1 00:00:05,734 --> 00:00:08,266 [phone ringing] 2 00:00:08,266 --> 00:00:11,800 [operator speaking] 3 00:00:11,900 --> 00:00:15,533 [caller speaking] 4 00:00:19,166 --> 00:00:21,367 HALSETH: Daniel loved family. 5 00:00:21,367 --> 00:00:23,533 He always wanted to be a dad. 6 00:00:24,700 --> 00:00:26,467 But even as a little girl, 7 00:00:26,467 --> 00:00:30,000 Sierra was pretty self-centered and pretty selfish. 8 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:30,266 Sierra was pretty self-centered and pretty selfish. 9 00:00:31,967 --> 00:00:35,367 What she wants, she gets, 10 00:00:35,433 --> 00:00:37,000 and nobody's gonna stand in the way. 11 00:00:49,867 --> 00:00:52,266 It's just stunning -- honestly, it's one of the most 12 00:00:52,333 --> 00:00:54,100 stunning things I've seen in my career. 13 00:00:56,367 --> 00:01:00,000 WENDT: What evil resides in a soulless person to do that 14 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:01,533 WENDT: What evil resides in a soulless person to do that 15 00:01:01,634 --> 00:01:03,100 is unfathomable to me. 16 00:01:05,467 --> 00:01:08,100 [theme music playing] 17 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:24,467 NARRATOR: Twenty-five-year-old Elizabeth Halseth 18 00:01:24,467 --> 00:01:26,100 and her 32-year-old husband, 19 00:01:26,100 --> 00:01:28,734 Daniel, are driving their three children from their home 20 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:30,000 in Las Vegas to Disneyland. 21 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:31,233 in Las Vegas to Disneyland. 22 00:01:32,867 --> 00:01:35,467 They're the happy little campers 23 00:01:35,533 --> 00:01:37,467 on their way to Disneyland. 24 00:01:37,533 --> 00:01:39,100 Uh-oh. Wow. 25 00:01:40,266 --> 00:01:42,533 She's not happy at all. 26 00:01:44,166 --> 00:01:47,166 NARRATOR: It should be every child's dream come true. 27 00:01:47,166 --> 00:01:50,266 But three-year-old Sierra, the youngest, doesn't 28 00:01:50,333 --> 00:01:51,533 seem convinced. 29 00:01:51,533 --> 00:01:54,867 HALSETH: I think it really kind of is typical of her. 30 00:01:54,867 --> 00:01:58,367 Everybody else is happy. Why not her? 31 00:01:58,433 --> 00:02:00,000 She has the puppy. She's so unhappy. 32 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:01,533 She has the puppy. She's so unhappy. 33 00:02:01,634 --> 00:02:04,166 She's angry, mad. 34 00:02:04,166 --> 00:02:06,333 Who knows what about. 35 00:02:11,166 --> 00:02:13,734 WENDT: There is everybody in Disneyland. 36 00:02:15,066 --> 00:02:17,734 There's Sierra right there, now having a good time. 37 00:02:17,734 --> 00:02:20,500 There was that crabby little girl to begin with, 38 00:02:20,500 --> 00:02:21,533 and now laughing, 39 00:02:21,533 --> 00:02:22,734 and there is Dan. 40 00:02:25,100 --> 00:02:27,634 That's what he was able to do with her every time. 41 00:02:28,500 --> 00:02:29,734 [Daniel speaking] 42 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:30,000 [Elizabeth speaking] 43 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:30,967 [Elizabeth speaking] 44 00:02:30,967 --> 00:02:32,166 [Daniel speaking] 45 00:02:32,166 --> 00:02:33,734 [Elizabeth speaking] 46 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:36,634 HALSETH: Daniel loved family. 47 00:02:36,734 --> 00:02:38,533 He loved the idea of family. 48 00:02:38,634 --> 00:02:40,800 He loved being a part of a family. 49 00:02:41,700 --> 00:02:46,166 He always wanted to be a dad, even when he was little. 50 00:02:48,066 --> 00:02:49,100 [Daniel speaking] 51 00:02:49,100 --> 00:02:51,467 HALSETH: Yeah, this is typical Daniel. 52 00:02:51,467 --> 00:02:54,066 Daniel loved being around the kids. 53 00:02:54,066 --> 00:02:55,233 It was wonderful. 54 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:00,000 NARRATOR: The story of Daniel's family begins in 2000, 55 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:02,800 NARRATOR: The story of Daniel's family begins in 2000, 56 00:03:02,900 --> 00:03:04,867 when he meets Elizabeth Schworak, 57 00:03:04,867 --> 00:03:07,634 a high school senior, from Salem, Oregon. 58 00:03:09,066 --> 00:03:10,867 HALSETH: At the time, Daniel was at 59 00:03:10,867 --> 00:03:13,066 Western Oregon University. 60 00:03:13,100 --> 00:03:16,734 He got his Bachelor of Music degree. 61 00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:20,600 When Daniel first met Elizabeth, he was very excited. 62 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:22,467 She came up to the house, 63 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:26,166 and we were all excited, because she seemed 64 00:03:26,166 --> 00:03:29,000 to just be happy and good for him. 65 00:03:30,700 --> 00:03:35,967 But she made Daniel feel like he was her protector, and that 66 00:03:35,967 --> 00:03:39,066 fed him, that he wanted to be able to look after somebody. 67 00:03:40,266 --> 00:03:41,600 [man speaking] 68 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:43,634 [Daniel speaking] 69 00:03:43,734 --> 00:03:48,100 NARRATOR: The couple marry in Salem on July 2nd, 2001, 70 00:03:48,100 --> 00:03:50,533 after Elizabeth graduates from high school. 71 00:03:50,634 --> 00:03:51,734 Yeah, whatever you... 72 00:03:51,734 --> 00:03:55,266 They were very much in love. Our family was very excited. 73 00:03:55,333 --> 00:03:57,166 They all showed up for the wedding. 74 00:03:57,233 --> 00:04:00,000 Well, it was a beautiful wedding and ceremony. 75 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:00,734 Well, it was a beautiful wedding and ceremony. 76 00:04:00,734 --> 00:04:03,734 WENDT: There's myself, and there's my sister, 77 00:04:03,734 --> 00:04:05,734 and typical how we do things, 78 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:09,367 we're giving tips to each other, what we should -- 79 00:04:09,433 --> 00:04:12,233 [laughing] how life should be. 80 00:04:27,700 --> 00:04:30,000 We're acting eloquent. Oh, it was my sister. 81 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:30,867 We're acting eloquent. Oh, it was my sister. 82 00:04:30,867 --> 00:04:35,066 She was so happy, so happy for her boy getting married. 83 00:04:40,500 --> 00:04:42,467 NARRATOR: The newlyweds start a family within 84 00:04:42,467 --> 00:04:44,634 a year of tying the knot. 85 00:04:44,734 --> 00:04:46,367 [Daniel speaking] 86 00:04:46,433 --> 00:04:47,600 [whistles] 87 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:51,467 Their daughter, Lucy, was born in 2002 and their son, Connor, 88 00:04:51,533 --> 00:04:52,967 in 2003. 89 00:04:52,967 --> 00:04:56,900 Daniel absolutely loved little babies. 90 00:04:57,000 --> 00:04:58,533 He loved fatherhood. 91 00:05:00,700 --> 00:05:03,066 He was so excited. 92 00:05:04,367 --> 00:05:08,066 NARRATOR: A year later, on December 16th, 2004, 93 00:05:08,066 --> 00:05:11,800 Elizabeth gives birth to her second daughter, Sierra. 94 00:05:11,900 --> 00:05:16,233 He was so tickled to have Sierra, to be a dad to Sierra. 95 00:05:17,500 --> 00:05:19,533 Well, Sierra was a cute baby but 96 00:05:19,634 --> 00:05:22,100 was always kind of a mystery. 97 00:05:22,100 --> 00:05:25,233 She was just, you know, a difficult child. 98 00:05:27,867 --> 00:05:30,000 NARRATOR: In 2006, Daniel is offered 99 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:30,066 NARRATOR: In 2006, Daniel is offered 100 00:05:30,100 --> 00:05:31,900 an IT job in Las Vegas. 101 00:05:33,066 --> 00:05:36,533 The family relocates to Nevada. 102 00:05:36,634 --> 00:05:39,367 He was elated -- it was a very good paying job, and it 103 00:05:39,367 --> 00:05:41,467 was in the line of what he wanted to do, 104 00:05:41,467 --> 00:05:43,066 and so they moved. 105 00:05:45,867 --> 00:05:47,634 Hi. Hi. 106 00:05:47,734 --> 00:05:50,900 WENDT: And the job potential in Vegas seemed to work well for them. 107 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:58,367 I think a plus side in the -- 108 00:05:58,367 --> 00:06:00,000 in the move to Vegas for them is they had themselves as 109 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:01,367 in the move to Vegas for them is they had themselves as 110 00:06:01,367 --> 00:06:05,000 a unit family to kind of get to know each other. 111 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:07,467 HALSETH: He had a great time living in 112 00:06:07,467 --> 00:06:10,266 Las Vegas, and they loved it there. 113 00:06:10,333 --> 00:06:13,000 They really did love it there. 114 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:17,266 WENDT: Daniel and Elizabeth were both interested in politics, 115 00:06:17,333 --> 00:06:20,634 and they started getting involved in the politics 116 00:06:20,734 --> 00:06:24,467 in Vegas, and Elizabeth seemed to really like it, and she 117 00:06:24,467 --> 00:06:26,433 really wanted to get more involved, 118 00:06:27,533 --> 00:06:30,000 and she found politics as a potential 119 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:30,166 and she found politics as a potential 120 00:06:30,166 --> 00:06:33,100 way for her to be her own person. 121 00:06:36,734 --> 00:06:39,867 There was a possibility for an opening for 122 00:06:39,867 --> 00:06:43,367 a senate position in the State of Nevada. 123 00:06:43,367 --> 00:06:46,734 NARRATOR: Elizabeth decides to run in the 2010 election. 124 00:06:46,734 --> 00:06:48,467 WENDT: When we heard the news 125 00:06:48,467 --> 00:06:51,367 that not only did she run, but she won, 126 00:06:51,367 --> 00:06:56,533 we were amazed, and we were so excited for her and for Daniel. 127 00:06:56,533 --> 00:06:59,634 She was ecstatic. Everybody was just so happy. 128 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:02,166 He was so excited for her. 129 00:07:02,233 --> 00:07:03,500 He goes, "This is going to be great. 130 00:07:03,500 --> 00:07:05,166 "This is perfect, because I can stay 131 00:07:05,166 --> 00:07:06,800 at home and be with the kids." 132 00:07:09,734 --> 00:07:13,000 He had an opportunity of working at home with his 133 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:17,233 children and building that bond that he wanted to have. 134 00:07:21,867 --> 00:07:22,900 [Daniel speaking] 135 00:07:24,500 --> 00:07:25,900 [Daniel speaking] 136 00:07:27,367 --> 00:07:30,000 WENDT: His cohorts would tease him and call him Mr. Mom. 137 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:30,734 WENDT: His cohorts would tease him and call him Mr. Mom. 138 00:07:31,867 --> 00:07:34,900 Dan, at his core, was a storyteller, 139 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:38,533 and he would share his stories with us through video 140 00:07:38,634 --> 00:07:42,634 and music, and he wanted us to feel as if we were in the room 141 00:07:42,734 --> 00:07:43,900 with him. 142 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:47,533 So one way of reaching us as family was 143 00:07:47,634 --> 00:07:50,066 to share those videos that he would do with them. 144 00:07:53,467 --> 00:07:55,000 He'd always send videos -- he'd post them on 145 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:57,533 Facebook and invite the family to see these. 146 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:00,000 HALSETH: Elizabeth's political career took off. 147 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:02,100 HALSETH: Elizabeth's political career took off. 148 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:06,634 She had meetings to go to, and she had to go to Carson City, 149 00:08:06,734 --> 00:08:08,734 which was quite a ways away. 150 00:08:08,734 --> 00:08:10,467 WENDT: Daniel was really concerned, but she said, 151 00:08:10,467 --> 00:08:12,634 "You know, I've got a lot to do. I've never done this before, 152 00:08:12,634 --> 00:08:17,066 "and I really want to -- I want to do a good job. 153 00:08:17,100 --> 00:08:19,233 And so I'm just trying really hard." 154 00:08:20,700 --> 00:08:23,166 But any time you have a separation, 155 00:08:23,166 --> 00:08:27,166 you have that beginning of differences. 156 00:08:27,166 --> 00:08:30,000 And so what seemed to happen, 157 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:30,066 And so what seemed to happen, 158 00:08:30,066 --> 00:08:34,967 this world of politics was a dividing place that seemed to 159 00:08:34,967 --> 00:08:36,433 get bigger and bigger. 160 00:08:38,500 --> 00:08:41,533 It puts a strain on relationships. 161 00:08:41,533 --> 00:08:46,533 So that was the beginning of the end for those two. 162 00:08:48,100 --> 00:08:50,266 It wasn't a good situation. 163 00:08:50,333 --> 00:08:53,467 What I remember is that he called me one time, 164 00:08:53,467 --> 00:08:57,533 and he was angry, which he hardly ever got. 165 00:08:59,100 --> 00:09:00,000 Daniel really wanted to save the marriage. 166 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,533 Daniel really wanted to save the marriage. 167 00:09:04,367 --> 00:09:09,634 So they went to counseling, and it didn't go very well. 168 00:09:14,467 --> 00:09:19,066 So it was clear from what was happening that there was gonna 169 00:09:19,066 --> 00:09:23,900 be no future to the marriage, and Dan filed for divorce. 170 00:09:25,533 --> 00:09:28,266 The family was really concerned about what was going 171 00:09:28,266 --> 00:09:30,000 to happen with the family, with Daniel. 172 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:31,467 to happen with the family, with Daniel. 173 00:09:33,533 --> 00:09:35,166 HALSETH: You know, so Daniel moves into 174 00:09:35,233 --> 00:09:40,066 an apartment, and they set up a visitation. 175 00:09:41,700 --> 00:09:43,600 Divorces are hard on children, 176 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:46,900 but especially, it seemed different with Sierra. 177 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:55,600 HALSETH: Daniel was concerned about Sierra. 178 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:57,600 And so when they would get together, 179 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:00,000 he would take extra care. 180 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:00,900 he would take extra care. 181 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:06,467 It was kind of obvious that she had this withdrawn 182 00:10:06,467 --> 00:10:10,166 personality, into her own little world. 183 00:10:10,166 --> 00:10:13,467 She was kind of standoffish, and he was always trying to 184 00:10:13,467 --> 00:10:15,634 bring her in to the fold, 185 00:10:15,734 --> 00:10:17,800 but she was a troubled kid. 186 00:10:19,266 --> 00:10:22,266 How troubled, we had no idea. 187 00:10:39,367 --> 00:10:42,266 HALSETH: When Daniel would get the kids, 188 00:10:42,266 --> 00:10:44,100 he tried to make it special. 189 00:10:44,100 --> 00:10:47,367 He'd always have something planned or else, you know, 190 00:10:47,367 --> 00:10:49,166 the week before, they'd say, 191 00:10:49,233 --> 00:10:51,066 what do you want to do next time? 192 00:10:51,100 --> 00:10:53,367 So they always had something to look forward to, 193 00:10:53,367 --> 00:10:55,358 and, of course, it really helped him 194 00:10:55,358 --> 00:10:55,533 and, of course, it really helped him 195 00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:57,734 to have something to look forward to also. 196 00:10:57,800 --> 00:10:58,634 [Daniel speaking] 197 00:10:58,734 --> 00:11:00,266 [all yelling excitedly] 198 00:11:01,100 --> 00:11:03,734 So when he had that time with the children, 199 00:11:03,734 --> 00:11:08,367 he wanted to make sure they had the best time ever, 200 00:11:08,367 --> 00:11:10,734 and especially Sierra. 201 00:11:18,467 --> 00:11:19,867 HALSETH: 'Cause Sierra was actually 202 00:11:19,867 --> 00:11:22,333 a very difficult child. 203 00:11:22,367 --> 00:11:25,333 I mean, really that's the only way to 204 00:11:25,367 --> 00:11:27,533 describe her. 205 00:11:27,533 --> 00:11:29,867 Sierra was, you know, pretty self-centered 206 00:11:29,867 --> 00:11:33,333 and pretty selfish, wanting her own way all the time. 207 00:11:35,734 --> 00:11:37,367 Sierra would warm up. 208 00:11:37,367 --> 00:11:41,467 It would take Daniel half the time he spent to break 209 00:11:41,467 --> 00:11:42,734 the wall. 210 00:11:42,734 --> 00:11:46,967 WENDT: It was the one thing that he found is that music worked, 211 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:48,266 dance worked. 212 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:53,900 Sarah loved to be in the moment and dancing, 213 00:11:55,166 --> 00:11:55,358 but that was a special thing that he had, he could do. 214 00:11:55,358 --> 00:11:58,066 but that was a special thing that he had, he could do. 215 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:06,634 HALSETH: 2012, Elizabeth moved to Alaska with the kids. 216 00:12:09,166 --> 00:12:11,333 It devastated my son, 217 00:12:14,266 --> 00:12:18,734 and he went from stay-at-home dad to 218 00:12:19,700 --> 00:12:22,000 now the kids are up in Alaska, 219 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:25,358 and he might get to see them once or twice a year. 220 00:12:25,358 --> 00:12:25,634 and he might get to see them once or twice a year. 221 00:12:36,166 --> 00:12:39,166 NARRATOR: Daniel throws himself into his work. 222 00:12:39,166 --> 00:12:42,166 His business as an IT consultant takes off. 223 00:12:44,367 --> 00:12:48,166 And in 2013, he moves to Texas. 224 00:12:48,166 --> 00:12:53,166 After the divorce, Daniel got a great job, 225 00:12:53,166 --> 00:12:55,358 an IT job in Texas, and it worked out really well. 226 00:12:55,358 --> 00:12:57,634 an IT job in Texas, and it worked out really well. 227 00:12:59,467 --> 00:13:02,634 NARRATOR: By 2020, Elizabeth and the kids, together with 228 00:13:02,634 --> 00:13:05,533 her new husband, have moved back to Las Vegas. 229 00:13:06,867 --> 00:13:08,867 HALSETH: So in March of 2020, 230 00:13:08,900 --> 00:13:12,533 Daniel had some business in Las Vegas, 231 00:13:12,533 --> 00:13:17,800 and he came to Vegas and stayed with Peggy. 232 00:13:19,467 --> 00:13:23,734 Daniel had a client here, and he still resided in Texas, 233 00:13:23,734 --> 00:13:25,358 but he was staying all the time in Las Vegas. 234 00:13:25,358 --> 00:13:26,533 but he was staying all the time in Las Vegas. 235 00:13:26,533 --> 00:13:29,066 And I had known him about 10 years prior. 236 00:13:29,100 --> 00:13:32,166 I was his bookkeeper, did his payroll for his company, 237 00:13:32,233 --> 00:13:34,367 but basically he wasn't very much a friend. 238 00:13:34,367 --> 00:13:36,734 He's the same age as my youngest child. 239 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:39,166 I felt like he was almost like another son. 240 00:13:44,467 --> 00:13:45,967 NARRATOR: In March 2020, 241 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:48,433 the COVID pandemic hits Nevada. 242 00:13:49,734 --> 00:13:51,266 All flights are canceled, 243 00:13:51,333 --> 00:13:54,166 and the entire state goes into lockdown. 244 00:13:54,233 --> 00:13:55,358 NEWMAN: Daniel asked if he could stay at my house for 245 00:13:55,358 --> 00:13:56,867 NEWMAN: Daniel asked if he could stay at my house for 246 00:13:56,867 --> 00:13:59,066 a little while, and a little while turned into 247 00:13:59,100 --> 00:14:00,734 a little while longer. 248 00:14:04,100 --> 00:14:07,166 And he asked if he could move in at that point. 249 00:14:07,166 --> 00:14:08,533 That's the first time I had 250 00:14:08,533 --> 00:14:11,533 heard that Sierra had begun texting him. 251 00:14:17,166 --> 00:14:22,000 He was starting to explain these strange messages. 252 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,867 She was telling him, communicating that she was 253 00:14:24,867 --> 00:14:25,358 in trouble. -[cellphone notification] 254 00:14:25,358 --> 00:14:26,867 in trouble. -[cellphone notification] 255 00:14:26,867 --> 00:14:31,433 She was texting him things that were making him concerned, 256 00:14:31,500 --> 00:14:33,734 such as, "I'm not comfortable here. 257 00:14:33,734 --> 00:14:35,634 I'm fearful." 258 00:14:35,634 --> 00:14:36,967 It was very vague, though. 259 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:39,634 It wasn't anything -- nothing specific, 260 00:14:39,634 --> 00:14:41,634 but he was worried about his little girl. 261 00:14:44,100 --> 00:14:46,867 NARRATOR: Despite Sierra's claims, there's no evidence 262 00:14:46,867 --> 00:14:48,634 that she suffered any mistreatment 263 00:14:48,734 --> 00:14:49,867 in her mother's home. 264 00:14:55,367 --> 00:14:57,100 [Lucy speaking] 265 00:14:57,100 --> 00:15:00,100 NEWMAN: In early June, the kids came to my house, 266 00:15:00,100 --> 00:15:02,900 and they stayed with Daniel in my house, 267 00:15:03,867 --> 00:15:05,367 and he had them all to himself. 268 00:15:05,367 --> 00:15:08,333 He was absolutely elated and thrilled. 269 00:15:09,367 --> 00:15:11,867 He planned a trip back to Oregon so they could 270 00:15:11,867 --> 00:15:13,967 be with grandma and cousins and so forth, 271 00:15:15,100 --> 00:15:16,867 and I lent Daniel my car. 272 00:15:16,900 --> 00:15:19,734 So he took the kids in my car up to Oregon, 273 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:21,867 and I know they had a good time up there. 274 00:15:23,100 --> 00:15:25,358 And we were all so excited. The cousins are excited. 275 00:15:25,358 --> 00:15:26,066 And we were all so excited. The cousins are excited. 276 00:15:26,100 --> 00:15:29,000 I'm excited. Everybody is excited. 277 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:30,634 It was June. 278 00:15:30,634 --> 00:15:33,066 It was summery, it was fun. 279 00:15:33,100 --> 00:15:35,634 We'd get together and just have a good time, 280 00:15:35,634 --> 00:15:38,100 have a barbecue, go on hikes. 281 00:15:38,100 --> 00:15:40,967 But Sierra was just odd behavior. 282 00:15:41,867 --> 00:15:45,367 There was this whole other side of Sierra that she didn't 283 00:15:45,367 --> 00:15:48,233 want known, but it would pop out. 284 00:15:52,367 --> 00:15:54,867 So at one of the barbecues, all the cousins 285 00:15:54,900 --> 00:15:55,358 got together, and sitting there, 286 00:15:55,358 --> 00:15:56,433 got together, and sitting there, 287 00:15:56,500 --> 00:15:58,734 we're roasting marshmallows and stuff. 288 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:01,900 The kids were sitting around, whining about their parents 289 00:16:01,900 --> 00:16:03,367 or whatever, just talking the way 290 00:16:03,367 --> 00:16:06,734 teenage kids do, and my younger grandkids, 291 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:08,266 they were like seven and nine. 292 00:16:08,266 --> 00:16:10,734 You know, "What do you do when you don't get your way?" 293 00:16:10,734 --> 00:16:13,467 And the other one says, "Well, I get mad or whatever," and 294 00:16:13,467 --> 00:16:16,266 Sierra just says, "Well, you just get rid of them." 295 00:16:19,467 --> 00:16:21,734 And they all looked at her like what? 296 00:16:24,166 --> 00:16:25,358 Daniel wanted us to really love Sierra, 297 00:16:25,358 --> 00:16:27,734 Daniel wanted us to really love Sierra, 298 00:16:27,734 --> 00:16:31,266 to not think anything was wrong. 299 00:16:32,533 --> 00:16:36,867 What I noticed about Sierra after they moved 300 00:16:36,867 --> 00:16:39,533 to Alaska and then moved back to Nevada, 301 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:44,266 she did this very odd behavior where she would see you, 302 00:16:44,333 --> 00:16:46,467 and she wouldn't act friendly at all. 303 00:16:46,467 --> 00:16:49,734 And then all of a sudden, she'd come up, put her arms around 304 00:16:49,734 --> 00:16:52,166 you, and hang, 305 00:16:52,233 --> 00:16:55,358 let the weight off her feet and hang around your neck, 306 00:16:55,358 --> 00:16:56,100 let the weight off her feet and hang around your neck, 307 00:16:56,100 --> 00:17:00,367 and she would just stay there, like stay hanging there. 308 00:17:00,367 --> 00:17:03,166 It was this weird behavior. 309 00:17:03,233 --> 00:17:07,166 There was no love behind it, is the odd part about this. 310 00:17:07,166 --> 00:17:09,867 There wasn't love, I'm glad to see you. 311 00:17:09,867 --> 00:17:11,734 It was, I'm gonna hang on you 312 00:17:11,734 --> 00:17:14,266 and make you feel really uncomfortable, 313 00:17:14,266 --> 00:17:17,266 and then I'm gonna be kind of in charge. 314 00:17:17,333 --> 00:17:20,734 It worked, because now she's the center of attention. 315 00:17:24,100 --> 00:17:25,358 When it was time for the three children 316 00:17:25,358 --> 00:17:25,867 When it was time for the three children 317 00:17:25,900 --> 00:17:28,967 to return to their mother's care, 318 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:30,800 it was toward the end of June. 319 00:17:31,867 --> 00:17:34,433 It was an arranged drop off, a fast food restaurant. 320 00:17:34,500 --> 00:17:35,734 That's where he would pick up the children, 321 00:17:35,734 --> 00:17:37,166 and that's where he would drop them off, 322 00:17:37,166 --> 00:17:39,467 and he never dropped them off or picked him up without 323 00:17:39,467 --> 00:17:40,734 the mother being there. 324 00:17:43,367 --> 00:17:45,266 When they got there, the two children 325 00:17:45,266 --> 00:17:47,166 got out of the car, but not Sierra. 326 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:53,734 Sierra chose, at that point, not to join her mother. 327 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:55,358 And with Daniel's permission, 328 00:17:55,358 --> 00:17:56,467 And with Daniel's permission, 329 00:17:56,467 --> 00:18:00,367 she chose to come back to my house with Daniel. 330 00:18:00,367 --> 00:18:03,367 I knew about all the phone calls and all the -- 331 00:18:03,367 --> 00:18:06,433 "I'm not happy at home. I'm afraid," all those things 332 00:18:06,500 --> 00:18:08,900 she was telling her dad. 333 00:18:08,900 --> 00:18:13,333 NARRATOR: Daniel petitions the court for custody of Sierra. 334 00:18:13,367 --> 00:18:15,900 Daniel thought, you know, she was in trouble. 335 00:18:15,900 --> 00:18:17,533 I thought she was in trouble. 336 00:18:19,100 --> 00:18:23,734 We all fell for that line, and we believed her. 337 00:18:23,800 --> 00:18:25,358 She was able to manipulate the situation pretty good 338 00:18:25,358 --> 00:18:27,000 She was able to manipulate the situation pretty good 339 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:28,100 and she knew how 340 00:18:28,100 --> 00:18:30,734 to get to her dad, and she did a good job of it. 341 00:18:30,800 --> 00:18:32,533 She'd do -- she knew how to get to him. 342 00:18:42,367 --> 00:18:44,700 Daniel knew that he was not gonna 343 00:18:44,700 --> 00:18:47,867 succeed in getting custody of Sierra 344 00:18:47,900 --> 00:18:51,467 if he didn't live in Sierra's school district. 345 00:18:51,533 --> 00:18:54,467 And I was purchasing a house anyway in that school district. 346 00:18:54,467 --> 00:18:57,533 So we decided that would be an opportunity for he 347 00:18:57,533 --> 00:18:59,634 and Sierra to move into the house and rent it. 348 00:19:02,066 --> 00:19:04,634 During that time, Daniel met Kari. 349 00:19:04,634 --> 00:19:06,315 Kari probably saw things more firsthand than most of us. 350 00:19:06,315 --> 00:19:09,867 Kari probably saw things more firsthand than most of us. 351 00:19:12,533 --> 00:19:15,166 SOMMERVILLE: I met Daniel on social media. 352 00:19:15,166 --> 00:19:18,967 Um, we both were living in Vegas, and we decided to 353 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:20,266 meet up. 354 00:19:20,266 --> 00:19:23,266 Daniel was really easy to talk to. 355 00:19:23,266 --> 00:19:25,533 He became my best friend. 356 00:19:26,900 --> 00:19:29,634 The first time I met Sierra was at the house. 357 00:19:29,634 --> 00:19:31,100 She was really quiet. 358 00:19:31,100 --> 00:19:33,634 She didn't really say much. 359 00:19:33,634 --> 00:19:35,367 When Daniel introduced us, 360 00:19:35,367 --> 00:19:36,315 he was like, "I think you guys will be good for each other, 361 00:19:36,315 --> 00:19:38,734 he was like, "I think you guys will be good for each other, 362 00:19:40,266 --> 00:19:45,266 and for Kari to show you a few things," and just 363 00:19:45,266 --> 00:19:47,233 lighten -- lighten her up a little bit. 364 00:19:50,900 --> 00:19:52,734 NARRATOR: Daniel and Elizabeth fight for 365 00:19:52,734 --> 00:19:55,066 custody of Sierra in court. 366 00:20:11,367 --> 00:20:13,867 All right, we are on today. 367 00:20:13,900 --> 00:20:17,000 Daniel was ordered by the judge to return Sierra to 368 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:21,066 her mother's, and Daniel did return Sierra to her mother's, 369 00:20:22,700 --> 00:20:24,266 but she ran away from her mother's 370 00:20:24,266 --> 00:20:26,066 and went back to her dad's. 371 00:20:28,500 --> 00:20:32,734 SOMMERVILLE: I honestly think that Sierra was 372 00:20:33,867 --> 00:20:36,315 putting up the front -- at her mom's, 373 00:20:36,315 --> 00:20:37,967 putting up the front -- at her mom's, 374 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:42,734 there was two parents, so she couldn't really do what 375 00:20:42,734 --> 00:20:43,967 she wanted to do, 376 00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:47,533 as opposed to being at her dad's, where he was lenient. 377 00:20:47,533 --> 00:20:49,367 And, you know, I think he had 378 00:20:49,367 --> 00:20:51,867 a little bit of the guilty dad syndrome. 379 00:20:53,900 --> 00:20:56,734 Sierra said she wanted to live with my son 380 00:20:56,734 --> 00:21:00,166 to really get to know her dad again. 381 00:21:00,233 --> 00:21:03,000 She wanted to rekindle, 382 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:05,333 but it was totally manipulative. 383 00:21:07,367 --> 00:21:11,166 In October 2020, Daniel was going out of town. 384 00:21:11,166 --> 00:21:14,700 So I was gonna spend a week, 385 00:21:14,700 --> 00:21:17,467 and the first night, Sierra starts leaving the house. 386 00:21:17,467 --> 00:21:19,066 She thought I was asleep. 387 00:21:19,066 --> 00:21:20,533 And I said, "Sierra, where are you going?" 388 00:21:20,634 --> 00:21:22,867 She says, "I'm gonna take a walk," 389 00:21:22,900 --> 00:21:25,634 and it was like, I don't know, nine at night. 390 00:21:25,734 --> 00:21:28,900 And so I called Daniel, and I said, you know, 391 00:21:28,900 --> 00:21:31,800 "She's sleeping all day, and then she takes off 392 00:21:31,800 --> 00:21:36,266 at night," and he did not know that. 393 00:21:36,266 --> 00:21:36,315 She was totally lying to him. 394 00:21:36,315 --> 00:21:39,100 She was totally lying to him. 395 00:21:43,533 --> 00:21:45,000 So the first time I heard about 396 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:48,467 Aaron Guerrero was in October of 2020 397 00:21:48,467 --> 00:21:50,867 when I went to visit Sierra. 398 00:21:50,900 --> 00:21:54,066 I said, "Does your dad know about this?" 399 00:21:54,100 --> 00:21:56,634 And she says, "Oh, no, but he will." 400 00:22:00,367 --> 00:22:01,967 NEWMAN: She'd met Aaron online, 401 00:22:03,700 --> 00:22:06,315 and Daniel was very concerned about his 15-year-old 402 00:22:06,315 --> 00:22:06,634 and Daniel was very concerned about his 15-year-old 403 00:22:06,634 --> 00:22:09,233 daughter dating an 18-year-old young man. 404 00:22:11,800 --> 00:22:13,467 SOMMERVILLE: He was concerned about 405 00:22:13,533 --> 00:22:15,867 the impression that Aaron made on Sierra. 406 00:22:15,867 --> 00:22:19,166 He just simply didn't think that it was 407 00:22:19,166 --> 00:22:21,634 a good idea for them to be together. 408 00:22:21,634 --> 00:22:25,700 And, you know, he had every right to. 409 00:22:25,700 --> 00:22:29,634 He had discovered that they were planning 410 00:22:29,634 --> 00:22:33,467 to rob his parents and run away together. 411 00:22:33,467 --> 00:22:36,315 So he reached out to Aaron's parents, and his parents 412 00:22:36,315 --> 00:22:37,734 So he reached out to Aaron's parents, and his parents 413 00:22:37,734 --> 00:22:40,900 also agreed that they weren't to see each other anymore. 414 00:22:43,166 --> 00:22:45,734 Her not being able to see Aaron 415 00:22:45,734 --> 00:22:50,634 I'm pretty sure initially was hard for the both of them, 416 00:22:50,634 --> 00:22:54,000 but Sierra said that she didn't miss him. 417 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:57,333 She didn't care anymore, and it was history to her. 418 00:22:58,367 --> 00:22:59,700 When you're a teenager, 419 00:22:59,700 --> 00:23:02,634 you know, your attention span is only so much. 420 00:23:02,634 --> 00:23:04,266 So I believed her. 421 00:23:04,266 --> 00:23:06,315 NARRATOR: In December 2020, Daniel and Sierra celebrate 422 00:23:06,315 --> 00:23:07,634 NARRATOR: In December 2020, Daniel and Sierra celebrate 423 00:23:07,634 --> 00:23:09,433 her 16th birthday. 424 00:23:13,500 --> 00:23:15,634 Things were definitely looking up. 425 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:20,867 Compared from when I first got there, 426 00:23:20,867 --> 00:23:24,333 how depressed and withdrawn she was, 427 00:23:24,367 --> 00:23:25,967 she was coming out of her shell 428 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:30,100 and just doing more normal teenage girl things, 429 00:23:32,367 --> 00:23:34,800 and then she just withdrew out of nowhere. 430 00:23:38,066 --> 00:23:39,166 For the most part, 431 00:23:39,166 --> 00:23:42,467 she was wearing a mask, because she just didn't want 432 00:23:42,467 --> 00:23:45,533 us to catch on to what was actually going on. 433 00:23:45,533 --> 00:23:46,867 She was so good at hiding 434 00:23:46,900 --> 00:23:49,166 the fact that she was still talking to Aaron. 435 00:23:50,100 --> 00:23:52,367 NARRATOR: On March 2nd, 2021, 436 00:23:52,367 --> 00:23:56,333 Daniel and Elizabeth attend Sierra's latest custody hearing. 437 00:24:07,467 --> 00:24:09,533 NARRATOR: Which parent Sierra will live with 438 00:24:09,634 --> 00:24:11,166 remains undecided. 439 00:24:11,233 --> 00:24:14,467 Sierra did not want to go back to her mom's, like point blank 440 00:24:14,533 --> 00:24:18,800 period, like, she always expressed that she did not want 441 00:24:18,800 --> 00:24:20,066 to go back. 442 00:24:25,266 --> 00:24:28,066 NARRATOR: Three weeks later, Kari leaves Vegas for a trip 443 00:24:28,066 --> 00:24:29,467 to Texas. 444 00:24:29,467 --> 00:24:33,634 Daniel flies to Boston on business at the same time. 445 00:24:33,734 --> 00:24:36,233 Sierra will be alone at the house. 446 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:53,266 SOMMERVILLE: I won't say that we felt 100 percent comfortable 447 00:24:53,266 --> 00:24:55,467 about leaving Sierra alone, 448 00:24:55,533 --> 00:24:59,000 but he had to do what he had to do to provide, 449 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:02,867 you know, that is what his job called him to do. 450 00:25:02,867 --> 00:25:05,233 And he wanted to trust Sierra. 451 00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:09,166 NARRATOR: Daniel returns to Las Vegas 452 00:25:09,166 --> 00:25:11,634 on Wednesday, April 7th. 453 00:25:11,634 --> 00:25:13,467 On his way home from the airport, 454 00:25:13,467 --> 00:25:17,100 he posts this photograph of a billboard. 455 00:25:17,100 --> 00:25:19,333 SOMMERVILLE: You know, every day was a new day to him. 456 00:25:20,634 --> 00:25:23,634 Daniel was very optimistic and trusting. 457 00:25:24,900 --> 00:25:28,100 Daniel really wanted to believe that Sierra could 458 00:25:28,100 --> 00:25:31,367 be trusted -- he definitely never would have imagined 459 00:25:31,367 --> 00:25:33,867 that it would turn out like this, 460 00:25:33,867 --> 00:25:36,315 that anything would happen to that magnitude. 461 00:25:36,315 --> 00:25:37,433 that anything would happen to that magnitude. 462 00:25:44,266 --> 00:25:46,367 [phone ringing] 463 00:25:46,367 --> 00:25:48,166 NARRATOR: Daniel's mom, Christine, 464 00:25:48,233 --> 00:25:50,734 calls her son's phone. -[phone ringing] 465 00:25:50,734 --> 00:25:54,066 -No answer. -phone ringing] 466 00:25:54,100 --> 00:25:56,100 HALSETH: So I can't get a hold of Daniel. 467 00:25:57,166 --> 00:26:00,867 I texted Sierra, and Sierra says, 468 00:26:00,867 --> 00:26:02,734 "Well, his phone's not working." 469 00:26:06,266 --> 00:26:08,066 I texted Sierra back. 470 00:26:08,066 --> 00:26:09,871 "This isn't making any sense. 471 00:26:09,871 --> 00:26:10,634 "This isn't making any sense. 472 00:26:10,700 --> 00:26:12,066 "Where is your dad? 473 00:26:12,066 --> 00:26:13,867 "Either get him on the phone, or I'm gonna 474 00:26:13,900 --> 00:26:17,266 to send somebody to check." 475 00:26:17,333 --> 00:26:19,634 So I call Peggy. 476 00:26:21,266 --> 00:26:23,867 NEWMAN: On April 8th, Thursday evening, 477 00:26:23,867 --> 00:26:25,533 I get a call from Christine, 478 00:26:25,533 --> 00:26:29,166 and she's very frantic and concerned, 479 00:26:29,166 --> 00:26:32,166 because she can't reach Daniel, and that's real unusual, 480 00:26:32,233 --> 00:26:34,867 that he didn't answer his phone. -[phone ringing] 481 00:26:34,867 --> 00:26:37,166 Daniel's very communicative. 482 00:26:38,533 --> 00:26:39,871 NARRATOR: Peggy promises Christine that she 483 00:26:39,871 --> 00:26:40,533 NARRATOR: Peggy promises Christine that she 484 00:26:40,533 --> 00:26:42,467 and her friend, Joey Buelich, 485 00:26:42,467 --> 00:26:45,166 will check on Daniel the following day. 486 00:26:45,166 --> 00:26:46,967 NEWMAN: Joey lived with me. 487 00:26:46,967 --> 00:26:49,266 He had a room in the garage. 488 00:26:50,533 --> 00:26:53,867 Friday morning, I'm on my way over there, and I call Joey, 489 00:26:53,867 --> 00:26:56,100 because I'm concerned about showing up at 490 00:26:56,100 --> 00:26:57,900 Daniel's house alone. 491 00:26:59,166 --> 00:27:01,467 HALSETH: I'm still not hearing from Daniel. 492 00:27:01,467 --> 00:27:04,367 And so I sent Sierra another text. 493 00:27:04,433 --> 00:27:06,266 "He's in the shower," and it 494 00:27:06,266 --> 00:27:08,734 was like a weird time of day, and I said, "No, 495 00:27:08,800 --> 00:27:09,871 he's not in the shower, Sierra." 496 00:27:09,871 --> 00:27:10,634 he's not in the shower, Sierra." 497 00:27:10,700 --> 00:27:13,066 I say, 498 00:27:13,100 --> 00:27:14,967 "Do I need to call the police? 499 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:17,634 Joey and Peggy are on their way," 500 00:27:17,634 --> 00:27:19,100 and no response. 501 00:27:20,634 --> 00:27:22,166 NEWMAN: I'm in the driveway. 502 00:27:22,233 --> 00:27:25,066 Joey's van pulls up in the -- in the back. 503 00:27:25,100 --> 00:27:26,266 We start walking up to the house. 504 00:27:26,266 --> 00:27:29,734 He's ahead of me, finds the door's open, not locked. 505 00:27:30,867 --> 00:27:32,100 He opened the door, 506 00:27:32,100 --> 00:27:34,734 and the whole house is full of smoke. 507 00:27:37,467 --> 00:27:39,871 We both run upstairs, and were yelling 508 00:27:39,871 --> 00:27:39,967 We both run upstairs, and were yelling 509 00:27:39,967 --> 00:27:42,066 "Daniel," and no response. 510 00:27:42,066 --> 00:27:43,467 We both come downstairs. 511 00:27:47,066 --> 00:27:50,367 And around the corner, he opens the garage door, 512 00:27:50,367 --> 00:27:52,467 and he gasped. 513 00:27:52,533 --> 00:27:56,967 He was visibly very upset, and I peek in, 514 00:27:57,000 --> 00:28:00,967 and I see what appears to be a body on the floor. 515 00:28:04,467 --> 00:28:08,367 [phone ringing] 516 00:28:29,734 --> 00:28:31,233 WOMAN: 425. 517 00:28:34,266 --> 00:28:37,467 NEWMAN: Joey actually thought it was Sierra. 518 00:28:37,533 --> 00:28:39,867 I think Joey was still on the phone with 911 519 00:28:39,867 --> 00:28:39,871 when the first policeman got there. 520 00:28:39,871 --> 00:28:42,967 when the first policeman got there. 521 00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:44,867 The fire department shows up, too. 522 00:28:44,900 --> 00:28:47,066 [officer over radio] 523 00:28:50,166 --> 00:28:55,533 On April 9th, 2021, police arrived over in Dunphy Court. 524 00:28:55,600 --> 00:28:58,100 This is a single family residence, 525 00:28:58,100 --> 00:29:01,533 the house of Daniel Halseth and his daughter, Sierra. 526 00:29:01,533 --> 00:29:06,367 And when the police arrive, they find a body in the garage. 527 00:29:08,734 --> 00:29:09,871 It was terribly burned. 528 00:29:09,871 --> 00:29:11,166 It was terribly burned. 529 00:29:11,166 --> 00:29:13,066 [man speaking] 530 00:29:13,066 --> 00:29:15,367 -MAN: Pretty toxic in there. -[coughing] 531 00:29:15,367 --> 00:29:18,000 [woman speaking] 532 00:29:19,166 --> 00:29:20,266 [first responder speaking] 533 00:29:20,333 --> 00:29:21,367 -WOMAN: Okay. -But if you look... 534 00:29:21,433 --> 00:29:24,166 [woman speaking] 535 00:29:24,166 --> 00:29:25,266 -[first responder speaking] -WOMAN: No. 536 00:29:25,266 --> 00:29:28,634 It was difficult for first responders and police to 537 00:29:28,700 --> 00:29:30,367 determine exactly, 538 00:29:30,433 --> 00:29:32,433 you know, whether it's a male or a female. 539 00:29:34,533 --> 00:29:36,266 Detectives go to the Clark County 540 00:29:36,266 --> 00:29:39,333 Medical Examiner's Office and attend the autopsy. 541 00:29:41,367 --> 00:29:43,266 You know, at the time, the body is unknown. 542 00:29:43,266 --> 00:29:45,367 But ultimately, the medical examiner's office 543 00:29:45,367 --> 00:29:47,433 confirmed that it is Daniel Halseth. 544 00:29:51,867 --> 00:29:54,734 The the cause of death is sharp force injuries. 545 00:29:59,266 --> 00:30:03,367 There are approximately 70 sharp force 546 00:30:03,367 --> 00:30:07,266 and incise wounds to Daniel's body, 547 00:30:07,333 --> 00:30:09,871 which is an enormous amount of stab wounds. 548 00:30:09,871 --> 00:30:11,634 which is an enormous amount of stab wounds. 549 00:30:11,634 --> 00:30:14,367 Approximately 42 of them are located 550 00:30:14,367 --> 00:30:17,967 on around the head, neck, upper shoulder areas. 551 00:30:19,266 --> 00:30:25,734 One of his wrists appears as if it was partially dismembered, 552 00:30:25,800 --> 00:30:27,867 as if someone tried to literally 553 00:30:27,867 --> 00:30:30,900 saw through Daniel to take him apart. 554 00:30:33,166 --> 00:30:36,433 There was no soot found inside Daniel's lungs. 555 00:30:37,533 --> 00:30:39,871 What that means is when that fire was started, 556 00:30:39,871 --> 00:30:39,967 What that means is when that fire was started, 557 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:41,266 Daniel was not alive, 558 00:30:42,166 --> 00:30:43,734 or he would have been breathing in 559 00:30:43,734 --> 00:30:46,533 the smoke, and it would have been inside his lungs. 560 00:30:46,533 --> 00:30:50,533 Daniel is dead, and the arson is an effort to conceal 561 00:30:50,533 --> 00:30:51,734 the crime. 562 00:30:55,967 --> 00:30:58,800 HALSETH: It was a detective who called me. 563 00:31:00,734 --> 00:31:03,367 At the end, the detective said he'd been murdered, 564 00:31:04,266 --> 00:31:06,800 and all I could think of was... 565 00:31:08,100 --> 00:31:09,467 was it fast? 566 00:31:10,533 --> 00:31:11,800 Did he suffer? 567 00:31:16,100 --> 00:31:20,867 I was sitting at my kitchen table, and my boys were there, 568 00:31:20,867 --> 00:31:25,100 [sobs] and then I hung up the phone, 569 00:31:27,266 --> 00:31:29,433 [sobs] and... 570 00:31:31,166 --> 00:31:32,734 my boys... 571 00:31:33,867 --> 00:31:35,867 were crying, 572 00:31:35,867 --> 00:31:39,871 and they hugged me, and we all just held each other, 573 00:31:39,871 --> 00:31:39,967 and they hugged me, and we all just held each other, 574 00:31:41,166 --> 00:31:42,533 and it was horrible. 575 00:31:50,634 --> 00:31:54,734 The evidence in the home tends to suggest that Daniel 576 00:31:54,734 --> 00:31:58,800 was, in all likelihood, on his couch in his living room. 577 00:32:04,533 --> 00:32:07,266 There were absolutely no signs of forced entry. 578 00:32:07,333 --> 00:32:09,467 In fact, in this case, the front door actually had 579 00:32:09,533 --> 00:32:09,871 a key in it. 580 00:32:09,871 --> 00:32:11,634 a key in it. 581 00:32:11,634 --> 00:32:15,166 There are mops sitting on the side to the wall. 582 00:32:15,166 --> 00:32:19,266 There are bottles of bleach and cleaning agents everywhere. 583 00:32:19,333 --> 00:32:22,634 You additionally had a saw. 584 00:32:24,533 --> 00:32:25,900 A table saw. 585 00:32:26,734 --> 00:32:29,066 In addition, there actually was a chainsaw, as well, 586 00:32:29,066 --> 00:32:31,900 and it appeared brand-new, not used. 587 00:32:32,867 --> 00:32:36,967 There are saw blades and all these random items kind of 588 00:32:36,967 --> 00:32:39,467 strewn about, and it really just 589 00:32:39,533 --> 00:32:39,871 looks like a very hurried, panicked attempt to clean up 590 00:32:39,871 --> 00:32:44,967 looks like a very hurried, panicked attempt to clean up 591 00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:47,367 and potentially burn down the whole house 592 00:32:47,367 --> 00:32:49,634 that is, for some reason, getting cut short. 593 00:32:51,166 --> 00:32:53,967 Whoever was in there doing this essentially just 594 00:32:53,967 --> 00:32:57,867 drops what they're doing and takes off and leaves. 595 00:32:59,100 --> 00:33:02,867 The police also locate a series of bank receipts. 596 00:33:04,066 --> 00:33:06,367 One of the receipts was a Bank of America receipt. 597 00:33:06,367 --> 00:33:09,871 Police locate that particular branch here in Las Vegas, 598 00:33:09,871 --> 00:33:11,367 Police locate that particular branch here in Las Vegas, 599 00:33:11,367 --> 00:33:13,800 and they acquire video surveillance. 600 00:33:15,367 --> 00:33:19,967 That angle shows Sierra Halseth very clearly driving 601 00:33:19,967 --> 00:33:22,734 up in what appears to be Daniel's car, 602 00:33:22,734 --> 00:33:26,634 and she is the one that, in fact, withdraws $600 603 00:33:26,634 --> 00:33:29,100 at about 9:59 in the morning on April 8th. 604 00:33:30,266 --> 00:33:32,467 One of the things that investigators notice 605 00:33:32,533 --> 00:33:35,467 from the footage is that she's not alone. 606 00:33:35,533 --> 00:33:38,266 Someone else sitting in the front passenger seat of 607 00:33:38,333 --> 00:33:39,367 the car, and that person 608 00:33:39,367 --> 00:33:39,871 is wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt that is pink 609 00:33:39,871 --> 00:33:42,533 is wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt that is pink 610 00:33:42,600 --> 00:33:44,233 or light red in color. 611 00:33:45,867 --> 00:33:47,967 NARRATOR: Investigators discover store receipts, 612 00:33:47,967 --> 00:33:50,533 also from April 8th. 613 00:33:50,533 --> 00:33:52,266 One came from a Home Depot, 614 00:33:52,266 --> 00:33:54,900 and the second one came from a WinCo. 615 00:33:56,967 --> 00:33:58,533 When they go to that particular 616 00:33:58,533 --> 00:34:01,266 Home Depot to collect video footage, 617 00:34:01,266 --> 00:34:04,367 it's very clear that Aaron Guerrero 618 00:34:06,533 --> 00:34:08,867 is buying a number of items that are found inside 619 00:34:08,867 --> 00:34:09,871 that house -- that circular saw, the extra saw blades for it, 620 00:34:09,871 --> 00:34:12,634 that house -- that circular saw, the extra saw blades for it, 621 00:34:12,634 --> 00:34:13,867 he's purchasing it. 622 00:34:13,867 --> 00:34:17,166 He's purchasing drop cloths, disposable gloves. 623 00:34:17,166 --> 00:34:20,533 What's also significant is exactly what Aaron is wearing, 624 00:34:20,533 --> 00:34:22,634 a light red, pink T-shirt, 625 00:34:22,634 --> 00:34:25,266 just like the figure that's sitting in the front 626 00:34:25,266 --> 00:34:26,967 passenger seat when 627 00:34:26,967 --> 00:34:31,100 Sierra is making her way to the Bank of America. 628 00:34:33,367 --> 00:34:36,266 The police also end up going to a WinCo. 629 00:34:37,066 --> 00:34:39,871 it's very clear that Sierra pulls up at approximately 2:50 630 00:34:39,871 --> 00:34:42,367 it's very clear that Sierra pulls up at approximately 2:50 631 00:34:42,433 --> 00:34:45,467 in the morning, close to 3 a.m. in the morning on the 8th. 632 00:34:46,634 --> 00:34:49,967 She walks in, she buys the bleach, 633 00:34:50,900 --> 00:34:52,867 and she drives away, and she leaves. 634 00:34:53,800 --> 00:34:56,867 Do we have a definitive match that either one 635 00:34:56,900 --> 00:34:59,066 of them struck a killing blow at this stage? 636 00:34:59,066 --> 00:35:03,266 No, but when we look at the significance of all of those 637 00:35:03,333 --> 00:35:07,166 receipts, plus the video footage, at this point, 638 00:35:07,166 --> 00:35:09,871 it's very clear that these are the two main suspects that are 639 00:35:09,871 --> 00:35:11,634 it's very clear that these are the two main suspects that are 640 00:35:11,700 --> 00:35:13,634 responsible for Daniel's murder. 641 00:35:23,266 --> 00:35:27,533 On April 9th, the detectives in this case prepare 642 00:35:27,634 --> 00:35:29,634 arrest warrants, not only for Sierra Halseth, 643 00:35:29,634 --> 00:35:31,266 but Aaron Guerrero, as well. 644 00:35:32,500 --> 00:35:36,066 And that warrant issued into a national database that 645 00:35:36,066 --> 00:35:38,166 alert all law enforcement agencies 646 00:35:38,233 --> 00:35:41,066 to let authorities from an outside jurisdiction know, 647 00:35:41,066 --> 00:35:44,800 hey, Aaron and Sierra are actually wanted for murder. 648 00:35:44,900 --> 00:35:46,233 Let's not let them go. 649 00:35:48,634 --> 00:35:52,533 NARRATOR: Five days after Daniel's murder, CCTV records 650 00:35:52,533 --> 00:35:55,867 Aaron and Sierra in Salt Lake City. 651 00:35:55,867 --> 00:35:59,266 About 8:35 in the morning on the 13th, 652 00:35:59,266 --> 00:36:04,367 transit police encounter Aaron and Sierra using a tram. 653 00:36:05,967 --> 00:36:08,367 They're making out, they're just kind of living 654 00:36:08,367 --> 00:36:10,967 their best life on the tram in Utah. 655 00:36:12,266 --> 00:36:16,233 What happens essentially is they're asked for their tickets, 656 00:36:17,066 --> 00:36:17,982 and they don't have any tickets. 657 00:36:17,982 --> 00:36:19,800 and they don't have any tickets. 658 00:36:19,900 --> 00:36:21,734 The transit authority asked them for their name 659 00:36:21,734 --> 00:36:24,734 or identification, and Aaron and Sierra provide it. 660 00:36:25,967 --> 00:36:29,867 They run a name check, up pops the warrant. 661 00:36:29,867 --> 00:36:32,800 And so Aaron and Sierra are taken into custody 662 00:36:32,900 --> 00:36:36,800 by Utah Transit Authority for the murder of Daniel 663 00:36:37,967 --> 00:36:40,166 and are promptly then ultimately brought back to 664 00:36:40,166 --> 00:36:41,467 Las Vegas. 665 00:36:41,533 --> 00:36:43,166 They get caught by just simply giving over 666 00:36:43,166 --> 00:36:46,066 their names and not paying for a tram ticket. 667 00:36:47,266 --> 00:36:47,982 When Aaron and Sierra are taken into custody, 668 00:36:47,982 --> 00:36:50,266 When Aaron and Sierra are taken into custody, 669 00:36:50,266 --> 00:36:51,734 one of the things that's in their possession 670 00:36:51,734 --> 00:36:53,634 is a cellphone. 671 00:36:53,634 --> 00:36:57,533 That phone is forensically downloaded by the police. 672 00:37:00,066 --> 00:37:02,967 HAMNER: There is videos on that phone. 673 00:37:02,967 --> 00:37:06,166 There are photographs taken by Aaron and Sierra, just kind of 674 00:37:06,233 --> 00:37:08,266 chronicling their little trip through Utah, you know, 675 00:37:08,333 --> 00:37:11,166 taking pictures of each other, little videos of them 676 00:37:11,166 --> 00:37:14,266 kissing and giggling and just having the best time. 677 00:37:14,266 --> 00:37:15,634 [coughing] 678 00:37:17,367 --> 00:37:17,982 But the most stunning part about what's 679 00:37:17,982 --> 00:37:20,066 But the most stunning part about what's 680 00:37:20,100 --> 00:37:22,467 found on the phone is a particular video. 681 00:37:22,467 --> 00:37:25,000 [indistinct] [clears throat] 682 00:37:46,266 --> 00:37:47,800 HAMNER: It's shocking. 683 00:37:47,900 --> 00:37:47,982 I mean, there wasn't an ounce of remorse in Sierra's face. 684 00:37:47,982 --> 00:37:51,734 I mean, there wasn't an ounce of remorse in Sierra's face. 685 00:37:54,533 --> 00:37:55,800 It's just stunning. 686 00:37:55,900 --> 00:37:57,867 Honestly, it's one of the most stunning things I've seen 687 00:37:57,867 --> 00:38:00,533 in my career, because she just -- 688 00:38:00,634 --> 00:38:02,367 they are just laughing. 689 00:38:02,367 --> 00:38:06,634 -[laughing] -[indistinct noises] 690 00:38:08,634 --> 00:38:10,266 NARRATOR: Investigators piece together 691 00:38:10,333 --> 00:38:13,266 the sequence of events from when Daniel returns home from 692 00:38:13,266 --> 00:38:16,166 his business trip in Boston on Wednesday, 693 00:38:16,166 --> 00:38:17,533 April 7th. 694 00:38:17,533 --> 00:38:17,982 We believe that Daniel is on that couch. 695 00:38:17,982 --> 00:38:19,533 We believe that Daniel is on that couch. 696 00:38:21,066 --> 00:38:23,233 He's asleep when they attack. 697 00:38:27,367 --> 00:38:30,967 Daniel is stabbed approximately 70 times by 698 00:38:31,000 --> 00:38:32,367 Sierra and Aaron. 699 00:38:35,500 --> 00:38:38,367 Two of the items among a vast number of other things 700 00:38:38,433 --> 00:38:41,367 that were collected and ultimately tested for DNA 701 00:38:41,433 --> 00:38:44,634 were the two folding knives -- on one knife, 702 00:38:44,700 --> 00:38:47,982 Sierra Halseth's DNA is found -- on the other knife, 703 00:38:47,982 --> 00:38:48,266 Sierra Halseth's DNA is found -- on the other knife, 704 00:38:48,333 --> 00:38:51,367 Aaron Guerrero's DNA is found. 705 00:38:52,500 --> 00:38:54,367 By three o'clock in the morning, 706 00:38:54,367 --> 00:38:57,333 Sierra is going out to a WinCo, and she's buying bleach. 707 00:38:59,533 --> 00:39:02,166 That suggests to us that, at this point, 708 00:39:02,166 --> 00:39:04,367 she's trying to clean up what's happening. 709 00:39:06,967 --> 00:39:08,367 By the morning time, 710 00:39:08,367 --> 00:39:10,867 it appears they've come up with a different plan. 711 00:39:10,867 --> 00:39:15,533 And part of that plan involves dismembering Daniel, because 712 00:39:15,634 --> 00:39:17,734 that's when they are purchasing 713 00:39:17,800 --> 00:39:17,982 circular saws and additional things, 714 00:39:17,982 --> 00:39:20,467 circular saws and additional things, 715 00:39:20,533 --> 00:39:24,066 when they're picking up drop cloths and disposable gloves. 716 00:39:24,100 --> 00:39:26,533 And that's what Aaron's doing over at the Home Depot. 717 00:39:29,500 --> 00:39:32,066 It's very clear, though, that whatever they were planning 718 00:39:32,066 --> 00:39:35,500 to do, all of that abruptly comes to a halt by 719 00:39:35,500 --> 00:39:37,967 10:42 in the morning on the 9th, 720 00:39:39,867 --> 00:39:43,166 because that is the point where Christine sends 721 00:39:43,166 --> 00:39:46,533 text messages to Sierra saying, "Do I need to call the police?" 722 00:39:48,266 --> 00:39:51,634 And with that essential threat being made by Christine, 723 00:39:51,634 --> 00:39:54,367 that is what prompts them to drop everything, 724 00:39:55,367 --> 00:39:57,867 dousing him with lighter fluid in the garage, 725 00:39:57,867 --> 00:40:01,000 and trying to burn Daniel in a sleeping bag. 726 00:40:05,266 --> 00:40:08,266 And ultimately, they make off with Daniel's car. 727 00:40:08,333 --> 00:40:10,500 They make off with some chunks of money 728 00:40:10,500 --> 00:40:12,367 out of his bank account, 729 00:40:12,367 --> 00:40:14,967 and they head off on a road trip to Utah. 730 00:40:17,500 --> 00:40:17,982 Killing Daniel was unnecessary. 731 00:40:17,982 --> 00:40:19,333 Killing Daniel was unnecessary. 732 00:40:20,266 --> 00:40:24,266 If Sierra and Aaron simply wanted to go run away together, 733 00:40:24,266 --> 00:40:26,166 like Romeo and Juliet, 734 00:40:26,166 --> 00:40:29,367 they could have simply taken the car keys and taken Daniel's 735 00:40:29,367 --> 00:40:31,000 car and driven away. 736 00:40:31,867 --> 00:40:34,800 But for some reason, they chose not to do that. 737 00:40:35,900 --> 00:40:38,734 They waited for Daniel to come back home, 738 00:40:42,967 --> 00:40:44,367 and then they killed him. 739 00:41:03,634 --> 00:41:08,266 You know, someone who knew Dan well said 740 00:41:08,266 --> 00:41:10,634 even now, Daniel would forgive her. 741 00:41:10,700 --> 00:41:13,166 He loved her -- he would forgive her. 742 00:41:20,166 --> 00:41:22,066 NEWMAN: He was such a wonderful, 743 00:41:22,066 --> 00:41:25,967 wonderful person, and she's spending the rest of her life, 744 00:41:25,967 --> 00:41:27,634 hopefully, in prison. 745 00:41:27,634 --> 00:41:29,467 What a horrible thing she did. 746 00:41:32,533 --> 00:41:36,467 She took away my Danny boy, she took away 747 00:41:36,467 --> 00:41:41,166 my oldest son, my sons' brother. 748 00:41:42,166 --> 00:41:43,533 She took away 749 00:41:44,867 --> 00:41:47,982 so much joy and so much light. 750 00:41:47,982 --> 00:41:48,467 so much joy and so much light. 751 00:41:48,533 --> 00:41:50,367 He was like a light. 752 00:41:51,166 --> 00:41:53,467 She took away a big chunk of 753 00:41:53,467 --> 00:41:57,000 my heart that will never be returned. 754 00:41:58,066 --> 00:42:03,266 I just have to learn to go on... 755 00:42:03,266 --> 00:42:04,967 without him.