1 00:00:04,967 --> 00:00:07,400 {\an8}[laughs] 2 00:00:07,467 --> 00:00:10,200 ELLY: I'm just recording her for no reason. 3 00:00:10,266 --> 00:00:12,667 We joked around with stuff like this all the time. 4 00:00:14,967 --> 00:00:16,500 I think she found it funny though. 5 00:00:16,567 --> 00:00:18,967 It was just how we were with each other. 6 00:00:18,967 --> 00:00:21,400 [Elly laughing] 7 00:00:21,467 --> 00:00:24,867 STEPHANIE: Amber had a very caring heart. 8 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:28,567 She was a happy-go-lucky person. 9 00:00:28,667 --> 00:00:30,000 JESSICA: I saw a lot of red flags, 10 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:31,000 JESSICA: I saw a lot of red flags, 11 00:00:31,467 --> 00:00:35,100 but she wouldn't listen. 12 00:00:35,166 --> 00:00:37,467 {\an8}[Amber shouting] 13 00:00:37,467 --> 00:00:38,800 I would tell her, I'd be like, "You better 14 00:00:38,867 --> 00:00:40,667 call me, like, I got to hear your voice." 15 00:00:47,567 --> 00:00:50,867 JAMES: The medical examiner, he indicated that this was 16 00:00:50,967 --> 00:00:52,700 one of the worst she had ever seen. 17 00:00:52,767 --> 00:00:55,166 {\an8}[Amber talking, sobbing] 18 00:00:55,166 --> 00:00:57,166 {\an8}[officer talking] 19 00:00:57,266 --> 00:01:00,000 STEPHANIE: I tried to talk her out of it, 20 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:00,567 STEPHANIE: I tried to talk her out of it, 21 00:01:00,567 --> 00:01:01,000 but it all backfired on me. 22 00:01:16,500 --> 00:01:19,367 {\an8}[distant siren wailing] 23 00:01:19,467 --> 00:01:22,100 {\an8}ELLY: In October 2020, 24 00:01:22,166 --> 00:01:24,166 me and my mom just got back from the store, 25 00:01:24,166 --> 00:01:26,600 and then I decided to start recording on my phone. 26 00:01:28,767 --> 00:01:30,000 He was in the kitchen. 27 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:30,100 He was in the kitchen. 28 00:01:31,667 --> 00:01:32,867 He had a drink, 29 00:01:32,967 --> 00:01:35,367 but that wasn't a surprise -- he drank every day. 30 00:01:35,367 --> 00:01:38,100 Agh. 31 00:01:38,166 --> 00:01:42,166 ELLY: I don't know why I started recording. 32 00:01:42,266 --> 00:01:45,166 I just had, like, a gut feeling. 33 00:01:45,266 --> 00:01:47,500 I had a lot of gut feelings whenever something was, like, 34 00:01:47,567 --> 00:01:50,266 about to happen or like an argument was gonna happen, 35 00:01:51,266 --> 00:01:52,867 and a lot of time, I was right. 36 00:01:53,967 --> 00:01:58,400 He and my mom, Amber, they would often fight. 37 00:01:58,467 --> 00:02:00,000 {\an8}[Amber talking] 38 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:01,000 {\an8}[Amber talking] 39 00:02:02,367 --> 00:02:05,367 {\an8}[John talking] 40 00:02:05,467 --> 00:02:08,700 {\an8}[Amber talking] 41 00:02:08,767 --> 00:02:11,166 {\an8}[John talking] 42 00:02:11,266 --> 00:02:14,600 ELLY: He was gaslighting her -- he did it all the time, 43 00:02:14,667 --> 00:02:17,667 saying that he didn't do it even though he did. 44 00:02:17,767 --> 00:02:21,667 He would often say, "I never touched you," and he touched her 45 00:02:21,667 --> 00:02:23,367 every time that she said he did. 46 00:02:23,367 --> 00:02:26,767 {\an8}[Amber talking] 47 00:02:28,467 --> 00:02:30,000 {\an8}[Elly shouts] 48 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:30,467 {\an8}[Elly shouts] 49 00:02:30,467 --> 00:02:31,000 My mom said that I was gonna call the cops, because 50 00:02:33,100 --> 00:02:36,567 I have said I would do that for her if she ever wanted. 51 00:02:36,667 --> 00:02:38,567 {\an8}[John talking] 52 00:02:38,667 --> 00:02:40,667 {\an8}[Amber shouting] 53 00:02:49,300 --> 00:02:51,367 {\an8}[Stephanie laughing] 54 00:02:53,667 --> 00:02:57,367 NARRATOR: It's March 1998, in Toledo, Ohio. 55 00:02:57,367 --> 00:03:00,000 {\an8}[Amber talking] 56 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:01,000 {\an8}[Amber talking] 57 00:03:01,166 --> 00:03:03,667 NARRATOR: Stephanie Shelley videotapes a special moment 58 00:03:03,667 --> 00:03:05,767 between her baby daughter, Samantha, 59 00:03:05,767 --> 00:03:07,900 and her 11-year-old cousin, Amber. 60 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:10,300 {\an8}[Amber talking] 61 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:15,767 STEPHANIE: This is my house in Toledo, Ohio. 62 00:03:16,867 --> 00:03:22,300 {\an8}Amber is helping my daughter, Samantha, walk. 63 00:03:22,367 --> 00:03:24,467 Samantha was very wobbly. 64 00:03:24,567 --> 00:03:28,867 She cannot actually stay up on her feet at all. 65 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:33,266 {\an8}[LaDonna talking] 66 00:03:33,367 --> 00:03:35,667 NARRATOR: Stephanie records her Aunt LaDonna, 67 00:03:35,767 --> 00:03:38,367 Amber's mother, as she joins in the fun. 68 00:03:40,500 --> 00:03:44,066 [laughter] 69 00:03:44,066 --> 00:03:47,200 STEPHANIE: Amber was a lot like LaDonna when it comes to kids. 70 00:03:47,266 --> 00:03:52,567 They both loved babies and loved being around them, 71 00:03:52,667 --> 00:03:57,367 and they both had that motherly instinct. 72 00:03:58,567 --> 00:04:00,000 Like mother, like daughter. 73 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:00,367 Like mother, like daughter. 74 00:04:00,467 --> 00:04:01,000 [laughter] 75 00:04:04,767 --> 00:04:07,867 NARRATOR: LaDonna gave birth to Amber in 1987 76 00:04:07,967 --> 00:04:09,567 when she was 18 years old. 77 00:04:10,900 --> 00:04:13,800 Two other children quickly follow. 78 00:04:13,867 --> 00:04:16,166 STEPHANIE: Amber was her oldest. 79 00:04:16,166 --> 00:04:18,467 There's Amber, Brittney, and Eric. 80 00:04:21,100 --> 00:04:23,467 NARRATOR: She raises her family as a single mother. 81 00:04:26,867 --> 00:04:28,500 LaDonna and her three kids live 82 00:04:28,567 --> 00:04:30,000 with her mother, Charlotte, in Sylvania, Ohio. 83 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:31,000 with her mother, Charlotte, in Sylvania, Ohio. 84 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:36,000 ERIC: Our mom had pretty bad health problems. 85 00:04:36,100 --> 00:04:39,567 She had a quadruple bypass surgery at the age of 32, 86 00:04:39,567 --> 00:04:42,667 {\an8}and she was born with one kidney, three-quarters 87 00:04:42,767 --> 00:04:44,000 {\an8}of her uterus. 88 00:04:44,066 --> 00:04:47,867 {\an8}Um, she had pretty, pretty -- pretty bad health problems. 89 00:04:50,567 --> 00:04:54,266 LaDonna's health issues were a major problem, 90 00:04:54,266 --> 00:04:56,166 trying to raise three kids. 91 00:04:57,266 --> 00:05:00,000 NARRATOR: LaDonna's friends and family step in to help her. 92 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:00,467 NARRATOR: LaDonna's friends and family step in to help her. 93 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:05,367 STEPHANIE: I would bring mainly Amber, 94 00:05:05,367 --> 00:05:10,266 but sometimes Brittney and Eric over to my house, and they 95 00:05:10,266 --> 00:05:15,000 would play with my kids, and I would feed them dinner, 96 00:05:15,066 --> 00:05:18,266 and Amber would stay the night 97 00:05:18,367 --> 00:05:20,900 many nights at my house and never 98 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:24,266 want to go home, because she loved hanging out at my house. 99 00:05:24,266 --> 00:05:27,367 [Stephanie laughing] Yeah. 100 00:05:27,467 --> 00:05:30,000 STEPHANIE: This was August 6th, 1998. 101 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:31,000 STEPHANIE: This was August 6th, 1998. 102 00:05:31,967 --> 00:05:34,000 I'm recording it. 103 00:05:34,066 --> 00:05:36,000 Come on. [laughing] 104 00:05:36,066 --> 00:05:39,600 Amber's in the black and white shirt. 105 00:05:40,567 --> 00:05:42,100 Somebody ugly walks up. 106 00:05:43,266 --> 00:05:48,467 My house was always the happy, dancey, fun house. 107 00:05:51,500 --> 00:05:56,467 That's LaDonna on the couch, and Amber was dancing the baby 108 00:05:56,467 --> 00:06:00,000 next to her, and I think LaDonna told her to leave her alone. 109 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:00,800 next to her, and I think LaDonna told her to leave her alone. 110 00:06:02,867 --> 00:06:04,400 ERIC: At that point in time, 111 00:06:04,467 --> 00:06:07,567 I had no idea what my mom was really going through. 112 00:06:09,567 --> 00:06:13,100 I don't think nobody realized how sick she really was. 113 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:17,567 STEPHANIE: I think hanging out at my house 114 00:06:17,667 --> 00:06:21,567 helped LaDonna a lot, because it gave LaDonna 115 00:06:21,567 --> 00:06:26,500 a way to get away from stress for a while. 116 00:06:26,567 --> 00:06:28,200 [baby squealing] 117 00:06:28,266 --> 00:06:30,000 I believe Amber saw my home as 118 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:31,000 I believe Amber saw my home as 119 00:06:31,166 --> 00:06:34,266 a second home from almost the beginning, 120 00:06:34,367 --> 00:06:37,200 because she kind of just welcomed herself 121 00:06:37,266 --> 00:06:40,600 into my house and made herself at home. 122 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:45,300 {\an8}NARRATOR: By January 1999... 123 00:06:45,367 --> 00:06:46,567 [speaking indistinctly] 124 00:06:46,567 --> 00:06:47,667 ...Amber is spending most 125 00:06:47,667 --> 00:06:50,467 of her time at cousin Stephanie's house. 126 00:06:50,567 --> 00:06:55,000 {\an8}[all singing] 127 00:06:55,066 --> 00:06:59,266 {\an8}This is my daughter Samantha's 2nd birthday party. 128 00:06:59,266 --> 00:07:00,000 {\an8}[all singing] 129 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:00,700 {\an8}[all singing] 130 00:07:00,767 --> 00:07:01,000 Well, it looks like when Samantha blows the candles out 131 00:07:04,567 --> 00:07:06,700 that she's actually blowing them out. 132 00:07:09,166 --> 00:07:12,166 But I'm actually the one blowing them out from the side. 133 00:07:12,266 --> 00:07:14,567 [indistinct talking] 134 00:07:14,667 --> 00:07:17,367 Amber makes the silly face. 135 00:07:17,367 --> 00:07:19,867 [indistinct talking] 136 00:07:19,867 --> 00:07:23,300 Amber spent several years 137 00:07:23,367 --> 00:07:27,000 of her life at my house. 138 00:07:29,467 --> 00:07:30,000 It was always a pop in, stay a few nights, 139 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:31,000 It was always a pop in, stay a few nights, 140 00:07:32,767 --> 00:07:35,600 go home for a few nights type thing. 141 00:07:37,300 --> 00:07:40,300 NARRATOR: In 2001, with her mother's health worsening, 142 00:07:40,367 --> 00:07:42,500 Amber moves in with close family friend, 143 00:07:42,567 --> 00:07:45,567 Jessica Cash, and her husband, Josh. 144 00:07:47,066 --> 00:07:50,100 Amber is struggling at school, and Jessica helps 145 00:07:50,166 --> 00:07:53,166 her get on track with attendance and homework. 146 00:07:53,266 --> 00:07:56,600 JESSICA: Amber was around 14 years old 147 00:07:56,667 --> 00:07:59,500 when she came to stay with me. 148 00:07:59,567 --> 00:08:00,000 {\an8}Josh and I were, um, a lot 149 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:01,000 {\an8}Josh and I were, um, a lot 150 00:08:02,767 --> 00:08:07,066 {\an8}like adopted slash foster parents to Amber. 151 00:08:08,300 --> 00:08:12,166 Amber needed some stability in her life. 152 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:15,767 NARRATOR: In the Fall of 2003, 153 00:08:16,900 --> 00:08:21,166 16-year-old Amber meets 25-year-old John Eichner. 154 00:08:23,100 --> 00:08:26,767 I think John swept her off her feet and had 155 00:08:26,867 --> 00:08:30,000 this promise of a wonderful life with him. 156 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:31,000 this promise of a wonderful life with him. 157 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:34,266 NARRATOR: John also impresses Amber's 158 00:08:34,367 --> 00:08:36,567 12-year-old brother, Eric. 159 00:08:36,667 --> 00:08:38,367 ERIC: I looked up to John. 160 00:08:38,467 --> 00:08:39,867 He taught me stuff about working 161 00:08:39,967 --> 00:08:42,967 on engines and taught me stuff about cars and mowers 162 00:08:42,967 --> 00:08:44,867 and business. 163 00:08:44,967 --> 00:08:48,667 John was a very, very smart individual. 164 00:08:48,767 --> 00:08:50,867 NARRATOR: John has three children from a past 165 00:08:50,867 --> 00:08:53,367 relationship and runs a successful computer 166 00:08:53,467 --> 00:08:54,600 repair business. 167 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:58,667 He really took care of Amber when they got together. 168 00:08:58,767 --> 00:09:00,000 Like, really took care of Amber. 169 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,000 Like, really took care of Amber. 170 00:09:01,667 --> 00:09:03,767 NARRATOR: Early in 2004, 171 00:09:03,767 --> 00:09:07,567 Amber moves into John's home in Toledo. 172 00:09:07,567 --> 00:09:09,200 ERIC: It was fast. 173 00:09:09,266 --> 00:09:13,266 My mom probably figured, hey, she's almost 18. 174 00:09:13,367 --> 00:09:14,767 He seems like an all right guy. 175 00:09:14,867 --> 00:09:17,600 He seems nice, you know, because he really did. 176 00:09:18,667 --> 00:09:23,166 She always just wanted that stable family, and I think 177 00:09:23,166 --> 00:09:25,367 that's kind of what drew her to him. 178 00:09:25,467 --> 00:09:29,567 He was an older person and could rescue her, 179 00:09:29,667 --> 00:09:30,000 be her knight in shining armor. 180 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:31,000 be her knight in shining armor. 181 00:09:34,166 --> 00:09:36,867 I was very worried. 182 00:09:36,967 --> 00:09:40,300 One minute she's telling me she's met this guy. 183 00:09:40,367 --> 00:09:42,500 Then she's moving in with him. 184 00:09:43,500 --> 00:09:49,200 I saw a lot of red flags and tried to warn her, 185 00:09:49,266 --> 00:09:53,767 but she looked past some of the warning signs. 186 00:10:04,166 --> 00:10:08,467 JESSICA: Amber and John had their first daughter, Elly, 187 00:10:08,467 --> 00:10:12,500 {\an8}three years into the relationship almost. 188 00:10:12,567 --> 00:10:16,900 {\an8}ERIC: When Elly was born, they were doing stuff as a family. 189 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:19,767 {\an8}John was cooking dinners and cleaning, 190 00:10:19,767 --> 00:10:22,667 {\an8}like, doing stuff with Amber. 191 00:10:25,100 --> 00:10:25,261 NARRATOR: Amber and John marry in secret 192 00:10:25,261 --> 00:10:26,000 NARRATOR: Amber and John marry in secret 193 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:28,967 two months after Elly's birth. 194 00:10:30,100 --> 00:10:33,100 I actually found out later, 195 00:10:33,166 --> 00:10:36,000 after they got married, from Amber's mom. 196 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:40,000 I was pretty devastated. 197 00:10:43,667 --> 00:10:45,200 NARRATOR: Six months later, 198 00:10:45,266 --> 00:10:48,300 after a lifetime of health problems, 199 00:10:48,367 --> 00:10:52,767 Amber's mom, LaDonna, dies of a heart attack, age 39. 200 00:10:53,867 --> 00:10:55,261 JESSICA: It was a devastating time for everybody. 201 00:10:55,261 --> 00:10:56,000 JESSICA: It was a devastating time for everybody. 202 00:10:59,166 --> 00:11:04,266 She had just become a grandma and was so excited. 203 00:11:05,967 --> 00:11:10,166 STEPHANIE: She was one of my favorite aunts, 204 00:11:10,166 --> 00:11:13,000 and I was completely devastated. 205 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:17,100 NARRATOR: By now, Stephanie lives in Tennessee, 206 00:11:18,367 --> 00:11:21,767 but she's determined to support her cousin, Amber. 207 00:11:21,767 --> 00:11:25,261 {\an8}At that point, Amber and I decided that 208 00:11:25,261 --> 00:11:25,266 {\an8}At that point, Amber and I decided that 209 00:11:25,266 --> 00:11:26,000 {\an8}we were going to stay connected no matter what. 210 00:11:30,900 --> 00:11:33,400 NARRATOR: Amber gives birth to her and John's second daughter, 211 00:11:33,467 --> 00:11:35,600 Tori, in 2010. 212 00:11:37,467 --> 00:11:41,066 Stephanie and her family make the 510-mile journey 213 00:11:41,066 --> 00:11:44,767 from their home in Tennessee to visit Amber in Ohio. 214 00:11:49,100 --> 00:11:51,467 {\an8}[laughter] 215 00:11:54,567 --> 00:11:55,261 We were visiting Brittney's house, 216 00:11:55,261 --> 00:11:56,000 We were visiting Brittney's house, 217 00:11:57,467 --> 00:11:59,367 and we were standing on the porch. 218 00:12:00,700 --> 00:12:02,767 STEPHANIE: And that is Amber 219 00:12:02,867 --> 00:12:06,166 in the background in the white shirt. 220 00:12:06,266 --> 00:12:08,000 I wanna come play now! 221 00:12:08,100 --> 00:12:11,166 NARRATOR: Amber is pregnant with her third child. 222 00:12:11,166 --> 00:12:14,266 The reason she kept having kids is 223 00:12:14,367 --> 00:12:16,967 because she was trying to have a boy. 224 00:12:16,967 --> 00:12:19,467 {\an8}[Elly laughing] 225 00:12:19,567 --> 00:12:20,600 {\an8}Hi! 226 00:12:20,667 --> 00:12:22,467 NARRATOR: Amber's oldest girl, four-year-old 227 00:12:22,567 --> 00:12:25,000 Elly, entertains everyone in the living room. 228 00:12:25,066 --> 00:12:25,261 {\an8}[Elly making noises] 229 00:12:25,261 --> 00:12:26,000 {\an8}[Elly making noises] 230 00:12:29,166 --> 00:12:31,367 {\an8}[Elly laughing] 231 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:34,200 {\an8}[man speaking] 232 00:12:34,266 --> 00:12:36,000 I don't remember any of this. 233 00:12:36,100 --> 00:12:38,467 {\an8}I was too little. 234 00:12:38,467 --> 00:12:40,867 {\an8}I was a very energetic child. 235 00:12:47,800 --> 00:12:50,900 NARRATOR: Amber gives birth to Kailee in 2012. 236 00:12:52,767 --> 00:12:55,261 A fourth girl, Sascha, arrives a year later. 237 00:12:55,261 --> 00:12:55,900 A fourth girl, Sascha, arrives a year later. 238 00:12:59,567 --> 00:13:02,467 Soon after, Amber confides in Stephanie 239 00:13:02,467 --> 00:13:05,100 that her and John's relationship is troubled. 240 00:13:06,867 --> 00:13:10,100 John would not provide them food, and he would disappear 241 00:13:10,166 --> 00:13:11,800 for days on end 242 00:13:11,867 --> 00:13:14,367 and would not provide her transportation to go to 243 00:13:14,367 --> 00:13:15,567 the grocery store. 244 00:13:18,767 --> 00:13:21,100 As the years went by, 245 00:13:22,166 --> 00:13:25,261 he would isolate her more and more into the house, 246 00:13:25,261 --> 00:13:26,000 he would isolate her more and more into the house, 247 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,266 and then she found messages, 248 00:13:29,367 --> 00:13:34,100 hidden messages, between John and a woman 249 00:13:34,166 --> 00:13:36,700 that she thought he was having an affair. 250 00:13:37,867 --> 00:13:39,600 I was very worried. 251 00:13:41,700 --> 00:13:44,967 NARRATOR: In October 2017, Stephanie drives her 252 00:13:44,967 --> 00:13:47,667 family to Toledo to visit Amber. 253 00:13:51,867 --> 00:13:54,100 {\an8}[Stephanie laughing] 254 00:13:55,700 --> 00:13:56,000 STEPHANIE: The shock on her face just to see us 255 00:13:57,767 --> 00:14:01,100 standing there was the shock 256 00:14:01,166 --> 00:14:02,367 I wanted to see. 257 00:14:03,367 --> 00:14:05,867 That was a meaningful hug. 258 00:14:06,867 --> 00:14:12,400 When she let go of me and right after she, I think, wiped 259 00:14:12,467 --> 00:14:14,467 the tears or wiped her face, 260 00:14:14,567 --> 00:14:17,367 she said he did sleep with her. 261 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:25,261 NARRATOR: That evening, 262 00:14:25,261 --> 00:14:25,800 NARRATOR: That evening, 263 00:14:25,867 --> 00:14:26,000 Amber reveals to Stephanie that John 264 00:14:27,967 --> 00:14:31,367 abuses her, both mentally and physically. 265 00:14:32,300 --> 00:14:36,600 STEPHANIE: The verbal abuse, calling her the names, 266 00:14:36,667 --> 00:14:42,266 convincing her of mental illness when she wasn't ill, 267 00:14:43,567 --> 00:14:48,467 the physical abuse, the hitting, the choking. 268 00:14:48,467 --> 00:14:53,266 He would leave a vehicle but take the kids' car seats 269 00:14:53,367 --> 00:14:55,261 so she couldn't drive anywhere. 270 00:14:55,261 --> 00:14:56,000 so she couldn't drive anywhere. 271 00:14:57,667 --> 00:15:01,266 At that point, she was already talking to me 272 00:15:01,367 --> 00:15:05,667 and telling me about this abuse, nonstop, 273 00:15:05,667 --> 00:15:07,767 over all of these years. 274 00:15:09,367 --> 00:15:12,100 NARRATOR: Amber had given birth to her first daughter, Elly, 275 00:15:12,166 --> 00:15:13,266 10 years earlier. 276 00:15:14,867 --> 00:15:17,367 A closer look at a photograph from that time 277 00:15:17,367 --> 00:15:21,667 reveals what appears to be a bruise on Amber's neck. 278 00:15:21,767 --> 00:15:25,261 I would question her about it -- if it was a bruise, 279 00:15:25,261 --> 00:15:25,900 I would question her about it -- if it was a bruise, 280 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:31,000 she would always try to cover it up or say that she hit 281 00:15:31,066 --> 00:15:32,333 a door. 282 00:15:32,367 --> 00:15:37,600 Always some kind of excuse as to where any marks came from. 283 00:15:38,867 --> 00:15:44,600 After that point, I was very worried about her safety, 284 00:15:44,667 --> 00:15:47,767 and that's when I started 285 00:15:47,867 --> 00:15:50,000 trying to work on getting her out. 286 00:15:51,700 --> 00:15:55,261 But John used to tap their home phone, 287 00:15:55,261 --> 00:15:55,600 But John used to tap their home phone, 288 00:15:55,667 --> 00:15:56,000 so it was really hard for us to communicate. 289 00:16:01,700 --> 00:16:03,767 ERIC: John keylogged Amber's cellphone. 290 00:16:03,867 --> 00:16:07,367 So any text message, 291 00:16:07,367 --> 00:16:11,467 any voicemail or phone call or anything 292 00:16:11,567 --> 00:16:14,266 that came into Amber's cellphone 293 00:16:14,266 --> 00:16:17,767 went to another cellphone that John had. 294 00:16:20,066 --> 00:16:21,567 Everything was monitored. 295 00:16:21,567 --> 00:16:24,367 Cars were GPSed. 296 00:16:24,367 --> 00:16:25,261 Like, any movement she made was monitored. 297 00:16:25,261 --> 00:16:26,000 Like, any movement she made was monitored. 298 00:16:27,667 --> 00:16:29,166 It was like she was in prison. 299 00:16:32,867 --> 00:16:34,900 {\an8}NARRATOR: In June 2019, 300 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:36,567 a house near to Stephanie in 301 00:16:36,567 --> 00:16:39,166 Tennessee goes on the rental market. 302 00:16:40,867 --> 00:16:43,667 STEPHANIE: I knew I couldn't get her away from him 303 00:16:43,767 --> 00:16:45,567 with her in Ohio. 304 00:16:45,667 --> 00:16:49,166 So I messaged the landlord, and he agreed 305 00:16:49,266 --> 00:16:52,367 to let Amber and her four girls move in. 306 00:16:54,100 --> 00:16:55,261 It takes between an 11- to 12-hour drive 307 00:16:55,261 --> 00:16:56,000 It takes between an 11- to 12-hour drive 308 00:16:58,867 --> 00:17:04,266 to get from Toledo, Ohio, to Dunlap, Tennessee, 309 00:17:04,367 --> 00:17:08,266 and Amber and just the girls were supposed to come. 310 00:17:08,367 --> 00:17:10,667 Moving up there was gonna be our new life. 311 00:17:10,667 --> 00:17:14,000 It was going to be our fresh start. 312 00:17:14,066 --> 00:17:16,266 STEPHANIE: At the very last moment, 313 00:17:16,266 --> 00:17:20,166 John came with them, which was not the plan. 314 00:17:21,367 --> 00:17:24,100 It all backfired on me, 315 00:17:24,166 --> 00:17:25,261 but there was nothing I could do. 316 00:17:25,261 --> 00:17:26,000 but there was nothing I could do. 317 00:17:33,100 --> 00:17:37,500 {\an8}I figured getting Amber to Tennessee 318 00:17:37,567 --> 00:17:39,200 {\an8}was one step closer 319 00:17:39,266 --> 00:17:42,367 {\an8}to where I can help her to get away from John. 320 00:17:44,266 --> 00:17:47,800 I think Amber was pretty settled. 321 00:17:47,867 --> 00:17:51,200 She said it felt like home. 322 00:17:51,266 --> 00:17:56,100 She had a vehicle to rely on and a job at a factory 323 00:17:56,166 --> 00:17:57,980 in Dunlap. 324 00:17:57,980 --> 00:17:58,000 in Dunlap. 325 00:17:58,367 --> 00:18:03,400 John ended up being a stay-at-home dad, 326 00:18:03,467 --> 00:18:06,767 and he did the cooking and the cleaning 327 00:18:06,867 --> 00:18:10,500 and made it look like things would be different. 328 00:18:15,567 --> 00:18:19,166 This is just a bunch of friends and family, 329 00:18:19,166 --> 00:18:21,567 all lined up so we can watch 330 00:18:21,567 --> 00:18:24,467 the little fireworks go off. 331 00:18:24,567 --> 00:18:27,367 Amber in the black and white shirt, 332 00:18:27,367 --> 00:18:27,980 and then next to her is John. 333 00:18:27,980 --> 00:18:28,000 and then next to her is John. 334 00:18:32,467 --> 00:18:35,100 And he really laid it on thick 335 00:18:35,166 --> 00:18:39,467 and made it look like he had changed. 336 00:18:39,567 --> 00:18:42,867 People like that don't change. 337 00:18:42,967 --> 00:18:45,700 He shows one thing on the outside, 338 00:18:45,767 --> 00:18:50,100 and behind the doors, shows something completely different. 339 00:18:52,100 --> 00:18:54,266 NARRATOR: Away from the camera, 340 00:18:54,266 --> 00:18:57,467 John snoops on Amber during her breaks at work. 341 00:18:58,467 --> 00:19:03,500 He would leave the girls at home at night and drive down 342 00:19:03,567 --> 00:19:08,700 and sit in the parking lot and watch her during her breaks 343 00:19:08,767 --> 00:19:11,467 to make sure she wasn't talking to anybody 344 00:19:11,467 --> 00:19:13,700 she wasn't supposed to be. 345 00:19:17,266 --> 00:19:18,567 {\an8}NARRATOR: A year later, 346 00:19:18,567 --> 00:19:22,367 {\an8}Stephanie undergoes emergency surgery at the local hospital. 347 00:19:23,667 --> 00:19:26,767 STEPHANIE: I spent four days in the hospital. 348 00:19:26,767 --> 00:19:27,980 When I got home on that Sunday, 349 00:19:27,980 --> 00:19:28,000 When I got home on that Sunday, 350 00:19:30,467 --> 00:19:33,867 she came in and told me they were leaving, 351 00:19:33,867 --> 00:19:39,400 and I started crying, and I begged her to 352 00:19:39,467 --> 00:19:44,400 reconsider, and I told her it was a mistake. 353 00:19:46,667 --> 00:19:52,166 {\an8}Amber went to Genoa, 30 miles outside of Toledo. 354 00:19:52,166 --> 00:19:57,367 {\an8}We moved back, because John wanted to control her more. 355 00:19:57,367 --> 00:19:57,980 He wanted the power he had before we moved there. 356 00:19:57,980 --> 00:19:58,000 He wanted the power he had before we moved there. 357 00:20:04,100 --> 00:20:06,400 STEPHANIE: Amber and I still talked every day. 358 00:20:08,166 --> 00:20:09,900 Within a couple of days, 359 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:13,266 she sent me a message that said, "You were right. 360 00:20:13,266 --> 00:20:14,800 "I made a mistake. 361 00:20:15,800 --> 00:20:17,767 He will never change." 362 00:20:23,500 --> 00:20:26,967 ELLY: I don't know why I started recording. 363 00:20:26,967 --> 00:20:27,980 Agh. 364 00:20:27,980 --> 00:20:28,000 Agh. 365 00:20:29,367 --> 00:20:31,500 ELLY: I just had, like, a gut feeling, 366 00:20:31,567 --> 00:20:33,600 like an argument was gonna happen. 367 00:20:34,867 --> 00:20:38,867 NARRATOR: Elly's phone captures Amber and John in the kitchen. 368 00:20:38,867 --> 00:20:42,967 My mom would take pills for, like, stuff that John said 369 00:20:42,967 --> 00:20:45,667 she needed, because John made her think that she -- 370 00:20:45,667 --> 00:20:48,000 she had a lot wrong with her, 371 00:20:48,100 --> 00:20:51,066 um, even though she was normal, 372 00:20:51,066 --> 00:20:52,700 and she didn't have anything wrong with her. 373 00:20:52,767 --> 00:20:55,166 {\an8}[John talking] 374 00:20:55,266 --> 00:20:57,980 {\an8}[Amber talking] 375 00:20:57,980 --> 00:20:58,000 {\an8}[Amber talking] 376 00:21:02,567 --> 00:21:05,567 STEPHANIE: Amber used to tell me that the medication 377 00:21:05,667 --> 00:21:09,667 made her feel weird, and I used to tell her all the time, 378 00:21:09,667 --> 00:21:11,867 then stop taking the medication. 379 00:21:11,967 --> 00:21:13,667 You don't need it. 380 00:21:13,667 --> 00:21:18,166 Well, she was diagnosed with 381 00:21:18,266 --> 00:21:21,266 these illnesses because of John, 382 00:21:21,367 --> 00:21:24,667 and she was worried that if they got divorced, 383 00:21:24,767 --> 00:21:27,980 John would get the girls because of 384 00:21:27,980 --> 00:21:28,000 John would get the girls because of 385 00:21:28,367 --> 00:21:30,166 these mental illnesses. 386 00:21:31,700 --> 00:21:33,867 NARRATOR: Later that month, 387 00:21:33,867 --> 00:21:37,800 Elly records another exchange between her parents. 388 00:21:37,867 --> 00:21:42,367 I was downstairs sleeping on the couch, and it was 389 00:21:42,467 --> 00:21:44,967 in the middle of the night, and then they started arguing. 390 00:21:44,967 --> 00:21:47,467 So I pulled my phone out and started recording. 391 00:21:47,567 --> 00:21:51,166 {\an8}[Amber talking] 392 00:21:51,166 --> 00:21:53,166 {\an8}[John talking] 393 00:21:53,266 --> 00:21:55,667 {\an8}He grabbed her arm at one point. 394 00:21:55,767 --> 00:21:57,980 {\an8}[Amber talking] 395 00:21:57,980 --> 00:21:58,000 {\an8}[Amber talking] 396 00:21:59,867 --> 00:22:01,000 {\an8}JOHN: I didn't touch you. 397 00:22:01,100 --> 00:22:02,600 {\an8}[Amber talking] 398 00:22:02,667 --> 00:22:04,066 {\an8}[John talking] 399 00:22:04,066 --> 00:22:06,000 {\an8}[Amber shouting] 400 00:22:06,100 --> 00:22:09,166 After that, he went up to his room, 401 00:22:09,166 --> 00:22:12,100 locked her out, actually, and just slept. 402 00:22:13,467 --> 00:22:16,100 NARRATOR: Amber confides in her friend, Josh Cash. 403 00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:21,367 When she was a teen, Amber had briefly 404 00:22:21,367 --> 00:22:24,266 lived with Josh and his now ex-wife, Jessica. 405 00:22:25,867 --> 00:22:27,980 {\an8}Amber had reached out to Josh, and she would go there 406 00:22:27,980 --> 00:22:28,000 {\an8}Amber had reached out to Josh, and she would go there 407 00:22:30,667 --> 00:22:33,867 sometimes after work, or if she felt scared, 408 00:22:33,967 --> 00:22:36,200 she would go and stay with Josh. 409 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:42,467 {\an8}MATT: On March 14th, 410 00:22:42,467 --> 00:22:43,800 there was -- there was a call for 411 00:22:43,867 --> 00:22:46,767 domestic violence that occurred at John 412 00:22:46,767 --> 00:22:48,100 and Amber's house. 413 00:22:49,667 --> 00:22:51,700 {\an8}Amber was gone overnight, 414 00:22:51,767 --> 00:22:54,066 {\an8}and when she had shown back up to the house, 415 00:22:54,066 --> 00:22:56,166 {\an8}John came out of the house, 416 00:22:56,266 --> 00:22:57,980 upset and angry that she was gone overnight and wanted to 417 00:22:57,980 --> 00:22:58,000 upset and angry that she was gone overnight and wanted to 418 00:22:59,166 --> 00:23:00,200 get her phone. 419 00:23:00,266 --> 00:23:03,867 {\an8}[Amber talking] 420 00:23:03,967 --> 00:23:05,300 {\an8}[officer talking] 421 00:23:05,367 --> 00:23:08,000 {\an8}[Amber talking] 422 00:23:11,300 --> 00:23:13,567 {\an8}[officer talking] 423 00:23:13,667 --> 00:23:14,600 {\an8}[Amber talking] 424 00:23:14,667 --> 00:23:15,867 {\an8}[officer talking] 425 00:23:15,867 --> 00:23:19,400 {\an8}[Amber talking] 426 00:23:19,467 --> 00:23:22,367 There were no marks on her neck or on her body 427 00:23:22,367 --> 00:23:24,367 that would have indicated a struggle. 428 00:23:24,467 --> 00:23:27,980 And when the police talked to John, he explained that Amber 429 00:23:27,980 --> 00:23:28,000 And when the police talked to John, he explained that Amber 430 00:23:28,567 --> 00:23:31,867 was a drug addict and had mental health issues 431 00:23:31,967 --> 00:23:36,100 and essentially said that her word was not credible. 432 00:23:36,166 --> 00:23:38,100 {\an8}[officer talking] 433 00:23:38,166 --> 00:23:40,266 {\an8}[Amber talking] 434 00:23:40,266 --> 00:23:42,100 {\an8}[officer talking] 435 00:23:55,600 --> 00:23:57,980 {\an8}MATT: Five days later, on March 19th, 436 00:23:57,980 --> 00:23:58,000 {\an8}MATT: Five days later, on March 19th, 437 00:23:58,567 --> 00:24:00,467 the Genoa Police Department received another call of 438 00:24:00,567 --> 00:24:02,000 a domestic incident that 439 00:24:02,100 --> 00:24:04,166 happened at John and Amber Eichner's house. 440 00:24:07,600 --> 00:24:08,800 {\an8}[officer talking] 441 00:24:12,166 --> 00:24:13,567 {\an8}[officer talking] 442 00:24:19,767 --> 00:24:22,000 {\an8}[Amber talking] 443 00:24:22,066 --> 00:24:23,567 {\an8}[officer speaking] 444 00:24:23,667 --> 00:24:25,367 {\an8}[Amber talking] 445 00:24:25,367 --> 00:24:27,000 {\an8}[officer speaking] 446 00:24:35,367 --> 00:24:39,600 John said, similar to the first incident, that Amber 447 00:24:39,667 --> 00:24:43,266 has mental health issues and had taken drugs 448 00:24:43,266 --> 00:24:44,700 and had been drinking. 449 00:24:44,767 --> 00:24:46,000 {\an8}OFFICER: Okay, so that's... 450 00:24:46,100 --> 00:24:49,967 {\an8}[Amber talking] 451 00:24:49,967 --> 00:24:52,967 {\an8}[officer talking] 452 00:24:52,967 --> 00:24:53,967 {\an8}[Amber talking] 453 00:24:53,967 --> 00:24:55,300 {\an8}[officer talking] 454 00:24:55,367 --> 00:24:56,367 {\an8}[Amber talking] 455 00:24:56,367 --> 00:24:57,980 {\an8}[officer talking] 456 00:24:57,980 --> 00:24:58,000 {\an8}[officer talking] 457 00:24:58,266 --> 00:25:01,700 The police told her that something she could explore 458 00:25:01,767 --> 00:25:04,500 or go do is go file for a protection order, 459 00:25:04,567 --> 00:25:06,567 and the court would have made John move out 460 00:25:06,667 --> 00:25:09,266 and stay away from her. I don't believe that she did. 461 00:25:09,266 --> 00:25:11,367 {\an8}OFFICER: Okay. 462 00:25:11,467 --> 00:25:15,567 {\an8}[Amber talking] 463 00:25:26,166 --> 00:25:28,066 ELLY: John said that we had COVID, 464 00:25:28,066 --> 00:25:29,667 because we were all super sick. 465 00:25:30,800 --> 00:25:32,667 {\an8}The test did come back negative, 466 00:25:32,667 --> 00:25:35,200 {\an8}and my mom said, "The test came back negative. 467 00:25:35,266 --> 00:25:37,166 What are you talking about?" He's like, "No, no, no, 468 00:25:37,166 --> 00:25:39,567 we have COVID, the tests are wrong." 469 00:25:39,567 --> 00:25:42,600 I knew it wasn't COVID. It was to keep her 470 00:25:42,667 --> 00:25:44,467 inside the house for longer. 471 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:47,516 STEPHANIE: I think the quarantine made the abuse 472 00:25:47,516 --> 00:25:48,000 STEPHANIE: I think the quarantine made the abuse 473 00:25:49,767 --> 00:25:51,000 that much more, 474 00:25:51,066 --> 00:25:55,100 because she wasn't even allowed to go to work anymore. 475 00:25:55,166 --> 00:25:59,800 {\an8}She was getting more desperate to get out of the house. 476 00:26:01,066 --> 00:26:05,066 We discussed on a regular basis, almost daily, 477 00:26:05,066 --> 00:26:09,767 about finalizing the plans to her coming to Tennessee. 478 00:26:11,166 --> 00:26:14,400 I think he knew her and I were talking 479 00:26:14,467 --> 00:26:17,516 more serious about it, and the violence was getting worse. 480 00:26:17,516 --> 00:26:18,000 more serious about it, and the violence was getting worse. 481 00:26:21,200 --> 00:26:24,900 {\an8}ELLY: On April 15th, we were still very sick. 482 00:26:29,700 --> 00:26:31,700 ELLY: Me and my mom talked that day. 483 00:26:32,967 --> 00:26:34,567 {\an8}[Elly talking] 484 00:26:34,567 --> 00:26:37,100 We're just seeing how each other felt now. 485 00:26:37,166 --> 00:26:40,100 My mom was feeling sick that day, too. 486 00:26:43,667 --> 00:26:45,800 ELLY: And we said goodnight and I love you, 487 00:26:45,867 --> 00:26:47,516 and then we went to bed. 488 00:26:47,516 --> 00:26:47,967 and then we went to bed. 489 00:26:47,967 --> 00:26:48,000 [cellphone alerts] 490 00:26:50,166 --> 00:26:56,100 I received a message on Amber's Facebook account 491 00:26:56,166 --> 00:26:58,600 stating that she fell 492 00:26:58,667 --> 00:27:02,166 and dropped her phone and broke it 493 00:27:02,266 --> 00:27:07,467 and that Snapchat was not working anymore. 494 00:27:07,567 --> 00:27:11,300 Her only way of communicating was on Facebook. 495 00:27:13,667 --> 00:27:16,266 ELLY: The next morning I woke up, 496 00:27:16,367 --> 00:27:17,516 and I was like, "Where is mom?" 497 00:27:17,516 --> 00:27:18,000 and I was like, "Where is mom?" 498 00:27:19,967 --> 00:27:23,867 John said that she was out with Josh. 499 00:27:23,967 --> 00:27:25,600 Then I talked to my sister a little bit. 500 00:27:25,667 --> 00:27:28,567 I was like, "So what did y'all do last night?" 501 00:27:28,567 --> 00:27:30,867 They were like, "Oh, we were listening to their argument." 502 00:27:30,867 --> 00:27:33,166 I was like, "Oh, well that's not good." 503 00:27:34,367 --> 00:27:36,667 John said she'd be back, like, a day or two later. 504 00:27:39,667 --> 00:27:41,266 NARRATOR: But five days later, 505 00:27:41,367 --> 00:27:43,166 and with Amber still not home, 506 00:27:43,166 --> 00:27:46,900 Elly receives a text message from her mom's phone. 507 00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:47,516 ELLY: I got a message saying we're moving back to Tennessee 508 00:27:47,516 --> 00:27:48,000 ELLY: I got a message saying we're moving back to Tennessee 509 00:27:50,667 --> 00:27:54,000 today and to pack your stuff. 510 00:27:55,100 --> 00:27:56,800 I was in the middle of packing, 511 00:27:56,867 --> 00:27:59,400 and John says, "We're leaving right now." 512 00:28:01,266 --> 00:28:02,266 I got in the car. 513 00:28:03,700 --> 00:28:05,266 We started driving 514 00:28:06,767 --> 00:28:07,867 and driving. 515 00:28:09,567 --> 00:28:12,300 We reached our destination. 516 00:28:12,367 --> 00:28:16,066 He grabbed our stuff, we opened the door, 517 00:28:16,066 --> 00:28:17,516 and he said to be quiet, just sit around the table. 518 00:28:17,516 --> 00:28:18,000 and he said to be quiet, just sit around the table. 519 00:28:21,100 --> 00:28:24,000 {\an8}STEPHANIE: I was driving home. 520 00:28:24,100 --> 00:28:26,867 {\an8}I pull into my driveway and get out, 521 00:28:26,867 --> 00:28:31,166 and I walk into my door into my kitchen, and... 522 00:28:32,367 --> 00:28:34,767 the girls are sitting around 523 00:28:34,767 --> 00:28:38,400 my kitchen table, just sitting there. 524 00:28:38,467 --> 00:28:43,867 There's no toys, no toothbrushes, 525 00:28:43,967 --> 00:28:47,516 just six garbage bags full of clothes, 526 00:28:47,516 --> 00:28:48,000 just six garbage bags full of clothes, 527 00:28:50,367 --> 00:28:52,800 and John told them not to say 528 00:28:52,867 --> 00:28:57,100 anything and not to move, and he left. 529 00:28:57,166 --> 00:29:02,767 Elly thinks they are moving here and Amber 530 00:29:02,767 --> 00:29:05,900 is gonna drive down later to meet us. 531 00:29:08,300 --> 00:29:12,767 I got a message on the night of April 21st from 532 00:29:12,767 --> 00:29:15,767 Amber's Facebook account 533 00:29:15,767 --> 00:29:17,516 that the Suburban was loaded and she was gonna head 534 00:29:17,516 --> 00:29:18,000 that the Suburban was loaded and she was gonna head 535 00:29:18,867 --> 00:29:19,867 to Tennessee. 536 00:29:21,100 --> 00:29:24,000 Amber was supposed to arrive in 537 00:29:24,066 --> 00:29:28,300 Tennessee by the morning of April 22nd, 538 00:29:29,467 --> 00:29:30,567 but she never did. 539 00:29:32,266 --> 00:29:36,266 Over the next couple of days, 540 00:29:36,266 --> 00:29:42,467 I tried calling and messaging Amber several times. 541 00:29:42,567 --> 00:29:45,367 I was extremely worried, 542 00:29:45,467 --> 00:29:47,516 because I knew that there is 543 00:29:47,516 --> 00:29:47,767 because I knew that there is 544 00:29:47,767 --> 00:29:48,000 no way Amber would go that long 545 00:29:50,367 --> 00:29:53,266 without contacting her girls. 546 00:29:55,266 --> 00:29:56,600 NARRATOR: Back in Ohio, 547 00:29:56,667 --> 00:29:59,066 Amber's family calls the police. 548 00:30:00,800 --> 00:30:03,467 MATT: Earlier in the morning on April 23rd, 549 00:30:03,467 --> 00:30:04,867 the Genoa Police Department received 550 00:30:04,867 --> 00:30:07,700 a call regarding a missing person. 551 00:30:07,767 --> 00:30:09,867 It was Amber Eichner. 552 00:30:09,867 --> 00:30:13,467 {\an8}Genoa Police Chief Matt Herrig responded to the home, 553 00:30:13,467 --> 00:30:16,467 didn't get any answer at the house. 554 00:30:18,166 --> 00:30:21,100 He eventually made contact with the landlord, 555 00:30:21,166 --> 00:30:22,767 who ultimately let him in the house. 556 00:30:26,767 --> 00:30:28,567 There was no obvious signs of struggle, 557 00:30:28,567 --> 00:30:31,467 no obvious signs that something had happened in the house. 558 00:30:31,467 --> 00:30:33,567 {\an8}[officer speaking] 559 00:30:36,200 --> 00:30:38,867 JAMES: When Chief Herrig was on scene, 560 00:30:38,967 --> 00:30:42,166 he did speak to a local resident 561 00:30:42,266 --> 00:30:45,166 and discovered that John had last been seen at 562 00:30:45,166 --> 00:30:46,266 the residence, 563 00:30:46,367 --> 00:30:47,516 {\an8}initially leaving on April 20th 564 00:30:47,516 --> 00:30:48,000 {\an8}initially leaving on April 20th 565 00:30:48,867 --> 00:30:51,867 {\an8}and then returning the following day. 566 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:58,266 He had a fire in the backyard and was burning paper, 567 00:30:58,367 --> 00:31:02,567 uh, and what appeared to the resident to be photographs. 568 00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:07,467 By the time April 23rd had rolled around, 569 00:31:07,567 --> 00:31:09,600 no one knew his actual whereabouts 570 00:31:09,667 --> 00:31:10,767 or what he was doing. 571 00:31:15,166 --> 00:31:17,516 ERIC: So the whole family, we all came together. 572 00:31:17,516 --> 00:31:18,000 ERIC: So the whole family, we all came together. 573 00:31:18,166 --> 00:31:20,266 We made flyers with multiple pictures 574 00:31:20,367 --> 00:31:22,367 of John and Amber on one flyer. 575 00:31:22,467 --> 00:31:24,266 It was all over Facebook. 576 00:31:24,367 --> 00:31:25,867 We called the news. 577 00:31:25,967 --> 00:31:28,367 {\an8}We really made sure we put 578 00:31:28,467 --> 00:31:30,800 {\an8}the work in that was necessary to find Amber. 579 00:31:32,467 --> 00:31:34,667 NARRATOR: It's now 11 days since Amber 580 00:31:34,767 --> 00:31:36,367 was last seen by her girls. 581 00:31:37,700 --> 00:31:40,000 A witness reads the flyer and calls 582 00:31:40,100 --> 00:31:44,166 investigators to report new information about John. 583 00:31:44,166 --> 00:31:46,767 {\an8}[officer speaking] 584 00:31:52,367 --> 00:31:56,166 Taylor described that John was having an affair with her. 585 00:32:06,266 --> 00:32:11,400 Taylor Pontin had indicated that John had contacted her 586 00:32:11,467 --> 00:32:17,200 and asked if he could bury a dead dog in her backyard. 587 00:32:29,400 --> 00:32:34,767 She noticed that John was pretty deep in the hole, 588 00:32:34,867 --> 00:32:38,867 she said, and thought to take a picture just because it was 589 00:32:38,967 --> 00:32:41,166 weird how deep in the hole he was, 590 00:32:41,266 --> 00:32:43,367 because all you could see was the top of his head 591 00:32:43,367 --> 00:32:44,767 and a little bit of a shovel. 592 00:32:46,867 --> 00:32:47,516 NARRATOR: Later, on April 26th, officers begin 593 00:32:47,516 --> 00:32:48,000 NARRATOR: Later, on April 26th, officers begin 594 00:32:50,266 --> 00:32:53,567 the painstaking excavation of the backyard. 595 00:32:53,667 --> 00:32:56,600 In my heart, I hoped that we would find a dog. 596 00:32:58,100 --> 00:33:01,567 At approximately six feet to seven feet down 597 00:33:01,567 --> 00:33:07,667 is where a portion of a black duffel bag became apparent. 598 00:33:08,900 --> 00:33:12,600 It was clear immediately that we had discovered 599 00:33:12,667 --> 00:33:13,967 human remains. 600 00:33:16,767 --> 00:33:17,516 We saw a human leg covered in what 601 00:33:17,516 --> 00:33:18,000 We saw a human leg covered in what 602 00:33:19,266 --> 00:33:22,700 appeared to be fleece pajama-style pants. 603 00:33:23,800 --> 00:33:26,266 It was known that Amber did have 604 00:33:26,367 --> 00:33:29,600 a set of pajamas that matched that. 605 00:33:31,567 --> 00:33:33,667 The medical examiner was able to tell us 606 00:33:33,667 --> 00:33:36,467 that morning that the cause of death was strangulation. 607 00:33:37,700 --> 00:33:39,667 The teeth were missing. 608 00:33:39,667 --> 00:33:43,166 The fingerprints and footprints had been removed 609 00:33:43,166 --> 00:33:44,600 by burning 610 00:33:44,667 --> 00:33:47,266 to essentially prevent us, as law enforcement, 611 00:33:47,266 --> 00:33:47,516 the ability to identify whose body this was. 612 00:33:47,516 --> 00:33:48,000 the ability to identify whose body this was. 613 00:33:52,300 --> 00:33:56,266 The medical examiner indicated that she had done 614 00:33:56,367 --> 00:33:59,066 thousands of autopsies throughout the course of 615 00:33:59,066 --> 00:34:00,300 her career 616 00:34:00,367 --> 00:34:03,400 and that this was one of the worst she had ever seen. 617 00:34:09,867 --> 00:34:12,567 MATT: We started to dive into John himself. 618 00:34:14,000 --> 00:34:16,100 When we were looking through his financial records, 619 00:34:16,166 --> 00:34:19,567 we found that he had been using his bank card and was 620 00:34:19,567 --> 00:34:22,300 spending money at local stores. 621 00:34:23,667 --> 00:34:28,567 We had video surveillance of John at the Home Depot store 622 00:34:28,567 --> 00:34:29,767 in Rossford, Ohio, 623 00:34:29,767 --> 00:34:33,900 where he had purchased a large pack of Sawzall blades 624 00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:35,877 and a large roll of plastic sheeting. 625 00:34:35,877 --> 00:34:36,000 and a large roll of plastic sheeting. 626 00:34:38,100 --> 00:34:42,500 We also had him on video at an army surplus store 627 00:34:42,567 --> 00:34:45,700 purchasing a black duffel bag 628 00:34:45,767 --> 00:34:49,066 that was an identical match to the black duffel bag that 629 00:34:49,066 --> 00:34:50,767 Amber's body was discovered in. 630 00:34:53,100 --> 00:34:56,367 During this time, John was still out in the wind. 631 00:34:56,367 --> 00:34:58,066 We weren't sure where John was. 632 00:34:59,166 --> 00:35:04,100 We got a tip from one of John's friends' girlfriend, 633 00:35:04,166 --> 00:35:05,877 and she told us that John had borrowed a car 634 00:35:05,877 --> 00:35:06,000 and she told us that John had borrowed a car 635 00:35:08,166 --> 00:35:09,667 from her boyfriend. 636 00:35:11,100 --> 00:35:13,166 So the friend had given a timeframe when 637 00:35:13,266 --> 00:35:15,700 John was supposed to bring the car back. 638 00:35:15,767 --> 00:35:17,600 So now we had a smaller window 639 00:35:17,667 --> 00:35:19,300 on where we could try to find John. 640 00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:22,867 And that's where we set up surveillance. 641 00:35:24,567 --> 00:35:27,367 NARRATOR: When John returns the car to his friend, 642 00:35:27,367 --> 00:35:28,800 the police close in. 643 00:35:31,800 --> 00:35:35,667 MATT: John was arrested. I do not believe that he, 644 00:35:35,667 --> 00:35:35,877 at that point, thought the police were on to him. 645 00:35:35,877 --> 00:35:36,000 at that point, thought the police were on to him. 646 00:35:38,567 --> 00:35:39,767 So when they arrested him, 647 00:35:39,767 --> 00:35:42,500 I think they somewhat took him by surprise. 648 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:46,600 NARRATOR: Deputies transport John to the Ottawa County 649 00:35:46,667 --> 00:35:48,867 Sheriff's Office. 650 00:35:48,967 --> 00:35:51,567 They interview him about Amber's disappearance. 651 00:35:53,000 --> 00:35:56,000 The detective sergeant used a strategy on just 652 00:35:56,066 --> 00:35:58,000 seeing what information he would give up 653 00:35:58,066 --> 00:36:00,700 without knowing that we knew. 654 00:36:00,767 --> 00:36:03,166 She didn't give him any insight that we 655 00:36:03,266 --> 00:36:05,877 {\an8}had any of the evidence that we had taken. 656 00:36:05,877 --> 00:36:06,000 {\an8}had any of the evidence that we had taken. 657 00:36:06,667 --> 00:36:09,567 {\an8}[detective talking] 658 00:36:13,066 --> 00:36:16,066 {\an8}[John talking] 659 00:36:16,066 --> 00:36:19,066 NARRATOR: John tells detectives that Amber told him 660 00:36:19,066 --> 00:36:21,400 that she planned to stay with her cousin, Stephanie, 661 00:36:21,467 --> 00:36:23,100 in Tennessee for two weeks. 662 00:36:24,700 --> 00:36:27,700 John says that the number of clothes Amber packed 663 00:36:27,767 --> 00:36:30,467 indicated that she intended to leave him for good. 664 00:36:31,667 --> 00:36:34,700 {\an8}[John talking] 665 00:36:43,166 --> 00:36:44,600 {\an8}[detective talking] 666 00:36:44,667 --> 00:36:46,867 JAMES: At a certain point in the interview, 667 00:36:46,867 --> 00:36:52,066 our detective changed the tone and let him in on what we knew. 668 00:36:52,066 --> 00:36:55,266 {\an8}[detective talking] 669 00:36:59,266 --> 00:37:00,400 {\an8}[John talking] 670 00:37:00,467 --> 00:37:04,600 {\an8}[detective talking] 671 00:37:06,767 --> 00:37:10,166 {\an8}[John talking] 672 00:37:10,166 --> 00:37:13,700 {\an8}[detective talking] 673 00:37:13,767 --> 00:37:15,300 {\an8}[John talking] 674 00:37:16,367 --> 00:37:19,467 {\an8}[detective talking] 675 00:37:22,266 --> 00:37:24,266 {\an8}[John talking] 676 00:37:24,367 --> 00:37:26,100 {\an8}[detective talking] 677 00:37:31,166 --> 00:37:33,266 {\an8}[John talking] 678 00:37:33,266 --> 00:37:34,900 {\an8}[detective talking] 679 00:37:37,800 --> 00:37:38,967 JAMES: He was cornered. 680 00:37:38,967 --> 00:37:43,767 There was damning evidence that corroborates and places 681 00:37:43,867 --> 00:37:46,567 him at the scene of the murder, 682 00:37:46,567 --> 00:37:50,100 at the scene where the body is discovered, and also purchasing 683 00:37:50,166 --> 00:37:53,166 everything that was used in covering the crime up. 684 00:37:55,266 --> 00:37:58,667 We actually charged John with the murder of Amber before 685 00:37:58,767 --> 00:38:00,767 we even had the DNA results 686 00:38:00,867 --> 00:38:03,767 from the body that we discovered in the hole. 687 00:38:05,567 --> 00:38:05,877 MATT: Eventually, we were able to confirm 688 00:38:05,877 --> 00:38:06,000 MATT: Eventually, we were able to confirm 689 00:38:08,467 --> 00:38:11,100 100 percent that it was Amber through DNA. 690 00:38:13,967 --> 00:38:17,900 I had to figure out a way to tell four girls 691 00:38:18,000 --> 00:38:21,300 that their mom was dead, and their dad killed them. 692 00:38:23,166 --> 00:38:24,667 {\an8}[Elly talking] 693 00:38:26,400 --> 00:38:28,500 When I found out, 694 00:38:28,567 --> 00:38:32,166 I was very upset. 695 00:38:33,266 --> 00:38:35,877 Distraught, just very -- just depressed. 696 00:38:35,877 --> 00:38:36,000 Distraught, just very -- just depressed. 697 00:38:37,767 --> 00:38:41,667 I was drained mentally, and I was just very tired. 698 00:38:44,900 --> 00:38:47,200 NARRATOR: Investigators piece together the events 699 00:38:47,266 --> 00:38:48,867 that led to Amber's death. 700 00:38:50,567 --> 00:38:54,200 JAMES: We were fairly certain of what happened, 701 00:38:54,266 --> 00:38:57,300 that John had been abusive to Amber 702 00:38:57,367 --> 00:39:01,600 for a significant period of their relationship. 703 00:39:01,667 --> 00:39:05,877 He controlled most of the aspects of Amber's life, 704 00:39:05,877 --> 00:39:06,000 He controlled most of the aspects of Amber's life, 705 00:39:06,367 --> 00:39:08,667 one of which was monitoring 706 00:39:08,767 --> 00:39:12,266 {\an8}and supervising access to her phones. 707 00:39:12,367 --> 00:39:14,867 {\an8}[Amber talking] 708 00:39:14,867 --> 00:39:17,200 {\an8}Amber felt trapped by John, she felt 709 00:39:17,266 --> 00:39:21,467 {\an8}controlled by John, and didn't see a way out. 710 00:39:21,467 --> 00:39:26,567 {\an8}[Amber talking] 711 00:39:28,000 --> 00:39:31,166 Ultimately, though, it's our belief that Amber had finally 712 00:39:31,266 --> 00:39:32,367 had enough 713 00:39:32,467 --> 00:39:35,877 and was intending to leave John and move to Tennessee 714 00:39:35,877 --> 00:39:36,000 and was intending to leave John and move to Tennessee 715 00:39:36,667 --> 00:39:38,467 with the children. 716 00:39:38,567 --> 00:39:42,100 He discovered the fact that Amber was leaving for good. 717 00:39:43,166 --> 00:39:47,100 He finally snapped and choked Amber to death. 718 00:39:49,467 --> 00:39:54,867 At that point, he began to cover up what he had done. 719 00:39:54,967 --> 00:39:56,700 He started by lying to his children, 720 00:39:56,767 --> 00:39:59,000 saying mom left to go with a friend. 721 00:40:00,166 --> 00:40:03,166 He then cleaned up after himself in the bedroom. 722 00:40:04,800 --> 00:40:05,877 Then he buried her, continuing to utilize 723 00:40:05,877 --> 00:40:06,000 Then he buried her, continuing to utilize 724 00:40:09,166 --> 00:40:12,066 Amber's phone and talk to her friends via text, 725 00:40:12,066 --> 00:40:15,567 pretending to be Amber, eventually dropping the kids 726 00:40:15,667 --> 00:40:18,000 off in Tennessee. 727 00:40:18,100 --> 00:40:22,667 His plans and his story fell apart literally within days. 728 00:40:22,667 --> 00:40:26,867 Once the family realized that 729 00:40:26,867 --> 00:40:28,500 Amber was, in fact, missing, 730 00:40:29,567 --> 00:40:32,367 everything came crashing down really quickly. 731 00:40:36,100 --> 00:40:41,200 NARRATOR: John Eichner's trial is set for July 13th, 2021. 732 00:40:43,767 --> 00:40:46,967 On June 12th, a county jail guard finds 733 00:40:46,967 --> 00:40:48,400 John dead in his cell. 734 00:40:50,266 --> 00:40:51,900 JAMES: One of our corrections officers 735 00:40:52,000 --> 00:40:55,300 discovered that John had hung himself. 736 00:40:56,800 --> 00:40:59,600 NARRATOR: He leaves behind a suicide note. 737 00:40:59,667 --> 00:41:01,266 STEPHANIE: I was speechless. 738 00:41:01,367 --> 00:41:05,877 I was angry that he took the easy way out. 739 00:41:05,877 --> 00:41:06,000 I was angry that he took the easy way out. 740 00:41:06,767 --> 00:41:10,567 He's not gonna have to answer for anything. 741 00:41:10,667 --> 00:41:12,867 He's not gonna have to pay. 742 00:41:18,667 --> 00:41:22,000 I am the legal guardian of Amber's daughters. 743 00:41:22,100 --> 00:41:24,266 [laughing] 744 00:41:24,266 --> 00:41:27,667 I've got an amazing support system, and I'm gonna give them 745 00:41:27,767 --> 00:41:31,400 the best I can give, and Amber's gonna support me from 746 00:41:31,467 --> 00:41:34,266 up above -- that's all I can do. 747 00:41:37,000 --> 00:41:38,400 {\an8}[Elly talking] 748 00:41:39,967 --> 00:41:41,266 {\an8}[Elly talking] 749 00:41:41,266 --> 00:41:43,000 {\an8}My mom would be happy to hear that I'm 750 00:41:43,100 --> 00:41:45,767 {\an8}living with Stephanie in Tennessee and that I'm happy. 751 00:41:45,767 --> 00:41:47,667 {\an8}She'd be happy. 752 00:41:47,667 --> 00:41:49,300 {\an8}-Yeah! -[baby squealing] 753 00:41:49,367 --> 00:41:51,800 {\an8}STEPHANIE: I remember Amber as a loving, 754 00:41:51,867 --> 00:41:55,467 {\an8}caring person, and I miss her every day. 755 00:41:58,667 --> 00:42:00,367 {\an8}You're here? 756 00:42:00,367 --> 00:42:03,000 {\an8}STEPHANIE: I miss that smile and that laugh, 757 00:42:03,066 --> 00:42:05,767 {\an8}and I would do anything to give her a hug again.