1 00:00:14,367 --> 00:00:15,667 That's my father. 2 00:00:17,567 --> 00:00:20,000 We were a family with a lot of potential. 3 00:00:20,066 --> 00:00:21,400 We could have done anything. 4 00:00:21,467 --> 00:00:23,266 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 5 00:00:23,367 --> 00:00:24,567 SAM: There's little Ben! 6 00:00:27,367 --> 00:00:30,000 We loved the fact that Ben and I were on the farm together. 7 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:30,200 We loved the fact that Ben and I were on the farm together. 8 00:00:30,266 --> 00:00:31,000 We were so close, our families were so close. 9 00:00:32,867 --> 00:00:35,000 Ben was an excellent snake breeder. 10 00:00:35,066 --> 00:00:37,900 He genuinely cared about the animals far more than 11 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:39,266 the money. 12 00:00:39,367 --> 00:00:42,767 He found a woman that enjoyed snakes. 13 00:00:42,767 --> 00:00:45,166 {\an8}[Lynlee speaking] 14 00:00:47,767 --> 00:00:52,266 I really, truly thought that they were a perfect couple. 15 00:00:53,300 --> 00:00:57,467 And then just out of nowhere, everything took a deep dive. 16 00:00:57,567 --> 00:00:58,800 {\an8}[Lynlee crying hysterically] 17 00:00:58,867 --> 00:01:00,000 {\an8}[operator speaking] 18 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:01,000 {\an8}[operator speaking] 19 00:01:01,767 --> 00:01:06,500 {\an8}[Lynlee speaking] 20 00:01:06,567 --> 00:01:08,200 {\an8}[Lynlee gasps] 21 00:01:08,266 --> 00:01:09,467 {\an8}[operator speaking] 22 00:01:09,467 --> 00:01:12,667 {\an8}[Sam speaking] 23 00:01:17,667 --> 00:01:21,867 {\an8}[heavy theme music playing] 24 00:01:30,867 --> 00:01:31,000 NARRATOR: It's fall 1987. 25 00:01:34,166 --> 00:01:37,467 38-year-old Frank Renick and his wife, Kim, are 26 00:01:37,567 --> 00:01:41,266 building a family home on 72 acres of farmland near 27 00:01:41,367 --> 00:01:42,600 Florence, Missouri. 28 00:01:43,700 --> 00:01:46,367 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 29 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:51,667 NARRATOR: Frank videotapes the work in progress 30 00:01:51,667 --> 00:01:53,166 to show his mother. 31 00:01:54,967 --> 00:01:58,266 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 32 00:02:00,100 --> 00:02:01,000 {\an8}Back in the 1980s, 33 00:02:02,467 --> 00:02:04,767 {\an8}my parents bought a big, beautiful piece of land 34 00:02:04,767 --> 00:02:07,967 out in Montgomery County to build this home. 35 00:02:07,967 --> 00:02:09,367 It was a big deal for them. 36 00:02:11,266 --> 00:02:14,200 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 37 00:02:24,867 --> 00:02:27,900 NARRATOR: Frank and Kim intend for the new farmhouse to be 38 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:30,000 their forever home, where they will raise 39 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:30,767 their forever home, where they will raise 40 00:02:30,767 --> 00:02:31,000 their two infant sons -- Sam and Ben. 41 00:02:38,367 --> 00:02:40,000 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 42 00:02:56,767 --> 00:02:59,300 They designed it and decorated it. 43 00:02:59,367 --> 00:03:00,000 They were excited. 44 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:00,300 They were excited. 45 00:03:00,367 --> 00:03:01,000 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 46 00:03:13,467 --> 00:03:14,867 {\an8}Hello. 47 00:03:15,867 --> 00:03:18,000 They loved this home more than anything. 48 00:03:18,066 --> 00:03:19,767 They were very, very happy out there. 49 00:03:19,767 --> 00:03:22,200 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 50 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:37,900 NARRATOR: Frank is the owner of Renick Farm Pet Foods. 51 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:40,166 The animal feed business is in his blood. 52 00:03:41,700 --> 00:03:44,000 He was a partner in his father's food 53 00:03:44,066 --> 00:03:46,367 company before he set up on his own. 54 00:03:47,467 --> 00:03:50,567 My family had just sold Bow Wow Pet Foods. 55 00:03:50,567 --> 00:03:52,000 They were some of the first ones to sell 56 00:03:52,100 --> 00:03:54,667 bagged dog food to Walmart back in the '60s. 57 00:03:54,667 --> 00:03:58,000 They used the proceeds from that sale to purchase the land 58 00:03:58,066 --> 00:04:00,000 and then build that first home and start a business in 59 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:00,166 and then build that first home and start a business in 60 00:04:00,166 --> 00:04:01,000 Montgomery County. 61 00:04:01,767 --> 00:04:03,900 My parents were a lot of fun. 62 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:05,367 They were very close. 63 00:04:05,467 --> 00:04:07,767 They loved each other very much. 64 00:04:07,867 --> 00:04:11,867 [laughs] Frank always made it clear that Kim came first, 65 00:04:11,867 --> 00:04:13,066 we came second. 66 00:04:13,066 --> 00:04:15,300 Um, my mother was everything to him. 67 00:04:22,100 --> 00:04:25,066 NARRATOR: In 1988, the Renick family is living in 68 00:04:25,066 --> 00:04:27,266 a rental home while the farmhouse is 69 00:04:27,266 --> 00:04:29,166 under construction. 70 00:04:29,166 --> 00:04:30,000 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 71 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:31,000 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 72 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:57,100 {\an8}[Kim speaking] 73 00:04:57,166 --> 00:04:58,400 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 74 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:03,900 SAM: My parents were always like big little kids, 75 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:05,667 you know, they are -- 76 00:05:05,667 --> 00:05:07,000 they were always having fun. 77 00:05:09,500 --> 00:05:10,467 {\an8}[Frank speaking] Oh... 78 00:05:14,667 --> 00:05:15,867 {\an8}[Sam speaking] 79 00:05:16,667 --> 00:05:19,166 SAM: That's me having fun on a little spring horse. 80 00:05:19,166 --> 00:05:20,800 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 81 00:05:26,667 --> 00:05:27,767 SAM: There's little Ben! 82 00:05:29,166 --> 00:05:30,000 We were tiny. 83 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:30,400 We were tiny. 84 00:05:30,467 --> 00:05:31,000 [speaking indistinctly] 85 00:05:31,967 --> 00:05:33,467 We were pretty similar when we were kids, you know. 86 00:05:33,567 --> 00:05:37,300 I was older -- he was a smart, skinny version of me. 87 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:39,800 We were very close. 88 00:05:42,567 --> 00:05:44,567 NARRATOR: In spring 1989, 89 00:05:44,567 --> 00:05:46,266 the big house build is complete. 90 00:05:46,266 --> 00:05:50,467 The family moves into their new home to enjoy life on the farm. 91 00:05:53,100 --> 00:05:55,567 SAM: Ben and I spent our time outside, enjoying 92 00:05:55,567 --> 00:05:58,400 the beautiful wildlife area that was out there. 93 00:06:02,467 --> 00:06:04,000 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 94 00:06:04,066 --> 00:06:05,600 Lots of hiking. 95 00:06:05,667 --> 00:06:06,800 I was looking for bugs. 96 00:06:06,867 --> 00:06:09,166 Ben was looking for reptiles, that kind of thing. 97 00:06:10,867 --> 00:06:11,767 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 98 00:06:13,166 --> 00:06:14,567 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 99 00:06:14,567 --> 00:06:18,000 We were young and rambunctious little kids. 100 00:06:27,166 --> 00:06:30,000 Ben and I were born exactly two years and two days apart. 101 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:30,467 Ben and I were born exactly two years and two days apart. 102 00:06:30,467 --> 00:06:31,000 So his birthday was August 4th, 103 00:06:32,567 --> 00:06:34,667 and mine was August 6th. 104 00:06:34,767 --> 00:06:36,367 NARRATOR: This year, Frank's mom, 105 00:06:36,467 --> 00:06:39,767 Grandma Virginia, has come to join the celebrations in 106 00:06:39,867 --> 00:06:41,200 the new home. 107 00:06:42,367 --> 00:06:44,867 SAM: We had one big birthday bash every year, 108 00:06:44,867 --> 00:06:46,900 the day between our two birthdays. 109 00:06:48,867 --> 00:06:50,166 This is my grandmother giving us 110 00:06:50,166 --> 00:06:52,767 a stuffed animal as a present. 111 00:06:52,767 --> 00:06:54,066 We loved our grandmother very much. 112 00:06:55,500 --> 00:07:00,000 {\an8}We always had a good time celebrating together. 113 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:00,367 {\an8}We always had a good time celebrating together. 114 00:07:00,467 --> 00:07:01,000 {\an8}[all singing "Happy Birthday"] 115 00:07:04,367 --> 00:07:07,200 We were a family with a lot of potential. 116 00:07:07,266 --> 00:07:09,100 You know, we could have done anything. 117 00:07:11,500 --> 00:07:13,467 It's nice seeing my baby brother again. 118 00:07:14,667 --> 00:07:17,300 He had a lot of life in him, you know? 119 00:07:17,367 --> 00:07:19,700 {\an8}[woman speaking] 120 00:07:19,767 --> 00:07:21,200 {\an8}We were safe. 121 00:07:21,266 --> 00:07:22,767 We were very happy, 122 00:07:22,767 --> 00:07:25,367 but our lives changed. 123 00:07:26,567 --> 00:07:28,000 And that was -- that was hard. 124 00:07:30,667 --> 00:07:31,000 NARRATOR: Just three years after they move in, 125 00:07:33,100 --> 00:07:36,667 the Renick family's dream home meets with disaster. 126 00:07:40,667 --> 00:07:42,300 We were at a hotel at the time 127 00:07:42,367 --> 00:07:44,867 when we were informed that there was an explosion. 128 00:07:44,967 --> 00:07:48,767 But by the time we got there, it was, there wasn't much left. 129 00:07:48,767 --> 00:07:53,266 The main residence at the property was destroyed. 130 00:07:53,266 --> 00:07:55,667 I remember watching my mother. 131 00:07:55,767 --> 00:07:59,166 She was just weeping, and you could see the insulation 132 00:07:59,166 --> 00:08:00,000 falling out of the sky. 133 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:01,000 falling out of the sky. 134 00:08:01,467 --> 00:08:04,266 We had carpet that was stuck in the trees. 135 00:08:04,266 --> 00:08:07,767 We lost about everything out there. 136 00:08:07,767 --> 00:08:10,100 This home meant the world to my mother. 137 00:08:11,300 --> 00:08:14,767 NARRATOR: Investigators conclude that a storage tank leaked 138 00:08:14,767 --> 00:08:18,467 3,000 gallons of propane into the house. 139 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:21,400 {\an8}[Frank speaking] 140 00:08:23,967 --> 00:08:25,867 NARRATOR: The explosion is so loud, 141 00:08:25,967 --> 00:08:28,500 local police think it's an earthquake. 142 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:31,000 Losing that house was devastating. 143 00:08:33,667 --> 00:08:36,367 Unfortunately, the gas explosion had a major 144 00:08:36,467 --> 00:08:39,166 impact on both Ben and I as children. 145 00:08:40,667 --> 00:08:42,767 It took a major toll on my parents. 146 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:45,767 It was a different world. 147 00:08:45,767 --> 00:08:48,000 You know, it changed the trajectory. 148 00:08:49,266 --> 00:08:50,667 In looking back, I don't know -- 149 00:08:50,767 --> 00:08:52,700 I don't know why we didn't do something. 150 00:08:53,967 --> 00:08:55,467 It's hard to imagine what Ben would 151 00:08:55,467 --> 00:08:58,600 feel now about where things ended up. 152 00:09:06,700 --> 00:09:09,400 NARRATOR: After a gas explosion destroys his home 153 00:09:09,467 --> 00:09:13,400 in 1992, Frank Renick moves his family into 154 00:09:13,467 --> 00:09:16,367 a trailer and starts building a new farmhouse. 155 00:09:18,767 --> 00:09:22,700 That same year, the Renicks received more devastating news. 156 00:09:24,367 --> 00:09:26,867 SAM: Immediately after we had the house explosion, 157 00:09:26,867 --> 00:09:31,266 {\an8}my mother was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. 158 00:09:31,266 --> 00:09:31,807 {\an8}It was kind of a one-two punch at the time. 159 00:09:31,807 --> 00:09:32,000 {\an8}It was kind of a one-two punch at the time. 160 00:09:34,867 --> 00:09:36,767 When my mother got her diagnosis, 161 00:09:36,767 --> 00:09:38,800 I was probably about eight years old. 162 00:09:38,867 --> 00:09:40,367 Ben was about six years old. 163 00:09:41,667 --> 00:09:43,000 Let's put the clean towels on. 164 00:09:43,100 --> 00:09:45,367 BOBBETTE: She was gonna have to have a double mastectomy 165 00:09:45,467 --> 00:09:48,767 and going through the chemo treatments and the radiation. 166 00:09:48,767 --> 00:09:52,900 {\an8}She was a trooper, though. Kim was very strong. 167 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:57,567 We would keep the boys during the time when Frank would be 168 00:09:57,667 --> 00:09:59,400 taking her to her doctor's appointments 169 00:09:59,467 --> 00:10:01,800 or if she was in the hospital. 170 00:10:03,066 --> 00:10:05,900 The boys pretty much, probably for the majority of 171 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:08,166 their childhood, that's all they knew, 172 00:10:08,166 --> 00:10:10,000 their mom being sick. 173 00:10:12,667 --> 00:10:14,100 SAM: When we were young, 174 00:10:14,166 --> 00:10:17,300 my father encouraged us to have exotic animals as pets. 175 00:10:17,367 --> 00:10:19,000 We'd go outside. 176 00:10:19,066 --> 00:10:21,700 We'd always find big black snakes, and I remember we had 177 00:10:21,767 --> 00:10:23,867 caught one one time, and it was giving birth, 178 00:10:23,967 --> 00:10:26,600 and it had a whole bunch of little baby eggs, 179 00:10:26,667 --> 00:10:28,600 and Ben thought that was fascinating. 180 00:10:28,667 --> 00:10:31,700 Ben had a snake at a pretty young age, 181 00:10:31,767 --> 00:10:31,807 and it wasn't too long after that 182 00:10:31,807 --> 00:10:32,000 and it wasn't too long after that 183 00:10:33,467 --> 00:10:35,300 he started experimenting with breeding, 184 00:10:35,367 --> 00:10:37,800 and that definitely grew his interest. 185 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:42,000 NARRATOR: Fast forward to 2002. 186 00:10:42,066 --> 00:10:44,300 The Renick family moves into their new 187 00:10:44,367 --> 00:10:46,967 farmhouse 10 years after the explosion. 188 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:51,667 Dad Frank builds for 15-year-old Ben 189 00:10:51,667 --> 00:10:55,200 a reptile house to help foster his son's fascination 190 00:10:55,266 --> 00:10:56,800 with snakes. 191 00:10:56,867 --> 00:10:59,667 BOBBETTE: Most kids, they'll have a little aquarium with 192 00:10:59,767 --> 00:11:01,807 a gerbil in it or they'll have a puppy or whatever. 193 00:11:01,807 --> 00:11:02,000 a gerbil in it or they'll have a puppy or whatever. 194 00:11:03,100 --> 00:11:05,100 Not this kid -- he had a wall 195 00:11:05,166 --> 00:11:07,800 full of aquariums with big snakes in them. 196 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:11,367 NARRATOR: The Renick family has just five years in 197 00:11:11,467 --> 00:11:15,166 their new farmhouse before tragedy strikes once more 198 00:11:15,266 --> 00:11:16,700 in 2009. 199 00:11:18,567 --> 00:11:21,300 SAM: My mother passed on the property. 200 00:11:21,367 --> 00:11:22,767 It was New Year's Day. 201 00:11:24,467 --> 00:11:25,467 We had to be strong for her. 202 00:11:25,467 --> 00:11:27,166 That's what she would have wanted. 203 00:11:27,266 --> 00:11:30,667 BOBBETTE: It was hard on the boys, and then for Frank, 204 00:11:30,767 --> 00:11:31,807 it was probably hardest on him. 205 00:11:31,807 --> 00:11:32,000 it was probably hardest on him. 206 00:11:33,266 --> 00:11:36,100 He lost the love of his life. 207 00:11:36,166 --> 00:11:39,400 That farm meant a lot -- to my mother, 208 00:11:39,467 --> 00:11:41,367 to my family, and to Ben. 209 00:11:41,467 --> 00:11:45,900 She made Ben and I promise we'd take care of that land 210 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:47,266 and save it for our children, 211 00:11:47,266 --> 00:11:50,867 and because it meant the world to them. 212 00:11:50,867 --> 00:11:54,867 Ben decided to stay there, to live on that property. 213 00:11:54,967 --> 00:11:56,767 That's where he built his business, as well. 214 00:11:58,367 --> 00:11:59,500 [speaking indistinctly] 215 00:11:59,567 --> 00:12:01,567 NARRATOR: Ben founds Renick Reptiles 216 00:12:01,567 --> 00:12:01,807 to sell designer snakes worldwide. 217 00:12:01,807 --> 00:12:02,000 to sell designer snakes worldwide. 218 00:12:04,867 --> 00:12:07,467 {\an8}[Ben speaking] 219 00:12:08,767 --> 00:12:11,066 {\an8}Renick Reptiles was a reptile breeding 220 00:12:11,066 --> 00:12:16,166 {\an8}facility that focused mostly on designer reptiles that had 221 00:12:16,266 --> 00:12:18,467 mutations in colors and patterns. 222 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:23,100 NARRATOR: Ben promotes his company at snake shows 223 00:12:23,166 --> 00:12:25,000 across the U.S. 224 00:12:25,100 --> 00:12:26,567 {\an8}[man speaking] 225 00:12:28,967 --> 00:12:31,667 {\an8}[Ben speaking] 226 00:12:41,467 --> 00:12:43,266 {\an8}[man speaking] 227 00:12:43,266 --> 00:12:44,567 Ben was an excellent snake breeder. 228 00:12:44,567 --> 00:12:48,266 He genuinely cared about the animals far more than the money. 229 00:12:49,900 --> 00:12:53,266 NARRATOR: In 2010, Ben meets 22-year-old 230 00:12:53,266 --> 00:12:55,700 old Lynlee Gallatin at a friend's party. 231 00:12:59,467 --> 00:13:01,807 A few weeks after the party, Ben introduces Lynlee to 232 00:13:01,807 --> 00:13:02,000 A few weeks after the party, Ben introduces Lynlee to 233 00:13:03,066 --> 00:13:05,900 his brother, Sam, and his sister-in-law, Ali. 234 00:13:07,667 --> 00:13:09,700 ALEXANDRIA: Sam and I were at Frank's house, and he brought her over 235 00:13:09,767 --> 00:13:15,166 {\an8}to introduce her to us, and she seemed really nice and sweet. 236 00:13:16,467 --> 00:13:21,166 They had a lot of the same interests, and he found 237 00:13:21,166 --> 00:13:26,200 a woman that enjoyed snakes, reptiles, and didn't mind being 238 00:13:26,266 --> 00:13:27,867 around them. 239 00:13:27,867 --> 00:13:30,000 I thought he was pretty lucky to find 240 00:13:30,066 --> 00:13:31,807 a second person that had an interest like that. 241 00:13:31,807 --> 00:13:32,000 a second person that had an interest like that. 242 00:13:34,667 --> 00:13:36,567 NARRATOR: Lynlee has a three-year-old son 243 00:13:36,667 --> 00:13:39,266 from a previous relationship. 244 00:13:39,266 --> 00:13:41,100 Ben took right to him. 245 00:13:42,266 --> 00:13:46,367 I really, truly thought that they were a perfect couple. 246 00:13:47,667 --> 00:13:49,667 SAM: Ben couldn't stop talking about how happy he was 247 00:13:49,667 --> 00:13:51,367 with Lynlee. 248 00:13:51,367 --> 00:13:52,767 I think they'd been together for less than 249 00:13:52,767 --> 00:13:56,867 a year before they got pregnant with their first child. 250 00:13:57,867 --> 00:13:59,867 NARRATOR: Lynlee gives birth to a daughter 251 00:13:59,867 --> 00:14:01,807 On March 17th, 2012. 252 00:14:01,807 --> 00:14:02,000 On March 17th, 2012. 253 00:14:03,667 --> 00:14:06,467 She was our bright, shining star. 254 00:14:06,467 --> 00:14:07,800 And, uh, 255 00:14:07,867 --> 00:14:09,567 gosh, she meant the world to Ben. 256 00:14:10,767 --> 00:14:13,367 Ben was a very caring, doting father 257 00:14:13,367 --> 00:14:15,700 and took care good care of those kids. 258 00:14:18,266 --> 00:14:21,700 NARRATOR: Away from Ben and Lynlee's baby bubble, 259 00:14:21,767 --> 00:14:25,367 Frank Renick's business is in deep financial trouble. 260 00:14:26,667 --> 00:14:28,700 In 2012, both my wife and I were 261 00:14:28,767 --> 00:14:31,000 working with Frank at his company at the time. 262 00:14:31,066 --> 00:14:31,807 He had called us and asked us to help him with the company 263 00:14:31,807 --> 00:14:32,000 He had called us and asked us to help him with the company 264 00:14:34,867 --> 00:14:36,166 after my mother's passing. 265 00:14:36,166 --> 00:14:41,600 Unfortunately, we realized that it was in dire condition. 266 00:14:44,300 --> 00:14:46,667 We had the postal inspector stop by our door 267 00:14:46,767 --> 00:14:50,266 and give us a cease and desist order for the company. 268 00:14:51,467 --> 00:14:53,800 It had appeared my father had committed mail fraud. 269 00:14:53,867 --> 00:14:56,900 We've determined that a lot of the funds that he had 270 00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:59,667 taken were likely going towards my mother's medical 271 00:14:59,667 --> 00:15:01,467 expenses and her bills. 272 00:15:03,967 --> 00:15:07,700 I understood from all of it that Frank was possibly 273 00:15:07,767 --> 00:15:13,166 going to be indicted, and he was looking at prison time. 274 00:15:14,567 --> 00:15:16,100 SAM: We would have lost the family farm. 275 00:15:16,166 --> 00:15:17,367 Ben would have lost his home. 276 00:15:17,367 --> 00:15:19,166 Ben would have lost his business. 277 00:15:19,166 --> 00:15:21,066 I don't think Frank was willing to let that happen. 278 00:15:25,066 --> 00:15:28,867 BOBBETTE: 24 hours before the federal investigators, 279 00:15:28,867 --> 00:15:31,807 the FBI, were going to come in and take possession 280 00:15:31,807 --> 00:15:32,000 the FBI, were going to come in and take possession 281 00:15:33,367 --> 00:15:36,166 of all of his assets, the farm and everything, 282 00:15:37,567 --> 00:15:38,467 [gunshot blasts] 283 00:15:38,467 --> 00:15:41,266 Frank committed suicide. 284 00:15:43,166 --> 00:15:46,266 It was Ben that found him on Father's Day. 285 00:15:48,500 --> 00:15:52,166 SAM: It was hard, especially after losing my mother. 286 00:15:52,166 --> 00:15:55,900 We were still relatively young at the time. 287 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:57,133 He's very missed. 288 00:15:59,667 --> 00:16:01,807 NARRATOR: Frank's suicide stops the FBI investigation 289 00:16:01,807 --> 00:16:02,000 NARRATOR: Frank's suicide stops the FBI investigation 290 00:16:03,266 --> 00:16:05,800 and prevents them from seizing his assets. 291 00:16:08,100 --> 00:16:11,500 Frank's will divides his estate between his sons. 292 00:16:14,300 --> 00:16:18,000 Ben inherits the 72-acre farm and farmhouse. 293 00:16:18,100 --> 00:16:21,400 Sam receives $1.2 million cash on 294 00:16:21,467 --> 00:16:23,700 the understanding that he helps Ben maintain 295 00:16:23,767 --> 00:16:25,300 the property. 296 00:16:25,367 --> 00:16:28,000 He was trying to incentivize me to come back and work with 297 00:16:28,066 --> 00:16:30,300 Ben, um. 298 00:16:30,367 --> 00:16:31,807 I should have just fled -- when we got to the property, 299 00:16:31,807 --> 00:16:32,000 I should have just fled -- when we got to the property, 300 00:16:33,767 --> 00:16:35,667 there were several hundred thousands of dollars worth of 301 00:16:35,767 --> 00:16:38,300 work that needed to be done, and the money 302 00:16:38,367 --> 00:16:39,767 allowed me to do that. 303 00:16:40,667 --> 00:16:43,467 ALEXANDRIA: Sam and I moved out to the farm after Frank had 304 00:16:43,567 --> 00:16:44,734 killed himself. 305 00:16:44,767 --> 00:16:48,100 We were helping with -- contribute with the bills there, 306 00:16:48,166 --> 00:16:53,166 and we had our own home, and we couldn't afford both places. 307 00:16:54,166 --> 00:16:57,100 SAM: We loved the fact that Ben and I were on the farm together. 308 00:16:57,166 --> 00:16:59,500 It was nice that we were so close, 309 00:16:59,567 --> 00:17:01,000 our families were so close. 310 00:17:02,100 --> 00:17:05,200 ALEXANDRIA: We would have, like, dinners or, like, Sunday, 311 00:17:05,266 --> 00:17:06,900 I would cook something, and they would come over. 312 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:10,066 I would watch the kids a lot when Ben and Lynlee would go 313 00:17:10,066 --> 00:17:13,967 out on their date nights or when they'd go out to, um, 314 00:17:13,967 --> 00:17:16,166 like the reptile shows on the weekends. 315 00:17:17,867 --> 00:17:20,367 NARRATOR: But behind the scenes, a huge rift is 316 00:17:20,467 --> 00:17:24,100 developing within the family over the farm's finances. 317 00:17:25,700 --> 00:17:27,567 It was costing us so much money to -- 318 00:17:27,667 --> 00:17:29,767 to maintain and keep the property. 319 00:17:29,767 --> 00:17:31,807 I was going broke. I couldn't keep doing it. 320 00:17:31,807 --> 00:17:32,000 I was going broke. I couldn't keep doing it. 321 00:17:33,667 --> 00:17:36,567 Ben was the sole owner at the time. 322 00:17:36,567 --> 00:17:38,166 We always had the understanding that 323 00:17:38,266 --> 00:17:40,166 we would get things worked out. 324 00:17:40,166 --> 00:17:42,467 Ben was the safest bet in town. 325 00:17:42,567 --> 00:17:44,166 Nothing was ever gonna happen to Ben. 326 00:17:44,266 --> 00:17:46,367 ALEXANDRIA: I don't think any of us 327 00:17:46,367 --> 00:17:49,467 could have expected what happened after that. 328 00:17:56,700 --> 00:17:59,166 NARRATOR: In the aftermath of his father's suicide, 329 00:17:59,166 --> 00:18:02,400 Ben Renick pours his energy into growing his snake 330 00:18:02,467 --> 00:18:03,567 breeding business. 331 00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:13,467 {\an8}Renick Reptiles skyrocketed to success because Ben 332 00:18:13,467 --> 00:18:15,900 {\an8}was just an amazing entrepreneur. 333 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:21,266 And I don't know what... 334 00:18:21,367 --> 00:18:22,071 He understood marketing and knew how to push 335 00:18:22,071 --> 00:18:22,867 He understood marketing and knew how to push 336 00:18:22,967 --> 00:18:23,000 things out there on the internet to get more business. 337 00:18:26,266 --> 00:18:29,567 Lynlee would help manage some of the work. 338 00:18:29,667 --> 00:18:31,767 She would go in there and scrub tubs down at the end of 339 00:18:31,767 --> 00:18:35,300 the night if needed, or she would help clean the babies. 340 00:18:35,367 --> 00:18:37,266 It took a lot of work off of him. 341 00:18:37,266 --> 00:18:41,166 {\an8}[Lynlee speaking] 342 00:18:57,300 --> 00:19:01,900 NARRATOR: Ben and Lynlee tie the knot on April 14th, 2014, 343 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:04,000 in St. Charles, Missouri. 344 00:19:05,867 --> 00:19:09,700 Lynlee helped to make Renick Reptiles a commercial success. 345 00:19:11,667 --> 00:19:12,700 After the wedding, 346 00:19:12,767 --> 00:19:15,900 Ben agrees to help Lynlee start a spa business. 347 00:19:18,100 --> 00:19:19,767 CHASE: Lynlee wanted to open a spa because 348 00:19:19,767 --> 00:19:22,071 it's something that she's always been passionate about. 349 00:19:22,071 --> 00:19:22,500 it's something that she's always been passionate about. 350 00:19:22,567 --> 00:19:23,000 Ben helped financially get the business 351 00:19:25,266 --> 00:19:26,667 up and going off the ground. 352 00:19:27,667 --> 00:19:30,100 NARRATOR: Business savvy Lynlee invites 353 00:19:30,166 --> 00:19:31,867 local YouTubers to make a video 354 00:19:31,967 --> 00:19:36,367 about the spa and spread the word about her new venture. 355 00:19:36,367 --> 00:19:38,567 It looks like Lynlee and her employee, 356 00:19:38,667 --> 00:19:41,467 Ashley, are naturals in front of the camera. 357 00:19:41,567 --> 00:19:43,166 {\an8}[woman speaking] 358 00:19:44,700 --> 00:19:46,767 {\an8}[woman speaking] 359 00:19:50,166 --> 00:19:52,071 CHASE: Lynlee's role was to run the spa. 360 00:19:52,071 --> 00:19:53,000 CHASE: Lynlee's role was to run the spa. 361 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:56,266 She was also a massage therapist there, as well. 362 00:19:56,367 --> 00:19:58,867 She was excited to be able to do her own thing. 363 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:02,000 NARRATOR: But the optimism that Lynlee shows 364 00:20:02,066 --> 00:20:04,567 in the promotional video is short-lived. 365 00:20:04,567 --> 00:20:07,767 Her spa struggles financially. 366 00:20:07,767 --> 00:20:09,867 Ben questions why the project 367 00:20:09,967 --> 00:20:13,100 he's bankrolling is failing to turn a profit. 368 00:20:14,667 --> 00:20:16,900 CHASE: Ben was very frustrated, because she was working 369 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:19,600 a lot of hours and just still not making it happen. 370 00:20:19,667 --> 00:20:21,166 It just didn't quite make sense. 371 00:20:22,500 --> 00:20:23,000 NARRATOR: Around the same time, 372 00:20:23,967 --> 00:20:26,467 Sam and wife, Ali, are struggling to 373 00:20:26,567 --> 00:20:29,166 afford the upkeep on the family farm. 374 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:33,166 {\an8}It was very, very expensive to be out there. 375 00:20:33,266 --> 00:20:36,000 {\an8}We had to put a lot of money into that property to keep 376 00:20:36,066 --> 00:20:39,000 it up -- it was a draining experience. 377 00:20:39,100 --> 00:20:40,867 I wasn't making the kind of money that Ben was at 378 00:20:40,967 --> 00:20:44,000 the time, and I don't think I ever wanted to leave the farm. 379 00:20:44,100 --> 00:20:48,467 Unfortunately, I had everyone under the sun telling me that's 380 00:20:48,567 --> 00:20:50,300 what I should do, because I was gonna 381 00:20:50,367 --> 00:20:52,071 go broke trying to keep the farm. 382 00:20:52,071 --> 00:20:52,800 go broke trying to keep the farm. 383 00:20:52,867 --> 00:20:53,000 ALEXANDRIA: Sam and I did sell some of the furniture 384 00:20:55,667 --> 00:20:56,767 around the house. 385 00:20:56,867 --> 00:21:00,600 We had had a conversation with Ben, and he didn't 386 00:21:00,667 --> 00:21:04,367 have a problem with us selling anything from the property. 387 00:21:05,767 --> 00:21:10,100 There was one day that Lynlee sent a really long, angry text 388 00:21:10,166 --> 00:21:12,900 message to Sam about selling 389 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:16,000 the furniture and how it was not fair, and I 390 00:21:16,066 --> 00:21:18,567 really just kind of blew up -- 391 00:21:18,567 --> 00:21:21,667 explained how much Sam and I had 392 00:21:21,667 --> 00:21:22,071 sacrificed to keep the property 393 00:21:22,071 --> 00:21:23,000 sacrificed to keep the property 394 00:21:24,667 --> 00:21:26,700 and to save it from being sold at auction 395 00:21:26,767 --> 00:21:28,266 when we first moved out there. 396 00:21:30,266 --> 00:21:33,867 After the angry text message that Lynlee sent, um, 397 00:21:33,867 --> 00:21:37,000 my opinion of her definitely changed. 398 00:21:37,066 --> 00:21:38,767 It seemed so out of character. 399 00:21:38,867 --> 00:21:43,100 It wasn't the Lynlee that we had known before. 400 00:21:43,166 --> 00:21:46,200 Sam and Ben talked about it and smoothed things over. 401 00:21:46,266 --> 00:21:52,000 But unfortunately, Ben and I did not really talk after that. 402 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:55,567 SAM: We were coexisting on that property, 403 00:21:55,667 --> 00:21:56,767 trying to make things work, 404 00:21:56,800 --> 00:21:59,567 and it was a unique relationship with Ben and I, 405 00:21:59,567 --> 00:22:00,867 especially that year. 406 00:22:02,266 --> 00:22:05,100 NARRATOR: Then, in early 2017, 407 00:22:05,166 --> 00:22:07,367 the years that Ben has invested into building up 408 00:22:07,467 --> 00:22:11,200 Renick Reptiles promised to pay off 409 00:22:11,266 --> 00:22:14,266 and help ease the family's money troubles. 410 00:22:14,266 --> 00:22:16,767 Ben's business was growing, and he 411 00:22:16,767 --> 00:22:18,767 was coming up on a big transaction. 412 00:22:18,867 --> 00:22:21,166 He had a big sale that we knew about 413 00:22:21,166 --> 00:22:22,071 and he was very excited about it. 414 00:22:22,071 --> 00:22:23,000 and he was very excited about it. 415 00:22:23,367 --> 00:22:26,100 CHASE: Ben had a client that was looking for a deal 416 00:22:26,166 --> 00:22:28,667 upwards of $1 million dollars for his collection of 417 00:22:28,667 --> 00:22:30,200 Ball pythons. 418 00:22:30,266 --> 00:22:31,367 The first payment for Ben's 419 00:22:31,367 --> 00:22:34,700 collection happened in February of 2017. 420 00:22:35,967 --> 00:22:40,400 And then, just out of nowhere, everything took a deep dive. 421 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:45,100 NARRATOR: On June 8th, 2017, 422 00:22:45,166 --> 00:22:47,900 just four months after Ben makes his big sale, 423 00:22:48,900 --> 00:22:52,071 911 receives a call from his breeding facility. 424 00:22:52,071 --> 00:22:52,200 911 receives a call from his breeding facility. 425 00:22:53,500 --> 00:22:55,667 The caller is Ben's wife, Lynlee. 426 00:22:55,667 --> 00:22:57,500 {\an8}[phone ringing] 427 00:22:57,567 --> 00:22:59,367 {\an8}[Lynlee sobbing] 428 00:22:59,367 --> 00:23:01,467 {\an8}[operator speaking] 429 00:23:01,567 --> 00:23:04,967 {\an8}[Lynlee speaking] 430 00:23:06,767 --> 00:23:09,600 {\an8}[operator speaking] 431 00:23:09,667 --> 00:23:13,300 {\an8}[Lynlee speaking] 432 00:23:15,367 --> 00:23:18,667 {\an8}[operator speaking] 433 00:23:18,767 --> 00:23:22,071 {\an8}[Lynlee speaking] 434 00:23:22,071 --> 00:23:22,567 {\an8}[Lynlee speaking] 435 00:23:22,667 --> 00:23:23,000 {\an8}[operator speaking] 436 00:23:24,967 --> 00:23:26,367 {\an8}[Lynlee speaking] 437 00:23:26,467 --> 00:23:29,000 {\an8}[operator speaking] 438 00:23:29,066 --> 00:23:32,266 {\an8}[Lynlee speaking] 439 00:23:32,367 --> 00:23:34,100 {\an8}[siren wailing] 440 00:23:34,166 --> 00:23:35,700 {\an8}-[operator speaking] -[Ben speaking] 441 00:23:35,767 --> 00:23:38,066 {\an8}[operator speaking] 442 00:23:38,066 --> 00:23:41,667 {\an8}[Ben speaking] 443 00:23:45,567 --> 00:23:49,767 {\an8}[operator speaking] 444 00:23:49,767 --> 00:23:52,071 {\an8}[Ben speaking] 445 00:23:52,071 --> 00:23:52,266 {\an8}[Ben speaking] 446 00:24:00,500 --> 00:24:03,000 {\an8}NARRATOR: Law enforcement raced to Ben Renick's snake 447 00:24:03,066 --> 00:24:04,000 breeding facility 448 00:24:04,100 --> 00:24:07,166 following his wife Lynlee's call to 911. 449 00:24:10,100 --> 00:24:11,700 DEVIN: The Montgomery County Sheriff's Department 450 00:24:11,767 --> 00:24:13,300 arrived first. 451 00:24:13,367 --> 00:24:14,600 We're all from Missouri. 452 00:24:14,667 --> 00:24:17,166 {\an8}It's a rural state -- we're comfortable around snakes for 453 00:24:17,166 --> 00:24:18,467 {\an8}the most part. 454 00:24:18,467 --> 00:24:22,600 {\an8}Being around 3,000-plus was different -- it made the crime 455 00:24:22,667 --> 00:24:24,300 {\an8}scene slightly challenging. 456 00:24:24,367 --> 00:24:24,633 {\an8}[officers speaking] 457 00:24:24,633 --> 00:24:25,000 {\an8}[officers speaking] 458 00:24:30,767 --> 00:24:33,100 {\an8}You have Lynlee Renick, Ben's wife, who is 459 00:24:33,166 --> 00:24:35,266 {\an8}beside herself, distraught. 460 00:24:35,367 --> 00:24:37,767 {\an8}[officer speaking] 461 00:24:37,867 --> 00:24:41,967 {\an8}[Lynlee speaking] 462 00:24:41,967 --> 00:24:45,300 The deputies are essentially going in here thinking that 463 00:24:45,367 --> 00:24:49,767 we're looking for a loose snake that's killed somebody. 464 00:24:49,767 --> 00:24:54,266 And what they also find inside is Ben Renick's body. 465 00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:57,300 {\an8}-[man speaking] -[officer speaking] 466 00:24:57,367 --> 00:24:59,700 It's a fairly gruesome scene. 467 00:24:59,767 --> 00:25:03,467 There's blood pooled mainly around his head, 468 00:25:03,467 --> 00:25:06,000 laying on his back on the ground, 469 00:25:06,066 --> 00:25:10,567 and some very obvious disfigurement with his head. 470 00:25:20,367 --> 00:25:24,633 {\an8}[man speaking] 471 00:25:24,633 --> 00:25:25,000 {\an8}[man speaking] 472 00:25:25,266 --> 00:25:27,367 {\an8}-[officer speaking] -[man speaking] 473 00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:30,900 DEVIN: At first, Sam thought it might have been a snake 474 00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:32,100 that killed Ben. 475 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:35,567 Sam was not familiar with snakes, 476 00:25:35,667 --> 00:25:38,967 and on Ben's body, there was a part where if you didn't know 477 00:25:38,967 --> 00:25:40,166 what you were looking at, 478 00:25:40,166 --> 00:25:43,266 you might think that it was a bite from a snake. 479 00:25:43,266 --> 00:25:45,700 We learned very quickly that was not the case. 480 00:25:46,867 --> 00:25:50,200 We found shell cases underneath the racks. 481 00:25:50,266 --> 00:25:53,266 We discovered several gunshot wounds in the back, as 482 00:25:53,266 --> 00:25:54,633 well as one to the back of the head. 483 00:25:54,633 --> 00:25:55,000 well as one to the back of the head. 484 00:25:55,667 --> 00:26:00,400 LUCAS: Now we've gone from a snake hunt to a shooting scene. 485 00:26:02,567 --> 00:26:05,066 Immediately on their radar, Sam Renick 486 00:26:06,567 --> 00:26:07,734 and Lynlee Renick. 487 00:26:11,700 --> 00:26:14,867 NARRATOR: Missouri State Highway Patrol deploys specialist 488 00:26:14,867 --> 00:26:17,500 officers to help with the murder investigation. 489 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:21,266 DEVIN: Another investigator, Sergeant Matt Cook and I, 490 00:26:21,266 --> 00:26:23,767 we interviewed Sam, Ben's brother, 491 00:26:23,867 --> 00:26:24,633 as well as Lynlee at the Montgomery County 492 00:26:24,633 --> 00:26:25,000 as well as Lynlee at the Montgomery County 493 00:26:25,767 --> 00:26:27,667 Sheriff's Department. 494 00:26:27,767 --> 00:26:30,000 NARRATOR: Sergeant Cook and Corporal Faust 495 00:26:30,066 --> 00:26:32,000 interview Lynlee Renick first. 496 00:26:33,567 --> 00:26:36,066 {\an8}[officer speaking] 497 00:26:36,066 --> 00:26:38,567 {\an8}[Lynlee speaking] 498 00:26:38,567 --> 00:26:41,200 {\an8}[officer speaking] 499 00:26:41,266 --> 00:26:44,000 Lynlee told me that it was a fairly normal day. 500 00:26:44,066 --> 00:26:48,800 She worked her day in the spa, and the only thing that was 501 00:26:48,867 --> 00:26:50,166 different towards the end of the day 502 00:26:50,266 --> 00:26:52,800 is that Ben wasn't answering his phone 503 00:26:52,867 --> 00:26:54,633 or wasn't answering his text messages. 504 00:26:54,633 --> 00:26:55,000 or wasn't answering his text messages. 505 00:26:55,166 --> 00:26:56,667 She picked up the kids on her own, 506 00:26:56,767 --> 00:26:58,800 which is something that Ben would have normally done, 507 00:26:58,867 --> 00:27:01,400 and she continued to call him and text him 508 00:27:01,467 --> 00:27:03,767 on her way to the snake farm. 509 00:27:04,800 --> 00:27:08,000 She talked about the struggles that the families had with 510 00:27:08,100 --> 00:27:11,367 money and how the trust from their late father 511 00:27:11,467 --> 00:27:12,700 was processed. 512 00:27:12,767 --> 00:27:15,500 She painted the picture that there was a real issue 513 00:27:15,567 --> 00:27:17,166 with Sam. 514 00:27:17,266 --> 00:27:19,367 {\an8}[officer speaking] 515 00:27:19,467 --> 00:27:24,633 {\an8}[Lynlee speaking] 516 00:27:24,633 --> 00:27:24,967 {\an8}[Lynlee speaking] 517 00:27:34,567 --> 00:27:37,667 She just kept steering us towards the thought that 518 00:27:37,767 --> 00:27:39,367 Sam may have had something to do with this. 519 00:27:39,467 --> 00:27:42,000 {\an8}[officer speaking] 520 00:27:42,066 --> 00:27:45,867 {\an8}[Lynlee speaking] 521 00:27:57,700 --> 00:28:01,567 NARRATOR: Next, investigators interview Sam Renick. 522 00:28:01,667 --> 00:28:04,800 Police are suspicious of Sam early on. 523 00:28:04,867 --> 00:28:06,567 He is someone with 524 00:28:06,667 --> 00:28:09,867 a strained relationship with the murder victim. 525 00:28:09,867 --> 00:28:12,667 {\an8}[officer speaking] 526 00:28:17,800 --> 00:28:20,100 {\an8}[Sam speaking] 527 00:28:29,800 --> 00:28:32,000 He says that Ben is always talking about money. 528 00:28:32,100 --> 00:28:34,500 He's always talking about his success in his business. 529 00:28:34,567 --> 00:28:37,700 {\an8}[Sam speaking] 530 00:28:43,467 --> 00:28:44,667 At this point, 531 00:28:44,667 --> 00:28:47,567 law enforcement are wondering what motive would he have 532 00:28:47,667 --> 00:28:50,967 had to kill Ben, where he was at the time, 533 00:28:50,967 --> 00:28:53,767 what his story is. 534 00:28:53,867 --> 00:28:54,633 They asked him to take a polygraph test, and as well, 535 00:28:54,633 --> 00:28:55,000 They asked him to take a polygraph test, and as well, 536 00:28:57,367 --> 00:28:59,900 they want to do what's called a gunshot residue test. 537 00:29:00,066 --> 00:29:01,667 This will let them know if 538 00:29:01,667 --> 00:29:04,266 the person has recently fired a weapon. 539 00:29:04,367 --> 00:29:06,066 [gunshot blasts] 540 00:29:06,066 --> 00:29:09,400 {\an8}I provided the police with the shirt off my back, 541 00:29:09,467 --> 00:29:10,767 {\an8}my cellphone, 542 00:29:10,767 --> 00:29:15,000 {\an8}all my personal social media accounts, everything imaginable 543 00:29:15,100 --> 00:29:18,166 to try and rule myself out quickly. 544 00:29:18,266 --> 00:29:21,500 LUCAS: Sam's polygraph test comes back fine. 545 00:29:21,567 --> 00:29:24,100 It's negative for gunshot residue, as well. 546 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:27,967 DEVIN: We ruled Sam out as a suspect. 547 00:29:27,967 --> 00:29:29,367 With Lynlee, 548 00:29:29,367 --> 00:29:32,767 we had no probable cause to build on. 549 00:29:33,867 --> 00:29:36,000 So we let both of them go at that point. 550 00:29:39,367 --> 00:29:41,000 NARRATOR: The Renick family holds 551 00:29:41,066 --> 00:29:44,400 Ben's funeral on June 18th, 2017. 552 00:29:46,767 --> 00:29:49,500 Within 30 days, Sam receives news 553 00:29:49,567 --> 00:29:51,867 about the future of the family farm. 554 00:29:53,000 --> 00:29:54,500 After my brother's service, 555 00:29:54,567 --> 00:29:54,633 uh, Lynlee isolated herself 556 00:29:54,633 --> 00:29:55,000 uh, Lynlee isolated herself 557 00:29:57,166 --> 00:30:00,266 and the children completely from everybody else. 558 00:30:00,367 --> 00:30:03,367 And that's when we were given notice to vacate the farm, 559 00:30:03,467 --> 00:30:05,800 that she had intended to sell the property. 560 00:30:05,867 --> 00:30:07,467 When Ben was murdered, 561 00:30:07,567 --> 00:30:09,567 she inherited the family farm. 562 00:30:09,667 --> 00:30:12,467 Uh, we -- we lived on that property. 563 00:30:12,567 --> 00:30:14,266 Our children lived on that property together. 564 00:30:14,266 --> 00:30:15,867 I was living there with my children. 565 00:30:15,867 --> 00:30:17,567 It was a shock. 566 00:30:20,300 --> 00:30:24,633 NARRATOR: Lynlee eventually sells the property for $740,000. 567 00:30:24,633 --> 00:30:24,967 NARRATOR: Lynlee eventually sells the property for $740,000. 568 00:30:26,200 --> 00:30:29,166 Initially, we could have never imagined 569 00:30:29,266 --> 00:30:30,867 that Lynlee had any involvement in this. 570 00:30:30,867 --> 00:30:32,767 But after the sale of the farm, 571 00:30:32,767 --> 00:30:34,400 we realized something was wrong. 572 00:30:36,600 --> 00:30:39,066 NARRATOR: Less than a month after Ben's murder, 573 00:30:39,066 --> 00:30:42,567 Lynlee attends a follow-up interview with investigators. 574 00:30:44,066 --> 00:30:47,900 She reveals that her and Ben's relationship was in trouble. 575 00:30:49,166 --> 00:30:51,300 And during that interview, 576 00:30:51,367 --> 00:30:54,633 that's when we discover about an affair that she has. 577 00:30:54,633 --> 00:30:54,700 that's when we discover about an affair that she has. 578 00:30:54,767 --> 00:30:55,000 She told us in the beginning that they had a good marriage, 579 00:30:58,266 --> 00:31:00,467 and that wasn't the case. 580 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:04,767 She talks about Eric Bremmer. 581 00:31:04,867 --> 00:31:09,367 He is helping Lynlee market the spa. 582 00:31:11,300 --> 00:31:14,967 This business relationship eventually evolves into 583 00:31:14,967 --> 00:31:16,767 a sexual one -- essentially, 584 00:31:16,767 --> 00:31:20,166 she's cheating on Ben at the time of Ben's murder. 585 00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:23,767 During this part of the investigation, 586 00:31:23,867 --> 00:31:24,633 the State Highway Patrol is looking at messages between Ben 587 00:31:24,633 --> 00:31:25,000 the State Highway Patrol is looking at messages between Ben 588 00:31:28,266 --> 00:31:31,000 and Lynlee about Lynlee's spa. 589 00:31:32,300 --> 00:31:34,667 DEVIN: In just about a month leading up to the murder, 590 00:31:34,667 --> 00:31:37,266 they're fighting almost constantly. 591 00:31:37,367 --> 00:31:40,000 LUCAS: These messages suggest that the relationship 592 00:31:40,066 --> 00:31:42,400 is in a really rocky point. 593 00:31:42,467 --> 00:31:46,000 It's another crack in Lynlee's story. 594 00:31:46,100 --> 00:31:49,000 SAM: Lynlee was having financial troubles at her spa. 595 00:31:49,100 --> 00:31:52,166 Ben was going to find out about the affairs. 596 00:31:52,266 --> 00:31:54,200 Her world was kind of crumbling. 597 00:31:55,266 --> 00:31:57,900 He just had a $1.2 million dollar deal 598 00:31:58,000 --> 00:32:00,967 that was about to close for his snake business. 599 00:32:00,967 --> 00:32:04,600 She had a lot to gain from my brother's murder. 600 00:32:04,667 --> 00:32:06,967 Police are beginning to think that Lynlee knows 601 00:32:06,967 --> 00:32:10,900 a lot more about Ben's death than she's telling them. 602 00:32:12,467 --> 00:32:14,367 DEVIN: Approximately four months after the murder, 603 00:32:14,367 --> 00:32:16,667 Linda consented to a polygraph examination. 604 00:32:18,266 --> 00:32:19,467 She failed it. 605 00:32:19,567 --> 00:32:21,967 Then I did a post polygraph interview, which 606 00:32:21,967 --> 00:32:24,000 then turned into an interrogation. 607 00:32:24,066 --> 00:32:24,633 The next day, she hired a lawyer. 608 00:32:24,633 --> 00:32:25,000 The next day, she hired a lawyer. 609 00:32:27,467 --> 00:32:30,200 LUCAS: Investigators are still missing crucial pieces 610 00:32:30,266 --> 00:32:31,467 of evidence. 611 00:32:31,467 --> 00:32:32,700 They're missing a gun. 612 00:32:33,800 --> 00:32:36,900 They're just missing a lot of good physical 613 00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:40,900 evidence to tie her to committing a crime. 614 00:32:41,000 --> 00:32:43,600 Police are circling, watching, 615 00:32:43,667 --> 00:32:47,667 they're waiting for that right piece of evidence to come on 616 00:32:47,667 --> 00:32:50,667 that's gonna crack this thing even wider open. 617 00:32:52,166 --> 00:32:54,633 And then a tip to law enforcement 618 00:32:54,633 --> 00:32:54,800 And then a tip to law enforcement 619 00:32:54,867 --> 00:32:55,000 essentially exposes this whole thing for them. 620 00:33:03,367 --> 00:33:06,266 NARRATOR: Almost three years after Ben Renick's murder, 621 00:33:06,367 --> 00:33:08,467 the police catch a break. 622 00:33:08,467 --> 00:33:12,300 A witness comes forward with vital information. 623 00:33:12,367 --> 00:33:16,100 On January 14th of 2020, 624 00:33:16,166 --> 00:33:19,600 the Missouri State Highway Patrol hears from 625 00:33:19,667 --> 00:33:23,700 an inmate at the Boone County, Missouri, jail 626 00:33:23,767 --> 00:33:27,000 named Brandon Blackwell, who tells them that he's got 627 00:33:27,100 --> 00:33:29,100 information on a murder case 628 00:33:29,166 --> 00:33:29,677 that they've been working for a few years now. 629 00:33:29,677 --> 00:33:30,000 that they've been working for a few years now. 630 00:33:32,467 --> 00:33:35,000 Brandon Blackwell is a man in his 30s who says 631 00:33:35,066 --> 00:33:37,867 that he was in a previous relationship with 632 00:33:37,867 --> 00:33:39,266 Lynlee Renick, 633 00:33:39,266 --> 00:33:42,166 a relationship that started in 2017, 634 00:33:42,266 --> 00:33:43,667 while she and Ben were married, 635 00:33:44,667 --> 00:33:48,567 and went until about the end of 2019. 636 00:33:48,667 --> 00:33:52,166 This relationship does not end well. 637 00:33:52,166 --> 00:33:56,367 They ended up fighting, and that led to her filing 638 00:33:56,367 --> 00:33:58,967 orders of protection against him and having him charged 639 00:33:58,967 --> 00:33:59,677 with stalking. 640 00:33:59,677 --> 00:34:00,000 with stalking. 641 00:34:00,867 --> 00:34:03,100 NARRATOR: While he waits for his sentencing date, 642 00:34:03,166 --> 00:34:06,100 Blackwell reveals to investigators that he wants to 643 00:34:06,166 --> 00:34:09,166 share information about Ben Renick's murder. 644 00:34:10,166 --> 00:34:13,200 DEVIN: Brandon told us this story, first and foremost 645 00:34:13,266 --> 00:34:14,467 because he was in jail, 646 00:34:14,467 --> 00:34:15,967 and he was looking to lessen his charges, 647 00:34:15,967 --> 00:34:19,367 but I think he was also ready to do the right thing, 648 00:34:19,467 --> 00:34:23,166 and he proceeded to lay out this entire story 649 00:34:23,166 --> 00:34:24,667 that was dead on. 650 00:34:26,166 --> 00:34:28,867 Brandon says that, 651 00:34:28,867 --> 00:34:29,677 "Lynlee Renick confessed to me that she killed her husband." 652 00:34:29,677 --> 00:34:30,000 "Lynlee Renick confessed to me that she killed her husband." 653 00:34:35,867 --> 00:34:38,500 Brandon tells them that Lynlee conspired with 654 00:34:38,567 --> 00:34:40,667 one of her coworkers, Ashley Shaw, 655 00:34:40,667 --> 00:34:43,900 and they go seek out another ex, Michael Humphrey. 656 00:34:45,166 --> 00:34:48,867 He has not talked to Lynlee Renick in several years 657 00:34:48,867 --> 00:34:52,767 at this point when suddenly, out of the blue in the summer 658 00:34:52,767 --> 00:34:53,967 of 2017, 659 00:34:53,967 --> 00:34:57,400 she and Ashley Shaw just appear in his life. 660 00:34:58,600 --> 00:34:59,677 Lynlee tells him about her 661 00:34:59,677 --> 00:35:00,000 Lynlee tells him about her 662 00:35:00,166 --> 00:35:02,266 rocky relationship with her husband. 663 00:35:03,300 --> 00:35:06,467 They're hoping that Michael will help them kill Ben at the farm. 664 00:35:09,300 --> 00:35:12,200 Within a day, arrest and probable cause statements were 665 00:35:12,266 --> 00:35:14,567 made for Ashley Shaw, Lynlee Renick, 666 00:35:14,667 --> 00:35:16,500 and Michael Humphrey. 667 00:35:16,567 --> 00:35:18,467 SAM: I got a call the morning of 668 00:35:18,467 --> 00:35:20,367 when she was gonna be arrested. 669 00:35:20,467 --> 00:35:23,000 They let us know that it was finally time. 670 00:35:23,066 --> 00:35:25,500 The relief was huge. 671 00:35:27,266 --> 00:35:29,677 NARRATOR: Investigators interview Michael Humphrey 672 00:35:29,677 --> 00:35:29,767 NARRATOR: Investigators interview Michael Humphrey 673 00:35:29,767 --> 00:35:30,000 on January 16th, 2020. 674 00:35:32,367 --> 00:35:34,667 [speaking indistinctly] 675 00:35:34,767 --> 00:35:36,667 NARRATOR: He claims that he agreed to accompany 676 00:35:36,667 --> 00:35:39,867 Lynlee to the snake farm, but not to kill Ben. 677 00:35:57,500 --> 00:35:59,266 DEVIN: When they arrived at the facility, 678 00:36:01,266 --> 00:36:02,467 she introduced Michael as someone who 679 00:36:02,467 --> 00:36:04,400 may be interested in buying some snakes. 680 00:36:08,767 --> 00:36:10,867 {\an8}[Michael speaking] 681 00:36:29,100 --> 00:36:29,677 {\an8}[gunshots blast] 682 00:36:29,677 --> 00:36:30,000 {\an8}[gunshots blast] 683 00:36:50,567 --> 00:36:53,967 LUCAS: Lynlee Renick's arrested on January 16th of 2020, 684 00:36:53,967 --> 00:36:56,066 and she is accused of 685 00:36:56,066 --> 00:36:57,767 and charged with first-degree murder 686 00:36:57,867 --> 00:36:59,100 and armed criminal action. 687 00:37:00,600 --> 00:37:03,800 NARRATOR: Investigators also arrest her coconspirators, 688 00:37:03,867 --> 00:37:08,667 Michael Humphrey and Ashley Shaw, for first-degree murder. 689 00:37:08,767 --> 00:37:10,867 DEVIN: Ashley Shaw, she decided to get 690 00:37:10,967 --> 00:37:13,800 a lawyer and then ultimately cooperated. 691 00:37:13,867 --> 00:37:16,700 In exchange, she was granted immunity from prosecution. 692 00:37:19,100 --> 00:37:21,166 NARRATOR: Ashley says that Lynlee claimed 693 00:37:21,266 --> 00:37:24,000 that Ben sexually assaulted her. 694 00:37:24,066 --> 00:37:26,600 Lynlee worried that Ben's lawyer would help him 695 00:37:26,667 --> 00:37:29,367 win custody of the children following a divorce. 696 00:37:29,467 --> 00:37:29,677 Her only option was to kill Ben. 697 00:37:29,677 --> 00:37:30,000 Her only option was to kill Ben. 698 00:37:35,000 --> 00:37:37,200 Ashley says that she believed Lynlee's 699 00:37:37,266 --> 00:37:39,367 story and agreed to help her. 700 00:37:40,900 --> 00:37:44,200 Investigators discover messages between Ben and Lynlee 701 00:37:44,266 --> 00:37:46,567 that detail problems in their sex life. 702 00:37:48,567 --> 00:37:52,166 But Lynlee reported no sexual assault to law enforcement, 703 00:37:52,166 --> 00:37:54,467 nor did she mention one in her interviews 704 00:37:54,467 --> 00:37:56,567 with them following Ben's death. 705 00:37:59,100 --> 00:37:59,677 Michael Humphrey and Lynlee Renick stand trial separately. 706 00:37:59,677 --> 00:38:00,000 Michael Humphrey and Lynlee Renick stand trial separately. 707 00:38:05,300 --> 00:38:09,166 In October 2021, a jury finds Michael Humphrey 708 00:38:09,266 --> 00:38:12,900 guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. 709 00:38:15,400 --> 00:38:19,000 LUCAS: Michael Humphrey and his legal team 710 00:38:19,066 --> 00:38:22,166 asked the state, if you replace 711 00:38:22,166 --> 00:38:24,266 the first-degree murder conviction 712 00:38:24,266 --> 00:38:26,100 with second-degree murder, 713 00:38:26,166 --> 00:38:29,677 we'll show you where the gun is 714 00:38:29,677 --> 00:38:30,000 we'll show you where the gun is 715 00:38:30,467 --> 00:38:33,867 that Lynlee used to kill Ben. 716 00:38:35,567 --> 00:38:37,900 DEVIN: We did recover the firearm -- he'd kept it 717 00:38:38,000 --> 00:38:39,066 in his possession the whole time. 718 00:38:40,100 --> 00:38:41,800 We have the firearm that was used, 719 00:38:41,867 --> 00:38:43,667 and it matches the casings. 720 00:38:44,800 --> 00:38:47,100 NARRATOR: Forensic tests on the firearm 721 00:38:47,166 --> 00:38:49,867 fail to recover DNA or fingerprints 722 00:38:49,967 --> 00:38:52,166 that proved that either Lynlee or Michael 723 00:38:52,166 --> 00:38:53,400 pulled the trigger. 724 00:38:54,467 --> 00:38:57,767 Due to Michael's cooperation, he still has life in prison, 725 00:38:57,767 --> 00:38:59,677 but now he has the possibility of parole. 726 00:38:59,677 --> 00:38:59,867 but now he has the possibility of parole. 727 00:39:01,767 --> 00:39:05,367 NARRATOR: Lynlee's trial begins on December 6th, 728 00:39:05,467 --> 00:39:07,767 2021, in Boone County, Missouri. 729 00:39:09,166 --> 00:39:11,166 DEVIN: The prosecution was able to set forth 730 00:39:11,266 --> 00:39:13,567 a very good case against Lynlee Renick. 731 00:39:13,667 --> 00:39:17,000 The financial problems and the relationship problems, 732 00:39:17,066 --> 00:39:18,200 her multiple affairs. 733 00:39:20,066 --> 00:39:22,700 {\an8}When Lynlee finally took the stand, we were shocked. 734 00:39:22,767 --> 00:39:26,667 Lynlee is not a religious person at all, ever, 735 00:39:26,767 --> 00:39:29,367 and she got up there with a big cross necklace 736 00:39:29,367 --> 00:39:29,677 {\an8}and started putting on a show. 737 00:39:29,677 --> 00:39:30,000 {\an8}and started putting on a show. 738 00:39:30,767 --> 00:39:33,767 {\an8}I walked, you know, 739 00:39:33,767 --> 00:39:38,166 {\an8}down the aisle, and I walked up behind, um, Michael. 740 00:39:38,166 --> 00:39:45,200 {\an8}Ben was back around the corner, and then Michael turned around, 741 00:39:45,266 --> 00:39:50,166 {\an8}and I saw a gun in his hands, and then I heard shots ring out, 742 00:39:50,166 --> 00:39:53,467 {\an8}and I screamed, and I ran outside. 743 00:39:54,600 --> 00:39:57,600 {\an8}And then I heard more shots go off, 744 00:39:57,667 --> 00:39:59,677 {\an8}and everything just went numb. 745 00:39:59,677 --> 00:40:00,000 {\an8}and everything just went numb. 746 00:40:01,567 --> 00:40:05,266 LUCAS: She testifies Michael was the one that brought the gun. 747 00:40:05,266 --> 00:40:07,667 Michael was the one that killed Ben. 748 00:40:09,700 --> 00:40:11,000 The verdicts came in 749 00:40:11,066 --> 00:40:14,867 in the afternoon of Thursday December 9th of 2021. 750 00:40:16,767 --> 00:40:18,266 NARRATOR: The jury will decide 751 00:40:18,266 --> 00:40:20,867 both the verdict and the sentence. 752 00:40:21,867 --> 00:40:23,467 MAN: If the defendant would please rise. 753 00:40:23,567 --> 00:40:25,667 Verdict as to count one, 754 00:40:25,667 --> 00:40:27,867 we the jury having found the defendant, 755 00:40:27,867 --> 00:40:29,677 Lynlee Renick guilty of murder in the second degree 756 00:40:29,677 --> 00:40:30,000 Lynlee Renick guilty of murder in the second degree 757 00:40:30,667 --> 00:40:32,266 assess and declare punishment 758 00:40:32,266 --> 00:40:36,166 for murder in the second degree at 13 years. 759 00:40:37,367 --> 00:40:39,467 As the verdict is to count two, 760 00:40:39,567 --> 00:40:42,266 we the jury having found the defendant, Lynlee Renick, 761 00:40:42,367 --> 00:40:43,967 guilty of armed criminal action, 762 00:40:43,967 --> 00:40:46,100 assess and declare the punishment for armed 763 00:40:46,166 --> 00:40:48,266 criminal action at three years. 764 00:40:48,266 --> 00:40:51,000 Are these your verdicts, so say each of you? Okay. 765 00:40:51,100 --> 00:40:54,066 LUCAS: Investigators have been pushing hard 766 00:40:54,066 --> 00:40:56,567 that Lynlee Renick was the one that shot 767 00:40:56,567 --> 00:40:58,400 {\an8}and killed Ben. 768 00:40:58,467 --> 00:40:59,677 {\an8}A lot of people in the courtroom were shocked 769 00:40:59,677 --> 00:41:00,000 {\an8}A lot of people in the courtroom were shocked 770 00:41:00,867 --> 00:41:02,166 {\an8}at this verdict. 771 00:41:03,600 --> 00:41:06,266 {\an8}16 years total -- to this day, 772 00:41:06,266 --> 00:41:08,867 I truly believe that she put eight bullets in my brother. 773 00:41:16,400 --> 00:41:19,467 CHASE: I definitely miss Ben pretty much every day. 774 00:41:19,567 --> 00:41:22,300 I had a son, and he got the name Renick, 775 00:41:22,367 --> 00:41:23,634 so he's named after Ben. 776 00:41:24,867 --> 00:41:28,266 {\an8}ALEXANDRIA: I wish I could have had a conversation with him 777 00:41:29,600 --> 00:41:29,677 {\an8}before he died, before he was killed. 778 00:41:29,677 --> 00:41:30,000 {\an8}before he died, before he was killed. 779 00:41:33,767 --> 00:41:35,166 {\an8}I would have told him I was sorry 780 00:41:36,300 --> 00:41:38,900 {\an8}and that I loved him. 781 00:41:41,500 --> 00:41:44,567 {\an8}Losing my mother was hard. Losing my father was hard. 782 00:41:44,567 --> 00:41:46,200 {\an8}Losing Ben was unthinkable. 783 00:41:47,800 --> 00:41:50,000 {\an8}After my parents passed, Ben was all I had. 784 00:41:50,066 --> 00:41:51,600 {\an8}He was the last family member I had left, 785 00:41:51,667 --> 00:41:54,266 {\an8}and he meant the world to me, um -- 786 00:41:54,266 --> 00:41:56,500 {\an8}he will be forever missed.