1 00:00:02,627 --> 00:00:03,712 - FEMALE NARRATOR: They were a loving couple 2 00:00:04,921 --> 00:00:08,049 trying to make it in America's heartland. 3 00:00:08,091 --> 00:00:10,343 - They both had kinda had a hard life 4 00:00:10,385 --> 00:00:15,515 and together they were able to make each other stronger. 5 00:00:15,557 --> 00:00:16,766 - They were in love. 6 00:00:16,808 --> 00:00:20,311 And they did have future plans to get married. 7 00:00:21,688 --> 00:00:26,026 - NARRATOR: But their dreams are cut short by a horrific tragedy. 8 00:00:26,067 --> 00:00:28,194 - They had been shot multiple times. 9 00:00:28,236 --> 00:00:30,321 There was large amounts of blood. 10 00:00:30,363 --> 00:00:33,033 - The scene was a slaughterhouse. 11 00:00:33,074 --> 00:00:35,076 - NARRATOR: The investigation will force police 12 00:00:35,118 --> 00:00:38,371 to re-visit atrocities from the past. 13 00:00:38,413 --> 00:00:40,999 - Southern Illinois was one of the locations 14 00:00:41,041 --> 00:00:43,501 for the railroad killer. 15 00:00:43,543 --> 00:00:46,755 The community instantly was on alert. 16 00:00:47,922 --> 00:00:50,216 - NARRATOR: The search for a suspect will lead detectives 17 00:00:50,258 --> 00:00:53,219 on a cross-country manhunt... 18 00:00:53,261 --> 00:00:55,513 and reveal a darker truth, 19 00:00:55,555 --> 00:00:58,808 one culminating in the greatest act of betrayal 20 00:00:58,850 --> 00:01:00,769 from a friend in need. 21 00:01:09,110 --> 00:01:10,945 - Their plan was that they were going to 22 00:01:10,987 --> 00:01:12,906 be together in eternity. 23 00:01:12,947 --> 00:01:16,743 - These two young people's lives were thrown away for what? 24 00:01:16,785 --> 00:01:18,036 Nothing. 25 00:01:18,078 --> 00:01:20,455 Four people basically died that day. 26 00:01:31,549 --> 00:01:36,179 - * 27 00:01:36,221 --> 00:01:38,765 - [muffled scream, gasp] 28 00:01:38,807 --> 00:01:40,600 - ** 29 00:01:43,853 --> 00:01:46,606 - NARRATOR: West Frankfort, Illinois is a quiet town 30 00:01:46,648 --> 00:01:49,901 where residents value their slower pace of life. 31 00:01:51,069 --> 00:01:55,532 - West Frankfurt is a small, tight knit, charming community. 32 00:01:55,573 --> 00:01:58,660 The sort of place you'd want to raise a family. 33 00:01:58,702 --> 00:02:01,913 - It used to be a big coal mining area. 34 00:02:01,955 --> 00:02:04,708 Most people know each other there. 35 00:02:08,378 --> 00:02:11,506 - NARRATOR: But on October 19th, 2009, 36 00:02:11,548 --> 00:02:15,927 the town's laidback and friendly veneer is shattered... 37 00:02:15,969 --> 00:02:18,638 when West Frankfort 911 dispatchers 38 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:21,433 receive a panicked call from a family member 39 00:02:21,474 --> 00:02:25,812 of 32-year-old local resident Terri Seibeck. 40 00:02:27,522 --> 00:02:30,191 - JEFF: Terri's aunt called to report that 41 00:02:30,233 --> 00:02:34,529 she had spoken with Terri on the evening of the 18th 42 00:02:34,571 --> 00:02:39,492 and was unable to get in contact with her on the 19th. 43 00:02:39,534 --> 00:02:42,412 She had learned from Terri's employer that she did not 44 00:02:42,454 --> 00:02:44,456 show up for work that day. 45 00:02:44,497 --> 00:02:46,499 - NARRATOR: Terri's aunt tells dispatchers 46 00:02:46,541 --> 00:02:51,129 that Terri's live-in girlfriend, 28-year-old Kandis Majors, 47 00:02:51,171 --> 00:02:54,382 isn't responding to phone calls either. 48 00:02:54,424 --> 00:02:57,844 - Kandis and Terri are living in Terri's aunt's property. 49 00:02:57,886 --> 00:03:02,140 So, when they don't respond to her phone calls, 50 00:03:02,182 --> 00:03:04,184 she grabs a spare key and heads to the house 51 00:03:04,225 --> 00:03:06,770 to see what was going on. 52 00:03:09,147 --> 00:03:10,482 - When she approached the house, 53 00:03:10,523 --> 00:03:13,401 she noticed there was blood on the storm door. 54 00:03:14,736 --> 00:03:19,366 - Then she notices that the doorknob is covered in blood, 55 00:03:19,407 --> 00:03:23,661 and she doesn't even walk in. She just calls 911. 56 00:03:25,580 --> 00:03:28,249 - NARRATOR: When responding officers arrive on the scene, 57 00:03:28,291 --> 00:03:30,669 Terri's aunt gives them the key. 58 00:03:31,586 --> 00:03:34,130 When they try to enter the front door, 59 00:03:34,172 --> 00:03:38,927 the officers immediately encounter resistance. 60 00:03:39,761 --> 00:03:44,099 - As I pushed the door open, approximately five, six inches, 61 00:03:44,140 --> 00:03:46,601 toes came beneath the door, 62 00:03:46,643 --> 00:03:49,771 and you can see the blood on them. 63 00:03:50,855 --> 00:03:53,441 - I was able to push the door open a little further 64 00:03:53,483 --> 00:03:57,237 to where I could squeeze my upper torso in and look, 65 00:03:57,278 --> 00:03:59,614 and I could see a full body laid out, 66 00:03:59,656 --> 00:04:02,534 perpendicular to the front door. 67 00:04:03,535 --> 00:04:06,788 - The scene was a slaughterhouse. 68 00:04:08,748 --> 00:04:10,709 - The officer observed a female body 69 00:04:10,750 --> 00:04:13,420 that obviously had been shot multiple times, 70 00:04:13,461 --> 00:04:16,548 some four to five times at least. 71 00:04:19,342 --> 00:04:21,052 - NARRATOR: As police step into the room, 72 00:04:21,094 --> 00:04:25,932 they quickly realize there's a second female victim. 73 00:04:26,766 --> 00:04:29,602 - She was crumpled between the couch 74 00:04:29,644 --> 00:04:32,188 and the coffee table of the residence. 75 00:04:32,230 --> 00:04:34,524 There was large amounts of blood in the carpeting 76 00:04:34,566 --> 00:04:37,402 and on the coffee table itself. 77 00:04:38,737 --> 00:04:40,905 - NARRATOR: Police identify the victims as 78 00:04:40,947 --> 00:04:43,825 Terri Seibeck and Kandis Majors. 79 00:04:44,993 --> 00:04:48,163 - And we knew who resided there and who to expect 80 00:04:48,204 --> 00:04:50,665 to be inside of that house. 81 00:04:50,707 --> 00:04:53,793 Terri's aunt was on scene as we came out of the residence 82 00:04:53,835 --> 00:04:57,005 and I think she saw it in my face when I came out. 83 00:04:58,423 --> 00:05:00,717 - NARRATOR: As homicide detectives are called in, 84 00:05:00,759 --> 00:05:02,761 questions remain. 85 00:05:02,802 --> 00:05:06,056 Who killed this seemingly loving couple? 86 00:05:06,097 --> 00:05:08,099 And why? 87 00:05:10,352 --> 00:05:13,980 Since 2007, Terri Seibeck and Kandis Majors 88 00:05:14,022 --> 00:05:15,899 had been supporting one another 89 00:05:15,940 --> 00:05:18,818 both in life and in love. 90 00:05:18,860 --> 00:05:22,072 Both single mothers, the women had faced adversity 91 00:05:22,113 --> 00:05:24,657 growing up in small-town Illinois... 92 00:05:24,699 --> 00:05:28,703 and had bonded over staying sober for nearly a decade. 93 00:05:29,662 --> 00:05:32,290 - Kandis was a ball of life. 94 00:05:32,332 --> 00:05:36,544 She was a very bright, intelligent girl. 95 00:05:36,586 --> 00:05:38,546 Kandis had a beautiful smile 96 00:05:38,588 --> 00:05:41,383 that lit up the room when she walked in. 97 00:05:41,424 --> 00:05:44,511 She had so many positive things going for her, 98 00:05:44,552 --> 00:05:48,765 but she got into meth really bad for a while 99 00:05:48,807 --> 00:05:50,850 she would go out and start partying 100 00:05:50,892 --> 00:05:53,812 and go on binges for three or four days. 101 00:05:53,853 --> 00:05:56,690 - She would keep a job, lose a job, get another job, 102 00:05:56,731 --> 00:05:59,192 kind of just like dead-end jobs. 103 00:05:59,234 --> 00:06:00,360 Just really wasn't going anywhere 104 00:06:00,402 --> 00:06:02,654 in her life with it. 105 00:06:03,738 --> 00:06:06,366 - NARRATOR: After losing custody of her two children, 106 00:06:06,408 --> 00:06:10,161 Kandis knew she needed to make a change. 107 00:06:10,203 --> 00:06:13,456 That's when she met Terri Seibeck. 108 00:06:13,498 --> 00:06:15,375 - JESSI: Terri was older and wanting to get 109 00:06:15,417 --> 00:06:16,751 her life together at that point. 110 00:06:16,793 --> 00:06:19,129 She was fighting to get custody back 111 00:06:19,170 --> 00:06:21,506 of these children that she had lost. 112 00:06:21,548 --> 00:06:24,551 She was just kind of down and out needing, needing help 113 00:06:24,592 --> 00:06:26,553 and didn't really have anybody because most of her family 114 00:06:26,594 --> 00:06:29,514 was passed away or not around. 115 00:06:31,016 --> 00:06:32,976 - NARRATOR: When Kandis and Terri were introduced 116 00:06:33,018 --> 00:06:34,728 by mutual friends, 117 00:06:34,769 --> 00:06:38,481 they found a kindred spirit in one another. 118 00:06:38,523 --> 00:06:40,025 - I think they needed each other 119 00:06:40,066 --> 00:06:44,237 just because they both had issues with like past drugs, 120 00:06:44,279 --> 00:06:46,740 addictions, trauma, 121 00:06:46,781 --> 00:06:49,409 they both wanted to get on a better path 122 00:06:49,451 --> 00:06:51,494 and do good for their kids 123 00:06:51,536 --> 00:06:53,747 and get that love back that they lost. 124 00:06:53,788 --> 00:06:55,749 - They both had kinda had a hard life 125 00:06:55,790 --> 00:07:00,211 and I think they found a mutual bond with each other. 126 00:07:00,253 --> 00:07:05,216 Together they were able to make each other stronger. 127 00:07:07,927 --> 00:07:10,472 - JESSI: They 100% like held each other accountable 128 00:07:10,513 --> 00:07:13,850 to always stay clean at that point. 129 00:07:13,892 --> 00:07:16,644 At the beginning of 2007 they became really close 130 00:07:16,686 --> 00:07:18,980 like right after that and moved in together. 131 00:07:19,022 --> 00:07:21,983 - Terri started a job painting with her father. 132 00:07:22,025 --> 00:07:25,111 Kandis had gotten herself enrolled in school 133 00:07:25,153 --> 00:07:27,572 to be a radiologist. 134 00:07:27,614 --> 00:07:32,911 She had, had a job previously working in a nursing home 135 00:07:32,952 --> 00:07:35,997 and she found that she loved that 136 00:07:36,039 --> 00:07:39,793 and that the residents of the home loved Kandis 137 00:07:39,834 --> 00:07:43,672 and that kind of inspired her to wanna do something 138 00:07:43,713 --> 00:07:48,968 in some type of health care or to help people. 139 00:07:49,010 --> 00:07:51,680 - Kandis and Terri had talked to me on many occasions 140 00:07:51,721 --> 00:07:53,723 about you know, how much in love they were, 141 00:07:53,765 --> 00:07:57,185 and they did have future plans to get married. 142 00:07:59,813 --> 00:08:02,399 - NARRATOR: But now the couple has been found shot to death 143 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:04,734 inside their home. 144 00:08:04,776 --> 00:08:06,820 And West Frankfort homicide detectives 145 00:08:06,861 --> 00:08:09,823 must determine what happened. 146 00:08:11,282 --> 00:08:15,578 - There is two women, one of which is laying face down 147 00:08:15,620 --> 00:08:18,998 right by the front door, um, multiple gunshot wounds 148 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:22,377 to both of the women's head and torso. 149 00:08:23,044 --> 00:08:27,007 Terri was shot through her left eye. 150 00:08:27,048 --> 00:08:30,760 There were shell casings all over the place. 151 00:08:32,178 --> 00:08:35,140 - We knew with the gun that we were looking for a .22 auto 152 00:08:35,181 --> 00:08:38,143 or semi auto pistol because of the way that the brass 153 00:08:38,184 --> 00:08:42,063 was ejected into the residence of the house after firing. 154 00:08:44,733 --> 00:08:46,067 - NARRATOR: Detectives are unable 155 00:08:46,109 --> 00:08:48,945 to find a gun in the house. Ruling out the theory 156 00:08:48,987 --> 00:08:52,699 that it may have been a murder-suicide. 157 00:08:52,741 --> 00:08:55,785 - The blood on the front door, on the storm door 158 00:08:55,827 --> 00:08:58,455 on the inside of the exterior door, 159 00:08:58,496 --> 00:09:00,457 when you see that, there was a struggle. 160 00:09:00,498 --> 00:09:04,169 Somebody was fighting to get in or get out. 161 00:09:04,210 --> 00:09:08,089 It wasn't a case of somebody sat down and committed suicide. 162 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:12,052 - I've worked multiple homicide cases, 163 00:09:12,093 --> 00:09:15,555 but the injuries to Kandis and Terri 164 00:09:15,597 --> 00:09:18,892 are the worst that I've ever seen. 165 00:09:21,269 --> 00:09:22,937 - NARRATOR: Coming up... 166 00:09:22,979 --> 00:09:25,607 clues from the crime scene point police 167 00:09:25,648 --> 00:09:28,902 toward a serial killer from the past. 168 00:09:29,277 --> 00:09:30,737 - CHRISTEN: There had been a railroad killer 169 00:09:30,779 --> 00:09:32,906 that terrorized the area 170 00:09:32,947 --> 00:09:34,616 jumping from rail car to rail car 171 00:09:34,657 --> 00:09:36,868 and murdering people. 172 00:09:36,910 --> 00:09:38,203 - NARRATOR: And the search for the truth 173 00:09:38,244 --> 00:09:42,499 will expose conflict within the victims' home. 174 00:09:42,540 --> 00:09:45,919 - He did become kind of obsessed with her 175 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:49,130 it was, I will do anything for this person, 176 00:09:49,172 --> 00:09:51,257 for them to love me. 177 00:10:03,019 --> 00:10:05,063 - NARRATOR: In West Frankfort, Illinois, 178 00:10:05,105 --> 00:10:07,899 police have discovered the bullet-riddled bodies 179 00:10:07,941 --> 00:10:11,528 of 32-year-old Terri Seibeck and her girlfriend, 180 00:10:11,569 --> 00:10:14,114 28-year-old Kandis Majors. 181 00:10:15,448 --> 00:10:17,409 As they process the crime scene, 182 00:10:17,450 --> 00:10:19,160 detectives try to figure out 183 00:10:19,202 --> 00:10:22,497 what the killer's motive might have been. 184 00:10:23,581 --> 00:10:26,668 - We began looking around to see if somebody might have 185 00:10:26,710 --> 00:10:31,006 gone in to rob them of valuables or drugs, 186 00:10:31,047 --> 00:10:34,467 if they woulda had those in their possession. 187 00:10:34,509 --> 00:10:36,720 We had to cover every angle of 188 00:10:36,761 --> 00:10:39,139 who might've done this and why. 189 00:10:39,681 --> 00:10:41,182 - There were signs of a robbery. 190 00:10:41,224 --> 00:10:43,893 Both of the victims' credit cards 191 00:10:43,935 --> 00:10:46,479 and ids were missing. 192 00:10:47,772 --> 00:10:49,399 - NARRATOR: According to Terri's aunt, 193 00:10:49,441 --> 00:10:54,863 Terri's gold Chevrolet Impala is also missing from the driveway. 194 00:10:56,406 --> 00:10:58,742 - At this point, our biggest piece of evidence 195 00:10:58,783 --> 00:11:01,369 that we're missing would be the vehicle. 196 00:11:01,411 --> 00:11:04,456 And it's either gonna contain items of evidentiary value 197 00:11:04,497 --> 00:11:05,915 or contain the killers. 198 00:11:05,957 --> 00:11:07,625 And so that was our primary focus 199 00:11:07,667 --> 00:11:10,086 was to find that vehicle. 200 00:11:12,130 --> 00:11:13,923 I instructed one of my investigators 201 00:11:13,965 --> 00:11:16,926 to start contacting gas stations 202 00:11:16,968 --> 00:11:19,429 starting with the ones that would've been open 203 00:11:19,471 --> 00:11:20,930 in the late hours. 204 00:11:20,972 --> 00:11:22,974 If Terri's car was not full of gas 205 00:11:23,016 --> 00:11:25,226 and they were planning on fleeing the area 206 00:11:25,268 --> 00:11:28,480 and they needed fuel, let's check and see if they did. 207 00:11:30,982 --> 00:11:33,860 - NARRATOR: While police track down surveillance footage, 208 00:11:33,902 --> 00:11:37,113 detectives dig deeper into the crime scene... 209 00:11:37,155 --> 00:11:40,450 and find problems with the robbery theory. 210 00:11:42,827 --> 00:11:44,496 - The house didn't seem to be ransacked. 211 00:11:44,537 --> 00:11:46,039 It didn't look like people had 212 00:11:46,081 --> 00:11:48,708 really torn it completely apart like they were searching 213 00:11:48,750 --> 00:11:53,004 for a specific item or items of value. 214 00:11:53,838 --> 00:11:55,465 - There was a stack of cash in the other room 215 00:11:55,507 --> 00:11:58,301 that was seemingly untouched and there was some 216 00:11:58,343 --> 00:12:01,846 expensive jewelry that was left alone as well. 217 00:12:01,888 --> 00:12:06,142 There were no signs of forced entry into this home 218 00:12:06,184 --> 00:12:09,479 which led investigators to believe that 219 00:12:09,521 --> 00:12:12,357 Kandis and Terri let them in. 220 00:12:16,319 --> 00:12:18,780 - NARRATOR: Detectives conclude that Kandis and Terri 221 00:12:18,822 --> 00:12:23,201 likely knew the killer. The evidence of overkill 222 00:12:23,243 --> 00:12:27,038 suggests a deeply personal crime. 223 00:12:28,039 --> 00:12:29,833 - They'd been shot multiple times. 224 00:12:29,874 --> 00:12:31,418 And we even found some live rounds 225 00:12:31,459 --> 00:12:33,169 knowing that they must've had a jam with the gun 226 00:12:33,211 --> 00:12:36,339 and had to clear that and reload. 227 00:12:38,717 --> 00:12:40,176 - NARRATOR: With no clear evidence 228 00:12:40,218 --> 00:12:44,639 pointing to who killed Kandis and Terri-- or why-- 229 00:12:44,681 --> 00:12:46,975 detectives contact their families 230 00:12:47,017 --> 00:12:50,520 and break the devastating news. 231 00:12:50,562 --> 00:12:52,731 - CINDY: I thought everything was going great. 232 00:12:52,772 --> 00:12:54,315 They both were working. 233 00:12:54,357 --> 00:12:56,109 You know, the car they had bought 234 00:12:56,151 --> 00:12:58,653 was, you know, a nice car. 235 00:12:58,695 --> 00:13:02,032 They were paying their bills, they were going to school, 236 00:13:02,073 --> 00:13:05,869 you know, they were living the typical, normal life. 237 00:13:05,910 --> 00:13:08,580 So, it was very much a shock. 238 00:13:11,916 --> 00:13:16,254 I thought maybe drugs because whenever you deal 239 00:13:16,296 --> 00:13:19,174 with certain people and drugs and things like that, 240 00:13:19,215 --> 00:13:21,968 you know, things can go bad. 241 00:13:22,552 --> 00:13:24,387 - CHRISTEN: Any time you're involved in 242 00:13:24,429 --> 00:13:26,556 illegal drug activity 243 00:13:26,598 --> 00:13:29,351 you're going to have some shady connections. 244 00:13:29,392 --> 00:13:31,436 So, I think that's where most people's minds 245 00:13:31,478 --> 00:13:35,357 went to first is that maybe this was a drug deal gone wrong. 246 00:13:36,483 --> 00:13:38,234 - Maybe someone was getting revenge 247 00:13:38,276 --> 00:13:40,570 from something a long time ago. 248 00:13:40,612 --> 00:13:43,114 Or it was like, something they owed money to. 249 00:13:43,156 --> 00:13:45,408 And it was finally coming back, back to them. 250 00:13:45,450 --> 00:13:47,410 And unfortunately, I-that's the first thing 251 00:13:47,452 --> 00:13:49,954 I thought what happened. 252 00:13:52,123 --> 00:13:54,751 - NARRATOR: Police immediately begin canvassing 253 00:13:54,793 --> 00:13:56,961 the couple's neighborhood in the hopes 254 00:13:57,003 --> 00:14:00,632 someone may have noticed suspicious activity. 255 00:14:02,300 --> 00:14:03,760 - We started with n--neighbors 256 00:14:03,802 --> 00:14:05,553 to see what they had seen in the area. 257 00:14:05,595 --> 00:14:07,931 And we find out a little bit of information 258 00:14:07,972 --> 00:14:10,558 on Kandis and Terri's residence. 259 00:14:11,893 --> 00:14:15,146 - NARRATOR: While no one can offer any concrete information 260 00:14:15,188 --> 00:14:17,607 to support the drug theory, 261 00:14:17,649 --> 00:14:22,529 detectives do find a witness who offers a chilling tip. 262 00:14:24,155 --> 00:14:27,158 - One of the neighbors had seen a male subject in the area 263 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:29,953 of the residence of Terri and Kandis's house 264 00:14:29,994 --> 00:14:31,246 on the railroad tracks 265 00:14:31,287 --> 00:14:33,873 early in the morning on the 19th. 266 00:14:34,833 --> 00:14:38,044 - NARRATOR: The tip sounds eerily familiar to reports 267 00:14:38,086 --> 00:14:42,507 that law enforcement had received several years earlier. 268 00:14:43,508 --> 00:14:45,927 - Southern Illinois was one of the locations 269 00:14:45,969 --> 00:14:48,555 for the railroad killer. 270 00:14:50,181 --> 00:14:53,977 The man who jumped from rail car to rail car 271 00:14:54,019 --> 00:14:55,770 and popped into communities 272 00:14:55,812 --> 00:14:59,357 and created heinous scenes like this. 273 00:15:01,026 --> 00:15:03,319 I remember being a child and being at home 274 00:15:03,361 --> 00:15:06,281 and being absolutely terrified that the railroad killer 275 00:15:06,322 --> 00:15:09,075 was going to come to my home. 276 00:15:10,076 --> 00:15:11,286 - NARRATOR: Authorities know that 277 00:15:11,327 --> 00:15:14,080 the infamous railroad killer 278 00:15:14,122 --> 00:15:18,335 had died three years earlier by lethal injection. 279 00:15:18,376 --> 00:15:20,628 Police must now figure out: 280 00:15:20,670 --> 00:15:24,549 are they dealing with a serial killer copycat? 281 00:15:27,010 --> 00:15:29,846 - I think that, that might have been a concern for many people. 282 00:15:29,888 --> 00:15:32,307 Was this another railroad killer? 283 00:15:32,349 --> 00:15:35,352 The community instantly was on alert. 284 00:15:36,394 --> 00:15:39,314 - The citizens are wondering, are they still in our town? 285 00:15:39,898 --> 00:15:42,484 - The whole community was shaken wondering who could have 286 00:15:42,525 --> 00:15:46,112 done something like this because something like this 287 00:15:46,154 --> 00:15:50,367 couldn't be done by anyone in this community, right? 288 00:15:50,408 --> 00:15:54,329 - We put a description of that subject out over the radio. 289 00:15:54,371 --> 00:15:57,791 Citizens listening to the scanner in town 290 00:15:57,832 --> 00:16:01,294 found a subject towards the south end of our city, 291 00:16:01,336 --> 00:16:03,421 that matched that description. 292 00:16:03,463 --> 00:16:06,299 Officers were dispatched to the area. 293 00:16:08,968 --> 00:16:10,387 - NARRATOR: When police locate the man, 294 00:16:10,428 --> 00:16:13,723 he appears confused by the claims. 295 00:16:15,100 --> 00:16:17,310 With no solid alibi, however, 296 00:16:17,352 --> 00:16:20,021 police bring him in for questioning. 297 00:16:20,814 --> 00:16:24,317 The main claims he was only out for a nightly stroll 298 00:16:24,359 --> 00:16:26,444 and he had nothing to do with the murders 299 00:16:26,486 --> 00:16:30,073 of Kandis Majors and Terri Seibeck. 300 00:16:30,115 --> 00:16:32,367 - It was just some guy that was on the tracks. 301 00:16:32,409 --> 00:16:34,077 He was ultimately ruled out 302 00:16:34,119 --> 00:16:37,122 as having any involvement in this crime. 303 00:16:41,751 --> 00:16:44,087 - NARRATOR: As detectives continue digging into 304 00:16:44,129 --> 00:16:46,297 the couple's lives for clues, 305 00:16:46,339 --> 00:16:51,052 their friends offer police their first real lead. 306 00:16:51,094 --> 00:16:54,222 - They told us that... Terri and Kandis 307 00:16:54,264 --> 00:16:57,434 had a couple that ha--they had allowed to stay with them 308 00:16:57,475 --> 00:16:59,436 because they had fallen on hard times 309 00:16:59,477 --> 00:17:01,938 and needed a place to stay. And they had been 310 00:17:01,980 --> 00:17:05,275 residing with them for a couple months. 311 00:17:06,568 --> 00:17:08,319 - NARRATOR: Friends identify the couple 312 00:17:08,361 --> 00:17:11,156 as 19-year-old Afton Ferris and 313 00:17:11,197 --> 00:17:14,617 29-year-old Michael Schallert. 314 00:17:14,659 --> 00:17:17,454 - We didn't find anything in the residence 315 00:17:17,495 --> 00:17:20,582 at the initial search to state who they were 316 00:17:20,623 --> 00:17:23,335 because their belongings were gone. 317 00:17:23,376 --> 00:17:25,879 Uh, which was concerning. 318 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:28,340 - NARRATOR: But friends reveal that Afton and Michael 319 00:17:28,381 --> 00:17:30,800 had moved out of Kandis and Terri's house 320 00:17:30,842 --> 00:17:34,971 on October 18th... after conflict had developed 321 00:17:35,013 --> 00:17:37,223 between the two couples. 322 00:17:38,433 --> 00:17:41,978 - Afton and Michael Schallert had been accused of stealing 323 00:17:42,020 --> 00:17:44,314 from Terri Seibeck and Kandis Majors, 324 00:17:44,356 --> 00:17:49,069 and then, they were asked to leave. 325 00:17:49,110 --> 00:17:50,695 - NARRATOR: As police put out an APB 326 00:17:50,737 --> 00:17:53,365 for Afton Ferris and Michael Schallert, 327 00:17:53,406 --> 00:17:57,952 a witness comes forward to report another crime. 328 00:17:57,994 --> 00:18:00,038 - We had a subject that came forward 329 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:01,790 and contacted the police department to say 330 00:18:01,831 --> 00:18:05,251 that Mike and Afton had been at his residence 331 00:18:05,293 --> 00:18:07,754 on the evening of the 18th 332 00:18:07,796 --> 00:18:10,590 they had left after he had gone to sleep. 333 00:18:10,632 --> 00:18:13,551 And when he awoke, he realized that 334 00:18:13,593 --> 00:18:16,888 a .22 pistol was missing from his house. 335 00:18:18,139 --> 00:18:21,643 - NARRATOR: Detectives realize it's the same caliber of weapon 336 00:18:21,685 --> 00:18:25,897 that was used in the murders of Kandis and Terri. 337 00:18:25,939 --> 00:18:28,191 - Then when we learned that the gun was missing from there 338 00:18:28,233 --> 00:18:29,818 and Michael and Afton had been there, 339 00:18:29,859 --> 00:18:31,903 the night before the murders. I wasn't wasting 340 00:18:31,945 --> 00:18:35,573 any more resources, you know, looking anywhere else. 341 00:18:38,827 --> 00:18:39,994 - NARRATOR: Coming up... 342 00:18:40,036 --> 00:18:42,539 police face a race against the clock 343 00:18:42,580 --> 00:18:46,459 to track down their suspects before it's too late. 344 00:18:47,252 --> 00:18:49,963 - The vehicle had left the gas station. 345 00:18:50,005 --> 00:18:51,548 Headed towards the interstate, 346 00:18:51,589 --> 00:18:54,801 so, we were certain that they had fled our jurisdiction. 347 00:19:09,065 --> 00:19:12,444 - NARRATOR: Less than 24 hours into their investigation, 348 00:19:12,485 --> 00:19:14,821 police in West Frankfort, Illinois 349 00:19:14,863 --> 00:19:18,074 are searching for 29-year-old Michael Schallert 350 00:19:18,116 --> 00:19:20,618 and 19-year-old Afton Ferris 351 00:19:20,660 --> 00:19:23,038 in connection with the murders of their friends 352 00:19:23,079 --> 00:19:27,792 and former roommates, Terri Seibeck and Kandis Majors. 353 00:19:29,169 --> 00:19:31,171 - We had learned Afton's driver's license 354 00:19:31,212 --> 00:19:33,089 was issued out of the state of Wyoming. 355 00:19:33,131 --> 00:19:37,260 And Michael Schallert had ties out in Colorado, Wyoming also. 356 00:19:37,302 --> 00:19:39,846 So, we kind of suspected that, that would be 357 00:19:39,888 --> 00:19:43,391 a familiar place for them that they would be fleeing to. 358 00:19:45,185 --> 00:19:47,687 - NARRATOR: Detectives track down Michael's family 359 00:19:47,729 --> 00:19:50,106 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, but they say 360 00:19:50,148 --> 00:19:53,068 they haven't heard from him. 361 00:19:53,109 --> 00:19:56,363 When detectives ask the family about Michael's connection 362 00:19:56,404 --> 00:19:59,366 to Terri and Kandis, they learn Michael had been 363 00:19:59,407 --> 00:20:02,744 close friends with Terri for years. 364 00:20:03,578 --> 00:20:05,622 - Friends had a hard time believing that Michael 365 00:20:05,663 --> 00:20:08,333 was capable of doing anything violent. 366 00:20:08,375 --> 00:20:11,127 Especially to Terri and Kandis. 367 00:20:12,837 --> 00:20:16,716 - Michael is a kind and caring person. 368 00:20:16,758 --> 00:20:20,595 He has always been the type to give, you know, 369 00:20:20,637 --> 00:20:23,848 the shirt off his back for somebody else. 370 00:20:23,890 --> 00:20:26,726 - Michael Schallert is from a good family. 371 00:20:26,768 --> 00:20:30,605 He's the oldest of two children, born in 1979. 372 00:20:31,272 --> 00:20:35,819 His friends describe him as kindhearted and compassionate 373 00:20:35,860 --> 00:20:38,571 and a good guy 374 00:20:38,613 --> 00:20:41,700 who just happens to fall in love really easily. 375 00:20:44,536 --> 00:20:48,289 - He had his first kid when he was fifteen years old. 376 00:20:48,331 --> 00:20:51,668 That in and of itself kind of 377 00:20:51,710 --> 00:20:56,506 had a huge impact on the trajectory of his life. 378 00:20:57,799 --> 00:20:59,759 He was barely able to have a work permit 379 00:20:59,801 --> 00:21:03,888 let alone have to raise a child. 380 00:21:06,933 --> 00:21:08,935 - NARRATOR: Detectives learn that over the years, 381 00:21:08,977 --> 00:21:11,479 Michael had wandered state to state 382 00:21:11,521 --> 00:21:14,482 searching for stability. 383 00:21:14,524 --> 00:21:15,942 - He was something of a drifter, 384 00:21:15,984 --> 00:21:18,528 someone who could not hold down a job, 385 00:21:18,570 --> 00:21:22,907 someone who was looking 386 00:21:22,949 --> 00:21:25,952 for someone to take care of him in an emotional sense. 387 00:21:25,994 --> 00:21:28,288 - NARRATOR: When he landed in West Frankfort, Illinois, 388 00:21:28,329 --> 00:21:32,125 he had quickly struck up a friendship with Terri Seibeck 389 00:21:32,167 --> 00:21:34,878 who offered him a place to stay. 390 00:21:34,919 --> 00:21:37,130 - She said she was trying to help get him back on his feet. 391 00:21:37,172 --> 00:21:40,133 They were together like every day hanging out, 392 00:21:40,175 --> 00:21:43,219 doing all the normal stuff that, you know, best friends do. 393 00:21:43,261 --> 00:21:44,971 - He seemed to be making a life 394 00:21:45,013 --> 00:21:47,223 and he seemed to be doing really, really good 395 00:21:47,265 --> 00:21:50,727 and then he came back to Cheyenne. 396 00:21:53,855 --> 00:21:56,983 - NARRATOR: After returning home to Wyoming in 2008, 397 00:21:57,025 --> 00:22:00,904 Michael met 18-year-old Afton Ferris. 398 00:22:00,945 --> 00:22:03,323 Like Michael, Afton had been searching 399 00:22:03,365 --> 00:22:05,950 for a place to call home. 400 00:22:06,951 --> 00:22:09,829 - Afton Ferris grew up in the foster system. 401 00:22:09,871 --> 00:22:14,417 She was in and out of homes. She ran away multiple times. 402 00:22:14,459 --> 00:22:16,836 Despite all odds, at the age of 18, 403 00:22:16,878 --> 00:22:20,965 she became valedictorian of her high school class. 404 00:22:21,007 --> 00:22:23,426 But unfortunately, after she graduated, 405 00:22:23,468 --> 00:22:26,346 she was unable to keep a steady job 406 00:22:26,388 --> 00:22:29,683 and was unable to keep a home. 407 00:22:29,724 --> 00:22:33,728 - SHAUNA: Michael met Afton when she was homeless, 408 00:22:33,770 --> 00:22:38,233 she had been kind of going to bars and stuff. 409 00:22:39,442 --> 00:22:42,737 - Michael found out that she was homeless and couch surfing, 410 00:22:42,779 --> 00:22:46,032 and he immediately offers to take her in. 411 00:22:46,074 --> 00:22:49,244 And that's how the two start their romance. 412 00:22:52,038 --> 00:22:55,875 - Schallert was incredibly nurturing towards Afton Ferris. 413 00:22:55,917 --> 00:22:59,421 He displayed what appeared to be 414 00:22:59,462 --> 00:23:03,091 very sincere motives on his part. 415 00:23:03,133 --> 00:23:06,052 - SHAUNA: He did become kind of obsessed, 416 00:23:06,094 --> 00:23:08,430 you know, with Afton. 417 00:23:08,471 --> 00:23:10,682 It wasn't necessarily an obsession like, 418 00:23:10,724 --> 00:23:12,475 a crazy obsession, it was, 419 00:23:12,517 --> 00:23:14,561 I will do anything for this person 420 00:23:14,602 --> 00:23:16,980 for them to love me. 421 00:23:19,941 --> 00:23:22,485 When Michael asked me if him and Afton 422 00:23:22,527 --> 00:23:25,238 could stay at my house. I told him no 423 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:27,741 I had just had, had a kid 424 00:23:27,782 --> 00:23:30,744 and he was not even a year old yet. 425 00:23:30,785 --> 00:23:34,748 I'm not gonna allow some girl that I didn't even know 426 00:23:34,789 --> 00:23:37,792 to stay in my house. 427 00:23:37,834 --> 00:23:41,254 - An angered Michael decides to move to West Frankfort 428 00:23:41,296 --> 00:23:44,966 where he had been happy and has a strong group of friends. 429 00:23:45,008 --> 00:23:48,720 One of those friends happens to be Terri Seibeck. 430 00:23:49,971 --> 00:23:52,015 - NARRATOR: Terri welcomed her old friend 431 00:23:52,057 --> 00:23:56,644 and his new girlfriend into her and Kandis Majors' home. 432 00:23:56,686 --> 00:23:59,606 - They, you know, took my brother in 433 00:23:59,647 --> 00:24:01,191 when he needed a place to stay 434 00:24:01,232 --> 00:24:04,694 and that was pretty nice of them to do that. 435 00:24:04,736 --> 00:24:06,780 - NARRATOR: But police learn that it wasn't long 436 00:24:06,821 --> 00:24:10,909 before tensions erupted between the two couples. 437 00:24:13,828 --> 00:24:15,997 - About a month after they had moved in, 438 00:24:16,039 --> 00:24:18,083 I'd spoke with Terri on the phone 439 00:24:18,124 --> 00:24:20,001 and she just seemed really frustrated, 440 00:24:20,043 --> 00:24:23,838 saying some of their things had came up missing. 441 00:24:23,880 --> 00:24:26,549 Small articles, um, I think it was probably like 442 00:24:26,591 --> 00:24:28,718 some pieces of jewelry or money. 443 00:24:28,760 --> 00:24:30,970 It was just small things. 444 00:24:31,012 --> 00:24:35,350 She told me that no one else had been in the house. 445 00:24:36,559 --> 00:24:39,062 - Terri and Kandis believed that this couple 446 00:24:39,104 --> 00:24:41,898 has began stealing items from them 447 00:24:41,940 --> 00:24:43,483 and that they were gonna ask them 448 00:24:43,525 --> 00:24:45,985 to move out of their house. 449 00:24:46,027 --> 00:24:49,656 - Eventually they packed up Afton and Michael's things 450 00:24:49,698 --> 00:24:50,865 and put them on the front porch 451 00:24:50,907 --> 00:24:53,118 and asked them to come pick them up. 452 00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:56,621 - I know how Kandis is. She's hot headed, 453 00:24:56,663 --> 00:24:58,957 and if she was angry 'cause she pinpointed 454 00:24:58,998 --> 00:25:01,292 what they did, she would push 'em right out. 455 00:25:01,334 --> 00:25:02,836 That's just how she was. 456 00:25:02,877 --> 00:25:05,171 She would give you one chance and she was done with you. 457 00:25:05,213 --> 00:25:07,007 And I don't, I wouldn't blame her. 458 00:25:07,966 --> 00:25:10,135 - NARRATOR: Less than 24 hours later, 459 00:25:10,176 --> 00:25:13,221 Kandis and Terri were found murdered. 460 00:25:14,723 --> 00:25:16,516 Police know they need to track down 461 00:25:16,558 --> 00:25:19,227 Afton and Michael immediately. 462 00:25:20,353 --> 00:25:23,606 Less than 48 hours into their investigation, 463 00:25:23,648 --> 00:25:25,859 police get a tip that Terri Seibeck's 464 00:25:25,900 --> 00:25:28,778 missing Chevy Impala has been spotted 465 00:25:28,820 --> 00:25:32,032 on a gas station security camera. 466 00:25:32,073 --> 00:25:34,200 - CHRISTEN: Gas station footage near the crime scene 467 00:25:34,242 --> 00:25:38,163 revealed the stolen vehicle pulling up to the pump 468 00:25:38,204 --> 00:25:39,622 near the interstate. 469 00:25:39,664 --> 00:25:41,875 And guess who happens to walk out? 470 00:25:41,916 --> 00:25:44,169 Michael Schallert, to pump gas. 471 00:25:45,920 --> 00:25:47,505 - JEFF: There was a person in the vehicle 472 00:25:47,547 --> 00:25:50,717 that remained in the front passenger seat of the vehicle. 473 00:25:50,759 --> 00:25:52,594 From her body style it looked like 474 00:25:52,635 --> 00:25:55,263 it appeared to be a female. 475 00:25:56,097 --> 00:25:58,391 - While the blonde, sitting in the passenger seat, 476 00:25:58,433 --> 00:25:59,684 doesn't ever get out, 477 00:25:59,726 --> 00:26:03,396 she does match the description of Afton Ferris. 478 00:26:04,147 --> 00:26:05,565 - It's a valuable piece of information 479 00:26:05,607 --> 00:26:08,276 'cause the vehicle left the gas station. 480 00:26:08,318 --> 00:26:11,029 We could watch it as it left on the roadway 481 00:26:11,071 --> 00:26:12,989 headed towards the interstate, 482 00:26:13,031 --> 00:26:15,700 which was only like a block and a half from the interstate. 483 00:26:15,742 --> 00:26:19,287 Uh, so we were certain that they had fled our jurisdiction. 484 00:26:23,041 --> 00:26:25,960 - NARRATOR: Detectives speak to gas station employees to see 485 00:26:26,002 --> 00:26:30,048 if they have any additional information on the couple. 486 00:26:30,090 --> 00:26:33,760 - The clerk remembered Schallert coming in the night before. 487 00:26:33,802 --> 00:26:36,388 They remember he was in a hurry, 488 00:26:36,429 --> 00:26:38,932 and he used a credit card 489 00:26:38,973 --> 00:26:42,018 that was in the name of Kandis Majors, 490 00:26:42,060 --> 00:26:45,438 but actually signed his own name on the ticket. 491 00:26:48,149 --> 00:26:49,984 - NARRATOR: Detectives subpoena records 492 00:26:50,026 --> 00:26:51,945 for the stolen credit cards, 493 00:26:51,986 --> 00:26:55,281 hoping to track the missing couple. 494 00:26:55,323 --> 00:26:58,952 - The police are able to watch Michael and Afton 495 00:26:58,993 --> 00:27:02,747 travel out west by the credit card transactions 496 00:27:02,789 --> 00:27:05,917 on one of the stolen victim's credit cards. 497 00:27:05,959 --> 00:27:09,170 - Sooner or later they're gonna not use the card. 498 00:27:09,212 --> 00:27:12,340 But as long as they're using it, that's great for us. 499 00:27:12,382 --> 00:27:15,135 - NARRATOR: On October 21st, 2 days after 500 00:27:15,176 --> 00:27:18,138 the bodies of Kandis and Terri were discovered, 501 00:27:18,179 --> 00:27:22,308 the credit card activity stops in Larimer County, Colorado. 502 00:27:23,309 --> 00:27:25,645 When detectives ask Michael's family 503 00:27:25,687 --> 00:27:27,856 if Michael has any connections there, 504 00:27:27,897 --> 00:27:30,150 they catch a break. 505 00:27:30,191 --> 00:27:33,028 - The marshals in Larimer County, Colorado 506 00:27:33,069 --> 00:27:35,321 had learned that Michael Schallert had a friend 507 00:27:35,363 --> 00:27:39,200 who resided in the trailer park in Fort Collins, Colorado. 508 00:27:39,242 --> 00:27:43,163 Surveillance on that residence identified a Chevy Impala 509 00:27:43,204 --> 00:27:47,292 which is the type of vehicle that Terri Seibeck owned. 510 00:27:47,334 --> 00:27:49,711 Now that we see what we're pretty certain 511 00:27:49,753 --> 00:27:53,340 would be the vehicle in this trailer park 512 00:27:53,381 --> 00:27:56,426 those departments establish surveillance in there 513 00:27:56,468 --> 00:28:01,431 to make sure that Michael and Afton are at this residence. 514 00:28:02,891 --> 00:28:04,434 This is kind of a complicated surveillance 515 00:28:04,476 --> 00:28:07,020 because you're in a tight knit community 516 00:28:07,062 --> 00:28:09,606 where the same people come and go daily, 517 00:28:09,647 --> 00:28:11,441 and they know who should be there 518 00:28:11,483 --> 00:28:13,234 and who shouldn't be. 519 00:28:13,276 --> 00:28:16,071 - The homes are in such close proximity to each other, 520 00:28:16,112 --> 00:28:20,075 it makes it really hard for police to go unseen. 521 00:28:22,786 --> 00:28:23,912 - NARRATOR: Coming up. 522 00:28:23,953 --> 00:28:26,039 As authorities take their positions 523 00:28:26,081 --> 00:28:28,750 outside the trailer, they brace themselves 524 00:28:28,792 --> 00:28:31,878 for a standoff with two desperate killers 525 00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:35,757 willing to do anything to remain free. 526 00:28:35,799 --> 00:28:39,844 - This is a double homicide, and they're taking no chances 527 00:28:39,886 --> 00:28:41,805 with these individuals who are believed to be 528 00:28:41,846 --> 00:28:44,307 armed and dangerous. 529 00:28:56,111 --> 00:28:58,697 - NARRATOR: Authorities have tracked suspected killers 530 00:28:58,738 --> 00:29:00,824 Michael Schallert and Afton Ferris 531 00:29:00,865 --> 00:29:03,451 to Larimer County, Colorado. 532 00:29:03,493 --> 00:29:05,495 After staking out the trailer park, 533 00:29:05,537 --> 00:29:08,331 police visually identify their targets 534 00:29:08,373 --> 00:29:11,835 two days after Kandis Majors and Terri Seibeck 535 00:29:11,876 --> 00:29:14,504 were discovered murdered. 536 00:29:14,546 --> 00:29:17,257 - The surveillance team was able to recognize Afton 537 00:29:17,298 --> 00:29:20,301 come out of the residence go to Terri's vehicle 538 00:29:20,343 --> 00:29:22,929 along with Michael and remove items 539 00:29:22,971 --> 00:29:26,391 from the vehicle and place them in a trash bag. 540 00:29:26,433 --> 00:29:28,435 Michael then took the trash bag over 541 00:29:28,476 --> 00:29:30,311 and placed it in a trash receptacle 542 00:29:30,353 --> 00:29:32,522 outside of the trailer. 543 00:29:32,564 --> 00:29:35,734 - That's when the police orchestrate a takedown. 544 00:29:40,238 --> 00:29:42,615 - NARRATOR: The SWAT team uses a stun grenade 545 00:29:42,657 --> 00:29:46,536 to temporarily disorient Michael and Afton. 546 00:29:53,293 --> 00:29:57,047 - They made their approach and took both of them into custody. 547 00:29:57,088 --> 00:29:58,506 - NARRATOR: While Afton and Michael 548 00:29:58,548 --> 00:30:02,552 are transported to the local station for questioning, 549 00:30:02,594 --> 00:30:05,388 law enforcement conducts a search of the premises 550 00:30:05,430 --> 00:30:09,225 and Terri Seibeck's vehicle. 551 00:30:09,267 --> 00:30:10,685 - During the execution of the search warrant 552 00:30:10,727 --> 00:30:14,397 in the trash bag they located bloody clothing 553 00:30:14,439 --> 00:30:17,150 that had been worn by Afton Ferris. 554 00:30:18,485 --> 00:30:21,571 - They also find the remaining stolen credit cards 555 00:30:21,613 --> 00:30:25,367 along with both Kandis's and Terri's ID. 556 00:30:26,618 --> 00:30:29,287 - In the execution of the search warrant on the trailer 557 00:30:29,329 --> 00:30:33,249 they found a black purse that was Afton's purse 558 00:30:33,291 --> 00:30:35,210 and inside the purse they found a 559 00:30:35,251 --> 00:30:38,672 black Ruger .22 semi-auto pistol. 560 00:30:39,839 --> 00:30:43,259 This was the same weapon that had been reported stolen 561 00:30:43,301 --> 00:30:45,887 to our police department. 562 00:30:45,929 --> 00:30:49,766 - In the car they find a handwritten poem by Afton, 563 00:30:49,808 --> 00:30:52,310 seemingly to describe the crime 564 00:30:52,352 --> 00:30:55,605 and their life on the run as criminals. 565 00:30:55,647 --> 00:30:59,150 The poem was titled "Bullets and Weed." 566 00:30:59,192 --> 00:31:03,196 They find two more handwritten letters from Afton, 567 00:31:03,238 --> 00:31:06,533 that seem to be suicide notes. 568 00:31:10,995 --> 00:31:12,706 - NARRATOR: Hoping for a confession, 569 00:31:12,747 --> 00:31:16,793 detectives decide to confront Afton first. 570 00:31:35,061 --> 00:31:36,646 - NARRATOR: When detectives confront Afton 571 00:31:36,688 --> 00:31:40,150 about the murders, she immediately breaks down 572 00:31:40,191 --> 00:31:42,235 and explains Terri and Kandis 573 00:31:42,277 --> 00:31:45,530 had been accusing her and Michael of theft. 574 00:31:55,540 --> 00:31:58,501 - Afton told us that on the night of the 18th 575 00:31:58,543 --> 00:32:00,670 they had been told by Terri and Kandis 576 00:32:00,712 --> 00:32:02,922 that they were being kicked out of the house. 577 00:32:02,964 --> 00:32:06,593 They went to a friend's house, had some drinks, played cards, 578 00:32:06,634 --> 00:32:11,389 knew that this friend had a pistol in his house. 579 00:32:11,431 --> 00:32:14,517 The friend passed out. They stole the pistol 580 00:32:14,559 --> 00:32:17,896 from the house and ammunition, and they left. 581 00:32:23,902 --> 00:32:25,945 - NARRATOR: According to Afton, she and Michael 582 00:32:25,987 --> 00:32:30,033 walked the few miles back to Terri and Kandis's house. 583 00:32:30,075 --> 00:32:34,829 ...While they devised a plan to rob the women and flee. 584 00:32:34,871 --> 00:32:38,375 They quickly realized it wasn't that simple. 585 00:32:53,890 --> 00:32:56,393 - NARRATOR: Afton admits when they arrived, 586 00:32:56,434 --> 00:32:59,688 they convinced the women they wanted to make amends. 587 00:33:39,811 --> 00:33:43,106 - Afton stated that she noticed Kandis was at the door 588 00:33:43,148 --> 00:33:47,485 and was using her cell phone to call the sheriff's department. 589 00:33:47,527 --> 00:33:50,447 Afton said she grabbed ahold of Kandis 590 00:33:50,488 --> 00:33:53,450 and drug her back into the residence 591 00:33:53,491 --> 00:33:56,077 and Michael shot her some more. 592 00:34:09,174 --> 00:34:13,470 - With both women now dead, they take the women's IDs, 593 00:34:13,511 --> 00:34:16,222 their credit cards, a small amount of cash, 594 00:34:16,264 --> 00:34:18,808 some cigarettes, and they hit the road. 595 00:34:22,187 --> 00:34:23,730 - NARRATOR: But according to Afton, 596 00:34:23,772 --> 00:34:26,274 her and Michael's dreams to ride off 597 00:34:26,316 --> 00:34:29,652 into the sunset together quickly faded. 598 00:34:29,694 --> 00:34:31,988 - Afton says that Michael's been an emotional mess 599 00:34:32,030 --> 00:34:34,491 ever since the murders, and that the plan was 600 00:34:34,532 --> 00:34:38,203 to just commit suicide, that they just wanted to be together, 601 00:34:38,244 --> 00:34:41,748 whether that was in life, or in the ground. 602 00:34:44,501 --> 00:34:47,045 From the moment she walks into the room, 603 00:34:47,087 --> 00:34:49,881 she has no remorse and takes no responsibility 604 00:34:49,923 --> 00:34:51,049 for what was done. 605 00:35:08,441 --> 00:35:10,652 - NARRATOR: With Afton's confession in tow, 606 00:35:10,694 --> 00:35:13,571 police sit down with Michael Schallert. 607 00:35:14,572 --> 00:35:17,325 - Michael's demeanor is very different from Afton's. 608 00:35:17,367 --> 00:35:21,204 He tells law enforcement that he never intended to kill anyone, 609 00:35:21,246 --> 00:35:23,790 that he just wanted to rob them. 610 00:36:23,933 --> 00:36:25,894 - Michael says he and Afton needed the money 611 00:36:25,935 --> 00:36:27,771 so they could be together, and that they had 612 00:36:27,812 --> 00:36:30,523 no other choice but to do what they did. 613 00:36:45,163 --> 00:36:47,707 - They felt like this was their best opportunity 614 00:36:47,749 --> 00:36:50,001 to start a new life together. 615 00:36:53,588 --> 00:36:55,465 - NARRATOR: Following their confessions, 616 00:36:55,507 --> 00:36:57,717 Michael Schallert and Afton Ferris 617 00:36:57,759 --> 00:37:01,179 are both charged with two counts of first-degree murder. 618 00:37:02,681 --> 00:37:06,893 News of their arrests stuns those who knew both couples. 619 00:37:09,062 --> 00:37:10,772 - I was sick. I was mad, 620 00:37:10,814 --> 00:37:14,567 I was ev-, every emotion you could have. 621 00:37:14,609 --> 00:37:18,029 It makes no sense. There was no reason for it. 622 00:37:18,071 --> 00:37:20,573 - I mean it was surreal 623 00:37:20,615 --> 00:37:24,077 it's something that, you know, you see on TV 624 00:37:24,119 --> 00:37:25,829 like you don't, 625 00:37:25,870 --> 00:37:29,124 you don't think that would ever happen in real life. 626 00:37:32,252 --> 00:37:36,006 - NARRATOR: Both Michael and Afton plead not guilty, 627 00:37:36,047 --> 00:37:40,760 hoping a trial will save them from a possible death sentence. 628 00:37:40,802 --> 00:37:43,221 - At the time, when they were charged in Illinois, 629 00:37:43,263 --> 00:37:45,682 the killing of two people 630 00:37:45,724 --> 00:37:48,810 made you eligible for the death sentence. 631 00:37:50,145 --> 00:37:53,523 - Knowing that the murders 632 00:37:53,565 --> 00:37:57,444 were possible death penalty 633 00:37:57,485 --> 00:37:59,696 it was like the moment that I knew 634 00:37:59,738 --> 00:38:02,574 that life wasn't gonna be the same. 635 00:38:03,616 --> 00:38:04,617 - NARRATOR: Coming up... 636 00:38:04,659 --> 00:38:07,120 as one narrative begins to shift, 637 00:38:07,162 --> 00:38:11,458 prosecutors question whether justice will be served. 638 00:38:11,499 --> 00:38:13,877 - She was trying to make it sound like 639 00:38:13,918 --> 00:38:17,047 she didn't wanna go against what his wishes were. 640 00:38:17,088 --> 00:38:18,715 - NARRATOR: And Michael Schallert 641 00:38:18,757 --> 00:38:22,260 tells his story in an exclusive prison interview. 642 00:38:41,863 --> 00:38:43,782 - NARRATOR: In West Frankfort, Illinois, 643 00:38:43,823 --> 00:38:45,950 Michael Schallert and Afton Ferris 644 00:38:45,992 --> 00:38:48,453 are awaiting trial for the double murder 645 00:38:48,495 --> 00:38:50,789 of their friends and former roommates, 646 00:38:50,830 --> 00:38:53,875 Terri Seibeck and Kandis Majors. 647 00:38:56,836 --> 00:38:58,922 Then, in 2011, 648 00:38:58,963 --> 00:39:01,800 just before their trials are set to begin, 649 00:39:01,841 --> 00:39:04,552 the unexpected happens. 650 00:39:05,470 --> 00:39:08,848 - As they awaited trial, the state of Illinois' Governor 651 00:39:08,890 --> 00:39:12,394 had imposed a moratorium on capital punishment. 652 00:39:14,062 --> 00:39:18,108 - Governor Pat Quinn actually makes the death penalty illegal. 653 00:39:19,818 --> 00:39:22,320 With the threat of the death penalty off the table, 654 00:39:22,362 --> 00:39:23,905 Michael tells his attorney, 655 00:39:23,947 --> 00:39:27,242 he wants to plead guilty and avoid the trial. 656 00:39:29,828 --> 00:39:32,997 - He decided he wanted to change his plea to guilty 657 00:39:33,039 --> 00:39:35,083 to the two counts of first-degree murder, 658 00:39:35,125 --> 00:39:37,085 and he did so. 659 00:39:37,961 --> 00:39:40,255 - SHAUNA: Nobody knew that he was gonna go in there 660 00:39:40,296 --> 00:39:43,008 and just plead guilty 661 00:39:43,049 --> 00:39:46,386 but his reasoning for doing that 662 00:39:46,428 --> 00:39:49,723 was so that the victim's family 663 00:39:49,764 --> 00:39:52,225 didn't have to go through any more than 664 00:39:52,267 --> 00:39:55,103 what they had already been through. 665 00:39:56,229 --> 00:39:58,231 - So, I mean, he was showing remorse at least. 666 00:39:58,273 --> 00:40:01,109 Like I would think human beings would. 667 00:40:02,652 --> 00:40:04,654 - At the end of the day Michael Schallert 668 00:40:04,696 --> 00:40:07,282 was sentenced to life in prison. 669 00:40:10,035 --> 00:40:13,663 - NARRATOR: In July 2011, two years after the murders 670 00:40:13,705 --> 00:40:17,083 of Terri and Kandis, 671 00:40:17,125 --> 00:40:20,503 Afton Ferris's murder trial begins. 672 00:40:20,545 --> 00:40:25,050 - The prosecution painted Afton as a cold-hearted killer. 673 00:40:25,925 --> 00:40:28,094 The defense tries to lay the blame 674 00:40:28,136 --> 00:40:31,348 completely at the feet of Michael Schallert. 675 00:40:33,308 --> 00:40:36,227 - NARRATOR: When Afton takes the stand to testify, 676 00:40:36,269 --> 00:40:38,855 she paints a much different picture than the one 677 00:40:38,897 --> 00:40:42,192 she had described in an interrogation room. 678 00:40:42,233 --> 00:40:44,486 - Afton says that she looked on in horror 679 00:40:44,527 --> 00:40:46,571 as Schallert killed her friends, 680 00:40:46,613 --> 00:40:49,783 and that she originally lied in her confession tape 681 00:40:49,824 --> 00:40:52,202 to protect the man that she loved. 682 00:40:52,869 --> 00:40:55,497 - Afton blamed everything on him. 683 00:40:56,706 --> 00:40:59,125 - She was trying to make it sound like 684 00:40:59,167 --> 00:41:02,462 she didn't wanna go against what his wishes were. 685 00:41:03,588 --> 00:41:08,259 - She was very stoic, no sign of much emotion at all, 686 00:41:08,301 --> 00:41:10,428 even when she attempted to muster some up 687 00:41:10,470 --> 00:41:12,472 and really couldn't. 688 00:41:12,514 --> 00:41:15,975 - NARRATOR: The jury ultimately sides with the prosecution. 689 00:41:18,186 --> 00:41:21,106 - Afton Ferris was found guilty of both murders. 690 00:41:21,147 --> 00:41:25,443 She was also found guilty of armed robbery and home invasion. 691 00:41:25,485 --> 00:41:30,365 And she was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years. 692 00:41:33,910 --> 00:41:36,246 - I was relieved. But I was sad, 693 00:41:36,287 --> 00:41:38,998 because... these two young people's lives 694 00:41:39,040 --> 00:41:42,377 were thrown away for what? Nothing. 695 00:41:42,419 --> 00:41:45,380 Four people basically died that day. 696 00:41:46,464 --> 00:41:52,137 - If I, could you know turn back time eleven years, 697 00:41:52,178 --> 00:41:56,516 I mean maybe I would've allowed my brother to stay in my house. 698 00:41:56,558 --> 00:41:58,476 Maybe it wouldn't have happened. 699 00:41:59,644 --> 00:42:01,187 - I believe that if the two of them 700 00:42:01,229 --> 00:42:03,064 hadn't gotten together that Kandis and Terry 701 00:42:03,106 --> 00:42:05,150 would still be alive. 702 00:42:05,191 --> 00:42:09,154 - CINDY: I would want to say, I am disappointed 703 00:42:09,195 --> 00:42:12,657 that I have not got the chance to see 704 00:42:12,699 --> 00:42:14,576 what Kandis might have become. 705 00:42:14,617 --> 00:42:20,331 I guess I'd want to tell Afton and Michael that... 706 00:42:22,917 --> 00:42:25,795 I don't understand what you did. 707 00:42:25,837 --> 00:42:27,172 You threw your life away 708 00:42:27,213 --> 00:42:29,758 but I'm not gonna let that dominate my life. 709 00:42:29,799 --> 00:42:33,303 I have to keep going and 710 00:42:33,345 --> 00:42:36,222 just cherish the memories I do have. 711 00:42:38,767 --> 00:42:40,060 - NARRATOR: From his prison cell, 712 00:42:40,101 --> 00:42:43,355 Michael remembers Afton 10 years later... 713 00:42:43,396 --> 00:42:46,232 and how their all-consuming romance 714 00:42:46,274 --> 00:42:49,319 triggered a deadly betrayal among friends. 715 00:43:24,646 --> 00:43:26,981 - *