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00:00:08,875 --> 00:00:10,875
[charles] we had a murder,
which was done with
2
00:00:10,945 --> 00:00:13,512
A particularly
gruesome amount of violence.
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00:00:14,481 --> 00:00:17,215
What we would typically refer to
as a rage killing.
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00:00:17,952 --> 00:00:19,985
Everybody loved him.
No possible enemies.
5
00:00:20,053 --> 00:00:22,154
So, why would somebody want to
murder him?
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00:00:43,844 --> 00:00:45,210
It was very shocking.
7
00:00:45,279 --> 00:00:47,079
Describing himself as being
the murderer
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00:00:47,147 --> 00:00:50,816
And the sole person responsible
just didn't make sense.
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00:00:50,884 --> 00:00:53,051
It just didn't sound reasonable.
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00:00:53,621 --> 00:00:56,255
There are two basic motives.
Plain ol'-fashioned greed,
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00:00:56,323 --> 00:00:57,423
Love gone wrong.
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00:00:57,724 --> 00:00:59,157
Put those two things together,
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00:00:59,159 --> 00:01:01,026
It's like pourin' gasoline
on a fire.
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00:01:10,604 --> 00:01:16,608
[theme music]
15
00:01:23,918 --> 00:01:25,483
[narrator] nestled in
the foothills
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00:01:25,553 --> 00:01:28,787
Of the appalachian mountains,
huntington, west virginia is
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00:01:28,856 --> 00:01:31,290
A quiet community
with deep roots.
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00:01:32,326 --> 00:01:34,693
This town sits right on
the ohio river.
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00:01:35,029 --> 00:01:37,328
So it, it's a pretty location.
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00:01:38,132 --> 00:01:42,267
[tom] it's mostly middle-class,
working-class people.
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It's a close,
tightknit community.
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00:01:45,940 --> 00:01:49,440
[narrator] on the afternoon of
June 25th, 1998,
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00:01:49,442 --> 00:01:53,912
Local resident dennie aldridge
receives a concerning phone cal
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00:01:53,980 --> 00:01:57,382
From his brother millard's wife,
patricia aldridge.
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00:01:57,784 --> 00:01:59,517
[dennie] my wife answered
the phone,
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00:01:59,586 --> 00:02:01,286
And kinda quiet for a minute.
27
00:02:01,355 --> 00:02:05,324
And she said,
"you need to talk to trish.
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00:02:05,392 --> 00:02:07,059
There's somethin' wrong
with your brother.
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00:02:07,127 --> 00:02:08,660
He's missing."
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00:02:09,996 --> 00:02:11,530
I got on the phone with her.
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00:02:11,598 --> 00:02:13,298
I said, "if you don't
know where he's at
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00:02:13,367 --> 00:02:15,634
And you can't get ahold of him,"
I said, "call the police."
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00:02:16,871 --> 00:02:19,738
[narrator] 20 minutes later,
a huntington police officer
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00:02:19,806 --> 00:02:21,773
Arrives at the aldridge
residence.
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00:02:21,775 --> 00:02:26,411
Patricia explains that she last
saw her 42-year-old husband
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00:02:26,413 --> 00:02:28,680
At 7:30 that morning.
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00:02:31,184 --> 00:02:33,585
My brother was supposed to have
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00:02:33,587 --> 00:02:38,022
A recall on his car done
at eight o'clock.
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00:02:38,892 --> 00:02:44,629
She stated he had taken the van
that she usually drove
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00:02:44,698 --> 00:02:46,999
And parked it out on the street.
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00:02:48,068 --> 00:02:50,869
And then had given her a hug
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00:02:50,937 --> 00:02:55,774
And told her he'd meet her for
lunch at about 11 o'clock.
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00:02:56,877 --> 00:03:00,979
Patricia had gone to walmart
and to the bank,
44
00:03:01,414 --> 00:03:06,484
And had returned home shortly
before 11 o'clock,
45
00:03:06,553 --> 00:03:08,687
And millard was not there.
46
00:03:09,923 --> 00:03:11,923
[charles] she then proceeded on
to work.
47
00:03:12,659 --> 00:03:14,325
Patricia said that
while she was at work,
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00:03:14,395 --> 00:03:17,996
She made several phone calls,
trying to find millard.
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00:03:19,032 --> 00:03:20,666
Was not able to do so.
50
00:03:21,902 --> 00:03:24,736
[sheryl] millard, you could
pretty much set a clock by.
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00:03:24,805 --> 00:03:28,339
He was very reliable on...
52
00:03:28,409 --> 00:03:30,976
His daily life.
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00:03:32,512 --> 00:03:33,911
[charles] she became very
worried,
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00:03:33,981 --> 00:03:36,415
And so about two o'clock
that afternoon,
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00:03:36,417 --> 00:03:37,649
She returned home.
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00:03:39,386 --> 00:03:41,386
[narrator] patricia says
her concerns grew
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00:03:41,455 --> 00:03:44,323
When she entered the couple's
detached garage.
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00:03:45,292 --> 00:03:46,891
[charles] she went back to
the garage
59
00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:48,160
To see if he was there,
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00:03:48,228 --> 00:03:50,229
And she found blood stains
on the floor.
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00:03:51,698 --> 00:03:54,933
She then contacted her brother,
and they called the police.
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00:03:58,205 --> 00:04:01,740
So, what they originally thought
might be a missing person
63
00:04:01,808 --> 00:04:05,344
Become something more sinister
in nature.
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00:04:06,313 --> 00:04:07,846
[narrator] when detectives
arrive,
65
00:04:07,914 --> 00:04:11,283
They begin processing the scene
and speak with patricia.
66
00:04:12,152 --> 00:04:15,220
She said that millard was
a cameraman for wsaz.
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00:04:15,689 --> 00:04:18,090
At that point,
I recognized who he was.
68
00:04:19,526 --> 00:04:23,595
He would come to the courthouse
and, and interview prosecutors
69
00:04:23,663 --> 00:04:25,731
After the conclusion of cases.
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00:04:26,700 --> 00:04:28,734
He always seemed like
a very nice guy.
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00:04:32,673 --> 00:04:34,739
[narrator] born and raised in
huntington,
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00:04:34,741 --> 00:04:37,876
Millard aldridge came from
humble beginnings.
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00:04:38,812 --> 00:04:42,180
Our life was simple.
We were country people.
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00:04:42,249 --> 00:04:43,582
My dad worked every day.
75
00:04:43,650 --> 00:04:47,719
My mother was a housewife,
and she did side jobs at times.
76
00:04:48,221 --> 00:04:51,156
I had one brother,
and I have one sister.
77
00:04:51,224 --> 00:04:53,858
We're only three years apart
in ages.
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00:04:53,927 --> 00:04:56,327
So, we're pretty tightknit.
79
00:04:56,596 --> 00:04:58,797
We went to ck high school.
80
00:04:58,865 --> 00:05:02,801
But he, unfortunately, he didn't
get to graduate from there.
81
00:05:03,604 --> 00:05:06,071
My dad had got hurt and was
off work.
82
00:05:06,139 --> 00:05:09,307
And both of us ended up
havin' to quit school
83
00:05:09,375 --> 00:05:13,345
And get jobs to make sure that
we didn't lose our home.
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00:05:14,415 --> 00:05:18,116
He had got a interview for
a janitor's position
85
00:05:18,184 --> 00:05:20,184
For wsaz channel 3,
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00:05:20,254 --> 00:05:21,720
And luckily, he got it.
87
00:05:22,823 --> 00:05:24,723
[narrator] with a keen eye
for photography,
88
00:05:24,791 --> 00:05:27,426
Millard quickly found
a new career path.
89
00:05:28,228 --> 00:05:31,997
He worked his way up to be
a journalist, photojournalist.
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00:05:32,899 --> 00:05:34,432
[darlene] he loved what he did.
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00:05:35,168 --> 00:05:38,103
He felt like he was makin'
a difference in our community
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00:05:38,171 --> 00:05:42,340
By, you know, helpin' report
the news in the huntington area.
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00:05:43,310 --> 00:05:45,844
[dennie] him becomin'
a photojournalist like he did,
94
00:05:45,912 --> 00:05:48,680
Was destined to be his thing.
95
00:05:48,748 --> 00:05:49,848
That was his calling.
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00:05:50,550 --> 00:05:53,751
[narrator] two years into
his career at wsaz,
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00:05:53,820 --> 00:05:56,188
Millard married
his high school sweetheart.
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00:05:56,756 --> 00:06:01,960
They had a little girl first,
and then they had a little boy.
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00:06:02,929 --> 00:06:04,429
[dennie] millard was
a great father.
100
00:06:05,365 --> 00:06:07,932
He loved his kids.
He took care of his kids.
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00:06:08,802 --> 00:06:11,369
[darlene] millard was such
a caring person.
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00:06:11,438 --> 00:06:13,171
He never put himself first.
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00:06:14,774 --> 00:06:18,377
He was just an all-around
great man.
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00:06:19,245 --> 00:06:21,846
[dennie] he gave it everything
he had to make it work.
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00:06:21,915 --> 00:06:23,982
But they ended up gettin'
a divorce.
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00:06:25,018 --> 00:06:28,252
He was probably single for about
four years,
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00:06:28,588 --> 00:06:30,555
And then he met trish.
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00:06:32,058 --> 00:06:37,095
Next thing I know, he's in love,
and he wants to marry her.
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00:06:38,165 --> 00:06:41,666
Trish was always out for
a good time, you know,
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00:06:41,668 --> 00:06:44,468
Always laughin' and makin'
jokes.
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00:06:44,604 --> 00:06:45,737
I thought she was great,
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00:06:45,806 --> 00:06:47,605
'cause she was makin'
millard happy.
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00:06:48,408 --> 00:06:51,342
She seemed like she was gonna
be a true partner for him
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00:06:51,344 --> 00:06:52,510
For the rest of his life.
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00:06:53,546 --> 00:06:57,615
[sheryl] patricia had one child
from a previous marriage.
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00:06:58,352 --> 00:07:02,621
And he treated her, jennifer,
like his own daughter.
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00:07:03,856 --> 00:07:05,257
She loved millard to death.
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00:07:05,325 --> 00:07:07,359
It might not have been
her birth dad,
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00:07:07,427 --> 00:07:08,560
But that was her dad.
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00:07:09,295 --> 00:07:12,831
And then they had a son shortly
after they were married.
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00:07:13,700 --> 00:07:15,433
[dennie] he was happy and proud.
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00:07:15,769 --> 00:07:17,135
That's what he wanted of
[indistinct] life.
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00:07:17,203 --> 00:07:18,937
He wanted to be a loving father
and a husband.
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00:07:21,274 --> 00:07:23,475
[narrator] while millard
continued to build
125
00:07:23,543 --> 00:07:25,843
A successful career at wsaz,
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00:07:26,180 --> 00:07:28,580
Patricia pursued her own
interests.
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00:07:29,482 --> 00:07:32,383
[dennie] she was real good
sewin' and stuff like that.
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00:07:32,385 --> 00:07:33,552
She had her own business,
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00:07:33,620 --> 00:07:34,953
Which was called
a stitch in time.
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00:07:35,822 --> 00:07:38,156
[sheryl] she would make things
for people.
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00:07:38,858 --> 00:07:43,862
Costumes and outfits and
blankets and different things.
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00:07:44,331 --> 00:07:47,665
Millard and trish seemed happy
as a couple,
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00:07:47,734 --> 00:07:50,068
Like they were gonna grow old
together
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00:07:50,070 --> 00:07:53,037
And sit on the front porch
in a rocking chair.
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00:07:53,106 --> 00:07:58,176
[music]
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00:07:58,244 --> 00:08:00,945
[narrator] but after nearly
two decades of marriage,
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00:08:00,947 --> 00:08:04,416
The couple's future is suddenly
in jeopardy.
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00:08:05,151 --> 00:08:07,719
[charles] with the finding of
the bloodstains in the garage...
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00:08:08,688 --> 00:08:10,288
That elevated things quite
a bit.
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00:08:11,491 --> 00:08:13,758
[tom] once the area was secured,
141
00:08:13,827 --> 00:08:18,029
Then the forensic investigators
came in.
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00:08:19,165 --> 00:08:23,201
I observed a 55 gallon
size garbage can
143
00:08:23,269 --> 00:08:24,903
That had been turned over.
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00:08:25,939 --> 00:08:27,639
It looked like a struggle
took place.
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00:08:28,274 --> 00:08:31,109
[charles] the blood spatter
indicated that
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00:08:31,177 --> 00:08:32,577
This was a very violent attack.
147
00:08:33,013 --> 00:08:35,413
It looked more like what we
would typically refer to
148
00:08:35,482 --> 00:08:37,082
As a rage killing.
149
00:08:40,319 --> 00:08:41,352
[narrator] coming up.
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00:08:41,421 --> 00:08:44,022
Authorities discover
a second crime scene...
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00:08:44,525 --> 00:08:46,725
Generally speaking, the purpose
for burning a vehicle
152
00:08:46,727 --> 00:08:48,226
Is to destroy evidence.
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00:08:48,661 --> 00:08:50,861
[narrator] and a tip to
law enforcement
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00:08:50,863 --> 00:08:53,164
Puts a suspect in
their crosshairs.
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00:08:53,866 --> 00:08:56,601
When human emotions are set
ablaze like this,
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00:08:56,669 --> 00:08:58,837
You don't know where the fire's
gonna go.
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00:09:00,106 --> 00:09:02,107
[music]
158
00:09:09,149 --> 00:09:12,283
Hours after
42-year-old millard aldridge
159
00:09:12,352 --> 00:09:15,286
Was reported missing by
his wife patricia,
160
00:09:15,355 --> 00:09:18,890
Investigators in huntington,
west virginia find evidence
161
00:09:18,958 --> 00:09:21,759
Of a violent attack
in the couple's garage.
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00:09:22,296 --> 00:09:25,096
[david] we didn't find any
weapons inside the garage.
163
00:09:25,165 --> 00:09:28,633
But there was a blood swipe
on the floor.
164
00:09:30,002 --> 00:09:32,370
It looked to me like somebody
had tried to use something
165
00:09:32,438 --> 00:09:34,940
To maybe clean up
the blood pool.
166
00:09:36,242 --> 00:09:38,843
[tom] what was reported missing
from the garage
167
00:09:38,911 --> 00:09:42,880
Was millard aldridge and
millard aldridge's vehicle.
168
00:09:42,949 --> 00:09:44,916
But there were no reports
169
00:09:44,984 --> 00:09:48,787
That anything else significant
was taken from the garage.
170
00:09:50,056 --> 00:09:52,090
[charles] there were no signs of
break-in at all.
171
00:09:52,158 --> 00:09:54,292
,it didn't appear to be
a robbery gone bad.
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00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:59,097
Someone had gained entry,
either had access to the garage,
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00:09:59,533 --> 00:10:00,765
Or was familiar with it.
174
00:10:02,302 --> 00:10:04,836
[narrator] investigators canvas
the aldridge's neighborhood,
175
00:10:04,838 --> 00:10:08,573
Hoping that someone saw millard
leave home on his own.
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00:10:09,308 --> 00:10:11,842
[charles] this is westmoreland
neighborhood of huntington.
177
00:10:11,912 --> 00:10:14,512
It's a kind of a bed and
breakfast family neighborhood,
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00:10:14,580 --> 00:10:17,481
So it, for, for this to have
happened was very shocking.
179
00:10:18,051 --> 00:10:20,218
The canvas turned up no results.
180
00:10:21,221 --> 00:10:23,021
There was nothing unusual that
was noted
181
00:10:23,089 --> 00:10:25,056
Either during that day
or the night before.
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00:10:27,727 --> 00:10:29,994
[tom] the next step
the investigators would take
183
00:10:30,062 --> 00:10:34,632
Would be to put him into
the national crime database,
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00:10:34,700 --> 00:10:36,300
The ncic,
185
00:10:36,302 --> 00:10:41,105
And it alerts law enforcement
agencies to be on the lookout
186
00:10:41,107 --> 00:10:44,576
For this missing person or
this vehicle.
187
00:10:46,179 --> 00:10:49,047
[sheryl] trish, she was worried
about millard,
188
00:10:49,115 --> 00:10:54,318
Nervous 'cause she didn't know
where he was at.
189
00:10:54,988 --> 00:10:59,824
The whole family was hoping that
he was still alive.
190
00:11:01,327 --> 00:11:05,096
But everybody was just in
shock, total shock.
191
00:11:06,499 --> 00:11:09,667
I felt I had to do something to
try to help find my brother.
192
00:11:10,269 --> 00:11:14,205
Me and my sons and my nephew,
we jumped in my van,
193
00:11:14,274 --> 00:11:18,977
And we went on back roads that
we used to run when we was kids.
194
00:11:20,013 --> 00:11:21,545
[sheryl] our hearts were
sinkin'...
195
00:11:22,282 --> 00:11:26,350
Hoping still that he would
be found alive,
196
00:11:26,686 --> 00:11:30,888
But there was less hope of
that happenin'.
197
00:11:31,825 --> 00:11:34,225
[narrator] nearly 24 hours into
their search,
198
00:11:34,294 --> 00:11:38,096
Huntington police receive a cal
from neighboring cabell county.
199
00:11:38,564 --> 00:11:41,732
[charles] a burnt vehicle was
found up on 8th street road.
200
00:11:42,135 --> 00:11:44,769
Immediately, there was
the suspicion that
201
00:11:44,838 --> 00:11:48,006
This might be
millard's missing car.
202
00:11:49,375 --> 00:11:53,177
[tom] the vehicle was destroyed
to such an extent that
203
00:11:53,246 --> 00:11:56,748
They could not make
any determination of
204
00:11:56,816 --> 00:12:01,453
What make, model, or
serial number might exist there.
205
00:12:02,255 --> 00:12:06,224
There was a license plate that
had been burned in half,
206
00:12:06,292 --> 00:12:08,727
But you could still read
the first three digits.
207
00:12:08,795 --> 00:12:11,529
And the first three digits on
that license plate
208
00:12:11,597 --> 00:12:13,397
Did correspond to
the first three digits
209
00:12:13,466 --> 00:12:15,166
Of millard aldridge's vehicle.
210
00:12:16,803 --> 00:12:18,469
[charles] it doesn't take
a rocket scientist
211
00:12:18,538 --> 00:12:20,038
To put two and two together.
212
00:12:20,507 --> 00:12:22,173
It was pretty safe to assume
that this,
213
00:12:22,242 --> 00:12:23,675
This was millard's vehicle.
214
00:12:24,577 --> 00:12:26,578
Generally speaking, the purpose
for burning a vehicle
215
00:12:26,646 --> 00:12:28,145
Is to destroy evidence.
216
00:12:28,214 --> 00:12:30,749
So, it was prudent to, to do
a search in that area.
217
00:12:31,117 --> 00:12:33,117
We had a lot of people
out there.
218
00:12:33,119 --> 00:12:35,152
We had people from
the sheriff's department,
219
00:12:35,154 --> 00:12:36,254
A volunteer group.
220
00:12:37,056 --> 00:12:38,990
The news had camera crews
out there
221
00:12:39,826 --> 00:12:42,093
Covering as much of the search
as they could.
222
00:12:42,562 --> 00:12:44,295
A lot of the people that
he worked with,
223
00:12:44,364 --> 00:12:45,563
They were all there.
224
00:12:45,631 --> 00:12:47,365
And it was a somber moment for
everybody.
225
00:12:47,433 --> 00:12:49,901
[tom] the west virginia
state police participated in
226
00:12:49,969 --> 00:12:51,402
The search of the area,
227
00:12:51,471 --> 00:12:53,571
And it included cadaver dogs.
228
00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:56,574
[narrator] less than
a quarter mile into the woods,
229
00:12:56,642 --> 00:13:00,111
Investigators make
a gruesome discovery.
230
00:13:01,914 --> 00:13:06,150
The body was maybe 10 to 15 feet
over an embankment,
231
00:13:06,219 --> 00:13:07,318
Over the hillside.
232
00:13:08,921 --> 00:13:11,422
It was in a state of
decomposition.
233
00:13:12,358 --> 00:13:13,924
[charles] it was pretty apparent
that there were
234
00:13:13,994 --> 00:13:16,360
Some severe injuries
to the face and head.
235
00:13:16,429 --> 00:13:17,929
Enough to the point that
236
00:13:17,997 --> 00:13:20,064
He could not be
immediately identified.
237
00:13:21,134 --> 00:13:22,734
[dennie] when we got
the phone call and said,
238
00:13:22,802 --> 00:13:25,536
"we found a body, and we think
it's millard."
239
00:13:25,605 --> 00:13:28,206
I was asked
to go help identify the body.
240
00:13:29,609 --> 00:13:31,775
The hardest thing to do is
identify your brother.
241
00:13:31,845 --> 00:13:34,412
But the only way I could do it
was because
242
00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:38,115
When he was a young man,
he thought he wanted a tattoo
243
00:13:38,184 --> 00:13:41,186
Of an initial "m" on
his shoulder.
244
00:13:42,822 --> 00:13:46,490
And another thing,
he had a scar on his right leg.
245
00:13:46,492 --> 00:13:50,261
And that's basically how I was
able to identify my brother.
246
00:13:52,098 --> 00:13:53,697
I didn't know what to do then.
247
00:13:53,699 --> 00:13:55,733
I mean, I kinda fell to
my knees.
248
00:13:56,770 --> 00:13:58,102
That immediately changed things
249
00:13:58,171 --> 00:14:01,305
From a missing person
to a homicide investigation.
250
00:14:01,975 --> 00:14:04,408
When the body was carried out of
the woods,
251
00:14:04,410 --> 00:14:06,710
Patricia was there with a couple
of family members.
252
00:14:06,780 --> 00:14:09,781
And she did break down,
kind of collapsed.
253
00:14:11,651 --> 00:14:15,453
She was just absolutely
devastated.
254
00:14:15,521 --> 00:14:18,990
I mean, cryin' beyond consoling.
255
00:14:19,859 --> 00:14:22,860
It was just a sick feeling.
256
00:14:23,597 --> 00:14:27,532
How could someone do somethin'
to take his life?
257
00:14:28,568 --> 00:14:30,869
[tom] the sad irony of
millard's career,
258
00:14:30,937 --> 00:14:34,472
Which was to put the stories of
others on camera,
259
00:14:34,774 --> 00:14:38,376
Is that his horrible and
untimely death
260
00:14:38,444 --> 00:14:43,147
Played out on camera
and in the media
261
00:14:43,216 --> 00:14:44,949
That he served.
262
00:14:46,152 --> 00:14:50,955
They had emts to transport
millard
263
00:14:51,024 --> 00:14:54,992
To the medical examiner's office
to have an autopsy done on him.
264
00:14:55,761 --> 00:14:58,696
The autopsy revealed that
the cause of death was
265
00:14:58,764 --> 00:15:02,199
The severe blunt force trauma to
the head.
266
00:15:03,002 --> 00:15:04,768
[charles] this is consistent
with the blood evidence
267
00:15:04,838 --> 00:15:06,303
That was found at
the crime scene.
268
00:15:06,639 --> 00:15:10,274
The me's report described
a dozen injuries.
269
00:15:10,476 --> 00:15:12,109
One of which was so severe,
270
00:15:12,178 --> 00:15:16,047
It caused several
fractures to the head and face.
271
00:15:16,816 --> 00:15:19,550
For somebody to be not just
beaten to death,
272
00:15:19,552 --> 00:15:21,785
But beaten multiple times to
death,
273
00:15:22,121 --> 00:15:23,855
Indicates that there
was a lot of rage
274
00:15:23,923 --> 00:15:25,322
Involved in this crime.
275
00:15:26,125 --> 00:15:29,326
[tom] it didn't look like it
could be a random type of crime.
276
00:15:29,595 --> 00:15:31,595
It looked more of overkill.
277
00:15:31,597 --> 00:15:33,464
It seemed very personal.
278
00:15:34,401 --> 00:15:38,769
[charles] it was somebody of
either size or strength or both.
279
00:15:39,506 --> 00:15:43,340
And so, clearly, we're probably
not looking at a woman
280
00:15:43,409 --> 00:15:44,475
Or somebody of small stature.
281
00:15:45,478 --> 00:15:49,146
That caused us to go back and
talk to family members
282
00:15:49,215 --> 00:15:51,349
And try to get an idea of
283
00:15:52,018 --> 00:15:54,085
Who might be responsible for
this type of a crime.
284
00:15:55,821 --> 00:15:57,088
[sheryl] we're rackin'
our brain,
285
00:15:57,156 --> 00:16:00,024
Tryin' to figure out
who would want to hurt him.
286
00:16:00,693 --> 00:16:04,628
He was the best man you could
ask for as a friend, a father,
287
00:16:04,697 --> 00:16:06,564
A son, a brother.
288
00:16:07,166 --> 00:16:10,668
Nobody in the family
or the neighborhood
289
00:16:10,736 --> 00:16:14,138
Would ever guess
that somebody would hate him.
290
00:16:14,640 --> 00:16:16,040
Nobody.
291
00:16:17,243 --> 00:16:19,377
[narrator] while interviewing
millard's family,
292
00:16:19,445 --> 00:16:20,878
Detectives sit down with
293
00:16:20,947 --> 00:16:23,915
His 18-year-old stepdaughter,
jennifer.
294
00:16:24,751 --> 00:16:28,352
Jennifer had information she
might be able to provide
295
00:16:28,420 --> 00:16:32,723
With regard to the relationship
between her mother and father.
296
00:16:33,526 --> 00:16:37,027
By all outward appearances,
this was an ideal marriage.
297
00:16:37,630 --> 00:16:39,797
[narrator] but jennifer
exposes a crack
298
00:16:39,865 --> 00:16:42,734
In her family's
picture-perfect veneer.
299
00:16:43,269 --> 00:16:45,503
In speaking to her,
detectives learned that
300
00:16:45,571 --> 00:16:49,273
Patricia had an affair with
a guy named mitchell vickers.
301
00:16:50,509 --> 00:16:54,812
Given the statements, they have
to explore mitch vickers.
302
00:16:55,281 --> 00:16:56,614
Who's mitch vickers?
303
00:16:57,283 --> 00:17:01,018
Is he the type of person that
could have
304
00:17:01,087 --> 00:17:05,256
Harmed millard aldridge because
of this affair?
305
00:17:07,493 --> 00:17:09,660
[music]
306
00:17:16,235 --> 00:17:17,568
Ys into
307
00:17:17,637 --> 00:17:20,237
Millard aldridge's
murder investigation,
308
00:17:20,306 --> 00:17:22,173
Authorities in huntington,
west virginia
309
00:17:22,241 --> 00:17:23,975
Have a promising lead:
310
00:17:24,577 --> 00:17:26,978
According to millard's
stepdaughter, jennifer,
311
00:17:27,380 --> 00:17:30,380
His wife patricia was having
an affair
312
00:17:30,450 --> 00:17:32,750
With a man named
mitchell vickers.
313
00:17:33,520 --> 00:17:35,052
[charles] in speaking to her,
314
00:17:35,120 --> 00:17:38,222
Detectives learned that patricia
would meet with mitchell vickers
315
00:17:38,290 --> 00:17:39,823
At jennifer's apartment.
316
00:17:40,426 --> 00:17:42,059
Jennifer disclosed to us that
317
00:17:42,127 --> 00:17:43,561
She had no knowledge about
the affair;
318
00:17:43,629 --> 00:17:46,830
Just her general dislike
and suspicions of, of vickers,
319
00:17:46,899 --> 00:17:49,933
And this box of letters that
she got from patricia.
320
00:17:50,536 --> 00:17:53,671
A bunch of love letters between
patricia and vickers.
321
00:17:54,273 --> 00:17:57,775
Jennifer mentioned that vickers
had threatened her if
322
00:17:57,843 --> 00:18:00,978
She disclosed the relationship
to millard aldridge.
323
00:18:02,248 --> 00:18:03,548
She was scared of him.
324
00:18:05,451 --> 00:18:08,386
We ran his name, ended up
pullin' a jacket on him.
325
00:18:08,454 --> 00:18:10,554
Vickers had a fairly
extensive record.
326
00:18:10,556 --> 00:18:12,623
He was a, what you might call
a career criminal.
327
00:18:12,992 --> 00:18:14,491
[tom] mitch vickers was from
328
00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:17,361
The barbersville area of
cabell county,
329
00:18:17,363 --> 00:18:19,730
Which is just east of
city of huntington.
330
00:18:20,967 --> 00:18:24,502
He'd involved in a lot of thefts
and things like that,
331
00:18:24,570 --> 00:18:27,371
And had had legal trouble
in florida
332
00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:30,041
And had been incarcerated there.
333
00:18:31,110 --> 00:18:32,810
[charles] he had recently,
we discovered,
334
00:18:32,879 --> 00:18:35,045
Been convicted of
a couple of burglaries.
335
00:18:35,514 --> 00:18:37,681
And had worked out a plea deal,
336
00:18:38,217 --> 00:18:39,917
Having pled guilty to
those charges.
337
00:18:39,985 --> 00:18:41,385
He had asked for
a delayed report date
338
00:18:41,454 --> 00:18:43,254
Because his mother was in
bad health.
339
00:18:44,189 --> 00:18:47,825
He was permitted to be released
from jail,
340
00:18:48,394 --> 00:18:52,396
And was to report on June 29th
341
00:18:52,398 --> 00:18:55,099
To the authorities in
cabell county
342
00:18:55,167 --> 00:18:57,201
To be transported to the prison.
343
00:18:58,104 --> 00:19:00,638
[narrator] detectives realize
mitchell had been released
344
00:19:00,706 --> 00:19:04,008
Nearly a week before millard
was reported missing.
345
00:19:05,711 --> 00:19:08,379
[charles] mitchell vickers is
a person who is very large.
346
00:19:09,114 --> 00:19:10,814
He is strong.
347
00:19:10,816 --> 00:19:13,384
He's capable of
extreme violence.
348
00:19:13,452 --> 00:19:15,352
And so, the nature of
the injuries,
349
00:19:15,421 --> 00:19:17,655
Combined with knowledge of
the affair,
350
00:19:17,723 --> 00:19:19,089
Immediately moved
mitchell vickers
351
00:19:19,158 --> 00:19:21,626
Up to the top
of the possible suspects list.
352
00:19:23,162 --> 00:19:24,295
It raises questions.
353
00:19:24,363 --> 00:19:26,063
With the discovery of
the affair,
354
00:19:26,132 --> 00:19:29,367
It's now necessary to go
back and talk to patricia.
355
00:19:29,369 --> 00:19:33,938
[music]
356
00:19:34,006 --> 00:19:35,973
[narrator] detectives
immediately contact
357
00:19:36,042 --> 00:19:37,375
Patricia at her home,
358
00:19:37,443 --> 00:19:40,111
And press her about the state
of her marriage.
359
00:19:40,646 --> 00:19:43,714
[tom] very shortly after
the investigators
360
00:19:43,783 --> 00:19:45,249
Begin to question her,
361
00:19:45,318 --> 00:19:48,752
She admits to the affair with
mitch vickers.
362
00:19:49,522 --> 00:19:51,789
[narrator] patricia admits that
the affair began
363
00:19:51,857 --> 00:19:55,893
Less than a year earlier,
in December of 1997...
364
00:19:56,628 --> 00:20:00,965
But her ties to mitchell vickes
began decades earlier.
365
00:20:02,001 --> 00:20:04,702
[tom] mitch vickers and
patricia aldridge
366
00:20:04,770 --> 00:20:08,672
Had a relationship when they
were much younger,
367
00:20:09,141 --> 00:20:10,607
Back in the '70s.
368
00:20:10,609 --> 00:20:14,378
Mitch vickers had moved away,
and they separated.
369
00:20:14,780 --> 00:20:19,416
But when mitch returned to town
in 1997,
370
00:20:20,520 --> 00:20:24,622
They were reacquainted
by one of patricia's friends.
371
00:20:25,958 --> 00:20:27,558
[charles] they reconnected,
372
00:20:27,627 --> 00:20:32,196
And that grew from there into
a full-fledged physical affair.
373
00:20:33,499 --> 00:20:34,765
[tom] I have to believe that
374
00:20:34,767 --> 00:20:38,101
The attraction to
mitchell vickers to patricia
375
00:20:38,637 --> 00:20:42,639
Was the fact that he was almost
the polar opposite of millard.
376
00:20:42,708 --> 00:20:47,278
Whereas millard was a stable guy
with a job,
377
00:20:47,346 --> 00:20:48,946
Was a law-abiding guy.
378
00:20:49,548 --> 00:20:52,115
And mitchell vickers was
a bad boy,
379
00:20:52,185 --> 00:20:53,684
In and out of prison.
380
00:20:54,487 --> 00:20:56,988
[charles] patricia talked
about vickers
381
00:20:57,056 --> 00:20:59,857
Being re-arrested in
February of '98.
382
00:21:00,059 --> 00:21:01,892
And so, when he goes back
into jail,
383
00:21:02,462 --> 00:21:06,564
She told detectives that she
ended the affair with vickers.
384
00:21:06,632 --> 00:21:11,935
She insists that, that she's not
involved, she's innocent,
385
00:21:11,937 --> 00:21:13,370
She loved her husband.
386
00:21:13,439 --> 00:21:17,775
And at that point, patricia
indicates that she is not sure
387
00:21:17,843 --> 00:21:20,177
Mitchell vickers is involved.
388
00:21:20,879 --> 00:21:23,514
[narrator] as detectives are
wrapping up their interview,
389
00:21:23,582 --> 00:21:26,316
Patricia steps away to take
a phone call.
390
00:21:26,986 --> 00:21:30,721
Patricia says, "hey, I've got
somebody wants to talk to you."
391
00:21:32,091 --> 00:21:35,459
[tom] the person identifies as
mitchell vickers on the phone.
392
00:21:36,462 --> 00:21:40,331
And he said,
"I'm the one that did it.
393
00:21:40,399 --> 00:21:43,034
I'm the one that killed
that s.O.B."
394
00:21:44,269 --> 00:21:47,038
[okey] he said, "just leave
my lady alone.
395
00:21:47,106 --> 00:21:49,440
She didn't have
nothin' to do with it."
396
00:21:50,676 --> 00:21:53,944
The obvious reaction immediately
is just amazement.
397
00:21:54,780 --> 00:21:58,749
[okey] we didn't know if it was
a love story gone bad.
398
00:21:59,519 --> 00:22:03,254
We didn't know exactly what
the motive was.
399
00:22:04,123 --> 00:22:06,790
We had a little bit of
a suspicion that perhaps
400
00:22:06,859 --> 00:22:08,025
Patricia had called him
401
00:22:08,093 --> 00:22:10,328
And convinced him to talk to
the police.
402
00:22:11,197 --> 00:22:12,663
In addition to confessing,
403
00:22:13,132 --> 00:22:15,799
Vickers had also offered
to surrender himself.
404
00:22:16,201 --> 00:22:19,537
And gave us an address,
a location to, to find him.
405
00:22:20,005 --> 00:22:22,673
The detectives immediately leave
406
00:22:23,276 --> 00:22:26,711
To try to make
contact with mr. Vickers.
407
00:22:28,013 --> 00:22:30,147
At this point,
he's not just a suspect,
408
00:22:30,216 --> 00:22:31,549
He's the suspect.
409
00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:36,353
[narrator] coming up.
410
00:22:36,422 --> 00:22:39,390
Detectives come face-to-face
with mitchell vickers...
411
00:22:40,426 --> 00:22:44,061
And an unexpected motive
emerges.
412
00:22:53,673 --> 00:22:58,142
I never had a confession that
was quite like this.
413
00:22:58,844 --> 00:23:00,544
He had no remorse whatsoever.
414
00:23:02,147 --> 00:23:04,048
[music]
415
00:23:13,058 --> 00:23:14,591
Millard aldridge's body,
416
00:23:14,660 --> 00:23:18,028
His wife's lover,
40-year-old mitchell vickers,
417
00:23:18,097 --> 00:23:20,097
Surrenders to authorities.
418
00:23:21,266 --> 00:23:23,334
[charles] he gives a location
for them to pick him up.
419
00:23:24,870 --> 00:23:27,004
When they encounter him,
he's in a truck.
420
00:23:27,072 --> 00:23:28,339
He gets out of the truck.
421
00:23:28,407 --> 00:23:32,109
He's shirtless,
and they obviously put him in a,
422
00:23:32,111 --> 00:23:35,446
In a cruiser and transported him
to be interviewed.
423
00:23:39,451 --> 00:23:43,354
[tom] the detectives take him to
the barracks in cabell county,
424
00:23:43,422 --> 00:23:48,359
And mitchell vickers voluntarily
gives a statement at that time.
425
00:23:49,128 --> 00:23:52,429
In his statement,
mitchell vickers talked about
426
00:23:52,498 --> 00:23:55,298
His relationship with
patricia aldridge
427
00:23:55,300 --> 00:23:57,601
And the fact that they were
in love with each other.
428
00:24:30,469 --> 00:24:34,071
Vickers stated that the reason
why he killed millard aldridge
429
00:24:34,139 --> 00:24:36,907
Was because patricia
had told him that
430
00:24:36,976 --> 00:24:38,542
Millard was very abusive.
431
00:24:51,056 --> 00:24:52,623
[narrator] according to
mitchell,
432
00:24:52,691 --> 00:24:55,358
Things came to a head when
he was recently sentenced
433
00:24:55,428 --> 00:24:57,127
For his burglary charges.
434
00:25:51,016 --> 00:25:53,951
[charles] vickers said that when
millard entered the garage,
435
00:25:54,019 --> 00:25:55,352
Vickers attacked him.
436
00:25:55,821 --> 00:25:56,853
First with a pipe,
437
00:25:56,922 --> 00:25:59,656
And then beat him with
a claw hammer,
438
00:26:00,159 --> 00:26:02,226
And then stabbed
him with a screwdriver.
439
00:26:18,577 --> 00:26:21,812
This one was
a chilling confession
440
00:26:22,347 --> 00:26:25,448
Because of the cold and
calculating manner
441
00:26:25,450 --> 00:26:28,585
In which he spoke about
murdering someone.
442
00:26:28,653 --> 00:26:32,990
I never had a confession that
was quite like this.
443
00:26:48,407 --> 00:26:51,174
[charles] vickers describes
driving the car up to
444
00:26:51,243 --> 00:26:53,377
8th street road,
near skyview drive.
445
00:26:54,213 --> 00:26:55,579
He disposed of the body,
446
00:26:55,647 --> 00:26:57,481
Dropping it over the side of
the hill.
447
00:26:58,884 --> 00:27:00,784
And then poured
gasoline on the car
448
00:27:00,853 --> 00:27:01,952
And set it on fire.
449
00:27:02,287 --> 00:27:04,388
He hitched a ride back to town.
450
00:27:12,898 --> 00:27:14,731
[tom] he seemed to be
extremely proud.
451
00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:19,236
He leaned back in the chair,
arms folded, shirtless,
452
00:27:19,304 --> 00:27:22,639
As if he was bragging about
what he'd done.
453
00:27:23,376 --> 00:27:26,610
Almost as if he's trying to make
himself out to be the hero
454
00:27:26,678 --> 00:27:28,312
Rather than the bad guy in this.
455
00:27:37,422 --> 00:27:40,256
[charles] vickers was
extremely adamant about
456
00:27:40,326 --> 00:27:42,058
Taking all of the blame himself,
457
00:27:42,427 --> 00:27:46,429
And that just even more raised
suspicions.
458
00:27:46,431 --> 00:27:48,265
Because if patricia
wasn't involved,
459
00:27:48,333 --> 00:27:50,667
There would be no reason for him
to even mention her.
460
00:27:51,270 --> 00:27:53,036
[narrator] following
his confession,
461
00:27:53,104 --> 00:27:56,006
Mitchell is transported to
the huntington police department
462
00:27:56,074 --> 00:27:58,942
To be charged with
first-degree murder.
463
00:27:59,411 --> 00:28:02,346
News crews eagerly await
his arrival.
464
00:28:11,924 --> 00:28:17,160
I was at millard's house
with trish and millard's mom,
465
00:28:17,229 --> 00:28:19,930
And it come on the news,
466
00:28:19,998 --> 00:28:23,433
And mitch vickers is on there.
467
00:28:23,435 --> 00:28:26,437
They've got him in handcuffs,
he's cussin' everybody,
468
00:28:26,505 --> 00:28:30,040
Sayin' that millard was
a terrible person,
469
00:28:30,108 --> 00:28:31,308
He deserved to die,
470
00:28:31,376 --> 00:28:34,044
He was a wife beater
and a child abuser.
471
00:28:34,113 --> 00:28:36,579
I mean, we're all in shock.
472
00:28:36,649 --> 00:28:38,581
Glad that they arrested him,
473
00:28:39,184 --> 00:28:42,086
But where did he get this
information from?
474
00:28:48,160 --> 00:28:49,326
[narrator] when investigators
475
00:28:49,394 --> 00:28:51,862
Circle back to millard's
family members,
476
00:28:51,930 --> 00:28:53,563
They say that, in hindsight,
477
00:28:53,632 --> 00:28:56,667
They believe millard must have
been suspicious
478
00:28:56,735 --> 00:28:58,802
Of his wife's infidelity.
479
00:28:58,871 --> 00:29:00,037
[dennie] I could tell that
somethin'
480
00:29:00,105 --> 00:29:01,638
Was botherin' him a lot.
481
00:29:01,707 --> 00:29:06,176
Patricia wasn't really payin'
attention to him like it was.
482
00:29:06,245 --> 00:29:09,079
And she wasn't the
happy-go-lucky smile.
483
00:29:09,148 --> 00:29:13,950
I think he mighta kinda of knew,
but he didn't wanna know.
484
00:29:14,019 --> 00:29:16,219
He, he didn't want it to be
real.
485
00:29:16,955 --> 00:29:18,088
[sheryl] you could tell
patricia was
486
00:29:18,157 --> 00:29:20,490
A little bit nervous
about all of it,
487
00:29:20,559 --> 00:29:23,293
But she was still trying to
act like
488
00:29:23,362 --> 00:29:27,096
The innocent person in all this.
489
00:29:27,566 --> 00:29:29,632
A lot of what I felt
490
00:29:29,702 --> 00:29:33,704
Was a gut feeling
that she wasn't being truthful.
491
00:29:34,507 --> 00:29:36,707
[narrator] family members are
adamant that
492
00:29:36,775 --> 00:29:39,175
Millard has never been abusive.
493
00:29:39,512 --> 00:29:41,978
Everybody that knows him
knows he wasn't.
494
00:29:42,514 --> 00:29:44,314
[charles] all of that kinda
raised red flags.
495
00:29:44,383 --> 00:29:46,049
Everything we had up to that
point said,
496
00:29:46,051 --> 00:29:47,484
"no, that's not true."
497
00:29:47,887 --> 00:29:49,186
[narrator] since patricia had
498
00:29:49,254 --> 00:29:52,122
Allegedly fed this information
to mitchell,
499
00:29:52,190 --> 00:29:54,591
Investigators have
growing doubts
500
00:29:54,659 --> 00:29:56,126
About her story.
501
00:29:56,861 --> 00:29:58,295
Looking for clues,
502
00:29:58,297 --> 00:30:00,129
They compare
her previous statements
503
00:30:00,199 --> 00:30:02,933
To the forensic evidence
found at the scene,
504
00:30:03,135 --> 00:30:05,202
And hit pay dirt.
505
00:30:06,504 --> 00:30:08,939
[charles] luminol was applied to
the crime scene in the garage,
506
00:30:09,608 --> 00:30:13,009
And it was apparent that had
been a vehicle parked
507
00:30:13,078 --> 00:30:15,278
Where the violence had
taken place.
508
00:30:15,947 --> 00:30:19,215
It cast a lot of doubt to
the explanation patricia gave
509
00:30:19,284 --> 00:30:21,584
About millard parking the van
510
00:30:21,653 --> 00:30:24,421
In front of the house
before leaving.
511
00:30:24,489 --> 00:30:27,157
And so we wanted to take a
closer look at the, at the van.
512
00:30:27,226 --> 00:30:28,825
There are a lot of
513
00:30:28,894 --> 00:30:31,094
Unanswered questions at
this point.
514
00:30:32,331 --> 00:30:33,931
[david] patricia had made
a statement
515
00:30:33,933 --> 00:30:35,632
That the last time
she saw millard
516
00:30:35,701 --> 00:30:38,168
Was when we pulled her vehicle
from the garage
517
00:30:38,237 --> 00:30:41,237
Around to the front of the house
and parked it along the curb.
518
00:30:41,506 --> 00:30:44,575
We went back to examine
patricia's van.
519
00:30:44,643 --> 00:30:49,279
And it didn't take long to
find some bloodstains.
520
00:30:49,348 --> 00:30:51,381
There was a couple of stains
that were on
521
00:30:51,450 --> 00:30:53,316
The passenger side
rearview mirror.
522
00:30:53,586 --> 00:30:56,653
But then I looked up in
the wheel well
523
00:30:56,721 --> 00:30:57,720
Up above the tire,
524
00:30:57,790 --> 00:31:01,224
And that's where I saw
a lot of impact spatter.
525
00:31:01,293 --> 00:31:04,595
Meaning that that portion of
the vehicle would have been
526
00:31:04,663 --> 00:31:08,531
Adjacent to the beating
as the beating was taking place.
527
00:31:09,334 --> 00:31:11,702
[okey] that says the van had to
be in the garage
528
00:31:11,770 --> 00:31:14,404
When the blood got on it.
529
00:31:16,208 --> 00:31:19,209
It made it very plain and
obvious to me at that point
530
00:31:19,277 --> 00:31:20,711
That she was lying.
531
00:31:21,714 --> 00:31:23,647
[narrator] investigators
immediately bring
532
00:31:23,715 --> 00:31:27,050
Patricia aldridge into
the station for questioning.
533
00:31:27,052 --> 00:31:30,821
[tom] at this time, patricia was
confronted with this evidence,
534
00:31:30,889 --> 00:31:34,491
And she indicates that she wants
a lawyer.
535
00:31:35,360 --> 00:31:36,959
[charles] clearly she knew
about it
536
00:31:36,961 --> 00:31:38,695
And had some kind of
involvement in it.
537
00:31:39,298 --> 00:31:41,664
[narrator] investigators don't
have enough evidence
538
00:31:41,734 --> 00:31:43,000
To hold patricia,
539
00:31:43,068 --> 00:31:44,667
So they let her go.
540
00:31:45,270 --> 00:31:49,172
On June 27th, a local couple
contacts police
541
00:31:49,174 --> 00:31:51,908
After seeing vickers' arrest
on the news.
542
00:31:52,444 --> 00:31:55,612
The day after mitchell vickers
was arrested,
543
00:31:57,182 --> 00:31:59,850
The police received
a telephone call
544
00:31:59,918 --> 00:32:01,584
From a cheryl kawalski.
545
00:32:02,454 --> 00:32:05,488
[charles] cheryl kawalski is
a friend of patricia's.
546
00:32:05,690 --> 00:32:07,123
Cheryl's husband ronald
547
00:32:07,192 --> 00:32:10,026
Had spent time in jail with
mitchell vickers.
548
00:32:10,028 --> 00:32:13,396
[narrator] cheryl says in
January of 1998,
549
00:32:13,398 --> 00:32:17,267
Mitchell contacted her husband
ronald with a proposal.
550
00:32:17,335 --> 00:32:19,936
Cheryl tells police that
mitchell vickers
551
00:32:20,005 --> 00:32:23,806
Had approached her husband and
offered money
552
00:32:23,808 --> 00:32:25,642
To kill millard aldridge.
553
00:32:29,180 --> 00:32:31,514
[charles] so, detectives
interviewed ronald kawalski.
554
00:32:32,050 --> 00:32:33,850
He provided the corroborating
information.
555
00:32:33,919 --> 00:32:37,954
He had a video that showed
patricia aldridge
556
00:32:38,022 --> 00:32:41,824
And mitchell vickers at
his home,
557
00:32:41,826 --> 00:32:44,061
Christmas of 1997.
558
00:32:45,230 --> 00:32:48,631
Patricia was sitting on vickers'
lap and kissing him,
559
00:32:48,633 --> 00:32:49,566
Hugging him.
560
00:32:49,634 --> 00:32:51,535
Essentially carrying on like
teenagers.
561
00:32:53,938 --> 00:32:55,338
[narrator] a month later,
562
00:32:55,340 --> 00:32:58,040
Mitchell had returned to ron
and cheryl's home.
563
00:32:58,577 --> 00:33:00,943
[charles] ron said that vickers
had approached him,
564
00:33:01,013 --> 00:33:03,046
Asked him if he wanted to earn
some money.
565
00:33:04,049 --> 00:33:06,316
He had been offered
75 hundred dollars
566
00:33:06,384 --> 00:33:08,218
To kill millard aldridge.
567
00:33:08,687 --> 00:33:10,153
But he refuses.
568
00:33:12,124 --> 00:33:13,590
[narrator] according to ronald,
569
00:33:13,658 --> 00:33:16,959
It wasn't just mitchell who
wanted millard dead.
570
00:33:17,229 --> 00:33:18,528
[charles] according to ron,
571
00:33:18,597 --> 00:33:20,330
There was another time where
he was approached.
572
00:33:20,398 --> 00:33:23,733
This time, patricia aldridge
and vickers together.
573
00:33:23,802 --> 00:33:27,404
Patricia asked ron if he would
be willing to kill her husband,
574
00:33:27,472 --> 00:33:31,141
And described that she wanted
him out of the picture.
575
00:33:31,810 --> 00:33:35,111
[tom] the statement of
the kawalskis are important
576
00:33:35,180 --> 00:33:37,814
Because it doesn't isolate
mitchell vickers
577
00:33:37,882 --> 00:33:43,286
As being a lone person seeking
to have millard aldridge killed.
578
00:33:43,822 --> 00:33:46,089
It clearly shows that this was
579
00:33:46,158 --> 00:33:48,325
A joint enterprise on
their part.
580
00:33:49,628 --> 00:33:53,229
[narrator] as for why patricia
wanted her husband dead,
581
00:33:53,298 --> 00:33:55,898
Her friends believe they know
the answer.
582
00:33:56,434 --> 00:33:58,034
[charles] patricia had
described that
583
00:33:58,103 --> 00:33:59,970
The reason she couldn't
leave her husband
584
00:34:00,438 --> 00:34:02,172
Was because it all boiled down
to money.
585
00:34:02,240 --> 00:34:03,974
She couldn't make it financially
on her own.
586
00:34:05,544 --> 00:34:07,110
[narrator] when investigators
obtain
587
00:34:07,178 --> 00:34:09,179
The aldridge's
financial records,
588
00:34:09,247 --> 00:34:10,981
They learn why.
589
00:34:11,383 --> 00:34:12,783
Patricia was a seamstress.
590
00:34:12,851 --> 00:34:15,051
She had a business
called stitch in time
591
00:34:15,320 --> 00:34:18,355
That eventually went
bankrupt and closed.
592
00:34:20,425 --> 00:34:25,862
[okey] millard aldridge worked
for wsaz tv here in huntington,
593
00:34:26,398 --> 00:34:31,033
And they had a policy that if
their employee got killed,
594
00:34:31,770 --> 00:34:37,541
They would pay a year's salary
to that employee's beneficiary.
595
00:34:38,610 --> 00:34:43,546
I was talkin' with
the bookkeeper at wsaz,
596
00:34:43,548 --> 00:34:46,983
And I will never forget what
the lady said to me.
597
00:34:47,452 --> 00:34:50,953
She said, "honey, that's not
where the money is."
598
00:34:51,223 --> 00:34:54,123
She said, "it's in his 401(k)."
599
00:34:54,726 --> 00:35:00,330
I said, "how much?"
and she said, "around $250,000."
600
00:35:01,866 --> 00:35:04,167
[music]
601
00:35:11,409 --> 00:35:13,577
Custody for
602
00:35:13,645 --> 00:35:16,779
The confessed murder of
millard aldridge...
603
00:35:17,182 --> 00:35:21,651
But now, friends of millard's
wife patricia have come forward,
604
00:35:21,720 --> 00:35:24,387
Accusing her of being
a co-conspirator.
605
00:35:24,989 --> 00:35:28,024
[tom] patricia indicates to some
friends that
606
00:35:28,026 --> 00:35:31,360
She was not financially able to
make it on her own
607
00:35:31,362 --> 00:35:32,895
By merely divorcing him,
608
00:35:32,897 --> 00:35:37,234
And that eliminating him was
the solution to her problem.
609
00:35:38,270 --> 00:35:41,337
She would have been
the beneficiary of
610
00:35:41,406 --> 00:35:44,140
The 401(k) and
the life insurance policy.
611
00:35:44,208 --> 00:35:47,077
So, there was at least $300,000
there
612
00:35:47,145 --> 00:35:49,246
That she would have received.
613
00:35:54,987 --> 00:35:58,955
On July 1, 1998,
through his attorney,
614
00:35:59,024 --> 00:36:01,557
Mitchell vickers had made
contact with
615
00:36:01,626 --> 00:36:03,693
The prosecuting attorney's
office
616
00:36:03,762 --> 00:36:06,730
And agreed to give
an additional statement.
617
00:36:07,632 --> 00:36:09,932
[charles] he's been informed
that
618
00:36:10,002 --> 00:36:11,467
The original motive
that he gave,
619
00:36:11,536 --> 00:36:14,304
The belief that millard was
abusive towards patricia,
620
00:36:14,372 --> 00:36:15,505
Was false.
621
00:36:16,308 --> 00:36:18,241
Once he's confronted with that
information,
622
00:36:18,309 --> 00:36:21,177
It becomes clear to him that,
at least in some part,
623
00:36:21,245 --> 00:36:23,245
He was used by patricia.
624
00:36:23,247 --> 00:36:25,682
And so, he's no longer
shielding her
625
00:36:26,018 --> 00:36:28,218
From everything that happened.
626
00:36:45,770 --> 00:36:48,705
He detailed the motive for
the crime
627
00:36:48,773 --> 00:36:50,807
Being the financial motive.
628
00:36:59,618 --> 00:37:01,952
[charles] and so, he describes
patricia
629
00:37:02,020 --> 00:37:04,354
Having set things up
at the house.
630
00:37:04,623 --> 00:37:06,189
She disabled a motion light.
631
00:37:07,626 --> 00:37:09,559
She unlocked the door to
the garage.
632
00:37:10,028 --> 00:37:12,963
He explained that he committed
the act
633
00:37:13,031 --> 00:37:15,732
After millard walked into
the garage.
634
00:37:19,003 --> 00:37:22,672
And that he stuffed
millard's body in the trunk,
635
00:37:23,708 --> 00:37:25,508
Took the car up to
636
00:37:25,510 --> 00:37:28,211
8th street road,
skyview drive area.
637
00:37:29,414 --> 00:37:31,147
Dumped millard's body out.
638
00:37:44,061 --> 00:37:46,029
[charles] patricia then drove
him to walmart,
639
00:37:46,097 --> 00:37:49,532
Where she gets him a change of
clothes.
640
00:37:57,342 --> 00:37:59,909
So, the additional information
that vickers now gives us
641
00:37:59,978 --> 00:38:03,580
Further cemented patricia's
involvement in this murder.
642
00:38:04,849 --> 00:38:07,550
[tom] she is a, a principal of
the crime,
643
00:38:07,619 --> 00:38:10,754
Just like the person who wielded
the hammer.
644
00:38:11,723 --> 00:38:12,922
So, at this point,
645
00:38:12,991 --> 00:38:15,592
She will be charged with
first-degree murder.
646
00:38:18,429 --> 00:38:19,862
[narrator] on July 3rd,
647
00:38:19,864 --> 00:38:22,165
Millard aldridge is laid to ret
648
00:38:22,567 --> 00:38:24,801
Surrounded by friends and
family...
649
00:38:24,869 --> 00:38:26,636
Including patricia.
650
00:38:27,439 --> 00:38:31,107
We're at the funeral home,
and her still doin' the
651
00:38:31,175 --> 00:38:35,578
"boohoo, dear, poor widow,
what about me," thing.
652
00:38:36,314 --> 00:38:38,514
[darlene] we all knew that
she was involved.
653
00:38:39,183 --> 00:38:44,287
It was so hard for all of us to
just grin and bear it.
654
00:38:45,490 --> 00:38:46,622
[dennie] we got to the cemetery.
655
00:38:47,192 --> 00:38:49,525
And when they lowered
his coffin into the ground,
656
00:38:49,594 --> 00:38:52,262
And we started fillin' it up...
657
00:38:53,465 --> 00:38:57,233
That's when the police came
up and arrested her.
658
00:38:58,437 --> 00:39:02,339
Poetic justice of her getting
arrested at the cemetery.
659
00:39:02,807 --> 00:39:06,209
That was just karma.
660
00:39:14,853 --> 00:39:18,087
[narrator] despite confessing to
millard's murder,
661
00:39:18,156 --> 00:39:20,723
Mitchell vickers takes his
chances at trial
662
00:39:20,791 --> 00:39:23,526
On may 4th, 1999.
663
00:39:23,862 --> 00:39:26,262
We had corroborating evidence,
664
00:39:26,798 --> 00:39:29,666
But the most compelling evidence
was his confession.
665
00:39:34,438 --> 00:39:37,273
Mitchell vickers was found
guilty of first-degree murder,
666
00:39:37,675 --> 00:39:39,943
And he was sentenced to life
without mercy.
667
00:39:40,712 --> 00:39:42,979
They would've preferred
the death penalty,
668
00:39:43,047 --> 00:39:48,251
But west virginia doesn't
really have that on the table.
669
00:39:51,222 --> 00:39:53,890
[narrator] patricia aldridge's
trial gets underway
670
00:39:53,958 --> 00:39:56,926
On August 24th, 1999.
671
00:39:57,696 --> 00:40:01,263
[tom] so, we had to connect all
those dots
672
00:40:01,333 --> 00:40:03,233
To clearly show that
673
00:40:03,301 --> 00:40:07,337
She was intimately involved in
the planning
674
00:40:07,405 --> 00:40:10,006
And the murder of her husband.
675
00:40:10,642 --> 00:40:16,346
[sheryl] it was hard to find out
how much involvement she had.
676
00:40:17,215 --> 00:40:21,117
Just having millard murdered by
her lover
677
00:40:21,820 --> 00:40:23,353
Was bad enough.
678
00:40:23,955 --> 00:40:28,291
But to find out
that she helped plan everything?
679
00:40:29,193 --> 00:40:31,761
[dennie] a death-for-hire is
what it was.
680
00:40:31,829 --> 00:40:33,629
She was the mastermind of it
all.
681
00:40:34,232 --> 00:40:38,067
Her selfishness, her greed.
Everything is about her.
682
00:40:38,770 --> 00:40:43,940
Mitch killed millard because he
loved trish.
683
00:40:46,043 --> 00:40:48,344
He would do anything for her.
684
00:40:48,646 --> 00:40:51,281
[tom] affairs deal with
human emotions,
685
00:40:51,349 --> 00:40:54,717
And human emotions are
set ablaze like this,
686
00:40:54,786 --> 00:40:56,920
You don't know where the fire's
gonna go.
687
00:40:58,623 --> 00:41:01,958
[narrator] on August 26th,
patricia takes the stand,
688
00:41:02,026 --> 00:41:04,927
Attempting to refute
the state's claim
689
00:41:04,996 --> 00:41:07,697
That this was
a cold-blooded conspiracy.
690
00:41:07,765 --> 00:41:09,532
[tom] patricia aldridge
maintained
691
00:41:09,601 --> 00:41:13,335
That she may have been involved
with mitchell vickers,
692
00:41:14,005 --> 00:41:18,408
But that he took it upon himself
to do this.
693
00:41:18,877 --> 00:41:21,744
Mr. Vickers testified in
her trial
694
00:41:21,813 --> 00:41:25,748
And recanted his second
statement that she was involved.
695
00:41:39,163 --> 00:41:41,030
[tom] in mitchell vickers'
world,
696
00:41:41,099 --> 00:41:43,766
One of the worst things
you can be is a snitch.
697
00:41:44,102 --> 00:41:46,202
And as, as much as anything,
698
00:41:46,270 --> 00:41:49,705
He may well have testified at
that trial
699
00:41:49,774 --> 00:41:52,442
To rid himself of bein'
a snitch.
700
00:41:52,777 --> 00:41:54,644
Mitch vickers truly loved her,
701
00:41:54,712 --> 00:41:57,313
And I think he tried to save her
one last time.
702
00:41:59,717 --> 00:42:01,718
[narrator] following
a three-day trial,
703
00:42:01,786 --> 00:42:03,852
The jury reaches a verdict.
704
00:42:04,422 --> 00:42:06,789
[tom] patricia aldridge was
found guilty of
705
00:42:06,858 --> 00:42:08,123
First-degree murder.
706
00:42:09,227 --> 00:42:13,663
Her sentence was life in prison
with no possibility of parole.
707
00:42:14,799 --> 00:42:16,833
[dennie] they got exactly what
they deserved.
708
00:42:18,002 --> 00:42:21,271
And I don't lose a minute of
sleep over it.
709
00:42:22,040 --> 00:42:23,906
[charles] there are two
basic motives that come forward
710
00:42:23,908 --> 00:42:25,040
In this particular case.
711
00:42:25,110 --> 00:42:27,176
One is money,
plain ol'-fashioned greed.
712
00:42:27,945 --> 00:42:30,346
The other is love gone wrong.
713
00:42:30,682 --> 00:42:32,014
Put those two things together,
714
00:42:32,083 --> 00:42:33,716
It's like pourin' gasoline
on a fire.
715
00:42:35,953 --> 00:42:38,187
[darlene] I think it was just
a fatal attraction
716
00:42:38,256 --> 00:42:40,690
That they just couldn't get out
of their system.
717
00:42:42,827 --> 00:42:45,527
[sheryl] patricia, I really
don't understand
718
00:42:45,529 --> 00:42:47,697
How you can do this...
719
00:42:47,765 --> 00:42:49,765
And tear a family up.
720
00:42:50,368 --> 00:42:54,904
And take a great man,
not just from us,
721
00:42:54,972 --> 00:42:57,106
But your kids, his kids.
722
00:42:57,175 --> 00:42:58,841
How could you do this?
723
00:43:00,178 --> 00:43:05,815
I just wish he was here.
I wish he was here.
724
00:43:08,687 --> 00:43:11,520
My brother will be remembered in
our family to me
725
00:43:11,922 --> 00:43:16,592
As one of the most lovin',
caring, devoted person
726
00:43:16,661 --> 00:43:17,960
That you can ask for.
727
00:43:18,463 --> 00:43:21,063
Hopefully, his legacy...
728
00:43:21,065 --> 00:43:24,066
People will still remember,
and it will live on.
729
00:43:24,135 --> 00:43:26,235
I know it will live on in
our family
730
00:43:26,571 --> 00:43:28,104
As long as we're here.
731
00:43:28,172 --> 00:43:30,907
[music]
732
00:43:32,743 --> 00:43:38,715
[music]