00:01:44,605 --> 00:01:48,240
We have some beautiful beaches.
The water's warm year round.
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00:01:48,308 --> 00:01:51,342
You can drive on the beach,
you can camp on the beach,
34
00:01:51,412 --> 00:01:53,145
You can have bonfires
on the beach.
35
00:01:53,213 --> 00:01:56,048
A lot of people come over here
from all over the world.
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[narrator] the barrier island's
beauty
37
00:01:59,052 --> 00:02:03,155
Is what drew rv-lifestyle coupl
james and michelle butler
38
00:02:03,223 --> 00:02:06,225
To the area in the fall of 2019
39
00:02:06,227 --> 00:02:08,994
They're retirees,
they're traveling the country,
40
00:02:09,062 --> 00:02:11,563
They're having the time of
their lives.
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00:02:15,902 --> 00:02:17,635
[narrator] but on October 21st,
42
00:02:17,705 --> 00:02:21,707
A powerful storm moves closer t
shore in southern texas.
43
00:02:22,776 --> 00:02:24,977
In south texas, you know,
on the coast,
44
00:02:25,045 --> 00:02:27,579
We are constantly subjected to
hurricanes.
45
00:02:28,115 --> 00:02:30,549
We'll get high tides where
people can't get off the beach,
46
00:02:30,617 --> 00:02:32,951
Where the surf comes all the way
up to the dunes.
47
00:02:33,020 --> 00:02:34,553
Now and then,
people get trapped.
48
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[narrator] two days after
the storm makes landfall,
49
00:02:40,060 --> 00:02:41,826
The kleberg county
sheriff's office
50
00:02:41,895 --> 00:02:45,163
Receives a call from james
and michelle butler's children,
51
00:02:45,832 --> 00:02:48,333
When they realize no one has
heard from the couple
52
00:02:48,402 --> 00:02:49,835
In five days.
53
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[crystal] they are
a close-knit family,
54
00:02:52,706 --> 00:02:54,673
And so they started
keeping tabs.
55
00:02:54,741 --> 00:02:57,208
"have you talked to james?
Have you talked to michelle?"
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00:02:57,278 --> 00:03:00,211
And they started to realize
no one had.
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00:03:00,747 --> 00:03:04,149
I was working patrol when I was
assigned this call,
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00:03:04,418 --> 00:03:06,250
And it came
in as a missing persons.
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00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:07,752
In talking to the family,
60
00:03:07,821 --> 00:03:09,788
They told me that
they were really concerned
61
00:03:09,856 --> 00:03:14,192
Because they hadn't heard from
their parents since the 15th.
62
00:03:14,795 --> 00:03:16,594
And they religiously,
without fail,
63
00:03:16,863 --> 00:03:19,397
Contact their children every day
on facetime.
64
00:03:19,466 --> 00:03:20,699
So that was a big concern.
65
00:03:20,767 --> 00:03:22,233
I took that to the office,
and I said,
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00:03:22,303 --> 00:03:23,569
"I think we have
a real problem here."
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00:03:24,938 --> 00:03:25,870
[narrator] authorities question
family and friends
68
00:03:25,939 --> 00:03:28,707
To learn more about
the missing couple.
69
00:03:31,211 --> 00:03:33,712
A retired naval air traffic
control man,
70
00:03:34,781 --> 00:03:36,181
48-year-old james,
71
00:03:36,249 --> 00:03:38,549
Nicknamed "jimbo"
by his friends,
72
00:03:38,551 --> 00:03:40,619
Grew up in rumney,
new hampshire.
73
00:03:41,888 --> 00:03:43,821
Jimbo, in high school,
was the funny guy.
74
00:03:43,891 --> 00:03:46,058
You know how every class has
their clown?
75
00:03:46,126 --> 00:03:48,894
Well, he was the clown that
surpassed all other clowns.
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00:03:49,896 --> 00:03:51,563
[barbara] everybody that knew
jimbo,
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00:03:51,632 --> 00:03:55,100
They had to have
laughed at one point in time.
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00:03:55,168 --> 00:03:56,635
That's who he was.
79
00:03:59,172 --> 00:04:01,173
[chris] jimbo joined the navy
in 1991,
80
00:04:01,241 --> 00:04:02,240
And he decided he wanted to
become
81
00:04:02,309 --> 00:04:03,474
An air traffic controller.
82
00:04:03,544 --> 00:04:04,743
And that's where
I first met him.
83
00:04:04,811 --> 00:04:08,180
Naval air station lakehurst,
fort dix-mcguire, new jersey.
84
00:04:09,082 --> 00:04:12,250
Air traffic control can be
summed up in one sentence:
85
00:04:12,719 --> 00:04:16,454
The safe, expeditious movement
of aircraft and personnel.
86
00:04:16,456 --> 00:04:20,024
Jimbo did that in a manner that
if you were a pilot
87
00:04:20,093 --> 00:04:21,426
And you heard jimbo's voice,
88
00:04:21,495 --> 00:04:22,861
You knew you were okay.
89
00:04:24,097 --> 00:04:25,430
[narrator] along the way,
90
00:04:25,499 --> 00:04:28,166
James met his first wife
and had two children.
91
00:04:28,702 --> 00:04:31,936
Jimbo was a very devoted father.
92
00:04:32,005 --> 00:04:33,504
He loved those children.
93
00:04:34,041 --> 00:04:36,141
[narrator] james would remain
a steady fixture
94
00:04:36,209 --> 00:04:37,476
In his children's lives
95
00:04:37,544 --> 00:04:40,279
Long after he and his wife
divorced.
96
00:04:42,049 --> 00:04:43,715
Then, in 2010,
97
00:04:43,784 --> 00:04:47,418
He paid a fateful visit to
his hometown in new hampshire.
98
00:04:48,154 --> 00:04:50,789
[chris] jimbo and michelle met
up in rumney, out at a bar,
99
00:04:50,857 --> 00:04:53,224
Karaoke bar one night,
and the rest is history.
100
00:04:53,961 --> 00:04:56,761
[barbara] michelle was from
new hampshire, also.
101
00:04:56,830 --> 00:04:58,630
She loved horses.
102
00:04:58,698 --> 00:05:01,165
She was a barrel racer,
she loved rodeos.
103
00:05:01,167 --> 00:05:03,935
I think michelle was most happy
104
00:05:04,538 --> 00:05:08,006
When she was around horses
and around animals.
105
00:05:08,075 --> 00:05:09,374
She loved that.
106
00:05:10,177 --> 00:05:11,376
[narrator] like james,
107
00:05:11,444 --> 00:05:14,212
Michelle was also divorced
with children.
108
00:05:15,248 --> 00:05:16,715
[chris] the first time I met
michelle...
109
00:05:17,550 --> 00:05:19,584
She had come down to new jersey,
110
00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:23,855
And we met her at the play that
jimbo was at for our daughter.
111
00:05:24,458 --> 00:05:27,625
And she was aunt michelle
after that.
112
00:05:28,429 --> 00:05:31,096
To my daughter,
to my other two sons.
113
00:05:31,164 --> 00:05:32,464
That's the way it was.
114
00:05:33,266 --> 00:05:34,532
In the early days of
the relationship,
115
00:05:34,601 --> 00:05:36,568
They were like two
high schoolers at prom.
116
00:05:37,337 --> 00:05:39,471
You know, couldn't give enough
lovies,
117
00:05:39,539 --> 00:05:41,039
Couldn't keep their
hands off each other.
118
00:05:41,408 --> 00:05:42,740
He would crack stupid jokes,
119
00:05:42,809 --> 00:05:45,143
She would be
lovingly embarrassed,
120
00:05:45,211 --> 00:05:45,944
If you will.
121
00:05:46,813 --> 00:05:48,880
It was fun.
It was fun to watch them.
122
00:05:49,616 --> 00:05:52,651
[barbara] you could tell right
from the start
123
00:05:52,719 --> 00:05:54,453
How much they loved each other.
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00:05:55,956 --> 00:05:58,223
[narrator] after james's
retirement from the navy,
125
00:05:58,291 --> 00:06:01,860
He returned to new hampshire
to settle down with michelle.
126
00:06:02,262 --> 00:06:04,295
They found this beautiful home.
127
00:06:04,297 --> 00:06:08,833
It used to be a schoolhouse,
and jimbo fell in love with it.
128
00:06:09,369 --> 00:06:13,772
He became a supervisor for
the local walmart,
129
00:06:13,774 --> 00:06:18,143
And michelle
was a limousine driver.
130
00:06:19,045 --> 00:06:21,646
[narrator] the couple married
in 2015.
131
00:06:21,715 --> 00:06:24,782
James's two daughters and
michelle's three sons
132
00:06:24,851 --> 00:06:27,085
Made the perfect blended family
133
00:06:27,488 --> 00:06:29,821
[chris] at no point did
I ever see jimbo
134
00:06:29,890 --> 00:06:31,823
Do anything
but love his children.
135
00:06:31,892 --> 00:06:33,725
The same thing with
michelle's children,
136
00:06:33,794 --> 00:06:34,859
Who were not his.
137
00:06:34,861 --> 00:06:36,928
He loved her boys just the same.
138
00:06:37,664 --> 00:06:38,997
[narrator] in 2018,
139
00:06:39,065 --> 00:06:41,299
After the last of
their kids moved out,
140
00:06:41,368 --> 00:06:44,769
The butlers did what most peopl
only dream of...
141
00:06:45,605 --> 00:06:48,973
They quit their jobs,
bought an rv, and hit the road.
142
00:06:49,676 --> 00:06:53,077
[barbara] they truly loved
rv'ing.
143
00:06:53,079 --> 00:06:55,914
It was something that
they had wanted to do
144
00:06:55,982 --> 00:06:57,381
For a very long time.
145
00:06:57,884 --> 00:06:59,650
[chris] they brought
three fur babies,
146
00:06:59,652 --> 00:07:01,052
Their cats, with them,
147
00:07:01,121 --> 00:07:02,787
And that was their life.
148
00:07:02,789 --> 00:07:04,189
And that's what they loved.
149
00:07:04,825 --> 00:07:08,393
The rv life for jimbo and
michelle meant freedom.
150
00:07:08,395 --> 00:07:11,830
It meant freedom from the cares
of everyday life.
151
00:07:11,898 --> 00:07:14,566
It meant for them to be able to
grow together as a couple,
152
00:07:14,634 --> 00:07:15,600
As well as people.
153
00:07:16,803 --> 00:07:17,802
[barbara] they went to a lot of
national parks.
154
00:07:17,871 --> 00:07:22,441
They started hiking more.
They were outdoors more.
155
00:07:23,076 --> 00:07:24,776
They had less stress.
156
00:07:25,946 --> 00:07:28,313
[narrator] although james had
a navy pension,
157
00:07:28,381 --> 00:07:30,181
He and michelle took
seasonal work
158
00:07:30,183 --> 00:07:33,551
To help supplement their
living expenses on the road.
159
00:07:34,154 --> 00:07:36,921
[chris] they ended up going out
to a place called mesa regal.
160
00:07:36,990 --> 00:07:38,290
Jimbo was mr. Handyman,
161
00:07:38,358 --> 00:07:41,659
So he worked their maintenance,
and he did a great job at it.
162
00:07:41,661 --> 00:07:44,062
Michelle is awesome with
public relations.
163
00:07:44,931 --> 00:07:46,298
After mesa, they went to texas,
164
00:07:46,366 --> 00:07:48,233
And they were gate guards for
oil fields.
165
00:07:48,568 --> 00:07:50,034
Jimbo used to joke with me,
166
00:07:50,103 --> 00:07:52,470
Saying it was like air traffic
control on the ground.
167
00:07:53,240 --> 00:07:55,540
[narrator] the next stop
on the couple's adventure
168
00:07:55,609 --> 00:07:57,608
Was padre island, texas,
169
00:07:58,078 --> 00:08:02,714
Where they set up camp
on October 14th, 2019.
170
00:08:03,984 --> 00:08:06,651
[barbara] I saw this
facebook post from jimbo.
171
00:08:07,187 --> 00:08:08,553
He took a picture of michelle,
172
00:08:08,621 --> 00:08:13,057
And michelle was sitting in
a chair facing the water,
173
00:08:13,059 --> 00:08:18,630
And he said, "I couldn't do this
without my beautiful wife."
174
00:08:19,599 --> 00:08:21,700
So, I send them this meme that
said...
175
00:08:29,576 --> 00:08:33,011
And I write underneath it,
"oh wait.
176
00:08:33,079 --> 00:08:34,513
You're doing just that."
177
00:08:34,581 --> 00:08:38,583
And michelle responded on
the 16th and said...
178
00:08:41,187 --> 00:08:45,924
That was the last time anyone
actually spoke to them.
179
00:08:49,730 --> 00:08:53,131
[taylor] the 16th is when we see
a last facebook post.
180
00:08:53,199 --> 00:08:56,034
Michelle had posted that they
had found their home
181
00:08:56,102 --> 00:08:57,235
For the next two weeks.
182
00:08:58,504 --> 00:08:59,938
[narrator] the butlers' family
share photos
183
00:09:00,006 --> 00:09:02,507
Of the couple's silver
chevrolet truck
184
00:09:02,575 --> 00:09:04,809
And white camper
with texas authorities.
185
00:09:05,612 --> 00:09:07,111
[david] the photo that
we received first
186
00:09:07,113 --> 00:09:09,613
Is a photo of them
at beach marker 262,
187
00:09:09,949 --> 00:09:12,116
Where james is digging a hole
with the shovel,
188
00:09:12,118 --> 00:09:14,285
And you see the camper and
the truck.
189
00:09:15,488 --> 00:09:18,522
[narrator] authorities know
the location as "the bowl".
190
00:09:19,159 --> 00:09:21,025
If you really wanna be alone
and,
191
00:09:21,027 --> 00:09:23,762
And enjoy the peace and quiet of
the beach
192
00:09:23,830 --> 00:09:25,029
And listen to the waves,
193
00:09:25,098 --> 00:09:27,298
That's the place where people
often set up.
194
00:09:28,334 --> 00:09:31,936
It's a recess park where,
where the dunes were washed back
195
00:09:31,938 --> 00:09:35,706
Many, many, many years ago over
several storms and hurricanes.
196
00:09:36,309 --> 00:09:39,344
Looking out of a plane, the area
appears to look like a bowl.
197
00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:42,713
When the high tide comes in
or there's a storm,
198
00:09:42,783 --> 00:09:44,849
Water fills that area there.
199
00:09:46,286 --> 00:09:49,253
[narrator] despite
the family's initial concerns
200
00:09:49,255 --> 00:09:51,255
About a tropical storm
in southern texas,
201
00:09:51,858 --> 00:09:54,292
Local law enforcement know that
the brunt of it
202
00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:57,429
Had stayed much farther south
of padre island.
203
00:09:57,497 --> 00:09:59,664
We told them the storm didn't
really affect us
204
00:09:59,733 --> 00:10:01,199
Or the area we were in.
205
00:10:02,235 --> 00:10:03,968
[chris] there was a lot of
anxiety.
206
00:10:04,037 --> 00:10:07,138
The idea that they had not
reached out to us troubled me.
207
00:10:09,476 --> 00:10:11,742
[narrator] after speaking with
family and friends,
208
00:10:11,812 --> 00:10:14,278
Sheriff's deputies drive out
to the campground
209
00:10:14,347 --> 00:10:16,047
In search of the couple.
210
00:10:17,350 --> 00:10:20,552
There was nobody there.
Nothing obvious that stood out.
211
00:10:21,087 --> 00:10:22,420
There was no trailer, no truck.
212
00:10:22,689 --> 00:10:24,088
[richard] we were turning up
nothing.
213
00:10:24,157 --> 00:10:25,223
We just kept thinking,
214
00:10:25,291 --> 00:10:27,158
"well, maybe they pick up and go
somewhere else,
215
00:10:27,227 --> 00:10:29,827
Or maybe they had gone,
you know, somewhere,
216
00:10:29,829 --> 00:10:32,130
They just lost contact for
a period of time."
217
00:10:33,166 --> 00:10:35,633
[narrator] the butlers' friends
and family tell authorities
218
00:10:35,702 --> 00:10:37,001
That james and michelle
219
00:10:37,070 --> 00:10:39,403
Had plans to hit the road
for florida
220
00:10:39,472 --> 00:10:41,305
In just a few short weeks.
221
00:10:41,374 --> 00:10:43,475
After texas, they were supposed
to go to florida
222
00:10:43,543 --> 00:10:46,244
To manage and run
a christmas tree farm.
223
00:10:46,746 --> 00:10:49,013
One of the first things
law enforcement did was
224
00:10:49,082 --> 00:10:51,983
Contact the christmas tree farm,
just to cover their bases.
225
00:10:52,318 --> 00:10:54,619
We realized that they
never arrived there.
226
00:10:58,691 --> 00:11:00,858
[narrator] while authorities
issue a bolo
227
00:11:00,927 --> 00:11:02,960
For the butlers' truck and rv,
228
00:11:02,962 --> 00:11:05,730
A multi-agency search gets
underway
229
00:11:05,799 --> 00:11:08,566
Across the entire length
of padre island.
230
00:11:09,302 --> 00:11:13,704
It was a massive search.
Several agencies involved.
231
00:11:13,774 --> 00:11:16,241
The texas rangers,
the us coast guard.
232
00:11:17,844 --> 00:11:23,014
It's probably about 77 miles of
uncharted land.
233
00:11:23,750 --> 00:11:25,750
There wasn't a bunch of people
camping there
234
00:11:25,818 --> 00:11:27,918
At the same location where
the butlers were.
235
00:11:27,988 --> 00:11:31,322
Other than people maybe fishing
in the, in the approximate area.
236
00:11:31,391 --> 00:11:33,924
And of course, our investigator
went and talked to them
237
00:11:33,994 --> 00:11:35,426
And said, "hey, have you
seen anything?
238
00:11:35,495 --> 00:11:36,628
You remember seeing these
people?
239
00:11:36,696 --> 00:11:38,128
Do you remember seeing
this trailer?"
240
00:11:38,464 --> 00:11:41,065
Nobody had seen any signs of
them, the vehicle,
241
00:11:41,134 --> 00:11:42,567
Or had any contact with them.
242
00:11:43,236 --> 00:11:44,969
[john] we didn't know where
they were.
243
00:11:45,038 --> 00:11:47,172
They just vanished off of
the island.
244
00:11:49,309 --> 00:11:50,374
[narrator] coming up.
245
00:11:50,443 --> 00:11:54,345
Authorities uncover
disturbing signs of foul play.
246
00:11:54,614 --> 00:11:55,713
[david] there was a lot of
debris.
247
00:11:55,782 --> 00:11:58,049
You could tell somebody
had covered something up.
248
00:11:58,685 --> 00:11:59,784
[richard] I remember david
calling,
249
00:11:59,853 --> 00:12:02,587
And he says, "I'm not getting
a good feeling about this."
250
00:12:02,889 --> 00:12:04,822
[david] the odor was there,
as well,
251
00:12:04,891 --> 00:12:08,359
That we're so
unfortunately familiar with.
252
00:12:09,662 --> 00:12:12,330
[music]
253
00:12:19,139 --> 00:12:21,272
[narrator] authorities in
kleberg county, texas
254
00:12:21,341 --> 00:12:25,009
Are searching for married coupl
james and michelle butler,
255
00:12:25,078 --> 00:12:26,544
Who were reported missing
256
00:12:26,612 --> 00:12:29,713
Ten days after
they arrived on padre island.
257
00:12:30,583 --> 00:12:32,416
[david] so, I asked the sheriff
and the command
258
00:12:32,485 --> 00:12:33,752
For a press release.
259
00:12:33,820 --> 00:12:35,487
I said, "I think we need to get
this out here
260
00:12:35,555 --> 00:12:36,888
As quick as possible."
261
00:12:38,190 --> 00:12:39,591
[taylor] so, on October 25th,
262
00:12:39,659 --> 00:12:40,892
The kleberg county
sheriff's department
263
00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:45,029
Reached out to all of the local
tv stations and newspaper
264
00:12:45,031 --> 00:12:47,699
To let them know that a couple
from new hampshire
265
00:12:47,767 --> 00:12:49,333
Had gone missing.
266
00:12:50,069 --> 00:12:51,602
It was already becoming
a big story
267
00:12:51,671 --> 00:12:53,237
On social media, on facebook.
268
00:12:53,639 --> 00:12:56,708
[barbara] I created
a facebook page and called it
269
00:12:56,776 --> 00:12:59,210
"finding michelle and
james butler".
270
00:12:59,279 --> 00:13:00,912
And it was just all over
the place
271
00:13:00,980 --> 00:13:03,882
With everybody trying to
find them.
272
00:13:04,584 --> 00:13:05,649
[jaime] we were receiving,
273
00:13:05,719 --> 00:13:07,619
Oh, hundreds of tips from
everywhere.
274
00:13:07,687 --> 00:13:10,555
Tips coming in from people from
washington state saying
275
00:13:10,623 --> 00:13:12,122
They had seen 'em there around.
276
00:13:12,192 --> 00:13:15,894
And so, we had to follow up with
every lead possible.
277
00:13:17,497 --> 00:13:21,065
[narrator] on October 26th,
three days into their search,
278
00:13:21,133 --> 00:13:24,535
Investigators receive an alert
from the us border patrol,
279
00:13:24,604 --> 00:13:28,840
More than 200 miles northwest
of padre island.
280
00:13:29,809 --> 00:13:31,209
We were putting our feelers
out there,
281
00:13:31,277 --> 00:13:32,977
And we got a break in the case.
282
00:13:33,713 --> 00:13:36,680
[david] during the investigation
and running license plates,
283
00:13:36,750 --> 00:13:38,916
We discover a photo
284
00:13:38,985 --> 00:13:41,886
From eagle pass border patrol
crossing.
285
00:13:42,989 --> 00:13:45,523
Where the vehicles have crossed
into mexico
286
00:13:45,525 --> 00:13:47,258
On the 21st of October.
287
00:13:47,994 --> 00:13:50,995
The butlers were driving
a silver 2018 chevrolet
288
00:13:51,064 --> 00:13:53,031
3/4-ton four-wheel drive pickup
289
00:13:53,033 --> 00:13:56,200
And pulling a 2000
cedar creek travel trailer.
290
00:13:56,268 --> 00:13:58,036
Had new hampshire
registration on it.
291
00:13:58,104 --> 00:13:59,103
When we reviewed the video,
292
00:13:59,171 --> 00:14:01,505
We noted that the vehicle was
the exact vehicle
293
00:14:01,574 --> 00:14:03,507
Pictured in the photographs of
the butlers.
294
00:14:04,477 --> 00:14:06,744
[narrator] authorities confirm
the license plate
295
00:14:06,813 --> 00:14:09,280
Is registered to james butler.
296
00:14:09,782 --> 00:14:11,182
[david] it's a photo of
the vehicle,
297
00:14:11,250 --> 00:14:13,551
And you can see the rv,
but not the occupants.
298
00:14:14,854 --> 00:14:18,890
I thought, "well, maybe the
butlers simply went to mexico."
299
00:14:19,659 --> 00:14:22,794
[david] we go from, "no, this is
really serious," to,
300
00:14:22,862 --> 00:14:24,195
"no, maybe they just want to
relax.
301
00:14:24,264 --> 00:14:25,463
Maybe they're just going
to vacation,
302
00:14:25,465 --> 00:14:27,465
They're off the grid,
they don't wanna be bothered."
303
00:14:27,934 --> 00:14:31,402
[crystal] their family just
knows they wouldn't just leave.
304
00:14:31,404 --> 00:14:34,839
They would let their family know
where they are.
305
00:14:35,641 --> 00:14:38,142
Inside, I was...
306
00:14:38,210 --> 00:14:39,977
Very concerned
because this was not
307
00:14:40,046 --> 00:14:41,812
My best friend acting the way
he usually did.
308
00:14:42,415 --> 00:14:44,782
But my wife and I
and the family,
309
00:14:44,784 --> 00:14:45,984
We stayed positive.
310
00:14:46,452 --> 00:14:48,185
[narrator] investigators next
subpoena
311
00:14:48,254 --> 00:14:50,054
The couple's phone records,
312
00:14:50,122 --> 00:14:52,090
Hoping to shed light on
their whereabouts
313
00:14:52,158 --> 00:14:54,959
Since they disappeared
ten days earlier.
314
00:14:55,628 --> 00:14:58,529
And I got with our dispatch and
submitted some affidavits
315
00:14:59,565 --> 00:15:00,798
To run phone pings.
316
00:15:00,867 --> 00:15:02,199
Dispatcher calls me back.
317
00:15:02,268 --> 00:15:04,134
And she tells me that
michelle's phone
318
00:15:04,204 --> 00:15:07,505
Had died
about 7:12 p.M. On the 16th.
319
00:15:07,573 --> 00:15:10,140
Three miles south of
padre island phone tower,
320
00:15:10,210 --> 00:15:11,776
Corpus christi, texas.
321
00:15:11,778 --> 00:15:14,946
James's phone had died 10:30
that morning, same location.
322
00:15:15,581 --> 00:15:16,814
And my heart dropped.
323
00:15:16,883 --> 00:15:18,115
You just get that feeling
324
00:15:18,184 --> 00:15:19,651
Because that's pretty much
the location
325
00:15:19,719 --> 00:15:20,985
Where they were camping.
326
00:15:23,823 --> 00:15:25,089
[narrator] on October 27th,
327
00:15:25,158 --> 00:15:29,761
Lieutenant farias drives out to
the couple's last known campsit
328
00:15:29,829 --> 00:15:31,829
To organize a more
thorough search
329
00:15:31,898 --> 00:15:33,631
For the following day.
330
00:15:33,633 --> 00:15:37,134
I went out there to take photos,
get the coordinates.
331
00:15:37,671 --> 00:15:40,638
There's a lot of dunes and sand,
and it's really rough terrain.
332
00:15:40,707 --> 00:15:42,172
Looks pretty when
you look at it.
333
00:15:42,242 --> 00:15:44,809
But going through it is tough.
High grass, weeds.
334
00:15:44,877 --> 00:15:46,210
Then you got your rattlesnakes.
335
00:15:46,612 --> 00:15:48,379
I walk over the first
little dune...
336
00:15:51,284 --> 00:15:52,583
It was kind of hard to make out,
337
00:15:52,652 --> 00:15:54,885
But you could tell
there was a lot of debris.
338
00:15:55,088 --> 00:15:58,122
Scrap lumber, palm tree leaves,
trash...
339
00:15:58,658 --> 00:16:00,691
You could tell somebody
had covered something up.
340
00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:02,292
[richard] I remember david
calling,
341
00:16:02,362 --> 00:16:05,129
And he says, "hey, look,
I've found something down here.
342
00:16:05,198 --> 00:16:07,164
It looks like coyotes
have tried to attempt to
343
00:16:07,233 --> 00:16:08,699
Dig something out of the sand,
344
00:16:08,768 --> 00:16:10,601
And I'm not getting
a good feeling about this."
345
00:16:11,471 --> 00:16:13,604
I had called the command staff
and made all the phone calls.
346
00:16:13,672 --> 00:16:15,673
Said, "secure the scene and
send the units."
347
00:16:19,478 --> 00:16:21,178
[jaime] to get to
the beach area,
348
00:16:21,247 --> 00:16:22,680
It takes about an hour.
349
00:16:22,682 --> 00:16:25,616
We made it over, and it was
already getting dark.
350
00:16:26,318 --> 00:16:29,186
At night, if you go out
into the island,
351
00:16:29,255 --> 00:16:30,821
Especially the sand dunes,
352
00:16:30,823 --> 00:16:33,057
There's a lot of wildlife,
especially coyotes.
353
00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:36,360
It was an eerie feeling that
gave you chills,
354
00:16:36,429 --> 00:16:38,162
Because there were so many eyes.
355
00:16:38,498 --> 00:16:41,332
There were probably
about 15 glowing eyes
356
00:16:41,401 --> 00:16:43,300
From the reflection of
the flashlight
357
00:16:43,369 --> 00:16:44,969
That were looking down.
358
00:16:46,606 --> 00:16:48,973
[david] we secured the scene,
we put lights on the scene
359
00:16:49,041 --> 00:16:50,741
'cause it was already in
the evening.
360
00:16:51,043 --> 00:16:52,610
They started to dig.
361
00:16:53,213 --> 00:16:54,512
[richard] I remember david says,
362
00:16:54,580 --> 00:16:56,380
"hey, look, I found something
down here.
363
00:16:56,448 --> 00:16:57,782
It looks like an article
of clothing."
364
00:16:58,418 --> 00:17:01,685
You could see a portion of,
it looked like a rib bone
365
00:17:01,687 --> 00:17:04,354
And a piece of clothing sticking
through the sand.
366
00:17:04,690 --> 00:17:07,157
What we were looking at was
a tip of a bra.
367
00:17:07,893 --> 00:17:10,294
[david] unfortunately, the odor
was there, as well,
368
00:17:10,296 --> 00:17:13,364
That we're so
unfortunately familiar with.
369
00:17:13,433 --> 00:17:15,199
And I knew I had a crime scene.
370
00:17:15,268 --> 00:17:17,101
This could be michelle butler.
371
00:17:18,838 --> 00:17:21,005
[music]
372
00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:30,714
[narrator] four days after
james and michelle butler
373
00:17:30,783 --> 00:17:32,216
Were reported missing,
374
00:17:32,284 --> 00:17:35,252
An ominous discovery in
the dunes near their campsite
375
00:17:35,321 --> 00:17:38,289
Has launched a crime scene
investigation.
376
00:17:39,092 --> 00:17:41,092
The next morning,
as the sun rises,
377
00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:42,627
Authorities get to work.
378
00:17:44,530 --> 00:17:47,031
Texas ranger ed groves and
his team
379
00:17:47,099 --> 00:17:48,398
And the forensic team from
380
00:17:48,468 --> 00:17:50,468
The department of public safety
here in texas,
381
00:17:50,536 --> 00:17:53,571
They take the lead on the actual
physical crime scene.
382
00:17:53,940 --> 00:17:55,206
This team worked,
383
00:17:55,274 --> 00:17:57,208
I'm talking with a brush and
a spoon.
384
00:17:58,278 --> 00:17:59,410
We started removing the sand,
385
00:17:59,479 --> 00:18:01,379
And we discovered
that it was a body.
386
00:18:03,183 --> 00:18:06,184
[jaime] it appeared that
the body was of a female.
387
00:18:06,252 --> 00:18:08,352
But badly decomposed.
388
00:18:09,488 --> 00:18:11,288
[crystal] and they know this
because there,
389
00:18:11,290 --> 00:18:15,293
The undergarment's still
attached to it.
390
00:18:16,296 --> 00:18:18,262
[jaime] as they continued
the excavation,
391
00:18:18,998 --> 00:18:21,833
We found that there was
another body underneath.
392
00:18:23,603 --> 00:18:25,436
[david] the female body is
on top,
393
00:18:25,504 --> 00:18:27,572
And the male's body is
on the bottom.
394
00:18:28,308 --> 00:18:30,741
Finding two bodies buried in
a shallow grave
395
00:18:30,810 --> 00:18:33,244
Is obvious that's a homicide.
396
00:18:33,312 --> 00:18:34,812
You know, so, we,
397
00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:37,848
We know we have a, a very,
very serious crime on our hands.
398
00:18:38,451 --> 00:18:41,452
They were both transported to
the medical examiner's office
399
00:18:41,921 --> 00:18:43,387
For an autopsy.
400
00:18:44,423 --> 00:18:46,023
[david] I concentrated
401
00:18:46,092 --> 00:18:47,925
With investigators from
our department
402
00:18:47,994 --> 00:18:51,562
On sifting through everything
around the crime scene.
403
00:18:52,098 --> 00:18:53,297
Sifting through the sand,
404
00:18:53,366 --> 00:18:54,898
Looking for any pieces
of evidence
405
00:18:54,968 --> 00:18:56,434
That, that might be in the area.
406
00:18:59,505 --> 00:19:01,405
[narrator] while still
processing the scene,
407
00:19:01,407 --> 00:19:04,475
The us border patrol calls
detective farias
408
00:19:04,543 --> 00:19:06,510
About the butlers' truck
and camper
409
00:19:06,579 --> 00:19:09,813
That crossed into mexico
seven days earlier.
410
00:19:10,350 --> 00:19:12,216
[david] the border patrol
patrol agent in charge
411
00:19:12,284 --> 00:19:13,918
Advises me
he has new information.
412
00:19:14,587 --> 00:19:18,355
And that new information was
photos in the vehicles,
413
00:19:18,424 --> 00:19:20,357
Which came from
the camera system
414
00:19:20,426 --> 00:19:22,393
Of eagle pass police department.
415
00:19:24,097 --> 00:19:25,596
[taylor] it was kind of grainy,
416
00:19:25,665 --> 00:19:27,565
But you could see a man
with short hair,
417
00:19:27,633 --> 00:19:29,833
With tattoos all over his face.
418
00:19:30,602 --> 00:19:33,136
And you could tell there was
a woman next to him.
419
00:19:33,573 --> 00:19:35,973
[edward] although we couldn't
positively identify
420
00:19:36,041 --> 00:19:37,541
The female in the vehicle,
421
00:19:37,610 --> 00:19:39,343
We could tell that the driver of
the vehicle
422
00:19:39,412 --> 00:19:41,512
Was not james or
michelle butler.
423
00:19:42,815 --> 00:19:44,548
[jaime] we considered him
the person of interest,
424
00:19:44,617 --> 00:19:48,085
And all efforts were now
directed in
425
00:19:48,153 --> 00:19:49,787
Trying to identify this person.
426
00:19:51,190 --> 00:19:53,891
[narrator] law enforcement
in texas immediately notify
427
00:19:53,959 --> 00:19:56,327
Mexican authorities to be on
the lookout.
428
00:19:57,830 --> 00:19:59,096
They also release
429
00:19:59,165 --> 00:20:00,998
The surveillance image to
the public.
430
00:20:01,601 --> 00:20:03,100
[taylor] on November 4th,
431
00:20:03,169 --> 00:20:04,802
The kleberg county
sheriff's department
432
00:20:04,870 --> 00:20:07,572
Held a press conference for
local media...
433
00:20:08,574 --> 00:20:11,142
Saying that a couple had been
seen
434
00:20:11,210 --> 00:20:13,076
Crossing the border into mexico.
435
00:20:13,279 --> 00:20:14,778
We don't know their names.
436
00:20:15,181 --> 00:20:16,346
If you can tell by the picture,
437
00:20:16,416 --> 00:20:19,350
It appears that they've got some
distinguishing marks to them.
438
00:20:20,986 --> 00:20:24,655
They wanted to make sure that
we got these faces on the news.
439
00:20:28,394 --> 00:20:29,493
[narrator] four days later,
440
00:20:30,730 --> 00:20:33,130
Investigators receive
the autopsy findings.
441
00:20:33,466 --> 00:20:35,098
Positive identification was made
442
00:20:35,168 --> 00:20:37,568
On both michelle
and james butler.
443
00:20:39,538 --> 00:20:41,638
[taylor] they were so
badly decomposed
444
00:20:41,707 --> 00:20:44,408
That the way that
autopsy examiners
445
00:20:44,477 --> 00:20:46,043
Were able to identify them
446
00:20:46,111 --> 00:20:47,612
Was through
their dental records.
447
00:20:48,614 --> 00:20:51,215
We were told that they were shot
in the head.
448
00:20:52,785 --> 00:20:55,953
The gun used in the murder was
a .9 millimeter.
449
00:21:00,126 --> 00:21:02,292
[chris] in the days following
the discovery of the bodies,
450
00:21:02,362 --> 00:21:04,929
My wife and I followed
every lead.
451
00:21:04,997 --> 00:21:08,666
And every time we got
a phone call or a text message
452
00:21:08,734 --> 00:21:10,600
Or message, whatever,
we were just like,
453
00:21:10,670 --> 00:21:11,602
"oh, this is it, this is it.
454
00:21:11,671 --> 00:21:13,504
They're gonna be alive,
they're gonna be alive.
455
00:21:13,572 --> 00:21:15,506
They're gonna be alive,
they're gonna...
456
00:21:15,875 --> 00:21:16,907
Be alive."
457
00:21:18,878 --> 00:21:22,413
And that's how it went before
we heard.
458
00:21:24,617 --> 00:21:29,153
[barbara] November 1st, 2019.
One day before jimbo's birthday.
459
00:21:29,489 --> 00:21:31,188
We were told that it was them.
460
00:21:32,224 --> 00:21:34,291
[chris] my wife just looked me
in the eye, and she said,
461
00:21:34,360 --> 00:21:35,593
"I'm so sorry."
462
00:21:35,661 --> 00:21:40,364
If it hadn't have been
for her telling me...
463
00:21:41,300 --> 00:21:42,700
I would've collapsed.
464
00:21:43,803 --> 00:21:46,604
I didn't want this nightmare
to be true.
465
00:21:47,606 --> 00:21:49,640
I didn't want
this to be a reality.
466
00:21:50,943 --> 00:21:52,910
[crystal] james and
michelle butler
467
00:21:52,978 --> 00:21:54,344
Were friendly people.
468
00:21:54,747 --> 00:21:58,316
They didn't have anyone
who wanted to hurt them.
469
00:22:00,085 --> 00:22:02,253
[narrator] three days later,
on November 4th,
470
00:22:02,655 --> 00:22:05,856
Authorities in texas get
a promising lead.
471
00:22:06,259 --> 00:22:07,524
After the media release
472
00:22:07,593 --> 00:22:09,260
And the photos are out of
our suspects,
473
00:22:09,829 --> 00:22:12,563
One of our park rangers
recognizes the photos.
474
00:22:13,465 --> 00:22:16,199
[narrator] the park ranger
identifies the man in the photo
475
00:22:16,201 --> 00:22:18,869
As 33-year-old adam williams.
476
00:22:21,340 --> 00:22:23,807
[taylor] on October 13th,
it turns out
477
00:22:23,876 --> 00:22:25,943
Adam curtis williams was
actually pulled over
478
00:22:26,011 --> 00:22:26,677
By a park ranger at
479
00:22:26,745 --> 00:22:28,979
The padre island
national seashore
480
00:22:29,349 --> 00:22:31,348
For not wearing his seatbelt.
481
00:22:31,684 --> 00:22:34,552
Turns out he was
a wanted felon out of utah,
482
00:22:34,620 --> 00:22:37,455
But that didn't show up in that
park ranger's system.
483
00:22:39,024 --> 00:22:42,459
When that park ranger sees
the media coverage,
484
00:22:42,528 --> 00:22:44,762
She recognizes
adam curtis williams,
485
00:22:44,830 --> 00:22:47,998
And positively ids him to
authorities.
486
00:22:49,201 --> 00:22:52,035
[narrator] a business owner
in corpus christi, texas
487
00:22:52,037 --> 00:22:53,704
Also comes forward.
488
00:22:53,773 --> 00:22:55,338
We find out that
489
00:22:55,340 --> 00:22:57,574
There is a truck that's been
abandoned
490
00:22:57,643 --> 00:22:59,209
In the weber bingo parking lot.
491
00:23:00,245 --> 00:23:02,245
[taylor] the owner had to call
a tow truck company
492
00:23:02,315 --> 00:23:03,514
To pick up the truck.
493
00:23:03,983 --> 00:23:05,783
When that tow company picked up
the truck,
494
00:23:05,851 --> 00:23:08,652
They found out that it belonged
to adam curtis williams.
495
00:23:10,856 --> 00:23:13,257
[narrator] when investigators
run a background check,
496
00:23:13,325 --> 00:23:17,495
They discover that adam has
a lengthy criminal record.
497
00:23:18,498 --> 00:23:19,763
[edward] adam williams was
identified as
498
00:23:19,832 --> 00:23:21,599
Being a resident of logan, utah.
499
00:23:21,601 --> 00:23:23,634
We contacted local authorities
in that area.
500
00:23:23,969 --> 00:23:26,403
Adam williams spent much of
his life incarcerated,
501
00:23:26,472 --> 00:23:28,238
Both as a juvenile and as
an adult.
502
00:23:28,307 --> 00:23:29,840
He had a extensive
criminal history
503
00:23:29,909 --> 00:23:32,710
Involving theft, drugs,
narcotics.
504
00:23:33,979 --> 00:23:36,179
[taylor] these aren't just
little drug charges,
505
00:23:36,248 --> 00:23:37,781
These are intent to distribute.
506
00:23:38,117 --> 00:23:40,984
He has assault charges.
He had a rape charge.
507
00:23:41,053 --> 00:23:44,155
Adam curtis williams has been in
and out of jail
508
00:23:44,223 --> 00:23:46,457
For pretty much
half of his life.
509
00:23:46,659 --> 00:23:48,793
This is a career criminal.
510
00:23:50,095 --> 00:23:54,899
He's a pretty scary guy.
He's actually 6'1", 220 pounds.
511
00:23:55,701 --> 00:23:57,134
Very intimidating, physically.
512
00:23:57,203 --> 00:24:01,372
Very tattered up
throughout his neck, face, head.
513
00:24:02,107 --> 00:24:04,708
[taylor] we're not talking about
"I love you, mom" tattoos,
514
00:24:04,710 --> 00:24:07,144
We're talking about
his rap sheet
515
00:24:07,212 --> 00:24:08,512
Written on his body.
516
00:24:08,581 --> 00:24:12,616
There are images of moneybags,
curse words,
517
00:24:12,684 --> 00:24:15,653
Marijuana, flames, skulls.
518
00:24:16,388 --> 00:24:20,157
One of the tattoos that stood
out was 'bad luck'
519
00:24:20,225 --> 00:24:21,692
Written on his knuckles.
520
00:24:23,495 --> 00:24:25,529
[narrator] after
an eight-year stint
521
00:24:25,597 --> 00:24:26,863
In federal prison,
522
00:24:26,865 --> 00:24:29,099
Adam was issued
a supervised release
523
00:24:29,167 --> 00:24:30,767
In December of 2018,
524
00:24:30,836 --> 00:24:32,770
And returned to utah.
525
00:24:33,939 --> 00:24:35,806
Investigators must still
identify
526
00:24:35,875 --> 00:24:38,842
The woman seen traveling in
the passenger seat.
527
00:24:38,911 --> 00:24:41,244
We don't know who the female in
the car is.
528
00:24:42,147 --> 00:24:45,115
We don't know exactly what
her relationship was with him.
529
00:24:45,918 --> 00:24:48,351
It's hard at this point,
early on in the investigation,
530
00:24:48,421 --> 00:24:49,686
To put together
a murder warrant.
531
00:24:49,755 --> 00:24:53,256
And really, it's a matter of
what we do know.
532
00:24:53,693 --> 00:24:55,626
And the thing we could do at
that very minute
533
00:24:55,694 --> 00:24:59,196
Was to charge him with the
possession of a stolen vehicle.
534
00:24:59,398 --> 00:25:00,797
[narrator] investigators believe
535
00:25:00,866 --> 00:25:03,333
Adam has been hiding out in
mexico
536
00:25:03,335 --> 00:25:06,136
Since the butlers' truck and
camper crossed the border
537
00:25:06,204 --> 00:25:07,605
Two weeks earlier...
538
00:25:08,007 --> 00:25:11,008
And they worry that time
is running out.
539
00:25:11,410 --> 00:25:14,712
Our fear was if he travels
further into mexico,
540
00:25:14,780 --> 00:25:16,847
He's gone,
we'll never see him again.
541
00:25:16,849 --> 00:25:18,649
We'll never solve this case.
542
00:25:21,119 --> 00:25:22,385
[narrator] coming up.
543
00:25:22,455 --> 00:25:24,721
Alarming details begin
to emerge
544
00:25:25,057 --> 00:25:28,425
As investigators key in on
a bad romance
545
00:25:28,427 --> 00:25:30,427
Headed toward disaster.
546
00:25:30,762 --> 00:25:32,029
[richard] he's one of those
individuals
547
00:25:32,097 --> 00:25:35,232
That is capable of
absolute terror.
548
00:25:35,868 --> 00:25:39,436
It's one of these horribly
catastrophic relationships.
549
00:25:39,505 --> 00:25:42,239
It was tied to his ability to
use her,
550
00:25:42,307 --> 00:25:43,674
Her ability to use him.
551
00:25:44,410 --> 00:25:46,209
[crystal] they share the love
552
00:25:46,211 --> 00:25:51,248
And a willingness to get away
with things unimaginable.
553
00:25:54,053 --> 00:25:55,986
[music]
554
00:26:02,361 --> 00:26:04,828
[narrator] texas investigators
are searching for
555
00:26:04,896 --> 00:26:09,066
33-year-old adam williams
and an unidentified woman
556
00:26:09,134 --> 00:26:11,802
After surveillance footage
placed the couple
557
00:26:11,870 --> 00:26:15,072
Crossing the mexican border
two weeks earlier.
558
00:26:16,475 --> 00:26:19,943
We're all putting our, our best
ditch effort to figure out
559
00:26:20,012 --> 00:26:23,046
How do we go about looking for
this individual.
560
00:26:23,048 --> 00:26:25,048
If we were dealing with someone
in mexico,
561
00:26:25,117 --> 00:26:27,017
How do we, how do we find them?
562
00:26:27,086 --> 00:26:30,787
And so, it was at that point
we purposely decided to
563
00:26:30,856 --> 00:26:35,225
Leak the information regarding
the picture of mr. Williams
564
00:26:35,694 --> 00:26:37,794
On the ap wire,
565
00:26:37,863 --> 00:26:40,097
Which goes into
mexico news stations.
566
00:26:41,900 --> 00:26:44,734
[narrator] while investigators
wait for tips to come in
567
00:26:44,804 --> 00:26:46,670
Regarding the couple's
whereabouts,
568
00:26:46,672 --> 00:26:49,740
They reach out to adam's family
in utah.
569
00:26:50,009 --> 00:26:52,075
His family tells authorities
570
00:26:52,077 --> 00:26:53,911
That they haven't heard from
adam,
571
00:26:53,979 --> 00:26:56,513
But they identify the woman
traveling with him
572
00:26:56,581 --> 00:26:59,483
As 32-year-old amanda noverr.
573
00:26:59,952 --> 00:27:02,619
We were able to identify
amanda noverr
574
00:27:02,621 --> 00:27:03,820
As adam williams' wife.
575
00:27:03,889 --> 00:27:06,423
They had met after his release
from the federal penitentiary,
576
00:27:06,491 --> 00:27:09,860
And were legally married prior
to their movement in texas.
577
00:27:14,233 --> 00:27:16,566
[dylan] amanda, when she was
still in elementary school,
578
00:27:16,635 --> 00:27:20,837
Moved from california to utah
with her mother and her brother,
579
00:27:20,906 --> 00:27:22,639
And that is when I met her.
580
00:27:23,242 --> 00:27:25,508
She's great personality-wise.
Fun to be around.
581
00:27:25,877 --> 00:27:29,346
And she's really sociable.
She is a talker.
582
00:27:29,414 --> 00:27:32,583
She can carry on a conversation
just effortlessly.
583
00:27:33,485 --> 00:27:34,551
She's a caregiver.
584
00:27:34,620 --> 00:27:36,119
She helped take care of
her mother.
585
00:27:36,188 --> 00:27:37,220
Her mother was very ill,
586
00:27:37,289 --> 00:27:39,589
And she, she ended up succumbing
to her illness,
587
00:27:39,591 --> 00:27:40,557
And she passed.
588
00:27:40,826 --> 00:27:42,192
But right after she passed,
589
00:27:42,261 --> 00:27:46,597
Amanda started to struggle with
substance abuse.
590
00:27:47,465 --> 00:27:49,866
[richard] she's an individual
who has had
591
00:27:49,935 --> 00:27:51,702
Her bouts with the law herself,
592
00:27:51,770 --> 00:27:53,637
But not as severe as adam.
593
00:27:54,306 --> 00:27:57,941
She had some
domestic violence charges,
594
00:27:58,010 --> 00:28:01,378
And I believe she had some
issues with intoxication.
595
00:28:02,281 --> 00:28:06,516
She started dating people that
were less than ideal for her.
596
00:28:06,518 --> 00:28:08,719
Really abusive relationships.
597
00:28:08,787 --> 00:28:10,687
Which was really unfortunate,
598
00:28:10,755 --> 00:28:13,690
Because she's such, she was such
a caring person.
599
00:28:13,758 --> 00:28:15,492
[taylor] amanda noverr had been
600
00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:17,494
Previously divorced with
children,
601
00:28:17,562 --> 00:28:21,131
And was a single mom when
she met adam curtis williams,
602
00:28:21,200 --> 00:28:23,133
And this is a guy covered in
tattoos.
603
00:28:23,201 --> 00:28:25,636
He doesn't exactly look
like the boy next door.
604
00:28:26,104 --> 00:28:27,938
But there must have been
something charming
605
00:28:28,006 --> 00:28:29,672
That attracted her to him.
606
00:28:30,442 --> 00:28:32,709
[dylan] they had, like, cute
little interactions like that
607
00:28:32,777 --> 00:28:34,010
When they first started dating.
608
00:28:34,079 --> 00:28:35,345
When they started getting
more serious,
609
00:28:35,414 --> 00:28:37,414
It seemed like they were trying
to do the whole family thing.
610
00:28:37,482 --> 00:28:40,250
So, I thought it was actually
going pretty good.
611
00:28:41,586 --> 00:28:43,120
[narrator] those closest to
amanda
612
00:28:43,188 --> 00:28:47,157
Quickly realized the ex-con
was bad news.
613
00:28:48,093 --> 00:28:50,527
[dylan] me and adam spent
a lotta time together,
614
00:28:50,595 --> 00:28:52,729
And he did have some outbursts.
615
00:28:52,798 --> 00:28:54,197
I warned him that he did
have a temper.
616
00:28:54,266 --> 00:28:57,400
But she also has a temper.
And so, I warned him too.
617
00:28:58,403 --> 00:29:01,804
It kinda came out of the blue
that he was being so violent,
618
00:29:02,407 --> 00:29:05,542
And I didn't realize that until
the summer of 2019,
619
00:29:05,610 --> 00:29:08,779
When she started telling me
he was being so possessive.
620
00:29:09,514 --> 00:29:12,015
It started to get to the point
once they moved in, like,
621
00:29:12,317 --> 00:29:13,883
They were around each other
constantly.
622
00:29:14,453 --> 00:29:16,920
Their other lifestyle choices,
like drugs,
623
00:29:16,989 --> 00:29:19,889
They started staying up for
nights at a time, days on end.
624
00:29:20,492 --> 00:29:22,759
She ended up kind of on
a downward spiral,
625
00:29:22,827 --> 00:29:25,362
And she did struggle taking care
of her kids.
626
00:29:25,430 --> 00:29:28,565
Her first child's grandmother
had taken an interest
627
00:29:28,633 --> 00:29:30,167
And helped out with them.
628
00:29:30,936 --> 00:29:33,470
[narrator] despite her family
and friends' warnings,
629
00:29:33,538 --> 00:29:36,106
Amanda was hooked on adam.
630
00:29:36,441 --> 00:29:38,475
August 29, 2019,
631
00:29:38,543 --> 00:29:41,278
They ended up getting married
here in logan city.
632
00:29:41,346 --> 00:29:44,948
And then they, shortly after,
decided to leave.
633
00:29:45,016 --> 00:29:46,283
And I didn't realize that
634
00:29:46,351 --> 00:29:48,185
They were literally running
from the law.
635
00:29:48,754 --> 00:29:49,787
[edward] adam was currently
wanted
636
00:29:49,855 --> 00:29:51,321
For sexual assaulting a female,
637
00:29:51,323 --> 00:29:53,156
And that was the reason that him
and amanda
638
00:29:53,225 --> 00:29:54,891
Made the decision to leave utah.
639
00:29:55,227 --> 00:29:56,927
[dylan] she started calling me
a lot
640
00:29:56,995 --> 00:29:58,995
Back and forth from texas
641
00:29:58,997 --> 00:30:00,430
When she could get away from
adam,
642
00:30:00,499 --> 00:30:01,931
And this is what alarmed me.
643
00:30:02,001 --> 00:30:05,034
She started showing interest in
wanting to leave adam,
644
00:30:05,036 --> 00:30:07,437
But she was scared of what
he was gonna do.
645
00:30:10,575 --> 00:30:13,410
[narrator] investigators are
increasingly confident that
646
00:30:13,478 --> 00:30:16,613
The woman in the butlers' truck
is amanda noverr.
647
00:30:16,681 --> 00:30:21,017
But her family is adamant that
amanda isn't capable of murder.
648
00:30:21,686 --> 00:30:25,154
Adam curtis williams, we know
had a very lengthy rap sheet,
649
00:30:25,156 --> 00:30:27,357
But when it comes to
amanda noverr,
650
00:30:27,359 --> 00:30:29,392
She had, like,
a minor assault charge.
651
00:30:29,461 --> 00:30:34,064
So, at this point, we're not
sure if she was in on something
652
00:30:34,132 --> 00:30:36,499
Or if she's an innocent victim
in all of this.
653
00:30:37,536 --> 00:30:40,036
[narrator] investigators release
amanda's name
654
00:30:40,105 --> 00:30:41,805
And image to the news.
655
00:30:42,674 --> 00:30:45,142
Then, ten days into the manhunt
656
00:30:45,210 --> 00:30:47,077
Authorities catch a break
657
00:30:47,145 --> 00:30:48,411
When adam and amanda
658
00:30:48,480 --> 00:30:51,682
Are spotted at an rv park in
jalisco, mexico.
659
00:30:52,250 --> 00:30:55,051
Jalisco is a state within
the border of mexico
660
00:30:55,120 --> 00:30:56,686
That is along the pacific ocean.
661
00:30:56,688 --> 00:30:59,923
It's literally hundreds of
miles from the border of texas.
662
00:31:00,592 --> 00:31:03,060
[david] a gentleman from the rv
park recognized them as
663
00:31:03,128 --> 00:31:05,295
Suspects in this
double homicide,
664
00:31:05,630 --> 00:31:07,331
And identified the vehicles.
665
00:31:08,567 --> 00:31:11,835
I believe adam was trying to
sell the rv to the park owner.
666
00:31:13,104 --> 00:31:15,839
He reached out and contacted
law enforcement.
667
00:31:16,841 --> 00:31:18,141
[richard] at that point,
668
00:31:18,210 --> 00:31:20,210
I reach out to several
colleagues of mine
669
00:31:20,279 --> 00:31:22,078
At the united states
marshall service
670
00:31:22,681 --> 00:31:24,147
Who I've known for years,
671
00:31:24,216 --> 00:31:26,984
And I said,
"hey, I need a favor."
672
00:31:28,453 --> 00:31:31,654
And I said, "I know
where this individual is,
673
00:31:31,656 --> 00:31:33,156
And I need him captured,
674
00:31:33,225 --> 00:31:35,324
And I don't care what you gotta
do to do it.
675
00:31:35,326 --> 00:31:36,459
I don't care how you do it.
676
00:31:36,528 --> 00:31:38,895
I just want him back in our
custody."
677
00:31:39,331 --> 00:31:42,999
And he said, "sheriff, I've got
a team right now
678
00:31:43,068 --> 00:31:44,501
Standing by in guadalajara.
679
00:31:44,970 --> 00:31:46,102
I'll call you.
680
00:31:46,171 --> 00:31:48,505
Or I'll text you
in a couple of hours."
681
00:31:49,008 --> 00:31:51,541
I thought, "okay,
something's gonna happen."
682
00:31:55,046 --> 00:31:56,646
[dylan] amanda called me,
and I was like,
683
00:31:56,715 --> 00:32:00,049
"you know you're on the news?
Like, what, what is going on?"
684
00:32:00,886 --> 00:32:03,486
She finally was like, "what can
we do to turn myself in?"
685
00:32:04,389 --> 00:32:06,956
She knew that she was gonna
end up dead if we didn't,
686
00:32:07,226 --> 00:32:09,192
But I was like, "I'll help you."
687
00:32:09,728 --> 00:32:11,928
And so, we called
the texas rangers.
688
00:32:12,064 --> 00:32:13,396
And I talked to them,
689
00:32:13,465 --> 00:32:16,499
Gave them the location of the
rv park they were staying in
690
00:32:16,501 --> 00:32:19,769
And the cell phone that they
used to track her location.
691
00:32:20,639 --> 00:32:24,942
And apparently, they surprised
her and adam at the rv park.
692
00:32:27,278 --> 00:32:29,846
Which ended up being
the best outcome
693
00:32:29,915 --> 00:32:31,014
That we could've hoped for.
694
00:32:31,082 --> 00:32:32,349
Everybody was safe.
695
00:32:34,053 --> 00:32:36,787
[richard] I'm sitting there,
and my phone goes off,
696
00:32:36,855 --> 00:32:38,021
And I open it up...
697
00:32:39,358 --> 00:32:43,093
And only thing that I see is
the picture of mr. Williams
698
00:32:43,161 --> 00:32:46,196
Handcuffed, laying on the floor
of that trailer.
699
00:32:47,732 --> 00:32:49,566
It was an unbelievable feeling.
700
00:32:53,172 --> 00:32:55,572
[narrator] amanda and adam are
separately held
701
00:32:55,640 --> 00:32:58,875
At a mexican jail while
they await extradition.
702
00:32:59,744 --> 00:33:01,344
[taylor] on the same day that
703
00:33:01,413 --> 00:33:03,813
Adam curtis williams is found in
mexico,
704
00:33:03,815 --> 00:33:07,484
He is extradited back to the us
and arrives in houston.
705
00:33:10,822 --> 00:33:14,591
We sent an army;
well-armed officers,
706
00:33:15,193 --> 00:33:19,029
Deputies, trained jail personnel
to bring him back.
707
00:33:19,097 --> 00:33:21,798
And we brought him under
heavy security.
708
00:33:21,866 --> 00:33:23,667
We weren't gonna
take any chance at all.
709
00:33:25,069 --> 00:33:26,936
[richard] I'm sitting right next
to mr. Williams,
710
00:33:27,005 --> 00:33:29,306
And he tells me,
he says, "you guys are good.
711
00:33:29,374 --> 00:33:31,141
I was gonna go down to
south america,
712
00:33:31,209 --> 00:33:32,409
And you would've never found
me there."
713
00:33:33,378 --> 00:33:35,378
[jaime] I have worked
undercover,
714
00:33:35,380 --> 00:33:37,013
And I've seen bad guys.
715
00:33:37,081 --> 00:33:38,615
Okay?
Eye-to-eye.
716
00:33:39,151 --> 00:33:41,484
But this guy was different.
717
00:33:41,553 --> 00:33:45,088
And that just sent a bad chill
down my back.
718
00:33:45,957 --> 00:33:47,356
He's one of those individuals
719
00:33:47,426 --> 00:33:51,261
That I believe
capable of absolute terror.
720
00:33:53,966 --> 00:33:56,133
[music]
721
00:34:02,174 --> 00:34:04,541
[narrator] in November 2019,
722
00:34:05,177 --> 00:34:07,644
Authorities in mexico have
apprehended
723
00:34:07,712 --> 00:34:09,445
Their two primary suspects
724
00:34:09,514 --> 00:34:12,849
In the murders of
james and michelle butler.
725
00:34:13,284 --> 00:34:15,685
Two days after
adam curtis williams
726
00:34:15,754 --> 00:34:17,720
Is extradited back to the us,
727
00:34:17,789 --> 00:34:20,523
Amanda noverr is extradited
back, as well.
728
00:34:21,259 --> 00:34:23,125
[dylan] I told her once she gets
back to the states,
729
00:34:23,127 --> 00:34:24,494
They'll start questioning her.
730
00:34:24,763 --> 00:34:27,697
That she needs to use her
5th amendment rights.
731
00:34:28,466 --> 00:34:33,503
I just wanted her to have
a fair shot at it.
732
00:34:34,272 --> 00:34:37,674
She never appeared to be in
distress or show, you know,
733
00:34:37,742 --> 00:34:40,177
Like, efforts that she was
trying to get away.
734
00:34:41,046 --> 00:34:42,545
[narrator] in an interview room,
735
00:34:42,547 --> 00:34:45,015
Amanda quickly asks for
an attorney.
736
00:34:45,417 --> 00:34:48,618
Adam williams also refuses to
cooperate.
737
00:34:49,287 --> 00:34:51,254
Adam had really not much to say,
738
00:34:51,256 --> 00:34:53,089
And I think he figured,
"you know what?
739
00:34:53,158 --> 00:34:54,491
You guys are gonna
have to figure this out.
740
00:34:54,559 --> 00:34:56,392
I'm not gonna give you the keys
to the castle."
741
00:34:56,461 --> 00:34:58,695
I'm telling you, there were
sleepless nights,
742
00:34:58,763 --> 00:35:02,198
Because I worried every day that
this guy is gonna
743
00:35:02,267 --> 00:35:04,634
Kill one of my
detention officers any minute.
744
00:35:04,969 --> 00:35:06,836
[john] on January 23rd of 2020,
745
00:35:06,905 --> 00:35:11,307
Both amanda and adam
were charged with felony theft
746
00:35:11,376 --> 00:35:13,542
And charged with
tampering with evidence
747
00:35:13,544 --> 00:35:16,045
For the burial of the butlers.
748
00:35:16,715 --> 00:35:18,648
From there, we continue to
investigate linking
749
00:35:18,717 --> 00:35:21,251
Adam and amanda to the actual
murder of the butlers.
750
00:35:23,221 --> 00:35:25,455
We actually contacted the fbi,
751
00:35:25,523 --> 00:35:28,558
And they flew down
to guadalajara
752
00:35:28,627 --> 00:35:30,527
And processed the scene for us.
753
00:35:32,297 --> 00:35:35,732
They were able to locate the gun
and the ammunition that was,
754
00:35:35,800 --> 00:35:38,801
Was found up in the ceiling of
the, of the, of their rv.
755
00:35:39,671 --> 00:35:42,205
[john] the .9-millimeter pistol
was determined to be
756
00:35:42,274 --> 00:35:44,807
The murder weapon of both james
and michelle.
757
00:35:45,610 --> 00:35:46,743
Going through
the forensic evidence,
758
00:35:46,811 --> 00:35:50,146
We were able to determine that
at least one of the murders
759
00:35:50,215 --> 00:35:52,482
Occurred in the trailer.
760
00:35:53,252 --> 00:35:54,251
[edward] on a second
search warrant
761
00:35:54,253 --> 00:35:55,752
That we executed on that
trailer,
762
00:35:55,820 --> 00:35:57,854
We were able to locate
bloodstains,
763
00:35:57,922 --> 00:36:00,357
And that gave us dna evidence.
764
00:36:01,560 --> 00:36:03,593
That evidence was sampled and
sent for dna analysis,
765
00:36:03,662 --> 00:36:06,730
And was positive for belonging
to michelle butler.
766
00:36:10,669 --> 00:36:12,568
[narrator] armed with
this new evidence,
767
00:36:12,570 --> 00:36:15,171
Investigators confront
the couple again.
768
00:36:15,707 --> 00:36:20,276
While adam remains defiant,
amanda breaks down.
769
00:36:20,779 --> 00:36:22,378
[richard] she was a little more
cooperative
770
00:36:22,447 --> 00:36:24,180
When the rangers started
speaking with her.
771
00:36:24,516 --> 00:36:29,419
I think she was caught up in,
in how he manipulated her.
772
00:36:30,389 --> 00:36:32,188
[john] I believe that it's,
it's one of
773
00:36:32,256 --> 00:36:35,091
These horribly
catastrophic relationships.
774
00:36:35,159 --> 00:36:36,793
Definitely not
a healthy relationship.
775
00:36:36,861 --> 00:36:40,396
It was tied to his ability to
use her,
776
00:36:40,465 --> 00:36:41,665
And her ability to use him.
777
00:36:42,667 --> 00:36:44,266
[richard] there was
a protective sense
778
00:36:44,268 --> 00:36:46,235
That she felt like she
had in him,
779
00:36:46,305 --> 00:36:48,805
And I think, you know,
she trusted in him.
780
00:36:48,873 --> 00:36:51,307
And she figured, "yeah, I know
he's done some things,
781
00:36:51,376 --> 00:36:54,144
But I'm willing to look past it
in the name of love."
782
00:36:55,113 --> 00:36:58,548
But not really thinking that
he's capable of doing this.
783
00:36:59,117 --> 00:37:01,851
I think that part of her thought
that it was a great adventure,
784
00:37:01,920 --> 00:37:03,219
And she loved him,
785
00:37:03,288 --> 00:37:04,787
And then part of her was just
desperation.
786
00:37:04,856 --> 00:37:06,823
Together,
they are a bad combination.
787
00:37:07,492 --> 00:37:09,191
[john] I do think that
they thought
788
00:37:09,193 --> 00:37:10,827
They could get away at least,
789
00:37:10,829 --> 00:37:13,163
And start a new life doing
the same things
790
00:37:13,231 --> 00:37:15,898
They'd done before,
but under new names.
791
00:37:16,434 --> 00:37:19,636
And I think that was a motive to
coming down to texas.
792
00:37:21,773 --> 00:37:24,140
[narrator] amanda tells
investigators that
793
00:37:24,208 --> 00:37:25,441
In mid-September,
794
00:37:25,510 --> 00:37:27,977
She and adam arrived in
south texas
795
00:37:28,046 --> 00:37:30,146
And acquired the murder weapon.
796
00:37:30,582 --> 00:37:32,148
[richard] there is a gun show
797
00:37:32,150 --> 00:37:33,683
That's happening in
corpus christi.
798
00:37:34,152 --> 00:37:36,886
Adam, he cannot get a gun.
799
00:37:36,955 --> 00:37:38,220
He knows this.
800
00:37:38,222 --> 00:37:39,189
He knows that there's no way
801
00:37:39,257 --> 00:37:42,325
That they're gonna sell him
a gun if they do a check.
802
00:37:43,628 --> 00:37:47,964
And so, he asks amanda to
purchase the weapon for him.
803
00:37:48,533 --> 00:37:50,333
I don't think he divulges
to her,
804
00:37:50,401 --> 00:37:52,268
And maybe he
doesn't even know it himself,
805
00:37:52,336 --> 00:37:54,204
The ultimate purpose for it.
806
00:37:54,806 --> 00:37:56,806
But just the fact that
he wants a gun.
807
00:37:59,977 --> 00:38:02,612
[narrator] amanda says she and
adam set up camp
808
00:38:02,680 --> 00:38:04,747
On a remote section of
padre island.
809
00:38:05,417 --> 00:38:08,952
It was there they met
another couple on October 16th.
810
00:38:10,388 --> 00:38:13,355
[edward] they were desperate for
a way to continue their travels
811
00:38:13,357 --> 00:38:14,290
To get into mexico.
812
00:38:14,359 --> 00:38:15,392
I think at that point,
813
00:38:16,628 --> 00:38:18,494
The butlers had established
a campsite near them,
814
00:38:18,563 --> 00:38:20,830
And he decided that that would
be an easy way
815
00:38:20,899 --> 00:38:21,965
To get a new vehicle.
816
00:38:23,735 --> 00:38:26,268
"you know, they've got
a nice trailer.
817
00:38:26,338 --> 00:38:27,770
They've got a nice truck.
818
00:38:27,772 --> 00:38:30,039
You know, wouldn't it be nice if
we take that
819
00:38:30,108 --> 00:38:31,908
And go on about our deal?"
820
00:38:32,844 --> 00:38:36,512
Adam has just decided to steal
the butlers' property,
821
00:38:36,581 --> 00:38:39,282
And in doing so, he decides to
execute him and murder him.
822
00:38:42,421 --> 00:38:45,321
Amanda is playing along,
or going along with
823
00:38:45,390 --> 00:38:46,923
Whatever adam tells her,
824
00:38:47,558 --> 00:38:50,026
And again, is part of this plan.
825
00:38:50,529 --> 00:38:52,562
She was told or instructed
by adam
826
00:38:53,832 --> 00:38:57,633
To drive him down to the beach
and drop him off.
827
00:38:58,302 --> 00:39:00,236
Drive down, you know, a mile
or two,
828
00:39:00,304 --> 00:39:01,438
And then come back.
829
00:39:02,907 --> 00:39:05,407
[narrator] authorities believe
that's when adam made
830
00:39:05,409 --> 00:39:07,543
His way back to the butlers'
campground
831
00:39:07,612 --> 00:39:09,779
Under the cover of darkness.
832
00:39:12,116 --> 00:39:15,518
[crystal] if you can imagine it
being midnight
833
00:39:15,520 --> 00:39:16,953
Or the middle of the night,
834
00:39:17,155 --> 00:39:19,289
Pitch dark, campfire,
835
00:39:20,158 --> 00:39:23,960
Really no one around but your
closest camp neighbor.
836
00:39:24,028 --> 00:39:27,297
Not a lot of people may be able
to hear you scream
837
00:39:27,365 --> 00:39:30,300
Or hear a gunshot go off.
838
00:39:31,569 --> 00:39:34,503
What I think happened is
adam williams came over
839
00:39:34,573 --> 00:39:37,039
To the butlers' trailer
late at night.
840
00:39:37,041 --> 00:39:40,577
And adam shot james and
killed him.
841
00:39:41,546 --> 00:39:43,579
Michelle butler was there by
herself.
842
00:39:43,648 --> 00:39:45,715
As she opened the door,
he shot her.
843
00:39:51,489 --> 00:39:53,523
Adam williams and amanda noverr
844
00:39:53,591 --> 00:39:55,892
Then buried the bodies in
a clandestine grave
845
00:39:55,960 --> 00:39:56,826
In the sand dunes.
846
00:39:58,029 --> 00:40:00,597
[david] she was an accomplice.
She was involved.
847
00:40:00,599 --> 00:40:03,666
Not necessarily the murderer of
the two,
848
00:40:04,135 --> 00:40:06,836
But in disposing and
burying the two bodies.
849
00:40:07,739 --> 00:40:09,506
It was such a senseless crime.
850
00:40:10,174 --> 00:40:12,675
They were killed for
their truck and camper.
851
00:40:13,211 --> 00:40:14,544
No other reason.
852
00:40:18,816 --> 00:40:21,484
[narrator] on October 22nd,
2020,
853
00:40:21,552 --> 00:40:24,620
A texas grand jury returns
murder indictments
854
00:40:24,689 --> 00:40:26,923
Against adam and amanda.
855
00:40:27,325 --> 00:40:29,525
In texas, capital murder is
punishable by
856
00:40:29,594 --> 00:40:30,827
Life in prison or death.
857
00:40:32,897 --> 00:40:36,466
I guess adam finally decides,
"you know what, I'm done.
858
00:40:36,534 --> 00:40:39,035
You know, there's no way,
there's no way outta this."
859
00:40:40,205 --> 00:40:43,506
[david] both suspects
adam williams and amanda noverr,
860
00:40:43,575 --> 00:40:45,942
They decide not to go to trial.
861
00:40:47,479 --> 00:40:50,446
[narrator] on November 10th,
2021,
862
00:40:50,515 --> 00:40:52,048
Adam williams pleads guilty
863
00:40:52,116 --> 00:40:55,451
And is sentenced to life
without parole.
864
00:40:56,087 --> 00:40:58,588
[taylor] there is a feeling of
relief to know that this person
865
00:40:58,656 --> 00:41:02,192
Will never be able to hurt
someone again
866
00:41:02,860 --> 00:41:04,460
Outside of prison walls.
867
00:41:05,330 --> 00:41:08,698
[david] adam williams was an,
an extremely cold person.
868
00:41:09,067 --> 00:41:11,300
No remorse, no stress,
869
00:41:11,736 --> 00:41:13,803
And extremely evil,
in my opinion.
870
00:41:14,205 --> 00:41:15,471
[richard] he's convicted,
871
00:41:15,539 --> 00:41:16,606
And I literally
picked up the phone,
872
00:41:16,674 --> 00:41:20,809
And I call the governor's office
and the texas bureau of prisons.
873
00:41:20,879 --> 00:41:23,980
And I'm telling 'em,
"you have got to facilitate
874
00:41:24,382 --> 00:41:27,083
Getting this man out of
kleberg county.
875
00:41:27,151 --> 00:41:29,919
He is going to kill somebody
else.
876
00:41:30,121 --> 00:41:31,487
It's gonna happen."
877
00:41:31,555 --> 00:41:33,656
Within a few days of that
conviction,
878
00:41:33,724 --> 00:41:37,360
We managed to get him out of
kleberg county.
879
00:41:40,465 --> 00:41:42,031
[taylor] in February of 2022,
880
00:41:42,100 --> 00:41:45,501
Amanda noverr is sentenced
to 20 years in prison.
881
00:41:46,604 --> 00:41:50,039
We learn then that she is not
the one that pulled the trigger,
882
00:41:50,108 --> 00:41:53,575
But that she facilitated
these murders
883
00:41:53,577 --> 00:41:55,811
And tried covering them up.
884
00:41:56,514 --> 00:41:58,248
[richard] she's tied up in
adam's web.
885
00:41:58,883 --> 00:42:01,517
You know, there is no part of
her that doesn't have
886
00:42:01,519 --> 00:42:03,453
Intimate knowledge of the crime.
887
00:42:03,521 --> 00:42:06,288
And she's, she's just as
guilty as he is.
888
00:42:06,991 --> 00:42:09,959
[crystal] they're a couple that
did everything together,
889
00:42:10,528 --> 00:42:12,095
And that includes murder.
890
00:42:14,232 --> 00:42:20,136
They share a love that I think
no one wants to relate to.
891
00:42:21,239 --> 00:42:24,140
A pact that I can't imagine...
892
00:42:25,076 --> 00:42:28,745
A willingness to take and
to steal
893
00:42:29,814 --> 00:42:32,749
And to get away with
things unimaginable.
894
00:42:33,551 --> 00:42:36,519
And it's just a sad story.
895
00:42:37,355 --> 00:42:39,221
Maybe if they didn't flee utah,
896
00:42:39,290 --> 00:42:42,659
They wouldn't have been on
our corpus christi beaches.
897
00:42:43,761 --> 00:42:45,461
It could've been prevented.
898
00:42:52,370 --> 00:42:54,002
[narrator] for family and
friends
899
00:42:54,004 --> 00:42:55,838
Of james and michelle butler,
900
00:42:55,840 --> 00:42:59,074
The convictions can never
replace what they lost.
901
00:42:59,811 --> 00:43:03,012
The death of james and
michelle butler
902
00:43:03,681 --> 00:43:06,716
Was an anomaly
that will never have answers.
903
00:43:07,919 --> 00:43:10,153
It will always be plagued by
a thousand questions.
904
00:43:11,222 --> 00:43:14,290
I want jimbo and michelle to be
remembered
905
00:43:14,926 --> 00:43:16,792
For the love they had for
each other.
906
00:43:17,462 --> 00:43:21,497
For the love they had for
their family and their friends,
907
00:43:22,233 --> 00:43:24,433
And everyone they meet along
the way.
908
00:43:24,936 --> 00:43:26,669
[chris] they shared that love.
909
00:43:26,737 --> 00:43:28,104
They shared that laughter.
910
00:43:28,172 --> 00:43:31,473
And they shared their life with
family, friends,
911
00:43:31,543 --> 00:43:33,242
People they didn't even know.
912
00:43:33,311 --> 00:43:36,613
[music]
913
00:43:37,315 --> 00:43:43,686
[music]